Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

I'll get round to a little more of the day in Manchester, tomorrow.




It's a great City.

[Mathos]

Most if not every Weather forecast or Prediction for the last few days was pointing towards very heavy snow falls throughout Lancashire.


We didn't get any to speak of just here, and what did fall was soon washed away with the rain which has been falling for best part of the day, some places did and in Cumbria as much as 20cm ....(8 inches)

There appears to be plenty on The Pennines and the local News reports have shown heavy falls in Yorkshire and Derbyshire, The Peak District has had a fair old covering as well.

They do get carried away though with school closures and cancellations of all sorts of interesting activities.

Snow sweeps into the north

Wintry conditions caused treacherous conditions on the roads in Northern England and Scotland as up to six inches of snow fell today.


Heavy falls came down in North East England and South East Scotland as a wet weather front met cold air which has been sitting over the country.

Strong winds caused drifting, forcing roads to shut, or lane closures on dual-carriageways, on higher ground.

There were reports of up to 100 schools closed in West Yorkshire, around 30 in North Yorkshire, and a dozen more closed in Northumberland.

MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said rain was expected to come in during the day, pushing the snow clouds out, but they could return tomorrow.

Up to 15cm fell in the Scottish Borders, and hazardous conditions were reported on the roads in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and across Yorkshire.

Forecaster Tom Tobler said: "North East England is getting the worst of it at the moment.

"Last night parts of Wales had snow, and Scotland too over the higher ground.

"There may be snow or sleet tomorrow, but nothing like what we have seen this morning."

Driving conditions on the M62 across the Pennines at Huddersfield were poor, and parts of the A1 in Northumberland were down to one lane.

In County Durham, a police spokesman said: "There are problems on the roads pretty much everywhere you look in the force at the moment."

Police said the A66 trans-Pennine road was closed westbound to motorists from North Yorkshire to Cumbria because of heavy snow.

The picture was brighter elsewhere with temperatures to get up to 10C in parts of southern England, 8-9C in Midlands, with a drier day for many tomorrow.

Over the next week or so, temperatures are forecast to be about average for December (4-7C in the daytime) with some unsettled showery weather before a drier weekend.


The adverse weather conditions led to school closures across the North West of England.

In Greater Manchester, 86 schools in Rochdale confirmed they would be closed, 15 schools in Bury did not open, and nine in Oldham were closed.

A Rochdale Borough Council spokeswoman said: "Decisions to close schools are not taken lightly, but health and safety has to be the priority. We have advised all schools to re-open tomorrow."

A further seven schools were shut in Bolton.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said the total of schools shut was 70. In Cumbria, 34 schools were closed.

The snow and sleet also led to the cancellation of a number of sporting and social events this weekend.

In Blackburn, all football matches due to take place on council pitches have been called off, while in nearby Darwen, the local ladies choir cancelled a concert in Darwen Library on Saturday.



How sad!

I can remember lying on my back under wagons, putting clutches in or replacing broken half shafts amongst a damn good selection of other work and being glad of it on the side of the M6 when it was being built during the 'real winters' of 1963 64, 65 and others.




Overnight snow causes disruption


Roads are slow-moving with Pennine routes particularly affected


Snow has caused traffic delays, closed schools and left people stranded across north-west England.

Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester have all been affected by overnight falls, leaving some schools shut for a third day.

Rochdale Council has recommended all 92 of its schools shut and more than 100 are closed in Lancashire.

Police are warning drivers to only make necessary journeys. Trans-Pennine roads, including the M62, are affected.

The road between Greenfield in Oldham and Holmfirth has been shut after gritters failed to keep it clear.

The Grane Road between Blackburn and Haslingden was closed for three hours when about 50 vehicles became stuck in the snow.

Soldiers in the 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, based in Moss Street, Blackburn, helped free about 70 people stranded in their cars in freezing conditions on Grane Road.

The snow ploughs have now been able to get through and the road has re-opened.

Lancashire police have urged drivers to travel prepared with enough fuel for their journeys, de-icer and warm clothing.

Motorists abandoned cars in parts of east Lancashire and Bury


Insp Phil Cottam, of the Lancashire police motorway unit, said: "Even routine journeys can spell disaster if you are caught out by bad weather."

On Tuesday, after heavy snow, cars were abandoned in parts of east Lancashire and north Bury as motorists continued their journeys on foot.


Cumbria County Council has announced that 16 of its schools will not be open.
In Bolton, eight schools are shut, 10 closures have been announced in Bury, 10 in Oldham and one in Wigan.

Despite closure advice in Rochdale, three schools are open.
The Met Office issued a severe weather warning as further wintry showers were forecast in the region until lunchtime.

Officers in Greater Manchester and Merseyside are warning drivers not to leave their cars running while they defrost them. In Greater Manchester 20 thefts have been reported since Monday


All this for a bit of snow.




I think I'll talk about food for a bit.

[Mathos]

Flobo loves cooking and makes some great meals.

Christmas time along with The New Year when we do spend it at home in the UK is always really special and she get carried away on the gastronomical circuit like it's really magic time.

She always buys top quality food and I have no complaints at all regarding her choices.




Being Christmas and everything I do most of the cooking anyhow.




Today for instance, she was out with our younger daughter doing some shopping and I was left with having to cook my own evening meal.

Not too difficult a task at all.

I made myself a really nice steak and ale pie, along with a few chips, a bit of cabbage and some bread and best Irish butter.



I even put the finished product on a tray and dined in front of the telly so as not to mess the table up.



Oh and I made some mince pies as well.


It was really good.




For What We Are About to Receive.....

[Redrum]

My mate runs the pub on the left. That's Manchester's oldest pub - I think about 200 years old, or something. The IRA blew it up but they rebuilt it with (some) of the same bricks & timber 200 yards down the road.

Looking forward to some more Manc pics Mathos.

[Mathos]

I was scanning her fancy food books whilst it was raining, some interesting bits and pieces here for The Festive Season.




Pata Negra Ham.. Looks fabulous.


These are what you really call Kippers too.



Crasters from Northumberland, they have a totally unique aroma and taste.

Cast your eyes on these chocolates too.




I'd best leave the diet until the 2nd of January or so.

It would be a sin and a shame to diet right now.




Wouldn't it..

[Mathos]

Redrum wrote:-

My mate runs the pub on the left. That's Manchester's oldest pub - I think about 200 years old, or something. The IRA blew it up but they rebuilt it with (some) of the same bricks & timber 200 yards down the road.

Looking forward to some more Manc pics Mathos.

I'll sort some out for you mate, no problem.

[Mathos]

The Old Wellington or Sinclairs. Interesting Pub as well.



Old Wellington Inn / Sinclairs - Oldest Pub in Manchester (City Centre)

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An additional link here as well.

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Old Wellington Inn / Sinclairs - Oldest Pub in Manchester (City Centre) picture published by law11355.


I do intend doing a good write up on Manchester in The New Year. There are some very interesting and important locations to visit and write on.

Not least The Manchester Cathedral at the back of The Wellington.

I took a couple of photographs on Saturday last.




Really superb building.




There was a service in place when we walked inside.





As mentioned, I'll put some good photographs on and a decent write up in The New Year.

[Mathos]

There's some realy fancy food on these pages.





Top quality organic beef on offer above.




Plenty of choice too.



I'll be stuffed for a week or more.





Brilliant selection of cheeses.


Must pick some top class Port to enjoy with the cheeses as well.

Calem I think, they have a fantastic over Forty Years Old Aged Tawny.
Probably about £50..00 a bottle for that.

Keep it to one side for myself and pour anybody else a nice Port, but not that one.

It would take some beating.

You need something really special with the Stilton especially at Christmas time.

Not as special as these though.

Grahams Vintage Port 1942 £599.97
From the good 1942 vintage and bottled in '45, this stunning and rare vintage port is a rosy tawny colour with medium sweetness and body. It is sound, rich and stylish with a wonderful peppery finish. Drink now - 2010. An amazing anniversary gift! This vintage port is shipped in a deluxe silk lined hinged presentation box with four wine accessories (corkscrew, wine pourer, drip stopper & wine stopper) [worth £14.99] at no extra cost.


And this is being really daft.

.Cockburn Vintage Port 1896 £1,049.97
This unique bottle of port from the very good 1896 vintage is a pale but rich tawny colour with a sweet chocolate liquorice like bouquet. It is a rich and distinctly powerful wine. Four stars M. Broadbent '90. Drink now - 2015. This vintage port is shipped in a deluxe silk lined hinged presentation box with four wine accessories (corkscrew, wine pourer, drip stopper & wine stopper) [worth £14.99] at no extra cost.



Michael Winner stuff that is.






That looks excellent as well.

[Mathos]

It's working on my appetite already this little lot.





Some fancy gift sections.





You get spoiled for choice though.



More conventional treats here.

Great for through the slackening off period following Christmas and prior to New Year.




Sure looks nice and tasty.





That's what you call bacon as well.




This last one is ideal for a Saturday or Sunday morning.




Who in the world would kill that with Tomato Sauce.

[TSR2]

[quote="Redrum"]My mate runs the pub on the left. That's Manchester's oldest pub - I think about 200 years old, or something. The IRA blew it up but they rebuilt it with (some) of the same bricks & [/QUOTE

Did,nt they move that Pub when they built the Arndale Shopping Centre years ago??

[Mathos]

[quote=TSR2;864094]

Originally Posted by Redrum

My mate runs the pub on the left. That's Manchester's oldest pub - I think about 200 years old, or something. The IRA blew it up but they rebuilt it with (some) of the same bricks & [/QUOTE

Did,nt they move that Pub when they built the Arndale Shopping Centre years ago??

I almost replied to this stating no TSR2, thinking the only movement was following the IRA bombing atrocity in 1996, but actually you are correct in a manner of speaking.

It was almost demolished for the building of the Arndale in the 1970's and moved a short distance after the bombing in 1996.

The great survivors




THERE can be few buildings in Manchester with a history as colourful - or complicated - as that of "The Shambles". This is the collective name for what is actually two buildings: the Old Wellington Inn, dating from the 16th century, and Sinclair's Oyster Bar, built some time later.


But all is not as it seems. Both hostelries have been on their present site for only a handful of years.

The original Shambles, on the corner of Market Street, got its name from the "shambles", or butchers' stalls, which used to stand opposite the inns at the Saturday market.



It was almost demolished in the early 1970s, to make way for the lower part of the scheme which gave us the Arndale Centre, the old Marks and Spencer's and Market Place redevelopment. Instead, however, the building was raised 15ft above its original level and reopened, in 1981, as the focal point of the unlovely Shambles Square - now demolished.


There was much criticism, at the time, that the scheme had hemmed in both buildings and removed them from public view. Then came the IRA bomb blast in June, 1996. Much of the adjacent Arndale Centre was devastated, but The Shambles survived, more or less intact. Ironically, this was partly because the ancient inns were surrounded and protected by other buildings which took the full weight of the blast.


At the time, many campaigners wanted to leave them where they were, but, in the interests of regeneration, developers and city council leaders decided to move both buildings, piece by piece, and re-locate them 300m away, and more scenically, opposite Manchester Cathedral, as part of a new "Millennium Quarter".
They re-opened in November, 1999, and there's no doubt that, as a work of engineering, it was all a magnificent enterprise. Superficially, both buildings also look more or less the same as they did in their previous location.


But, in the process of moving them, something has also been lost. The walls somehow no longer have the patina of time, and the ambience simply isn't the same. There are other changes which have not been to the good.

On the positive side, it's a miracle that either building still stands at all. They also survived the Manchester bombings of 1940, and what remains is one of the few indications of what the city would have looked like, pre-Industrial Revolution.

The half-timbered Old Wellington Inn, the more distinctive of the two, is the oldest building of its kind in Manchester. It was built in the 1550s, when Edward VI was on the throne, which means it has witnessed everything from the English Civil War to the Great Plague.


It's said that underneath what is now Hanging Ditch, oppposite The Shambles, are buried thousands of Manchester's plague victims. But that's another story.
Originally, the Old Wellington Inn was part residence and part draper's shop. In the mid-17th century, a third storey was added to the structure. It was not until 1830 that the premises were licensed, when it was known as The Vintners' Arms, and, later on, it was The Kenyon Vaults. In 1865, the ground floor was known as the Wellington Inn, while the upper two floors served as a mathematical and optical instrument makers.


By 1897, the upper floors were known as "Ye Olde Fyshing Tackle Shoppe". At this time, a large clock was added to the main gable.


Sinclair's Oyster Bar dates from 1720, and, though most things about Manchester have changed since then, it still serves its succulent oysters, along with substantial pub meals. In centuries gone by, The Shambles stood on what was then the main route from London to Carlisle, so it was a major stopping off point, for all kinds of hungry travellers and traders heading north and south. In 2004, it's still a favoured place of resort, for visitors and commuters in search of a quick beer or bite before returning to home or work.

Interesting I thought.

I thought this was nice too.

The Mercedes Sports here belonged to Mrs Margaret Mary Whittaker,

the mother of The Chairman and Founder of Peel Holdings PLC and The Trafford Centre.

It is installed in The Trafford Centre as a tribute for all her support, inspiration and guidance.

10 th September 1998

Splendid example of a superb motor car.




Inside The Trafford Centre.

[Mathos]

A little more on the fancy food side tonight.





Special little treats like these, they kind of make an extra special Christmas.





This looks good, I love Stilton, I really am very fond of quality cheeses in general.

Stilton needs quality Port though.

I'll order the Calem.

Quality does Count.

[Mathos]

Flying visit, just obtained some Christmas Cards to send off, ordered them a few weeks since.

Really nice as well.

Here's a sample, it needs viewing on full screen to get the true value of the same though.





There's a great deal being said in that picture as well.

A busy city scene in horse drawn days, a driver of a 1912 Rolls Royce stops to buy some holly from a street vendor.

Whilst the local Bobby shows a lot of interest in the vehicle.

[Mathos]

Hope you like these card paintings, I think they are quite unique and special.




The owner of the County Brewery stops by in his 1937 Jaguar SS100 to check up on the Christmas deliveries. Outside the brewery a 1930's Bedford Truck is loaded with barrels of beer; to the right stands a 1930's Matchless motorbike.


Check them out on full screen though, what a difference.

[Mathos]

Driving Home for Christmas:-





A 1927 4.5 Litre 'Bobtail' being the superb looking vehicle, it's boot laden with gifts for loved ones.

[Mathos]

I think they are really good.




The cycle repairer receives a visit from a 1904 Wolseley 6hp for some work.

Whilst outside his workshop a 1900 Singer Motor Wheel Tricycle is offered for sale at £100..00, the price of a basic motorised transport in the early 1900's.

[Mathos]

OK Let's see who is paying attention.






Who can give me the best description of this painting?

[daveboy]

Dad can I have some long trouser's and an over coat for Christmas.

[Mathos]

Mini Countryman.

Flobo used to have one of these.





Christmas provisions and a festive wreath from the village flower shop are
loaded into the back of the 1965 Austin Mini Countryman.


Christmas shopping is now complete.

[Mathos]

A great deal of activity here.

All the Christmas arrivals.




A man opens the door to his 1960 Morris Minor 1000 as he meets his sweetheart who has arrived on the Bedford 'O' Type Coach, which has just pulled into the Station Car Park.

Meanwhile the owner of 1960 Lambretta Scooter is searching for his keys, while The Massey Ferguson Tractor is delivering fresh milk for the Christmas period.

The British Railways Standard Class loco train pulling into the station will collect the milk.