Best Kept Secrets Radio Show on 103.2 Preston FM - Saturday 1st February 2014 From 4pm

Tune in to our Best Kept Secrets radio show on 103.2 Preston FM this Saturday 1st February from 4pm.

We'll be featuring north west artists Ryan Cregan (in photo) and AD Cooke ,
Reviews of "War Girls" audio book and "A Service Rendered" war poetry collection,
Lucy talks about Pete and Alan Seeger, The Womens' Hospital in World War 1 and a bit about Clerihews.

There is a great doubleplay from The Corrs, the highly popular "Party Like It's 1959" slot and also new releases from Twin Forks and Reverend & The Makers.

So join us from 4pm on Saturday on 103.2 Preston FM.  If you live outside the broadcast area, you can "listen live" online at www.preston.fm

Ade Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds coming to Colne Muni - May 2014

The Bad Shepherds play punk songs on folk instruments. Not as a gag, but because they really like the noise.

They think the songs are better than people remember. They love folk instruments. It works. They do songs by The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Stranglers, The Jam, Sham 69, The Undertones, The Ramones, The Buzzcocks, The Specials, Talking Heads, Squeeze and others, even Kraftwerk!

Alright, they’re not all punk, but they come from roughly the same era. They’ve mostly given the songs a kind of Celtic feel, and they’ve stuck in the odd reel and jig here and there. But occasionally they just thrash! They’ve always thought the excitement of a reel taking off is the nearest thing to the excitement of watching punk live in the 70s.

With Adrian playing the Mandolin, world-renowned Troy Donockley playing the ethereal uillean pipes and the bouzouki, Tim Harries (Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Steeleye Span) on the double bass and Terl Bryant (Iona, Peter Murphy Band, John Paul Jones Band) on percussion, the four of them now form the core of the band with occasional guest musicians.

The Bad Shepherds have released three albums, ‘Yan Tyan Tethera Methera!’ in 2009, ‘By Hook or By Crook’ in 2010 and ‘Mud, Blood and Beer’ in 2013, which features an original song penned by Adrian.
　

They toured extensively in 2011 and last year they played a string of dates in Australia and a 24-date tour or the UK in November and December, where the majority of the dates sold out.

For something totally different, catch Ade and his mates in Colne in May.

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW -  PLEASE CHECK BACK!

Volunteers Wanted For Crafty Clickers Knitting Project

Details have just been announced of a new combined charity project based at The ACE Centre in Nelson – and local crafters are being invited to get involved.

Hot on the heels of their outstanding success with their knitted poppies in support of the Royal British Legion last year, the group of ladies (and one brave man) fondly known as The Crafty Clickers are now launching their latest projects – one very familiar one and one that is brand new.

Having presented the Royal British Legion with over 300 beautiful poppies for the Poppy Appeal last November, the group have been approached by the RBL to extend their poppy-knitting through to August of this year as part of the First World War Centenary events.  The response to the beautiful flowers produced was outstanding and it is a tribute to the talented crafters that they have been asked to extend this project!

However, that isn’t all!  Crafty Clickers organiser Beverly McKiernan has been approached by the group Carers Contact which supports unpaid Carers throughout Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.  Their role is to help raise awareness amongst unpaid Carers of the support that is available to them and also to raise money which the charity can use in its efforts to support these Carers.

Chairperson of the Carers 4 Carers Group (part of Carers Contact) is Pauline Hague, who is also a very active member of Pendle Crafters, one of the busiest poppy producing groups last year.  Pauline not only has a gorgeous Blue Violet crochet pattern which she will provide to any interested parties, but can also supply wool AND for those who have never had the opportunity to learn to crochet, she will also arrange to TEACH anyone wishing to help with the project how to do basic crocheting!

Anyone interested in getting involved should ring Beverly at The ACE Centre on 01282 661080 or email her at Beverly.mckiernan@pendleleisuretrust.co.uk  

All crafters wishing to produce poppies can get stuck in right away – just contact Beverly and she will forward the pattern by email or post.  Anyone wishing to get involved with the Blue Violets should also contact Beverly direct and she will liaise with Pauline to arrange a class for those who wish to learn a new craft!  The Blue Violet Appeal will launch officially later this month.

So with many long dark winter evenings ahead, why not get involved, create your own winter garden with Blue Violets and (if you wish) multi-coloured poppies – AND grab the opportunity to learn a new craft!

Similarly, anyone wishing to support the scheme with donations of wool, knitting needles or crochet hooks) should contact Beverly on the above number.

 
And of course, the invitation is most definitely open to young and old, seasoned crafters and novices -  and a special invitation goes out to the gentlemen crafters as well as the fairer sex

North By North West Mod Festival in Colne - 6th & 7th June 2014

Pendle Leisure Trust and Doc Redeye Events bring a brand new two-day Festival to Colne.
North by North-West Festival will celebrate 50 years of Mod music next year – the Golden Anniversary of when it all began.

The Who and The Kinks were formed in 1964, Small Faces in 1965 and Love Affair in 1966, playing in clubs across the UK such as The Marquee and The Flamingo in London to The Astoria in Rawtenstall and The Nelson Imp.

Then came ‘The Mod Revival’ which started around the late 1970s, inspired by the 1979 film ‘Quadrophenia’ and mod-influenced bands such as The Jam, Secret Affair and Purple Hearts. Following this was Two Tone Ska music with bands such as Bad Manners with Buster Bloodvessal, Madness and The Specials.

This year there will be no need to travel to Brighton, Margate or Clacton to celebrate 50 years of this amazing music, because Colne is to have its own Mod Invasion at the Muni Theatre on June 6^{th and 7th.}

From The Jam, featuring Bruce Foxton (in photo), will headline the opening night with some of the great Mod anthems. They will be supported by The 45’s and The Universal.

Saturday’s line-up features The Itch, The Kast Off Kinks, featuring former members of The Kinks, The Small Fakers, Steve Ellis’ Love Affair who will be performing, among others, their most famous tune "Everlasting Love" and Bad Manners, featuring Buster Bloodvessel will round off what promises to be a fantastic weekend and a musical trip down memory lane.

MC and DJ, Northern Soul’s Roman, will be keeping the atmosphere going with musical interludes from the era.

Organisers Pendle Leisure Trust and Doc Redeye Events, are teaming up with the Cheeky Northern Monkeys Scooter Club who will be descending on Colne and Nelson Rugby Club for their annual weekend.

They will be linking up with other local scooter clubs for a rally through the town, which should provide quite a spectacle and take visitors back to the time when Mods ruled.

With sponsorship backing from Mini, Lloyds Colne, AMS Neve and Wills Electrical in Colne, the Festival promises to be a great event.

So, dig up your Vespa or Lambretta from the bottom of the garden, get the classic mini out of storage, put on your Ben Sherman, Fred Perry or Harrington Jacket and join all the 21st Century Mods at Colne, for the first ever North by North-West Festival.

For full details of the festival weekend, including Mini Rally, Scooter Rally and camping with the Cheeky Northern Monkeys, go to ^{www.nbnwfestival.com}

"War Girls" - CD and Download - A Review

Our thanks to Dorothy Clare who brought this to our attention.

“War Girls” is an anthology of poetry and prose in CD or MP3 form, put together and read by Ruth Sillers from poetry and prose written by women who lived through the First World War.    

 Ruth Sillers has worked for the National Youth Theatre, The Royal National Theatre Studio, Donmar Warehouse and the BBC.   Ruth’s soothing voice brings us an insight into the role of women during the First World War, from the outbreak until the Armistice. 

 Ruth reads from works featured in Catherine Reilly’s “Scars upon my Heart” and Joyce Marlow’s “Women and the Great War”, among them, Violet Thurston, Katharine Tynan, Helena Swanwick, Helen Hamilton, Anna Gordon Keown, Sarah Macnaughton, Charlotte Mew, Katherine Mansfield, Nora Griffiths, Jessie Pope, E. Sylvia Pankhurst, Madeline Ida Bedford, Olive May Taylor, Edith Sitwell, Maude Onions, Winifred M. Letts, Helen Dircks, M. Winifred Wedgwood, Eva Dobell, Teresa Hooley, Aelfrida Tillyard, Eleanour Norton, Nancy Cunard, Lilian Baylis, Eileen Newton, May Wedderburn Cannan, Carla Oman, Virginia Woolf, Marjorie Wilson and Sara Teasdale.

Skilfully interwoven with a musical accompaniment featuring some of the well-known WW1 airs such as “If you were the only girl in the world”, “Oh Oh, Antonio”, “After the Ball”, the “Rose of No Man’s Land”, “Keep the Home Fires Burning”, “Roses of Picardy”, “Till we meet again” and featuring “The Last Post”, this is a delightful reminder of the debt we owe to the women whose contribution to the First World War has, until now, been largely overlooked.

“War Girls” is available as a download or a CD from Crimson Cats Audio Books – www.crimsoncats.co.uk;  e-mail: editor@crimsoncats.co.uk

Ice Hockey: Next Blackpool Seagulls Match - 8th February 2014

Blackpool Seagulls recreational team will be playing the Nottingham Knights on Saturday 8th February 2014 at the Jubilee Ice Arena on Cleveleys Promenade - 5pm face off.

The "new" Seagulls are based around a nucleus of players from the old British League and English League period along with some exciting new talent so, if you hanker after the days of the old Heineken League and the Stein Lager Trophy, here's a great chance to see players such as Dave Anthony, Gary Shearman, Bobby Hall and the like in action once again!

It costs just £2 to get in and accompanied children are free.

To find out more, check out the Blackpool Seagulls 2012 Ice Hockey Team group on Facebook.

Date Change for Swing Sundays At Parks Art Deco Cafe, Blackpool

There is a change to the normal running order for the Swing Sunday lunchtime music session at Parks Art Deco Cafe in Blackpool during the month of February.

On Sunday 9th February it will now be The Frank Flynn Trio (in photo) and on Sunday 16th February it will now be Flip.

For more information, check out the website at  www.parksartdecocafe.co.uk

Ice Hockey: NIHL North Moralee Conference Round Up - Weekend of 18th & 19th January 2014

Blackburn Hawks continued their outstanding new year form with a 3-1 home win over Sutton Sting which saw them leapfrog the Nottinghamshire side into 3rd place in the Moralee Conference. This was the Hawks' 9th win in a row and brought to an end Sutton's own impressive 9 from 10 recent playing record, 

Billingham Stars retained their second place in the table by virtue of their 9-1 win over bottom club Telford Titans. They are now just 2 points ahead of Blackburn and have played two games more.

Elsewhere in the Moralee Conference, Whitley Warriors put an end to their mid season slump by winning their first game since early December with a 5-2 home victory over Sheffield Spartans while Solway Sharks' 11-2 win against Manchester Minotaurs on Saturday night means that they remain 3 points clear at the top of the table with games in hand over all the teams in the chasing pack.

Photo by John Milton - www.togger.co.uk 

NIHL North Laidler Conference Round Up - Weekend of 18th &19th January 2014

There were only 2 games in the Laidler Conference at the weekend, both involving teams in the title race,

Solihull Barons maintained their 3 point lead at the top of the table with a 9-2 home win over 6th place Sheffield Senators.  The Barons dominated throughout - notching up an incredible 77 shots to the Senators' 22 in a game that was effectively over by the first break with the home side already leading 4-1.

Second place Deeside Dragons kept the pressure on the leaders with a 6-1 win away at local rivals Widnes Wild.  The Wild actually outshot their visitors but were unable to convert that pressure into goals.  The Dragons now sit a comfortable 7 points ahead of both 3rd place Coventry Blaze and 4th place Nottingham Lions who didn't play this weekend and now both have a game in hand.

Photo: James Parsons scores Deeside Dragons' first goal at Widnes (photo by Peter Sheffield www.psd-images.co.uk )

Local Football Round Up - Saturday 18th January 2014

In our featured mach of the day (see photo), Blackpool Wren Rovers reserves drew 1-1 at home to Tempest United reserves.

In the North West Counties League Premier Division, Squires Gate FC beat Winsford United 2-1 to pull them selves clear of the relegation positions while AFC Blackpool lost 3-1 away at Glossop North End.

Next Saturday, 25th January, AFC Blackpool are at home to Maine Road FC in a 3pm kick off while Squires Gate are away at Glossop.

Read "The Bad Boy's League Table" on Blueliner Hockey

Yes - it's time for Paul's latest ice hockey opinion column on Blueliner Hockey and for once, he's not going on about the old days - well, not much anyway...

To read what he has to say - and to find out what is going on in this photo, check out Blueliner Hockey here now:  www.bluelinerhockey.com/the-bad-boys-league-table/

Local Artists Special on 103.2 Preston FM - Saturday 4pm - 18th January 2013

We have lots of great music from local artists in our Best Kept Secrets radio show on 103.2 Preston FM on Saturday from 4pm.

There are new tracks from April Moon, Avishek Choudhury, Chonkinfeckle and a double play from the Raintown Seers.

There are new releases from Highasakite, Kilto Take and Helen and the Horns and lots more from the 2013 Pendle War Poetry competition.

Lucy talks about some Inspirational Women on World War One and a few Fascinating Facts of the Great War and we have our great "Party Like It's 1959" nostalgia slot.

So join us from 4pm on Saturday on 103.2 Preston FM.  If you are outside the broadcast area, you can listen live on the internet at www.preston.fm  

Ice Hockey: NIHL North Round Up - Weekend of 11th & 12th January 2014

Blackburn Hawks continued their impressive run of from with two more victories at the weekend, beating bottom club Telford Titans 10-6 in the Moralee Conference on Saturday night and then despatching Manchester Minotaurs 6-1 in the Northern Cup on Sunday evening.

The win on Saturday moved the Hawks up into 2nd place in the table overnight but they were then displaced by both Billingham Stars and Sutton Sting who picked up wins over Whitley Warriors and Telford Titans respectively on Sunday evening.

Billingham's 6-2 win in the North East derby will have been especially welcome to their fans as it brought to an end a terrible run of results where they lost 4 games in a row, scoring only 4 goals in the process.

Solway Sharks remain top of the Moralee Conference with a 3 point cushion over the Stars.  They also have three games in hand, having played no league games this weekend.

In the Laidler Conference (North 2), 2nd placed Deeside Dragons closed the gap with leaders Solihull Barons to 3 points with a 2-1 win at home to Nottingham Lions on Sunday night.  They missed the chance to move to within 1 point of top spot as they lost their game on Saturday 3-2 away to Sheffield Senators.

Lions are now level on points with Coventry Blaze in what looks as if it will be a two horse battle for 3rd place.

In the other games of the weekend, Widnes Wild won 1-5 away to Blackburn Eagles and then lost 3-5 at home to Sheffield Senators.

Photo: Outstanding young Blackburn player James Riddoch was voted MVP for his performance for the Hawks against  Manchester on Sunday.  James had previously been playing for Blackburn Eagles in the Laidler Conference and has only just stepped up to play for the N1 side. (Photo by John Milton - www.togger.co.uk)

Listen Again: Origins of the YMCA on 103.2 Preston FM - 4th January 2014

If you missed our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM last weekend, you missed Lucy talking about the origins of the YMCA organisation - and also what they did during the first world war.

But fear not - you can hear it again now by clicking on the soundfile below:

Listen Again: Pendle War Poetry Competition UK Under 18 Winning Poem on 103.2 Preston FM - 4th Janaury 2014

If you missed our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM last weekend, here's another chance to hear the winning poem from the UK under 18 category of the 2013 Pendle War Poetry. This is "A Single Poppy" by Abi Rose Langton from Nottingham.

To listen, just click on the soundfile below:

To find out more about the Pendle War Poetry Competition, visit the official website here: www.pendlewarpoetry.com

Listen Again: Pendle War Poetry Overseas Winning Poem on 103.2 Preston FM - 4th January 2014

If you missed our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM last weekend, here's another chance to hear the winning poem from the overseas category of the 2013 Pendle War Poetry competition.  This is "The Terror Of Peace", which was written by Daniel Schafer from Wisconsin, USA.

To listen, just click on the soundfile below:





To find out more about the Pendle War Poetry Competition, visit the official website here: www.pendlewarpoetry.com 

Listen Again: The Pukes on 103.2 Preston FM - 4th January 2014

If you missed our radio show on 103.2 Preston FM last weekend, you hear us talking about The Pukes by clicking on the sound  file below:

Local Football Round Up - 11th January 2014

AFC Blackpool snatched a 2-2 draw at home to Silsden in the NWCFL Premier Division, coming back from having gone 1-2 down just before half time.  They had taken the lead in the 24th minute from a Matt Musgrave free kick (see photo).

Also in the NWCFL Premier Division, Squires Gate drew 1-1 away at Alsager.

These results leave AFC Blackpool and Squires Gate 10th and 20th in the league table respectively.

Squires Gate are at home next Saturday -18th January - to Winsford United while AFC Blackpool are away at Glossop North End.

In the West Lancashire League, Blackpool Wren Rovers' match away at Garstang was postponed, as was their reserves home game.

Songs of No Man's Land, Saturday 25th January 2014 - 3 pm - 4 pm Wigmore Hall, London W1U 2BP

Songs of No Man’s LandSaturday 25 January 3.00pm – 4.00pm Family concert for ages 7+ Based on the book War Game by Michael Foreman Presenter Rus Pearson and musicians from Britten Sinfonia take you on a journey with a group of boys from the east of England who travel to the trenches of northern France. Combining existing repertoire and a new commission by Tim Watts, Songs of No Man’s Landexplores the themes of friendship, loss and remembrance which surround the Great War. Tickets: Adults £7 Children £5 Book Tickets Now In partnership with Britten Sinfonia Wigmore Hall Learning is grateful to Mayfield Valley Arts Trust, The Monument Trust and The Andor Charitable Trust for their support of Songs of No Man's Land. Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street London W1U 2BP

Blueliner Hockey: Whitley “Saved”, Thoughts On Councils & A Good Site For A New Rink…

Read Paul's latest opinion column: "Whitley “Saved”, Thoughts On Councils & A Good Site For A New Rink…" on Blueliner Hockey now.  Just click on this link:

http://bluelinerhockey.com/whitley-rink-saved-thoughts-on-councils-a-good-site-for-a-new-rink/

Ice Hockey: NIHL North Round Up - Weekend of 4th & 5th January 2014

Blackburn Hawks moved back into the play-off positions in the Moralee Conference (North 1) for the first time since November after a four point weekend.

On Saturday night, they shut out Whitley Warriors 5-0 to leapfrog them in the table into 4^th place and then consolidated that position with a sensational 9-1 win away at second placed Billingham Stars on Sunday. Stars also lost 5-1 away at league leaders Solway on Saturday night, meaning that the gap at the top of the table has now been extended to 5 points.

Sutton Sting continued their impressive form with a 6-4 win away at Manchester Minotaurs and moved to within 1 point of second placed Billingham while the Warriors recovered to pick up a 2-2 draw at home to Solway Sharks on Sunday evening.

The situation at the top of the table is now very close – with just two points between Billingham in second and Hawks in 4^th.

In the Laidler Conference (North 2), Deeside Dragons pegged Solihull Barons’ lead at the top of the table back to just 3 points with a 6-3 win away at Hull Jets on Saturday night but the 5 point gap was restored on Sunday as Barons beat bottom club Blackburn Eagles at home 16-2.

In the other games of the weekend, 3rd placed Coventry Blaze beat Hull Jets 5-3  and 4^th placed Nottingham Lions beat Sheffield Senators 3-2.  Following this weekend’s games, there were no changes in league positions.

Photo: Blackburn Hawks v Whitley Warriors by John Milton – www.togger.co.uk

Local Football Round Up - 4th January 2014

In our featured game of the day (see photo), Blackpool Wren Rovers Reserves beat Burnley Utd reserves 2-0 in the West Lancashire League Reserves Division 1.

The first team's game away at Crookland Casuals was postponed. The Reserves are 2nd in the Reserves Division 1  league table, 1 point behind leaders Charnock Richard, having played the same number of games. Next Saturday, the Reserves are at home to Thornton Cleveleys reserves in a 2pm kick off while the first team are away at Garstang.

In the North West Counties League Premier Division, AFC Blackpool won 4-2 away at AFC Liverpool while Squires Gate lost 1-4 at home to Bootle.

That win puts AFC Blackpool 10th in the Premier Division table with 36 points from 28 games.  Squires Gate are now second from bottom in 21st place with 24 points from 25 games. 

AFC Blackpool are home to Silsden next Saturday 11th January in a 3pm kick off.  Squires Gate are away at Alsager Town who are immediately above them in the league table with the same number of points.

Talk on WW1 poets Isaac Rosenberg and Siegfried Sassoon, London, 27th February 2014, 7 pm.

Jean Moorcroft Wilson is speaking on Rosenberg and Sassoon as part of Jewish Book Week. 

When:  Thursday,  27th February 2014 at 7:00pm

Where:  The Venue, is Kings Place, by Kings Cross Station, Hall 2

Tickets are £9.50 

To book please go to http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on-book-tickets/spoken-word/reading-siegfried-sassoon-and-isaac-rosenberg-100-years-on#.UsS1sb-aJSU 

For further information please see:
http://www.jewishbookweek.com/events/reading-siegfried-sassoon-and-isaac-rosenberg-100-years

Events | Jewish Book Week

www.jewishbookweek.com

Some of the most haunting poems of the First World War were written by Jewish people.

In this special event for Jewish Book Week, London Secondary School Students will perform selected works by Siegfried Sassoon and Isaac Rosenberg.

Online Petition To Save Whitley Bay Ice Rink

Sports fans from across the country are being urged to sign an online petition after news emerged that Whitley Bay Ice Rink – along with various other local amenities in the same area – have been included in a plan for a new housing development by North Tyneside Council. 

We have already lost Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle as ice hockey venues in the North East and can’t afford to lose any more.

You can find out more about the Development plans here:  http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/browse.shtml?p_subjectCategory=182

The online petition can be signed here: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/north-tyneside-council-save-whitley-bay-ice-rink