Author: Ed

137 Years of Blackpool Trams

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Michael Holroyd Smith (1847–1932) was a British pioneer of electrical and motor car engineering. He was born in Halifax on 22 December 1847, the son of Matthew Smith and his wife Mary Sutcliffe. Over his life he worked on various projects as a consulting engineer. In 1885 he was responsible for the design and construction of the Blackpool Electric Tramway, a line in Blackpool that was Britain’s first electric tramway and survives to this day, albeit in a rather different form. Between 1886 and 1890, he was responsible for the electrification of the City and South London Railway, the first… Read more »

Blackpool’s World Fireworks Championships

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Since 1996, the World Fireworks Championship in Blackpool has been captivating audiences with its amazing nighttime shows. It’s become a major event in Blackpool and one of the highlights in the UK’s festival scene. Teams from all over the world come to compete, creating impressive fireworks displays set to music. Each show is judged on how spectacular, creative, and precise it is.

The Return of Music Legend Graham Nash

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Graham William Nash OBE, the renowned musician and legendary songwriter, took the stage as the headliner at the British Country Music Festival, held from 1 to 3 September 2023. The event marked his return to his birthplace of Blackpool, where he performed at the Winter Gardens. Born on 2 February 1942 at the Kimberly Hotel…

Why Blackpool is called Blackpool

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Blackpool has been a popular seaside resort in Britain since the 1800s, known for its fun activities. It started as a small village by the sea and became a favorite summer destination in the 18th century. The town became more accessible in 1781 when Sir Henry Hoghton and Thomas Clifton built a private road to Blackpool. Then, in 1840, the construction of a railway helped Blackpool grow into a larger town and made it easier and cheaper to visit.

Why Hitler Planned to Spare Blackpool in a British Invasion

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Documents reveal that Adolf Hitler had plans for Blackpool and intended to use Blackpool Tower if he invaded Britain. Blackpool has been a popular seaside resort since the Victorian era, originally meant as a getaway for factory workers. Its popularity grew in the mid-20th century, attracting millions of visitors and famous performers. What’s less known is that Hitler was also interested in Blackpool. As the leader of Nazi Germany, Hitler had detailed plans for Blackpool if he managed to conquer Britain. Although he bombed other British cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham during the Blitz, he chose not to bomb… Read more »

The Birth of Blackpool Rock

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The history of rock candy, particularly its iconic version known as ‘Blackpool Rock,’ is steeped in tradition and mystery. Its earliest form, ‘Fair Rock,’ was popular at 19th-century fairs, where it was sold as a simple, unadorned sweet. At that time, sugar was abundant and affordable, making it easy for confectioners to produce candies in bulk. Fair Rock was solid, hard, and not as visually striking as the modern version, lacking the vibrant colours and stripes that characterise today’s rock candy. The treat was typically plain in appearance but shared the same cylindrical shape and the famous core inscription, which… Read more »

The Saddle Beer Festival

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Pam and Don Ashton, managers of the Saddle Inn, started the Saddle Beer Festival in Blackpool in 1994. Pam recalled that the party was rather emotional for them, mentioning their early retirement was due to their daughter’s serious illness. She commented further that they loved not just the building but the fantastic customers. The customers presented them with a set of crown green bowls, which they knew the couple wanted to try. Pam and Dom confirmed that receiving the gift from the locals was very touching for them. The Saddle Festival and the summer festival they introduced continued under the…

Birth of The Saddle Inn, Whitegate Drive

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The Saddle Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Blackpool, was built in 1776 and was originally owned by a saddler named Richard Hall. It still has that historic charm and is known as the oldest pub in Blackpool that’s been continuously licensed. Despite its small size, it has a lot of character and is well-known in town for its real ales, especially Bass. The pub features a large beer garden, two rooms off the main bar, and serves food from 12pm to 9pm. When the heritage image was taken, Catterall & Swarbrick was the brewery supplying the pub, which… Read more »

Ed Christiano Ditches Hollywood for Blackpool

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Ed Christiano left Hollywood for Blackpool in 1988. He was born in Rochester, New York and moved with his family to Florida when he was 11. His mother worked in events and his father was a renowned electronic engineer who designed audio systems for US Navy warships and submarines. Ed got a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with honours, concentrating in Cinematography, from the University of South Florida. One of his first jobs in Hollywood was as a sound recordist on a film called Violet (1981), which won an Academy Award for Best Short Film. He worked on several feature… Read more »