Author: Ed

Steve Gomersall and the Premier Bowl

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The tenpin bowling centre on Central Drive in Blackpool opened on 1 October 1965, just a short walk from the seafront. It had thirty-six Brunswick lanes all on one level with A2 type pinsetters. The centre operated until the early 1970s when the Rank Organisation decided to close all its remaining bowling centres, although the Blackpool Mecca Building remained. In the 1970s, it became well-known for The Highland Room, which was a major Northern Soul music venue. From 1977, it hosted the Commonwealth Sporting Club but closed down in the 1980s. It’s not clear if the building was used in…

Arnold School Merges with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School

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In September 2012, Arnold School merged with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham St Annes to form Arnold KEQMS (now AKS Lytham), and from September 2013 the new school was fully co-located at the Lytham St Annes site. Arnold School, a respected independent school with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1880, closed in 2013 when it merged with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School (KEQMS) in Lytham St Annes to form a new institution called AKS Lytham, as seen in the picture of its current state. The merger was designed to combine…

Tony Williams re-forms Stealers Wheel

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Tony Williams, who was part of Stealers Wheel, decided to make big changes to the band and re-record their famous song “Stuck in the Middle with You.” Stealers Wheel became popular in the 1970s with their mix of rock and folk music, and this song was a big part of their success. In 2008, Tony Williams decided to bring the band back together with new members. The goal was to reconnect with fans and update the band’s classic sound. One of the main projects after this change was re-recording “Stuck in the Middle.” The new version was meant to introduce…

Fisherman’s Friend – The Best Cure For a Sore Throat

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Fisherman’s Friend got its start in 1865 when James Lofthouse, a pharmacist from Fleetwood, created the first lozenges specifically for fishermen who worked in harsh sea conditions. He combined menthol and eucalyptus oils, known for soothing sore throats and clearing congestion. These lozenges were initially just for the local Fleetwood community, but they quickly became popular among fishermen and locals because they worked so well. As word spread about how effective they were, Fisherman’s Friend began to grow beyond Fleetwood. By the early 20th century, the brand was being marketed more widely, with its packaging featuring a fisherman to emphasize… Read more »

TVR Cars

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TVR is a car company started by Trevor Wilkinson in 1947 in Blackpool. From the beginning, the company focused on making special sports cars. Their first cars were built using old car frames and engines from different makers. In the 1960s and 1970s, TVR became known for creating exciting and innovative sports cars like the TVR Griffith and TVR Tuscan, which stood out because of their unique looks and advanced features for that time. During the 1970s, TVR began using fiberglass to make car bodies, which made the cars lighter and more streamlined, showing the company’s focus on speed and… Read more »

The End of Snackhouse and Bensons Crisps

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Bensons Crisps, which later became Snackhouse, was one of the biggest employers on the Fylde coast and was known for making a wide range of snack foods. They were popular for their crisps and snacks, with a dedicated following both locally and beyond. Unfortunately, financial problems led to the company’s closure. Snackhouse Snackhouse was a key player in the snack food industry, famous for its crisps and other snacks. Despite its popularity, the company had financial troubles and eventually went into administration. The exact date of its closure isn’t well-documented, but it happened in the early 2000s. The shutdown was… Read more »

Strictly Come Dancing filming in the Tower Ballroom

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The first episode of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ filmed at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool happened during the show’s second series on 20 November 2004. This special episode started a beloved tradition where the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom became a glamorous and historic venue for the dance competition, adding extra excitement and prestige for both contestants and viewers. Moving to Blackpool was seen as a milestone in the competition, marking a significant achievement for the remaining contestants. Dancing in the Tower Ballroom was considered a prestigious opportunity, and many professional dancers and celebrities viewed it as one of the highlights of…

The Blackpool Dance Festival

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Since 1920, the Blackpool Dance Festival has been held every year at the Winter Gardens, except during wartime. It’s one of the oldest dance festivals in the world. What started off focusing on ballroom dancing with styles like the waltz, tango, and foxtrot, eventually grew to include Latin dances like the cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive. What began as mainly a British event has now turned into a major international competition, drawing dancers from all over the world. Often called the ‘Wimbledon of Ballroom Dancing,’ winning at Blackpool is seen as the highest achievement in the dance world….

Holidays in the Sun’ First Punk Event at the Winter Gardens

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“Holidays in the Sun” was a punk rock festival that took place in Blackpool. This festival was a significant event in the punk music scene, drawing fans from across the UK and beyond. The festival was named after a Sex Pistols song and was designed to bring together a wide range of punk bands from the original 1970s era, as well as newer acts that had emerged in the following decades. It took place in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, a large and historic venue, hosted the event, providing ample space for multiple stages and large crowds. The festival was held from…

The Blackpool Magicians Convention

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The first Blackpool Magic Convention was back in 1953, started by the Blackpool Magicians’ Club, which had been around since 1941. That first convention brought together a small but passionate group of magicians and magic lovers. Even though it wasn’t as big as the conventions we see today, it set the stage for what was to come. There were performances, lectures, and workshops, with magicians showing off their skills, learning new tricks, and discussing the latest trends in magic. The dealer hall, where magic dealers showcased and sold their products, quickly became a key part of the event, sparking creativity…