Author: Ed

Diana Dors Gets Into Trouble and Appears in Blackpool Shows

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Diana Dors (born Diana Mary Fluck; 23 October 1931 – 4 May 1984) was a British actress who made several appearances in Blackpool. She performed in the “Life with Lyons” show at a fee of £100 a week for three months in 1953. In addition, eBay UK reports she appeared in a “Souvenir Sunday Night Concert” at the Opera House in Blackpool on 30 July 1961. Dors came to public notice as a blonde bombshell, much in the style of Americans Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, and Mamie Van Doren. Dors was promoted by her first husband, Dennis Hamilton, mostly in…

Blackpool’s Harry Moulding Wins Britain’s Got Talent

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Harry Moulding was born in Blackpool and fell in love with magic when he was just 11 years old. Within a couple of months, he started entering magic competitions and taking home winning trophies! His passion for magic continued to progress over time. When he left school, he joined the cast of the Award-Winning House of Illusion Magic and Mystery Theatre Show in Spain. Since then, he has performed in thousands of sold-out shows, including intimate close-up magic to VIPs and hosting to UK and International audiences. On 31 May 2025 he was crowned the Britain’s Got Talent winner after…

NHV Group Establishes New Base at Blackpool Airport

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At the end of 2020, NHV Group, a distinguished leader in B2B helicopter services (headquartered in Ostend, Belgium), inaugurated a new base at Blackpool Airport to facilitate passenger transfer services, supporting their client’s operations in the East Irish Sea. NHV won a contract with Spirit Energy in May 2020 to provide these services, taking over from Babcock MCS on December 1, 2020. Their dedicated team operates AW169 aircraft to manage offshore crew changes. The AW169 represents the pinnacle of modern aviation technology – a latest-generation 4.6/4.8 tonne twin-turbine helicopter that delivers class-leading performance and versatile capability, even in the most…

The Great Marton Windmill and the Oxford Hotel

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The windmill, constructed of brick, was five storeys high, with a dome turned by a wheel and rope. One of the millers, Thomas Moore, is reputed to have carried out the first development of South Shore about 1819 on land bought by Alexander Moore from John Forshaw. The mill was repaired at intervals – in 1841 costing twenty four pounds, nine shillings and five pence – but ultimately fell into disuse and was demolished about 1900.

Fleetwood Celebrates Over 40 Years of its Tram Sunday Tradition

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Fleetwood’s first “Tram Sunday,” also known as the Fleetwood Festival of Transport, took place in 1985, meaning this year’s event will be its 40th. It was initially organised as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of Blackpool trams. Held annually on the 3rd Sunday in July, Fleetwood Festival of Transport (or Tram Sunday as it’s known locally) is a fun-packed FREE transport event for all the family. It is one of the largest FREE event of its kind, attracting crowds of 70,000+ to fill the town of Fleetwood. There’s something for everyone and entertainment for all the family. This…

Coyote Ugly Comes to Blackpool Prom

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Born in the heart of New York City in 1993, Coyote Ugly Saloon was the brainchild of Liliana “Lil” Lovell, who set out to create a bar that was anything but ordinary. With its fearless bartenders, electrifying atmosphere, and wild west-inspired decor, Coyote Ugly quickly became a legend. The unique blend of bartenders dancing on the bar, thumping music, and unapologetic fun sparked an international sensation. The iconic brand truly went global after the release of the film Coyote Ugly in 2000, bringing the bold, boundary-pushing spirit to screens worldwide. Since then, Coyote Ugly Saloon has expanded its reach across…

St Nicholas Church of England Primary School

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St. Nicholas Church of England Primary School remains as Blackpool’s oldest school still providing education within its original building, which still survives on School Road. The original school on the Moss was a dame school, a converted c1830 cottage on Division Lane. When it became too small (and it literally is the size of a cottage) the school moved across to School Road where it shared some of the church buildings and gradually extra buildings were added. It opened on April 16th 1873 as a one room school and schoolhouse with 79 pupils. The present school was gifted to the…

The Clifton Arms, One of Blackpool’s Oldest Hotels

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The Clifton Hotel in Blackpool has a rich history, originally opening as the Clifton Arms in 1780. It was partially demolished in 1865 and rebuilt by John Talbot Clifton, reopening in 1874. Over time, it has been known by various names, including the Ibis and Forshaws Hotel. John Harling took over the Clifton Hotel in 1889; the Blackpool Opera House also opened around this time. The hotel has been known as the Ibis and is currently operated as Forshaws Hotel. In 2021, a project to replace the failing render on the exterior of the building was completed, restoring it to…

Church Hall that’s Hosted Operatic Societies for More Than 70 Years

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A former church hall, which played host to one of Blackpool’s leading operatic societies for more than 70 years, has been furnished with a blue plaque. After 91 years of performing the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Marton and on the Fylde coast, Marton Operatic Society folded last year. In commemoration of the old Marton Parish Church hall, where the society had performed for 72 years from 1930 to 2002, Operatic Society committee members thought that a blue plaque placed on the wall of the venue in Preston Old Road would be a fitting tribute. The site had been previously…

Blackpool Girls’ Secondary School & Blackpool Collegiate School for Girls

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The Education Act of 1902 made local authorities responsible for providing secondary education for all, and so plans were put in place to provide an educational establishment in Blackpool that could deliver this. In 1906 the Blackpool Secondary School opened on Raikes Parade, with the school playing fields on St Walburgas Road; this rather impressive building would later become, and still is home to the Salvation Army. September 1925 saw the girls move to the Blackpool Girls’ Secondary School at the junction of Beech Avenue and Forest Gate, which was officially opened by Lady Stanley on the 23rd of October…