The North(ish) Lass

Explore the North.

Tag: lancaster

  • Things to do in Lancaster if you’ve lived here for years

    Things to do in Lancaster if you’ve lived here for years

    It’s often said that we don’t explore what is on our doorstep; that we go on trips and days out, often travelling miles, but we don’t really go out and see the things we could actually walk to.

    So, that being said, here are some things you can do in Lancaster if you’ve lived here for years, that I bet most of you haven’t done yet!

    Go To Lancaster Museum

    Go on, be honest, have you ever actually been inside Lancaster Museum (next to the Library/near TK Maxx)? If the answer to that question is no, you absolutely should. The history of our city is much bigger than its somewhat diminutive size would suggest. From a Roman settlement, to being wrapped up in witch trials, to the less-than-storied participation in the Atlantic Slave Trade (did you know Lancaster was the third biggest port in the eighteenth century after Liverpool and Bristol? It was only because the Lune silted up that the trade drifted elsewhere). Lancaster Museum is spread out over two floors and is full of interesting information about the history of our city, very worth a visit!

    Tour Lancaster Castle

    If you’ve never been on a guided tour of Lancaster Castle, then it is well worth it. It only took me about eight years of living in the city before I actually got around to it!

    Tours are usually done in groups of ten or less, so you get an excellent experience of being able to hear the guide/ask questions as the group moves around the open areas of the castle. The castle has over eight hundred years of history, from the high medieval gate house, Elizabethan additions (built for defensive reasons during the scare of the Spanish Armada), the history of the witch trials, the Georgian jail cells (try going in one – it’s scary and dark!), the Lancaster regiments participation in the wars of the twentieth century, before the castle was given over for use as HM Prison.

    There’s also the courtroom to have a look around, as long as it isn’t in session. It’s the oldest working courtroom in Europe, and as someone who has been on a jury in there – it’s quite an interesting place to be! Not the most comfortable ever, but still…

    The tour itself takes a couple of hours, and is well worth it to learn a little bit more about one of the most incredible buildings in our city.

    Visit the Butterfly House

    This is definitely one for the late spring/summer when the butterflies have had a chance to emerge from their chrysalises and put on a colourful display. The butterfly house can be found in Williamson Park, which is a wonderful place to have a wander around – whatever the weather/season!

    Head to a Festival

    Lancaster has any number of street/city festivals throughout the year – from Dino Fest, to Chinese New Year, Light Up Lancaster, Christmas in Lancaster, Italian Festival, the Jazz Festival, and (when it happens – hopefully in 2026!) Lancaster Music Festival. There’s a lot going on throughout the year in Lancaster, and often there’s something to check out in the city on the weekends. Often these events have lots of free aspects to them, whether it’s watching a live band, or a light show, so if you’re looking for activities that are kinder on your wallet, check when the festivals are scheduled and head along!

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  • Lancaster Grand Theatre: A Brief History

    Lancaster Grand Theatre: A Brief History

    As Christmas comes ever close and the Theatre becomes a hive of activity once again with not one, not two, but THREE pantomimes (Footlights, Schools’, and Adult), I thought I’d take a look at the historic venue that they will be taking place in. Having “trod the boards” in this historic theatre, I can say that it is a wonderful place to perform, and I can’t wait to get the chance to do so again.

    Lancaster Grand Theatre is a Grade II listed building built in 1782, and has been a mainstay of Lancaster’s cultural scene since then. Originally just called “The Theatre” and part of the Northern Circuit of theatres, where touring groups and players would make the rounds with their shows. The Grand is now the only surviving venue in it’s original state. The Grand Theatre is the third oldest working theatre in Britain, and it has been in near continuous use since it was built, apart from the odd year here and there when it has been dark. Pretty good going for a theatre approaching it’s venerable 250th birthday!

    In the first summer it opened, the theatre put on Hamlet, with Lady Macbeth being played by Sarah Siddons, a relation of one of the men who opened the theatre. Other performers included Ira Aldridge, who was the first Black British actor to appear on a UK stage.

    There is a pervasive theatre myth that the ghost of Sarah Siddons haunts the venue. I mean, what would a theatre be without a good ghost story and a residential spirit? As someone who has spent quite a bit of time there, I have yet to meet her, although if I do, I do hope she’s friendly. After all, this was a place she loved to be! Hopefully she would appreciate everything the volunteers and players do to keep The Grand going and vibrant.

    Ira Aldridge (1807?-1867) in the character of Othello

    Theatre performances at the theatre declined through the 1830s and 1840s, but it was reopened in 1849 as a music hall with a focus on classical music, as well as having a space for a museum for the Natural History Society, and was increasingly used for lectures. Charles Dickens appeared twice in 1860s, reading from A Christmas Carol and The Pickwick Papers.

    In 1897 the theatre was modified, including a new stage, by architect Frank Matcham, but the work of this architect was lost in 1908 when the building was badly damaged by fire. It reopened the same year, after significant restoration, as The Grand Theatre. In it’s currently form it seats 457 over two levels and is owned by Lancaster Footlights, an amateur dramatic group, who have been performing since the 1920s, but bought the theatre in 1951 for £7,000 to save it from demolition in the remodelling of the Canal Quarter in the city. This “remodelling” involved mass demolition of streets of old housing, in order to rebuild for “healthier,” more spaced out, housing.

    Tours of the theatre that explore it’s history, both older and more recent, are available throughout the year, hosted by extremely knowledgeable volunteer tour guides. Check out Lancaster Grand’s website for more information of when you can visit and take a tour.

    There is also very exciting things planned for the theatre’s future, and a major fundraising operation is ongoing to raise money for an extension to make a new foyer, and to make the building more accessible for all.

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  • It’s Panto Season (Nearly!)

    It’s Panto Season (Nearly!)

    Lancaster Footlights Presents: Snow White, The Fairest Panto in all the land kicks off at the end of November!

    “Rehearsals are going really well with our cast of 39(!). There’s lots of music, dancing, fun, and laughter! [The trailer] will be out very soon for everyone to see… and our talented crew is hard at work making final touches to the amazing set pieces. Not long to go now! I hope to see you all there! – C, Snow White’s Director.

    Opening night is on Friday 28th November, with a relaxed performance on the morning of Saturday 29th November. The relaxed performance will be a little bit quieter than the regular performances, and there will be no use of strobe lighting/flash-bangs etc., along with other accommodations, so guests who are more visually/auditory sensitive, want to have a dance in the aisles during the show, or shout out and join in, can come along and enjoy the panto to the fullest extent! (Note from the director: for tickets for the relaxed performance, please contact the box office ahead of the show date).

    A character familiarisation guide will be available before the show so visitors who would like to can get to know the characters before they come to see the show.

    “Join us as we bring to the stage the enchanting story of Snow White, the kind-hearted princess whose beauty is only rivalled by her gentle spirit. But all is not well in the kingdom! The wicked Queen, jealous of Snow White’s beauty, consults her magic mirror and hatches a dastardly plan to rid the kingdom of Snow White. Can Snow White escape the Queen’s clutches, find refuge in the enchanted forest, and discover her own happily ever after?”

    Annie Hughes as Snow White

    Having been in the panto last year, I’m very excited to be in the audience this year and appreciate all the hard work and wonder that goes into it from this side of the production. There are so many people involved and working hard on stage and behind the scenes to make the show including, but not limited to; main cast, chorus, director, lighting crew, sound crew, props + scenery team (both backstage during the show, and those who make/paint/construct the sets and props), chaperones for the younger cast, riggers (who fly the scenery in and out), front of house, photographers/videographers, box office, ushers, stage managers, and I’m sure I’ve still forgotten somebody!

    You can find a full list of show times and dates here, but don’t dilly-dally, as tickets are selling fast and the dates in the weeks before Christmas will sell out. I’ve got mine for the Friday before Christmas and I can’t wait to see it!

  • Good Northern News!

    Good Northern News!

    Sometimes it can feel like everywhere we turn there’s bad news to be read or heard, so I decided that I was going to spread a little bit of the good things that are happening as well. Whether it’s community groups, charity, or larger environmental/governmental good things, I wanted to push out some of the positive things happening in our Northern Community. In that vein, here are four good news stories that caught my eye…

    £20M secured for Morecambe’s West End over the next decade.

    Local MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, Lizzi Collinge (Labour), announced this week that she has managed to secure £20M of the Pride In Place (Plan for Your Neighbourhoods) fund, made available by the government, for investment in Morecambe’s West End.

    The area will receive £2M per year for the next decade and be administered by a board of locals.

    Morecambe’s West End was once a booming area of independent shops, businesses, B&Bs etc. and whilst plenty of people have strived to maintain their own businesses, it is great to see investment coming in for the area as a whole. I’m excited to see what projects the money is spent on!

    Long Term Resident Adopted at Lancaster Animal Care

    Lancaster Animal Care has been looking after animals since 1978, taking care of unwanted and abandoned animals across the North-West. They predominately look after cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and guinea pigs, although when you go up to the centre you might meet their three resident goats, or their turkey, Twitch.

    But aside from that, in excellent news, their longest resident – Trevor – has been adopted after seven years in the care of the Centre. Trevor is a tri-pawed (three legged) lurcher who is loving life relaxing on sofas, and going for relaxed walks with his new human. Yay, Trevor! I hope you have a wonderful life in your forever home. <3

    If you are in a position to think about rehoming an animal, and it is a (huge) responsibility you are prepared to take on, you can see the animals available for rehoming on their website for more information.

    St John’s Hospice to Host “Jail and Bail” Fundraising Event at Lancaster Castle

    On October 22nd, St John’s Hospice will be hosting a Jail and Bail event at Lancaster Castle, where you have the opportunity to get your own back on your boss for scheduling that Friday afternoon meeting-that-could-have-been-an-email. This pantomime tongue-in-cheek event will be held in the centuries old jail cells at Lancaster Castle, where participants will have to rely on co-workers, teammates, friends and families, in order to raise the £999 “bail” money.

    The prisoner will be issued with a prisoner’s outfit, and have their mugshot taken, before being taken to the A Wing of the Castle to begin the fundraising challenge. All the money will go to St John’s Hospice, a charity that supports people with life limiting illness and their families.

    The event is being sponsored by Atkinson’s Coffee.

    Music Festival Held at Local Pub Raises Thousands for Mental Health Charity

    A Music Festival held at the George & the Dragon pub in Lancaster, has raised £2330 for Positive Futures. The event took place over six days in August and involved music, a quiz, and a raffle. The money is going to be used to help get resources to those who are considering taking their own lives due to mental health issues, and might help them choose an alternative action in a moment of crisis.

    6m Mural of Georgia Stanway Unveiled in Barrow-In-Furness

    A six metre of the 2* Euro-Winning Lioness Georgia Stanway has been unveiled in her hometown of Barrow In Furness, celebrating her and the rest of the team. I wrote an article about Georgia Stanway following the Lionesses win in July, and how she reached the England squad and her links to her hometown.

    Do you have a good news story you’d like me to feature? Send an email to bryony@thenorthishlass.co.uk so I can feature it in a future good news post!

  • Things To Do In Lancaster (In A Day)

    Things To Do In Lancaster (In A Day)

    A Morning in Lancaster

    Start off the morning by having breakfast in one of our many independent cafes, which you can read more about in my ‘Cafe Culture in Lancaster‘ series.

    Follow up the lovely breakfast by going for a tour of Lancaster Castle. This will need to be prebooked as the tour is guided, in small groups, by a knowledgeable tour guide. The castle has a history dating from the high medieval period right through to the present day (it ceased to be a HM Prison in 2011). Following that you can have a look around the Priory that is adjacent to the castle or have a wander down the hill towards the river to look at the ruins of the Roman Baths. There’s not a huge amount left of the ancient monument there, but it’s interesting to see evidence of just how long humans have been settled and building on the banks of the River Lune.

    Front Gate of Lancaster Castle

    If you need (or want) lunch after all of that, there are many pubs and eateries to choose from in Lancaster. I will be doing an article in the coming weeks about some of the pubs that can be found in the city, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Off the top of my head, I would suggest The Sun, the Three Mariners, Merchants 1666, or the Water Witch, which all do excellent pub food.

    Afternoon in Lancaster

    In the afternoon, depending on where your interests lie there are several different options. If you want to continue in the history theme of things, I suggest having a wander around Lancaster Museum, found in the middle of the market square. This fascinating museum takes you through the history of the region and the city from the earliest human occupation to the present day, including the links to the Wars of the Roses, the Witch Trials (the first convictions for witchcraft in the seventeenth century occurred in Lancaster), and the oft-glossed over involvement of the city in the English Slave Trade. For more information on the latter, a visit to the Lancaster Maritime Museum is also on the cards.

    Ashton Memorial

    If, however, you’ve been historied out by the visit to the castle in the morning, I suggest a visit to Williamson Park, the lovely open space to be found at the top of the city, with the in-situ Ashton Memorial looking out over the city and surrounding countryside in all direction. In the park you can also find a wildlife park and butterfly house, with lots of interesting critters and creatures to take a look at. If fauna isn’t necessarily your thing, then a wander around the park and surrounding woodland is a relaxing way to pass the time on a nice day, although it is worth being aware that the park and surrounding area is fairly hilly, and whilst it is accessible to wheelchairs and motorised scooters, those with ambulatory difficulties without aid might struggle a little, depending on conditions. If you’re up at the park as the sun begins to go down, you’re in for a treat, watching the sunset over Morecambe Bay with the Lake District Hills in the distance, a beautiful location to the end the day.

    Lancaster itself sits on the main West Coast trainline, so as your day comes to an end there are plenty of trains to take you either North or South, depending on where you want to go next. The city is also adjacent to junction 34 of the M6 motorway, so is easily accessible by car.

  • Massive Wagons @ Lancaster University Great Hall

    Massive Wagons @ Lancaster University Great Hall

    Massive Wagons is Lancaster’s very own hard rock band and one of the city’s biggest music exports, with their latest album from 2024 Earth to Grace reaching number 4 on the UK album charts, and their last four albums having reached number 1 on the UK Rock & Metal Album Charts. Formed in 2009, the band have been steadily growing a following, both UK based and internationally, for the last sixteen years, releasing seven albums and consistently touring to support those albums and get their music out there.

    Lancaster, the hometown of the band, has a great music culture, with lots of indie artists on the circuit regularly throughout the year, and there’s always music to be found somewhere. The city hosts the Lancaster Jazz Festival in September, the Music Festival (sadly not on in 2025, but hopefully returning next year!) and up until last year, Highest Point (again, hoping this will return with vengeance soon), as well as a huge amount of musical artists performing at Lancaster Grand, The Dukes, Kanteena, the Town Hall, and many other great venues throughout the city, supported by organisations such as Lancaster Music Co-op.

    But back to Massive Wagons!

    Right up front I’ll admit, when I bought the ticket to see Massive Wagons at Lancaster University, the most I knew about this Lancaster band was the enormous mural on the side of The Pub in the centre of town, and one popular song that I’d put on my playlist from Spotify… but by the time I left the gig on Friday night, I was definitely a fan. They are a fantastic live band, really tight musically, along with great crowd interaction, and Barry Mills has incredible energy and connection with the audience. I didn’t know too many lyrics, but I was able to pick it up and was soon singing along/hollering with everyone else. My early favourite was the song ‘Asshole’ where Barry had the crowd competing in an impromptu spelling bee; shouting “A-SS-HO-LE ASSHOLE” throughout the bridge of the song, as well as some light roasting of the crowd (“just dim the lights on that side of the crowd, especially the bald fella with the big head… super ugly”)… got to love it!

    Photo courtesy of Massive Wagons website

    The band also touch on some really important topics through their music; ‘Night Skies’ deals with mental health, particularly men’s mental health, and encouraging men to talk to each other/speak out if they’re struggling. This is so important, particularly in the era of the “men’s loneliness epidemic.” This is a little off topic, but I believe that it is other men who are going to be the driving force in helping their friends through that, and men need to see good role models and calls to action, like this song, to look out for each other; confirming that men confiding in other men is not weakness in any way, and it needs to be encouraged. It’s great to see a Hard Rock band embracing this, and firmly aligning men’s mental health with strength, hard rock, and acceptance.

    ‘I’m impossible to make unhappy
    ‘Cause I’m the happiest of happiest guys
    But I struggle trying to find a smile that fits my life    …’ – Night Skies by Massive Wagons

    Another important issue the band have tackled is bullying. The song ‘Forget The Haters’ (or F**k The Haters in the non radio friendly version!) was written by Barry and lead guitarist Adam Thistlethwaite about their own struggles with bullies when they were at school. They’ve been visiting schools throughout Lancashire to spread the message to children that bullying is not okay, and what to do if they are experiencing bullying. Again, seeing positive male role models encouraging open communication, empathy, and strength through kindness is so so important, as kids (especially boys) are being exposed to a lot of other foul content that tells them the exact opposite (I refuse to mention his name on here, but hopefully you get the gist of who I’m talking about). Barry and Adam are also ambassadors for Metal For Good, a charity that aims to use the positive energy of UK music subcultures to change communities for the better; promoting mental health campaigns, representing minority voices, and advocating for positive change.

    “If we can help one child then the last few years has been a success” – Barry Mills, Massive Wagons lead singer

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    Barry and Adam as Metal for Good Ambassadors. Photo courtesy of the Massive Wagons website.

    The two shows on 19th/20th September 2025 were also part of a long legacy of music at Lancaster University. Sadly, this legacy had well passed it’s heyday by the time I attended in the early 2010s but, if you can believe it, the Great Hall once played host to rock titans such as Pink Floyd, U2, Queen, The Kinks, The Jam, Blondie, The Who… all of which is documented in the excellent book ‘When Rock Went to College’ by Barry Lucas and Paul Tomlinson. It would be incredible to see the Great Hall back as a go-to venue for rock bands on the UK circuit, as once it was, and Massive Wagons choosing to record their live DVD there at the weekend could be a step in that direction. Terri Chapman, of Rock People Management, is leading the charge in the hope that this vision could become a reality.

    Massive Wagons are on tour later this year in Europe on the Blood and Bone Tour 2025. As for me, I’ll be waiting eagerly for them to come back to the North West or to play a hometown show again – see you there!

  • The Quayside @ Glasson Dock

    The Quayside @ Glasson Dock

    Features: Outside seating, dog friendly, excellent for breakfast.

    Price: ££

    Address: Tithebarn Hill, Glasson Dock, Lancaster LA2 0BY

    The Quayside at Glasson Dock is a charming little café on the side of the marina and lock at Glasson Dock. The café stands next to a little village shop and the famous Port of Lancaster Smokehouse Shop and has indoor and outdoor spaces to sit and eat. It is very popular on the weekend, especially with motorbike riders, cyclists, and other out-and-abouters. Once you get a load of the food you will understand why. Not only are the portion sizes for the breakfasts extremely generous, the food is also delicious. It’s all cooked from scratch (so at busier times it might take a little bit longer to get to you), but it’s well worth the wait.

    My favourite is a Potato Cake Stack which is a potato pancake, black pudding (your choice whether you have this deep-fried or not, just to make it extra unhealthy!), poached egg, extra bacon if you want it, and another potato pancake on the bottom. This then comes with a little bit of sweet chilli jam, and hollandaise sauce (I choose to have it without the hollandaise as I’ve never really been a fan). It is delicious. I’ve had it so often in there that now when I sit down Nina (the owner) knows exactly what I want and how I like (right down to the crispy bacon (can’t be doing with flubby bacon – yuck!)). Mum sometimes has a Small Breakfast when we come down here, but often just has a very tasty (and very generous) bacon roll.

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    The café is dog friendly, both inside and out, so your pooches can come along for some breakfast or lunch with you. The café also does Fish & Chips on a Friday night which I am going to try sometime soon! The venue has also started branching out into one-off evenings (for example, they hosted an Indian Night in July), so keep an eye out for information about events and collaborations.

    After you’ve finished breakfast, you can go for a wander down the quayside and have a look in the Lancaster Smokehouse shop, which as the name suggests has products from the actual smoke house found just down the road; everything from smoked haddock, to chicken, to cheese. There are also lots of other delicious things to be found in there like the famous Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimp in brown butter. I’m particularly partial to their conserves and jams, as well as their sweets and snack selection (they did some amazing salted caramel popcorn at Christmas last year that was soooo moreish – I had to stop myself from buying bags and bags of it! Luckily it was seasonal, so I can’t get hold of it at the moment…).

  • The Perfect Outfit for every Event

    The Perfect Outfit for every Event

    After my article about The Exchange, Lancaster I wanted to have a chance to really rummage around among some of the amazing clothes and accessories that they have available. So I decided it would be interesting to see what outfits I might be able to put together for upcoming events in North. So, if you’re looking for ideas for events and festivals look no further!

    Festivals and one-off events are one of the biggest sources of throwaway fashion. Every year about 7.5 Million Festival outfits are single use. With that amount, you could give everyone living in Jamaica, Lithuania, and Cyprus a new outfit… and still have 500,000 outfits left over! The problem with these outfits is that they’re often not made to last more than one festival, and can break easily… and because they’re so cheap, it’s not “worth” repairing them, so they end up in the bin. This accelerated production of garments puts massive stress on raw materials, water, and energy. So, instead, why not go and get a piece that’s going to last for years and can be worn again and again?

    A big thank you to Izzy and The Exchange for helping me pick out/put these outfits together. NOTE: All outfit items were available when I picked them out on Saturday 2nd August, and may have sold in the week since. If you like any of these items, don’t hang about, either get down to the Exchange or drop them a message on Instagram to reserve them.

    1940s Weekend/Vintage

    Whilst the Exchange often has vintage pieces in, I couldn’t see/find anything that was exactly 1940s Vintage vibe that would have been perfect for the Lytham 1940s Weekend (Saturday 16th/Sunday 17th August), so instead I found these two pairs of shoes that had a cute Mary-Jane vibe that could work well with a 1940s dress! There were also some vintage brooches and earrings on display that could add a unique addition to any outfit.

    Russell & Bromley – Size 4 – £45 (RRP £200+)

    Clarks – Size 6.5 – £26.50

    Leeds Festival

    Leeds Festival takes place on August Bank Holiday weekend and with these two choice outfits you’ll be ready for anything!

    Boho Look

    This one was picked out by Izzy as to what she would wear to Leeds Festival for a more Boho look…

    Lanvin Sunglasses – £80 (RRP £180+)
    Cream Boho Shirt – M – £24.50
    Mango Suede Shorts – UKS8 – £40
    Le Chameau Wellies – S5 – £98.50 (RRP £160+)
    All Saints shoulder bag in oxblood – £70 (RRP £229)

    Rock ‘N’ Roll Look

    This one was picked out by me for a bit more of a Rock and Roll kind of vibe!

    Rino & Pelle Leather Jacket – UKS8 – £48.50 (RRP £85+)
    The Kooples Tank & Skirt – XS – £40 each (RRP £120+ each)
    Dune Shoes – S 6.5/7 – £30 (RRP £79+)

    Fresher’s Week

    Fresher’s Week is usually the last week in September or the first week in October, and with this cosy jumper & jeans combo you’ll be ready for those early autumn temperatures.

    Kenzo Jumper – M – £45 (I loved this jumper, it looked so cosy!) (RRP £270+)
    AGOLDE Balloon Jeans – 29″ waist – £45 (RRP £320+)
    Tory Burch Flats – S5 – £65 (RRP £225+)

    Flower Show/Garden Fair

    Hobbs Flower Print Dress – UKS16 – £26.50 (RRP £169+)
    Office Sandals in Brown – S6 – £28 (RRP £59+)
    Fat Face Fedora – £15 (RRP £25)

    Lancashire Game and Country Festival

    Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th September 2025 at Scorton Showground.

    Light Barbour Jacket in Blue – UKS8 – £65 (RRP £112+)
    Polo Trousers by Ralph Lauren – XS – £39.50 (RRP £175+)
    Tod’s Loafers – S5 – £245 (RRP £695)

    Blackpool Illuminations/Light Up Lancaster

    I also wanted to include something a bit warmer as we approach the end of summer, so here’s an idea for something to keep you a bit more snug to go and see Blackpool Illuminations (end of September) or Light Up Lancaster (November (might need a scarf for that one too!!).

    Massimo Dutti Leather Jacket – Size S/M – £80 (RRP £299)
    M&S Mesh Shirt in cream – M – £20
    Topshop Corduroy in cream – UKS12 – £22.50

    Obviously this is just a very small selection of what is available, and you’ve really got to go for a rummage to truly appreciate everything that is available. For example one of things I found was a gorgeous Balmain mini dress. It was HEAVY with beading and beautifully detailed and was on sale for £145. Considering that (looking at the Balmain website) their mini dresses currently retail for anywhere between £1,500 to a shocking £15,000(!!!!), this is an absolute steal. Sadly, it was a size XS and would probably have gone up one of my legs and that’s about it! But if you’re petite or want to give an amazing present for a petite friend/family member – that dress would be perfect. And there’s so many more things like in there, you’ve just got to go looking! Isn’t that so much better than a fast fashion item that will fall apart after one wear?

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  • Lancaster Grand Theatre: A Brief History

    Lancaster Grand Theatre: A Brief History

    Lancaster Grand Theatre is a Grade II listed building built in 1782, and has been a mainstay of Lancaster’s cultural scene since then. Originally just called “The Theatre” and part of the Northern Circuit of theatres, where touring groups and players would make the rounds with their shows. The Grand is now the only surviving venue in it’s original state. The Grand Theatre is the third oldest working theatre in Britain, and it has been in near continuous use since it was built, apart from the odd year here and there when it has been dark. Pretty good going for a theatre approaching it’s venerable 250th birthday!

    In the first summer it opened, the theatre put on Hamlet, with Lady Macbeth being played by Sarah Siddons, a relation of one of the men who opened the theatre. Other performers included Ira Aldridge, who was the first Black British actor to appear on a UK stage.

    There is a pervasive theatre myth that the ghost of Sarah Siddons haunts the venue. I mean, what would a theatre be without a good ghost story and a residential spirit? As someone who has spent quite a bit of time there, I have yet to meet her, although if I do, I do hope she’s friendly. After all, this was a place she loved to be! Hopefully she would appreciate everything the volunteers and players do to keep The Grand going and vibrant.

    Ira Aldridge (1807?-1867) in the character of Othello

    Theatre performances at the theatre declined through the 1830s and 1840s, but it was reopened in 1849 as a music hall with a focus on classical music, as well as having a space for a museum for the Natural History Society, and was increasingly used for lectures. Charles Dickens appeared twice in 1860s, reading from A Christmas Carol and The Pickwick Papers.

    In 1897 the theatre was modified, including a new stage, by architect Frank Matcham, but the work of this architect was lost in 1908 when the building was badly damaged by fire. It reopened the same year, after significant restoration, as The Grand Theatre. In it’s currently form it seats 457 over two levels and is owned by Lancaster Footlights, an amateur dramatic group, who have been performing since the 1920s, but bought the theatre in 1951 for £7,000 to save it from demolition in the remodelling of the Canal Quarter in the city. This “remodelling” involved mass demolition of streets of old housing, in order to rebuild for “healthier,” more spaced out, housing.

    Tours of the theatre that explore it’s history, both older and more recent, are available throughout the year, hosted by extremely knowledgeable volunteer tour guides. Check out Lancaster Grand’s website for more information of when you can visit and take a tour.

    There is also very exciting things planned for the theatre’s future, and a major fundraising operation is ongoing to raise money for an extension to make a new foyer, and to make the building more accessible for all.

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  • This Week’s Recommendation

    Brew have got a new French Toast on their specials menus and it’s seriously tasty! Apple and Sesame (although I had it without the Sesame Brittle as I can’t really eat that) French Toast. It wasn’t a problem to take that off and the remaining brioche with dried apple, toffee and apple sauce, and vanilla ice cream was DELICIOUS.

    I should warn you though – get it before it’s gone as, speaking to the staff today, their words were “when it’s gone, it’s gone!” – and they expect that the special will be over after this weekend.

    So get your runners on and get down to Brew to have a taste!