Author: Ed

Viva Blackpool

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Viva Blackpool has grown from humble beginnings in 2012 into a cornerstone of entertainment in Blackpool, often dubbed the “Vegas of the North West.” Since opening, this vibrant venue has welcomed visitors year-round, employing over 65 team members who all earn a living wage. For over a decade, Viva has captivated audiences with a unique fusion of show-bar excitement, dazzling performances, and a touch of classic glamour. Set on Blackpool’s iconic Golden Mile, they offered a trip back in time to the fabulous era of the 1950’s for a unique and high-quality dining and entertainment experience. Featured classic car fitted… Read more »

St Annes Kite Festival

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The St. Anne’s Kite Festival is a beloved annual event that lights up the skies over St. Anne’s beach, attracting thousands of visitors each summer. The festival owes its current success to Patrick May, a local primary school teacher whose passion for kite flying was sparked by a single visit to the Catch the Wind Festival in Morecambe. Inspired by the experience, Patrick didn’t just take up kite flying as a hobby; he took it a step further and decided to revive the St. Anne’s Kite Festival in 2012 alongside his wife, Jenny. With the help of international kite experts…

Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10k Fun Run

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The Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10K Fun Run is a celebrated annual event that takes place along Blackpool’s stunning seafront every May. This 10K run, organized by Trinity Hospice and sponsored by Beaverbrooks, has been a staple of Blackpool’s event calendar since it first began in 1983, thanks to the involvement of Andrew Brown MBE, Beaverbrooks’ former chairman. The run draws participants from all over the UK, offering a mix of fitness, charity, and community spirit, all set against the backdrop of Blackpool’s famous promenade. Unlike many charity runs, the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10K Fun Run allows participants to choose which charity they…

Blackpool’s Strongest Man

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Strongmen from across the county came together to compete for the title of Blackpool’s Strongest Man. Among them was Greg “Man Mountain” Dunnings, a veteran strongman who also works for a charity. Standing 6’7″ and weighing 25 stone of pure muscle, 23-year-old Greg aimed to be recognized as one of the UK’s strongest juniors. He organized the event, designing a range of challenging strength tests, including the “Truck Pull,” “Conan’s Wheel,” “Farmer’s Walk,” and “Yoke Carry,” for a thrilling display of strength that was sure to draw a large crowd. Held in St John’s Square in Blackpool on June 20,…

Blackpool Beach Volleyball

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Competitors gathered in Blackpool for an international beach volleyball tournament. This was the first time the Nestea European Tour held a round in the UK, with VisitBlackpool and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) hosting. The event was part of a £3.5 million NWDA investment to support major events in Blackpool as part of the town’s ongoing regeneration efforts. The three-day tournament took place on six specially constructed courts, requiring 1,200 tonnes of sand, a 2,000-seat stand, and floodlights. With a prize fund of 100,000 Euros (£79,209) and Olympic qualifying points at stake, Britain’s top male and female players competed…

Ashton Gardens in St Annes

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Ashton Gardens, a park in St Annes, opened in 1916 on land that still shows traces of its original sand dunes. It was first created in 1874-75 as St George’s Gardens by landscape gardener E. Thomas for a local development company. In 1896, the gardens were offered to the council for £12,000, but they declined. Later, O.J. Porritt took over the lease and in 1912 proposed building on the site. This sparked interest from the council, but the cost seemed too high. Just in time, Lord Ashton donated over £25,000, allowing the council to buy the land and improve it…. Read more »

Lytham Cricket Club

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Lytham Cricket Club was established in 1855 by Squire Clifton from Lytham Hall. After 91 years of playing friendly matches, the club joined the Manchester & District Association in 1946. In 1963, the estate, including the cricket ground, was sold to the Guardian Royal Insurance Company. By 1967, the club expanded to include cricket, tennis, hockey, and soccer, and by the late 1980s, the club had bought the ground, securing its future for cricket. First-class cricket arrived at Lytham in the early 1980s, though benefit and second XI county matches had already been held there. The inaugural County Championship match… Read more »

Madame Tussauds

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Madame Tussauds Blackpool is a celebrated wax museum that opened its doors in 2011. It took over from the former Louis Tussauds Waxworks and now showcases more than 80 lifelike wax figures of celebrities, TV and film stars, athletes, and musicians. The museum’s most recent addition, as of April 2024, is a wax figure of Alison Hammond. In March 2010, Blackpool Council and Leisure Parcs struck a major deal to acquire several of Blackpool’s most iconic landmarks. This £38.9 million agreement, backed by both national and local governments, included Blackpool Tower, Winter Gardens, Louis Tussauds Waxworks, and the Sea Life… Read more »

Blackpool Transport

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Blackpool Transport was established by the town council in 1885, marking the beginning of its operations with the opening of its tramway on 29 September 1885. The tramway initially utilised a conduit system for electric operation, but this method faced significant challenges. Consequently, in 1899, the system was upgraded to a 550V overhead wiring system, which proved to be more reliable. In July 1920, Blackpool Transport expanded its services to include buses, launching its first route between Cleveleys and Thornton railway station. The introduction of bus services within Blackpool itself began in December 1922, with the inaugural route running between…

Blackpool Sandcastle Water Park

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The Sandcastle Waterpark, which first opened its doors on 26 June 1986, was established on the site previously occupied by the South Shore Open Air Baths. This venture marked a successful collaboration between public and private sectors. As an indoor waterpark, it boasts an impressive array of attractions, including 18 water slides. Notably, it features the Master Blaster, renowned as the world’s longest indoor roller-coaster water slide, and the Sidewinder, the pioneering vertical indoor drop slide. The park offers a variety of family-friendly attractions, such as the Ushi Gushi Action River, the Shimmering Shallows, and the Typhoon Lagoon Wavepool. For… Read more »