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…
The Tour of Britain cycle race has long been a highlight of the British sporting calendar, drawing international and local talent to compete in a grueling test of endurance and speed. On 7 June 1964, the race made a memorable stop in Blackpool, a town synonymous with British seaside culture. Blackpool in the 1960s was a thriving hub of entertainment, tourism, and community spirit, and the town’s iconic landmarks, such as the Blackpool Tower and the bustling promenade, provided a dramatic backdrop to the race. Blackpool’s wide streets and the scenic coastal roads of Lancashire created a natural stage for… Read more »
The image of T. Wagner’s Morris Minor in the Blackpool Rally of 1936 captures a vibrant moment from the early days of British motorsport. Organised by the Lancashire Automobile Club (LAC), the Blackpool Rally was a prestigious event that mirrored the style of the famed Monte Carlo Rally. This format blended competitive motoring with the allure of a glamorous destination, making it a major attraction for both participants and spectators. The rally was first held in 1936 and took place again in 1937 and 1939. Its absence in 1938 was due to the RAC Rally concluding in Blackpool that year,… Read more »
The Manchester to Blackpool Veteran and Vintage Car Rally of 1964 stands as a remarkable moment in the history of classic motoring events. Organised by the Lancashire Automobile Club, which continues to thrive today, the rally was a celebration of automotive heritage. That year’s event featured over 160 entries, drawing enthusiasts from far and wide to showcase their treasured vehicles. A standout scene from the rally, immortalised in photographs, showed a Ford Model T Fire Engine making its way along the Blackpool seafront, with the iconic Blackpool Tower providing a fitting backdrop. This annual rally, a highlight of the motoring… Read more »
Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre was opened in June of 2011. The facility is situated in the heart of Bispham in the North of the town and brings together a range of different services all under one roof. In addition to all our leisure facilities listed below, Moor Park is also home to a Library, Cafe, and numerous health services. • 25m 6-Lane Swimming Pool • Family Learner Pool • Gym • Exercise Studio • Indoor Cycling Studio • Feel Good Factory • Sports Hall • Family Swimming Pool Changing Rooms • Health & Fitness Changing Rooms • Outdoor Basketball… Read more »
Stanley Matthews was born in Hanley, Stoke on Trent in 1915. His father, a professional boxer known as ‘The Fighting Barber’, instilled a lifelong dedication to training in the young Stan. From the age of six onwards Stanley did deep breathing exercises, chest expanding and skipping, and walked everywhere. In 1948, Stanley Matthews achieved a historic milestone by being named the inaugural English Footballer of the Year, a recognition of his remarkable skill and influence on the field. That same year, he also made his debut in the FA Cup Final for Blackpool FC, marking the beginning of his three… Read more »
The St. Anne’s Kite Festival is a beloved annual event that lights up the skies over St. Anne’s beach, attracting thousands of visitors each summer. The festival owes its current success to Patrick May, a local primary school teacher whose passion for kite flying was sparked by a single visit to the Catch the Wind Festival in Morecambe. Inspired by the experience, Patrick didn’t just take up kite flying as a hobby; he took it a step further and decided to revive the St. Anne’s Kite Festival in 2012 alongside his wife, Jenny. With the help of international kite experts… Read more »
The Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10K Fun Run is a celebrated annual event that takes place along Blackpool’s stunning seafront every May. This 10K run, organized by Trinity Hospice and sponsored by Beaverbrooks, has been a staple of Blackpool’s event calendar since it first began in 1983, thanks to the involvement of Andrew Brown MBE, Beaverbrooks’ former chairman. The run draws participants from all over the UK, offering a mix of fitness, charity, and community spirit, all set against the backdrop of Blackpool’s famous promenade. Unlike many charity runs, the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10K Fun Run allows participants to choose which charity they… Read more »
Strongmen from across the county came together to compete for the title of Blackpool’s Strongest Man. Among them was Greg “Man Mountain” Dunnings, a veteran strongman who also works for a charity. Standing 6’7″ and weighing 25 stone of pure muscle, 23-year-old Greg aimed to be recognized as one of the UK’s strongest juniors. He organized the event, designing a range of challenging strength tests, including the “Truck Pull,” “Conan’s Wheel,” “Farmer’s Walk,” and “Yoke Carry,” for a thrilling display of strength that was sure to draw a large crowd. Held in St John’s Square in Blackpool on June 20,… Read more »
Competitors gathered in Blackpool for an international beach volleyball tournament. This was the first time the Nestea European Tour held a round in the UK, with VisitBlackpool and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) hosting. The event was part of a £3.5 million NWDA investment to support major events in Blackpool as part of the town’s ongoing regeneration efforts. The three-day tournament took place on six specially constructed courts, requiring 1,200 tonnes of sand, a 2,000-seat stand, and floodlights. With a prize fund of 100,000 Euros (£79,209) and Olympic qualifying points at stake, Britain’s top male and female players competed… Read more »