Tag: 1996

Karl Crompton Wins £10.8m From Lottery

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Karl Crompton, born in Blackpool in 2002, was once dubbed Britain’s most eligible bachelor after bagging £11 million in the National Lottery when he was just 23. But after 27 years that included a divorce from his childhood sweetheart, the man once known as ‘Rollover Romeo’ has been spotted looking grizzled and grey at the age of fifty. He was one of the earliest jackpot winners when he scooped up his millions back in 1996. The then-trainee at high street electrical goods store Comet had been earning around £100 a week shortly before he was thrust into the spotlight to… Read more »

Peter Gunn Appears in Brassed Off!

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Peter Gunn, born 13 February 1963 in Lytham St Annes, is an English actor who’s appeared in several TV series and films. He has been married to Julie L. Livesey since July 2000 and they have two sons, George and Tom. On British television, perhaps Gunn is best known as the character Len Cosgrove in the BBC series Born and Bred as well as dozens of guest-starring and recurring roles in other television series and films such as: Brassed Off! (1996), Frost, Heartburn Hotel, and Sunshine. To American audiences, he may be better known for Blue Juice (1995), EverAfter (1998), Hannah… Read more »

Dr. David Cooper Founds Brian House

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Brian House Children’s Hospice in Blackpool opened in December 1996, founded by Dr. David Cooper to provide respite care for children with life-limiting illnesses. It operates as part of Trinity Hospice, which had been established in 1985 to offer palliative care for adults. The hospice provides care for children with complex medical needs and life-limiting conditions, supporting them and their families through the challenges they face. Many of the children require round-the-clock care and experience frequent periods of illness, but Brian House is dedicated to making every day as fulfilling and joyful as possible. The focus is on creating meaningful… Read more »

Sir John Sunderland Becomes Cadbury Schweppes Chief Exec

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Sir John Michael Sunderland, CBE FRSA, was born on 24 August 1945 and raised in Lytham St Annes. His early years were shaped by his family—father Harry Sunderland, mother Joyce Farnish, and sister Ann Marie. He attended King Edward VII School in Lytham St Annes before furthering his education at the University of St Andrews, where he earned a Master of Arts degree. A respected figure in British business, Sunderland made a name for himself in the corporate world, eventually serving as President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) from 2004 to 2006. His tenure at the CBI focused… Read more »

Blackpool Town Centre Forum

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Blackpool Town Centre Forum originated from consultations and discussions between Blackpool Council, major and individual town centre retailers, Blackpool Police and various other stakeholders covering Blackpool town centre. Over a two year period, these initial consultations were headed by Robin Wood, the council’s Chief Officer for Executive Services. Chris Hurley, the then manager of Midland Bank, was to take on the Chairmanship of the Forum’s steering committee. The objective was to create a town centre management partnership to address the challenges facing the town centre in terms of retail and commercial decline, security, cleanliness and environmental issues, all highlighting the… Read more »

Ameon Utilities

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Ameon Utilities, originally founded in 1996, became incorporated with a registered office in Blackpool in August 2008. Since its establishment, the company has grown into one of the most successful medium-sized businesses in the sector, boasting a turnover nearing £70 million and maintaining strong client retention rates above industry standards. Ameon provides a wide range of services, including mechanical, electrical, and environmental solutions, alongside utilities for both new builds and refurbishments. The company operates across the North West and beyond, with a highly skilled workforce of around 300 staff, enabling them to respond quickly and effectively to client needs. Ameon’s… Read more »

Tony Prosser’s Realtime Dream

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Tony’s deep passion for computer graphics and animation inspired him to establish RealtimeUK in 1996, with the vision of creating a leading creative studio—a dream he has successfully realised. His journey began during his studies in Technical Illustration at Blackpool and The Fylde College, where he discovered his love for computer graphics. Motivated by this newfound interest, Tony dedicated his focus to CGI, eventually graduating and taking a bold leap into entrepreneurship with a £4,000 loan from his mother. He wasn’t alone in this venture; Steve Kerswell and Jon Clayton, fellow graduates from the same Technical Illustration course, joined him… Read more »

Blackpool Sports Centre Opens

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On the site of the former park nurseries, the Blackpool Sports Centre was built in 1996, further enhancing Stanley Park’s reputation as a hub for sports and recreation. The sports hall, designed with versatility in mind, offers facilities for a wide range of activities, including badminton, table tennis, and 5-a-side football. It also features a 60-meter running track, catering to athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels. This development marked a significant investment in Blackpool’s sporting infrastructure, helping to provide local residents and visitors with access to high-quality facilities for both recreational and competitive sports. The Sports Centre is part… Read more »

Holidays in the Sun’ First Punk Event at the Winter Gardens

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“Holidays in the Sun” was a punk rock festival that took place in Blackpool. This festival was a significant event in the punk music scene, drawing fans from across the UK and beyond. The festival was named after a Sex Pistols song and was designed to bring together a wide range of punk bands from the original 1970s era, as well as newer acts that had emerged in the following decades. It took place in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, a large and historic venue, hosted the event, providing ample space for multiple stages and large crowds. The festival was held from… Read more »

Blackpool’s World Fireworks Championships

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Since 1996, the World Fireworks Championship in Blackpool has been captivating audiences with its amazing nighttime shows. It’s become a major event in Blackpool and one of the highlights in the UK’s festival scene. Teams from all over the world come to compete, creating impressive fireworks displays set to music. Each show is judged on how spectacular, creative, and precise it is.