Wise and Morecambe

Is it possible to do a disservice to a town in Lancashire? On the evidence of this morning, the answer is an unequivocal "yes". Think of Morecambe and the collective conscious turns to the statue of Eric and at a push, potted shrimp. At least the latter is true for ardent acolytes of seafood kingpin Rick Stein. I'd just consumed another not so full English ( didn't fancy the fried egg ) when my Morecambe ignorance thwacked me square between the eyes. Inside Ex, organised by the enterprising Price dynasty is the B2B exhibition arm of Inside Business, a suitably prosaic periodical. They get business talking, pressing the flesh and on occasion, paddling palms and pinching fingers. Their guest speaker at today's breakfast event was Red or Dead pioneer, eco campaigner and housing visionary Wayne Hemingway. And of course, son of Morecambe. For someone so steeped in the London firmament, Wayne retains his gritty Northern candour. It's apparent that he tones down nothing for the politicians and the assorted groups that consult with him. Being brave and never minding his P's and Q's has been the making of Wayne Hemingway. Morecambe is proud.