Limo Blackpool - About Blackpool
Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. Lying along the coast of the Irish Sea, it has a population of 142,900, making it the fourth-largest settlement in North West England. It lies 64 kilometres (40 miles) north-west of the city of Manchester
Blackpool rose to prominence as a major centre of tourism during the 19th century, particularly for the inhabitants of northern mill towns.
Air
Blackpool International Airport operates regular charter and scheduled flights throughout the UK and Europe. The airport is actually just over the borough boundary into Fylde Borough, although a proposal to reorganise Blackpool's borders would see the airport incorporated into Blackpool Borough. This airport which was formerly known as Blackpool Squires Gate Airport, is one of the oldest in the UK and has been in use as an airfield since 1909. Airlines serving Blackpool include Jet2 and Ryanair.
In 1927 the local council announced that an aerodrome would be built near Stanley Park, which would become Blackpool Stanley Park Airport offering flights to the Isle of Man for £1.80. The airport was officially opened by then British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald in 1931.However, with the opening of Squires Gate Airport a decision was made in 1936 by the Ministry of Transport to close the airport at Stanley Park. The airport closed a year later. During the Second World War the airport was used as a Royal Air Force training station, known as No. 3 School of Technical Training. The land that the airport stood on now covers Blackpool Zoo as well as a hotel and golf course. The hangars from the old airport are still in use as the elephant enclosure for the zoo
Film
The resort is featured in the 1934 film Sing as We Go, starring Gracie Fields, as well as other cinema and TV productions, including Hindle Wakes and Funny Bones starring Lee Evans and Oliver Platt and directed by St. Annes born Peter Chelsom, as well as The Parole Officer starring Steve Coogan.
The Japanese film Shall We Dance closes with a scene at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool. All the hair styling for the film was completed by Blackpool born and bred hairstylist Eileen Clough, who has been in the trade since the 1960s. In the Hollywood remake of the film.
Blackpool is mentioned but not shown.
Blackpool is the setting for Bhaji on the Beach directed by Gurinder Chadha. The film Like It Is was also partly filmed in Blackpool. The opening scenes were filmed in the Flamingo. The 2005 television comedy/thriller series Funland revolved around the fictionalized, seedier aspects of Blackpool.
Rick Steves' Europe introduced the viewer to the resort, explaining the history and its attractions.
The town also features heavily in the BBC television serial Blackpool starring David Morrissey, Sarah Parish and David Tennant, first broadcast in 2005 along with the one-off follow-up Viva Blackpool, broadcast in June 2006.
Sport
Boxing
The Tower Circus Arena held regular professional boxing shows for a number of years. However, for many years boxing shows have been few and far between in the town, with events being promoted on an irregular basis including one in 2005 at the Hilton hotel. However, on 16 February 2008 professional boxing returned to the 2,000 capacity Tower Circus Arena.
Cricket
Blackpool Cricket Club. They last won the League Cup in 2005, and were National Champions in 1990. Also between 1973-1996, they won the Lancashire Cup on eight occasions and were League Champions fourteen times. Their home is in the grounds of Stanley Park.
Football
Blackpool Football Club, also sometimes known as the Seasiders or the Tangerines, is the town's professional football club. Their most notable achievement was winning the 1953 FA Cup Final.
Victorious Blackpool captain Harry Johnston holds the FA Cup aloft with Stanley Matthews.
The club's stadium is Bloomfield Road, which is currently being redeveloped and modernised in stages.
Several professional footballers were either born in the town or have lived there. These include:
Jimmy Armfield - former captain of Blackpool and England; still lives in the town.
Dave Durie - born in the town; played over 300 league games for Blackpool in the 1950s and '60s.
George Eastham - born in the town.
Herbert Jones - born in the town; later won six caps for England.
Matty Kay - born in the town; youngest player to make Blackpool F.C.'s first team.
Gavin McCann - born in the town.
Joe Smith - Blackpool F.C.'s longest-serving manager; lived and died in the town.
For other people associated with Blackpool, see here.
Other football clubs in Blackpool:
Association Football Club Blackpool. Also sometimes known as the "Mechs". Their home ground is Jepson Way.
Blackpool Wren Rovers Football Club. Their home ground is Bruce Park.
Blackpool Wren Rovers Ladies Football Club.
Squires Gate Football Club. Their home ground is School Road.
Rugby League
Blackpool Panthers Rugby League Football Club. Their home ground is Woodlands Memorial Ground in the neighbouring town of Lytham St Annes, which is also the home to Fylde Rugby Union Football Club
Rugby Union
Blackpool Rugby Union Football Club. Their home ground is Norbreck Rugby Ground.
