Tag: 2001

Steve Coogan Rides the Big One at the Pleasure Beach

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The Parole Officer was a major theatrical film released on 10 August 2001. It was directed by John Duigan and follows a diverse group of former criminals as they assist their probation officer in proving his innocence after a murder accusation. Steve Coogan plays Simon Garden, a well-meaning but ineffectual probation officer. At the beginning of the film, he is facing a tribunal after all of his colleagues in his department in Blackpool submit complaints against him, Garden having had only three successes in his career. He is transferred to Manchester. He has hypoglycaemia and regularly eats crisps to deal… Read more »

David Slattery-Christy – Ivor Novello Consultant for Gosford Park

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David Slattery-Christy, who writes both fiction and nonfiction, was born in 1959 and brought up in Oxford. His parents moved to Blackpool in the late 1960s to run hotel businesses so he has spent many years living in Blackpool. The house David lives in on Whitegate Drive has an ongoing connection with Hollywood and the theatre. The house was also home to Hollywood actress Janet Munro – her stepmother Lilias Munro, who owned the house at that time, was also the make up artist for the BBC TV series The Good Old Days. He graduated for London’s City University with… Read more »

The Rise of TISS and its Rebranding to TankSafe

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In 2001, Brian and Ryan Wholey, former hauliers, founded TISS Security Systems in Blackpool with the vision of providing innovative security solutions for the transport and haulage industry. Specialising in fuel security products, TISS quickly made a name for itself by developing cutting-edge technology to address rising concerns over theft and illegal immigration within the sector. In 2002, TISS was located on Lytham Road in South Shore, Blackpool. In that same year the company was recognised for it’s rapid growth and entrepreneural success and honoured as the Fylde’s Entrepreneur of the Year at the Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network awards, held… Read more »

Nick McCarthy Joins Franz Ferdinand

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Nicholas John McCarthy, born on 13 December 1974 in Blackpool, is a versatile musician known for his work as a rhythm guitarist, backing/lead vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter. Although born in England, McCarthy grew up in Vagen, near Munich, Bavaria, Germany. His younger sister is the artist Anna McCarthy. As a teenager, McCarthy earned the nickname “McCarThief” after an incident where he and friends stole a car. He completed his high school education in Bad Aibling, Germany, and was classically trained as both a pianist and a double bassist at the Munich Conservatory. Initially drawn to drumming, McCarthy later settled into… Read more »

Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre

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Penny Farm, located near Blackpool, is one of the UK’s leading equine welfare centres. Officially opened in June 2001 by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, the facility has since rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 1,000 horses and ponies. Operated as part of an international charity, Penny Farm embodies a commitment to improving the welfare of horses while fostering a deeper understanding of the horse-human bond. Through its rehoming scheme, the farm not only provides a second chance for rescued animals but also engages communities in responsible horse ownership. The organisation behind Penny Farm operates with a mission to enhance… Read more »

Raine Davison in Emmerdale

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Raine Davison, born on 25 January 1984 in Blackpool, is an actress best known for her roles in Emmerdale (2001–2002), Cutting It (2002), and Holby City (1999). She attended Arnold School in Blackpool before embarking on her acting career. In 2002, at the age of 18, she landed the lead role in the festive pantomime Cinderella at the Preston Guild Hall. She mentioned in interviews that she was excited for the opening night and had been preparing by taking singing lessons and rehearsing her lines. Raine had previously only done school theatre work, so this was a significant step in… Read more »

Great Promenade Show

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The Great Promenade Show is a unique outdoor art exhibition that stretches along Blackpool’s South Promenade. Created as part of an initiative to rejuvenate the town’s seafront, it showcases a series of large-scale, interactive sculptures and installations that celebrate Blackpool’s history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere. This open-air gallery, which runs between the South Pier and Squires Gate, is a blend of public art and tourism, offering visitors a free cultural experience as they stroll along the coastline. The artworks in the Great Promenade Show were commissioned from a variety of British and international artists. Each piece is designed to reflect… Read more »

The End of Snackhouse and Bensons Crisps

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Bensons Crisps, which later became Snackhouse, was one of the biggest employers on the Fylde coast and was known for making a wide range of snack foods. They were popular for their crisps and snacks, with a dedicated following both locally and beyond. Unfortunately, financial problems led to the company’s closure. Snackhouse Snackhouse was a key player in the snack food industry, famous for its crisps and other snacks. Despite its popularity, the company had financial troubles and eventually went into administration. The exact date of its closure isn’t well-documented, but it happened in the early 2000s. The shutdown was… Read more »

Kevin Spacey, Bill Clinton & Tony Blair Attend Labour Party Conference

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In October 2001, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton attended the Labour Party Conference in Blackpool. This conference was a major event in British politics where the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Tony Blair at the time, came together to discuss policies, showcase achievements, and rally support. During the conference, Kevin Spacey spoke at a fringe event organized by The Independent newspaper. His presence, along with Bill Clinton’s, drew significant media attention and public interest, making the event stand out more than usual. They all stayed at the Imperial Hotel on the Promenade. Bill Clinton’s role was especially notable because… Read more »

Introduction of Blackpool’s New Sea Wall

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The Blackpool sea wall first went up in the mid to late 19th century. Before that, Blackpool, known for its sandy beaches and fresh sea air, often faced flooding and erosion from the Irish Sea. The first big sea wall was built in the 1870s to protect Blackpool from the sea and stop flooding as the town grew. As Blackpool became more popular with tourists, the sea wall was expanded and strengthened through the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, more work was done to handle stronger storms and rising sea levels. After World War II, additional upgrades… Read more »