local history Archives - Blackpool Social Club

10 Sep

Archaeological Dig at Lytham Hall

Tim Christian0 CommentsHeritage, Local Newsarchaeology, dig, local history, lytham hall

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Lytham Hall is instantly recognisable to many residents on the Fylde coast, with its impressive Georgian facade, formal gardens and small but scenic forested areas. The weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of August brought an influx of archaeologists, both professional and voluntary, as the Hall played host to the community archaeology organisation Digventures, who have been brought in to help provide some historical basis for their ongoing project of restoration for the Hall and its grounds. Lytham, recorded as ‘Lidun’, was named as a settlement in the The Domesday Book of 1086 - William the Conqueror’s national…

24 Jul

Story Trails Made us See Blackpool Differently

Linda Hampton0 CommentsFilm, Heritage, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, artist, Augmented Reality, Blackpool, community, entertainment, Exhibition, Film, heritage, history, library, local history, photography, Place, Virtual Reality

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] When you visit Central Library in Blackpool you expect to step into different worlds through the medium of books. Last weekend it was more ‘if you go into the library today, you’re sure of a big surprise!’ as audiences entered the worlds of Virtual Reality (VR) and interactive Augmented Reality (AR). Story Trails is the UK’s largest immersive storytelling project and brings together the past, present and future using the latest technology. Through immersive cinema experience, 3D maps of Blackpool or a VR headset bringing to life BFI & BBC archives, there was much to choose from. Throughout the…

09 Dec

Posters project brings local railway stations’ history to life

David Simper0 CommentsHeritage, Local News37407, art and photography, community rail, heritage, local heritage, local history, poster art, posters, rail services, railway heritage, railway history, railways, south fylde line, trains

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] One might think of railway stations as fairly mundane places that one merely transits through on the way to a final destination. During the British Railways (BR) period, stations ceased to be 'temples of transport' and became utility buildings, one of the reasons that Blackpool North railway station is such a functional design classic. Crossing the brutalist architecture period with the post-Beeching (rail cuts programme) financial squeeze, didn't help. Things like the large logo locomotive livery at one end of the scale and the highly successful High Speed Train at the other, shows that BR could jolly well design…

31 Oct

BSC Halloween: a grisly tale from Layton Cemetery

Stephanie Cottle0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, HeritageBlackpool, heritage, history, local history, photography, Place

Content warning - this article contains graphic details relating to murder & suicide. Image credit - Stephanie Cottle Halloween 2021 is upon us. I know, you’re probably thinking, how on earth is it the end of October already? It really is scary how fast the months have gone by. For the past 18 months the earth has played host to a new spectre. One that shrouded our globe with a veil of uncertainty and chaos. There is however, no shadow without light. Throughout the pandemic we have seen enormous acts of selflessness. Latest government reports state that 47% of…

07 Oct

Artists to explore LGBTQIA+ heritage in Blackpool

Catherine Mugonyi0 CommentsHeritage, Local Newsheritage, history, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQIA, local history, Queer

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Abingdon Studios has received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to create the first permanent collection of LGBTQIA+ heritage in Blackpool. The ‘We’re Still Here’ project, led by Abingdon Studios director Garth Gratrix and producer and artist Harry Clayton-Wright, will capture stories from members of the community, and will kick off with a sound installation at new arts space The Old Electric on Saturday October 23. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As well as viewing the installation on the day, members of the public will also be invited to share their stories, have them recorded and added to the digital archive which…

15 Sep

A weekend of local History – Explore Heritage Open Days

Catherine Mugonyi0 CommentsHeritage, Local Newsheritage, heritage photography, local history

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of heritage and culture. Across the country, thousands of heritage venues take part, opening their doors and providing a variety of heritage events free of charge. For Blackpool, the event is an opportunity to explore and showcase the town’s extraordinary and eclectic history, uncovering unique local stories and hidden treasures. This year, members of the public have the opportunity to explore a variety of historic buildings and landscapes across the Fylde Coast. This weekend brings the opportunity to take a 'behind the scenes' look at some of our lesser known heritage venues…

18 Nov

In Her Place: The Wyre Light

Stephanie Cottle0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, Heritageheritage, history, local history, Place, wyre

In this instalment of In Her Place Stephanie Cottle takes us to the lighthouse. When we were first told to ‘stay home’ isolation was, for the most part, a pretty daunting concept. Since March the ‘out every weekend’ types haven’t had chance to see the wee hours in munching kebabs, as night-time entertainment venues doors still remain firmly closed. Similarly most ‘live to travel’ types, fearful of the repercussive 14 days isolation, will have been lucky if they have driven further than a few hours from their home. Our elderly, who might ride the bus into town to sip…

07 Oct

In Her Place: a little slice of Fairhaven

Stephanie Cottle0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, Heritageheritage, history, local history, Place

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] In this instalment of In Her Place Stephanie Cottle takes us to Fairhaven, one of the oldest marine lakes in Britain. Modern times are seemingly taking their toll on us, so let’s head back in time for a couple of minutes respite from 2020. Pull up a beach chair and we’ll begin. It’s the 1890s and bustling Blackpool is benefiting enormously from the rapidly expanding working-class holiday market. Following the arrival of the passenger railway - which allows people to traverse the landscape at dizzying new speeds - families from across the UK are flocking to seaside resorts in…

28 Jun

Capsule to Capture Creative Lockdown Memories for Showtown Museum

Louise Ashcroft0 CommentsHeritage, Local News, Opportunitiesarts, Blackpool, community, creative, history, local history, lockdown, museum, schools, showtown, Tik Tok, time capsule

The new museum is working with Blackpool Schools to create a time capsule filled with lockdown memories. This current pandemic is the first time in the entire history of Blackpool where the whole resort has paused. It’s the first time that every attraction has been closed at the same time. The beaches, promenade, cafes and shops are empty. To capture this unique (hopefully soon to be over) moment in history, Blackpool’s first side-tickling, eye-popping, toe-tapping, mind-boggling museum of fun and entertainment, Showtown, is helping inject a sense of community across the town, by working with teachers from 48 Blackpool schools,…

12 Sep

Heritage Open Days – Starting Tomorrow

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsHeritageBlackpool, blackpool families, community, entertainment, Exhibition, heritage, library, local history, show, Theatre

Blackpool's hidden heritage is impressive, and often uncommented on as many articles throughout the UK discuss Blackpool's shortcomings. AltBlackpool wants to uncover instead the most interesting and unique happenings across the Fylde Coast, and you would be hard pushed to find more interesting happenings than the Heritage Events and drop-in sessions. From the 13th of September, there are a number of free drop-in sessions, and some with a minimal charge. The joy of getting an access all areas pass to places such as Blackpool Town Hall, a place I had never visited until last year, is encouraged whilst the doors are…