Ed Walker

Withering AND dithering in a headline? Must be worth reading. @edwalker86.bsky.social interviews Mo Isap on why the issue of a mayor in Lancashire is turning into one of political capital, rather than what actually benefits the county. lancashire.thelead.uk/p/lancashire...

The Lead has a strong team of local correspondents in south Wales, Lancashire, Blackpool, Southport, Calderdale and Teesside. We were on the ground covering last week's local elections - and will continue to hold local power to account. Here's a thread of our reporting ⬇️

We are very pleased to share that Adam Bychawski's powerful reporting on the case of Ahmed Adan - published by The Lead - is one of six stories to make the shortlist for this year's Paul Foot Award 2026.

Britain has spoken. The problem is, no one’s quite sure what it’s said. Some votes are in, many still being counted, and every party is already drawing their own conclusions from broadly the same set of results. So what have we learned? national.thelead.uk/p/six-sort-o...

Top tier cricket on the doorstep. Lancashire Cricket confirm the men's side will welcome Kent Spitfires and Notts Outlaws in late July for one-day cup games. While the women are to experience the new Lancashire ground in early September with visits from Surrey and Durham. 🏏

The Preston Model the economic secret? Or mass housebuilding and new roads? We asked data journalist Claire Miller to dig into the numbers on the city's economy. What she found might surprise you. Big, home to entrepreneurs and a relatively young city. 🏙

Ahead of the return of the Tokyo Jo's Reunion at the Easter weekend we've been rummaging in the archives for when the the city went out, out. Before the fire of 2022 there were a number of reunion nights held in the old Tokes. 💃🕺📸

The overnight closures will see Preston Road at Grimsargh closed in both directions from Monday 27 April for ten nights. It will inch the bridge widening project closer to completion, which is due to be during May. 🚧

No designs yet so don't get too excited, but the likes of Withy Grove in Bamber Bridge and Park View in Lytham are classed as 'destination play parks'. Hope they let big kids on the rocket slides too! 🏞🙌👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Loyal churchgoers were left 'blindsided' by the announcement as the church announced a repair bill of £125,000 would be way beyond the means of the parish. Holy Family has been at the heart of the community for decades. ⛪

A parade from the railway station to Fox Street marked the official arrival of Lumo in the city. They have chosen Preston as their base for when new London-Stirling services start running. 🚆

Records were set last year for attendance when The MET popped up in Larches, and it returns from Friday 17 July with more than 40 low-cost or free entertainments and activities planned 🎪🙌

Two weeks ago our petition calling for the city to have a major venue again launched and is approaching 2,500 signatures. Tony Rigg, chair of the Lancashire Music Association, has reflected on what he feels is the way forward on the Guild Hall 🎵🎸

Lancashire residents have until midnight on Thursday to tell the government what they think of the options for the biggest overhaul of the council system in the county for more than 50 years.

The crash, which left a man in his 30s dead, took place on the M61 on Saturday evening but was not found until 28 hours later. An MP is now demanding answers after our questions went from pillar to post from the organisations responsible for road safety.

Well that was just superb. Well done to everyone who was on the shortlist, all the winners and everyone involved. Proud Preston right there!

Looking forward to these tonight. Good luck and well done to everyone on the finalists list. And great work by the team behind the awards too. Proud Preston right there!

I was fortunate to meet Lucie as part of our Blog Foxton project. No surprise to see her recognised, an articulate, driven and inspiring young lady. A star of the future in whatever she decides to do.

Elton John, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin kicked off proceedings in 1973, and there's been plenty of famous names and eclectic acts to have played the city down the decades at the Guild Hall

See the petition, sign it and share it with anyone you think might want to back it

Let's show Lisa Nandy (the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport) the appetite there is in Preston.

We've been without a major entertainment venue in the city since 2019. Tonight we launch our call for the government to pledge their support - whether it's repair or rebuild - to getting the issue resolved.

Bad queues yesterday. Had one job, where's my facepalm emoji etc

A deal to save Guy's Thatched Hamlet as a hospitality destination has been confirmed.

Sitting through two-and-a-half hours of back and forth, and making sense of it all for you

Some really good comments on this already - it is and will continue to be the biggest story in the city (and one we'll keep covering in depth)

A piece of modern Preston history has gone

Well, what a response that was! More than 100 people and organisations were nominated in the first ever Proud Preston Awards. The official finalists list is out this morning and well done to every person who is on it.

A damp morning at Deepdale, brightened by firming up plans for the return of the Big PNE Sleep Out. More than 300 people signed up to take part and help raise funds to prevent female homelessness in the city.

The Valleys Lead has launched (!!!!!!!) and we at @theleaduk.bsky.social are over the moon to start sharing stories from the South Wales Valleys. If you've got a story for us, please do send a message here or email valleys@thelead.uk. open.substack.com/pub/valleysl...

Good morning from the North! Here's our latest weekend editions of The Lead North, starting in a very windy Blackpool where serious questions are being asked after part of a £100million new DWP building became dislodged in the strong winds this week

Just the 31,000 stories later.... it was a cold day in 2009 when it all began(!). Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years. 🙌

We'll be hoping to put Preston on the Northern digital creative map at the awards early next year. Thanks to everyone who reads us and supports us. 💙🤞

What is it about early November and major regeneration moments happening with the city?

In the past decade or so the Red Scar site, still known to many as Recycling Lives, has become known for going up in smoke. @edwalker86.bsky.social went behind the scenes with new owners who took it on last year

This story took months of conversations, reading documents, letters and more. @edwalker86.bsky.social reports on one family who have been left nowhere else to turn after what happened to Karen Killeen

Each year since 2022 we've been helping a Prestonian who does great things in the community be part of the fun on stage and turn on the city's Christmas lights. Who should it be this year?

I've been sent the current design for this and it really is impressive. Be even more so when thousands of fans are holding it aloft at Deepdale. Fantastic to see the @blogpreston.co.uk logo will be pride of place too.

It’s been a very happy Friday at The Lead - as our journalism in the North of England has won a @pressgazette.co.uk award. Thank you to everyone who reads and supports The Lead and particularly our Northern titles.