Category: 1968

Blackpool’s Duple Launches Dartline Coaches

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H. V. Burlingham was a British coachbuilding business based in Blackpool, from 1928 until 1960, when they were taken over by London-based rivals Duple Motor Bodies. Duple initially renamed Burlingham as Duple (Northern) but in 1969 they closed their Hendon factory and concentrated production in Blackpool. Duple coach bodies were built in the former Burlingham premises until Duple itself was liquidated in 1989. The Blackpool site was best known for producing the ‘Seagull’ bodies in the 1950s. Towards the end of 1961 Bedford introduced the VAS chassis and Duple produced a completely new design – the Bella Vista – for… Read more »

Ian Anderson MBE Launches Jethro Tull

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Ian Scott Anderson, born on 10 August 1947 in Dunfermline, Scotland, is best known as the singer, flautist, acoustic guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member of the rock band Jethro Tull. Anderson’s early life was shaped by his father’s work at the RSA Boiler Fluid Company in East Port, Dunfermline. The family moved to Edinburgh when he was young, and later to Blackpool in 1959, where he attended Blackpool Grammar School. Anderson’s rebellious nature came to the forefront during his school years—he was reportedly asked to leave for refusing to submit to corporal punishment, which was still common practice… Read more »

Mr B’s and Golden Mile Amusements

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Mr B’s Golden Mile Centre opened its doors in 1968, marking a new era for Blackpool’s amusement scene as the town’s first purpose-built arcade. Prior to this, most arcades were makeshift structures—canopies or converted sheds attached to the fronts of old hotels and guesthouses. Located on Central Promenade, Mr B’s was a modern two-story building that boasted a variety of rides, including Waltzers and Dodgems, alongside a wide selection of slot machines and pinball machines, making it a major attraction for both locals and visitors. Tragically, on 2 July 2009, the arcade was devastated by a fire that completely destroyed… Read more »

Englebert Humperdinck at Blackpool Airport

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In July 1968, Engelbert Humperdinck arrived at Blackpool Airport in his new Rolls Royce, preparing for his summer season performance at the ABC Blackpool. Reflecting on his previous appearance in the town, he said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be coming to Blackpool again. Back in 1968 I had such a great time appearing there in summer season and it proved to be a very successful show, breaking all-known box office records.” He went on to praise Blackpool as a “shining beacon” for entertainment in Britain, adding, “It will be nice to be part of that once more.” Having recently… Read more »