Category: 2012

St Annes Kite Festival

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The St. Anne’s Kite Festival is a beloved annual event that lights up the skies over St. Anne’s beach, attracting thousands of visitors each summer. The festival owes its current success to Patrick May, a local primary school teacher whose passion for kite flying was sparked by a single visit to the Catch the Wind Festival in Morecambe. Inspired by the experience, Patrick didn’t just take up kite flying as a hobby; he took it a step further and decided to revive the St. Anne’s Kite Festival in 2012 alongside his wife, Jenny. With the help of international kite experts… Read more »

The Wedding Chapel

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The Wedding Chapel, located inside the £2.7 million Festival House on Blackpool’s iconic Promenade has become a beloved spot for couples to tie the knot, with Kelly Goudie and Simon Garrick being the first to exchange vows there on January 12, 2012. Since that inaugural ceremony, The Wedding Chapel has hosted around 5,000 weddings, with a further 350 already scheduled for 2022, continuing its tradition as a premier wedding destination. Originally known as Festival House, the venue was officially renamed The Wedding Chapel in June 2014 to better reflect its primary function. The building itself is an architectural landmark, designed… Read more »

Beach House Bistro Bar

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The Beach House Bistro Bar in Blackpool, located on the iconic promenade at Festival House, has become a beloved venue for both locals and tourists alike since it opened its doors in 2012. Its stylish yet relaxed atmosphere offers a perfect blend of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and a laid-back seaside vibe. The café is known for its modern design, which combines a chic bohemian flair with contemporary seaside elegance, creating a welcoming space where guests can enjoy delicious meals and drinks while taking in panoramic views of the Irish Sea. The menu at the Beach House is crafted by Executive Chef… Read more »

The Oracle

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Welcome to the internet home of The Oracle, the newest and most exciting youth venue in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Opening on 11th June 2012, The Oracle aims to offer young people aged 11 to 24 opportunities to further themselves, learn new skills, express themselves through music and the arts and above all, provides a safe and exciting space to socialise with each other. The Oracle was created by young people, for young people and operated by young people. They are at the heart of decision making at the venue in a variety of ways; from sitting on the Management Board… Read more »

Starr Gate Tram Depot

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The Starr Gate Tram Depot is a key part of Blackpool’s modern tram system. It opened in 2012 when the tramway got a major upgrade, bringing in modern light rail vehicles and improved facilities. It’s located at the southern end of the tramway near Starr Gate, by the coast close to where Blackpool meets St. Annes. Unlike the old Rigby Road Depot, which handles Blackpool’s heritage trams, Starr Gate Depot was built specifically for the new Flexity 2 trams introduced in 2012. These trams, made by Bombardier, brought Blackpool’s tram service into the modern era, offering smoother, faster, and more… Read more »

Tee Time Golf Centre

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We are a driving range based just outside the town centre of Blackpool! We have a short but well maintained 9 hole golf course with an average length of 135 yards per hole! Perfect for your short game practice if you play regular but also ideal for your first time golfers who find the bigger golf courses a little daunting.

Arnold School Merges with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School

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In September 2012, Arnold School merged with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham St Annes to form Arnold KEQMS (now AKS Lytham), and from September 2013 the new school was fully co-located at the Lytham St Annes site. Arnold School, a respected independent school with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1880, closed in 2013 when it merged with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School (KEQMS) in Lytham St Annes to form a new institution called AKS Lytham, as seen in the picture of its current state. The merger was designed to combine… Read more »

Elton John concert at new seafront arena ends early due to weather

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Sir Elton John was forced to cut short his concert at the new seafront arena in Blackpool due to severe weather conditions, much to the disappointment of the 11,000 fans in attendance. The concert, which took place at the Blackpool Tower Headland arena on 16 June 2012, had already been delayed by half an hour because of the weather. This was the first major event at the venue, located directly opposite the iconic Blackpool Tower on the Comedy Carpet, and there was a palpable sense of excitement as fans gathered for what was set to be a memorable evening. However, after… Read more »

George Formby Plaque Unveiled at Home

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In 2012, George Formby was honored with a blue plaque at Beryldene, celebrating his lasting impact. The ukulele has become closely associated with Formby, who was known for his cheerful smile, child-like charm, and unforgettable performances cherished by people on the Fylde Coast. George was born in Wigan in 1904 and initially seemed headed for a different career. His father, George Formby Snr, a well-known performer, once said there was no need for ‘another fool’ in the family. But after his father passed away in 1921, George Formby Jr. chose to continue his father’s legacy. His early act resembled his… Read more »