The Guild Lock In
Thursday 2nd August 6pm - 8pm
As a supporter of Preston Guild 2012, St Georges shopping centre have arranged a special 'Lock-in' shopping event. Over 40 shops will be open; discounts galore (including parking); prizes to be won; plus lots of surprises on the night! A copy of the invite can be downloaded - you must take the invite with you to gain entry.
(July 2012)
Vintage pop up store to open at CityShopping Centre
Preston shoppers will soon be able to get their glad rags on for the Guild Vintage Weekend.
St George's Shopping Centre in partnership with DEBRA, a charity that supports sufferers of the genetic skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa, is to open a pop-up vintage shop ahead of the eagerly anticipated Guild Vintage Weekend which takes place in Avenham Park this September.
The old Wallis retail unit will be transformed into an Aladdin's cave of vintage clothing and accessories from Friday 24th August until Saturday 1st September, with all proceeds going to the charity's fundraising campaign. There will be a 'donate week' prior to the opening and it is hoped lots of local Prestonians will drop off their vintage outfits so the shop can be filled with a wealth of options for Vintage Weekend-goers.
This is a great opportunity for people to clear out their wardrobes and donate unwanted clothing to a fantastic charity. For those who are attending the Guild Vintage Weekend, the shop will provide the perfect environment for creating an enviable vintage look.
(July 2012)
Can you offer Preston museum a piece of Lancashire history?
A newly refurbished museum based in Preston is once again touring Lancashire in search of rare and interesting items to be displayed in its People’s Gallery later in the year.
The Museum of Lancashire will visit fourteen locations across the county as part of its Collecting History Days 2012 tour, with the first date taking place at the museum itself on Stanley Street, Preston on Saturday 5th May. You can read more on the Blog Preston site.
(April 2012 )
Love Food Love Preston Campaign
Preston’s culinary traditions will be in the spotlight over the summer as part of a new scheme to promote eating in the city.
The Love Food Love Preston campaign will see a month-long blitz of events including the return of the Lancashire Market and live cookery demonstrations with top chefs.
TV chef Gino D’Acampo (pictured left) will be hosting “A Night With Gino” at the Guild Hall on Saturday 18th August.
The events are being funded by the Preston Business Improvement District – who promote business in the city. You can read more on the Blog Preston site.
(April 2012)
Free apps for iPhone and Android phones promoting the Preston Guild have been launched
Built by Preston web firm Bespoke Internet, the apps were made available in late February and early March, and they allow Prestonians on the go to keep up with the latest on the Guild.
The apps feature news, events and the chance to post your message onto the Guild scrolls.
There’s a whole section dedicated to the history of the Guild festival and how it came about.
Read about the app on Blog Preston
(April 2012)
Brockholes - New for Easter 2012
We've just added lots of new play equipment ready for the Easter holidays.
Kids can jump on our Bouncing Flower, clamber their way onto a Play Hut and take on our Balance Blocks and Chain Path.
There will also be a new piece that visitors of any age can enjoy – the Jackstraws See-saw. Looking like a few wooden beams lying on the ground, visitors will be able to rock, bounce and balance along them. It is even more fun when there are a few people on them!
And what's more you only pay for car parking! So get that picnic packed and embark on a natural adventure at Brockholes this Spring.
Play Area
As well as our floating Visitor Village and all the wonderful wildlife you could see when you are here, your little ones can explore our adventure play area nestled in the grassland.
Children can swing, climb, balance and bounce in the play area whilst you relax on one of our picnic benches.
There's even a miniature gravel quarry for scooping, digging and transporting fun!
Keep your eyes peeled too, if you're lucky you might spot a Kestral soaring above you!
Walled Garden Bistro in National Restaurant Awards
A Preston restaurant has been voted one of the best in the UK. The Walled Garden Bistro, at Barton, was runner-up for best restaurant in the Hi-Life Dining Awards 2012 - just loosing out to Cheshire restaurant Abode, run by Michael Caines.
The bistro is part of the Barton Grange Hotel and last year won the Best North West restaurant at the same awards. Laura James, restaurant manager, said the team was delighted and she added “We were up against some superb restaurants and it shows all our hard work, to ensure we provide the right experience for our diner, is really paying dividends. Last year we were delighted to win the award for the Best North West Restaurant and to be short-listed for the Best Overall Restaurant in the UK is fantastic.”
Six green flag awards for Preston Parks
Green Flag recognises excellence in green space management. Criteria used to judge green spaces are cleanliness, maintenance, sustainability, community involvement, heritage, nature conservation, health and safety.Councillor Robert Boswell, cabinet member for environment, said: “We’re thrilled to now be able to offer the people of Preston six award-winning parks.“In addition to renewing previous awards for Avenham and Miller Parks, Grange Park, Haslam Park and Fishwick Local Nature Reserve, we have also been awarded the Green Flag for Ashton Park which is fantastic news after we were very close to gaining it last year.“Parks and green spaces are essential assets to the city and we are committed to continually improving them in order to provide local people with first class facilities.”Phil Barton, Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman, said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks and green spaces at a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.“The Green Flag Award Scheme, and its growth, is essential in driving up the standards of our parks and green spaces.“Access to quality green space is something we all desire and the scheme plays a key role in providing it.In 2011, over a thousand parks and green spaces will fly either the Green Flag or Community Award.The aim of Green Flag is to get 50% of green spaces in England and Wales to Green Flag standard by 2020.
Preston given purple flag 'safe' city status
The scheme assessed Preston's crime rates, hygiene standards and range of visitor attractions Preston has been officially recognised as one of the safest, cleanest and most enjoyable places for a night out.The city has been awarded purple flag status - similar to the Blue Flag scheme for beaches - which it shares with Manchester, Oxford and Bristol.The scheme assesses each area's crime rates, hygiene standards and range of visitor attractions.It is run by the Association for Town Centre Management, an organisation focused on improving towns and cities.Flag flownPreston's Business Improvement District (BID) applied for the award. Organisation chairman Ken Williams said: "We're absolutely delighted to learn that Preston has been awarded Purple Flag status. "It's well known across the night time industry that achieving the standard isn't a walk in the park, it's a big job, but we've done it and we intend to make the most of it by shouting from the roof-tops that Preston is the place for a good night out".The purple flag, which will be flown in the city centre, will officially be presented to Preston at a ceremony in June.
After Hours Shopping – Every Wednesday in Preston City Centre
Some of the city’s most popular outlets are now staying open that little while longer allowing time to shop and dine mid-week. More than 60 stores will trade each Wednesday until 7pm providing an ideal opportunity for a spot of after work shopping. Add to that more than 30 restaurants and bars offering early bird discounts, its’ the perfect excuse to treat yourself.......For details of participating outlets, visit www.bidpreston.co.uk and head to “After Hours Shopping”.Please note, this list changes regularly so check before your visit.
French Revolution room to open at Regimental museum in Fulwood
The Queen’s Lancashire Regimental Museum in Fulwood is due to open a new room, dedicated to the French Revolution.The Waterloo Room contains a rare Napoleonic Eagle and other memorabilia, including medals, clothing, pictures, rifles and swords, and should be ready to open later this year.Read More...
New Hungarian Resaurant opens in Preston City Centre.
The name Csikós Csárda, meaning horseman’s inn, is popular in Hungary where it’s synonymous with good old fashioned home cooking.The menu is a reflection of this and Peter found it easy to decide what to put on it, because he knew he wanted to serve traditional Hungarian cooking. “I’ve never wanted to cook anything else, it’s always Hungarian food.”Tradition is important to Peter and he is eager to keep recipes authentic and believes that good quality produce will make great tasting meals. More... (this link will take you to blogpreston.co.uk)
Chainsaw artist returns to Preston's Moor Park
Moor Park has received two new works of art made by a prestigious wood carver.Mick Burns has been a chainsaw carver for more than 25 years.He has designed two new benches to be placed in the play area, one of a giant lizard and another that mirrors the observatory and water features found in the area.Mick said: “The intention is to put these in the children’s play area as a little bit of interesting furniture other than just the play equipment.” More ... (this link will take you to blogpreston.co.uk)
Preston Film Festival enjoys its second year.
Preston can look forward to three days of excellent film-related events spread across the city, says Ric Michael – the coordinator of the Lancashire International Film Festival.Following on from the festival that debuted last year, the event has now been commissioned for the next two years. Michael says that this year’s festival (held from the 8th to the 10th April) is ”going to be great, and next year for Preston Guild, with it being the third year of the festival, you’ll start to see the big events coming together with the other celebrations in the city”. More ... (this link will take you to blogpreston.co.uk)