Tag: Events

Little Boots on Later… with Jools Holland

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Little Boots, the stage name of Victoria Hesketh, made her television debut on Later… with Jools Holland on 7 November 2008. Her invitation to perform on the show came after she gained attention by sharing her music on MySpace, marking the start of her rise to prominence. Born in Blackpool and raised in Thornton, Hesketh is a singer-songwriter and DJ with a dynamic career spanning solo projects and earlier work as a member of the band Dead Disco. As a solo artist, she has released four albums to date: Hands (2009), Nocturnes (2013), Working Girl (2015), and Tomorrow’s Yesterdays (2022),… Read more »

Alfie Boe Switches on the Lights

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Alfie Boe headlined the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On concert on 31 August 2018 at the Tower Festival Headland, drawing thousands of visitors to celebrate the launch of the town’s world-famous illuminations. But there’s a bigger connection, the fact he was born in Blackpool. He’s the youngest in a family of nine children and was brought up in nearby Fleetwood. He is of Irish and Norwegian descent and his mother and father named him after the Italian name of Pope John XXIII. He attended St Wulstan’s and St Edmund’s School and Cardinal Allen Catholic High School in Fleetwood. His earliest musical memories were… Read more »

Alfie Boe & Michael Ball Album Launch

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On Friday, 28 October 2022, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe visited Blackpool to promote their album Together in Vegas, their fifth collaborative studio effort, released by Decca Records. The album achieved significant success, reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart. A few years earlier, Boe had also appeared in Blackpool for the Lights Switch-On concert. A clip below shows the duo at Viva Vegas during their promotional tour for the new album. Alfie Boe, the youngest of nine siblings, was born in Blackpool and raised in Fleetwood. Of Irish and Norwegian heritage, his parents named him after Pope John… Read more »

Chris Lowe Back in Blackpool

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Chris Lowe, along with Neil Tennant, his partner in the iconic synth-pop duo The Pet Shop Boys, gave a one-night performance at Funny Girls in Blackpool on 6 September 2024. The pair, who formed their groundbreaking musical act in 1981, continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Lowe was born in Blackpool in 1959 and continues to show his affection for his hometown, as highlighted in a video of him playing It’s a Sin on the Wurlitzer organ at the Tower Ballroom. He has also supported local music initiatives, notably donating a state-of-the-art keyboard to Blackpool Music School. Lowe’s connection to Blackpool… Read more »

Wednesday Half-Day Closing

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The tradition of half-day closing on Wednesdays in the UK is rooted in a combination of historical practices, cultural habits, and labor laws, with a unique connection to archery and the role of seaside resorts like Blackpool. The origin of half-day closing can be traced back to medieval England, where archery was a crucial skill for national defense. The English longbow required significant training, and to ensure a capable military force, King Edward III issued a royal decree in 1363 mandating that all able-bodied men practice archery regularly. This practice was typically held on Sundays and holidays after church services…. Read more »

Blackpool King Carnival

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The Blackpool King Carnival of 1923 was a grand event that captivated the town over a full week from 9 – 16 June. This week-long celebration was designed to showcase Blackpool’s burgeoning reputation as a leading entertainment destination and to offer an extensive programme of activities for both residents and visitors. The carnival kicked off with a spectacular parade featuring elaborate floats, costumed performers, and marching bands. Each float was meticulously themed to reflect contemporary trends, popular culture, or local history, creating a vibrant and colourful spectacle. The parade was a highlight of the week, drawing large crowds and setting the tone for the festivities.

Pleasure Beach Fire

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On May 25, 1934, a devastating fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, around 3:00 AM, beginning at the Big Dipper roller coaster, which was one of the park’s main attractions. The blaze spread rapidly due to the wooden structures and flammable materials used in the rides and was further fueled by high winds that night. The fire quickly engulfed several other key attractions, including the Scenic Railway and the Whip, and…

RHO Hills Store Fire

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The RHO Hills fire in Blackpool on May 8, 1967, was a devastating event that led to the complete destruction of the iconic department store located on Bank Hey Street. The fire started shortly after midnight, around 12:20 AM, and within 15 minutes, flames were already visible from miles away. The store’s night watchman, Owen Davey, was the first to notice the fire during a routine security check when he detected smoke and discovered a raging fire on the second floor. Despite a swift response from approximately 60 firefighters from Blackpool, Preston, and the Lancashire County Brigade, the fire quickly… Read more »

HMS Foudroyant Shipwreck

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HMS Foudroyant, once Admiral Nelson’s flagship between 6 June 1799 and June 1801, ended her illustrious career in a dramatic wreck off the Blackpool coast in 1897. After years of distinguished service, the ship had retired and embarked on a fundraising voyage around Britain to promote her preservation. Her journey, however, came to an abrupt and tragic conclusion. The Foudroyant arrived in Blackpool on 4 June 1897, anchoring two miles offshore between Central and North Piers. On the morning of 16 June, a hurricane-strength storm swept through the area, and the ferocious winds caused the ship to break anchor. Buffeted… Read more »

The Abana Shipwreck

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On 22 December, 1894, the Abana, a Norwegian barque, was wrecked along the Blackpool coastline during a fierce storm. Sailing to Florida, the ship’s crew mistook the newly-built Blackpool Tower for a lighthouse, leading them dangerously close to the shore. Battling high winds and rough seas, the vessel eventually ran aground near Little Bispham. Despite the peril, all 17 crew members and the ship’s dog were rescued by the Blackpool lifeboat team. The lifeboat itself faced challenges, briefly becoming grounded on a sandbank during the operation. After the rescue, the sailors were brought ashore and celebrated their survival with a… Read more »