Figure 1.--Here we see obe of the working-class families that made Blackpool so important. This photograph was taken in the late-40s after the War or early 50s. The boy appears to be taking a photograph of his Mum and grandparents. You will also see that adults often stayed fully clothed on the beach although Mum has kicked her shoes off! Given the temperature of the water, this is understandable. The strap on the boy's 'bathing suit' is to hold it up, but there are two straps. The other one is hanging down his back and is either broken or he has not put his arm through it.

Blackpool is another very well known resort along the northwestern Irish Sea coast. It is perhaps the busiest holiday resort in England. Blackpool was traditionlly part of Lancashire but since 1998 has been an independent unitary authority. There are many nearby towns along the Flyde coast with popular beach resorts (Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Anne's). Blackpool was enormously popular in the first half of the 20th century. Geographically it was accesable to the industrial Midlands, northern England, and Glasgow. Factory workers took their annual holidays in Blackppol and other neaby resorts. Huge number of inexpessive accomodations were built for working-class families. Photograph from that era show working-class families and huge crowds on the beach and promenade. One source reports that Blackpool still has more accomodations than the entire country of Portugal. Blackpool itself is the most heavily urbanised of the Irish Coast resort. English seaside resorts are famous for their holiday piers with a range of attractions. Blackpool has three piers. The North pier is the oldest built in 1863. The Central Pier was built soon after in 1868. The South pier is the newest, built in 1893. Blackpool also has a Tower, built in 1894. The Blackpool Tower is a 518-foot replica of Paris' Eiffel Tower. It was painted gold in 1994 as part of a centenary celebration. Blackpool has a popular tramway (trollie) that runs along to the coastvto some of the other beach communities. The Blackppol Tramway was for many years England's only working tramway. There has been a revival of tramways in England and several other cities in recent years have rebuilt their tramways. Blackpool and other English resorts were adversely affected when cheap air travel became available in the 1960s. Until the 60s working class Britons did not commonly cross the Channel. This changed dramatically when the average Briton found that for about the same cost he could vacation abroad (especially Spain) where the water was actually warm! Blackpool was especially affected because it was such at important beach resort and the economy was so completely devoted to tourism. There has in recent years, however, been a recival. Blackpool can't compete woth the Mediterrean weather. Onstead to foucus now is on entertainment. Blackpool specializes as a summer entertainment venue. There are popular variety shows. And it is no longer just a summer vacation resort. Blackpool's Winter Gardens routinely hosts conferences and is especially known for political events. The Blackpool Illuminations held during September and October are extremely popular even after the main tourist season.

Location

Blackpool is another very well known resort along the northwestern Irish Sea coast. . Blackpool was traditionlly part of Lancashire but since 1998 has been an independent unitary authority. There are many nearby towns along the Flyde coast with popular beach resorts (Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Anne's).

Popularity

Blackpool is perhaps the busiest holiday resort in England. Blackpool was enormously popular in the first half of the 20th century. Geographically it was accesable to the industrial Midlands, northern England, and Glasgow. Factory workers took their annual holidays in Blackppol and other neaby resorts. Huge number of inexpessive accomodations were built for working-class families. Photograph from that era show working-class families and huge crowds on the beach and promenade. One source reports that Blackpool still has more accomodations than the entire country of Portugal. Blackpool itself is the most heavily urbanised of the Irish Coast resort.

Attractions

English seaside resorts are famous for their holiday piers with a range of attractions. The rides and other games particularly appeal to children, but there are attractions for the entire family. Blackpool has three piers. The North pier is the oldest built in 1863. The Central Pier was built soon after in 1868. The South pier is the newest, built in 1893. Blackpool also has a Tower, built in 1894. The Blackpool Tower is a 518-foot replica of Paris' Eiffel Tower. It was painted gold in 1994 as part of a centenary celebration. Blackpool has a popular tramway (trollie) that runs along to the coastvto some of the other beach communities. The Blackppol Tramway was for many years England's only working tramway. There has been a revival of tramways in England and several other cities in recent years have rebuilt their tramways. The Blackpool Illuminations held during September and October are extremely popular even after the main tourist season.

Decline

Blackpool and other English resorts were adversely affected when cheap air travel became available in the 1960s. Until the 60s working class Britons did not commonly cross the Channel. This changed dramatically when the average Briton found that for aout the same cost he could vacation abroad (especially Spain) where the water was actually warm! Blackpool was especially affected because it was such at important beach resort and the economy was so completely devoted to tourism.

Revival

There has in recent years, however, been a recival. Blackpool can't compete with the Mediterrean weather. Onstead to foucus now is on entertainment. Blackpool specializes as a summer entertainment venue. There are popular variety shows. And it is no longer just a summer vacation resort. Blackpool's Winter Gardens routinely hosts conferences and is especially known for political events.

Clothing

The 'sea-side' dress habits of the adults shown here is typical of the 1930s and this photo is a post-war hangover from that era (figure 1). The strap on the boy's 'bathing suit' is to hold it up, but there are two straps. The other one is hanging down his back and is either broken or he has not put his arm through it. Again, this is a typical pre-war style.

Wigan Pier Museum

The Wigan Pier Museum is called 'How we Used to Live'. It is set in 1900. It looks at school. work and holidays. It shows children at the beach in 1900. We see children at a seaside amusement looking at something over a fence. There is also a little girl completing a donkey ride. And a wall display showing Blackpool Beach in 1900. We see a modern day boy looking at the display. We also see children at school and working. A boy is working in the mines. He seems to have the job of opening and closing a door when a truck full of coal comes through. And there is a boy working in a metal workshop. He seems to be polishing a metal boy. He is dressed in knee pants, wears long stockings. Footwear boots. Scarf around his neck and he is wearing a flat cap.

Portraits

We note quite a number of studio portraits taken at English seaside resorts with appropriate backdrops. A good example is John Smith at Blackpool in 1898 with an elaborate donkey and cart get up. The studio had a wonderful backdrip of the beach.

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Created: 9:21 PM 1/12/2007
Last updated: 1:56 AM 11/1/2009