The "Away Day Experience" - Blackpool

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As a bit of ballance
You and some others appear to have a very poor memory. Or don't you walk along the prom. It is what it is. If folk on here Don't like it. Don't go. ( But at least get facts straight. a day on a club trip ffs.) . I have visited almost every year for a short fix with the Grandkids and on my own with the missus. Yes it's not the same as 60 yrs ago. ( some things have taken a turn for the worse but also some improvements. Spent Absolutely a fortune on the promenade.new modern sea front facilities. I loved the many theatre venues. but you're 60 yrs older. as am I from the 1st time I went)

As for Scarborough and whitby. As nice as they are on a sunny day.
Eff all to do. When the weather is crap. Except stay in the pubs. That's why folk tour the area. 2 days in whitby. I'd lose my mind. Each to their own.
2 totally different types of Holiday.
A few days in the lake district is alright if you want to be bored 5h1tless. That's my honest opinion. ( I don't base it on a club trip 60 yes ago) I've endured such boredom over many a few days for the sake of the family.
( others may well not get bored. Each to their own.) Be a shame if we all liked the same.

Biggest issue I had over the weekend. Was because it was rammed . ( Scots week .) and transport was an issue due to a shortage of drivers. I put that down to the general state of the country cos of covid

Many people I speak to hate blackpool. They always have. ( but haven't a clue what's been redeveloped) as I say. Everyone to their own. (Funnily enough lots of people enjoy what it offers. In fact millions. )

For families. South devon takes some beating. But it is like almost anywhere else. They require good weather in the main.

 

I've given up on awaydays altogether and instead started visiting non-league clubs within easy travelling distance. So far Ive been to Penistone Church, Athersley Rec, Worksop Town and Emley. At each Ive had an easy journey and parking, been made to feel welcome, been able to stand by the perimeter wall with pint in hand during the match, had superior food to the packaged pap on offer at league grounds, been able to enjoy good craic with the locals, been completely safe and comfortable and best of all been ENTERTAINED.
Over the four trips, excluding travel costs, I reckon my total expense to be a little less than £50. Thats entrance, programme, pie and pint.

 

That's a very fair assessment. What you need is the things you can do in Blackpool, but in the surroundings of Scarborough or Bridlington. On the east coast it's mainly walking, beach, cafe and pub. Gorgeous surroundings with the views but very little to do. Blackpool you can pop to Cleveleys which is a lovely place. Scarborough you've Bridlington, Cayton Bay, Filey, Whitby and Primrose Valley.

 

I frequent all these places on occasion. But. Unless it's great weather to be able to chill and relax. They offer very little more than a fleeting visit. ( eg a club trip lol.) So unless you've got a car to get out and about. around the area. Can be mind numbing. Blackpool has so many attractions of it's own. The weather doesn't always come into it.
Although I've spent many a week growing up. (Then the kids and now the grandkids) on the beach weather permitting.
The sea is not the best ( Irish sea) but neither is the north sea. ( not exactly the med.or even the english channel as in torbay.)
The beach is allus rammed according to some. (There's 7 miles of the stuff. Ffs) The colour is caused by the sand. Which is cleaned of rubbish more or less daily.
Yet Scarboroughs beach areas are on the unsafe .register. ( polluted )

article June 2021
The Yorkshire beach where the water is so dirty people are warned not to swim in the sea
Scarborough's water should be avoided thanks to the quality of it and the possible causes for the pollution.

Blackpool sometimes gets poor press because of weekenders. Most doing no more than enjoying themselves. As in any town or city.
I've seen more bother in Sheffield or newcastle than I have in blackpool.

 

I was born there.

 

Mentioning Blackpool's seagulls, I was once sick off the North Pier and the seagulls had gobbed it before it hit the sea.

 

I must be mad. I like london n'all. ( wouldn't like to live there mind. ) Lol.
Never fails to make me laugh. ( pml) That sketch. With all its different versions. Cheered me up for the day. Thanks.

 

Whereabouts? In the 60s we lived on Red Bank Road in Bispham (where the illuminations traffic used to come down at the North End of the lights when it was one way South to North). Used to be 'rammed' outside our house each night during the illuminations season until about 11:30. Guarantee at least one minor shunt every week or two within earshot followed by shouting and swearing (I learned a few choice words before I ws 10 years old that I was forbidden to repeat around the house).
As regards countryside, I know the Fylde is flat and boring compared to North Yorkshire, but I remember, apart from riding my bike with my mates along the Prom (sometimes we used to go all the way to the Pleasure beach) you only had to go a few miles inland and there were some really nice bits of countryside. Even Bispham up near the old Parish church was picturesque. I used to sing in the church choir (great in the wedding season as we got half-a crown 2s/6p (12.5p) for those who don't know old money per wedding and some Saturdays in Spring summer we had three weddings . Kept me in fish 'n chips, sweets, comics and cinema visits for ages as that was quite a lot in those days (although my tight dad didn't give me any pocket money on the weeks I was 'working') Happy times.

P.S. We had a saying...don't know if it was just our family or a local one we heard.... " If you can't see Barrow (in Furness) it's raining and if you can ..it's going to rain." I do remember though quite a lot of good sunny weather in Blackpool especially during the Summer hols as the clouds from the prevailing winds coming from the Atlantic don't seem to form until the Pennines with the Fylde being flat, and much Atlantic moist air has already dumped on Irish mountains and the Welsh Mountains to the South and the Lake District to the North either side seemed to cop for it a lot more.

 

Aye, seagulls were chuffed it was full in Blackpool.

 

My folks had the Roker Hotel on the South Shore. I was born in 1965. They moved back to Barnsley in 1968. My grandparents stayed there into the 70's, so we'd go visiting quite a bit. It's a shame how run down it became, my folks got out at the right time, when the property prices were at a high. It's been a while since I've been there, was either football or a gig at the Empress Ballroom.

I was DJing up near Grange over Sands at the end of July & was looking back the other way, over to Morecambe & Bispham / Fleetwood.

 

DJing at Grange over Sands, gods waiting room, did you stick to the golden oldies with volume set to allow chatter? Ink spots?

good pies if you go again, Higginsons

 

Hi, no waa a fairly raucus one TBH. I think I played System of a Down at one point... Gig was nearee to Cartmel TBH. I just popped into Grange over Sands for a sarnie and a cup of tea.