Blackpool Illuminations
Discussion
To give the background to this, my association with Blackpool goes back to 1956 when I was photographed in my pushcair outside the Manchester hotel, so I have a big soft spot for the place.
Brought up in the North-East, we had many happy summer holidays at Blackpool and for the past forty years or so, have had an occasional trip to the illuminations (usually for my birthday in November) - the last being about 6 years ago when we found the lights had gone out the day before we arrived...
This week we made another trip and all our happy memories were punctured by what we found. The worst experience was probably the drop-outs and street beggars on the main promenade. We found it quite intimidating to be confronted by groups of 3 or 4, or youths with large pitbulls and rotties asking for money, then being very abusive when a polite refusal was made.
The illuminations themselves were very disappointing, with very few tableaux and even fewer 'animated' displays. As far as we could see, none of the trams were decorated either - no rocket, no boat, nothing.
The crowning glory was to find that there was an emergency services exercise at the Central pier which closed the trams and buses down on a night which had torrential rain and storm-force winds. Great idea to encourage future tourists!
The only bright spot, really, was the fact that we stayed in Lytham St. Annes in a lovely hotel and had a fabulous Indian meal in our usual haunt just a couple of minutes walk from the hotel.
That unfortunately is our last trip to Blackpool - I have some photographs as a memory to remind me of the good times when it wasn't an utter sh*thole. Apologies to anyone who lives there, it isn't what it used to be!
Brought up in the North-East, we had many happy summer holidays at Blackpool and for the past forty years or so, have had an occasional trip to the illuminations (usually for my birthday in November) - the last being about 6 years ago when we found the lights had gone out the day before we arrived...
This week we made another trip and all our happy memories were punctured by what we found. The worst experience was probably the drop-outs and street beggars on the main promenade. We found it quite intimidating to be confronted by groups of 3 or 4, or youths with large pitbulls and rotties asking for money, then being very abusive when a polite refusal was made.
The illuminations themselves were very disappointing, with very few tableaux and even fewer 'animated' displays. As far as we could see, none of the trams were decorated either - no rocket, no boat, nothing.
The crowning glory was to find that there was an emergency services exercise at the Central pier which closed the trams and buses down on a night which had torrential rain and storm-force winds. Great idea to encourage future tourists!
The only bright spot, really, was the fact that we stayed in Lytham St. Annes in a lovely hotel and had a fabulous Indian meal in our usual haunt just a couple of minutes walk from the hotel.
That unfortunately is our last trip to Blackpool - I have some photographs as a memory to remind me of the good times when it wasn't an utter sh*thole. Apologies to anyone who lives there, it isn't what it used to be!
littleredrooster said:
To give the background to this, my association with Blackpool goes back to 1956 when I was photographed in my pushcair outside the Manchester hotel, so I have a big soft spot for the place.
Brought up in the North-East, we had many happy summer holidays at Blackpool and for the past forty years or so, have had an occasional trip to the illuminations (usually for my birthday in November) - the last being about 6 years ago when we found the lights had gone out the day before we arrived...
This week we made another trip and all our happy memories were punctured by what we found. The worst experience was probably the drop-outs and street beggars on the main promenade. We found it quite intimidating to be confronted by groups of 3 or 4, or youths with large pitbulls and rotties asking for money, then being very abusive when a polite refusal was made.
The illuminations themselves were very disappointing, with very few tableaux and even fewer 'animated' displays. As far as we could see, none of the trams were decorated either - no rocket, no boat, nothing.
The crowning glory was to find that there was an emergency services exercise at the Central pier which closed the trams and buses down on a night which had torrential rain and storm-force winds. Great idea to encourage future tourists!
The only bright spot, really, was the fact that we stayed in Lytham St. Annes in a lovely hotel and had a fabulous Indian meal in our usual haunt just a couple of minutes walk from the hotel.
That unfortunately is our last trip to Blackpool - I have some photographs as a memory to remind me of the good times when it wasn't an utter sh*thole. Apologies to anyone who lives there, it isn't what it used to be!
Been like it for many years. A shame, it used to be an interesting place.Brought up in the North-East, we had many happy summer holidays at Blackpool and for the past forty years or so, have had an occasional trip to the illuminations (usually for my birthday in November) - the last being about 6 years ago when we found the lights had gone out the day before we arrived...
This week we made another trip and all our happy memories were punctured by what we found. The worst experience was probably the drop-outs and street beggars on the main promenade. We found it quite intimidating to be confronted by groups of 3 or 4, or youths with large pitbulls and rotties asking for money, then being very abusive when a polite refusal was made.
The illuminations themselves were very disappointing, with very few tableaux and even fewer 'animated' displays. As far as we could see, none of the trams were decorated either - no rocket, no boat, nothing.
The crowning glory was to find that there was an emergency services exercise at the Central pier which closed the trams and buses down on a night which had torrential rain and storm-force winds. Great idea to encourage future tourists!
The only bright spot, really, was the fact that we stayed in Lytham St. Annes in a lovely hotel and had a fabulous Indian meal in our usual haunt just a couple of minutes walk from the hotel.
That unfortunately is our last trip to Blackpool - I have some photographs as a memory to remind me of the good times when it wasn't an utter sh*thole. Apologies to anyone who lives there, it isn't what it used to be!
We visited the illuminations week last Friday (half term). I've been going for years, only because my dad is from Blackpool and my grandparents lived there.
We went to Lytham to take the he dog for a run on the beach, then quick Maccy D for tea (for the kids of course) followed by the lights. There was a fireworks event so it was packed, therefore we crawled at walking pace and had fun of trying to carve a path through scooters around Central Pier.
Although we did see a few illuminated trams, I would agree that the lights did seem worse than usual.
Fortunately we very much enjoyed Lytham so will go back there and might do the lights, but couldn't recommend anyone making a special journey just for the lights.
We went to Lytham to take the he dog for a run on the beach, then quick Maccy D for tea (for the kids of course) followed by the lights. There was a fireworks event so it was packed, therefore we crawled at walking pace and had fun of trying to carve a path through scooters around Central Pier.
Although we did see a few illuminated trams, I would agree that the lights did seem worse than usual.
Fortunately we very much enjoyed Lytham so will go back there and might do the lights, but couldn't recommend anyone making a special journey just for the lights.
There are still 2 illuminated trams which run during the illuminations, the HMS Blackpool and The Western Tram. There'll also be a double decker balloon tram and the open top single deck boat tram
But, the heritage trams where retired from daily service a few years ago... Many of them where 80years old or more at the time.
The Rocket illuminated tram is under restoration at the depot, but as the entrance door is at the back of the tram, between the rails it can't go back into public service (few other issues too, like the very steep sloped floor inside)
But, the heritage trams where retired from daily service a few years ago... Many of them where 80years old or more at the time.
The Rocket illuminated tram is under restoration at the depot, but as the entrance door is at the back of the tram, between the rails it can't go back into public service (few other issues too, like the very steep sloped floor inside)
I caught a bit of Strictly Come Dancing at Blackpool on telly (MIL visiting), and they did a bit outside.
It was dead. Hardly any onlookers. Which was surprising.
Anywhere else it’d have been packed.
I could only conclude that Blackpool isn’t drawing any kind of crowd that you’d want to take your kids to be around any more.
What’s it like at the “Pleasure Beach” these days? I recall going in 1993 and it was good.
Also used to go to Morecambe front a bit in the mid 90s which I preferred to Blackpool…
My wife was mentioning going to Blackpool lights this year with the kids… I was already skeptical but this has secured the choice to avoid at all costs!
It was dead. Hardly any onlookers. Which was surprising.
Anywhere else it’d have been packed.
I could only conclude that Blackpool isn’t drawing any kind of crowd that you’d want to take your kids to be around any more.
What’s it like at the “Pleasure Beach” these days? I recall going in 1993 and it was good.
Also used to go to Morecambe front a bit in the mid 90s which I preferred to Blackpool…
My wife was mentioning going to Blackpool lights this year with the kids… I was already skeptical but this has secured the choice to avoid at all costs!
Mr Whippy said:
I caught a bit of Strictly Come Dancing at Blackpool on telly (MIL visiting), and they did a bit outside.
It was dead. Hardly any onlookers. Which was surprising.
Anywhere else it’d have been packed.
I could only conclude that Blackpool isn’t drawing any kind of crowd that you’d want to take your kids to be around any more.
What’s it like at the “Pleasure Beach” these days? I recall going in 1993 and it was good.
Also used to go to Morecambe front a bit in the mid 90s which I preferred to Blackpool…
My wife was mentioning going to Blackpool lights this year with the kids… I was already skeptical but this has secured the choice to avoid at all costs!
With the illuminations most of the large animated displays are north of Blackpool towards Bisham with other things spread between pleasure beach and the roundabout with the spitfire on itIt was dead. Hardly any onlookers. Which was surprising.
Anywhere else it’d have been packed.
I could only conclude that Blackpool isn’t drawing any kind of crowd that you’d want to take your kids to be around any more.
What’s it like at the “Pleasure Beach” these days? I recall going in 1993 and it was good.
Also used to go to Morecambe front a bit in the mid 90s which I preferred to Blackpool…
My wife was mentioning going to Blackpool lights this year with the kids… I was already skeptical but this has secured the choice to avoid at all costs!
It's a bit out of season now for Blackpool after October, tho they are trying to improve things which a Christmas market on the prom around the tower, plus a free ice rink and a Star Flyer (like a giant chair o planes)
If you haven't been to the Pleasure Beach since early 90s then the Big One (at the time the tallest coaster in the world... And til thorpe opens its new ride is still the tallest coaster in Europe) opened and still has one of THE best first drops of any roller coaster. And also had Icon which is a brilliant double launched family coaster. It still houses many classic rides: the flying machines is still operating after 120 years in the park, big dipper is 100years old next year. Grand National, roller Coaster and zipper dipper are all nearly 90years old
Main thing thats changed is that it's no longer free to enter and wander around and just pay per ride, it's like other parks in the UK: you pay an entry fee and can ride everything. Has had the effect of stopping a lot of the antisocial behaviour in the park
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