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'''Southern California Edison''', the largest subisdiary of [[Edison International]] (NYSE: EIX), is the primary electicity supply company for much of the lower half of the State of [[California]], the region known as [[Southern California]]. It provides 11 million people with electricity. However, the [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] Department of Water and Power, [[San Diego]] Gas & Electric, Imperial Irrigation District and some smaller municipal utilities take substantial chunks out of its territory. The Northern part of the state is generally served by the [[Pacific Gas & Electric Company]] of San Francisco.
[[Image:Alnwick and Alnwick Castle - Northumberland - 140804.jpg|thumbnail|right|400px|The town of Alnwick, nestling behind [[Alnwick Castle]]]]
Southern California Edison (SCE) still owns all of its [[Electric power transmission|electrical transmission]] facilities and equipment, but the [[deregulation]] of California's [[electricity market]] forced the company to sell many of its power plants. In California, SCE only retained its [[hydroelectric]] plants and its share of the [[San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station]]. The utility lost all of its [[natural gas]]-fired plants, which provided most of its electrical generation. The large, aging plants were bought by out of state companies such as [[Mirant]] and [[Reliant Energy]]. However, SCE still owns about half of the large [[coal]]-fired Mohave Generating Station in [[Laughlin, Nevada]].
'''Alnwick''' is a small [[market town]] in [[Northumberland]], [[England]]. It serves as the administrative centre for the [[Alnwick (district)|Alnwick]] district, and had a population of 7,100 at the time of the 2001 census.
== Overview Diversity==
Southern California Edison received a 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index released by the [[Human Rights Campaign]] starting in [[2004]], the third year of the report.
[[Category:Power companies]]
According to ''Country Life'', October 2002, the "historic county town of Northumberland and seat of the [[Dukes of Northumberland|Duke of Northumberland]], Alnwick is the most picturesque market town in Northumberland, and the best place to live in Britain".
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Set in the heart of the county of Northumberland, the bustling market town of Alnwick dates back to approximately 600 AD.
Over the centuries Alnwick has thrived as an agricultural centre and as a staging post on the [[Great North Road]] between [[Edinburgh]] and [[London]]. The fabric of the town has changed little and still retains much of its original character.
== Features ==
The town's greatest building is [[Alnwick Castle]], the home of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, and site of the [[Alnwick Garden]].
The Alnwick playhouse is a multi-purpose arts centre, which stages an exciting programme of theatre, dance, music, cinema, and visual arts exhibitions.
Major events in the Alnwick town calendar include:
* [[Alnwick Fayre]], staged in the summer as a costumed re-enactment of a mediaeval fair in which residents of the town dress up in authentic costumes
* the [http://www.alnwickfestival.com Alnwick International Music Festival]
* the Alnwick Castle Tournament – a medieval jousting spectacular in the grounds of Alnwick Castle.
* [[Scoring the Hales]] a Medieval football game.
In addition to the new (in 2003) Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre situated on the edge of Alnwick town centre, the district boasts a wealth of sporting and leisure facilities/opportunities, ranging from football, cricket, rugby, rambling, rock climbing, water sports, cycling and horse riding. The golf enthusiast can find thirteen golf courses within 30 minutes drive of Alnwick town.
Architectural features other than the castle include:
* The Hotspur Tower, part of the remains of the ancient town wall
* the [[Tenantry Column]] - much in the style of [[Nelson's Column]], 83 feet tall and topped by the Percy Lion, symbol of the Percy family. The column, designed by Charles Harper, was erected for Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland in 1816.
* Brizlee Tower, a Grade 1 listed folly tower set atop a hill in Hulne Park, the Duke's walled estate, designed by [[Robert Adam]] in 1777 and erected in 1781 for Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland.
* The Pinfold, a stone circular structure within the centre of the town, built to imprison stray cattle.
== Commerce & Industry ==
Formerly a largely rural and agrarian community, the town now lies well within the "travel to work" radius of [[Morpeth]] and [[Newcastle Upon Tyne]] and has a sizeable commuter population. Some major or noteworthy employers in the town include:
* House of Hardy, world-renowned makers of [[fly fishing | fly-fishing]] tackle.
* Greys of Alnwick, also world-renowned makers of fly-fishing tackle!
* Northumberland Estates, which manages the Duke of Northumberland's agricultural, forestry and property interests.
* Barter Books, one of the largest second-hand book shops in the England, set in the town's former railway station.
* Sanofi Alnwick Research Centre, a very large research and testing centre owned by the [[Sanofi-Synthelabo | Sanofi]] pharmaceutical company.
* Alnwick District Council.
== Communications ==
=== Road ===
Alnwick town lies adjacent to the A1, the main national north/south trunk road, providing easy access to Newcastle upon Tyne (30 miles south) and to the Scottish capital Edinburgh (80 miles north).
=== Rail ===
The main East Coast railway link between Edinburgh (journey time approximately 1:10) and London (journey time approximately 3:45) runs via the nearby Alnmouth for Alnwick Station, with a weekday service of 14 trains per day north to Edinburgh and 11 trains per day south to London.
=== Air ===
Newcastle International Airport lies around 45 minutes drive-time away, and provides 18 daily flights to London (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted), with regular flights to other UK centres. The airport also operates regular flights to many European destinations.
==Geography==
Alnwick lies at 55°25'00" North, 01°42'00" West (55.4167,
-1.7000)[[World_gazetteer|<sup>1</sup>]]. The [[River Aln]] forms its northern boundary.
== External Links ==
*[http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=N12982 Alnwick described] on the ''Keys to the Past'' website.
* [http://www.alnwick.gov.uk/ Alnwick District Council]
* [http://www.alnwickcastle.com/ Alnwick Castle]
* [http://www.alnwickgarden.com/ Alnwick Garden]
* [http://www.barterbooks.co.uk/ Barter Books]
* [http://www.house-of-hardy.com/ House of Hardy]
* [http://www.greysrods.co.uk/ Greys of Alnwick]
[[Category:Towns in Northumberland]]
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