Blackpool Seagulls Support Kenya Childrens Charity

We were very pleased to be able to meet up today and have a chat with Sue Hayward, founder of the Happy House children's home for orphans and needy children in Kenya, and the associated umbrella project Children of Watamu.

The Happy House is celebrating its 2nd birthday with a fund raising event at the Sheraton Hotel in Blackpool on Friday evening and we gave Sue and Blackpool based co-ordinator Libby Gomm some prizes for the raffle and some presenst to take back to Kenya for the children.

Sue sold her home in Blackpool to help set up the children's home in Kenya and lives over there helping to care for the children. She is back on a flying visit to pick up difficulkt to source supplies and attend the party on Friday evening.
You'll be able to hear our fascinating interview with Sue and Libby in our "Best Kept Secrets...In Conversation" radio show on 103.2 Preston FM on Friday evening from 7pm (listen live worldwide via the internet at www.preston.fm) and after broadcast it will be posted on here so that you can listen again on demand.

To find out more about the Happy House and Children of Watamu, visit the website at: www.childrenofwatamu.net

To find out more about the Blackpool Seagulls recreational ice hockey team, go to: www.blackpoolseagulls.co.uk

Photo: Sue Hayward of the Happy House with a Blackpool Seagulls scarf.

RMS Titanic - 100 years on Lancashire Commemorates - April 2012

With many links with Lancashire, the County Palatine commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic on the night of 14th to 15th April 1912 with several special events.

On Saturday, 14th April 2012 the North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood is offering an informative talk by Jill Marr, followed by a special commemorative dinner with music.

The menu reflects the first class dinner served on the Titanic - condensed and modernised to include 7 courses followed by cheese, Port and coffee.

There will be a question and answer session following the meal.  The cost is £29.95 per person or £62.50 for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast per person.

To book, please call 01253 876525
or check out the North Euston's website on www.northeustonhotel.com

The North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6BN.

Many people will be aware of the Lancashire connection of Mr. Wallace Hartley the bandmaster on the Titanic, who was born in Colne but apart from the Managing Director of the White Star Line, Mr. Ismay, who was born in Crosby, several members of the crew were also from Lancashire and at least one passenger was from St. Annes on the Sea.

For an in-depth look at the crew members, please see www.titanicinlancs.com - where you will also find details of commemorative events taking place in East Lancashire and details of the Titanic in Lancashire Museum in Colne.

And in St. Anne-on-the-Sea, Arnold Sumner suggests "Thinking about the sinking of the Titanic a hundred years ago".  His idea is that as many of us as possible get together in an informal gathering and go down to St. Annes beach on Saturday, 14th and Sunday, 15th April to build a sand model of the Titanic to remember one of the worst shipping disasters ever.

According to Arnold, who is currently researching the St. Annes passengers aboard the Titanic, a Mr Arthur Gee of Riley Avenue in St. Annes, was on board, on his way to Mexico. In a letter to his wife dated 10th April 1912, Mr Gee said: "In the language of the poet, "This is a knock-out". I have never seen anything so magnificent, even in a first class hotel. I might be living in a palace. It is, indeed, an experience...".

For further information, please contact Mr Sumner on 07980 403516 or 01253 721608.

The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 18th and 19th March 2012

The Grand Theatre is delighted to bring one of Russia’s most acclaimed ballet companies back to Blackpool. The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia will perform Sleeping Beauty on 18^th March and Giselle on 19^th March.

In a magical Fairy Kingdom a princess, Aurora, is born and the Lilac Fairy and all her maidens are invited to the celebrations. The evil fairy Carabosse isn’t invited, but attends anyway disguised as a beautiful fairy and casts a spell over Aurora – cursing her that on her 16^th birthday she will prick her finger and die.

Trying to save the Princess the Lilac Fairy casts another spell, saying that the princess will only fall asleep after pricking her finger.

Sixteen years later Carabosse smuggles a needle into the castle on the night of Aurora’s birthday party. The princess pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep.

One hundred years pass and the Lilac Fairy meets Prince Florimund who sees a picture of Aurora and falls in love with her. Knowing true loves kiss can wake the princess from the spell the Lilac Fairy takes the prince to battle Carabosse and save the princess.

Stunning choreography, sumptuous costumes and wonderful sets form the fantasy world in which the Lilac Fairy struggles against the evil Carabosse.

The story of Giselle and her aristocratic but duplicitous lover Albrecht is set to a glorious score and brought to life by the magnificent costumes and virtuoso performances.

Set in the Rhineland in the Middle Ages during the grape harvest Duke Albrecht disguises himself as a peasant so he can ‘sow a few wild oats’ before his marriage. He flirts with Giselle who falls in love with him. When she learns the truth she goes mad and dies.

Summoned from her grave by the Wilis, female spirits who, jilted before their wedding day, rise from their graves and seek revenge upon men by dancing them to death, Giselle goes in search of Albrecht...

Formed in 1981, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has quickly established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. The soloists and corps de ballet are superb, and never fail to delight audiences with their breathtaking physical ability and dazzling costumes.

Sleeping Beauty is at the Grand Theatre on Sunday 18^th March and Giselle will be performed on Monday 19^th March. Tickets start from £20.

Don’t forget! Book for both ballets at the same time for just £55.

(Stalls and Dress Circle only)

Book your seats now by calling the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 743339, 

online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk  

or at the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

Ballet facts:

Sleeping Beauty

• Sleeping Beauty is Tchaikovsky’s longest ballet at nearly 4 hours in length! It is nearly always cut.
• Tchaikovsky finished the ballet score at the end of May 1889,having spent a total of 40 days on it.
• Many fairytale characters, including Puss in Boots and Red Riding Hood, appear in the final act.

Giselle

• The role of Giselle is one of the most sought after in ballet. To be cast in the role, a ballerina must have near perfect technique, great drama skills and outstanding grace.
• Giselle revolves around the themes of forest spirits, forces of nature and death. The second act of the ballet, in which everyone wears white, is known as the ‘white act’.  
• Giselle was first performed at the Paris Opéra’s Salle Le Peletier in Juen 1841.

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Release Of The Week: "It Means Nuthin When You're Dead" - Wasted Life

In our “Best Kept Secrets…In Conversation” show on 103.2 Preston FM last week, our release of the week was this latest offering from the rather excellent STP Records by Stoke on Trent punks Wasted Life.  We played the track “Those Were The Days” and heartily recommend checking out this band and their new CD.

“It Means Nuthin When You’re Dead” – Wasted Life

STP Records - STP 010 / Released 25^th February 2012

Tracklisting:

1: Why Me

2: State Of Anxiety

3: Long Time Dead

4: Deprivation

5: Those Were The Days

6: Bad Habits

7: Four Years Flat

8: All Fucked Up

9: Everything For You

10: Arrogance

11: Betrayed By Truth

12: Mistakes

Order link: http://www.stprecords.co.uk/page4.htm

Ice Hockey: Fylde Flyers 4 - Sheffield Senators 11

Saturday 10^th March 2012

English League Division2 North

Fylde Flyers 4 – Sheffield Senators 11
Period Scores: 2-1, 1-7, 2-3
Shots On Goal:  Flyers 74 – Senators 67
Penalties In Minutes: Flyers 16 – Senators 14
Flyers Scorers:  Andy Clark 2+2, Bobby Caunce 1+1, Mark Gillingham 1+0, Kurtis Hall 0+2
Flyers Penalties: Elvis Veldze 6, Andy Clark 4, Antony Melbourne, Janis Grinbergs, Matt Gibson  all 2
Flyers MVP: Mark Gillingham
Match Officials: Pering / Goodwin
Attendance: 129

Next Home Match:  Saturday 17^thMarch v Flintshire Freeze (ED2N)– 5pm Face Off

Photo: Andrew Clark by Adam Tranter

NWCFL League Cup: Barnoldswick Tn 1 - AFC Blackpool 0

Weekend Results:

NWCFL League Cup: Barnoldswick Town 1 – AFC Blackpool 0 (Game played at AFC Blackpool)
Premier Division: Squires Gate 3 – Stone Dominos 0

Next Home Matches:

Tuesday 13^th March: Squires Gate V Silsden (NWCFL Premier Division)
Saturday 17^th March: AFC Blackpool v Maine Road (NWCFL Premier Division).

More info: www.nwcfl.com   www.afcbalckpool.co.uk 

Mothers Day Lunch at Wyrebank Banqueting Suite, Garstang - Sunday 18th March 2012

Wyrebank Banqueting Suite are holding a special Mothers Day Luncheon on Sunday, 18th March 2012.

Served between 12 noon and 3 pm. three courses are £19.95 per person - children £9.95.

Mothers will receive a free gift.

MENU
Starters - homemade soup of the day made with fresh, locally sourced vegetables and served with homemade croutons
or homemade Chicken Liver Pate with oatcakes and fruit chutney
or Smoked Haddock and Port of Lancaster Smoked Salmon Fish Cakes served with a side salad and homemade Tartar Sauce
or Bruschetta - marinated red onion, garlic, fresh Basil and Chilli served with mixed leaves and balsamic drizzle.

Main Courses - Spiced Sweet Potato and Chickpea Casserole
or Locally reared Roast Beef with homemade Yorkshire puddings and red wine gravy
or Corn Fed Chicken Breast wrapped in pancetta and served with a Madeira sauce
or Fillet of Salmon served with lemon and chive butter and fresh watercress.

Desserts - all homemade - White Chocolate and Baileys Cheesecake
or Sticky Toffee Pudding
or Apple Crumble.

Wyrebank Banqueting Suite
The Moorings, Church Street, GARSTANG, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1PG

For bookings and/or further information please call 01995 605455
website:  www.wyrebank-functions.co.uk