Blackpool Illuminations Switch On - Page 5

gynn · 22-08-2011, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

1937 bus timetable.

Do you have any posters advertising Blackpool as an ideal holiday destination for gay sailors?

It might give Tealeaf's thread some local relevance.

garinda · 22-08-2011, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Very Good, Rindy - but do you really think the hard working people of Accy & Church (forget about the Ossy scoundrels) would care, having paid their hard-earned 3/9d, would care about which fool turned on the lights?

In 1937 Prince George, Duke of Kent, flicked the switch.

Can't see that notorious bisexual, and squeeze of Noel Coward, being much of a draw.

Even to the cap dothing royalists down Church.

They should have had Rin Tin Tin Jr.

They'd have filled a fleet of buses, to see that celebrity mutt.

garinda · 22-08-2011, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

Do you have any posters advertising Blackpool as an ideal holiday destination for gay sailors?

It might give Tealeaf's thread some local relevance.

I believe there were some, but they were acquired some years ago by a London collector, with a keen interest in such ephemera.

Tealeaf · 22-08-2011, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

It was the perception that the air in Blackpool was cleaner and fresher.

That's still the case. But my reading of Walter's post is that servicemen (possibly discharged) and/or their families were moving there during the course of WW1. If they are actually serving, then work out the logistics of trying to move house from Accy to Blackpool - it's difficult enough to do today, nevermind 1916 & organising it from a muddy trench on the Western Front is a totally different challenge.

gynn · 22-08-2011, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

In 1937 Prince George, Duke of Kent, flicked the switch.

Can't see that notorious bisexual, and squeeze of Noel Coward, being much of a draw.

Even to the cap dothing royalists down Church.

They should have had Rin Tin Tin Jr.

They'd have filled a fleet of buses, to see that celebrity mutt.

Mght have attracted a few gay sailors.

But don't knock 1937. In 1938 they had to make do with Councillor Mrs Quayle!

garinda · 22-08-2011, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Very Good, Rindy - but do you really think the hard working people of Accy & Church (forget about the Ossy scoundrels) would care, having paid their hard-earned 3/9d, would care about which fool turned on the lights?The same applies today.

People here get excited and giddy enough to stand in the Christmas drizzle, to watch some third rate licky-likey tribute act turn-on Accy's amazing Winter Lights Festival.

The Keith Lemon character will be a big draw in Blackpool.

Oddly, there are similarities.

Like you Teabag, he makes people laugh out loud, and is also a bit of a cult.

garinda · 22-08-2011, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

That's still the case. But my reading of Walter's post is that servicemen (possibly discharged) and/or their families were moving there during the course of WW1. If they are actually serving, then work out the logistics of trying to move house from Accy to Blackpool - it's difficult enough to do today, nevermind 1916 & organising it from a muddy trench on the Western Front is a totally different challenge.

Just a guess, perhaps it's down to more affordable rents.

Old man away at the front, not much coming in, as working wages.

Lots of recently built accommodation at the coast, but no one taking holidays, because of the war.

A similar thing happened in the eighties.

Lots of people on the dole moved to Morecambe, and took up residence in cheap accommodation once used by long-gone holiday makers.

Tealeaf · 22-08-2011, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

In 1937 Prince George, Duke of Kent, flicked the switch.

.

That's just it, you idiot. At one time proper celebrities switched on the lights - Formby, Matthews, Mansfield, Red Rum - and not one of these urinal dregs that are now the norm.

In any case, you've still missed the point of my original post - there are eight weeks of the lights and people can go on any night. Is that advert you posted just for the switch-on night? I think not...it's for trips over several weeks. You, no doubt, would turn up on opening night, salivating at the thought of seeing your latest celeb hero but most people are there for them and their kids and the light spectacle.

gynn · 22-08-2011, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

At one time proper celebrities switched on the lights - Formby, Matthews, Mansfield, Red Rum

....not forgetting Councillor Mrs Quayle......

garinda · 22-08-2011, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

That's just it, you idiot. At one time proper celebrities switched on the lights - Formby, Matthews, Mansfield, Red Rum - and not one of these urinal dregs that are now the norm.

In any case, you've still missed the point of my original post - there are eight weeks of the lights and people can go on any night. Is that advert you posted just for the switch-on night? I think not...it's for trips over several weeks. You, no doubt, would turn up on opening night, salivating at the thought of seeing your latest celeb hero but most people are there for them and their kids and the light spectacle.

I've never actually seen the Illuminations.

I've only been to Blackpool once, and that was to see Timothy West and Prunella Scales in The Merchant of Venice, when I was at school.

At the peak of Blackpool's popularity, between the wars, my family went to Bournemouth.

Perhaps I should go and see Keith Lemon do the honours.

I'll see if I can find a more up to date bus timetable.

Sounds like a fun sort of a town.

Eric · 22-08-2011, 22:34

We have our own version of the illuminations in Canada ... and they switch on automatically every year Fall Foliage in Canada - Find the Best Places in Canada to See Autumn Colors in Canada

Tealeaf · 22-08-2011, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by gynn

....not forgetting Councillor Mrs Quayle......

1938, I believe; the gathering storm of WW2. A sensible decision - use someone local, save money because in the following 6 years there ain't going to be any lights to switch on.