Podcast

Ramsbottom Birthday Extravaganza Edition – Episode 149

September 9, 2019 by Lee Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:06 — 15.7MB)

Another week has flown by like a stocking full of black pudding….speaking of which, did you find any time to visit the black pudding throwing competition this weekend?

I wasn’t able to go, we had a full weekend of birthday parties and it was also my daughters 2nd birthday and I’m afraid that wins always.

Cracking on with the show, there’s certainly been a theme running through the past week, not only was it my daughters birthday but there have been three other local businesses celebrating these milestones too.

Firstly Plentiful: Plastic Free Shop ran by the wonderful Abbie Sellers opened one year ago on August the 31st. Well done Abbie, keep up the great work you’re doing, one year in any business is hard, one year in a very niche business like yours is incredible. Originally named Fulfilled but due to some trademark related issue the shop had to be renamed to Plentiful.

Another one year birthday (birthday/anniversary?) was Holcombe Tap. Holcombe Tap opened on the 5th of September 2018. This was after the previous pub The Masons Arms had been closed some time. A lot of hard work has gone into making Holcombe Tap what it is today and I’m pleased to see it go from strength to strength. Nice work guys.

Ramsbottoms Café Culture Continues Unabated – Episode 148

September 2, 2019 by Lee Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:45 — 20.8MB)

This week sees the return, the return of the kids going back to school. For those parents who are just about to embark on this journey, I salute you and wish you godspeed. On the positive side, Ramsbottoms schools are decent, possibly why you moved here. I found this which was written by a Emma Robinson on Facebook, you might have heard it, if not and you’re a parent dropping your kids off at school for the first time, good luck:

Dear Teacher – Emma Robinson

I know you’re rather busy
First day back, there’s just no time
A whole new class of little ones
And this one here is mine

I’m sure you have things covered
And have done this lots before
But my boy is very little
He hasn’t long turned four

In his uniform this morning
He looked so tall and steady
But now beside your great big school
I’m not quite sure he’s ready

Do you help them eat their lunch?
Are you quick to soothe their fears?
And if he falls and hurts his knee
Will someone dry his tears?

And what if no-one plays with him?
What if someone’s mean?
What if two kids have a fight
And he’s caught in between?

You’re right, I have to leave now
It’s time for him to go
I’m sure he’ll learn so much from you
Things that I don’t know

Yes, I’m sure they settle quickly
That he’s fine now without me
I know he has to go to school
It’s just so fast, you see

It seems like just a blink ago
I first held him in my arms
It’s been my job to love, to teach
To keep him safe from harm

So, when I wave goodbye in a moment
And he turns to walk inside
Forgive me if I crumple
Into tears of loss and pride

I know as I give him one more kiss
And watch him walk away,
That he’ll never again be wholly mine
As he was before today.

Back to Ramsbottom then, well we’ve got another cafe on the horizon, this is one that popped into my peripheral vision only recently. It will be called Amelias and they are currently undergoing a bit of a renovation but planning on opening soon. They will be opening in the old Vitality Plus Health shop which has been closed for, I think around 18 months now.

It’s on Bolton Street next door to Ramsbottom Tap if you’re unfamiliar exactly where I’m referring to.

Is Burrs Country Park the UK’s Best Park? – Episode 147

August 18, 2019 by Lee Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:24 — 15.0MB)

This weather is ridiculous 🌧☂ , but we’re northern, we’ll get on with it.

Today me and my family visited Burrs Country Park, not for the first time. If you’re unfamiliar, let me give you some information.

Burrs has a mixture of open spaces, woodlands, river, ponds and canal.

It is excellent for walking, running, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, nature study and picnicking. Also, it has an excellent café (The Lampost Cafe) and pub (The Brown Cow) also the East Lancs railway has a station in the park.

That information was primarily sourced from the Fields in Trust website, which coincidentally, has Burrs nominated for an award, it just takes our votes.

You can vote for Burrs Country Park on The Fields in Trust website.

Bury Book Buddies hidden treasures – Episode 146

August 6, 2019 by Lee Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:12 — 15.8MB)

Starbucks Ramsbottom Opens

You might have not noticed, but Starbucks has now opened its doors. I asked the opinion of the This is Rammy audience for their thoughts. In this podcast episode I chat about one in particular which actually made me realise that Starbucks, might not actually be the bad thing some are expecting.

Starbucks opening hours are:

6.30am – 9pm Monday to Friday
7am-9pm on Saturday
8am-9pm on Sunday

Bury Book Buddies Launches

Whilst on Facebook I came across a post in a local group by local resident Emma Davies. She has set up a group which is a little like Rammy Rocks, without the artistic requirement. Bury Book Buddies aims to provide some excitement in finding books that have been hidden around the town.

Ramsbottoms Cashless Future? – Episode 145

July 28, 2019 by Lee Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:30 — 27.9MB)

— There are only a few days left to vote, if you’ve not yet voted, please vote for the podcast in this years Podcast Awards. —

Not for the first time the two remaining cash machines in Ramsbottom ran out of cash. This tends to happen on events such as the Chocolate Festival but it’s not unusual for it to happen on weekends too. This happened on market day which cause some people to have to shop elsewhere due to not having cash.

I’ve found alternatives and in this podcast episode I discuss the following options:

Link allow you to nominate locations for cash machines – Link Financial Inclusion
CashZone offer a mobile ATM – Mobile ATM Solution
Point of Sale Card options for businesses – Five best card machines for small businesses in the UK