Visitors Comments for 2001
Viet Cong, - Nethernetherlands - e-mail : martin.normington@quicknet.nl
Palatine Bar eh..what a dump.
Best place was Porky's and after that closed The Bolton Hotel. Good Ole Weldon for Porky's ..Maggies Bar and thee Welington Wine Lodge (Now Dirty Dens.)Weldon let me celebrate my 18th in all those 3 places..but was a bit amused at the fact i had been drinking in them for 3 years...Davy Jones..found memories of wading in there when it flooded or maybe that was beer not water..... Bradford and the Cheiftan the ship... i better stop at this Stage....Pacha's on a Sunday afternoon.... Bull Hotel.. jeez i went in them all Carlton on a Thursday half price drinks..The Imp (that was cr*p) Where we got our money from i will never no and Harveys when u were feeling posh. But seeing i was one of Morecambes resident punks i suppose peeps bought me drinks... memories i'm surprised i'm still alive!!!!!!!! Bath Hotel best snake bite's in the universe... and last but not least the dole office every fortnight.....o0o and the Park hotel. good laff in those days... think i can remember.. hi peter.xx
Snake bites, punks, under-age drinking, the dole.. Whatever next? You know Sue, I'm surprised that when you moved to Rotters that you didn't drink the English channel dry and then there would be know need for the tunnel or Ferries!. Happy New Year xx.
Betty - California USA - e-mail : bjolley2001@mediaone.net
Just want to wish you Peter and all the readers a Very Happy Holiday Season. The Very Best for 2002. May it be a kinder one than the end of 2001.
Since I last wrote to you my daughter got layed off her good job on November the 8th and three weeks later so did her husband from his job of 16 years. Never the less we are going to enjoy the holiday season and hope for better things in the months ahead.We are not the only ones that lost jobs have happened to me.I am thankful that I still have my job as a Lollypop Lady.
Hello Betty, Happy Christmas,
I'm sorry to hear about your daughter and son-in-law, I'm sure something will turn up for both of them. and you have the right idea, to enjoy yourself, no matter what you have to cope with because being sad and upset isn't going to make things better. To use the words from the film Terminator: 'The Future's Not Set' so get your family to plan ahead, set goals, be possitive and move on. 2002 will bring a change for the better.
Hazel - Lancaster/Morecambe - K Lonsdale Australia - e-mail : hazel@wn.com.au
Hi Peter ..Greetings and salutations!! A very peaceful and happy Christmas to all. Phewwwwwwww - getting a bit warm here and wishing for the cold, drizzly even, days of Morecambe Christmases. Hi Betty .. wondered what happened to you.. I think I had an email change too. All those memories of Craven's pie shop - they don't make meat and tattie pies here .. and Atkinson's fish and chips .. make me even more homesick. Well it's hard to believe it's Christmas here .. even after 26 years !
They do have a few 'Christmas in July' events , but just not the same. So as I picture the mountains, capped with snow across the bay and hear the oyster catchers cries, I look forword to trying to get back 'home' in 2002. Doing a great job there Peter, the site grows and grows .. Best Wishes to all for 2002 ..
Happy Christmas Hazel, wishing for the cold indeed! It's blinking freezing at the moment and the trap door in my longjons has frozen over! We have had a bit of snow but not enough to settle appart from up in Scotland.
Don Carter, - Morecambe - e-mail : donald.carter1@btinternet.com
Hi everyone, Have visited before but been off for a while. Great site, it's good to see old names i remember. I tried to e-mail JIM BROCK but the darn thing came back. Hello to KEITH from north st days i worked with your dad. Anyone remember Don Carter and the Senators from the 60s, we played pubs and clubs, one being the QUEENS HOTEL, later it became PASHA'S and now BAROQUE. Look forward to any replies, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL , hic hic
Happy Christmas Don, so you're a bit of an old rocker! It's aways nice to look back with a smile.
Viet Cong - Rotters, Nederland
Ayer......
I would like to wish u all a Merry Chrimble......'n' A Good New year.
Hello to Peter .Wish i was over in Morecambe fer Chrimble Over here it's just not the same infact it's ****. Will be over in the New Year at some stage ..so keep my seat warm in Huey's and The Bath Hotel. Hello to Keni, Morecambe's own resident Queer singer ..entertainer and last but not least my best mate. Hello to the bath hotel and every 1 that sails in her. that's me .im off to work.
Merry Chrimble Sue, Sorry, for a moment I thought you said Queen singer but either way you'ld have been right! have a good one.
Natasa - Tuzla - BiH - e-mail : rzonic@inet.ba
I think that you are very cool.
Happy Christmas Natasa, where ever you are!
Dave M - Lancs/Yorks border
Hello,
Peter, Doh!!.....Danny Ross was Jimmy Clitheroe's daft sidekick Alfie Hall in the 'Clitheroe Kid' (thinks: maybe our host isn't old enough to remember). Which school did you attend Dave Brown? and how old are you?? Toodle-oo Dave
Doh, indeed, My memory has never been very good, that's why I rely on you guys to keep me in check. I've seen Jimmy Clitheroe live at Bridlington Spa when I was around 8 and I remember his partners face but would never have got his name. I'm an aging 44 but my wife thinks I'm about 6 and she always makes sure I've clean underwear before she packs me off in a morning!
Tony, - Cornwall - e-mail : tomuny@aol.com
I was sitting here feeling really fed up having driven all the way from Cornwall to Old Trafford yesterday to see my beloved Man Utd get beaten by West Ham whilst the red sh*te, the gooners and Leeds all won, when I found this site and was cheered up no end. I left Morecambe when aged 13 but travelled back every weekend and school holiday to enjoy the sinful nightlife and fun of Morecambe. I did that until I was 18 and then, unfortunately, I had to earn a living and moved all over the place. I get back occasionally, but not that often!
Wonderful to read about Ivy Diddle and the Super Swimming Stadium (Wasn't Wednesday Miss Great Britain Heats?) We used to get a season ticket and spend most days of the summer there when we were kids. Remember the Guinness Clock? Whatever happenned to that? Moby Dick...I think that burned down or something?
I remember drinking cheap cider down Davy Jone's Locker and in those virtual 'prohibition' days of licensing hours, being able to get a pint at 10.30 am in the Palatine Bar at the top of Queen's St. Happy Days, Great site. I will return when I am not feeling so suicidal about the footie. PS I remember that there were a number of cinemas in Morecambe...but have I missed any. The Odeon, the Palladium, the Arcadian, the Plaza, the Empire the Gaumont??? I'm sure others have said it but didn't Morecambe start to get shabby when it got taken over by Lancaster...and curiously didn't Lancaster then get smarter!!
Hi Tony, I thought all recent Man U' reslults ended with '0', No wonder Beckem doesn't want to play. Is he really resting or just a bit embaracced? We'll have to arrange a match between Man U' and Morecambes reserve team (blind folded and with both feet tied together to make it a bit easier for you, oh and we'll nail our goalise feet to the floor and make him where boxing gloves!).... I'm just trying to make you feel better!
The Guinness Clock is still standing and it tells the correct time!
PS Man U' are the only football team I've ever really supported from the Bobby Charlton and George Best days onwards. As soon as they get rid of that toss-pot goal keeper who thinks he's a mid-field player they might start winning again!
Dave Brown, - Morecambe ...Sand Grown 'un -
e-mail: djbrown1944@hotmail.comRemember Sherwood Forest well and climbing over the wall into the Tower car park (what for ...who knows!) How about the New Inn in Poulton Square, my father ran the savings club there for many years when Norman Turner was landlord. I remember seeing a horse being sold in the snug!..Yeah the horse was actually in the pub! Remember the smithy down the ginnel just of Poulton Rd? Roly Armistead was his name.....you could get owt made there. Fond memories
Memories, like the corners of your mind. Misty, water coloured mem'......
Dave M - Lancs/Yorks border UK - e-mail : artydave2000@yahoo.com
Hello Everyone,
A few more memories of the old place (well, they do keep coming back!) The Milk Race...the off-licence section of the Shrimp Inn, I used to pinch bottles from their premises and take them back for tuppence a bottle (at last my conscience is free!!!)...Mr & Mrs Prada-owners of the Mayfair hotel...That little sweet shop on Roseberry Ave...the stall on the front that used to sell tins of Morecambe Fresh Air... Acker Bilk and Danny Ross switching on the illuminations...the Kinks playing the Central Pier in 1968..."Sherwood Forest" (the park behind the bowling alley)...the stall on the open market that used to dock dogs' tails...I've probably mentioned the following already, but what the hell: Ivy Diddle, Morecambe Soft Drinks, Mitchell's Brewery, Sparrow Park..
Toodle-oo
Hi Dave, Now-a-days there's a name for people that pinch bottles and sell them back to the owners, they're called entrepreneurs! I've got lots of bottled air if anyone wants to buy it, let's say £10,000 per 2 litre bottle! Who's Danny? Don't you mean Diana? or was that before she had the operation!
Dave Brown, - Morecambe ...Sand Grown 'un - e-mail : djbrown1944@hotmail.com
Just joined the site today so I'll offer up no opinion at the moment other than to say it's good to see a bit of interest in the old place. If anyone would like to get in touch with me either for info or whatever please feel free.
Hi Dave, I'm sure everyone will take you up on your kind offer for information. If you have any interesting photo's or stories about Morecambe please send them in. Cheers, Peter.
April Ingram - Marianna , Arkansas - United States - Ingramt@yahoo.com
It's nice i enjoy it, also very interesting
Hi April, Confident, phone a friend, ask the audience!
Lynda Barton, - U.K. - e-mail : lyd1974@aol.com
You don't need to put this up on the site Peter, but I bought a miniature statue of Eric Morecambe through the site, & I just wanted to say a big thank you, he's wonderfull & really tasteful despite what my sister thought (& said!) when I told her, I have him on a little table in my dining room and every time I walk through, he brings a big smile to my face, all my friends think he's great too, so you may well get more orders.
Thanks once again,
P.S. Great packing by the way!
Glad you like it Lynda, let's hope your friends place an order too! There was a documentary about Eric on ITV, talking to Joan his wife and family, The miniature statue of Eric and the joint statue of Eric & Ernie were both featured on the programme. What's the betting that they show The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special again this year! Happy Christmas
Punky Lady - Buckinghamshire
Long time since i dropped you a line, but i have just heard the bad news. Holidays in the Sun Punk festival is not going to be held in Morecambe next year!!! but in Blackpool. I am devestated!!
Well you will be pleased to know that because of this i have decided not to go.It just wouldn't be the same. Can you find out for me why? Has someone been upset?
Breasts, breasts, breasts, that's all you ever talk about!
I must admit this is the first I've heard of it, although I can see why they have moved it to Blackpool, because everyone there looks colourful and punkified anyway (so what's the point!). I think it's more likely to be the organisers (more accessible venue and they'll make more money!) rather than complaints from the locals to move the venue because as far as I'm aware The Punk festival is one of the best events in Morecambe and never causes any trouble. In fact quite the opposite, this year there was 3 coach loads of pensioners who came just to see your breasts! Did I say that word again, oops it just poped out!
I hope the Blackpool festival is a flop so it can return to Morecambe.... Breasts!
Chris Low, - King Williams Town, South Africa - e-mail : Colourshop@dagama.co.za
Hi I love the website. I am from Lancaster but I have been in South Africa for nearly 30 years. I hope to be in Morecambe in summer 2002 I will be looking to come back home to live. My sister-in-law has just moved back and are living in Halton she loves it. BE GOOD Chris
Hello Chris, 30 years, that's a life sentence, are you been let out for good behaviour? I bet you have one of those outrageous accents too! I can never understand why people spend most of their life trying to get away from Morecambe but once they are, they can't wait to come back! The grass is always greener, the women are always shapelier, the men are always bronzer and the money is always better... or is it?, I digress, I regress, I.. Mama, are you calling me! what's that? I didn't do it! Can I go to the toilet now? What day is it? emm!
PS. I like your music!
Denise Issott, - Newark, Nottinghamshire - e-mail : denise.issott@ntlworld.com
Hello.
My family all originated in Morecambe, although some of us now live in Newark Nottinghamshire. I have lived in Newark for over 40 years, but still regard Morecambe as home. I go home once a year to see the family that I have there.
I have some wonderful memories of Morecambe, and the house on Buckingham Rd where my Granddad lived. He used to illuminate his front garden every year and at times would win the silver trophy off the hotelier's which he would delight in, I am not sure that his neighbours enjoyed the fuss. Coaches of people would stop and look at his "house of lights".
He would take us "treasure hunting" under the pier, collecting all the coins ect that had dropped through the board, we only may have found 2p but we all found it so exiting.
On that note I will stop as I could go on forever,
PS. If anyone in Morecambe remembers me, my maiden name was Margerison.
Hello Denise, I always wondered why it took 2 hours to boil a kettle at night!
Marge Peasnell, - Penrith, - Australia - e-mail : rpeasnell@telstra.com
Hi everyone in answer to one of you readers (jean odom) you are right about dancing waters being made in Morecambe it was jimmy curries dancing waters and his son (who went to school in scotland with sean connery) they had sets in the lido in paris and also in los vegas.My ex worked for him and did a xmas season in blackpool with tommy cooper, jimmy jewel and freddie and the dreamers then a summer season in bournemouth with cliff richards and the shadows finishing up at eastbourne with the fol-de-rols and staring as an extra in half a sixpence with tommy steele. Yes quite a lot of famous things have come out of Morecambe, people don't know half. My father did 50 odd years in brass bands all over and finished playing with storeys works band (Don't know if storeys is still there) my, my how the memories come flooding back .
Hi Marge, a lot of famous names and memories, whatch those flood gates or we might drown!
Lynda (nee Walkden ), - Armathwaite, Carlisle - e-mail : mervynbarton_@excite.co.uk
I got the web site address from Peter Hornby (Hi Peter), it's really great, one or two of the memories I read really brought tears to my eyes. I regualally visit Morecambe cos my mum, Nan, Aunties, cousins are all still there. I must admit I've seen a lot of changes over the years but I truly believe that Morecambe is on the up again.
Morecambe can't compete with Blackpool with all the rides etc. but then why would it want to. When I was a little girl,you got a different sort of visitor in Morecambe than in Blackpool & I think that's the way it should stay.
Does anyone remember Hadwens the flower shop on Yorkshire Street, that's where I grew up, over the shop, with my mum & dad & my two sisters June & Janet. We went to West End Primary & they were certainly some of the happiest years of my life, eating Craven's pies for lunch, sitting on the red leather? seats.Atkinsons fish & chips were the best in the world. Thanks for the great site Peter. I realise you will have to edit my comments to enable other people to have some space!!!
Hi Lynda, edit your comments, I wouldn't dream of it. The more the merrier, that's what I say.
Memories are a strange thing. Did things really happen the way we thought they did or did we forget the dark areas and paint our picture to show only the sunshine and light. My memory is not what it used to be, I still have to print my name on my clothes so I can remember who I am - My name is... hang on a minute... Marks & Spencer!...that can't be right, can it!
Spider (Mike) Mayor - Ottawa, Canada - e-mail : mike.mayor@firstmark.ca
It's been nearly a year since I wrote to this site. Ever since Caroline dumped me in the Chat room. I do now and again visit it to see who is still writing letter's. I got a kick out of Ken Wilman's as it brought back memories. Sorry Ken I can't remember you but I went to the National School. I do remember Mr and Mrs Threfall and Mr Smith. Do I remember Mr Smith. Ooch that hurts, right across the knuckles.
I was visiting Australia a few years back and stayed with a friend Roberta Park. We were talking about one of these years having a National School reunion. It would be nice to see some of the old faces. Here I am in between jobs and nothing to do. The weather is drizzel and around about 40 degrees. So it brings back a few memories of Morecambe. It's lunch time so I wil have to run down to the fish and chip store and get some. Does Morecambe still have Fish and Chips shops, or is that a thing of the past.
Spider, Morecambe doesn't sell fish and chips any more, because the seas have run dry and all the potatoes have turned into bananas... what are you like?!
Tony Smith, - Christchurch, New Zealand, - e-mail : tony.smith@press.co.nz
Kia Ora from NZ
I've only just discoverd some time there checking oued your great site, which has whetted my appetite to one day visit Morecambe and spent my family history and while away a few weekends at Christie Park, cheering on the Shrimps.
My late grand-dad, Arthur Bond, emigrated from Morecambe to NZ in the 1920s, with his great mate, Albert Shaw, after serving in World War I.
Grand-dad (a great football fan who died in 1974 just after Morecambe FC won the FA Trophy at Wembley) never went back to Morecambe, but spoke very fondly of the town and its people.
Arthur lived in Lord St, and his dad was a fisherman. If there any Bonds reading this, I'd love to get in touch.
Some of my relatives have visited Morecambe over the years, but it's a pleasure that awaits me. Seeing the pictures on your site makes me even more keener.
Hi Tony, thanks for your comments. just get on a plane and here we are. Let's hope someone remembers you and gets in touch.
Betty Jolley, - Venice California USA - e-mail : bjolley2001@mediaone.net
Hi, I hve just realized that I still have my old email address on here and I now have a different one just in case anyone is trying to get in touch with me.I am now bjolley2001@mediaone.net and not AOL. I have not heard from Hazel for a long time so if you read this please get in touch.
Things are bad over here as I am sure they are in lots of places. Hotels are doing so litle business that they are having to lay off lots of staff. People do not seem to want to travel like they did. I know that where my daughter works that they have cut the travel down a great deal .My daughter used to travel such a lot.I do hope that life can get back to a more normal way but somehow I think that the life that we knew is no more. do not want to sound an alarmist but Oh what I would give for a quiet day in Morecambe.
Hi Betty, I enjoyed the pictures you sent.
Let's hope that the Afganistan conflict is over soon. By frightening people not to fly or venture out the terrorists are winning. We all have to show them the finger and carry on with our normal lives. If something happens, then it happens, that's life!
Andrew
Dave, how can you say that Blackpool is boring? It has the tower, illuminations, the piers, stanley park, pleasure beach and everything else. Morecambe has nothing anymore. I was in Morecambe last weekend and the west end is just a sad site. Bubbles fenced off. Midland hotel fenced off. Frontierland fenced off. Thugs been vandalising the place. All the shops to the left of Frontierland all closes with smashed windows and vandalism. Blackpool is not like this. It is a great resort and I could not live without the Pleasure Beach. Geoffrey Thompsons daughter Amanda and the Stageworks team produce three great shows. Hot Ice, Eclipse and Mystique. Not to mention, Ken Webster the hilarious hypnotist and Storm Force who perform in the Star pub along with many great other bands and performers.
The Pleasure Beach has the best collection of rides in the world, and if you wanna complain about the price. Buy a wristband!!!! they cost £25 and lasts all day, then you don't pay £5 for a ride on Pepsi Max Big One,and then get 5 rides and thats it. You get as many as you want. It is not a que killer place either. Compare BPB and Alton Towers ques?!!!! Ok, depending on what time of year or day you go!!!! Lay off Blackpool. I used to like Morecambe, but now it just depresses me. Even looking at Happy Mount Park, illuminations are gone, they have added a new kids pool!!!wow!!! bet that is popular with the morecambe weather. Now I am off out down the pub to drown my sorrow's!!!
I Like Blackpool... more than Morecambe...oops!
Ken Wilman, - Perth, Australia - e-mail : wilken46@hotmail.com.au
Thanks for the great web site its a real pleasure to catch up on the news and gossip having lived in Aussie for many years. Glancing through the messages i saw a few names i regognised, it nearly brings tears to my eyes, just to see familar words and to be reminded of things is just great. I went the National school and remember Mr.& Mrs.Trelfall and Mr. Smith and lots more. Anybody wants to e mail id love to hear from you Ken Wilman
You're welcome Ken, I'm sure a lot of people will remember you too.
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Stan, If you are reading this you must be looking for exitment on the page. I must take you to task on boring Morecambe by comparing the place with Birmingham.
1) Morecambe is a clean town. Is Birmingham? I think not.
2) Morecambe has clean air. Has Birmingham?
3) Morecambe is peaceful and quiet. Is Birmingham?
4) Morecambe have a football team. Do Birmingham?
5) Morecambe is an easy place to walk around, not being pushed and squashed by other people. Is Birmingham?
6) I haven't found the web page for ex-Brummies to compare with Peters ex-pats to see how they have fond memories of Birmingham and long to visit the place again. Could it be that there are no ex-pats because they can't find their way out, or could it be they have no fond memories, or are they embarassed to talk about the place never mind putting it in print!!!!I could go on but time does not allow and space should not be taken up by replying to a person that appears never been any further North than the NEC on a days outing.
One day maybe you would like to visit Morecambe and appreciate what God gave us. Morecambe is in Lancashire and off the M6. The M6 passes Birmingham and now we all know why.
Oh Stan I despair with you.
Oh Keith, I think Stan hit a nerve!
Enough's enough! I'm beginning to feel sorry for Stan. Not because, we've been poking fun at him but because he lives in Birmingham! oops slipped again! and remember 'Cross Roads' is set in Birmingham! We should leave it there!
Jim Brock, - Cheshire, USA - e-mail : brockaj1@home.com
This is a great site and reminds me of my youth which was spent in and around Morecambe. I was originally from Hest Bank, born in June of 1941. I moved to the USA in 1967 and live in the small town of Cheshire, in Connecticut. University vacations, four of them, were spent working as a conductor on the Morecambe and Heysham corporation buses. Used to be 3 1/2d to go from Happy Mount Park to Central Pier! Friday and Saturday summer nights in Morecambe meant dancing at the Central pier to the music of Bob Miller, Joe Loss, Alvin, and Harold Graham. Your pictures sure bring back memories for me.
I wonder if any of your readers remember Brubecks, an espresso coffee house, and favourite haunt of us then young folks. I have not visited Morecambe for some 15 years now, but plan to make amends soon. In the meantime this reminds me of the many friends with whom I lost contact. Would sure like to hear from them, Carol and Wendy (nee) Sterland, Diana and Derek Robinson, Dave and Hazel Rickaby, Colin and David Wilson, Pat (nee) Sharples, Pauline (nee) Abbey, Susan Butterworth, Pauline Priestley, and the two Lindas, Robin and Helen Dixon, Maurice Spence, Alan Barton,and on and on. In addition I have a brother, Peter Brock, somewhere in that area who I have not heard from for 15 years. I have just retired. Will now have the time to watch your web site closely from now on.
In these troubled times, warmest regards from Connecticut............Jim
Hi Jim, enjoy your retirement, I'm sure you will meet some new friends on the site. Don't let anyone ding your bell, take it easy on those swinging parties, lay off the booze and you'll live to be 100 (or is it the other way around!) Cheers
Muriel Foster, - hull east yorkshire UK - e-mail : fosterhaulage@aol.co.uk
I used to live in Morecambe from when i was 13 but left when i married, i often go onto the website and have a look back, it has happy memories for me, the website keeps me in touch of things especially now that it has changed, some things for the better but not all.
Hi Muriel, last week I changed into a new pair of trousers and a 'T'' shirt that read 'this way up!' I've been walking on my hands ever since. You're right some things do change for the worse, but you have to try these things!
Dave - Lancs/Yorks border UK - e-mail : artydave2000@yahoo.com
Well, I just had to laugh.....
Stan from Birmingham calling Morecambe dull and boring. He must go around Brum with his eyes shut! Ha! here's my list of the top five most dull and boring places in the UK (in no particular order) Nottingham, Birmingham, Watford, Liverpool and Blackpool.
Ta ta..
Ooo, touchy aren't we Dave, we have to take the rough with the smooth. I can name one good thing to come out of Birmingham and it's called the M6 which leads right to Morecambe! Old joke I know but then again!.. Blackpool and Birmingham have one thing in common 'The Roller Coaster" Blackpool has 'Pepsi Max' the tallest roller coaster in the UK (could be world!), you pay about £5 to get on and it lasts 1 minute. Birmingham has 'Spaghetti Junction' costs you £35 in petrol and the ride lasts all day!... You know, I'm glad I stay neutral!
Stan - Birmingham, uk
The website is just like Morecambe,,,,,,dull and boring.!
Oh, Stan the man, thank you for your comments but what do you think we can do to improve both?
Constructive please and none of then ending in off!
Dave - Lancs/Yorks Border UK - e-mail : arty.dave@excite.co.uk
Memo to Jean Odom:
Yes, THAT cafe at the top of Pedder Street... You may or may not be aware of my attempts to find out the name of this elusive cafe. I know I've driven Peter half crazy (can't you tell?) (What you trying to say? crazy, me! oh and a packet of crisps please!), and probably most of the other regular contributors as well in my search.Memo to Keith Dickie:
Keith, this is 2001. Sexist jokes about your mother-in-law are neither funny nor welcome.Dave (perched atop my fence!)
Dave, what are you like? did you get out of the wrong side of the bed?
Memo to Jean and Keith:
You have my permission to knock Dave completely off his perch!
Marge Peasnell, - Penrith / Australia - e-mail : rpeasnell@telstra.com
Hi everyone. thought i would answer a few memories annie was the ladies name at the odoen on a saturday morning; she had a dog with her, i was one of the committee with the arm bands trying to keep control over all the kids. we also used to met on the front of the central pier to roller skate. in winter sandylands prom was the in thing with our sledge had to be quick before the snow disappeared. thanks for all the info on the midlands hotel my dad was the parking man for some time. i read the site all the time and take a trip down memory lane keep it up the world is getting smaller. Marge Chadwick (WAS) Australia
Hi Marge, nice to hear your comments, keep them coming.
Jean Odom - Gulf Breeze, Florida USA
Love the site. Great Memories. Remember Acker Bilk at the Floral Hall. Double seats at the Paladdium Picture House. What about the dancing waters at the Gaumont (Didn't someone from Morecambe invent and design those?) How about Sunny Smiles the little books we used to sell pictures of orpahns to raise money for them. Who was the blind lady at the Odean who played the accordian on a Saturday morning.The Ambulance Cadets on duty at the Odean Sat morning pictures. The great sea cadet bands back then. Harry Corbett bringing Sooty to the pier for Sunny Smiles.
I found my Blue Seagull certificate from 1957. Remember Clarence St Methodist Church we had fantastic concerts seems like year round. I remember men's week all the guys in the church dressed up in the finale of one show they were all women of Britian. Bodecia, Queen Mum etc. etc. I also remember the great dances at the pier. What about Bob Harolds we used to go in their for hot vimto after sunday school. There used to be treasure hunts at the beach where prizes were buried in the sand. Do you remember Happy Harry's Fish and Chip shop in Pedder St and Denton's Bakery. Anyone remember the Jewish taylor just off Pedder St and the marionettes at Heysham Head? I remember a boy called Rupert Wilson (I think last name was Wilson) lived in Heysham and they kept beehives.
Anyone know Ian Sanders, Jennifer Tweedale, Anne Teasdale, (Poulton Sq) Valerie Thompson lived in Bare. They were all in my class at Morecambe Grammer School. Great teachers Mr Thompson History married the French exchange teacher. Mr Goudy (Headmaster) Miss Lightfoot P.E. Mr Ball great art teacher. Oh yes and a great school chum Irene Boyle from Carnforth. There was also a pie shop at the top of Pedder St that had pies in the window (It was a cafe). Super site. I will visit again. Thanks. Greetings from the sunny Gulf Coas. Fantastic sugar white beaches with blue blue water but does not have the wonderful view across the bay with those breathtaking sunsets over the hills.
Hi Jean, you know, it's really funny, no matter where people move to, they always remember their roots with a passion. So many people email us from all over the world as they dream of the sunsets accross the bay.
Florida (I keep promissing myself and family to go on holiday to Disney Land and watch a shuttle launch etc, well some day!) looks so beautiful (apart from the odd Tornado or Hurricane!) most people in the UK would love to live out there.
It takes a lot of spirit to pick up sticks and move to another town or country and I believe that once you have made that decision, you should never look back with regret. Always look to the future with a positive attitude and the sunsets will remain with you always. That goes for you too Sue!
Sorry Jean, I drifted a bit, thanks for the memories.
Viet Cong, - The place where cheese is called Kaas - e-mail : martin.normington@quicknet.nl
Hello Peter...
Well the winters coming..... was hoping to come over but i cant now.
Oh well Morecambe not that good in the Winter.
Wish i was back living there ...
Miss the sunsets over the Bay, going out with me mates and Cravens pies.
Still at least i got the website to visit.
Keep up the good work.....)
Bye for nowHi Sue, put the bottle down! The 'grass' is always greener! If you moved back to Morecambe you'ld only miss Rotters!
Keith Dickie - Dalbeattie, Scotland - e-mail : keith.dickie@bigfoot.comYour website is fine, but I find it really disappointing that Frontierland has been closed. I'm nearer 50 than 40 and my mother in law (god bless the ground that is coming to her) is in her late 70's - she can remember the Scenic Railway which was latterly the Texas Tornado. My kids were initiated to the fun of theme parks at Morecambe (they are now 21 & 18). It is sad that they will not be able to educate theirs in a similar fashion. Who really neads another shopping complex????
Are the attractions being re-located?
The Morrisons Freeport shopping area is for an all year round attraction. I mean, who needs rides and slides, thrills and spills... apparantly quite a lot of you!!!
Mitul - Surat, India - e-mail : mitul003@yahoo.com
It is great web
We've really stretched our imagination there Mitul, thanks.
Yong, - Kuala Lumpur, - Malaysia - e-mail : oyong@time.net.my
I was a student at Lancaster University in the mid '80s and almost every weekend I would spend my time in Morecambe. It's a nice place to visit, nice people and nice fish & chips, too. Perhaps, could you insert some photos on Morecambe town, the promenade, the pleasure park (if still exist) in your website. It has been 15 years since my last visit to Morecambe and I am not pretty sure if I could come and visit your nice sea side town again.
Hi Yong, well, put on your dancing shoes, get on a plane and get yourself over here. I'm sure your old University friends will be glad to see you and you can never get enough fish and chips!
Dave - Glenwood, Newfoundland Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Update
Rosh Hashanah services were not held in Gander this week. The Rabbi was able to get a flight to Stephenville, with a connector to Halifax(ours, not yours) on Sunday and he is spending the New Year in Halifax. How and when he will get back to London (yours, not ours) is unknown. The last of the stranded passengers left Gander on Tuesday afternoon. Ethiopian refugees on their way to new homes in Canada and the U.S. Schools are open again although a strike by support staff is limiting access after hours so we still haven't started our Cub meetings yet.There are still mounds of blankets, sleeping bags, pillows etc. to be claimed and picked up but many of these will probably end up at the Goodwill for re-cycling. The churches are back to normal and regular Sunday services were held last weekend. All the kitchens are cleaned up and ready for the next take-out supper or pot-luck fund-raiser. Not too bad considering that Janet and many other women and men manned them 24 hours a day from Tuesday to Saturday. We have had e-mails from people who stayed here and many did not get stateside until last Tuesday (18th). Some still had miles to go to get home but they were all glad to be back in their own country and very appreciative of the help that they received while stranded. Turns out that quite a few U.S. dollars were left at the school, churches and library with instructions to put it to good use. That should not be a problem. We had frost last night and had to cover the garden. The results this year were disappointing. Too hot & dry I guess.
Spuds are coming up and the onions and garlic are up and drying. It will soon be time to get the tiller out and put it to rest 'til next year. So, time to get ready for Municipal elections (25th.) and with the missus running again we have a personal interest in the outcome. Also Venturer camp at the month end and Cubs, Laubach Literacy, Therepy Dog Program etc. etc. Life goes on but it will never be the same for some.
Take care and thanks to Peter for the time and space. Hope it has been informative. CUL. Dave
No problem Dave
Betty - Venice California USA - e-mail : bjolley2001@mediaone.net
I had dreamed of visiting Morecambe when I was over this summer. I got all the way to the bus station at 8:00 in the morning to find out there was no bus till gone 1:00pm. As there was a bus leaving at 8:30 for Blackpool I ended up going there. Just was not the same to me as visiting Morecambe. I had so wanted to have an ice cream at Brucciani's and walk on the prom. My time in england just did not give me the opportunity to make another trip. I was only in England a very short time. I sure wish I was in Morecambe this very minute. It is awful over here since the events of the past week. we are all living on our nerves. It would be so nice to just be walking on the prom and not have to worry about anything.If I never get back there again Morecambe will always be in my heart.
Hi Betty, nice to hear from you. You could have seen your old friend at Brucciani's! So close and yet so far! Oh, Blackpool is definately too roudy for you, unless you've been moonlighting as a lap dancer! (only joking). Hope your daughters wedding went well!
Dave - Glenwood, Newfoundland Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001. More.... at this writing we still have six aircraft on the ground in Gander and all of our guest are gone. Back to their point of departure, on to their destinations or at least into Gander, to be ready to move when their flight is called and so that we can re-open our schools in this area. Countries represented in Glenwood last week were: Netherlands, Ireland, U.S.A., Germany, Israel, Sri-Lanka, India, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Norway, Belgium, Phillipines, Indonesia, Scotland, Swaziland, Barbados, Ghana, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Nepal, South Africa, England, Kenya, Nigeria, Czechoslovakia, Mexico, Venezuala, France, Finland, Niger, Bahran, Botswana, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Quite a change for a town of about 850. And where were the kids??
They were loaning bikes to visiting kids, taking them for walks, babysitting in the nurseries we set up, washing towels and sheets, passing out toiletries, washing dishes, serving food, carrying messages, running errands, helping with internet connections and e-mails and thoroughly enjoying the week out of school. They were doing what kids do best when given the chance, helping out and having a great time doing it. We are proud of them. We just got the word that the Rabbi and some other Jewish passengers won't be leaving until Thursday and we have been invited to attend Rosh Hashanah services at the Lion's Club next week in Gander.
There is no synagogue and a very small Jewish population in our area but services will be held. I think we will go. A lot has happened in a little while and this is only a small glimpse of it. We are not special in our response, it was done wherever passengers were stranded and in need. In St. John's, Corner Brook, Halifax, Moncton and I'm sure, across the country to B.C. We are not looking for praise or recognition for our efforts. I share these things in the hope that it will restore some of your faith in humanity and perhaps show a small light at the end of what, right now at least, looks like a long, dark tunnel to Hell. It's time to tell someone that you love them. Take care. Dave.
Dave - Glenwood, Newfoundland Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Hello again. Thought you might like an update on what was happening here last week.... On Tuesday afternoon Janet got a call asking for blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, air mattresses etc. Transatlantic flights were being diverted to St. John's, Gander, Halifax, Stephenville and other airports around the Atlantic Provinces. Within an hour and a half Glenwood was ready and we had 3 kitchens ready at the S.A., a local church and the school. Within hours the population of our town more than doubled as 6500 passengers from 37 aircraft were bussed to Gander, Glenwood and other communities in central Nfld. People slept on the gym floor, in classrooms, on church pews and in people's houses. I cranked up the setting on the hot water heater and we ran a shower shuttle to our house. 4 in, relax, shower, have a cuppa or a nap and then head back. Wash the towels, bring in 4 more and go again.
What a time! All our phones were busy as people tried to contact their families and every internet connection in town was in use almost 24 hours a day. We, (Glenwood) drove people to town for shopping (no baggage was released) Got donations of t-shirts, sweaters and other clothes and made arrangements for laundry. Diapers were in short supply for a while but again, the call was answered. Toothpaste, shampoo and other toiletries were divided into small medicine cups for individual use and passed out as required. Some folks were taken on boat rides on our famous Gander river, other were whisked to cabins up the lake for a first-time experience. I took people for rides on my ATV along the old railway line and into the woods on old logging roads. It was a chance for us to do something good and positive at a time when our world, its values and perhaps even humanity seemed to be tumbling out of control into a pit of depravity.
I think it was done as much for our sake as for the people who were in need. Over the years Janet and I have had guests from a lot of places and we have certainly added to the list. English, Irish, Indian, Pakistani, Muslim and Israelis were here. We had an Orthodox Rabbi stay over on the Sabbath. Now that was an education in itself. We have made new friends and even though these friendships may be tenuous or short-lived we know that our Christmas card list will be longer for a few years and that we will have to string extra ribbons to hang our cards this year. The world changed for all of us last Tuesday but please believe that life will go on, that miracles can and do happen and that there is still a lot of good left in this new world. The ripple effect from the WTC is still rolling and as devastating as it is, there are good and positive ripples mixed in with the bad. .......more..... Dave
Hi Dave, I don't think there is anyone, anywhere who hasn't been touched by the situation. Will we every find out what really happened? It's times like these when people unite and set their differences appart, there are a lot of good people out there.
Was it just a few terrorists acting on their own or did they have a government behind them. I just hope that things stay under control and we don't end up in another world war. It's very easy to get carried away with revenge and hate but I hope the truth is found before more innocent people are made victims of political propaganda!
Dave - Lancs/Yorks border UK - e-mail : artydave2000@yahoo.com
Come on Pierre,
You are bemoaning the fact that no kids are using the bulletin board, and ask where they are. My question to you is "Where are you?" The visitors page hasn't been updated for weeks. Are you really (as has been rumoured) too busy editing the Blackpool web site to keep your first born up to date? And as far as I'm concerned, kids aren't bothered about "making new friends" via the internet, they would much rather be visiting the"adult" sites and filling their heads with grossly sexist views of women. Either that or hanging around town in groups vandalsing property and abusing passers-by. That's where the kids are.
Hi Dave, I might have known you'd be the first to complain! Since I've put the Bulletin Board on the site, people are not leaving as many messages on the visitors book, so there's nothing new to put up! Blackpool site is nothing to do with me, although if it was, it would have a lot more hits! And I'm sorry Dave, but I can't give up on the kids, there are only a minority who cause trouble, some of them just need a bit of direction!
Can someone please send me next weeks winning lottery numbers and then I can concentrate more on the site, but from the Bahamas! Cheers!
Phyllis - London, Ontario, Canada - e-mail : maphy@execulink.com
Hi Peter and everyone: I still think the site is great even though it seems that the same people show up all the time. We have had a very hot summer here in the "other London" temperatures sometimes reaching the low 30's. Fortunately I was on vacation at that time at a cottage at a place called Pt. Franks which is on Lake Huron. Not a very large place but lovely sandy beaches and shallow water, great for kids and grandkids. When I came home the central air conditioning in my house was on the blink and I'm still waiting for the technician to come and fix it. He also has been on vacation so will be here next week. It is still very hot and muggy these days, temperatures in the high 20's but we know what is coming so will not complain. Hope to hear from some of you who may like to correspond with a transplanted "Morecambrian".
Yes, Phyllis we know what's coming here too, it's supposed to be autumn but it feels like winter. Thank goodness we have central heating of we'ld freeze! Make the most of your warm weather while you can.
Fenn, - Morecambe - e-mail : fennec@thedukes.fsnet.co.uk
Does anyone have any old pictures of hotels in Morecambe in the early 1900's? My Great-grandparents ran a hotel called St Hilda's and I'm trying to find an old pic of it. It was on the promenade near enough and the donkeys used to graze on the green next to it when the tide was in.
It's time to look through your old photo albums! St. Hilda's Hotel, If anyone has any pictures either send the direct to Fenn or to me and I will forward them on. Cheers
George H. Lafferty, - Little Rock, USA - e-mail : SkyBeast4@aol.com
I have always thought it a great site and Peter is the best!
Peter, I have just had a two week guest in my home here in America. He is from Leeds, England, yes, a Yorkshireman. He is a great fellow and is now a very close friend. A former (Forgive me if I spell it wrong) Coldstream Guard - stood duty in front of Buckingham Palace and fought in the Falklands.
Hi George, very kind of you to say so, I'll have to be careful or my head won't fit through the door, it's bad enough trying to get my belly though! Don't worry about Yorkshire, I was born in Bridlington 'East Yorkshire' and that's probably why I'm funnier than most Lancashire lads I meet! (If that doesn't get some ones back up, I don't know what will!... I'm waiting!) I'm sure your friend will be able to tell you a story or two from his experiences in the Falklands.
Thanks for your latest short story, with your talent, I'd thought you'd be a millionaire by now!
If you want to read some of George's stories click here.
Liz Grainger, - West Bay, Grand Cayman - e-mail : lizgrainger@yahoo.com
I like Morecambe as a place to visit and also the people are very nice. I think you could change the above photograph showing fins , sunshine and the beautiful blue seas. Come on we both know the water in Morecambe is not a bit like that. It looks more like the place here than Morecambe. My daughter lives in Carnforth so I do know.
Hi Liz, Oh, but I like fins! Computers enable you to turn a dark dismal day into a beautiful summers day, a bit of brightness here, a bit of contrast there, perhaps boost the colours a bit. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I do tend to look at life through rose coloured glasses and I always look on the positive side of any situation. OK, ok, ok, If you or anyone send me a photo for the top of this page that beats my fins, I'll put it up. Open subject, sunsets, boats, people anything, remember, I'm lead by you and will always try and give you what you want. Don't worry about lettering over the top, I'll sort that out.
Punky Lady, - Buckingham
Well, did you see me over the Punk weekend??? I have only just recovered after another fab weekend. Him upstairs looked after us with the weather and everyone was still as friendly. I must be getting old, because i found this year with all its extra venues a bit hard on the old legs. Let's hope its a bit smaller next year. (mind you £40,000 to buy a B&B and i might be moving up to live with you all!) Bye Bye until next year
Hi, I told you I'd had a word! Did you take any photo's if so send them to me and I'll put them on the site. Also why don't you write a short story of your time at the Punk weekend, you could call it Punk in Pink!... You must be getting old, not because of your legs but because you are considering buying a B&B. I'll have The Full Monty please, sausage, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried bread and beans...and a pot of tea, toast with jam on everything please! You see, and I didn't mention your breasts once! oops!
Mpprh, - Saussines, France - e-mail : mpprh@yahoo.com
I check out the site regularly, and the bulletin board is a good development. Sadly few people are using it at present ............... holidays I guess. The site itself uses an excellent server, I have never had a problem accessing it. I must say though, the chat line has been a bit quiet!
Hi, Mpprh or may I call you 'M' ? We do need more people to leave comments on the site and hit the chat. We need a plan, a cunning plan, a plan that will take the strength of many and the input of brilliant minds, a master plan, a plan to conquer all plans. What?, I here you say! well I don't know the answer, I have the mind of a sloth and the strength of a stick insect! I think we'll have to take an ad out in the press to entice the locals to have a go, perhaps if I offer money, holidays and sex it might get them motivated. The thought of meeting new friends is more than enough motivation for me, but... Right, here's my plan (if you have a better one send it now!)
1. We offer money, lots and lots of money. I've got £2.53 in my pocket and I'm sure Dave and Keith will chip in a £1 and Sue (Viet) will give the price of a pint so that takes us to £6.83 which is more than enough!
2. Holidays in America, Sorry George but you'll have to kick out your lodger from Leeds and make room for 6 more! All the prize winners would have to pay for is their flight, clothes, insurance and spending money, the accommodation would be free (wouldn't it George? I wouldn't want them to get there and you suddenly charge them a service charge for room service etc. but if you do, I want a cut!)...sorted!
3. Sex, apologies Elaine but it's your turn and with your new batteries, you'll have more staminar that the rest of us! Instead of the XXX site we could call it the AA site!
You think, I've deppilF again!
Viet Cong, - Nethernetherlands - e-mail : martin.normington@quicknet.nl
hi peter
The time of my last posting was b4 work........hopefully i will be in the ever wonderfull morecambe in November...for a birth........but anyways site still good, you gonner by me that pint? see you in Hueys or the bath hotel used to be the best watering ground in morecambe.
ttfn......
me
Hi Sue, thanks for the offer, but we had to make it a ruling not to meet visitors because we'ld end up drinking all day, every day! However if you let me know the exact days you'll be visiting, I'll have a word with the Landlord of both the Hueys and Bath Hotel and chalk up a pint in both of them to help wet the babies head. Cheers!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
I would like to recommend a few places for Sonya to visit if she settles in Morecambe. What about the site of the ex-West End Pier, Central Pier, Super Swimming Stadium, Morecambe Bowl, The Japanese Gardens in Happy Mount Park (sorry ex Blobby Land) Floral Hall, Empire Theatre, Palladium, Parisian Bar, Euton Road bus station, Euston Road railway station, Marine land, Royalty Theatre, the theatre on Sandylands, Heysham Head, Alhambra Theatre, Moby Dick, Madamme Tussauds, The Shell Bar need I go on? Oh and of course Morecambe Town Hall where all the decisions were made for the residents and not where it is now in Lancaster.
I'm glad I have got that off my chest. All these venues could be topics for Peters Bulletin Board. Why not pay a visit, you know it makes sense. Peter do remember all this from the past?
All the above venues can be found down 'Memory Lane', opposite 'The Good Times' newsagents. Remember Sonya none of Keiths venues exist any more, they're gone, vanished, no longer here! Space invaders came one dark night and tried to take them away, the sky was clear and the stars glowed bright, you could even see the craters on the moon. Anyway, as their space ship was leaving (Loaded with the entire contents of Memory Lane which they managed to compress into the size of a marble, yet perfect in every way), it was probably around one mile of the ground when the Americans fired some kind a laser/trackter beam at them, holding them still in the sky. Then, in a controlled movement the spaceship was pulled across the sky, over the horizon until it was out of sight! I have heard rumours (an over rated album by Fleetwood Mac) that it remains, untouched in 'hanger 52', next door to the Apollo 11 moon landing studio set. What does it all mean? What is it all about? Where are we? Who are we? Was that breakfast I just ate or is it all just a dream? Maybe one day I'll wake up in the shower and call myself Bobby from Dallas!.. who knows!
Sonya Gibbons, - Leigh Lancs, England - e-mail : gibbosan@supanet.com
My family are thinking of moving to Morecambe this sight has been very usefull but would have been nice to see more pictures of the area.
Hello Sonya, are you sure you wouldn't be happier just taking day trips? Move to Morecambe, it's a big step. Most of the people on this page have moved away from Morecambe!... Mind you, I can see that you live in Leigh and the only good thing to come out of there is the road to Morecambe, so, you've nothing to lose and only hundreds of friends to gain! Hope you enjoy the excitement of your new life in Morecambe, if not there's always Canada! Cheers.
PS when you've moved in. go round with a camera taking pictures of what you think people would like to see and I'll put them on the site.
James Lee, - barnsley, yorkshire - e-mail : buchanan5@hotmail.com
I used to live in morecambe and it is great to see it has a website. i lived there for about 13 years and i wish i never left.
You should talk to Sonya above and tell her what you miss about the town.
Alf Martinez, - heysham england - e-mail : momalfie@momalfie.fsnet.co.uk
I have lived in heysham for most of my life and it is good to hear the comments of our distant cousins who have had the nerve to up sticks and live in another country it is also reassuring to know that they remember morecambe with such fondness.
Hi Alf, everyone's talking about moving at the moment and nostalgia. Heysham is the better side of Morecambe. and remember some of them have moved to Australia with the rest of the convict ships! Ok, ok so Australia is beautiful but the people talk with a funny accent and one in three walk with a limp! The only drink they can make is called XXXX because they can't spell! Hmm, am I on another wind-up or have we not had a message from one of our friends down under in a while, either way this should provoke a response!
ROY MORRIS, -MORECAMBE. e-mail : ROYMORRS@AOL.COM
HI ALL
IVE JUST BEEN LOOKING AT THE SITE.I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE HOW MANY ENTRIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I TRAVEL EUROPE ALL THE TIME, MOSTLY THE FRENCH RIVIERA & TUSCANY IN ITALY.SEE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS YOU COULD WISH TO SEE.""" BUT//// THE VIEW ACROSS THE BAY, IT TAKES SOME BEATING. GREAT SITE BUT COULD WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE E. MAILING. ITS NEARLY ALL THE SAME NAMES.!!!!. BYE ROY .
Yes Roy, a few people do like to return and leave comments, but yours is a new name and I'm sure you will return, but remember next to use lickle letters as CAPS are harder to read! You do a lot of travelling, you're not on the run from an ex-wife are you and frightened of staying in one place too long incase she catches up with you! Perhaps you could send us some photographs from your travels so we can compare the views. Cheers.
Viet Cong, - Nethernetherlands - e-mail : martin.normington@quicknet.nl
Hello every1. and a big hi to Peter....
The site is really good now..( not that is wasn't b4) went on chat but alas I was alone (or maybe I smell). Just wanna send my love to Julie Wilkinson my best mate in the whole world........ I bet Morecambe is buzzing now time for the festivals to begin. Hello to every1 in the Bath and Hueys (the pub on the front opposite the thing) I like reading the bulletin board but not found any holes yet. gotta go weather ace here...
Hi Sue I noted the time of your posting 5:44 am, you're either an early riser or a late sleeper!.. Yes, summer is here and so is the beer!.. Who is this Julie and why doesn't she leave messages on the website? Can you have words with here and tell her, what's what! Friends are like Quality Street, 'meant for sharing'... I like the Bulletin Board because it's instant. and, I don't know, 'not found any holes yet' I thought I was the only one with a weird sense of humour, with jokes like that, you'll get us both 'shot'... oops, there I go again!
Cant wait to see instant agony at the morecambe punk festival
You're not kidding, you couldn't even wait to leave your name and email! I hope you bump into 'Punk Lady' from Buckingham, she'' sort you out!... Remember, big hair, big boobs!
Geoff Killerby, - HALIFAX, UK - e-mail : geoff.killerby@calderdale.gov.uk
Great website ! But what is happening to your town ?. I visited yesterday with my grandaughter, only to be personally disappointed in what I saw: Where has the fairground gone ?. Why are intimidating alcoholics allowed to congregate in the shelter near the public toilets ? I was also subjected to indifferent, slow service at a Fish & Chip shop near the former Frontierland. Morecambe can be great again, please act before it's too late.
Hi Geoff, the front is looking a bit of a mess, now that building work has started in converting the main part of Frontierland into a Freeport shopping centre... 'Indifferent, slow service' is unfortunately a sign of the times, not everyone share our values and standards. Attitude can make all the difference to being happy in your job and with other people, too many people only think of themselves, me, me, me!... As for the 'Alcoholics near the shelter', that was me, Keith, Brian, Sue and Elaine celebrating that Elaine's out of hospital! The police did try to move us on and suggested we went to work at the Fish & Chip shop because they thought we would give better service! Cheers.
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello Peter and everyone. Thanks to those of you who sent me encouraging messages during my recent terrifying illness. It's so good to be back in the land of the living, and how I have missed Morecambe.co.uk. Peter, your comments are getting worse! Your crude wit is quite unbelievable. I have SO enjoyed catching up with the letters and your comments, you never fail to make me reel back from the screen, thinking, how does he get away with it? Keep it up, it has cheered me up no end. One more comment to all the ambulance crews and paramedics wherever you are based. You girls and boys are wonderful. What would we do without you ALL. Best wishes, Elaine.
About time too! I bet the only reason why you stayed in hospital so long was because of those young Doctors in their uniforms with their cold stethoscopes and warm hands! Not to mention regular meals. And what about us, we've been sat around waiting for you to come back! It's a long way up to Edinburgh, specially for your friends in Canada. Seriously, I'm really pleased you're back on your feet again and hope you stay that way, Lots of Love from me and all your virtual friends. Crude wit, me, never! xxx
Phyllis Needham, - London, Ontario, Canada - e-mail : maphy@execulink.com
Hi Peter: note the change of e-mail address - in answer to Dave-Lancs/York border - yes Dave, I do remember making a cart (we called it a "bogey" to carry luggage from the station but in our case it was during the war and the "luggage" was kitbags of the R.A.F. who were stationed in Morecambe. My family had a boarding house on Regent Road and we billeted airman for the duration. I seem to remember at one point we also had W.A.A.F's (but not at the same time as the men). It seems like such a long time ago now and perhaps the memory is not what it used to be. However, I still remember those years with fondness. Enough of the maudling stuff, enjoy this site and all the comments, can't seem to get the hang of the bulletin board Peter. Maybe a few instructions are in order for someone like me who just flounders around on the net.
Hi Phyllis, now then, I thought a "bogey" was more of a cheap go-cart, you know flat base, pram wheels and steering via the front wheels on a separate block of wood being nailed to the main section with string attached. Start at the top of a hill and pray that a car doesn't get in front of you on the way down!
The Bulletin Board. Once you have registered (as I know you have) make sure you remember your user name and password because you may need to enter these again, although it should remember you once you have entered them the first time. Click on 'Post Reply' and key in your reply to some ones message and click on 'Post New Topic' to set up a new topic. If you run into more problems, drop me a line and I'll go into more detail. Cheers
Roz, - Salisbury, NB Canada - e-mail : rozgar@iglide.net
First time visitor. Just checking things out.
Oh, so it's your first time is it? Virgin are we? You come onto this site, look around, have a bit of a laugh and then say 'Just checking things out'...Check this out ssssppppppprrr ble ble ble, eki eki eki, futang woopa! and there's more none sensicle utterances where those came from! Look, just where exactly have you been, you should have visited this site at leased 100 times by now. Do you realise what you've been missing out on. You could meet up with someone from your past and meet loads of new friends. Listen, I have friends in Canada and unless you visit the site more often, I'll have to send the boys (and girls) round to cheer you up!
PS. Come back soon...please...pretty please!
Kere Rapana, - Te Atatu South, Auckland, New Zealand - e-mail : babyg_1984@hotmail.com
It was alrite but needs some more work on it
Hi Kere, Oh, Ooh, Oooh, If you think I'm going to let you get away with that, you're absolutely...right! So much to do, so little time. I think we should change the hours in the day to 48 rather than 24 and only have to work Saturday and Sunday and take the rest of the week off to do the things we really enjoy, plus I also think the government should pay everyone whatever they want just to enjoy themselves. You see, this is why the Conservative Party lost the recent elections, They should realise by now that if they can find a way to pay everyone to stop at home and enjoy themselves and to go on holiday when ever they want with friendly robots behind the counters in shops (obviously people wouldn't work in shops either!) The only people that would work would be the Politicians themselves, mainly because it would be very difficult to programme a robot to talk such useless dribble and not give a direct answer! Have I missed the point of your comments Kere? No! Do I need sleep? Yes! Am I a sandwich short of a picnic? Defenatley, because I'm still hungry! Cheers!
Hazel - Morecambe/Lancaster /Kirkby Lonsdale - Australia - e-mail : hazel@wn.com.au
Hi Peter et al ... Have been away in sunny far bnorth Queensland for a few weeks and have suspended
my service while away (ISP) but will get back to Jacqui etc when I get back .. came over from Western Australia for the birth of my latest grandchild -Liam, who dramatically presented himself on the laundry floor - 9lb2ozs of him .. Adrian (Egan) .. delivering him and having the honour of cutting the cord, when the ambulance finally arrived. Have downloaded this now for my second youngest Julian, who went to Lancaster Road Primary School .. so maybe he'll post a few words from time to time ...Catch you later bye Hazel
Congratulations Grandma, born on the laundry floor, obviously a 'bundle' of joy!
Bessbidwell, Temecula, - California - e-mail : bessbidwell1@juno.com
I loved visiting your place here, you have such nice pictures and it was truly a blessing to see, Love'N"Christ, Bess
Hi Bess, you sound like a very religious person, have you checked out the prayers on the site, they are sure to warm your heart.
Muriel Schober (nee Barnett), - Ormskirk Lancs - e-mail : fred@fschober.freeserve.co.uk
Enjoyed reading the letters on your site especially the ones about H.H. the baths and the pier. Nobody mentioned Joe Loss at the pier every Thursday during the summer. Also the Aqua Lovelies at the baths, sort of wannabe Esther Williams. We all fancied ourselves as one of them.
M.G.S. 1951/59 anyone remember me?
Hello Muriel, There are such a lot of memories from the past that bring so much pleasure to people reading them, perhaps you would like to share some of yours with us.
Adam, - Blackpool - e-mail : teabag20002002@yahoo.com
Good website but i am ashamed of what Geofrey Tompson has shut frontierland down, but he still is doing a good job of trying to revive the town especially Bubbles I do have a plan of making my own frontierland of my own in another part of the uk but i will call it the final frontier if you think that's a good idea then email me so long
Hi Adam, you must be mad! Frontierland was totally out of date and it would have cost millions to get up to date. The amount of complaints about the upkeep and hygiene we received was unbelievable. In its day it was a great fun park but that was a long time ago! You come from Blackpool with probably the best seaside fun park there is and although Pleasure Beech has many old rides it has new ones added nearly every year. The only down side to that each ride costs between £2 - £5 and you soon run out of money.
Frontierland is still in operation but has been reduced in size to around half a dozen rides for the smaller kids. I think the name should be reduced to F.
Dave - Lancs/Yorks borderUK - e-mail - arty.dave@excite.co.uk
Did anyone else do this.....
Make a contraption with wheels to carry visitors luggage to their guest house or hotel? We would hang around Euston Road Coach station awaiting people with heavy luggage who would be pleased to let you take care of the baggage handling for a small remuneration.
Yep, I was aged about 9 at the time, We were called 'Barrow Boys'. My contraption had pram wheels with a wooden base and sides which was lined with carpet so not to scratch the suitcases. Before I had my own barrow, I used to help my friends. I remember the first Saturday I ventured out with on my own, from 9am until and 2pm, I was out there with my trusty Street Map and earned £1.6d I then went to the shop and bought my very first Monopoly board that cost £1 so I had 6d left over for a bag of chips. We never asked for money, it was all down to the good nature of the visitors as to how well they tipped us. One day inperticular I pushed 3 heavy suitcases about 4 miles, it took us about an hour to get there and then an hour for me to get back and the man tipped me 3d. I was in so much shock that I couldn't stop laughing and when I got back to the station and told my friends They went into fits of laughter too and said didn't you say anything and I said, No., I didn't know what to say! We used to be tipped between 3d (1.5p) for a just around the corner B&B up to a floreign, 2's (10p) for a long jouney... I, them were the days!
Dave - Lancs/Yorks borderUK - e-mail - arty.dave@excite.co.uk
Andrew !!!!!!!!!!!
What has taken posession of your mind??
I quote "at least the Polo tower is surviving..." The Polo Tower???!!!
Aaaarggghhh, it is the most revolting thing ever erected in Morecambe. Who on earth was thinking that it would make Morecambe more attractive? Everyone I have shown or described this monstrosity to have recoiled in horror!Be care full, sitting on the fence, you might get some splinters!
Dave, - Glenwood, NF Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Hello Peter! Just a quick update from the Rock. The spuds are planted, the seeds are in the ground and the seedlings for tomatoes, cucumber, spagetti squash and peppers will be going in after the full moon on the 6th. (We usually get a heavy frost before the full moon in June and.. there is still snow on Mt. Peyton [482m] which is abt 8km away). We are waiting for some southwesterly winds to push the ice off shore and then the temperatures should level off to normal(?) summer levels. It's not too hard to notice the difference when the wind is from the NNE. We are abt an hour away from the oggin but the temperature sure drops in a hurry when the wind comes 'round. Off the Halifax (ours, not yours) on Wednesday for a RCAF Women's Reunion (the wife's, not mine). Back next week and then we have to get ready for Cub Camp. A busy month.We are enjoying the BULLETIN BOARD and I think that before too long we will have to scroll down through many items to find what we are looking for. Hope everyone has a good summer and gets the holidays they want, when they want. Hoist one for me at the local. I'll do the same for all of you. CUL. Dave
Hi Dave, I'm glad you cleared up the bit about the Women's Reunion, I was beginning to wonder! Today is Saturday, It's been raining all morning and the sun only came out at 1pm, although you can't see it because it's overcast and b'cold, you'd think it was Autumn!
Bill Watts, - western Australia - e-mail : joyw1@hotmail.com
Hello from Australia was born in morecambe and lived there till 1965,when we came here.it was great to see the photos. When I get a scanner I'll see if I can find some of mine.i haven't seen all the sight yet but I will certainly be checking it out.thanks for the memories.
Hello Bill, not when, you must get a scanner and send us your photos. Go on, put your coat on and nip to the shops... we're waiting!
George H. Lafferty, - Little Rock, AR, USA
Hi once again Peter,
Just a line to let you know two of my books are now available at EBooks2Go.com. "Crime & Murder" and "The Gunfighter Ranch" and "Cime & Murder" should be out as a paperback book any day now. Just go to http://www.EBooks2Go.com, click on the search title bar and select "by author" then type in George Lafferty in the search window. Then to the right click on "GO" and it will take you to my two books.
Your friend,
George H. Lafferty
Hi George, This is great news, published at last, I'm delighted for you. If you have any more short stories, you know where to send them.
George is one of the visitors who sends stories to this site for the rest of us to read and enjoy. A Publisher spotted Georges work on the web (we'ld like to think on our site) and now, his work is in print. So remember to send in your stories and poems etc and who knows what will happen.
Viet Cong, - Cheese Land - e-mail : martin.normington@quicknet.nl
Hi peter think you know who this is......Yep!
Good idea the bullentin board.Came to the chat no body there ..but will try again sometime. hope things are ok there in Morecambe. Who remembers the monkeys on the prom near the 't'shirt shop ?????? And does Morecambe still hold WOMAD??? that was great ermmmm from what i remember, dr martens boots were a must, lots of beer and ######## went down goos as well. And the all night disco ###up they had in the railway station. last but not least PORKYS!!!!!!!!!. Why was i at all these places ..think cause i was young and was influenced by others .
Hi Sue, The Bulletin Board, does appear to be working, It's getting people into nostalgia mode! I think you went to all those places because you were you. and under the influence! take care.
Andrew Love, - Edinburgh, Scotland - e-mail : pepsimax_bigone@hotmail.com
Hi Peter. Its Andrew back again. I have not posted for a while but have been reading the book. I hear that
Bubbles is re-opening that is good news. Good news for locals and good news for tourists aswell. I am still researching for my Frontierland and Morecambe Pleasure Park book, so if anyone could contribute to it, I would be most grateful. I hear construction of The Bay Outlet Village is to start this June. It will be weird seeing Frontierland turned into a shopping village, but atleast the Polo Tower is surviving along with the Frontierland Log Flume. Some say, the Polo Tower is going to be called the Morrisions Tower, but I think that is just a rumour. Please drop by and visit my Frontierland dedicated site on http://welcome.to/Frontierland. Good luck with the site Peter, and keep up the good work.Take Care
Hi Andrew, we don't need luck with the site, we just need friends! It does look like Bubbles have been thrown a life line, Morecambe certainly needs something, Eric can't do it on his own! While it is recognised that Morecambe is a base for holiday makers to visit the Lakes etc, they still need something to do when they're here!
I noticed you are using the new 'key words' for your site and dropping the www, don't you think this new area is expensive and people are being taken advantrage of. It's like .info and .tv. I looked on dot TV and checked out some prices, did you know you can have www.sex.tv for $1,000,000 no rip off there then!
ANTHONY REEVE, - MORECAMBE
I'VE LIVED IN MORECAMBE ALL MY LIFE BUT THERE IS NOTHING TO DO FOR THE UNDER 18's
Hello Anthony, how can you say such a thing, there's walking along the promenade, and then there's walking along the promenade, and then there's, walking along the promenade, and then there's, walking along the promenade, and then there's... hmmm take your point!... No, wait, there's also standing on street corners, you see lots of things!
Jacqui Stickland, - Edens Landing, Australia - e-mail : jacqui_s@bigpond.com.au
Hi there Peter, Thanks for printing my letter and I'm sure you're not jealous. I have received two Emails as a result of my enquiries, one from Marjorie Chadwick who used to live in Buxton Street. We seem to have some friends in common and I wonder if any of them are on line!! Irene Helme; Valerie Pyrah; the Spearing twins, Dorothy Robinson; Josie Hodgkinson; Judith Sterland (her dad had a grocers shop in Buxton Street) and Michael Whalley (who last I heard was Editor of The Visitor)his mum had the off-licence in Buxton Street.I also knew a girl called Pauline lived in Croft Street. The other was from a Hazel Hoole who went to Lancaster Girls Grammar.
I remember the Pie Shop used to put my nose to the window they were so good but I can't remember the name either. Like Elaine I too was envious of the children at the Cinderella Home again I didn't realise the reason for them being there.
Sorry to have gone on a bit. Will be in Morecambe for 5 days in July - looking forward to it.
Bye for now
Hi Jacqui, you're right, I'm not jealous, truly! I'm please someone has been in touch with you, it pressess the memory buttons and puts a smile on your face. Let's hope someone else gets in touch.
Pamela Ryan, Calgary, Canada - e-mail : pamela@telusplanet.net
It is very interesting and informative. The pictures are great. I will have to visit there sometime. Have to plan a summer holiday, when I am not visiting Newfoundland, my home province. I am still discovering places in Alberta I haven't been to yet.
Thanks Pamela, Morecambe is a long way away, but stick a couple of gallons of petrol in your car and you're on your way! Mind you I still haven't discovered how to use the remote control yet! Is that going off at a tangent of what!
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello everyone,
Now just take a moment to read this! Our Peter here, the genius behind this wonderful website, has gone to a lot of trouble to put together a very easy to use, very ease to read, bulletin board. Yes, I know that we all look forward to the end of the week, when we can read the latest letters in The Visitor's Book. But that's the whole point of the new Bulletin Board. You don't have to wait. It's instant! And it's fun! So, what are you all waiting for? Get on it, otherwise it will turn out to be Elaine's Bulletin Board, and it's not much fun talking to myself! Cheers, Elaine.
Thanks for the complement, but remember, without you the website is nothing! The Bulletin Board is quite easy to use, so come on everyone, let's go...
Dave Midgley - Lancs/Yorks bordere-mail : arty.dave@excite.co.uk
Thank you Keith Robertshaw in Chester for his memories of the fabled "pie shop" on the promenade. Keith, you are obviously the fount of all knowledge regarding things "Morecambe." However, this much was already known except perhaps the location of said establishment. What I really, really want to know is.....what was it called???!!!
As for you. Peter......thanks for the laugh. My already fevered imagination was further fired with visions of floating pies (are you a Salvador Dali fan, perhaps?). And finally, no one (ever) has called me Brian! Spotted Dick perhaps (I'm one part man, 2 parts suet) but not Brian. Toodle pip!
Sorry Brian, I mean Dave, everything should be back to Brian again, no I mean Dave, anyway Steve, Let's hope that Kevin comes up with the actual name of the ship, I mean shop! Cheers Fred, I mean, Colin, no, no, no, Alice, Who am I? Where am I? What is it all about? Somewhere out there in the big universe is a man who can count to 27, or is it a woman or is it the 27th line of a verse, Hallelujah!
Punky Lady - Buckingham
Well thank-you for having a word with him upstairs - let's just hope he listens. I hope the lickle letters are more to your liking, and are not so harsh on your aging eyes. You know us punks like to be taken notice of - you know big hair, big breasts and big letters!! (and yes we do wear bras! ) Wouldn't it be funny if you happened to bump into me in July - I'll be the one with the pink hair!!!
Hi, Yes the lickle letters are much more pleasing to my aging eyes, but I have perfect vision... with glasses! I never mentioned anything about big breasts! If we do bump in to one another make sure they are well strapped down incase one or more should escape! But if they do, I'm sure there will be plenty of helping hands to put them away for you! I've had another quick word with him upstairs and he has set the temperature to 80ºF with not a cloud in the sky, however. he is a bit anxious about one of the fore mentioned falling out, in fear of casting a shadow over the bay!... Enjoy your visit.
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Folks, I am ready to oblige both Peter and Dave Midgley. If If ever catch up with you Peter or you spot me around Morecambe you will instantly recognise me. I will be the fella with a big tum on a long tongue. I received both these druiling over the pies mentioned by Dave in his correspondace to you.
The pies were in the window of a shop just about next door to Ted's Grill about 20 yards from the junction of Northumberland Street and the prom. They had meat and potato, steak and kidney with some other mouth watering crusty pies.
I was in Morecambe today and can't work out if all the residents were out in the hot sun or could it be that Morecambe had visitors. I am very pleased to say it was the latter. Morecambe looked clean, the flowers looked good but the only two things that spoilt it was Bubbles and the Midland Hotel. I happened to walk on the seaward side of the prom for a change and the Midland was a complete and utter mess to look at.
If I win the lottery tonight I will buy the place and transform the place into something Morecambe can be proud of. I will also Buy the Winter Gardens (I used to work there in the 60s) and bring back some live entertainment to a much loved place by me.
I may sometimes give the impression that I have fallen out with the resort but cash injection into entertainment in the town would surely attract more visitors. Enough of that I will now try to hog your new site and join Elaine with more comments for us all to discuss. Is it on BBC 1 or BBC 2?
Hi Keith, I knew you'd come to the rescue for Dave, thanks.
I know what you mean about the Midland, it is in more than a lick of paint to restore it to its former glory. About 3 years ago I was involved in a project with the then manager Margaret Yates to turn the Midland into an 1930 Art Deco time-share. The idea was that you bought a room or suite for one or two weeks a year for 20 years. An artist had produced the drawings of how the rooms would look restored in the 30's theme and I produced the designs for a full colour brochure and of course a website. Then disaster hit, the owner Mr Whittingham did something really selfish and died. All plans were stopped and the Hotel went into receivership. Needless to say none of the people involved with the project got paid. Still I'd rather be out of pocket on a project than dead (if you know what I mean). From that date the hotel has been run by a management company to keep it ticking over. It got to the stage where out of around 50 rooms only 20 odd were in service. I think a new owner has been found although by the state of the building, I'm not sure!
Ms Nasi Goreng, - Wagga Wagga, Australia - e-mail : gcroft@csu.edu.au
It iss such plessure to find vebsite wiss such intressing, witsy, and sophisstokated peopless; I welkome you all to my heartz.+ huloo your majesty, pleese do not kneel, it embaressess me; stand up like a man - thanksyoo. All I can sayy, iss keepit up chapps and ladiess, you iss all wonnerful. I am rooting for all yoous?
Hmmm, why do I feel that I know you? A German living in Australia with a made up name (I think!). Ooops, I can feel myself slipzing unto an outragious accent. Danka fot de commentz, war glad u untjoy de site, because if u didn'tz we'd have to make wit de blindfold unt put u gainst ze wall! We r not velly good wit de aimers and de pointinz wit ze gun, so u may hear 6 or 9 shotz, before you don't herez anymorz!
'Nobody mention the war, I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it' and it was difficult typing whilst doing the silly walk... Basil!
PUNKY LADY - BUCKINGHAM
WELL NOT LONG NOW UNTIL ANOTHER HAIR RAISING HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN PUNK WEEKEND. THE LOCALS ARE FRIENDLY THE B&Bs ARE WELCOMING AND THE BREAKFASTS ARE ENOUGH TO KEEP ANY AGEING PUNK ROCKER ON THE GO! LET'S HOPE MORECAMBE SUPPLIES THE USUAL FANTASTIC WEATHER AND AS THEY SAY 'HAY HOY ROCK AND ROLL'!!!
Hello PUNK LADY, I remember you, you're the one with the bright pink hair, ripped jeans, Tie-dyed 'T-shirt and no bra (you really should wear one you know, you'll frighten the children, not to mention break your kneecaps in later years!). I've had a quick word with him upstairs and he has guaranteed glorious weather for the festival. Remember if the OAP's start giving you a hard time just let me know and I'll sort them out, I say that because a lot of people have the wrong impression of Punks. The Punk weekend has proved time and time again to be one of the most friendly and social events of the year. Is it because you've all grown up a bit and behind the masks lies accountants, lawyers, civil servants and the like or because Sid Vicious turned out to be a bit of a nancy boy?!
Oh, I nearly forgot, what's this with the CAPITAL LETTERS, you don't have to shout, I CAN HEAR YOU. If you use lickle letters, it's easier to read, so remember for next time or I'll send the OAP's round! Cheers.
Dave, - Glenwood, Newfoundland, Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Peter, just two questions. What is the explanation and history of the capital 'M' and to two connecting rings (figure 8). Hope is not symbolic like the gilligalloo bird. It flys in ever diminishing circles until it finally disappears up its own ........ And, as mentioned in other correspondence, what is a gypo??? It doesn't sound too complimentary. TKS, CUL. Dave
Hi Dave a gypo is just an abbreviation of gypsy, you know the nomads in their caravans, some of them are very nice and genuine people while others give them a bad name and may cause trouble!
The 'M' logo with the rings (infinity symbol) is what I hope is an instantly recognisable logo that appears on all the Morecambe website pages so you know where you are. The 'M' is for Morecambe (obvious!) and the infinity symbol is to show that this website has no boundaries and we can take it in any direction the we want, it is up to the browser to make suggestions and submissions so we can act on them and give you what you want! The colours used are bright and cheery, just like Morecambe. This is the theory anyway, graphics are important, they attract the eye and make text pages more interesting. Here endeth the lesson on advertising!
Dave Midgley - Lancs/Yorks bordere-mail : arty.dave@excite.co.uk
Alan Britton's comment about the sand from Blackpool reminded me that when I was at school in the 60's (Euston Road) sand was delivered fairly regularly from Blackpool and dumped at several spots along the prom and which, naturally, became a magnet for school children (myself included). Who remembers Kiddieland? It was opposite Bruccianis and as I recall was quite a few feet lower than the promenade level. To finish I am now going to bore you yet again with my perennial question: Does anyone remember that pie shop on the front - the one with those huge pies in the window? (well, you never know Peter, a newcomer to the site may not have read my previous dozen or so requests!!).
Pie, shop, pie shop, come on Keith put Dave out of his misery! Dave, do you have dreams about huge pies flying through the air and landing in your mouth, making you fatter and fatter until you eventually explode?
Gary, - East Kildonon - Canada
Hi, I love your website! good work. I am coming to England this year after I finish school, Morecambe is a must see place for me, I like the Eric Morecambe statue and after reading the Morecambe bay poem I have to see this place, looks like a great place to live!!
Hi Gary, when you visit, bring a couple of thousands mates with you!
Alan Britton, - Wetherby (West Yorks) UK - e-mail : alanbritton@compuserve.com
Ages since I looked at the site - seems to have developed well. Here is a recollection of the "It's a Knockout" that has been mentioned by several otheres in your guest book. As I remember the edition people concerned was in fact the very first edition ever of the programme and two of the teams (the only two?) were Blackpool and Morecambe. It took place on the beach opposite the Winter Gardens and the production team were really unhappy about the quality of the sand. I saw several lorry loads of sand being delivered on the morning of the show - apparently from Blackpool so that the away team were actually going to play on home ground. Snag was the tide came in around mid-day and washed most of the guest sand away again.
Hi Alan, I heard they had a similar problem with the filming of 'The Desert Rats' in the Sahara, It's a wonder there's any sand left at all in Blackpool!
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello Peter, Reading the letter from Keith about the Cinderella Home. I pasted the place many, many times, when it was open, and as a child, and not knowing any better, I was so envious of the children, who seemed to have such fun playing there.
I can see the sign board now, in my head. Trying to recall what it said, and this is where my husband and I differ.
I think that if I were to offer Keith a clue on how to contact the people who ran it, I would start off with contacting the Church of England diocese in Bradford. I am sure that it was a Church run organisation, but it was a long time ago. Maybe someone else has a better memory than me. Failing that, contact the Morecambe Golf Club. It was immediately opposite their premises, and maybe one of their older members can remember what that signboard said.
Thanks Elaine
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Peter and Elaine and everybody,
Jacqui I can remember Top Town. The one you reffered to I think was a competition showing seaside intertown local talent competing against other seaside towns. If I remember correctly it was something like: Morecambe against Blackpool and Southport. Rhyl against Llandudno and Prestatyn and other close linked resorts incl. Torquay and Paighnton etc. The winners of each heat then met up for other qualifying rounds until the final.
The programme opened and closed by a voice over saying "Don't be late make a date with Holiday Town Parade"
Peter I am investigating the Cinderella Home for you. When I lived in Bradford ----- years ago my dad drove an ambulance to Morecambe full of deprived children and left them there for a holiday and then picked them up a couple of weeks later.
I can't remember but I think it was either Church funded or something to do with the woolen trade funding it. I have been asked to remember what it said on the sign outside. There's a challenge.
I don't know how I remember things like this when I can't remember what I had for my dinner today.
Best wishes to you and all your readers.
Hi Keith, I have called a couple of Churches in Bradford but without success, the Priest/Vicor that I spoke to are both too young to remember (I may have been trying the wrong Churches, there's a lot of them!). We have been blessed with our quest and I've been assured that God is with us, so keep the faith.
Peter Hornby, - Saussines, France - e-mail : mpprh@yahoo.com
The website continues to be excellent !
Morecambe Grammar School 1961 - 1968
Hard to believe, but we will be 50 this year. Would welcome any contacts from alumini of this era, in particular (no order !) gillian parry, brian kenny, ian gardner, ian johnson, john sumner, pamela brooksbank, sara towers, sylvia jones, martin hayhurst, kirstine fiona robertson murdoch, terry brown, david watkins, ken brewer, david wilkinson, vic price, jonathon thompson, carole normington, etc ( i'm not good at names, especially after 30+ years !)
where r u now ? any reunion planned ?
Hello Peter, you forgot uncle Tom Cobbly!
Viet Cong, - Cheese Land - e-mail : martin.normington@quicknet.nl
That do yer Peter?????????????????
There is a fair few visitors now, compared to this time lasy year.. the word is getting out. Must be the time of year now when the Gypo's invade Morecambe have very bad memories of those times. To the Council: Don't Let Them In...... you get enough warning from Blackpool that they are coming. I know Morecambe needs trade but not that sort!!!!!! I am sure the town peeps agree with me,,,, apart from the resident gypos. Ok that's my gripe gotta get ready for work. Will try to get on the chat sometime soon.
Hi Sue, It's not like you to gripe, I have to sit on the fence on this one (In fear of my life!) Nice to here from you, don't work too hard at the factory and take it easy on the beer, see you in the chat!
Keith H. Barrett, - COLNE, United Kingdom - e-mail : keithbarrett@worldmailer.com
Very nice site. I stayed at the Cinderella Home at Hest Bank twice in the early fifties, being from a poor family in Bradford. I really enjoyed it both times (my older brother also went at the same time). Has anyone got any information about the Cinderella organisation from Bradford.
Hello Keith, everyone was poor in those days (although if you had support from the Cinderella Organisation, it must have been difficult for you), wages £5 per week, not many houses had B&W TV's, No Video, Cassettes, Satellite, DVD, Playstations or even Ping Pong tv game. Just a big brown radio in the corner with large buttons and perhaps a gramophone player or a reel to reel tape recorder... and how many people owned a car? Mind you, your house door was safe left open and all the street new and talked to one another. But ask yourself, were you happy?
While everyone seems healthier now than ever before, the advancement in technology has had its fallbacks. In general everyone's lifestyle is ten times better than the old days but not without cost. The pressure to live in a nice house and have Sky TV, Playstation, DVD and two cars and have a holiday once or twice a year is unbelievable. People expect more now that ever before and have to work twice as hard to get the money (ok so we don't work 90 hours a week, live in a cardboard box or lick the road clean wit tongue!), no longer is the farther the bread winner, most mothers have to be working mums because of the lifestyles we lead. Have I depressed anyone yet? well join the queue at the doctors take two blue ones, twice a day and one red, four times a day and I'll see you next week! Let's face it all anyone wants is an honest weeks pay for an honest days work!
As for me, I'm going to pick up a chinese and a video on the way home, but I don't no what my neighbours are called and when we're out the burglar alarm is armed!
PS I will make enquiries to find the Cinderella organisation in Bradford although I had no luck through direct enquiries. Does anyone else know anything?
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello Peter,
Thought that I'd disappeared into the wide blue yonder? Well, here I am again, and just listen to this!
Last week there was a post in the Visitor's Book from Brenda Ryan of Tasmania. Some time ago, I had put an appeal on The Search page, to find my long lost friend Carol, who I had lost touch with, 18 years ago, and I had an idea that she may now be living in Tasmania. I emailed Brenda, asking her if she had any tips to help me in my search to find Carol. After asking me for details of my friend, she made about 6 phone calls, and FOUND her! We are now back in touch. Albeit, in a roundabout way, but thanks to this wonderful website!
And there's more!
Some time ago, I was scrolling down the past letters to the Visitor's Page, and saw a post from someone who's name sounded so familiar from 42 years ago, to be exact! I posted a letter, and asked that if Alan, from Weatherby, remembered me from primary school (who could forget me) and to get in touch. This week, I have now been reunited with two special friends! I owe you a dram!
Keep it going, many thanks, Elaine.
Hi Elaine, I sent Brenda a big thank you for helping. This site is just a contact point, it's people like you and Brenda that make the site work. Thanks for the offer of a dram, but the thought of friends reuniting after such a long time is more than enough reward for me, it proves that the site can work when people make an effort. I rambled on a bit to Keith (above) about lifestyles but Brenda's help just shows that people still care.
Stephany Marsh, - Lancaster, England- e-mail : www.stephany.marsh.com (dodgy email!)
It is the first for me to see this website but so far i think it's absolutely great.
Cheers Stephany, I like you too. Also thank you for submitting a joke, it mad me laugh.
If you would like to send your email address again, I will replace your web address, but if you don't want to, that's ok.
Jacqui Stickland, - Edens Landing, Australia - e-mail : jacqui_s@bigpond.com.au
Just found the site - hey this is great. Enjoyed reading the letters, brought back so many memories. I remember Harold Graham and the Miss Sunshine contest - actually entered a few times!!
Does anyone remember the TV show 'Top Town', my mum appeared in that representing Morecambe. I sang in a group called the 'Merry Maylanders' (lived in Maylands Square at the time) and in the coronation celebrations we danced all the way along the prom. Was at Lancaster Road Primary 1945-52 and Lancaster Girls Grammar 1952-56. I was Jacqueline Smith, before I moved South in 1961 and got married. My mother was into amateur dramatics and took leading roles particularly with the Warblers, she would have been known as either Betty Seed or Betty Smith. Bye for now from a warm and sunny Queensland.
Hello Jacqui, Edens Landing sounds absolutely beautiful, but I'm not jealous, I am not jealous, I'm not, honest, look, I'm not jealous, I'M NOT JEALOUS.... well perhaps a little! I feel, I should remember Top Town but I've drawn a blank, someone enlighten me please!
Come back soon Jacqui and I'm really not jealous... honest!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Peter and everybody. Have you missed me?
Peter you say in your intro. "meet new friends etc.Y you say you can "trace old friends." Congratulations, I think I may know Brenda. My mothers sister had an uncle who's father-in-laws auntie had a son and his grandfather's mother married twice and her second husband had a daughter from his first wife who's first husbands stepdaughter was really his wife's lovers child but in turn she divorced and had a son to her uncle. During the war she went with many American soldiers as just friends. Her best friend was Chuck. She had to chuck him when he went back to the USA. So Brenda, if you ever visit America try to find someone called Chuck and ask him more about your family tree.
Hi Keith, Brenda has helped Elaine find Carol, a very small world I think! but wait a minute, your mothers sister had an uncle that had a daughter from his first wife, who's first husbands stepdaughter was really his wife's lovers child but, and, and, and... what the heck's going on, If anyone can follow this, you either have an IQ of 200 or watch Coronation Street on a regular basis, That Ken Barlow has got a lot to answer for!
...and Brenda, you seem to be in everyone's good books, Thank You.
Brenda Ryan, - St Helens, Tasmania, Australia - e-mail : bryan@tassie.net.au
I have just discovered your fantastic site---It's out of this world, I went to Morecambe many times as a child & this brings back lots of memories. I believe there where relatives on my mothers side of the family living there - now I will have to find out who & maybe someone will be able to help me find their descendants.
Keep up the good work
Regards-Brenda
Hi Brenda you crawler, although, don't stop, it's nice to have compliments! We have lots of relatives over here, there's Grandma and Grandad and then Great Gran and Grandad although they're no longer with us! and then there's Uncle Bill who is a distant relative of Mary who's dad had a bike!... Am I mad?... I truly am!
Phil Whalley, - Hankham, East Sussex - e-mail : phil.b.whalley@aexp.com Country :
I tried to sign in before but it didn't appear in the guest book , never mind here's another go.
I went to Sandylands in the fifties and Friend's School Lancaster . My mum and dad ran the Highfield Cafe on the prom . I remember we used to get all the pop stars in . Freddie and the Dreamers spent the summer there and always ate every day in the Cafe. My mum's claim to fame was throwing the Beatles out because John Lennon was being stroppy.
Does anybody remember Sunshine Corner and the Cliff Collegers . For some reason I used to go and watch them every day during the summer.
We also owned a boarding house in clarendon road and I remember a Mrs Morris who was also a landlady and a big friend of my mums.
I have a book about Morecambe and Heysham called Morecambe past and present, with Smithy cottage in Heysham pictured where my mum grew up . It also talks about the only bomb falling during the war and that nobody was injured . My mother always insisted that her Uncle Jack had his leg blown off by the bomb . Can anybody shed any light on it . Who is right the book or my mum ?
Hi Phil, I don't recall receiving any previous comments from you, I usually put everyone's efforts on the site, there must have been a glitch in the system or something but never mind you are here now. I would have loved to see your mum kick the Beatles out! and regarding the bomb, you should know by now, mums are always right!
Phyllis Needham, - London, Ontario, Canada - e-mail : maphy@lweb.net
I really enjoy the site and all the expats who write in. It is a while since I visited. I see my brother, Dave, Newfoundland is confounding the local populace with the Newfie dialect. Don't worry folks, we can't understand him either (just kidding David). It is raining here today and cold, oh, will Spring ever arrive. Love to hear from anyone who would like to correspond. I tried the Chat Line just a few minutes ago (2.45 pm Cdn time) but my password was not accepted so will have to keep trying to get online. Again, Peter, a great site, please keep it going.
Hi Phyllis, you are brave to admit to being Dave's sister! We thought there was only one loony in the family! although you are probably safe because it's on the boys side of the family!
If your password on the chat doesn't work try logging in under another name or something!
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
A Happy Easter to everyone, from Elaine, and Darling and Golly would like to say the same to any Morecambe and Lancaster parrots that read the Visitor's book.
Happy Easter Elaine and everyone. Don't eat too much chocolate... I know I will.
Viet Cong, - Holland - e-mail : martin.normington@quicknet.nl
hello0o peter. hows you .? :) been looking at the visitors book on a regular basis.
Was in Morecambe in jan stayed at the Tern Head Hotel.. found address from this site. good hotel highly recommended. Miss Morecambe loads. hi to the lads in the Bath.o and paul bould.
Hi Sue, you couldn't remember your name or country on the visitors book, so I thought I'd help you!
I'm very well thank you, just been hiding the easter eggs for my lad to find, lots of fun!Went over to Bridlington on Saturday, a bit overcast, showery and cold but we enjoyed ourselves. I hate to say this but although the entertainment for Kids is not the best in the country, it's certainly better that Morecambe. Unless someone does something and quick, Morecambe is going to be a shopping complex and beach and that's it! If there are any rich investors out there with a few million to burn, we need a theme park with hi tech modern rides (not like the now gone Frontierland that has been reduced to few rides). Just write the cheque payable to me, and I'll design it. Mind you we would have to get planning permission, so that's put a stop to that idea, I'll tell you what, just send the money anyway, then I could retire early and run this site full time, I could make it into a virtual theme park! I could update it from the Bahamas one week, Australia the next, then Japan etc. You see, I told you I was very well.
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Peter,Elaine and all our readers,
I have visited the chat line on many occasions only to find I am the only person there. If some of our friends reading this column would be there at the suggested time maybe we could all have a chat together. Brian don't forget the time difference. If you would let us all know when you are around e.g evenings our time are the best for some of us we could meet there.
Brian maybe you could answer me this? Was McDonald Hobly or someone with a like type name the host of It's a Knockout at the time you remember?
I think I mentioned before that I used to work for the then Morecambe and Heysham Corporation during your employment with them. Do you remeber the conservatory at the side of the Town Hall? I remember having to mow the grass slopes leading down to the sunken gardens at the Town Hall. It was hard work doing the job by hand as there was no such thing as a Flymo in those days. We had to cut the bowling green in Happy Mount Park by hand (two men) every other day. What a good grounding eh!! On 6th April 2001 I started my 40th year in gardening. I started as an apprentice gardener with the Corporation all that time ago.
Must stop waffling and get some work done.
Hi Keith in April 2001 I started my 40th year in weeds! I can grow them so easily, I must have blue fingers or something!
Brian Wilson, - Toronto, Canada - e-mail : brianwilson-1@webtv.net
Hi Peter, I have just read the messages in your visitors book and would like to add some comments to Elaine and Keiths messages. Elaine mentions Anne Jolly. I worked with Anne in the Publicity Department from 1965-1967. If I remember correctly her dad was the Fire Chief in Morecambe. Bob Battersby was the publicity manager at the time. (I was still in the Publicity Dept when Geoff Thompson took over as the manager) Mr.Battersby was into many activities....one of them being the broadcaster to Hospitals at Blackburn Rovers soccer games. I went with him and his son David Battersby to several games. Anne lived on Litchfield Avenue a few doors down from my school days sweet heart Christine Riley who lived at #24. (Anyone Know of Christine???)
I joined the London Metro Police in 1967 and on a visit to Windsor Castle a short time later I bumped into Anne and David who were not long married at the time. Helen Wigglesworths (Gail on Coronation St) parents owned the Erindale Hotel on the prom midway between the Town Hall and Bare. I worked at the Erindale during summer holidays. They moved down to Henley on Thames in 1967. Oh Keith you are correct... It's a Knockout was infront of the Winter Gardens.. not as I had said by the Central Pier. If you saw that show you would have seen me because I was in the last game. A crazy game where you had to run up a revolving staircase to a scaffolding, climb several stairs, pick up a cream pie and carry it without dropping it down a firemans pole to the ground....I ended up covered in cream pie....but it was good television.
Hey Peter...today marks the 50th time I have gone to the Chat line and been the only one there. I would enjoy chatting with other Morecambrians scattered around the world. Lets use the Chat line! Gotta run....Love this connnection to my Home Town...Thanks Peter
Hi Brian, only your 50th time, you're lucky! , If we get more than five on at any on time I'll probably have a heart attack! I just don't know, what to do to get people to use it?
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello again, I was going to sit back and just read this week's letters, but there are such a lot of things that I would like to comment on (as usual). Firsttly, Keith, No, there were no donkeys on the beach when I worked with the ponies, These donkeys must have arrived later.
I don't recall seeing It's a Knockout, from Morecambe, but I DO remember seeing the show when it was filmed in Lochgilphead, Argyll, where they had the same problem with the tide. One would have thought they had learned something. Obviously not!
My memory of Lobby Ludd is rather hazy, but, Keith, are you sure you are correct in your recollections? Didn't you have to approach Lobby Lud, and claim your money? I remember my Uncle Arthur, when on holiday with us, complaining that he kept getting tapped on the shoulder by all these women!
My Auntie told him to make a hat out of his newspaper, and that would stop them! The name Bob Battersby rings bells too. I am sure that in 1970 or thereabouts, my friend and colleague from the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Ann Jolley, married his son, David, a trainee chef, and they then moved to Wimbledon, never to be heard of again.
That was an amazing article from Dave, Newfoundland. Many of those words are common in Scottish dialect, as Darling and Golly would verify if I let them near the computer, and many also seem to have a nautical connection. I found it very interesting.
The Harbour Band Arena! Oh dear, the memories of me as a little girl with frizzy permed hair, wearing a little blue dress, dancing my socks off in front of all those old ladies in deckchairs (and old men with newspapers on their heads). Where are the rest of Miss Dale's country dancing class of Ryelands School, circa 1957?
I think it's time for me to sit back and read the letters!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
I think skrapman like me made a mistake regarding the piece from Dave. I thought the way he was writing he had something wrong with his keyboard or he was from the other Newfoundland (Bolton-le-sands) where they speak another language. I’m sorry but I got lost after the address. I hope he forgives some of the people across here for not understanding, except Peter of course he understood every word. Good luck to you Dave and please keep sending you correspondence it makes interesting reading.
Now for Brian.
Brian wasn’t It’s a Knockout held opposite the Winter Gardens? I remember going to see the programme being televised and the tide coming in. I bet Elaine remembers the donkey man. You mention Mr. Thompson being the Publicity man. I can tell you Geoffrey went on to bigger things. He actually owns (with his mother) the Pleasure Beach at Blackpool. Must have been good wages eh! The publicity man as far as I can remember before him was Bob Battersby and he went on to become publicity manager in Blackpool.
I have mentioned before about poor Harold Graham in this column but unfortunately like my late father the organist Frank Shaw he is no longer with us. I remember Helen Wigglesworth she did cabaret for Archie Collis in the Winter Gardens Ballroom but had to finish her act before 9pm because of her age. I think she lived with her mother in Queen Street. Why have all your friends done so well?
That’s it for now.
Hi Keith, You're being nice to everyone again, you'll have to stop it or people will start to like you!
Dave, - Glenwood Newfoundland, Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Here's one for 's Crap man! (Cheeky!)
First Rate
The typical Newfoundlander - and I'm proud to say I'm one - Besides the Queen's good English, has a language all his own. For instance, if you meet one, and inquire about his health, He's not "just fine" or "like the bird", He's "first rate b'y, how's yerself?"
Such sayings as "I bound you will", "Save up" and "hard afore", And "most to rights" and "straighten up", and "dunch" and "dout the fire" - These need no definitions, We heard how much a "yaffle" is, though it is in our tables.
We all know what a "graple" is, a "haul off" and a "killock" - I spent my time around the "punts" although I was a "twillick" There's "slewed around" and "went to work", "turn to" and "took a spell", While of "clever" looking boys and girls, I'm sure we've all "heard tell".
To go around the "ballycaters", when there's "swatches" on the ice, And only a Newfoundlander can "fall down" and get a "h'ist", You'd never guess a "bedlamer" is an adolescent lad, While intermittent snow flurries are "dwies" or just a "scad".
Now other people say "down south' - this I don't understand, For everybody always says, "down north" in Newfoundland."Bide where your're at" or "left him bide", you'll hear the old folks say, We say we're drinkin' "switchel" when we drink unsweeetened "tay" Some think we live on fish and spuds - this fairly makes me boil, Though 'tis a treat, when spring comes 'round, to get a meal of "swile". A local dish is "fish and brewis", the youngsters like the "scrunchions". And they like the "lassy sugar" from the bottom of the punchions.
Besides the regular meal time, you'll see "all hands" "knock off", For their "lev'ner" and their "fourer", a "mug-up" or a "skoff". We used to have such hearty "grub" as "toutons", "duffs" and "tarts" But the maids have gone romantic with their cookies shaped like hearts. Poor Grandpa, he's all crippled up, with "rheumatiz" not "gout" He "keels out" on the "settle" and says he's "fair wore out". Sometimes he "gets his dander up" because he lost his spring, He frets and grumbles when he thinks how his work is "all in slings".
Does your clock sometimes be "random"? Were you ever in a tear? Does your house be in a "ree-raw"? Do you find things "shockin' dear"? Or were you ever real "put out"? Did you ever "notch a beam?" If you're not a Newfoundlander, you don't know what I mean.
But time brings alterations, and soon we'll have no more Those quaint old local sayings as in the days of yore. Still in my heart I'll treasure them, they'll always seem to be, A precious part of home sweet home to simple folk like me
2/ - Peter, hope you got all the msg for Skrapman (did I misspell it?) It concludes with ".... simple folks like me" and that line was right down to the wire. If you did not rcv it all, let me know the last line you rcvd and I'll re-send the rest. Keep smilin' CUL Dave
Hi Dave, interesting stuff. I'm just going to knock off for a lev'ner to skoff some hearty grub, duffs and tarts that my maid cooked. Shockin dear, I know, but apart from the rheumatiz I'm first rate b'y, how's yerself?
Brian Wilson, - Toronto, Canada - e-mail : brianwilson-1@webtv.net
Hi Peter, How quickly time passes, it seems ages since I last wrote a message to your amazing and constantly improving web site. I had expected to be in Morecambe this week to buy you that pint I promised you, just after new year, but unexpected bills and ex-wives have kept me here in Toronto. I am now going to be in Gods Country, (Morecambe that is) in September this year. (ex-wives willing). I have been making regular checks of your visitors book to keep up to date and I see many interesting letters from obviously interesting ex-Morecambrians like myself....must be the sea-air or all those hours of sunshine!
Does anyone remember the TV program "Its a Knock Out" from the mid 6o's. One of the very first shows was Morecambe V Blackpool. I was in the Publicity department at the Town Hall at the time. The show was down on the beach at the town centre near the Central Pier. Everything was planned by the Publicity Dept' to put on a great show. The only thing that was overlooked was the time of "High Tide" As the time of the live show approached....so did the tide. The publicity Manager "Mr.Thompson was sweating buckets and the TV crews were "Not amused" as the area for the games was diminished by the encroaching tide. To add to the problems the guy in charge of the donkey rides had not been informed about the event and his donkeys were now obstructing camera views and he refused to move. It took tact and diplomacy, and a bit of cash to get him to move. As the clock struck 4pm the show went live on the air and the tide reached its high point. The shows director was pacing up and down saying he would NEVER do another show in Morecambe......Oh the fun of working in the Publicity Dept in the mid 60's.
I worked with Harold Graham (organist) at the old Band Arena, two days a week, hosting the "Miss Sunshine competition" and the Best Dressed Man competition" and hosted a childs talent competition. One of the memories I have of the childrens talent competitions was a "Sound of Music" competition when one of the contestants was a 13yr old "Helen Wigglesworth" better known as "Helen Worth" Coronation Streets GAIL. Helen was an excellent singer/dancer back then. She came in second.
Anyway hope you don't mind the longer message this time...It has been 3 months since my last message. Keep up the good work on this great web site. Lets encourage people to visit this beautiful town.....Morecambe!
Hi Brian, nice to hear from you, Ex wifes indeed, serves you right, You should know that unless you're mega rich like Richard Burton (ex), Mickey Rooney or Jim Davidson you can't afford them!
It's a knockout is back on TV again with Frank Bruno and Keith Chegwin presenting. It just doesn't work anymore, peoples attitudes and lifestyles have changed. For me it was always the contagious laughter of Stuart Hall and 'up & under' dulcid tones of Eddie Wearing that made it for me.
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Peter and friends.
Do I remember Lobby Lud? I followed that man around for miles trying to claim my five pounds. He approached people and asked them his name. You had to reply "Your name is Lobby Lud and I claim the five pounds" but you also had to produce the days Daily Mirror. Come on Elaine, I thought you must have been listening to your grandfather with all the memories you come up with but maybe you are as mature as me after all. I think between us we are teaching young Peter a thing or three, what do you think ugh?
I now have people at work reading this page Peter, like you and a few more they think I am mad. Do we not have any comments from any one living? in Morecambe or are they all shy like me and Elaine?
What about the White Tide man remember him? Comments please with his catchphrase addressed to this page before I bore you with the details.
Bye for now
Young Peter indeed, I was born the same year Elvis had a no.1 with 'I'm all shuck up', which, when you think about it explains a lot!
As for comments from the Morecambe folk, it appears that they are a bit lazy and can't ber bothered to join in, They much prefer to sit in front of the TV watching Morecambe FC lose while eating shrimps and drinking nettle beer! Oh and I forgot, they probably can't type, read or count above 10 without taking their socks off! Some of the clever blokes can manage 21!. (If that doesn't provoke a response, nothing will!)
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Peter must comment on Dave with his whale meat. My dad used to say during the war they ate vast quantities of this stuff. Even to this day Vera Lynn sings about eating whale meat again.
Do anyone remember the Willane the mad magician ? He used to appear in cabaret around Morecambe in the 60’s Harry Willan (his real name) used to own the post office and a printing works in Kirby Lonsdale. I wonder if he is still around? If you contact him ask him if he remembers the night when he performed the illusion of the nail through the head. He performed the trick one night in the Winter Gardens Ballroom with one of the regular members of the audience. Unknown to Harry the man had a steel plate in his head and let out a mighty scream when Harry used the mallet. Oh what fun!!!! Harry was an excellent close up magician, he used to entertain us all in the bar after the show.
Please publish more letters from Dave from Canada, I feel sure he is older than me. I find I am always older than anyone else when I go to play school and a disco.
I must tell you I came to Morecambe today to see my mum and research for my contributions to your page so watch this space.
Finally for now, how can you improve this page or site? I shouldn’t ask really as people might say get me off.
Regards to everyone
It seems like Dave has wound both you and Elaine up!
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello Peter, and everyone,
This is the third attempt at writing this, it keeps disappearing, I am not very good with computers! If you have received half-finishe letters from me, blame Keith for interupting me while I am typing them out.
This is in response to Dave from Newfoundland. You don't say which decade you are refering to, Dave, in your very informative letter. But I DO remember the blacksmith's shop. I often went there with pones from the beach, to be shod, and I vaguelly remembera painter's or decorater's workshop next door to the smithy.
I had lots of friends from St. Mary's school in those days, kids that used to come on the beach and help out with the ponies.
I have mentioned this before, but does anyone out there remember the ponies, and did anyone work with them in the 50's and 60's?
I remember the time when the film people came to Morecambe to make the Entertainer, and one of the actresses had a ride on a horse, and fell off, spraining her ankle, and getting her frock all mucky. Those were the days of Lobby Lud? from a national newspaper. Anyone remember that era? Best wishes, Elaine.
More of those sleepless nights!
Dave, - Glenwood Newfoundland, Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Peter, the following is in response to a request from Ian Maddox that I read somewhere in the Morecambe site. The gremlins must have been by for another visit because I can't find the request. But.... Memories of St. Mary's.... We used to take a bus from Regent Rd. to the bus stn near the Euston Rd train stn. From here we walked, across the street, past a police stn and then up to the open air market. We usually jumped from stall to stall all the way up. There was a blacksmith shop, up a short lane on the left where we used to stop and watch the smithy at work.
The sights and smells are still quite vivid in my memory. Part of the school was up a lane with garages along one side. A man used to sell us potato crisps from one of these. They were mostly used for storage. There was an old wooden hut behind the upper school where Scouts used to meet. I remember frozen milk with a frozen column of milk sticking out the top, thawing out on the hot water radiators in the classroom. When it was thawed (and warmed up) we had to drink it. No choice.
I remember whale meat being passed off as liver and St. Mary's potatoes. These spuds had a unique taste that is still with me. Over the years, in travels from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic to Pacific this taste has surfaced in restaurants, cafeterias and homes. My wife looks at me, asks what's wrong and I just mutter "St. Mary's potatoes" She knows that the taste, and the memory is back.There were outdoor toilets near the steps from the upper to lower level playgrounds.
Two homeless people used to spend their nights there and they were both suffering from the effects of the war. Sometimes they would be around during the day and looking back, I realize that they had probably lost everything, including family and that there were few safety nets in place for them at that time. We used to go out past the church, through some sort of park with chestnut trees (think conkers!!) to the town hall to pick up orange juice, cod liver oil and malt extract. Vitamins for kids I guess.
I can't remember any teacher's names or students. I don't know how much of the actual school is still there but I'm sure that if I was in Morecambe, I could find my way around. We used to carry luggage from the train stations in home-made carts for people coming in to town on weekends and during the summer. It was a good way >to earn spending money. I can remember a whale being washed up on the beach and one time, a live mine that was blown up by army ordinance. So.. memories of Morecambe. Just a few. I don't know why Ian wants them or if this is specifically what he wants but here they are.
Thanks for the conduit Peter.
All the best. CUL Dave.
You're welcome Dave, I'll keep my comments sho
Carl Martinez, - Nobleton, - Canada - e-mail : cmartine13@hotmail,com
Like the site always check in to keep up to date, Left Heysham 1980.
Hi Carl, didn't you used to live next door to Maggie who always put her rubbish out in her nighty?
Peter Heaton, - Nerja, Malaga, Spain - e-mail : pheaton@lineone.net
An excellent innovation - I only hope that it will be possible for me to make contact with some ling lost friends and associates through your good offices!
No Problem, I'm sure your 'ling lost' friends will remember you, whoever they are. I was once offered a Villa in Malaga for 2 weeks free of charge to go on my honeymoon but we couldn't get a flight and ended up going to Menorca instead! Our friend Beryl has the Villa and her son runs a restaurant down there.
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello Peter,
I don't think you really need comments from us folk to suggest ways of bettering this website. It's one of the most informative and entertaining sites on the web.
A bulletin board sounds a good idea, so does postcards. I look forward to seeing developments soon.
Best wishes, Elaine.
How kind Elaine, there's no need to be nice, I haven't got any money!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Has anyone seen Elaine around? Peter I think you are right she has been awake for days thinking about mail boats, penguins and all the other things discussed on your page. She is probably in hibernation and when she appears your page will be full of comments from her.I do appreciate anyone with comments on my fond memories of such a ? great town. We often converse off your page and at the top of your page it does say "make new friends". I have and thanks to you Peter I have found that Elaine worked with my late father. Come on Elaine wakey wakey (no comments about Billy Cotton please) spring is here and you can now awake and
brighten our lives once again.Speak to you soon
Yeh, she's around, you've been keeping her awake at night again!
Peter Cooper, = Morecambe - e-mail : peter.trainspotter@tinyworld.co.uk
Noted in the Diecast Collector magazine of April 2001 that the Toy Museum of Chester is looking for a new home. They have been disappointed with the response they have received from Chester Council. Why not offer them a home in Morecambe (Centenary House). This would attract visitors and locals alike. If not turn Centenary House in to the Museum of Morecambe. (Morecambe hardly gets a mention in Lancaster Museum).
Would you please pass a copy of this to Geraldine Smith MP. Thank you.
Hello Peter, I have forwarded your comments to the TIC and they will see that Geraldine gets it. I must admit, it sounds like a good idea, I'm not sure of the practicalities of it, but everyone likes toys!
Maggie - e-mail : Rocking Maggie@aol.com
Hiya, Peter, I lyke reading yore page, so I thought I must rite! I see there's lots of daft folk riting to yer, just lyke me. My, it's grand te see all them Lancasher folk writing letters. Can anywon remember th'old Central Pier dances in' 60's, wen we 'ad membership cards fer Sunday nights? All them pop groups, they were great! All t' big names used te be there, 'ollies, that sexy man, Tom Jones, Small Faces, an' that daft fella, Rod Stoowart!
Does Moorcam still have that luvly candy floss, an' winkuls an' welks? That rock were good, but played havoc wi' me teeth! Wot about them luvly 'orses on t'prom, pullin' them fancy carts wi' touroids in? Smelt abit, them 'orses, but they were reel lovely! I reely liked all them fancy lite bulbs, illoominashuns, I think they were called. Are they still there, or 'as sumwon not payed the leccy bill?
Eee, I cud go on an' on, it were a smashin place.
Ta ta, Maggie.
Hi Maggie, second name May!, You will probably be surprised to here this but I ate the last stick of candy floss last week and all the winkuls an' welks waited until it was dark and crawled back into the sea, never to be seen again, what are we to do?
Darling and Golly, - Oor Mummy's livin' room, Scoatland. - e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Halloo Peter, an' all ye English folk doon there in Morecambeland. Oor Mummy's saer guid, she let's us twa post on this computer machiny when she's nae sa busy. Whit is it aboot this toon by some watter, that meks ye all act sae daft? She sez it's a braw toon, but she hasnae been te see it for sic a lang time. A see ye have a Mr Seagull writing te ye, so we thought mebbe it's a guid place te come for oor holidays. De ye get lots o' birdies visiting ye toon?
De ye hav' ony fancy cages fer us twa te stay in for oor holidays? An' will they ha' a wee room tootsweet fer us te dae oor jobbies in? See ye soon, Love Darling an' Golly.
'Ah the Gorbals, I know them too, lovely couple, lots of fun'
A can c by ur axent, that ur from de highlands, n 'ave bin livin in isollation for some time. U really must go duwn t the village an' meet some folks. bin on ur own is no good fo thy!Keep taking the tablets!... I do!!!
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello Peter
You are SO right about Keith. Not only is he keeping from my sleep, he now has me jumping through hoops! Actually, I'm far too young to remember mail boats, Elaine.
I'm far too young to remember the Millennium!.... mam-ma!
Elaine, you're not related to Darling and Golly are you!!!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi Peter and everyone.
Just a quickie for you to talk about over lunch etc. Do you remember the Irish mail boats: The Dukes of Argyle, Lancaster or Rothsey? You are about to find out why I am a sad person. As a lad we used to go to Heysham harbour and watch the dockers loading the cattle, cars and cargo into the hold.
Now for the bad news they were all scrapped many years ago (according to the railway museum in York). If anyone feels really nostalgic and would like to see I think the Duke of Argyle I can tell you (already told York) that it is land locked on the river Dee banks at Mostyn north Wales. It has been used as a market and a night club but I have heard that this remaining mail boat could be scrapped. So if you are visiting north wales this summer follow the coast road and look out for the ship in Mostyn.
Joke. Why do they call all boats and ships she. As in: She's a lovely looking ship etc.The duke of Argyle was a mail boat so was it of mixed genre.
Finally, Skrapman please reveal yourself, I do not want to be accused of hogging Peters wonderful page.
Hi Keith, you mean it's not you!
You do realise with these latest comments that Elaine isn't going to get any sleep at all!
Skrapman200, - ex-Morecambe - e-mail : skrapman2000@hotmail.com
I Peetr,
Eye thinc eye ave lernt tooo speek Canaydiaun aphter reeding t' he-male phrom ure laytist coryspodent. Nevr mynd t'futur iz oringe.
by by phor nouw
Luv t'paig
'Canaydiaun', u sound Scandanavian. My name iz Olga unt I lif in aisham. De futur iz no brite ear, it is pizzy wit de vet rain unt dark skyz. I vork in bar, ver I take orderz for ze drinks, 'orderz' vich must be obeyed at all timez! Just incase u vunder about accent, my farter iz German unt I suver from bang on ze head!
Dave, - Glenwood, Newfoundland, Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Peter, I was in the middle of a long msg to an Ian Maddox who was looking for memories of St. Mary's School when this damn machine got disconnected from the net. Did any of it come through or will I have to do it all over agn?? Pse advise. Tks in advance. PTYNA, Dave.
Sorry Dave, nothing came through!
Skrapman200, - ex-Morecambe - e-mail : skrapman2000@hotmail.com
I am looking forward to your comments to Ben regarding the night life in Morecambe. May I suggest he visits the off-licence and then travels down the prom and count how many street lights are out. He could join the sand-grown'n anon.organisation they meet every 32nd of the month to reminisce. Popular locations are on the beach where the former West End and Central Pier were situated (depending on the tide) or outside the former Morecambe Trawlers shop.
If he would like to join a club he could join the Rainbow club where they serve meals and stay open until is it 3pm. I can assure him he will get a good nights sleep in Morecambe when it closes down for the day at around 7pm. (I do like Morecambe, honest) Someone even suggested I had a soft spot for my home town but followed up by saying it was the quick-sand. Best wishes Peter it sure is good to be as daft as you. Albert Modley used to say "It's grand to be daft innit."
Keith, is it you?
C.Gull, -ex-Morecambe - e-mail : skrapman@hotmail.com
Hi Peter, I am concerned that you may have commented to Peter and Jane the wrong way round. Did you mean your page had been hit 761 times with the seagulls? I thought the seagulls used the Midland Hotel for target practice in the early stages of training with the place being white. The object being to miss the blue bits. They used to play "Spot the Visitor" Sadly their fun and sport has been made more difficult due to the fact there is hardly anybody visiting Morecambe anymore. I suggest you have a word with their trainer, ask them train the seagulls to spot the cigarette smoker and do their stuff!!
No it's 76 trombones in the hit parade!... The posh seagulls have been taught to fly upside down until they're out to sea!
Valerie Roberts nee Taylor and Alan Roberts, - Victoria B.C., Canada - e-mail : bretta@telus.net
Good to see it. Like the visitors page and to see how many Morecambrians are spread around the world. How come we all left home? Myself I went to Euston Rd school and Morecambe Grammer early forties. Alan went to Heysham school and Balmoral Rd. Anyone remember us?? Love to hear from anyone our age group that would like to chat. Val
Hi Val, it's strange how everyone can't get far enough away from Morecambe.
Jane Bruce, - Newcastle, Ontario, CANADA - e-mail : bruces.sprucecroft@sympatico.ca
Well Done! In my second day of researching my mother's side of our family tree and Maureen in South Carolina recommended I check into your website. Thanks to Maureen I will also email the details of "what I know" to your search area too. But I had to laugh when I looked at the web page and saw those all too familiar sea gulls...when we last visited Morecambe in 1970 as a family...one of them did the "unthinkable" on my mum's new coat sleeve! The odds of being "pooped on" by a gull made us rush to buy a sweeps ticket (which never won). Ahhhh the memories! A very nice site Peter, keep it up. I also had to laugh when I was reading through some of the comments offered up by visitors. I think I know Brian Wilson - I will email him to confirm! Small world!...Regards from Jane.
Hello Jane, The seagulls are highly trained and well looked after. Before they are released to fly over the promenade they are given a three months intensive training course, using radio controlled cars with hats over them for targets! They are under contract with the The National Lottery and rewarded with food for every ticket the help sell. Sales are monitored by the staff at Lottery outlets by counting the amount of people with white drops on them! 3 points for a direct hit on the head, 2 points for the shoulder or back and only 1 point for a skid off the shoulder and onto the shoe!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Thought you might be interested with this postcard from 1951. It is taken from the right hand side of the main path looking towards the back gate in Happy Mount Park. Oh those back breaking days digging the flower and shrub beds over. I have a few more if you are interested. Regards, Keith
Thanks Keith I've put it on the 'photographs by you' page. and yes, any more pictures are welcome. This applies to everyone!
Ben Roberts
I am 18 and from kent. i go to morecambe to visit my best mat e- well to cut a long story short, i would like to talk to people of my age older who wanna know about or can offer me additional info on night clubs/pubs in morecambe. i am looking forward to speaking to anyone, so please get back to me.
Hi Ben, I have put this here to try and get people interested in the Chat and all arriving at the same time! On the statistics for this site, the Chat page had 761 hits in February which means that it is being used, we just need everyone at the same time!
Skrapman - ex-Morecambe - e-mail : skrapman2000@hotmail.com
With reference to Mike and his car parking. I do believe that the seaward side of the prom will become a one way system with a wall in place of the white line in the road. Parking behind the wall will be restricted to visitors to the town not spending money in the borough or not wanting to see the sea. The council will provide extra drains in the road to take all the dregs left in cups and flasks used by the day trippers. If they are caught even looking over the wall seaward the will have their flasks confiscated and sent back to where they live. Residents will be provided with a permit costing £200 for winter parking in this area and all money raised will be spent on more yellow lines, parking meters and sticks of rock for all deportees. The rock will lettered throughout saying I visited the ghost town.
Hi Skrapman, I can see you're as mad as I am, Cheers.
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Peter, I feel like joining you on that soapbox of yours. Don't apologise for your thoughts when they come straight from the heart.
Now how on earth do you think that I am going to be able to get some sleep, thinking about penguins and whatever else? Come on Keith, come clean, or I will be thinking that you are on the wacky baccy. (well, you DID mention something about being a gardener.) Elaine.
Hi Elaine, 'wacky baccy' I haven't heard that term of phrase for a while, but it would explain a lot! As for my soapbox, It has a wide base with a three level tiered effect so as many people as possible can climb on with me!
Michael, - Morecambe - e-mail : www.sdc2991@netscapeonline.co.uk
I like your website, specially the jokes, well i don'y no what else 2 say except Morecambe's been my home town since i was born in 1987 when bubbles, Frontier land, was open and every thing was not just car parks so e-mail me at my e-mail address I gave you and if u can tell me if bubbles is ever going 2 be reopened and if any thing else is going 2 be turned into a car park. Thank you michael. I don't mean 2 offend you in any way as I under stand it's all the council doing I just want some answers.
Hi Michael, It would take a lot more than your thoughtful e-mail to offend me, I actually agree with what you're saying. The information that I have from the tourist information is that Bubbles will be bulldozed!
There are many car parks but never enough because they are always full!. I think the cost of parking is very expensive. Council car parks along the front should be FREE. On the whole, day trippers spend a lot of money on shopping, ice creams, bingo and accommodation without having to pay to park their cars while doing it. Without tourists Morecambe would be a ghost town! OK so many other resorts charge for parking but it doesn't make it right. While we're on the subject, if petrol was cheaper, would more people visit? If beer was, would more people drink? I've just been down to the scuba shop and bought 2 tanks of oxygen before we are charged for breathing fresh air. I think I should run for Primeminister... No Tax on petrol, drink or other goods we buy and No Tax on our hard earned wages. If tax on wages were less, employers would be in a better position to employ more staff because their overheads would be less.
Ah, I here you say, what about cigarettes! well I would put ALL the Tax on cigarettes so that a packet of 20 would cost £2000 (that's £100 per cig) To encourage all smokers to stop the dirty, disgusting habit. They clog your lungs and turn them black so you can't breath and then give you Cancer, your weight will drop dramatically, hard lumps will appear all over your body, you will have so much morphine inside you to stop the pain, that you don't even recognise your children and eventually THEY WILL KILL YOU (just like my mother... God Bless Mum!).
Many of my friends and family smoke and most of them would like to stop smoking but they just can't. I wonder if someone could invent a tasteless drug to put in the cigarettes that eventually makes you stop smoking without even trying or has someone already invented one but the government won't release it because they would lose so much revenue from smokers.
Here's a thought, although the government put health warnings on the side of cigarette packets saying 'Smoking can damage your health', if everyone took notice and stopped smoking, where would the governments get all that lost revenue from? (billions each year).
I realise we pay tax for many reasons including the health system, schools etc., but there is still a lot of abuse from the high sector, where people are overpaid for the amount of work they produce (easy life) and the 'scroungers' who are capable of working, yet choose not to and lie to screw the system for everything they can get, while there are other people genuinely in need of help that have to beg for everything they get!
Remember my party slogan: 'Vote for Peter, he's a prat!'
Sorry peeps, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!
Elaine Morris, - Ballachulish, Scotland. e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello everyone,
Keith, stop doing this to me! My poor old brain cells are quite worn out with all this back-tracking! I visited Happy Mount Park on a regular basis, from a toddler, and then as I got older used to cylce from my home on Scale Hall Lane, to hunt for newts. There were lots of them in the ponds and streams in the Park. I remember bunnies running about (pet ones, that is), but no other animals or birds. What on earth is a Kinajoo?
I stopped going to the Park around the 60's, (other things on my mind!), but then took my own kids in the 70's, and patients from the Moor Hospital, where I worked. I thought I knew every inch of the place, until I left the area in 1983.
My mother used to warn me about the wild animals and crocodiles there, but all I saw were fibreglass models among the undergrowth! Can someone confirm this, and tell me when the zoo was there? It's driving me crazy! Best wishes to all, Elaine.
Hi Elaine, I will hold Keith personally responsible if I here you have been fitted with a straight jacket and have moved to a padded cell! .... Keith put Elaine out of her misery!
(I noticedthe time of your e-mail; 2am, don't you sleep?)
Ciara Carty, - Dublin, Ireland - e-mail : farthymccarthy@hotmail.com
It is one of the websites on the internet which is quick & easy to find & i wish you the best of luck for the future. Please if you know of any people looking for staff for the summer of 2001 Six hard working irish girls need to find jobs . please e mail: farthymccarthy@hotmail.com Thanks Ciara.
Hi Ciara, It may be easy to find but how do you know that we didn't find you first!
If anyone wants a helping hand in the summer please get in touch with Ciara.
(Ciara, if anyone offers you a job, please be safe and check them out first)
Keith Robertshaw - Chester UK - e-mail keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Hi everyone it's me again!!
Elaine wrote to say she remembers the Guiness clock on the prom opposite the Kings Arms ( they made seven in total and spread them around the seaside resorts around the country).
I wonder if anyone remembers the Guiness Zoo in Happy Mount Park? I worked as an apprentice gardener there and we had a live zoo with all the Guiness animals in it. We had two of the following animals: Bears, Crocodiles, Sealions, Kangeroos, Kinajoos, Toucans and Penguins. The zoo was in the Japanese Gardens.
A few years later when everything had been restored to its former glory I looked after a Seal and some
Penguins until Marineland opened.Hi Keith, keep it coming, you'll have everyone in tears before long!
I've been in touch with the gamekeeper at the zoo and he's warned us to watch out for the lesser spotted Robertshaws, apparently they're round and hairy with a tendency to fall asleep in the afternoons and do odd jobs around the garden!
Peter Heaton, - Nerja, Malaga, Spain - e-mail : pheaton@lineone.net
What an excellently designed web site - congratulations, Peter. As an ex-Friend's School boarder (1943-1953) yet resident in Morecambe and connected with the town for some years later, I would be very interested to learn from anybody who can tell me the present whereabouts of Keith Hargreaves (once manager of the Central Pier) and his wife Sybil. Also Peter Tew and his wife Brenda. Or from any FSL fellow sufferers from that time of the late lamented James Dodds Drummond. Just a thought!
Hello Peter, glad you like the site.
Barry & Kristen, - Lockport, New York - e-mail : bwallacesr@a1com.net
Sixty one years ago I was born in Morecambe at 8 Lowlands Road. The son of Harry and Ivy Wallace, nee Beevers. my dad played in many bands and dances around Morecambe. I worked at the Winter Gardens in the kitchen as a pastry chef. for two years I took pictures on the prom. by Central Station, and other odd jobs here and there. I moved to the States in 1972 but I also lived in Harrow Middlesex for a number of years. I do miss Morecambe, and plan to return with my daughter Kristen soon for a vacation. It's very cold here right now, snowing too. See you soon..... .
Hi Barry & Kristen, You just can't get the old place out of your system! New York always seems more glamorous than Morecambe but I think your birth place is always special. Perhaps you could retire to Morecambe, mind you, it's pretty cold here too!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester - e-mail : keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
I have been warned not to tell you about the Moby Dick!!!! Moby Dick was a ship used in the film of the same title and was owned by Peter Lathom (he also owned the Alhambra Theatre) Both the ship and the theatre caught fire the same day and the ship was destroyed. Now this is what I should not tell you. The Moby Dick was concerted in and sited to the back of the central paddling pool. They held folk singing and sea shanty nights and one night the tide was quite rough so they held the singing event down below. My brother had to disembark because he was seasick. Honest!!!
He will kill me if he reads this page. Keep up the good work I now have some of your correspondents writing to my e-mail address.
Hi Keith, now I didn't know it was concreted in! It's good that people write to you direct, that's why we put their emails on view (bye the way if any of you don't want your e-mail on view, then don't leave it on the visitors book!)
Keith is wanting to share many of his memories of Morecambe with us, watch this space!
Jonathan Holtl, - Morecambe - e-mail : Holtys@mayfield..Freeserve.co.uk
Its good but could do with more pictures
Hi Jonathan, I've got a great idea for getting the exact photographs you're thinking of! You could take them, come on, it shouldn't take you long, send them to me as jpg files and I'll put them on the site.
Lynne Edwards, - Scunthorpe U.K. - e-mail : Lynne@stationhouseludd.fsnet.co.uk
Love the website, despite the laughter it received from other members of the family who had the misfortune not to grow up in Morecambe. I also remember going over the wall into Heysham Head, and the Rose garden. Is there nettle beer still for sale in Heysham? I went to Sandilands Primary from 1959 to 1966, and my parents had Oxcliffe Road post Office until about 1972 (Mr and Mrs Umpleby) Perhaps someone out there will remember them. Wonderful to see Morecambe FC on MOTD the other week.
Does anyone remember the sponsored walk for the supporters club in the early 70's? By the way I always thought it was Beauty surrounds, health abounds. Read you again soon!
Hi Lynne, you talk like you live at the end of the world and not just Scunthorpe. You've no excuse, I insist you visit Morecambe this summertime, it's probably a 3-4 hour journey by car, then you can see if they sell nettle beer in Hesham, but make sure you don't get stung! Ring tourist information on 01524 582816 to make sure there's an event on to entertain you on that day. I hope you gave the members of your family a good spanking for laughing at Morecambe! Call back soon.
Andrew Love, -Edinburgh Scotland - e-mail : pepsimax_bigone@hotmail.com
Hi there.
I am making a book dedicated to Frontierland and Morecambe Pleasure Park and I was wondering if anyone can help me out? I need photo's and information of the park's? Hope someone can help out. The book is to remember what great theme parks they were, especially Frontierland. If you remember Frontierland, the Texas Tornado, Runaway Mine Train, the Sky Ride or any of the rides indeed, please contact me?
Hello again Andrew, I'm sure people have photo's to pass on to you. There are mixed feelings about Frontierland, you either loved it or hated it. I feel if the site would have been maintained properly and the owners would have invested money into new rides (like Blackpool), then Morrisons wouldn't be taking over the land for a shopping FreePort, that said. I am personally glad that Morrisons are prepared to invest their money into reshaping the site before the site fell down never mind burn down!
Elaine - Ballachulish - Scotland - e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello again, I have just been browsing through the entries from the past couple of years. My memory is playing up! Will someone please remind me as to what Moby Dick was? It sounds so familiar, but I just can't recall anything.
Also, there was a letter from Alan Britton of Weatherby, Yorks. Alan, if you are still visiting this great web site, and you went to Ryelands School in the 50's, and remember Elaine Currie, please get in touch for old time's sake. Bye for now, Elaine.
Moby Dick was a big Flag Ship, you can see a picture of it on the Archive page on this site.
Sheila Varty, - Perth, Western Australia - e-mail : varty@ozemail.com.au
I actually stumbled across this site while browsing for my old school. Prescott Grammer School. I left england with my parents in 1974 and have only returned back once. Which was a wonderful holiday. I have fond memories as a child of visiting Morecambe with my nan and parents, and drinking lemonade and eating a bag of chips at the pub. But if any one who went to Prescott Grammer and happens to read this, I would love to hear from you. Here's hoping!!
G'Day Sheila, I remember, 1974 about lunch time, I was looking through the curtains while your parents loaded the bags into a taxi, You wore a pink dress with bright yellow flowers on, the sun was shining in your hair, casting a rainbow in front of you. I opened the window to wave, but your farther said 'get in the car we must go' I shouted, 'Sheila, Sheila' but you couldn't hear me, the noise or the taxi's engine drowned my voice. As you drove away, I could see you take one last look back at your home, your life until that moment. I knew one day our paths would cross and I could ask you that so important question: 'Can I have my marbles back please Mrs!'
David Primrose, Edinburgh, Scotland - e-mail : Nuttyskin2000@yahoo.com
Just wanted to say I attended the Morecambe Ska Fest last year and thought it was fabulous, and was probably the best weekend I have had for a long time, met lots of new people, also the accommodation and courtesy of people was excellent. Hope to visit again.
Hi David, Don't start spreading rumours that you enjoyed yourself, it might catch on! Cheers
Elaine - Ballachulish, Scotland - e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello again, everyone,
Firstly, sorry to put you off your sausage sandwich, Peter, they are bad for you anyhow, too much cholesterol! To Keith, Pinky & Perky, yes, as a child I used to keep pestering my Mum to let me keep watching them perform. Very sad, I know, but I WAS only little. I soon grew up and moved onto the Guinness Clock on the Prom. What happened to it? anyone know? One of my favourite places to visit as a child was Sunderland Point, so that I could pick wild flowers for Sambo's grave. Is it still being looked after? 'Bye, Elaine
P.S. Is that how you spell Guinness?
Hi Elaine, I like cholesterol! you can't beat having clogged up arteries and poor blood flow! The grave is still there and I think that's how you spell Ginys! For the Clock, I thinks someone got a bit mixed up and drank it!
Keith Robertshaw - Chester, Country : England e-mail : keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
Thanks Elaine for your memories of Heysham Head. I too have memories of this great place. Thinking back I must have been a yobbo of the day during the mid to late 1950’s. I remember well during our 6 weeks holiday from school climbing up the Ivy on Barrows Lane to gain free entry for a good day out. It would have cost 6d to go in!!! We would arrange with some of our friends to be by the back gate where, as you say, your wrist was stamped with the initials HH. As you may have guessed we took advantage of the HH being reversible or upside down. Using the wet ink (and later water) we used to pass the stamp on by connecting our wrists together until all had gained admission fraudulently. We would then enter the Rose garden talent competition individually and split the proceeds. The organisers said nothing as they were short of volunteers. We always made up where in the country we lived from to put the other contestants off the scent. After the talent competition we then used to climb under the flap of the circus tent to watch the circus. Do you remember Pinky and Perky starting their professional career in Heysham Head? More on Heysham on my next visit to this wonderful website.
Hi Keith, I've given the police your address and they should be getting in touch with you, regarding other related crimes from the 50's! I could never get used to watching a circus because when you looked under your seats, all you could see was a big drop to the ground below, I never could stand heights!
Prabakaran - Madras, India - e-mail : rajan_prabhu@yahoo.com
Happy Valentines Day
I didn't realise India had .com email addresses! Happy Valentines Day yourself!
Norma Lindquist - Duluth, Minnesota USA - e-mail : normafromduluth@webtv.net
I have found the site most interesting. My mother and family lived in Morecambe in the early 1900's. I have been trying to find a picture of Sandy Land School which she attended and visited in 1957 on a trip to the British Isles. Seeing all of the pictures shows me so much of what Mother saw and did when growing up.
Ah nostalgia! 1957 was the year I was born! I think 'I'm all shuck up' by Elvis was the top of the hit parade then, which in my case, explains a lot!
Elaine - Ballachulish, Lochaber. Scotland. - e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello again, I'm really into nostalgia thanks to your Visitor's book! Keith, you ask if anyone remembers Alvin Atkins and Harold Graham at the pier. I spent every Friday at the Central Pier, Drinking through Alvin, Quite liked Harold even though he seemed ancient and old fashioned to me as I was probably 17 or 18 years old at the time. I recognised a brilliant musician, but his gear was SO strange - a dinner suit in the late 60's, I ask you! Yes I also remember the Doodlebugs, some of the members were in a group called the Fabulous Falcons, Mike Heap from Galgate was the lead singer. I had the biggest crush on him when I was 16.
The Doodlebugs were excellent, and I used to look forward to hearing them play at the Vale of Lune Rugby Club on home match night. Yo Ian Farmer, I didn't know they still had an open air swimming pool in Morecambe, but I loved going to the Super Swimming Stadium in the summer. It was much better than the Kingsway Baths, apart from the flying ants landing on the water. When you are young the last thing you bother about is the temperature of the water. I actually learnt to swim in the sea at Morecambe when I was a child, we had to keep our mouths closed though, old uns will know what I am talking about. Best Wishes to all , Elaine.
Hi Elaine, I was eating my lunch when your email arrived, you painted picture of floaters going by so I had to stop eating my sausage sandwich! The open air swimming pool closed last year.
Jenny - e-mail : jenny@aydindril.co.uk
We visited Morecambe last summer to stay with some friends. We had a walk down the pier and I came across a flat round stone that says "Thirty Three Thrushes" on it. Could you tell me the meaning behind this please? It has fascinated me ever since and my friends cannot find out where it comes from. Please stop me wondering any more!
Hi Jenny, I don't know! if anyone reads this please email both Jenny and me, so we can let everyone know!
Cath Prescott, - Carlisle UK - e-mail : cathprescott@hotmail.com
Hello everyone!
Has anyone played this O and X's game on the website? And more to the point has anyone played it and actually managed to win against the evil X man!? Who created this game, all it does is laughs at you an insults you when you lose, BUT YOU CAN'T WIN!
Or can you...??
Hi Cath, ah the evil Mr X, he's very good at anticipating your moves and cheeky with it. The best I've ever managed is a draw! Hmm and yes, I created the little monster, you should have recognised my cheek!
Keith Robertshaw, - Chester, Country - e-mail : keithrobertshaw@hotmail.co.uk
Hi,
How’s this for starters. You said I had nothing much to say so here we go:
Does anyone remember the Friday and Saturday nights on the Central Pier with Harold Graham playing “Around the World” as an overlap to Alvin Atkins for Alvin and his orchestra to carry on with non-stop dancing? Remember Bob Miller and the Millermen playing and singing all the chart music. They had a programme on the radio called Parade of the Pops. If there was a fight I remember the people involved taken outside and if the tide was up they were often asked if they could swim. If the answer was “yes” they were often thrown over the side to swim back to shore. Anyone know anything about the group called “The Doodlebugs” What about the Floral Hall “the bloodbath” it must have been good beer in those days with at least one fight every Friday and Saturday. Entertainment abounded in the 60’s in pubs, clubs and theatres. Shall I go on or maybe contact you again after we have any response from your valid correspondents have had time to read this. I think I will wait.
PS Just been to see my team lose to Chester. Not looking forward to work on Monday.
Hello again Keith, I can see that once you start, you don't stop. Let's wait shall we! Cheers
Cath Prescott, - Carlisle, England - e-mail : cathprescott@hotmail.com
Hello! I've just been looking at the pictures on your fab website of Frontierland and Bubbles...everyone is smiling and having so much fun, just as I used to when I was younger...I celebrated a lot of birthdays at those two places! Morecambe needs something new, and quickly to make people smile again, still, at least the council can't shut down the gorgeous sunsets :-)
Keep up the great work, I LOVE your website...
Hi Cath, I'm with you, although I have it on good authority that all gorgeous sunsets are to be cancelled for 2002 as part of the attract unhappy people policy. and I quote from the book of wrongs 1995 "If smiles are found on more than one in twenty people between the hours of 9am and 6pm, the sky will darken and the heavens will open until all smiles are washed from their faces". Discounts will be given to all sad mouthed people and the joy of laughter will be no more!
Ian Farmer, - Waterloo, Merseyside, England - e-mail : ian_farmer@talk21.com
Nice to see Morecambe has a Website. It's Good to see what people think of Morecambe. It's been so sad to visit my homeland in the past, but I am glad to say, things are looking up at LAST for the place. Why on Earth did they build an Open Swimming Pool on the front, they must of forgot, this is England where it tends to rain quite a lot. The mind boggles. It just an eye sore now and was it, really ever used that much in the past ?
It's about time Morecambe is on the up, long may it last. Heysham High School 1972/76.
Hello Ian, Bubble, bubble toilet trouble, that's what I always say!
Elaine, - Lochaber, Scotland - e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello again, Ian Millar of Hawicj has just got me in a nostalgic mood again. I bet he didn't visit Heysham Head in the 1950's otherwise he could never forget the name of the place. Who remembers the poor old bear in its dirty smelly concrete pit, and the equally dreadful earth public loos, with 3 wooden seats, next to each other. I did enjoy the circus as a little child, and the swing boats and slides, and I can vividly remember the rose gardens with a little stage and some woman in a long frock singing her heart out. We used to spend some of the dau on the beach, where we had to get our hands stamped with ink before we could go through the gate, to prove we had paid the entrance fee, I suppose, well, if my memory is playing tricks, it WAS a long time ago., Bye, and best wishes to everyone in Morecambe, Elaine.
Hello again Elaine, Memories are a wonderful thing, because no matter how things change, for good or bad we can always remember the days of yesteryear with a smile on our face and a glow in our heart! Now stop making me feel melancholy and go and put the kettle on!
Keith Robertshaw, - Chester, England - e-mail : keithrobertshaw@hotmail.com
I visit my home town often to visit my parents. I anyone would like to chat about Morecambe during the 1960's lets talk on here. Especially the Winter Gardens. Be in touch again soon.
Hi Keith, you don't say much for someone who likes to talk!
Phil Wright, - Auckland, New Zealand - e-mail : Phil.Patsy@xtra.co.nz
Thanks Peter the site bought back a lot of memories, I left Morecambe to join the navy in 1972 and have not been back since. Got in touch with a friend that I recognised from the visitors book how lucky is that. It's great to have the opportunity to show my family where I was brought up.
Hi Phil, I think I'm going to cry! Positive feedback, I'm touched!
Dave Shaw, - Glenwwod, Canada - e-mail : scouternf@hotmail.com
Hello from the Rock. Just a check in to advise that we are up to our arses in snow. We are half a block away from the abandoned railway and it has been converted to a recreational trail (Newfoundland T'Railway) that runs right across the island. About 500 miles. The snowmobiles are out in full force especially on weekends. I don't have a ski-doo but my Yamaha quad-runner will go just about anywhere that the skidoos have laid trail. Ice-fishing for smelt is in full swing. I brought home a hundred the other day. Lots for us and the neighbours.
Trout season opens on Feb 1st. and my theory is... First day, first light, first lines. It shouldn't take too long for me to get my limit of 12. Taking the Cub Pack out to camp in Feb. for some of it as well. I still check in from time to time and always find it interesting. It is as close as I will ever to coming home. I can't get a ship and I won't fly. By the time I get in condition to fly, they won't let me on the plane. All the best to the crew for 2001, the true millennium, and keep up the good work. Got to go now, gas up the snowblower and move some more of it. CUL. Dave
Hi Dave, We've had some snow too, but nothing the car can't handle. Your quad bike sounds great fun but incredibly cold. Trout... limit of 12... use a couple of sticks of dynamite, when up pops 200, just say oops! (OK, yes i know, cruelty to fish... just use 1 stick!)
Matthew Godfrey, - Riddings, England - e-mail : thesteelcowboy@aol.com
Your site is absolutely brilliant.
Since i was 2 years old i have been coming to Morecambe for my holiday. Even though 6 years ago my family moved from Bradford to Derbyshire we still go to Morecambe even though the distance we must travel has increased greatly. I was 15 yesterday and i hope to enjoy many more years of holidaying in Morecambe.
Happy Birthday Matthew, with enthusiasm like yours, we will conquer the world, thanks.
Viet Cong, - Rotterdam - e-mail : yes
O'reet to everybody at the Morecambe website, and a Happy New Year to everyone else. The sits is still good and i enjoy visiting it, cheerful. Could do with some more photo's though me thinks. Morecambe used to be full of old people but now half the town has left then what's gonner happen ..maybe we will all come back to retire. The site provides you with great links to other websites and may i say a great thanks to the chaps who produce 'Microarse' website amazing site... That's it for now seethee, sue.
Hi Sue, Happy New Year, If people send more photo's we'll put them on the site, it's a two way thing. The more people get involved the bigger the site gets, it's up to everyone. keep sober and be happy.
Sue, - Morecambe, England - e-mail : SsnMrrs@aol.com
The site is very interesting and I enjoyed reading all the comments from holiday makers and past residents. I have lived here for 23 years coming from Bradford with my parents. We used to come here on holidays every year and then my Grandad moved here and them we moved here. I work as a Dinner Lady at West End Primary School and have been there for 4 years. My husband Roy has lived here all his life going to Rylands Primary School and Euston Road Secondary School where he left in 1974. He has worked for Morecambe Soft Drinks, Lancaster City Transport, Florence and Grange Tours, Battersbys Coach Travel, Shaw Hadwin Coaches among many more.
Hello Sue, Thank you for your comments, let's hope someone reading them will remember you from Bradford and get in touch.
Andy, - Morecambe - e-mail : an0y_hunt@hotmail.com
Why do you feature a jetski in the title to the web site? There are no hire facilities in morecambe that i no of and i have lived here all my life. The only jetskis you see in morecambe bay are privately owned and they probably wouldn't go in wearing just their swim suits, I don't think they would wont to risk catching anything! Morecambe's not a bad place but it makes us look stupid if we try and sell it for the things we haven't got. I think links to local business and surrounding attractions like Lancaster would be a good idea. The site does look good and i am proud to have a site devoted to my town. Local festivals could be featured in more detail with pictures and feed from the public. I think the web site could become a tool for the people who live in morecambe as well as a publicity tool. Promotion of the site around the morecambe area would be a good idea as noone i know has any idea that the site exists and i'm sure there are many others like them. A banner advertising the site could appear at festivals and attractions to make people more aware. As for the content of the site, i feel that it is a little shallow. For example the pub guide gives no rating, pictures or write-ups on the pubs and we have some good pubs that people should know about. Progress reports on things such as what have the council got planned for the old frontierland site etc. I think the site is a great idea and i don't mean to sound to critical, Andy
Hi Andy, you are of course absolutely right in all areas. I feel sad, (let me here you say 'Ooooooh') no sadder than that (Ooooooooooooh!). I must admit the Jetski is my idea, I just like them, to look at them, to touch, to longingly own one. It was an indication of water and boats, most of the boats on the bay wouldn't fit in the small space and yes the people that use them do wear wet suits. The site is shallow in many ways, the pubs could have a description with them. I tried it once, visited a pub, had a drink and wrote some notes, then another, had a drink, wrote some notes, then another, had a note, wrote some drinks, then aanootther, hic!, drank some wrotes and fell over!
You have some good ideas about promoting the site, but we are very limited on funds, all work carried out on the site is done for the love of it. Perhaps you would like to volunteer to produce write-ups on pubs etc. I do thank you for your criticism, it is both constructive and correct.
If anyone else out there would like to give up some of there time to contribute to the site by sending us e-mail's with useful information to add to the site, you are more than welcome to do so.
ELAINE, - LOCHABER, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND - e-mail : artbbem@aol.com
Hello, I like your website, and as I originally come from Lancaster, Moved here 17 years ago, wish there was one for Lancaster too. I used to work with Bob Luptons beach ponies in my long ago youth, around late 1950's, early 1960's. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me, and who could ever forget Jewel, Pinto, Bobbie, Dolly, Bracken, Sabrina, Prince, Duke, Sally, Bubbles, Snowball, Sausage, Blossom, Gypsey, Whiskey, and all. I can still hear the bells around their necks, and smell the fish and chips, seafood, vinegar etc. Happy days. Bye.
Hi Elaine, 'bells around their necks'...trails at their feet!....good for the garden!. You forgot to mention uncle Tom Cobley an all!
MARGE PEASNELL, - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - e-mail : rpeasnell@telestra.com
HI PETER JUST LIKE TO SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND A BIG THANK YOU. FROM THE MESSAGE I DID ON YOUR VISITORS BOOK I HAVE HAD PHOTOS OF MY SCHOOL DAYS AND I AM IN TOUCH WITH PAULINE REGULARY I SEE THE MDLANDS HOTEL MENTIONED A LOT IN THE BOOK AND WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE IF ANY ONE REMEMBERS A MAN NAMED JIM CHADWICK WHO WAS THE MAN ON THE CAR PARK AT THE MIDLAND FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS. THAT WAS MY FATHER CAN'T THINK OF THE YEARS BUT MAYBE SOME ONE KNOWS HIM. ONCE AGAIN THANKS I LOVE READING THE SITE AND GOING DOWN MEMORY LANE
Hi Marge, You forgot to take your CAPS LOCK off! lickle letters are easier to read. Good to here people are getting in touch and sending photo's and I'm sure someone will know your dad.
Mongo, - Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada - e-mail : ringokapay@accesscomm.ca
I think that is awesome to helping the people out..
Hi Mongo, 'Happy New Year'. I think so too. I've noticed that you visit the Chat now and again, It would be nice if more people visited the Chat. It is taking a while to get off the ground.
Jonathan Daniels, - ft lauderdale, usa - e-mail : socean1642@aol.com
Thanks to your website i got in touch with Brian Wilson ex friends school lancaster. hopefully there are more ex's out there from the morecambe area. there were the D'Arcy brothers michael from my year and a younger brother brian. there was john lamour [sp?]. hopefully we can find others, thanks again for the website.jonathan daniels, friends school 1962-1969.
Hi Jonathan, 'Happy New Year'. Let's hope some more of your friends get in touch. Brian is a regular to this site.
Sue - Perth, Aus - e-mail : suzanne@webace.com.au
HAPPY 2001 TO ALL IN MORECAMBE.
Sorry to tell you all this but we are all boiling here it hit 45 on Wednesday we could of done with some of that snow you guys have got.
Hi Sue, 'Happy New Year'. It's a nice feeling to have snow at Christmas, it makes you feel all warm and cosy inside... I'm just trying not to think of you on the beach again! keep in touch.
Ian Millar, - Hawick, Scotland - e-mail : ian@ettrickgraphics.co.uk
Great site, we came to Morecambe for our holidays every year when I were a lad, it was a great place, Wilkinson the bakers made great custard tarts, and Atkinsons fish and chips. Have just been looking at old slides of me at a centre in Heysham (can't remember the name) and playing in the pool at Happy Mount Park. Going to have a good look round now.
Hi Ian 'Happy New Year'. Don't forget to visit Morecambe this year, there's lots of fish and chips waiting for you.
Tony Taylor - Sydney Oz - e-mail : tsquared@one.net,au
Very nostalgic to return in spirit to the town I left 50 years ago.I love the fact that despite the indignities the old girl has suffered so many people seem to be drawn to or back. One day the obsession with Blackpool will finally die and her old motto will live again..."Beauty abounds...." Love and thanks Tony Taylor
Hello Tony, I don't think the obsession with Blackpool will ever die. It's noisy, hectic, full of arcades and rides, in fact everything that Morecambe's not, the kids (young and old) love it. The only down side to Blackpool is sometimes the drunks are a bit rowdy and you can spend more money in one day than you can anywhere else in a week! But if you want to let go and wind down for the day, I'd recommend it. Maybe I should be running a Blackpool website! But still "Beauty abounds". Everyone has their memories and it's nice when they're happy ones.
Click HERE if you would like to see comments from the 2000 visitors book. There are some very interesting and wacky comments and it's well worth a look.