Tag: Born

Blackpool’s Harry Moulding Wins Britain’s Got Talent

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Harry Moulding was born in Blackpool and fell in love with magic when he was just 11 years old. Within a couple of months, he started entering magic competitions and taking home winning trophies! His passion for magic continued to progress over time. When he left school, he joined the cast of the Award-Winning House of Illusion Magic and Mystery Theatre Show in Spain. Since then, he has performed in thousands of sold-out shows, including intimate close-up magic to VIPs and hosting to UK and International audiences. On 31 May 2025 he was crowned the Britain’s Got Talent winner after… Read more »

Cornelius Bagot Moves Back to Blackpool

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The son of C. Bagot, Esq of Blackpool, yeoman, who for over forty years held the honorary office of Overseer of that town, Cornelius Bagot was born in Blackpool, 15 February 1838, and was educated at the Marton Grammar School, under the Rev. Joseph Bryers, M.A., and Rogers’ School, Blackpool. He served a full apprenticeship to William Stones, of Blackburn, and afterwards had over thirty years’ experience in Manchester with Peter Bradshaw Alley, architect and surveyor, John Lowe, FRIBA, and with William Dawes, architect surveyor, and others. He commenced practice in Manchester in I886, and was engaged upon numerous schools,… Read more »

Dorothy Kavanagh’s Busy Doll Shop on Caunce Street

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A shop with living accommodation on the corner of Bucanhan & Caunce Street came up for sale in 1962. Don & Dorothy Kavanagh bought it but it was in a dreadful state. Despite this, they moved in with their two young children Chris and Kathy, and set about renovating it from top to bottom. The shop opened as a general antique shop but it soon became clear that Dorothy loved antique dolls. She spent much of her time buying, selling and learning about dolls and their history. Don dealt more in other items of interest such as art, porcelain &… Read more »

Current Blackpool South MP – Blackpool Born and Bred

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Christopher Paul Webb, born on 26 April 1986 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, is a British Labour MP for Blackpool South. Raised in a working-class family—his father a postman, his mother a teaching assistant—he attended Layton Primary and St Mary’s High School before going on to study British Politics and Legislative Studies at the University of Hull. While at university, he served on the student union council and led the Hull University Rugby League Club. His first job, at the age of 14, was on a souvenir stall on Blackpool Promenade, a fitting start for someone who would later describe himself… Read more »

‘King Billy’ Greenwood Opens First Tudor Bingo

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‘King Billy’ Greenwood, entrepreneur and self-made businessman, from Knott End to Fleetwood, and Blackpool’s Tudor Bingo Empire that made him a Millionaire in the swinging 1960s! William David Greenwood (1915-1991), always known as Billy, was born in Blackpool. His parents, Agnes and Harold, lived on Fenton Road, where they brought up their family including Billy’s two sisters Annie and May, along with younger brother Harry. Billy’s father worked for the railway at Blackpool’s Central Station and was on two occasions given the prestigious responsibility of commanding the Royal Train. Billy as a young man was always seeking his fortune and… Read more »

The Mystery of Paula Yates

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Do a search online for Paula Yates and you won’t find much that ties Paula Yates to Blackpool. Her Wikipedia page claims she was born on 24 April 1959 in Colwyn Bay, Wales, to English parents, and that she was brought up in a show business family. Her mother was Elaine Smith who was from Blackpool. Her stage name was Heller Toren, who later wrote under the pseudonym Helene Thornton. Up until 1997, Paula Yates believed her biological father was Jess Yates, who hosted the ITV religious programme Stars on Sunday. A DNA test in that year revealed that her… Read more »

Despite Turbulent Times in the Pub Trade, Duckworth Stays on Top

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The government’s ban on cigarette vending machines in restaurants, pubs, and clubs had a significant impact on these businesses and their suppliers. Despite this, Rod Bullough has successfully navigated these challenging times, ensuring the continuation of his family business. One of the ways he has done this is by designing a ‘back bar’ cigarette dispenser, which appears to comply with current regulations. The tobacco control industry claimed that 52,000 children in England accessed cigarettes via vending machines each year. However, this figure was based on estimates and the responses of teenagers from a limited number of surveys. While consumer opposition… Read more »

Susan Varley’s Badger’s Parting Gifts Gets Published

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Susan Varley is a British illustrator and author of children’s picture books. She was born in 1961 in Blackpool. Her best known book is Badger’s Parting Gifts, a story which aims to be a gentle introduction to old age and bereavement for young children. She both wrote and illustrated the book, and it was awarded the Mother Goose Award in 1985. Susan – who attended Baines Endowed Primary and Elmslie Girls School (background image). Varley studied graphic design and illustration at Manchester Polytechnic. Badger’s Parting Gifts was Susan Varley’s first book, it was published by Andersen Press in 1984. A… Read more »

Nathan Parker Releases First Book

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Nathan Parker is an independent author and spoken artist from Blackpool. Proud of his northern roots, Nathan is a keen champion of northern voices, committed to enabling people of all ages to engage with words, stories and conversations. He has a background in Youth Work, having worked in the community, schools, colleges and hostels in Blackpool and the North-West for over 13 years. His vision is to combine youth work values and approaches with the topic of literacy to engage and motivate people to access reading, writing and storytelling, removing barriers and enabling confidence. Nathan is proud of his northern roots… Read more »

Blackpool-Born Simon Sadler Buys His Local Football Club

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Simon Sadler, born on 18 October 1969 in Blackpool, is a British entrepreneur and the founder of Segantii Capital Management. He became the owner of Blackpool Football Club in 2019, purchasing a 96.2% stake and ending the Oyston family’s 32-year control. In his second full season at the helm, Sadler oversaw the club’s promotion to the Championship, marking their return to the second tier of English football after a six-year absence. Sadler grew up on Bispham Road in Blackpool and had a summer job renting deckchairs. He attended Moor Park Primary School, Warbreck School, and Blackpool and the Fylde College before… Read more »