Author: Ed

The Beginning of Blackpool Illuminations

Posted by

The Blackpool Illuminations, often called the “Switch-On” lights, started back in 1879 when Blackpool’s council celebrated the first use of electric lights along the Promenade. They kicked things off by spending £5,000 on a trial of electric street lighting. They set up eight arc lamps on 60-foot poles along the seafront. At the time, people were still using candles for light, so this new setup amazed everyone and got nicknamed “artificial sunshine.” These electric lights drew curious visitors to Blackpool, starting an annual tradition that continues to this day. Although the early lamps had a quirky issue—they would often go…

Blackpool Born David Thewlis Lands Harry Potter Role

Posted by

David Thewlis landed the role of Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films after a detailed casting process. He first appeared as Lupin in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” where he brought a lot of depth and warmth to the character of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. People really praised Thewlis for showing Lupin’s struggles with lycanthropy and his role as a mentor to Harry Potter and his friends. His performance added a lot of talent to the Harry Potter cast and helped make the series so successful and beloved. David Thewlis was born and raised…

The Big One – The biggest rollercoaster in the world when built

Posted by

The Pepsi Max Big One is a famous roller coaster that opened on 28 May 1994. Originally sponsored by Pepsi Max, it was built by Arrow Dynamics and quickly gained fame for its record-breaking features. Standing 213 feet (65 meters) tall, the Pepsi Max Big One was the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world when it first opened. It had a first drop of 205 feet (62 meters) and could reach speeds of up to 74 mph (119 km/h). Its impressive height and speed, along with its traditional out-and-back layout with thrilling drops and hills, made it a… Read more »

Elton John concert at new seafront arena ends early due to weather

Posted by

Sir Elton John was forced to cut short his concert at the new seafront arena in Blackpool due to severe weather conditions, much to the disappointment of the 11,000 fans in attendance. The concert, which took place at the Blackpool Tower Headland arena on 16 June 2012, had already been delayed by half an hour because of the weather. This was the first major event at the venue, located directly opposite the iconic Blackpool Tower on the Comedy Carpet, and there was a palpable sense of excitement as fans gathered for what was set to be a memorable evening. However, after…

Blackpool Airport Closes Its Doors To The General Public

Posted by

Blackpool Airport in Lancashire, England, has been around since it opened in 1909. It played a key role during both World Wars and hosted various airlines over the years. It stopped handling commercial passenger flights on 15 October 2014 due to financial losses and the inability to find a buyer to keep it running. The airport had been losing money for a long time, and its owners, Balfour Beatty, decided to close it after failing to find a suitable investor. This resulted in job losses and inconvenience for passengers flying to destinations like the Isle of Man, Dublin, and Belfast….

Stanley Matthews and the 1953 FA Cup Final

Posted by

Stanley Matthews is best known for his crucial role in Blackpool’s 1953 FA Cup victory over Bolton, a match often called “the Matthews Final.” He was the first footballer in Britain to be knighted, played in 54 international games, and was the first to win the European Footballer of the Year award in 1956. In 1962, he went back to Stoke and kept playing until he was fifty. The 1953 FA Cup final, also known as the Matthews Final, was the eighth to be held at Wembley Stadium after the Second World War. The football match was contested between Blackpool…

The Riverdance Shipwreck

Posted by

On 31 January 2008, a container ferry got stuck on the beach near Anchorsholme, close to Cleveleys. By the morning of 1 February, people in Cleveleys and Anchorsholme woke up to find the Riverdance shipwreck on their shores. The Riverdance ferry was traveling from Ireland to Heysham when a huge wave hit it during a strong storm with winds up to 80 mph. This caused the ferry to tilt and eventually run aground at Anchorsholme, where northern Cleveleys begins. Emergency services, including the RNLI and helicopters, quickly responded. They later described the weather as some of the worst they had ever…

Kevin Spacey, Bill Clinton & Tony Blair Attend Labour Party Conference

Posted by

In October 2001, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton attended the Labour Party Conference in Blackpool. This conference was a major event in British politics where the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Tony Blair at the time, came together to discuss policies, showcase achievements, and rally support. During the conference, Kevin Spacey spoke at a fringe event organized by The Independent newspaper. His presence, along with Bill Clinton’s, drew significant media attention and public interest, making the event stand out more than usual. They all stayed at the Imperial Hotel on the Promenade. Bill Clinton’s role was especially notable because…

Photo Exclusive: Princess Diana’s Compassionate Visit

Posted by

In 1987, Princess Diana went to visit a young girl named Nicola Wilding in Blackpool. Nicola, who was dealing with cystic fibrosis, had written a touching letter asking Diana to come and see her. Diana, known for her kindness and dedication to charity, was moved by Nicola’s letter and decided to make the trip. When Diana arrived, she spent time with Nicola and her family, showing a real interest in Nicola’s condition and the challenges she was facing. This wasn’t just a quick visit; Diana took the time to sit down with Nicola, chat with her, and offer comfort and…

Unveiling of the Comedy Carpet

Posted by

Comedian Kenn Dodd opened the Comedy Carpet, a special artwork right on the seafront in front of Blackpool Tower. Created by artist Gordon Young and the Why Not Associates design team, the Comedy Carpet is a large display celebrating British comedy.