Tag: Landmarks

George Formby Plaque Unveiled at Home

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In 2012, George Formby was honored with a blue plaque at Beryldene, celebrating his lasting impact. The ukulele has become closely associated with Formby, who was known for his cheerful smile, child-like charm, and unforgettable performances cherished by people on the Fylde Coast. George was born in Wigan in 1904 and initially seemed headed for a different career. His father, George Formby Snr, a well-known performer, once said there was no need for ‘another fool’ in the family. But after his father passed away in 1921, George Formby Jr. chose to continue his father’s legacy. His early act resembled his… Read more »

Henri Farman and the Birth of Aviation at Blackpool Airport

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The first flight from Blackpool Airport, which was originally known as Squires Gate Airport, happened in 1909 with French aviator Henri Farman flying the plane. This marked the beginning of the airport’s long history and made it one of the oldest active airports in the UK. The flight was part of the UK’s first official aviation meeting in October 1909, which drew a lot of attention from early aviation pioneers and enthusiasts. Henri Farman, an important figure in early aviation known for his work in powered flight, piloted the aircraft during this event. The meeting was a key moment in… Read more »

100 Years of Flying – Blackpool Airport Celebrates Milestone

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In 2009, Blackpool Airport celebrated its 100th anniversary. Originally called Squires Gate Airport, it opened in 1909 and quickly became a major player in early aviation by hosting the UK’s first official aviation meeting that same year. This marked the start of the airport’s long and important history. During World War I, the airport was used for military training and aircraft production as a Royal Flying Corps base. It continued to play a crucial role in World War II, serving as a key base for the Royal Air Force and for making military planes. After the wars, the airport shifted… Read more »

Elmslie Girls School

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Elmslie Girls School, founded in 1918 by three sisters—Elizabeth, Polly, and Peggie Brodie—was an institution that stood out not only for its academic success but also for its distinctive atmosphere and strong sense of community. Located on Whitegate Drive in a large, detached house, the school served as a nurturing environment for girls, offering them opportunities to excel in various fields, including competitive sports, music, science, and the arts. Elmslie Girls School, which was an all-girls school for the majority of its history, did admit boys at the preschool or early years level. The school was known for providing an… Read more »

The Founding of Rossall School

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Rossall School, often called ‘The Eton of the North,’ has a long history. It was started in 1844 by Rev. St Vincent Beechey as a sister school to Marlborough College, which had opened the year before. The goal was to offer a top-quality education in classics, math, and general studies at a fair price for the sons of clergymen and others. Rev. Beechey got support from well-known people like The Earl of Derby, the Duke of Devonshire, and the Bishop of Chester to establish the school. Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood rented out his family home, Rossall Hall, to the school… Read more »

Metro Coastlines and Blackpool Transport

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In April 2001, Blackpool Transport, the local public transport provider, underwent a significant rebranding, changing its identity to Metro Coastlines. This move was part of an ambitious plan to modernise the service and make it more appealing to locals and tourists alike. As part of the rebrand, Blackpool Transport introduced a new colour-coded system for its bus services, where each main bus route was assigned a distinct colour, creating a visual identity that made it easier for passengers to identify the routes. This colour-coded approach extended to Blackpool’s famous tramway along the promenade, which also adopted a version of this… Read more »

137 Years of Blackpool Trams

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Michael Holroyd Smith (1847–1932) was a British pioneer of electrical and motor car engineering. He was born in Halifax on 22 December 1847, the son of Matthew Smith and his wife Mary Sutcliffe. Over his life he worked on various projects as a consulting engineer. In 1885 he was responsible for the design and construction of the Blackpool Electric Tramway, a line in Blackpool that was Britain’s first electric tramway and survives to this day, albeit in a rather different form. Between 1886 and 1890, he was responsible for the electrification of the City and South London Railway, the first… Read more »

The Saddle Beer Festival

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Pam and Don Ashton, managers of the Saddle Inn, started the Saddle Beer Festival in Blackpool in 1994. Pam recalled that the party was rather emotional for them, mentioning their early retirement was due to their daughter’s serious illness. She commented further that they loved not just the building but the fantastic customers. The customers presented them with a set of crown green bowls, which they knew the couple wanted to try. Pam and Dom confirmed that receiving the gift from the locals was very touching for them. The Saddle Festival and the summer festival they introduced continued under the… Read more »

Birth of The Saddle Inn, Whitegate Drive

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The Saddle Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Blackpool, was built in 1776 and was originally owned by a saddler named Richard Hall. It still has that historic charm and is known as the oldest pub in Blackpool that’s been continuously licensed. Despite its small size, it has a lot of character and is well-known in town for its real ales, especially Bass. The pub features a large beer garden, two rooms off the main bar, and serves food from 12pm to 9pm. When the heritage image was taken, Catterall & Swarbrick was the brewery supplying the pub, which… Read more »

Spitfire Tribute at Gynn Roundabout

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Spitfire Island was one of the exciting new features of the Blackpool Illuminations 2023, which started on 1 September and ran every night until 1 January 2024. The installation was the result of a collaboration between the Blackpool Illuminations team and the renowned designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. This year, the focus was on a tribute to the iconic Spitfire aircraft, with three full-scale replica Spitfires taking centre stage in a revamped display at Gynn Roundabout in the northern part of Blackpool. The collaboration also included Airfix, the famous model kit company, who sponsored the feature. It was a landmark moment as… Read more »