Category: 1947

How L. S. Lowry Found Inspiration on the Fylde Coast

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L. S. Lowry, one of Britain’s most distinctive and celebrated painters, maintained a long and meaningful relationship with Blackpool and the Fylde Coast, returning to the resort repeatedly throughout his life. Although he is most often associated with the factory towns and industrial skylines of Greater Manchester and Salford, Lowry considered Blackpool an essential escape and a rich source of visual inspiration. His visits to the resort placed him among the millions of northern holidaymakers who saw Blackpool as a temporary release from the grime of industrial Britain, yet for Lowry the resort offered far more than leisure. It provided…

Hollywood Icon Mae West Lights up Blackpool

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Mae West visited Blackpool several times during the late 1940s, with well-documented appearances at both the Blackpool Hippodrome and the New Opera House between 1947 and 1948. The Hippodrome’s archives record her performances alongside screenings of her films, including I’m No Angel, featured during the Blackpool Film Festival. The town’s lively theatrical atmosphere clearly appealed to her, and she later joined other prominent entertainers in supporting St Stephen-on-the-Cliffs Church, contributing as one of its notable celebrity donors. Mae West’s likeness appeared on the front cover of the Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. When first asked for…

John Lennon’s Three Fleetwood Summers

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John Lennon lived in Fleetwood for three Summers from 1947 to 1949, just nine miles north of Blackpool. The image below shows him in the front garden of 90 The Esplanade, a large corner house facing the marina in Fleetwood. The background image shows the house as it is today. Lennon’s Aunt Elizabeth ‘Mater’ Parkes was just widowed and working at this address as a live-in housekeeper with her son Stanley, John’s cousin and ‘big brother’. There are several posts on the timeline showing John Lennon’s connection to Blackpool: John Lennon’s Father’s Home in Blackpool, Cynthia Lennon – Born in Blackpool, The…

David Brown Buys Aston Martin

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Sir David Brown was born in Park Cottage in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, to Caroline and Frank Brown in 1904. Park Cottage was demolished in the Second World War to make way for a new factory, on their 17-acre Park Works site. Brown attended King James’s School in Almondbury and Rossall School in Cleveleys. While at Rossall, he was known to have loved the glamour and excitement of cars and motor sports, yet he was also a shrewd business man. He even bought shares out of his pocket money in his school days at Rossall. David Brown’s connection to Blackpool is significant because it… Read more »

Chelsom – Lighting the Way From Blackpool

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In 1947, Reg and Kay Chelsom established their small antique lighting shop in Blackpool, naming it The Golden Age. Initially focusing on antique lighting, the couple quickly expanded to three shops and began manufacturing reproduction period lighting. These pieces were distributed to retailers and interior designers across the UK. Their son, Robert Chelsom, now the Chairman, took over the business in the 1970s and propelled the company to prominence within the hospitality lighting industry. Since 2006, Robert’s son, Will Chelsom, has played a pivotal role, particularly in expanding the company’s presence in the marine lighting sector and increasing exports, which… Read more »

James Cagney at the Winter Gardens

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James Cagney’s connection to Blackpool began in 1947, when he first visited the town for a charity event at the Winter Gardens. The event was part of a benefit for the local hospital, and as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time, Cagney’s appearance was a major event. It was his first visit to the UK, and his presence in Blackpool marked the start of a long-lasting connection between the actor and the country. Four decades later, in 1988, Cagney returned to Blackpool for another special event at the Winter Gardens, this time celebrating his illustrious career. This visit… Read more »

TVR Cars

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TVR is a car company started by Trevor Wilkinson in 1947 in Blackpool. From the beginning, the company focused on making special sports cars. Their first cars were built using old car frames and engines from different makers. In the 1960s and 1970s, TVR became known for creating exciting and innovative sports cars like the TVR Griffith and TVR Tuscan, which stood out because of their unique looks and advanced features for that time. During the 1970s, TVR began using fiberglass to make car bodies, which made the cars lighter and more streamlined, showing the company’s focus on speed and… Read more »

Laurel & Hardy Wows Blackpool

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In 1947, the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy made a memorable stop in Blackpool as part of their UK tour. This tour was significant as it marked one of their first stage performances in the UK following their immensely successful career in films. By this time, they had already become household names around the world thanks to their iconic slapstick comedy and timeless films. The UK tour, which included a performance at the Blackpool Opera House, was an eagerly anticipated event, drawing large crowds who were excited to see the pair live on stage. At the Blackpool Opera House,… Read more »