The Parched Pea Podcast: Preston’s ‘real life Coronation Street’ and city’s flower queen
Preston’s ‘real life Coronation Street’ is the focus of the latest episode of The Parched Pea Podcast. John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore chats to Lynn Eastham who starred in a BBC TV […]
Lynn owned a fancy dress shop on the street, in Deepdale, and was pregnant at the time of filming.
She recalls her experiences and what the street was really like back in the 80s.
Lynn said: “I had never known anything like it and I don’t think there will ever be anything like it again.”
Another part of Preston’s modern history is Margaret Mason, the florist who has been a fixture of Friargate for decades.
Margaret Mason being interviewed on the podcast Pic: Blog Preston
The 88-year-old tells the podcast about her life in the shop, how she got into it and her dedication to making every customer feel special.
She has done flowers for generations of families and she also tells us about the time she met the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Parched Pea Podcast is a collaboration between Blog Preston and the Lancashire Post, with Gilly exploring the people and places which make the city tick and will be available on Spotify, Apple and all other major podcast apps via Podfollow with new episodes being released each Wednesday.
The podcast has been supported by Preston Markets, where a number of the interviews were recorded, and Preston’s Business Improvement District.
Edmonton-based filmmaker Frederick Kroetsch spent nearly a decade tripping over dozens of cats while filming one of the most colourful members of the Hart wrestling…
Media personality and businessman, Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, will be laid to rest in Johannesburg on Tuesday. He was shot and killed in the Johannesburg…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/fireworks-erupt-over-la-ronde-in-montreal.jpg?id=61114029&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=97%2C0%2C98%2C0"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-fireworks" target="_blank">Montreal’s summer fireworks</a> season is officially underway — and if you missed the first show, don't worry, there's plenty more to come.</p><p>L'International des Feux Loto-Québec returned to the city on Thursday, June 26, kicking off a full month of jaw-dropping fireworks displays that will continue through July 31. The popular event, now in its 39th edition, brings together some of the best pyrotechnic teams from around the world to compete in a music-synced spectacle lighting up the Montreal skyline.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLGPLL8T7NY/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLGPLL8T7NY/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>L'International des Feux is one of the longest-standing summer traditions in the city. And while the fireworks are exclusively launched from inside <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/la-ronde-montreal" target="_blank">La Ronde</a> on Île Sainte-Hélène, you can catch them from all over Montreal — in the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal/montreals-old-port-will-light-up-the-night-with-10-beachfront-firework-parties" target="_blank">Old Port</a>, Longueuil's waterfront, the Saint Lawrence River, or even from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, which shuts down to cars on show nights starting at 8 p.m.</p><p>This year's programming features teams from Italy, Japan, Switzerland, the U.S., France, and Canada, plus a Taylor Swift–themed tribute night to wrap things up.</p><p><strong>Full 2025 fireworks schedule:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <strong>Thursday, June 26</strong> — Viva Latino</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 3</strong> — Italy</li> <li> <strong>Sunday, July 6</strong> — Japan</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 10</strong> — Canada</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 17</strong> — Switzerland</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 24</strong> — United States</li> <li> <strong>Sunday, July 27</strong> — France</li> <li> <strong>Thursday, July 31</strong> — Tribute to Taylor Swift</li> </ul> <p>Each show starts at 10 p.m., with live music on the Loto-Québec stage from 8 p.m. (artist lineup varies by date).</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLZRZ6MsKo4/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLZRZ6MsKo4/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>If you want to experience the show from inside La Ronde, you'll need either a <a href="https://www.laronde.com/larondefr/events/linternational-des-feux" target="_blank">General Admission or Gold Section ticket</a> for the event, plus a valid daily pass or season pass. Just note that the Silver Passport doesn't grant access on fireworks nights — you'll have to pay extra at the gate.</p><p>However, you don't need a ticket to enjoy the fireworks from public viewing areas. Many Montrealers set up along the Old Port, across the river in Longueuil, or along the shoreline of Parc Jean-Drapeau. The Jacques-Cartier Bridge is a classic spot too, but remember — it closes to vehicles at 8 p.m., so make sure you're on foot or bike if you're heading up there.</p><p>A quick heads-up: organizers have warned that smoke and dust from the shows may affect people with respiratory or cardiovascular sensitivities. If that's you, it might be worth keeping a mask handy or watching from a greater distance.</p><p>For the full schedule and more info, you can visit <a href="https://www.laronde.com/larondefr/linternational-des-feux/program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La Ronde's official site</a>.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
