Author: Ed

Common Edge Community Sports Village

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In 2023, a state-of-the-art £6 million Community Sports Village opened at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, marking the completion of the first phase of the zone’s development. The Common Edge Community Sports Village is a flagship facility, boasting 14 new grass football pitches, a full-sized floodlit 3G football pitch, a floodlit rugby pitch with a dedicated training area, and a modern sports pavilion designed to support both athletes and the wider community. The pavilion features six spacious changing rooms, two officials’ rooms, two kitchens, and a large community room, offering a welcoming and practical space for teams and local residents alike…. Read more »

Harry Feeney & The Rockin’ Vickers

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The Rockin’ Vickers were a vibrant English rock and roll band from Blackpool, active from 1963 to 1968. Known for their high-energy live performances and unique stage presence, they are perhaps most famous for launching the career of Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, later of Motörhead fame, who was then known as Ian Willis. The band went through a few name changes before settling on “The Rockin’ Vickers” to increase their chances of securing gigs and a record contract. Originally called Rev Black and the Rockin’ Vicars, they shortened the name to the Rockin’ Vicars before finally adopting the “Rockin’ Vickers” moniker…. Read more »

South Shore Cricket & Squash Club

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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…

James Cagney at the Winter Gardens

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James Cagney’s connection to Blackpool began in 1947, when he first visited the town for a charity event at the Winter Gardens. The event was part of a benefit for the local hospital, and as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time, Cagney’s appearance was a major event. It was his first visit to the UK, and his presence in Blackpool marked the start of a long-lasting connection between the actor and the country. Four decades later, in 1988, Cagney returned to Blackpool for another special event at the Winter Gardens, this time celebrating his illustrious career. This visit…

Paul O’Grady (AKA Lily Savage) in Blackpool

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Paul James O’Grady MBE DL (14 June 1955 – 28 March 2023) was an English comedian, broadcaster, drag queen, actor, and writer. Aside from all that, he was an LGBT+ champion during his days of playing loud-mouthed, heavy smoking drag act Lily Savage. The Layton Institute in Blackpool was made famous by Paul O’Grady’s Lily Savage when he filmed his Live from the Lilydrome TV show there in 1995. The club has also been graced by the likes of Joe Longthorne, the Nolans and Matt Munro. The image below shows the club as it is today. Layton Institute Images © Deeper Blue Marketing… Read more »

Cilla Black’s Blackpool

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Priscilla Maria Veronica White OBE (27 May 1943 – 1 August 2015), better known as Cilla Black, was a singer and television presenter. Championed by her friends the Beatles, Black began her career as a singer in 1963. Her singles “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “You’re My World” both reached number one in the UK in 1964. She had 11 top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart between then and 1971 and an additional eight hits that made the top 40. During this period she had several bookings in Blackpool, some of which are detailed below. In May 2010,…

Tim Burton’s Illuminations and Filming in Blackpool

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Famous for iconic films such as Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Alice in Wonderland, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Buton filmed his then latest masterpiece – Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children on Blackpool’s seafront. It meant that the promenade had to be closed from Chapel street to Talbot Road on 8 May 2015. Actors Samuel L Jackson, Dame Judi Dench and Eva Green starred in this film, which came out the following year. In the featured image below, you can see where the fake snow starts and finishes on the Prom. To see Samuel L. Jackson talking about his…

Matt LaBlanc & Chris Evans Filming Top Gear in Blackpool

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On Matt LeBlanc’s first day filming for Top Gear in 2016, things didn’t exactly go to plan. The former Friends star was tasked with driving a Reliant Rialto, decorated in a bold stars-and-stripes design, when the car unexpectedly broke down on its way from Manchester to Blackpool. The vehicle faltered near a KFC in the Orbital Retail Park in Cannock, Staffordshire, forcing LeBlanc to make an unplanned pit stop. His Top Gear co-star, Chris Evans, wasn’t far behind, piloting his own Union Jack-themed Rialto, and he too was forced to halt as their journey took a more chaotic turn. Rather…

Hylda Baker’s Blackpool Chauffeur

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Hylda Baker, born in Farnworth, Lancashire, on 4 February 1905, was a renowned British actress, comedian, and singer, famous for her larger-than-life personality and memorable performances. Although originally from Farnworth, she made Cleveleys, on the Fylde coast, her home later in life, a place she cherished both as a residence and a stage for some of her most iconic performances. Her association with the Fylde coast ran deep, as she appeared in numerous shows and made the area a key part of her career. One of her most notable performances took place in the summer of 1956 when she starred…

Billy J Kramer at The ABC Theatre

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Billy J. Kramer, a singer-songwriter from Liverpool, rose to prominence during the legendary British Invasion of the 1960s. With his backing band, The Dakotas, he delivered chart-topping hits such as “Bad to Me” and “Little Children,” winning the hearts of fans worldwide with his unique voice and charismatic stage presence. This photograph captures a moment of musical magic—a vivid reminder of the energy and emotion of live performances that have left a lasting impact on audiences across generations. The print radiates timeless charm, evoking the joy and nostalgia of an era when music had the power to bring people together,… Read more »