Tag: Landmarks

Fleetwood Town Football Club

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Fleetwood Town Football Club, based in the coastal town of Fleetwood, Lancashire, is a professional football club competing in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Known affectionately as The Cod Army by their supporters, the club also retains its traditional nickname, The Fishermen. They play their home matches at Highbury Stadium, wearing their iconic red shirts with white sleeves and white shorts. The club has a storied history, with the current Fleetwood Town F.C. being the fourth iteration since the original club was established in 1908. The original Fleetwood team achieved early success by winning the Lancashire… Read more »

South Shore Cricket & Squash Club

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The South Shore Cricket & Squash Club, located on Common Edge Road in Blackpool, has been a cornerstone of the local sporting community for decades. While specific details about its founding are limited, the club has established itself as a friendly, sociable, and inclusive environment for both cricket and squash enthusiasts.​ The club came into being about 1916 and the members played their early cricket on a ground at Harrowside. In 1926, on gaining membership to the Palace Shield Division II, the Club moved to new quarters in Stanley Road. The club fields multiple cricket teams, including the 1st XI,... Read more »

The Frightening World of 1950s Blackpool Pleasure Beach

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On 8 August 1957, ITN’s Reggie Bosanquet travelled to the British seaside resort of Blackpool. On a mission to enjoy the famed attractions of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and explore the town’s booming tourism industry, Bosanquet captured a number of colourful characters and a culture quite alien to the 21st Century. Among them, the fearless men responsible for cleaning Blackpool Tower, the no-nonsense nurse charged with reuniting lost children with their families, and a man with a special job at the fair… There are more Pleasure Beach related posts on the timeline: The Big One, The Pleasure Beach, Pleasure Beach Fire,… Read more »

Three Salons at the Seaside

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An update from December 2022 stated that a visitor returning to Blackpool reported not being able find Tricia’s, but could see that Vanity Box was still there with a new facade and neat as a new pin although apparently not trading – Hillary would be just over 80 at the time. Mary’s Way was also trading then although under different management. Mary herself was interviewed by a radio news programme and sounded in fine fettle then. From 1994, this slice of pure television gold focuses on the staff and customers of three Blackpool hair dressing salons. Stories of love, loss… Read more »

Fairhaven Lake Spitfire Memorial

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Not far from an edge of Fairhaven Lake there sits a Spitfire W3644 replica mounted on a pole, its restoration paid for with funds raised by residents of Lytham St Annes. This replica represents the one flown by Sergeant Alan Lever Ridings. Sadly, both plane and pilot were lost on 23rd June 1942. Thanks to the fundraising efforts by the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Display Team between 2009 and 2012, the public now has this fabulous memorial for visitors to enjoy. The following is an excerpt taken from a plaque at the display: Putting together a picture of what happened… Read more »

Blackpool Tower & Ballroom

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Blackpool Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom, officially opened its doors to the public on 14 May 1894. At the time of its inauguration, it was celebrated as the tallest man-made structure within the British Empire. Standing at an impressive 518 feet (158 metres), it was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and remains an enduring symbol of innovation and entertainment. Today, it ranks as the 125th-tallest freestanding tower in the world. Blackpool Tower is more than just the tower itself; it is the focal point of the Tower Buildings, an elaborate entertainment complex… 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 »

Blackpool’s Abingdon Street Market

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Abingdon Street Market in Blackpool reopened on 27 May 2023 after a long period of closure, bringing new life to the area. With its eclectic mix of independent food vendors, bars, and coffee shops, it has quickly become a popular destination for both locals and visitors. The market has exceeded initial expectations for footfall and business projections, and the operating team, The Little Blackpool Leisure Company, is excited to continue developing the space. Their focus is on expanding the market’s retail offerings and rolling out further phases of recruitment to attract more independent retailers, while continuing to offer unique entertainment… Read more »

Blackpool Street Sculpture

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Blackpool’s decision to include statues and public art in the town centre was part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the town, which began in the early 2000s. This initiative was driven by a desire to modernise Blackpool and attract new visitors while also enhancing the experience for locals. With the decline of traditional seaside tourism in the UK, the town recognised the need to diversify its appeal, using public art as a tool for urban regeneration and cultural enrichment. The introduction of sculptures was seen as a way to create more attractive and engaging public spaces, with the aim… Read more »

Blackpool Premier Inn

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On Valentine’s Day in 2009, Blackpool’s town centre was shaken by a dramatic fire that consumed Yates’ Wine Lodge on Talbot Square. The blaze, which quickly engulfed the three-storey building, caused severe damage to the historic structure. Yates’ Wine Lodge, a beloved local landmark for over 140 years, was reduced to rubble, and the iconic gilt signage that had once adorned its exterior was lost to the flames. The fire required the efforts of numerous fire crews from across the Fylde Coast, who battled the blaze for hours before it was brought under control. The destruction left a void in… Read more »