Author: Ed

Blackpool Tower Receives a New Illuminated Heart

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Image taken by © David Hulme For more than a century, Blackpool Tower has stood at the centre of the resort’s famous Illuminations, its distinctive silhouette forming one of Britain’s most recognisable landmarks. In August 2019, as the Tower celebrated its 125th anniversary, one of its best-known lighting features was carefully replaced during the first phase of a major LED modernisation project. The upgrade introduced new LED lighting to the Tower Top, the west face of the structure and a newly constructed illuminated heart. At the same time, responsibility for maintaining the Tower’s external lighting transferred to Blackpool Council’s Illuminations Department,…

Kinnie Gibson Flies a Jet Pack to Blackpool Tower

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In the summer of 1986, visitors to Blackpool witnessed one of the most spectacular publicity stunts ever staged on the Promenade when American jet-pack pilot and stunt performer Kinnie Gibson blasted into the sky in front of Blackpool Tower. Gibson flew a rocket belt from the Promenade to a specially constructed landing platform approximately 85 feet above ground level on the roof of the Tower complex. The flight was organised to promote the launch of a Lancashire wall-covering company into the American market, bringing together cutting-edge technology, daring aviation and Blackpool’s long tradition of headline-grabbing entertainment. The spectacle attracted large…

Roy Castle Descends From Blackpool Tower for Record Breakers

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  On the way down from the tower, there was a huge air bag to cushion the landing set up but in reality, the sag in the rope slowed the persons to a manageable speed. Blackpool Tower provided the dramatic backdrop for one of Roy Castle’s memorable television challenges when the popular presenter took part in a high-wire descent for the BBC programme Record Breakers. Suspended hundreds of feet above the promenade in the summer of 1987, Castle travelled from the Tower along a tensioned wire to ground level, attracting large crowds who gathered to watch the spectacular stunt unfold….

The Railway Arrives in Poulton

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The arrival of the railway in 1840 marked one of the most significant turning points in the history of Poulton-le-Fylde. For centuries the town had been the principal commercial centre of the Fylde, serving as its market town and an important inland trading hub. The opening of the Preston and Wyre Railway connected Poulton directly with Preston and the newly created port of Fleetwood, bringing faster transport for both passengers and goods while briefly reinforcing the town’s commercial importance. The railway formed part of the ambitious vision of Sir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood, who planned to transform Fleetwood into a major port….

From the Black Bull Inn to the Bull Hotel

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Standing at the junction of Blackpool Old Road and Market Place, the Bull Hotel has been part of Poulton-le-Fylde’s streetscape for well over a century. Although the present building dates from the 1960s, the site’s association with licensed hospitality stretches back to the nineteenth century, when it was known as the Black Bull Inn. The inn became an important meeting place for local residents, travellers and businesses, while its prominent location at one of the main approaches to the town ensured it was a familiar landmark for generations. The original Black Bull Inn stood on what was then known as…

The Poulton Elk Brings Prehistoric History to the Town Centre

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Opened on 17 December 2013, The Poulton Elk became the first J D. Wetherspoon public house in Poulton-le-Fylde. Situated on Market Place, the pub takes its name from one of Lancashire’s most remarkable archaeological discoveries – the Carleton Elk, whose remains were uncovered just outside the town in 1970. Rather than reviving the name of an earlier inn, the pub celebrates an event that helped reshape understanding of Britain’s prehistoric past. The site itself has a history extending back almost two centuries. During the nineteenth century it was occupied by the Wheatsheaf Inn, a well-known public house operated by local…

The Shard House, Riverside Inn

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Perched on the northern bank of the River Wyre, just beyond Shard Bridge, The Shard Riverside Inn has occupied one of the Fylde Coast’s most historic riverside locations for more than 250 years. Although today it is best known as a hotel, restaurant and public house, the building’s history stretches back to the eighteenth century and is closely intertwined with the story of Shard Bridge, the River Wyre and the historic market town of Poulton-le-Fylde. The present building dates from 1766, making it one of the oldest surviving riverside inns in the area. Originally known as Shard House, it stood…

The Shard Bridge

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For more than 160 years, Shard Bridge has provided an important crossing over the River Wyre, linking the communities south of the river with Over Wyre. Although situated a few miles north-west of Poulton-le-Fylde, the bridge has long been associated with the town, serving as a vital transport route for residents, farmers, businesses and visitors travelling between Poulton, Singleton, Hambleton, Knott End and Fleetwood. Before the bridge was built, crossing the River Wyre relied on a ferry operating between Cockle Hall and Wardley’s Creek. While effective in good weather, the ferry could be unreliable during poor conditions and increasingly struggled…

The Thatched House Becomes a Poulton Landmark

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Standing beside the churchyard of St Chad’s Church, the Thatched House is one of Poulton-le-Fylde’s best-known and most recognisable historic inns. For more than two centuries it has welcomed travellers, townspeople and market visitors, its prominent position at the corner of Ball Street and Chapel Street making it an enduring feature of the town’s historic centre. Although the present building dates from the early twentieth century, the history of the inn stretches back much further. The earliest confirmed reference to the inn dates from 1793, when it occupied the same site adjoining the churchyard. Some historians believe the original tavern…

Freckleton War Memorial Reveal

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Standing at the heart of Freckleton, the War Memorial serves as a lasting tribute to the men and women of the village whose lives were shaped by conflict. For more than a century it has been the focal point for remembrance, where generations have gathered to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to reflect upon the impact of war on the local community. The memorial was unveiled in 1924, six years after the end of the First World War, on what had previously been part of the village green. It commemorated the 16 men of Freckleton who lost…