Sports & Wellbeing Archives - Blackpool Social Club

28 Aug

Live Like Ralph at festival of skating and art

Antonia Charlesworth0 CommentsLocal News, Sports & Wellbeing

A festival of art and skateboarding is popping up in various location next weekend in memory of a local artist and skater. RalphFest23 will take place at Park View on Saturday 2nd September, with an after party at Dirty Blondes, and at Stanley Park Skate Park on Sunday 3rd September. “Overall the plan is to put lots of smiles on faces,” said Neil Roberts, father of the late Ralph Roberts who sadly passed away in January 2021, of a rare condition called Sarcoidosis that was not diagnosed until post mortem. Roberts set up LiveLikeRalph in his son’s name, a charitable…

01 Nov

Buzz Bury and Stu North: Together in electric dreams

Buzz Bury0 CommentsMusic & Gigs, Sports & Wellbeing

Music might get more credit for inspiring dance, but it can inspire slumber too. Buzz Bury writes about his and Stu North's new monthly music nights at the Old Electric. Instead of dancing shoes, he says bring a pillow and some cosy clothes I’m a busy creative meddler, youth work consultant and international trainer. I used to think my creative and constantly busy mind is what kept me young. Now older, wiser and feeling my age, I started to regularly struggle to have a good night's sleep. So I began to explore ways I could improve his slumber. Being a…

31 Jul

Cycling UK launches Big Bike Revival in Blackpool

David Simper0 CommentsLocal News, Sports & Wellbeingbig bike revival, bike maintenance, bike rides, Blackpool, cycle training, cycling, cycling uk

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Cycling UK has launched its Big Bike Revival in Blackpool, which will fix would-be cyclists’ bikes, teach them essential skills and lead rides to support more people cycling. The programme will support new and returning cyclists using free events delivered locally by community led groups. People can bring their bikes and receive a basic cycle service. They can learn essential maintenance skills, learn how to ride a bike from beginner level or join a led bike ride to increase their cycle confidence.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="35266" img_size="large" alignment="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cycling UK estimates that one in three UK people own or have access to a…

18 May

Stanley Park Skatepark official opening

Claire Griffiths1 CommentLocal News, Sports & Wellbeingskate culture, skateboarding

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] When you live in the pool' it is hard to navigate a town built for tourists. But this week Stanley Park saw the opening of a new public skatepark - something for the community by the community. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="34955" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You will find the space, right alongside the BMX track and in the old skatepark space. The new skatepark has been a labour of love for local skate legend, Woody and project manager Simon Bennett who raised over £200,000 for the 100 percent concrete park. Sport England is the project's main funder, having put up £150,000 and a further £50k…

06 Apr

Famous faces of stage and screen record all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets to raise money for dementia charity.

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsLiterature & Spoken Word, Sports & Wellbeingdementia, poet, poetry, shakespeare

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] When local actor Thomas Michaelson’s father was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia he found, first-hand, how difficult caring for someone with dementia can be, especially without support in the home. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Now he’s raising money for Dementia UK, a charity who provide Admiral nurses to help those caring for their loved ones, by bringing together a host of actors and performers to record audio versions of all 154 of Shakespeare’s famous sonnets. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As the population grows, more and more people are sadly having to deal with a loved one developing some form of dementia, whether it’s an elderly…

16 Feb

SLAG Night Out: female skaters raise money for Women’s Aid

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, Music & Gigs, Sports & WellbeingBlackpool, skateboarding

They were called ramp tramps and skatepark slags and their interest in skateboarding was misconstrued as interest in male skaters. Lucy Lavery explains how reclaiming the derogatory language that surrounds their hobby has empowered her and a collective of women in Blackpool to proudly skate like a girl – and why they want to empower other women too. Photos: Lauren Quarmby Over the past few years, the skate scene has experienced a huge uptake among women, non-binary and queer people. Consequently, a talent surfaced that I find endlessly inspiring. There have been so many powerful communities created, among oppressed individuals,…

06 Nov

New junior parkrun off to a flying start

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsSports & WellbeingAnchorsholme, park, sport, Stanley Park, young people

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Since February 2017 the parkrun has been a hugely popular and successful activity in Stanley Park. There is now a junior event in Blackpool with the launch last month of an event for four to fourteen year olds at Anchorsholme Park. For the juniors parkruns take place Sunday at 9.00. Their event is two kilometres, rather than the 5k of the adult event. Unlike the open age parkrun the junior event begins with a warm up routine which at Anchorsholme takes place in the performance area in front of Brew café. Anchorsholme was selected as the venue for the…

30 Oct

Life on the Wild Edges

Buzz Bury0 CommentsEnvironment and Nature, Sports & Wellbeingenvironment, Green Space, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] You may remember back in February this year I caught up with Julie Norman to find out more about her developments and progress with using natural elements, colours and dyes for her inspiration in her work and art. This time I am back to find out more about Julie’s work and more specifically the Exploring the Wild Edges project. I first asked her what is the “Exploring the Wild Edges” Project and how it came about? Open green spaces and a chance to connect with the natural world became an essential part of life for most people over the…

27 Jul

Garstang Walking Festival: A festival with a difference

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsSports & WellbeingGarstang, Garstang Walking Festival, Green Space, Hiking, Walking

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] During the pandemic two things many people have taken solace from have been increased appreciation of their local area and doing more walking. At the end of next month there will be an opportunity to combine both of these by getting involved with the nearest event of its kind to Blackpool – the Garstang Walking Festival. The festival runs for five days from Saturday 28 August to Wednesday 1 September. The detailed programme is still to be confirmed to ensure it meets any covid related requirements. It will undoubtedly include a range of walks for all abilities and a…

15 May

This Is What A Person With Mental Illness Looks Like

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsSports & Wellbeingmental health

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Kay Ska, once a contributor for Blackpool Social Club back in the days of altBlackpool. In this article, we explore some of her journey as a mental health advocate and how important it can be to share personal stories. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Tell us a bit about you? I'm Kay, I'm from Warsaw, Poland. I moved to the UK with my family when I was 12. I've struggled with mental health issues for as long as I remember. I was always a ‘nervous’ and ‘overly sensitive kid. I've experienced traumas from a very young age. And I've tried to push my issues…