Jill Reidy, Author at Blackpool Social Club

17 Nov

Gallery: Defibril8 & Thursdays Fiasco

Jill Reidy0 CommentsMusic & Gigs

Two bands with hugely contrasting line ups raised money for a local charity at the Waterloo Music Bar on Thursday 9th November. Jill Reidy didn't know what she was turning up to, nor that it would be a transformative experience. Thursday evening didn’t quite pan out as predicted. I’d been booked as photographer for a fundraising event with a local charity, and wasn’t really sure what to expect. After a somewhat difficult day I drove through persistent rain with a heavy heart and a bag full of cameras, telling myself I would only stay an hour, get the shots and…

02 Sep

Gallery: When the punks came to town

Jill Reidy0 CommentsMusic & Gigs

As the Summer holidays draw to a close, photographer Jill Reidy takes a look back at one of her favourite events of the season – Rebellion Festival, where punks from around of the world come together in a shared love of music and anarchy.

08 Aug

Gallery: Blackpool Record Fair

Jill Reidy0 CommentsMusic & Gigsrecord collectors, vinyl, Waterloo music bar

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Record dealers from around the North of England are heading to the Waterloo Music Bar on Saturday 12th August to sell an eclectic mix of Vinyl LPs, 45s and music memorabilia. Jill Reidy popped along to a previous event with her camera and found everything from Cliff Richard to Kiss The Waterloo Music bar is a well-known local venue for fans looking for a good night out with a live band. I’ve lived in Blackpool for over 40 years but have never actually ventured in, so when I turn up on Saturday morning to photograph the annual Blackpool Record…

12 Jun

Gallery: Blackpool Pride Parade

Jill Reidy0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsBlackpool Pride, Gay Pride, LGBTQ, Queer Blackpool

Rainbows descended down Blackpool Promenade this weekend as LGBTQ+ locals and allies paraded through the town. The huge parade began at the Sandcastle on South Promenade on the morning of Saturday 10th June 20223 before setting out on its journey to St John’s Square. The theme for this year’s pride parade was Bright, Bold and Beautiful - a theme that attendees did justice. There was music, dancing and colour as people flew there LGBTQ+ flag high. The parade was also an opportunity to call for safety and equality for the queer community and there was huge support for the trans…

29 May

Gallery: Blackpool Souls in Motion

Jill Reidy0 CommentsMusic & Gigs, Theatre, Dance & Performance

This bank holiday weekend the comedy carpet was filled with soul and heart as DJs pitched up and Northern Soul dancers from across the country hit the floor. Jill Reidy went along with her camera. The feel good atmosphere at the front of the tower on a beautiful sunny Saturday of 27th May was electric, passing through crowds of spectators who watched in awe of the dancers who have kept the faith for decades as well as new enthusiasts. Seven DJs spun as many hours of soul and Motown hits with Frankie Heart and Tommy Hunt among them along with…

26 Oct

Vitamin Sea

Jill Reidy1 CommentEnvironment and Naturecommunity, wild swimming

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Photographer Jill Reidy always loved capturing the sea. Now it's captured her. She writes about how running into the waves naked on a whim led her to become an unlikely dipper My friends and family will tell you that the words, ‘Jill’ and ‘water’ are rarely to be heard in the same sentence. Showers, of course, are fine, a necessary daily activity - but only with the water hot and pounding, and Badedas in the shower gel dispenser. Baths are OK so long as someone runs them and fills the room with candles and ideally a Cadbury’s Flake (it’s…

16 Aug

Photo Gallery: Rebellion 2022

Jill Reidy0 CommentsMusic & Gigs

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Earlier this month, we saw lovers of punk hit the streets of Blackpool for Rebellion festival. Our resident snapper Jill Reidy took a walk through town to capture the return of this well-loved music event. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_media_grid grid_id="vc_gid:1660665469184-4f828409-cdb9-4" include="35747,35746,35745,35743,35741,35748,35739,35738,35737,35732,35730,35728,35725,35721,35720,35719,35715,35714"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rebellion has become a key event in Blackpool's calendar and over the years, has expanded to include venues on the Tower Headland as well as additional events such as film screenings, art shows and a variety of fringe events in local venues. Drawing punks from near and far, we love the vibe it brings to the town and the way that the…

09 Jun

Photo Gallery: A whole lotta (Northern) Soul

Jill Reidy0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool Prom, comedy carpet, dance, dancers, dancing, northern soul

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] On Saturday 28 May, movers and groovers headed to Blackpool for a sunny day of Northern Soul and Motown played on vinyl on The Comedy Carpet in front of the iconic Blackpool Tower. Photographer Jill Reidy headed down with her trusty camera... [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width="3" grid_id="vc_gid:1654768279717-5870f1ed-b4bb-7" include="35046,35051,35028,35043"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="35045" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][vc_single_image image="35034" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="35030" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][vc_single_image image="35040" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width="3" item="mediaGrid_SimpleOverlay" grid_id="vc_gid:1654768279725-c2701a07-94ee-1" include="35042,35049,35033,35039"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="35029" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][vc_single_image image="35048" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="35032" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][vc_single_image image="35037" img_size="medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width="3" item="mediaGrid_SimpleOverlay" grid_id="vc_gid:1654768279735-a6fa33f3-9753-7" include="35035,35036,35038,35052"][vc_column_text]This event is a continuation of Northern Soul Dancing on the Comedy Carpet founded in 2015 by Philip…

16 Dec

Tea by the Sea: Tea Amantes Tea Room and Gallery

Jill Reidy0 CommentsFood and Drinkcafe, drink, food, gallery, tea

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] In the busy lead-up to Christmas, there's nothing quite like a nice cup of tea to warm you up and help you relax. Jill Reidy takes a tea break to chat to Anna Paprzycka about Tea Amantes, a new tea room and gallery which has opened in Blackpool. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] The new Tea Amantes sounds amazing. Tell me a little bit about how it came about. The idea was born in 2018 when we decided to set up an online tea store. We exhibited our products at several events in Manchester, Evesham, and Preston. I also created unique blends for…

12 Oct

Solo Photographic Exhibition, ‘Happy Slapped by a Pigeon Wing’ by Amanda Jackson

Jill Reidy0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitions

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] I’ve known Amanda for many years, mainly through her work in Central Library, but I’ve been following her with interest, on social media, for the last couple of years, ever since she enrolled with Richard Oughton on a beginners’ course and started her photographic journey. Amanda’s work is very impressive. I love the way she engages with the wildlife in Stanley Park, something which comes across strongly in her images, which are intimate, sensitive, and often amusing. I was lucky enough to be able to interview Amanda about her work and the exhibition, and got some interesting answers. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]…