Author: Ed

Blackpool Loses Footballing Giant Bill Parr in Tragic Plane Crash

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William (Bill) Wilfred Parr (23 April 1915 – 8 March 1942) was an accomplished England amateur international footballer and wartime RAF pilot, whose promising sporting career was tragically cut short during the Second World War. Born in Revoe, Blackpool, Parr attended Revoe School and began playing football locally with Grasmere Road Methodists, all while working at Blackpool Town Hall. Despite his amateur status, he broke into Blackpool FC’s first team, making 18 appearances. His natural pace and talent on the right wing caught wider attention, and by the late 1930s he had established himself as an England amateur international, earning…

Revoe School and its Football Heritage Become Revoe Learning Academy

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Revoe Learning Academy, previously known as Revoe Primary School, has a rich history that reflects both the development of Blackpool as a town and the evolution of education within the community. The school’s roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when the Revoe area began transitioning from rural farmland to a more…

Stanley Mortensen Signs with Blackpool Football Club

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Stanley Harding Mortensen (26 May 1921 – 22 May 1991) was a distinguished English professional footballer, best remembered for his remarkable performance in the 1953 FA Cup final, commonly referred to as the “Matthews Final.” During this match, he made history by becoming the only player to score a hat-trick in a Wembley FA Cup final. Mortensen was also the first player to score for England in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match and later became the first England player to find the net in the World Cup itself. Wartime career Born in South Shields, Mortensen enlisted in the armed…

Frank Swift Signs with Manchester City

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Frank Victor Swift (26 December 1913 – 6 February 1958) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for both Manchester City and the England national team. He began his football career at Fleetwood Town, close to his hometown of Blackpool, before joining First Division club Manchester City in 1932, where he spent the entirety of his professional playing career. Tragically, Swift passed away at the age of 44 in the Munich air disaster while reporting on Manchester United’s European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, for the News of the World. On 6 February 1958,…

Revoe Library First Opens its Doors

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Revoe Library, has a rich history that reflects the area’s development and community spirit. The library was constructed on the former site of Revoe Farm, with its establishment marking a significant milestone in the community’s cultural evolution. In July 2004, Revoe Library celebrated its centenary, commemorating 100 years of service to the local population. The centenary festivities included history workshops where attendees dressed in Victorian attire, created commemorative bookmarks, and engaged with antique toys, highlighting the library’s enduring role in community enrichment. The library is less than a minute’s walk from Revoe School. This plaque from Blackpool Civic Trust hangs…

The Belle Vue Pub & Hotel Changes its Image

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They’re a friendly bunch and pride themselves on giving the warmest of welcomes. They’re committed to seeking out the very best quality fresh ingredients for their menus – including vegan and vegetarian options – at prices that are honest and fair. They’re a real part of the local community in Blackpool too, proud to help fundraise for charities and offer their function area free of charge to locals and groups. So whether you’re up for a party, watching sport with mates, meeting with friends and family for great value pub food & drink or just relaxing and taking the time…

Music Hall Tavern’s Diverse History

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The building, originally a British Gas showroom and now a block of apartments, boasts a fascinating history. Aside from being the second version of the Music Hall Tavern, the other being at Yates Wine Lodge, the site also became home to the Joe Longthorne Theatre. The site underwent major redevelopment in 2018 and has since been completely renovated to provide 10 high-quality apartments. Four of these apartments offer stunning views of Blackpool Tower, the sea, and the distant fells. The block includes eight two-bedroom apartments, one 2.5-bedroom apartment, and a single one-bedroom apartment. All the apartments are equipped with brand…

Central Picture Theatre, King Edward VII Pub & Picture House and Tudor Bingo

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Constructed in 1913 by Magee, Marshall & Co Ltd, this Edwardian pub originally opened as the Central Picture Theatre on 11th July 1913. It was rebranded as the King Edward Picture Palace in 1914. When the King Edward Cinema opened its doors in July 1913, it was first known as the Central Picture Theatre—a name that remains visible in cream terracotta on the grand, curved gable that rises above Central Drive, at the junction with Read’s Avenue. This was in the early days of silent cinema, and from the outset, the King Edward sought to establish itself as ‘the finest…

Blackpool Set to Open its First Wendy’s Restaurant

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After pulling out of the UK in 2000, Wendy’s are back! In October 2019, Wendy’s announced it was returning to the UK market, which it had served from 1980 to 1986, then again from 1992 to 2000. The first of 20 planned restaurants was due to open in 2020 in Stoke-on-Trent, but it was later announced that the first location would be Reading, Berkshire. The Blackpool site is set to open this spring or summer on the former Viva Vegas Diner’s site, close to the Tower. Wendy’s are all about serving up fresh food, even if it means going the…

Blackpool’s Duple Launches Dartline Coaches

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H. V. Burlingham was a British coachbuilding business based in Blackpool, from 1928 until 1960, when they were taken over by London-based rivals Duple Motor Bodies. Duple initially renamed Burlingham as Duple (Northern) but in 1969 they closed their Hendon factory and concentrated production in Blackpool. Duple coach bodies were built in the former Burlingham premises until Duple itself was liquidated in 1989. The Blackpool site was best known for producing the ‘Seagull’ bodies in the 1950s. Towards the end of 1961 Bedford introduced the VAS chassis and Duple produced a completely new design – the Bella Vista – for…