Author: Ed

ICI Hillhouse Starts Manufacturing Chemicals in Thornton Cleveleys

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ICI Hillhouse was a chlorine-production facility in Lancashire, England. A division of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), it was active between 1941 and 1992. Its triangular footprint spread from the banks of the River Wyre at Stanah in the east, to Hillylaid Road in the southwest, to the southern edge of Fleetwood in the north. Its entrances were on Hillylaid Road (via the extant gate at the end of today’s The Hawthorns) and on Butts Road in Burn Naze. Burn Naze Halt railway station served those arriving by train. ICI Hillhouse expanded on a United Alkali Company venture begun in 1890….

Tragic End for Olympian Alfred Tysoe in Blackpool

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The Olympic Games of 1900 in Paris were far removed from the modern spectacle. Poorly organised and overshadowed by the World’s Fair, they still provided the stage for a Lancashire runner to make history. Alfred Ernest Tysoe, born in Padiham on 4 April 1874, rose above the chaos to claim gold in the 800 metres. On an uneven grass track at the Bois de Boulogne, he left American rivals trailing and crossed the line in 2:01.2. He then added a second title in the 5000 metre team race alongside his British teammates.

Stanley Park’s Annual Classic Car Show by BVPG

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The Blackpool Vehicle Preservation Group (BVPG) are a group of vehicle enthusiasts. Established in 1982, they aren’t just a classic car club, many of them own vehicles other than cars and some do not own a vehicle but have a keen interest in the motoring world. Each year they have an Annual General Meeting in October, this includes voting in their committee members for the following 12 months. They hold two shows each year across the Blackpool and the Fylde area, which are proving more and more popular each year. Often hundreds of exhibits are on display from the 1920s…

Armfield Academy Opens on Former Site of Arnold School

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Armfield Academy is a new school that opened in September 2018, built on the site of the former Arnold School, which was established in the late 1800s. The academy was named in honor of Blackpool FC legend and former Arnold pupil, Jimmy Armfield, and is run by the Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT). The new building was created to replace the outdated Arnold School facilities, aiming to provide a better learning environment for young people on the Fylde Coast.

The Grapes Hotel & Pub in Wrea Green

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The Grapes is a 19th-century pub in Wrea Green, located on the village green, dating at least as far back as the 1860s – the exact opening date has not been specified. Historically known as the Dumpling Inn, it is a prominent local feature, overlooking the largest village green in Lancashire, which also has a duck pond and cricket pitch.

Frederick Arthur Stanley – Blackpool’s First MP

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Frederick Arthur Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby, had been born on 15 January 1841. For many years he was known as the Honourable Frederick Stanley, and later, from 1886 until 1893, as Lord Stanley of Preston. A figure of both politics and sport, he had served Britain as a Conservative politician and had held some of the highest offices in the government. His time as Colonial Secretary ran from 24 June 1885 to 28 January 1886, before he crossed the Atlantic to serve as Governor General of Canada from 1 May 1888 to 18 September 1893. Away from politics,…

Malcolm Crane Releases ‘The Story of Ladies’ Golf’

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Though best known for his books about rugby union (The Rugby Clubs of England) and golf (The Story of Ladies’ Golf and A Century of Knott End Golf), Malcolm Crane is a lifelong racing enthusiast, whose passion has reached new heights as the co-owner of White Rhino, a racehorse that triumphed at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2024. Crane from Little Thornton, is a member of the syndicate that owns White Rhino, entered in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap. He was born in Blackpool and went to St Joseph’s College between 1958 and 1963. Click image to buy book from…

First Ever Fleetwood Community Comicon

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Fleetwood Comic Con 2025: A Heroic Success! On Sunday 20th July 2025, Fleetwood’s Marine Hall was transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, imagination, and community spirit as we hosted our very first-ever Fleetwood Comic Con — and it was nothing short of spectacular. From start to finish, the event was packed with energy, colour, and entertainment for all ages. Cosplayers brought the streets to life with dazzling costumes and infectious enthusiasm. Highlights included the ever-popular Cosplay Conga, a thrilling cosplay competition, group meet-ups, and a dedicated repair station that kept everyone’s creations looking sharp. Visitors took part in scavenger…

Lucky B’s Comes to Blackpool

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Lucky B’s Hot Chicken has expanded to Blackpool, marking their first venture outside of Scotland. The new restaurant, located at 53 Whitegate Drive, was set to open on July 20th 2025, and it did – of a fashion. But customers had to be turned away as the restaurant had some problems with its electrics. The weather was much better the following day and it seemed half of the town was there. There were plenty of staff on hand to keep the food flowing and the customers happy. This expansion of the restaurant franchise has been spearheaded by Ross Fairbairn, a…

The Royal Oak Pub on Waterloo Road

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The Royal Oak pub in Blackpool has a history dating back to the late 1890s. It was acquired by the C&S Brewery in 1893, extensively refurbished, and renamed the Royal Oak. The rebuilding included salvaged brick from Whinney Heys Hall and a glazed terracotta facade. The pub reopened on July 12, 1930, with a fireplace believed to be the work of Robert Thompson, featuring hidden carved mice and celebrating its earlier life dating back to 1651. The Royal Oak is located on Waterloo Road, a street known for its architectural mix of old and new. It stands opposite the Civic…