Author: Ed

The Founding of Rossall School

Posted by

Rossall School, often called ‘The Eton of the North,’ has a long history. It was started in 1844 by Rev. St Vincent Beechey as a sister school to Marlborough College, which had opened the year before. The goal was to offer a top-quality education in classics, math, and general studies at a fair price for the sons of clergymen and others. Rev. Beechey got support from well-known people like The Earl of Derby, the Duke of Devonshire, and the Bishop of Chester to establish the school. Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood rented out his family home, Rossall Hall, to the school… Read more »

Queen Elizabeth II’s First visit to the Fylde Coast

Posted by

Queen Elizabeth II visited the Fylde Coast several times during her 70-year reign, and people in Blackpool always gave her a warm welcome. Her first visit was in 1955 when she attended the Royal Variety Performance. She came back in 2009 for another performance. During these visits, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also checked out The Grand Theatre and Blackpool Tower for the first time. In the photo: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh meet singer Alma Cogan and show presenter Jack Hylton after the Royal Variety Performance at the Opera House in 14 April 1955. Inset…

Metro Coastlines and Blackpool Transport

Posted by

In April 2001, Blackpool Transport, the local public transport provider, underwent a significant rebranding, changing its identity to Metro Coastlines. This move was part of an ambitious plan to modernise the service and make it more appealing to locals and tourists alike. As part of the rebrand, Blackpool Transport introduced a new colour-coded system for its bus services, where each main bus route was assigned a distinct colour, creating a visual identity that made it easier for passengers to identify the routes. This colour-coded approach extended to Blackpool’s famous tramway along the promenade, which also adopted a version of this…

137 Years of Blackpool Trams

Posted by

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

Posted by

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

Posted by

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

Posted by

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

Posted by

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

Posted by

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

Posted by

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…