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Ashton’s two cinemas

Ask many Ashtonians how many cinemas there are in Ashton-on-Ribble and they will most probably say that there’s only one. They’d be wrong.

Ashton’s most popular and well-known cinema is on Preston docks. The Odeon, as it is now called, has been located on Preston’s docks for around two decades and was one of the catalysts that has helped make the docks’ redevelopment such a success.

Ashton has a second, newer and less well-known cinema, however.

The Mitchell and Kenyon cinema, which is Preston’s only independent cinema, is located in the Foster Building of Preston’s university. The cinema first opened its doors in Spring 2006, showing a wide range of films that you won’t normally see at on a big screen.

Whilst the Odeon is the place to go for the latest films, therefore, keep checking what’s on at the university’s cinema if you want to catch one of your favourite old films, or one of those newer releases which, despite rave reviews, didn’t make it into the multiplexes.

Click the banners to find out what’s on at Ashton’s cinemas.

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20 Mar: Spring Farmers' market at St Michael's

St Michael's will be holding a farmers' market on Saturday 20 Mar, from 9am to 1pm.

In addition to the regular producers there will be a range of plants available in time for spring.

(poster for the next farmer's market. Click image for full size)

Plans to make the Farmers' market monthly

The organisers of St Michael's farmers' market are asking for feedback as to whether the market should be made monthly. Add your comment below.

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Do you remember Haslam Park baths?

Haslam Park’s open air swimming pool was built in 1932, 20 years after the park was first opened. A Mr J Ward donated the money for the building of the baths. The park’s old aviary was also built with the same money. The baths survived for 50 years, but as the fashion for open air bathing came to an end, Haslam Park’s pool was eventually knocked down.

Now it’s hard to believe there was ever a pool, or an aviary, in Haslam Park.

Do you remember Haslam Park baths? Have you any old photos?

Add your comment below, or send your photos to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Bring me sunshine!

Sunshine Events is an Ashton based company which offers a range of services all aimed at having fun.

From hiring bouncy castles to holding team building events, Sunshine Events works across the country to transform events into unforgetable experiences.

The services they offer include: themed events, event management, inflatable hire, rodeo bull hire and Santas grotto hire. They have no fixed packages, working closely with clients to give them the event they want.

Click the logo to visit their website:

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'Mel@drama' Acting School at St Andrew's primary

'Mel@drama' Acting School is based in St Andrew's Primary School. The school holds lessons every Tuesday. 7-12 year olds hold lessons from 18.00-19.30 whilst adult classes are held from 19.30-21.00. Click the logo below to find out more information about term times.

Hall of fame

Many of the students at Mel@drama Acting School have gone on to star on stage and screen. Students have appeared in Grange Hill, Hollyoads and a range of films, whilst one of the teachers is currently filming at Emmerdale.

Click the logo to find out more about Mel@drama.

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Tulketh Mill past and present

The history of Tulketh Mill

Until recently the history of Tulketh Mill seemed a tale based only on nostalgia. The factory was built at the height of Preston's cotton years but then lost its way as the old industry declined. With Carphone Warehouse taking over the mill in recent years, however, the old mill has taken on a new lease of life, having found a brand new role for the 21st century.

Tulketh Mill

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Type 4 You on ashtononribble.com

Another business has contacted ashtononribble.com to add its link to our growing database.

Type 4 You is a UK based secretarial company specialising in audio digital transcription – everything from a two page CV, that will impress any potential employer, to a 150,000 word manuscript that you need in time for your publisher's deadline. With over 25 years of secretarial experience behind them, and at all levels, they can assist you in all your data entry and word processing requirements.

Click the logo to visit their website.

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Preston’s Victorian credit crunch

Pundits pour over the reasons behind the current credit crunch, searching for the straw that broke the bankers’ back. In 1861, however, the reason for Preston’s credit crunch was clear: it came with the sudden death of Edward Pedder.

In 1861 Edward Pedder was the only active partner in Preston Old Bank. The bank was one of the most venerable institutions in the county, with a history stretching back to 1776.

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