Stephen Dunstan, Author at Blackpool Social Club

06 Feb

Garden Safari: Doing the Big Garden Birdwatch in Blackpool

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsEnvironment and Naturebird-watching, lockdown, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Following on from the the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch last weekend, Blackpool Social Club's resident birder, Stephen Dunstan reports on his experiences of nature in lockdown. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We have all been spending a lot of time at home. For those who draw energy and hope from nature, their gardens have been a lifeline. And in that context colour and life comes not just from flowering plants, but also from visiting birds. In that context, it isn’t surprising that interest in avian garden visitors has expanded, and this in a nation that was already big on backyard birds. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The last two…

14 Jan

No Lockdown Stone Unturned

Stephen Dunstan1 CommentEnvironment and Naturebirds, environment, lockdown, nature, Wildlife

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] It seems a long time ago now, but in the first lockdown the roads were largely empty and most people were at home. If you asked them what they noticed, many people would have said to you that there was more birdsong as nature reasserted itself. Of course there wasn’t more birdsong really, it was just that we had more time and less aural interference getting in the way. At a local level all three lockdowns have led to a greater appreciation by Blackpool residents of one specific bird. Let me explain. The Turnstone is a familiar sight on…

13 Nov

Wyre Parks Fly The Flag

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsLocal NewsGreen Space, park, wyre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] This month of renewed lockdown it’s easy to focus on what we can’t do, and how limited the experience is of some of the things we still can enjoy. But parks and green spaces are a notable and precious exception to that, and several of Wyre’s have been successful in the national Green Flag Awards. The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around…

28 Oct

A Perfect Blend – Art, BFC and Beer

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsFood and Drinkcraft ale, Football

Whilst on holiday in the Shetlands Stephen Dunstan explores a couple of things close to his heart. Over Wyre brewery and a local artist have teamed up to give another meaning to Seasiders Way. Now it’s not just the road alongside the football stadium, it’s a lager ale hybrid from Farm Yard Ales with smart can artwork by Tangerine fan Gary Armer. As a Blackpool season ticket holder partial to a craft beer I was the obvious member of the BSC team to check this out. Out Rawcliffe based Gary is well known for his detailed and realistic oil paintings…

09 Sep

New Season At Fylde Film Society

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsFilm, Local NewsFilm, film festival, filmmaking

Want to see some arthouse films among like-minded people. If you do then Fylde Film Society could be for you and their new season starts tonight (Monday) at The Island Cinema, St Annes. Season 71 kicks off at 8.15pm this evening with the Chilean Drama ‘A Fantastic Woman'. Marina, a transgender woman who works as a waitress and moonlights as a nightclub singer, is bowled over by the death of her older boyfriend. A Fantastic Woman was selected to compete for the Golden Bear in the main competition section of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival. It was the Chilean entry…

05 Sep

A Full Weekend Of Organ Delights

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsHeritage, Music & Gigs

At altBlackpool we love Blackpool icons, and the the Mighty Wurlitzers are right up there. For organ afficionados there are a couple of events this weekend at the Winter Gardens. The first event is a in the Empress Ballroom on Saturday the 8th of September. Dance organists Cameron Lloyd and David Lobban will be at the newly installed Empress Ballroom Wurlitzer. This is the first Saturday night dance in the Empress Ballroom to a Wurlitzer since 1969. It promises to be an evening of mixed ballroom, sequence and latin dance in the magnificent Empress Ballroom. This event is raising money for the…

28 Aug

Ride The Lights Tonight

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsSports & Wellbeing

After a mixed Bank Holiday weekend of weather locally the good news is that the forecast is set fair for tonight with sunny spells and light winds. So get down to the Prom for Ride The Lights, now a Blackpool institution and one of the most popular participation exercise events in the Fylde calendar. The promenade will be completely traffic-free from 7pm to welcome thousands of cyclists who get a special sneak peak of the Blackpool Illuminations before the official Switch-On. This year sees the addition of British Cycling this year, with information and entertainment for cyclists to watch and participate…

22 Aug

Join The Gang At The Grand

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsLocal News

The headline doesn't relate to the current Trustee recruitment at the Grand Theatre, we cover that later in the week. Instead this is the return to the theatre after 27 years of the Blackpool Scout Gang Show. So read on for details of how you can support young local talent gaining vital big stage experience. There are probably readers wondering what a Gang Show is. Basically it's a theatrical performance by Scouts and Guides (and cubs and brownies so on). The Blackpool incarnation has been held since 1962, and is returning to The Grand having been at the Pleasure Beach…

16 Aug

Shaws’ Latest Exhibition – John Marc Allen

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsLocal News, Visual Arts & Exhibitions

For those readers who don't know Shaws it is an art house cafe on Clifton Street. It recently celebrated nine years of providing culture and cappucinos to the cognoscenti drawn to the excellent coffee and thought provoking art. Their new exhibition opens this Friday evening and features the work of John Marc Allen. The theme of the art is Echoes, we haven't asked which of John Marc's extensive range of work this features but then we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. If we haven't tempted you then hopefully the fact that free Shaws coffee and cake is available to…

14 Aug

Review – Air Show Triumphs Over Weather

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsLocal News

The forecast for the weather on the Sunday leg of the Air Show weekend was a very mixed bag. In the event whilst it had its impact on proceedings it didn't prevent a huge crowd enjoying a great afternoon on the Promenade. The first weather intervention by the weather was from afar, Lincolnshire in fact. The Battle of Britain vintage element had to be cancelled before the start as crosswinds at their home airfield of RAF Coningsby prevented them setting off. The event got off to a superb start however with the Typhoon putting on a great display visually and…