Lancaster Fireworks

Every November, Lancaster City Council prepares a spectacle of fireworks in Lancaster Castle Hill (town). This year the event will be held on Saturday 3rd from 18.00 to 21.00 hs.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a unique event taking pictures and share the experience with local people. As all the years there is a lot of people assisting to the event, we recommend you to go early in order to have the best view!

Buying in Charity Stores

For the purchase of general items (such as clothes, books, homeware, furniture, electrical goods and others) might be a good idea to visit some of the charity stores located in town or university campus. Charity shops may also provide good quality, affordable clothing and other items for small budgets; at the same time, by buying in charity shops you are helping good causes.

St JOHN'S HOSPICE & CANCERCARE SHOPS Ltd
10 Edward Roberts Court
Lancaster University
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1DQ
01524 593 882

HELP THE AGED
14 New Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1EG
01524 389612

CANCER RESEARCH UK
54 - 54a Market Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1HS
01524 65609

St JOHN 'S HOSPICE & CANCER CARE SHOPS Ltd
50 Church Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1LH
01524 846 438

YMCA ENGLAND
29 Church Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1LP

01524 845207

BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
1 Cheapside
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1LX
01524 849 176

THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
1 Damside Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1PD
01524 65910

BARNARDO'S
59 Penny Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1XF
01524 847438

OXFAM BOOKS & MUSIC
54 Penny Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1XF
01524 380478

A Postgrad's Accommodation Experience

While the LUSU site provides good info on accommodation, I thought I would share my own personal experience as a case example for those of you who are still unsure about where to live. Deciding on accommodation is one of the most important aspects of your university experience, especially if you are coming from overseas and are not familiar with living in Britain. Even if you are only here for a year, the type of place you settle into will be an essential part of how well you will be able to study, adapt and cultivate an international student's life.

I've lived in England for three years now, and have resided in Lancaster for two of those years as a postgraduate student. I have had the opportunity to live on campus in Graduate College and now in a flat with my partner on the outskirts of town. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to living on or off campus and what's best for you greatly depends on what type of experience you are looking for.

On-Campus:

There are 9 different college residences on campus: Fylde, Cartmel, Grizedale, Pendle, Bowland, Furness, Lonsdale, County and Graduate College. For more information about these colleges and to find out which is best suited to you, visit the University's accommodation website: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/cro/frontpage.htm.

When I arrived here in 2004, I lived in Graduate College (the main college specifically for postgrads). I enjoyed the proximity to my classes and the communal atmosphere of living and studying with other students from all over the world. I also lived directly above the porter's office, which meant easy access to my postbox. For those of you not familiar with how the residence system works, each college has a main porter's lodge. If you ever lose your keys or have any immediate problems with your flat, these are the people to talk to. More important to note is that they are staffed 24 hrs a day so if you are ever in trouble, they are always there to help.

The main benefits of living on campus for me were meeting new people, not having to worry about regular housing issues such as utility bills, the close proximity to everything on campus, and also having the basic amenities already set up. This is especially nice if you are travelling from abroad. The fact that your flat and room already come equipped with tables, desks, chairs and some cooking equipment means that you don't have as much to worry about when setting up house. Another great factor is that the Internet is fast and easy to set up in the residences, whereas it can be a bit more expensive and tricky in a regular house. You can also choose a room with an en-suite bathroom like I did so that you don't have to share with your flatmates. For room costs on this matter, go here:

The only downside to living on campus is the fact that it can become a bit isolating. That is why it is important to get out and go into town as much as possible, as well as take frequent trips to nearby cities or towns such as Manchester or the Lake District. Maintaining a varied and active social life alongside your studies can only make you more productive and a lot happier.


Off Campus

Off-campus accommodation also has its benefits. You can choose who you are going to live with and where. If you are still looking for the college experience outside of campus, there is also Chancellor's Wharf accommodation which is situated at the canal, directly across from the Waterwitch pub. More info: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/cro/chancellors.htm

But if it's a house you're looking for, then the options definitely increase. Many students choose this because it can give you more flexibility and autonomy with your lifestyle. Prices in town can range from being really cheap to being on the more expensive side, depending on the location and how many people you share with. To find accommodation, people often post signs around the noticeboards on campus asking for house mates. Or, you can also find rooms on websites such as:

http://www.lancasterhousing.co.uk/
http://www.accommodationforstudents.com/
http://www.studenthousinglancaster.co.uk/
http://www.letstudents.co.uk/

You can also go through a local letting agent, although they tend to be more pricey!

After living on campus for a year, my husband and I moved into a house near the ASDA, about 10 minutes from the town centre. We found our house through a small ad and while it is a moderate distance from the university, it lies on all the major bus routes. Personally, I love being close to town as I find my life has more diversity. It's also nice to have your space and to live in a house that feels more like your own. That being said, I did also have the experience of sharing a house with other students for a year in Manchester. During that time, it was fun to co-habit with other students because of the social environment. However, my advice to anyone looking to share, is be selective about who you live with. It may seem like common sense, but it is extremely important to not just pick a place based on how nice it is or how cheap it may seem. If you don't get along with your housemates, it can be a tough road ahead.

Overall, the off campus experience is good insofar as you have great access to shops, night life and other cultural centres around town. The downside for me has been the long commutes to uni, but that is always superseded by the fact that I live on a major bus route and have the satisfaction of coming home at night to a comfortable space.

* Based on my experiences of living on campus, sharing a house with other students and then living alone with my partner, I would say this: choose your accommodation based on what you think is most important to you. It might be convenience, it might be comfort, it might be socializing or it might be solitude. Whatever the case, know that there are always benefits and disadvantages to any option. All that matter is what is right for you.

Safety Tips for Women

For those of you who are concerned about general safety issues or walking around campus at night here are a few tips:

1) If you are in an emergency, dial 999 and it will send you directly
to campus security.

2) There is a women's bus service (66X) which operates Monday to Friday during term time only. Fares are 85p unless you have a Unirider pass or regular return ticket. The bus will take you wherever you need to go, so as to ensure that you are not left walking alone at night.

Underpass service: runs every half hour, on the hour from 17:30 - 23:30.

Southwest campus service: runs every hour from 17:35 - 23:35.

3) LUSU provides attack alarms for £1 each

More information can be found on the LUSU website: http://lusu.co.uk/womens

FOOD SHOPPING IN LANCASTER

Shopping for food in Lancaster can be as diverse or as simple as you want it to be. While there are the obvious big supermarket chains such as Sainsbury's or ASDA, it's helpful to know that there are other choices in town which are not only local but also a bit cheaper.

LANCASTER FOOD MARKET:
Takes place in the Lancaster market square on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This is the best place to go to buy locally produced and fairly priced produce.

SINGLE STEP:
78A Penny Street
Lancaster LA1 4XN

Open: Mon-Sat: 9:30-5:30

*Single Step is a not-for-profit co-op store and is the best place to buy organic, vegetarain, vegan and fair-trade foods in Lancaster. Along with organic produce, they carry a range of other main essentials including a wide array of spices, herbs, grains and nuts.

MUNG MEE:
6 Chapel Street
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1NZ
Telephone: 01524 849797

*This is a locally owned Asian supermarket with very reasonable prices. Along with Thai, Japanese, Phillipino or Chinese products, they also have a small selection of fruit and veg. They also recently opened up a fantastic Thai restaurant next door.

MAJAE STORES:

Located near the town centre on Blade St. If you take the bus to town get off at King St. Walk to Waterstones book shop (End of King St at traffic lights) and turn left. Continue walking taking the third turning on your left Wheatfield St. Go to the end of this street and Blade St is the first street on your right.

*This shop sells halal meat chicken burgers etc, and oriental spices.

Visit the Lancaster Islamic Society Web Page for more information

SUPERMARKETS:

Sainsbury's:
Cable Street
LANCASTER
Lancashire
LA1 1HH
Tel: 01524 388488

Hours:
Mon 0800 2200
Tue 0800 2200
Wed 0800 2200
Thu 0800 2200
Fri 0800 2200
Sat 0730 2200
Sun 1100 1700

Bus route: take any bus (2, 2A, 3, 4) to the bus station and Sainsbury's is located directly across the way on Cable Street.

*This is the most popular major food outlet for students in Lancaster. Prices are moderate and the quality is better than what you would find at ASDA. You can also find more locally/British produce here than at the cheaper competitors.

SPAR:
SPAR SELF SERVICE SUPERMARKET
(Edward Roberts Court)
Lancaster University Campus

Open: Mon-Fri 0800-2300; Sat 0800-2300; Sun 1000-1800

*The one and only main food shopping area on campus. The prices are a bit higher here than Sainsbury's as you are paying for the convenience.

ASDA:
Ovangle Road
Lancaster
LA1 5JR
Tel: 01524 580780

Mon Opens 8am
Tue 24hrs
Wed 24hrs
Thu 24hrs
Fri 24hrs
Sat Close 10pm
Sun 10am - 4pm

*For groceries delivered to your door, go HERE.

*Bus route: take any bus from campus (2, 2A, 3, 4) and transfer onto the 6 6A 6B 6C at the bus station. The journey from the station only takes about 5-7 minutes.

*By bike: from town take the bike path behind Sainsbury’s and cross the Millennium Bridge. From there, ASDA is about a 10 minute ride and is situated immediately left of the path.

SOMERFIELDS:
Across from Lancaster Bus Station
15 Wood Street, Lancaster LA1 1LQ
Phone: 01524 61092

*Similar to SPAR, this small supermarket is convenient if you need a quick stop on your way into the bus station. Prices here are usually even cheaper than ASDA, although don't hold out for quality!


TESCO'S
While Tesco's is a bit far unless you have a car, you can shop online: http://direct.tesco.com/

**For discount codes and other free stuff (including Tesco club points) go here.