Joe Longthorne MBE was a distinguished singer and impressionist renowned for his stage and television performances. Over his career, he released three platinum albums and resided in Blackpool with his husband and manager, James Moran. He also had a son, Ricky, from a previous relationship. Longthorne passed away at his home in Blackpool on 3 August 2019, aged 64, and was laid to rest at Layton Cemetery in Blackpool. In tribute to his contributions, The North Pier renamed its theatre as The Joe Longthorne Theatre the following year, and Blackpool Council awarded him a special accolade for ‘30 Years In… Read more »
Margaret Thatcher’s visits to Blackpool for the Conservative Party’s annual conference were key moments during her time as leader and Prime Minister. These events in Blackpool were her stage to lay out her policies, rally her supporters, and speak directly to the nation. One of the most memorable visits was in October 1989. By then, she had already been Prime Minister for ten years. Her government had pushed through big changes, like privatization and deregulation, but faced criticism, especially around the poll tax and economic inequality. At the 1989 conference in Blackpool, Thatcher focused on defending her economic policies. She... 
