Shock, Horror, Blackpool Illuminations Let Down.
Discussion
I had to drive to Lancaster for a hospital appointment so I thought I'd make a trip of it and take in the Blackpool Illuminations.
I waited a while near South Shore, to let the traffic thin out. As it was bonfire night, I could watch the fireworks while waiting.
The illuminations were distinctly disappointing. From South Shore all the way North to beyond the tower, there were no tableaux. The 'linear' lights weren't bad and the tower outlined in blue lights looked good. But there were only two of the special, illuminated' trams (the steam locomotive and what was the cruise liner - now apparently an MTB) to break the monotony. To see tableaux, it was a matter of cruising on beyond Gynn Square,
The tableaux weren't much to write home about either. Seemingly, some were designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen - perhaps on the back of a beermat in five minutes. It was pouring down but the MDF seemed to be surviving. Among the better ones was the old 'hickory dickory' clock I remember from my childhood.
Just sayin'
I waited a while near South Shore, to let the traffic thin out. As it was bonfire night, I could watch the fireworks while waiting.
The illuminations were distinctly disappointing. From South Shore all the way North to beyond the tower, there were no tableaux. The 'linear' lights weren't bad and the tower outlined in blue lights looked good. But there were only two of the special, illuminated' trams (the steam locomotive and what was the cruise liner - now apparently an MTB) to break the monotony. To see tableaux, it was a matter of cruising on beyond Gynn Square,
The tableaux weren't much to write home about either. Seemingly, some were designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen - perhaps on the back of a beermat in five minutes. It was pouring down but the MDF seemed to be surviving. Among the better ones was the old 'hickory dickory' clock I remember from my childhood.
Just sayin'
Edited by davhill on Monday 9th November 00:02
Only been tableaux at the Gynn Sq/Bispham end for about 10 years now. They stopped having them South of the Pleasure Beach when the promenade at that end was rebuilt. Thinking about it, it is probably a lot longer that 10yrs
There were also quite a few tableaux destroyed in a storm 3 or 4 years ago and some older displays were destroyed when a warehouse was destroyed in a fire(arson) a few years back.
The spaceship tram was restored as a static display (on the Gynn Sq) roundabout a couple of years ago, although I don't think it has been out this year.
There were also quite a few tableaux destroyed in a storm 3 or 4 years ago and some older displays were destroyed when a warehouse was destroyed in a fire(arson) a few years back.
The spaceship tram was restored as a static display (on the Gynn Sq) roundabout a couple of years ago, although I don't think it has been out this year.
Edited by Russ35 on Monday 9th November 01:40
Yeah, the "concentration" of tableux (is that the right word?? x2?? 
) was always at the northern end of the 6.5 miles of Illumunations - between Gynn Square and Bispham - for as long as I have been a visitor, and that is 40 years on-and-off 
.
It must be said that they are somewhat less magical as an adult rather than a child, and (to this jaded observer's eye) this perception is partly due to the "dumbing down" that such displays invariable attract as budgets contract
.
) was always at the northern end of the 6.5 miles of Illumunations - between Gynn Square and Bispham - for as long as I have been a visitor, and that is 40 years on-and-off .It must be said that they are somewhat less magical as an adult rather than a child, and (to this jaded observer's eye) this perception is partly due to the "dumbing down" that such displays invariable attract as budgets contract
.Well, it must be my failing memory, or the lights' being so fantastical to a kiddy that led me to believe there was a tableau or ten nearer the South end.
A spot of research (on Wackypedia) says the laser shining from the top of the tower in 2007was frowned upon by astronomer Patrick Moore. It's 30-mile range was upsetting stargazers, so it was removed..
The illuminated 'Western Train' tramcar (which first ran in 1962) has been restored, after the Blackpool Gazette's campaign resulted in a £278,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
The 'Space Rocket' tram ran between 1961 and 1999 after which it stood idle but it got a £150,000 grant and was expected to return in 2009.
This was the sport of an idle 10 minutes and I hope we all feel better informed for it
A spot of research (on Wackypedia) says the laser shining from the top of the tower in 2007was frowned upon by astronomer Patrick Moore. It's 30-mile range was upsetting stargazers, so it was removed..
The illuminated 'Western Train' tramcar (which first ran in 1962) has been restored, after the Blackpool Gazette's campaign resulted in a £278,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
The 'Space Rocket' tram ran between 1961 and 1999 after which it stood idle but it got a £150,000 grant and was expected to return in 2009.
This was the sport of an idle 10 minutes and I hope we all feel better informed for it
cloggy said:
BlackST said:
It's Blackpool. Take it for what it is and don't expect anything spectacular.
Well some spectacular cars came from Blackpool... and often illuminated ...
... by AA inspection lamp ...
yes, yes, I know, they're not as unreliable as is the generally misinformed view. But it is fun to tease the plastic v8 bretherin
zarjaz1991 said:
Blackpool Illuminations are fabulous, but you must look at them with the eyes of your inner child.
They aren't designed for jaded adults.
Exactly this. We took my son and his friend (both 8) to the Pleasure Beach and the Illuminations just over a week ago & they loved it.They aren't designed for jaded adults.
It's tacky, brash, tasteless & incredibly council but it always has been & hopefully always will be!
cloggy said:
BlackST said:
It's Blackpool. Take it for what it is and don't expect anything spectacular.
Well some spectacular cars came from Blackpool.It is a dive but I enjoyed a weekend there earlier this year. The pleasure beach isn't too bad if you fancy a change from Alton Towers in regards to queue times.
ks.ooo000ooo said:
There was an ad in the back of the local newspaper years ago for the local coach company's pensioner trips.
Headline trip was "Blackpool Illuminations by Day!!!"
There is now an indoor illuminations display - http://www.illuminasia.co.uk/Headline trip was "Blackpool Illuminations by Day!!!"
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