Sweet Smelling Tangerine

I started a new job this week, above is one of the factories in Blackpool which I walk by every morning on the way to work. Many locals will know of this building, though as I am not from Blackpool originally, I know nothing about Tangerine Confectionery other than the sweet smells which waft up my nostrils as I pass. The smells had left me a little intrigued to be honest so I decided I would do a little digging when I got home to find out the secrets behind those large tainted glass windows.

About Tangerine... they are the largest sugar confectionary manufacturer in Europe with a turnover of around £150,000,000 a year. It has seven production sites across the UK, with it's head office right here in Blackpool. The Blackpool site was originally built for manufacturing tiles, but switched to an altogether tastier product line when George Burton set up his 'Gold Medal Biscuit' production here in 1939. In 1967, a liquorice unit was introduced, and in 1995 the site closed off production of biscuits altogether and started producing confectionary in earnest making some of the nation's favourites, Allsorts, Dolly Mixture, Gums and Jellies.

Stanley Park Frozen Danger

"Kids Dicing With Death on Lake" this attention grabber was the headline in the Blackpool Gazette, Friday evening. Blackpool Council have also issued an urgent warning making the following announcement on their website...

"Young people in Blackpool may be enjoying time off school as a result of the snow but they are putting their lives at risk by ignoring safety around ponds and lakes of ice.

Stanley Park rangers are very concerned to see that some people have been playing in the middle of the frozen Stanley Park Lake. Although the lake is completely frozen the ice is very thin and could crack at any time, especially as the day warms up and ice begins to thaw.

Martyn Day, park ranger at the park said: "We have been moving children off the lake when we see them but as soon as our backs are turned they are back on the ice. They are dicing with death as one wrong move could see them fall through. I am very surprised that so many people are not aware of the dangers. I even saw one man try to cycle across the lake."

Councillor Tony Williams added: "Snow is a lot of fun for young people and there is nothing wrong with enjoying it. However it shocks me that they would risk their lives playing somewhere so dangerous. It is difficult to occupy children when they are unexpectedly off school and even harder if parents still have to go in to work but I would urge parents to make sure they know where their children are and keep them away from dangerous areas."

The advice from the park rangers is to stay away from the ice altogether and do not attempt to cross it. Rangers are now making regular patrols of the lake."

Stanley Park Sports Centre

The new year has begun and already I have taken the first step toward making that resolution I promised myself. I popped down to Stanley Park sports centre earlier this morning to enroll and have my induction. I have to say I was very impressed.

A friendly member of staff showed me around their state of the art gym facilities which included a suite of intelligent exercise devices. First off I was shown how to use the treadmill. Members log on with their own user credentials via the computer interface located at the front, it was teaming with information i.e. how far you have run, how many calories you have burnt, adjustment options for speed and incline, you could even watch TV with the built in tuner or listen to music if you prefer. I was quite literally, amazed by it all and cannot wait to go next.

At just under £30.00 per month, this represents tremendous value for money, the direct debit option comes inclusive of classes and swim. If you don't want to be tied down, then their is the pay as you go option.

This is a superb facility for the people of Blackpool, why not check it out sometime.