For over a century, the Last Night of the Proms has been the crowning jewel of the BBC Proms, an annual musical festival that has become synonymous with British culture and identity. With its roots steeped in history, the Last Night has evolved from a simple concert...
The Olympic Games are more than just a display of athletic prowess; they are a celebration of unity, culture, and the human spirit. While the Opening Ceremonies are often grand spectacles that set the tone for the Games, the Closing Ceremonies hold a special place in...
The journey of women in U.S. political history is marked by perseverance, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. From the pioneering efforts of Geraldine Ferraro to the historic ascension of Kamala Harris, women have continuously shattered glass ceilings and...
The 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome witnessed one of the most iconic moments in the history of athletics. Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila, running barefoot, triumphed in the marathon, becoming the first black African to win an Olympic gold medal. His victory not only...
The 1984 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles, California, marked a significant milestone in the history of women's athletics. For the first time ever, the Games included a women's marathon, a testament to the growing recognition of women's endurance sports. This...
The September 1939 mass evacuations of UK towns and cities under Operation Pied Piper is well known. However, Benito Mussolini’s decision on 10 June 1940 to take Italy into the war on the side of Nazi Germany, led to evacuations of a different type. By taking Italy...
Exit polling has become an integral part of the political landscape in the United Kingdom, offering early indications of electoral outcomes and shaping public perception even before official results are announced. This narrative explores the evolution of exit polling...
The role of the media in shaping general election outcomes in the UK has evolved significantly over the past 50 years. From the dominance of newspapers and television to the rise of social media, each medium has had a profound impact on public opinion and voting...
We take a look at the battleground seats which have swung general elections over the decades
The Representation of the People Act 1918 was a landmark moment in British history, granting suffrage to women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications. This pivotal act opened the door to political empowerment and representation, setting the stage...
Summer has arrived in style, and as things warm up the kids (little and large) can be heard asking ‘can we go to the pleasure beach?’ from across the land.
For those of us who grew up within reach of Blackpool, it was an outing not to be missed – though some of the rides were more painful than fun (I mean the Grand National was sheer pain at each turn!).
Do you also remember as you approach Blackpool either by car or train, you would stare out of the window having a bet with your family on who would see the Blackpool Tower first? First one would get choice of ice cream or first choice of ride on the Pleasure Beach… this is something I haven’t grown out of, I still do this activity as I drive down the motorway.
But did you know that Blackpool Pleasure Beach actually started out as a few rides on the southern end of Blackpool’s beaches set up by Gypsies. This was in around 1895 and at this time land was leased to a Yorkshire meat trader called John Outhwaite who opened a steam carousel and soon after he opened the first amusement ride, which was a pedal-bike monorail.
In April 1896, WG Bean founded the Pleasure Beach Company – It was to be an “American style amusement park, where adults could feel like children again.”
In 1901, Bean and Outhwaite joined together to lend £30,000 and buy 30 acres of land. In 1905, this site became known as The Pleasure Beach – a name that of course sticks today. One of the very few original rides can be seen in our cover image, Maxim Flying Machine (src harrypope) – you can also see the flying rockets (like space rockets) which are replacement cars.
Andy is the Editor of iNostalgia and is a regular contributor the exploring history & nostalgia category, with a love for community nostalgia.