Author: Ed

Peter Kay Switches on Blackpool’s Illuminations for Star-Studded Weekend

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Britain’s most popular comedian, Peter Kay, switched on Blackpool Illuminations in 2014. In a rare public appearance, the Phoenix Nights star, whose name has been synonymous with Blackpool since his record selling “Live at the Top of Tower” DVD, charmed the 20,000-strong crowd at Blackpool’s seafront Festival Headlands.Fireworks launched from the top of The Blackpool Tower as the lights turned on the Golden Mile and along the length of the town’s famous Promenade. The Bolton-born comedian revealed his delight at turning on the famous display in an exclusive interview with Rock FM. He told the station: “Blackpool is a huge…

Jonathan Ross & Gary Barlow Switch-On the Illuminations

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Celebrity broadcaster Jonathan Ross flicked the switch for Blackpool Illuminations in 2013, a different show as the event had been extended for a whole weekend! It even made national news that year after The Script had to cancel their appearance at the last minute. With only 48 hours notice, it was a huge challenge for Blackpool to find a replacement but they managed to do it in style by getting Gary Barlow to appear as the headline act. The Take That star, Gary Barlow, brought the Illuminations alive with an amazing show. Plus singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle performed as a special…

Nigel Farage Speaks at Blackpool’s Imperial Hotel

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On 20 June 2024, Nigel Farage brought his Reform UK campaign to Blackpool, addressing a sold-out crowd at the Imperial Hotel. Prior to his speech, Farage unveiled a new campaign poster in the town and spoke to local media including the Gazette, positioning Reform as the only real alternative to both Labour and the Conservatives. He urged locals to “join the revolt,” claiming that Britain was broken and only his party had the answers to fix it. Responding to a question on what Reform could do for Blackpool, Farage pointed to the party’s flagship pledge: raising the personal income tax…

Current Blackpool South MP – Blackpool Born and Bred

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Christopher Paul Webb, born on 26 April 1986 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, is a British Labour MP for Blackpool South. Raised in a working-class family—his father a postman, his mother a teaching assistant—he attended Layton Primary and St Mary’s High School before going on to study British Politics and Legislative Studies at the University of Hull. While at university, he served on the student union council and led the Hull University Rugby League Club. His first job, at the age of 14, was on a souvenir stall on Blackpool Promenade, a fitting start for someone who would later describe himself…

New Facility for Aspire Academy and Highfurlong School

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BLACKPOOL ASPIRE ACADEMY Blackpool Aspire Academy is committed to providing its students with a high-quality education and remains a dynamic, engaging, and inspiring environment each day. The academy benefits from exceptional resources within its state-of-the-art facilities, creating an ideal setting for learning and personal growth. Educating young people is seen as both a privilege and a serious responsibility, and the academy holds consistently high expectations for its students. Central to the academy’s ethos are positive relationships and mutual respect, which underpin every aspect of school life. The staff at Aspire are dedicated and ambitious for every pupil, playing a crucial…

David Boyle Opens Alien, UFO, Spiritual And Paranormal Exhibition

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David Boyle was one of the Fylde coast’s most recognisable figures, often spotted with his partner Julie at club events, arriving in his replica of Jon Pertwee’s Doctor Who car, Bessie. Before gaining local fame, David had already made his mark by founding the model railway company Dapol in the 1970s alongside his late wife, Pauline. Once Dapol was passed on to the next generation, David embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Blackpool where he became a well-known, larger-than-life personality along the iconic Golden Mile. His inventive spirit extended beyond model railways—he held international patents related to solar energy…

Elvis Costello and His Father Were Blackpool Favourites

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Elvis Costello has graced Blackpool with his performances on multiple occasions. On 13 June 2013, he appeared at the Blackpool Opera House as part of his “Revolver Tour.” This distinctive tour featured a giant spinning wheel that determined the setlist, allowing audience members to influence the selection of songs performed each night. He returned to the same venue on 9 March 2020, this time accompanied by The Imposters for their “Just Trust” tour, which highlighted tracks from their 2018 album Look Now, alongside timeless favourites from Costello’s expansive repertoire. Looking ahead, Costello and The Imposters are set to perform at…

Blackpool Became a Key Depot for the Polish Air Force

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During the Second World War, Blackpool played a pivotal role in supporting the exiled Polish Air Force following the fall of France in 1940 and the Dunkirk evacuation. The town became a central staging area for Polish aircrew, where they were processed and assigned to training or operational units. Key sites included the Goodwood Hotel on Hornby Road, which was used for debriefing and registration, and the Lansdowne Hotel, which functioned as the official headquarters of the Polish Air Force in exile. RAF Blackpool, with its Squires Gate aerodrome, formed an essential part of this support structure, contributing significantly to…

Blackpool Police Confirm David Schwimmer’s Innocence

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On 24 October 2018, Blackpool Police appealed to the public for help identifying a man caught on CCTV carrying a crate of beer—immediately sparking viral attention due to the suspect’s uncanny resemblance to Friends actor David Schwimmer. The image, shared on the police force’s Facebook page, drew widespread amusement and thousands of show-related comments. The post gained even more traction when Schwimmer himself responded with a tongue-in-cheek video. Mimicking the suspect’s actions in a New York store, he furtively glanced at a camera while carrying beer, captioning the video: “Officers, I swear it wasn’t me. As you can see, I…

Stanley Park Aerodrome Opens

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Stanley Park Aerodrome was an airfield located in the Stanley Park area of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It was also known as Blackpool Municipal Airport, and was in use for civil and military flying from 1929 until closure of the airfield in 1947. The site is now used by Blackpool Zoo. Despite the existence of the Squires Gate site, now Blackpool Airport, which has been used intermittently for flying since October 1909, Blackpool Corporation decided in 1928 to build a new airfield close to Stanley Park. The aerodrome was located 1.7 mi (2.7 km) east south east of North Pier at…