Ed Walker

Sign the Petition Preston Guild Hall: Let's get the show back on in Preston, Lisa Nandy

See the petition, sign it and share it with anyone you think might want to back it

Petition launches urging Lisa Nandy to back Preston having a major venue again – Blog Preston <p>Preston Guild Hall’s future remains far from clear. We’re calling on the government to support Preston’s major venue ambitions.</p>

Let's show Lisa Nandy (the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport) the appetite there is in Preston.

We've been without a major entertainment venue in the city since 2019. Tonight we launch our call for the government to pledge their support - whether it's repair or rebuild - to getting the issue resolved.

Bad queues yesterday. Had one job, where's my facepalm emoji etc

Plan to reopen Guy’s Thatched Hamlet and begin major rolling refurbishment set out as sale confirmed – Blog Preston <p>A deal to acquire Guy’s Thatched Hamlet has now been concluded.</p>

A deal to save Guy's Thatched Hamlet as a hospitality destination has been confirmed.

Sitting through two-and-a-half hours of back and forth, and making sense of it all for you

Some really good comments on this already - it is and will continue to be the biggest story in the city (and one we'll keep covering in depth)

A piece of modern Preston history has gone

Well, what a response that was! More than 100 people and organisations were nominated in the first ever Proud Preston Awards.
The official finalists list is out this morning and well done to every person who is on it.

A damp morning at Deepdale, brightened by firming up plans for the return of the Big PNE Sleep Out.

More than 300 people signed up to take part and help raise funds to prevent female homelessness in the city.

Welcome to The Valleys Lead Going behind the headlines to share stories from people in the South Wales Valleys

The Valleys Lead has launched (!!!!!!!) and we at @theleaduk.bsky.social are over the moon to start sharing stories from the South Wales Valleys.

If you've got a story for us, please do send a message here or email valleys@thelead.uk.

open.substack.com/pub/valleysl...

What really happened when a piece of Blackpool’s £100m DWP building fell 100ft How does a new £100m building hailed as one of the best in Blackpool end up falling to bits in the wind?

Good morning from the North! Here's our latest weekend editions of The Lead North, starting in a very windy Blackpool where serious questions are being asked after part of a £100million new DWP building became dislodged in the strong winds this week

17 years of Blog Preston – Blog Preston <p>Just the 31,000 stories written later – thanks to everyone who has supported us.</p>

Just the 31,000 stories later.... it was a cold day in 2009 when it all began(!).

Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years. 🙌

Battle to have Lancashire's arena as politicians jostle to leave mark on areas Who will leave a political legacy that people can enjoy for years to come?

Full story here

This time last year we broke the story about an ambition for the Red Rose county to have an arena. What's happened since? And how it looks like the old rivalry of Blackpool v Preston will play a key part.

Me in the Lancashire edition of The Lead this morning, looking at where the jostling to be home to a major events space (arena) in Lancashire is up to.

Blog Preston’s new website in the running to be crowned best in the North at Northern Digital Awards – Blog Preston <p>New look unveiled in September and now up for recognition at awards ceremony</p>

We'll be hoping to put Preston on the Northern digital creative map at the awards early next year. Thanks to everyone who reads us and supports us. 💙🤞

Preston urged to ensure no child wakes on Christmas Day without a present to unwrap – Blog Preston <p>Cotton Court and Barnado’s are teaming up for a 13th year for the gift appeal – and we’re asking Blog Preston readers to help</p>

We know Prestonians are kind-hearted and proud people so let's set a new record and help put smiles on faces in and around the city this Christmas.

We've consistently backed this important Christmas appeal from the Cotton Court Business Centre team - and last year was the biggest set of donations yet!

A year on from St Joseph’s Orphanage and Church Street in flames – Blog Preston <p>Preston’s empty and heritage buildings have been in sharp political focus since the fires and created a movement with a desire to see something done</p>

My feature exploring a year on from two major fires - a city in flames - in the space of a week in early November last year and asking what's happened since?

But I can't remember a period of such intense focus on empty buildings, particularly heritage ones, as there is right now in the city.

I've covered Preston's redevelopment for many years via @blogpreston.co.uk - and there's always been empty buildings. One of the first stories I ever did in 2009 was about the future of the former St Joseph's Orphanage.

Opinion: There are many Prestons’ needed to make a city – Blog Preston <p>Preston’s resurgence will rely on multiple substantial investments rather than one big bang as was planned with the ill-fated Tithebarn which failed 14 years ago this week</p>

What is it about early November and major regeneration moments happening with the city?

Inside the huge metal recycling plant at Red Scar – Blog Preston <p>Getting through thousands of tonnes a day, and famous locally for going up in smoke, what’s it like at the Longridge Road site?</p>

In the past decade or so the Red Scar site, still known to many as Recycling Lives, has become known for going up in smoke. @edwalker86.bsky.social went behind the scenes with new owners who took it on last year

Family’s plea for independent investigation into disabled woman’s fall from minibus – Blog Preston <p>Karen Killeen, who died in March this year from pneumonia, was seen falling from the back of the vehicle while in the care of a charity-operated day centre</p>

This story took months of conversations, reading documents, letters and more. @edwalker86.bsky.social reports on one family who have been left nowhere else to turn after what happened to Karen Killeen

Each year since 2022 we've been helping a Prestonian who does great things in the community be part of the fun on stage and turn on the city's Christmas lights. Who should it be this year?

First look at huge new Gentry Tifo planned for Deepdale to celebrate Preston North End fans – Blog Preston <p>Half-way point now reached in fan-funded fundraiser for huge illustration to be held up during home games and honouring PNE fans past and present</p>

I've been sent the current design for this and it really is impressive. Be even more so when thousands of fans are holding it aloft at Deepdale. Fantastic to see the
@blogpreston.co.uk logo will be pride of place too.

SpudBros lift up Ollie, 11, who was filmed being attacked in Withy Grove park – Blog Preston <p>The Bamber Bridge family were special guests of the TikTok sensations and the Nelson family for Preston North End’s victory over Swansea</p>

And enter stage left the SpudBros. Proper Preston people.

Social media platforms removed the footage, ironically due to bullying and harassment concerns. Strong, local, independent media - and a decision by us as editors to run was crucial for the family feeling they could raise awareness.

Parents describe pain as 11-year-old boy forced to ‘kiss the shoe’ of balaclava-clad youth – Blog Preston <p>Catherine and Jon Mellowship, from Bamber Bridge, have chosen to release video of the attack on their son Ollie</p>

Thank you to Catherine and family for putting their trust in us with this story.