Saturday, September 19, 2009

What a mess!

You might know my views on Preston's bus station, but incase you don't I'll just make them clear. The sooner that so-called `iconic building` is demolished the better. It's the embarrassment of our city.

I didn't think it was possible to make the concrete carbuncle even more unattractive, but in recent weeks it's grown new ugly boils in the form of `pedestrian safety`.
Obviously I don't want people to be hit by a bus and the fact people are now allowed to nip across the bus apron is most welcome. Lets face it, people have been doing it for years, and if this keeps them safer, then brilliant.

The eyesore is now surrounded in a steel fence, tall and thick enough it's seemingly being been drafted in from the Prison Service construction team. Large concrete barriers have also appeared stopping bus and funnelling pedestrians to safety. They've also taken on an unintended role in collecting all the litter, dead leaves and general mess. It looks horrible.

This area seems to be stuck in a time-void, a forever interactive 1960's museum experience.
It's served Preston well in the past but please open your eyes and see. It's run-down, dirty, neglected, unsafe and too big - It's out of place, it needs to go and make way for a new Preston that once again we can be proud of.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

A welcome video

Hello..

See me in action... click the welcome video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUxosEvQaiw

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Keith Macklin

I was sadden to learn of the death of my friend and former colleague, Keith Macklin.

I had the pleasure of working with Keith during my time at Rock FM / Magic 999 in Preston, the station he set up as Red Rose Radio in 1982.

He's worked as a reporter for local newspapers, national newspapers, was one of the first presenters of the BBC's regional TV news programmes `Look North West`, worked for Border TV, Yorkshire TV, presented on national radio, and of course Red Rose Radio.

He was the first Programme Controller of Red Rose, and was influential in establishing a strong commercial radio station that exceeded all expectations.

In the newsroom, Keith was the voice of reason, so well respected. Seemingly everyone in the sporting world knew Keith, and Keith knew them. His descriptive commentaries for Red Rose Sport were a joy to listen too, especially his partnership with the late Preston North End manager John McGrath who acted as his summariser.

Keith was a joy to be around, the calm voice of reason, thought and experience. Thanks for the memories, you'll be sorely missed.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Sony Radio Award Winner

Hello, sorry for the lack of updates recently, but I have some amazing news!

I am a 2009 Sony Radio Award Winner! I was a key part in the BBC Radio Manchester team that last night won a Gold Award in the 'Breaking News' category.
If you don't know, Sony Radio Awards are the equivalent of the radio Oscars.

Our entry featured 'The Rangers Riot' - It features the night Scottish Rangers football fans came to Manchester for the UEFA Cup Final against Zenit St. Petersburg in May 2008. Unfortunately one of the big TV screens in the fan zones broke, and combined with a day of drinking in the sun, it led to violence and riots.

http://www.radioawards.org/winners/?awid=170&awname=The+Breaking+News+Award&year=2009

Friday, January 02, 2009

Preston Bus Station

I was outraged to read that the London based Twenieth Century Society are to launch a bid to list Preston's controversial bus station.

I say; "Save your time and effort, go and List something more culturally important elsewhere."

I understand people have strong feelings about the structure and its proximity to certain shops and the markets, but it needs to be demolished and the sooner the better.

It is run down, unsafe, cold, dirty, smelly and over sized.

With the greatest respect, I suspect it's the older people of our city most upset at it's removal as part of Prestons Tithebarn transformation. To these people, and to the Twentieth Century Society particularly, I would appeal that you do not leave the dirty eyesore as your legacy to the next generation.

You need to think about the bigger picture, it's about more than a bus station. Preston is slowly rotting, slowly dieing. Preston Bus Station needs make way for a revitalised city for the next generation of proud Prestonians.

(please note: As with everything on this blog - These are my personal views and are not those of my employer)