Hi Olive & all the list, I have been a bit quiet recently enjoying the sunshine! Thank you Olive for all your suggestions & expert knowledge! For people that cant remember I was looking for a newspaper report re the death of Wiliam Alfred BROADHEAD (died 1891 Blackpool). His death cert mentioned the inquest. I emailed Blackpool library as Olive suggested & they found the report & sent it by post to me! I was so pleased & very impressed by their service. The info was really helpful & gave me a real insight into life in 1891 when William died as a result of burns caused by pulling a paraffin lamp onto himself whilist resting on the sofa as instructed by the Dr for a sore leg. My ancestor Clara SWIFT was mentioned in the report as a witness. Anyone else that maybe looking for an inquest report it is certainly worth trying the library & old newspaper's. Jackie Savill, Southampton Snip>>> Email the Library for a start, all the newspapers are on film and as you have a date, well that seems good enough. I think Coroners reports are at Lancashire Record Office in Bow Lane, but most of them were thrown away, this could be an impossible task. central.library@blackpool.gov.uk Olive

Hi Roger & List, I am also researching SWIFT's in Blackpool but have not found a connection to your Frank. I have previously posted info about them on this list & found out quite a bit with Olive's help. Do you have names of Frank or Fred's parents? I am also looking for decendants of my SWIFT's too: Francis William SWIFT b1850 d? Clara SWIFT nee NEWTON b1850 d? William Edward SWIFT b 1879 d1931 Blackpool Ernest SWIFT b1890 Blackpool Regards Jackie Savill, Southampton Snip>> I'd like to hear from anyone related to or researching Frank Swift b 1913 and his brother Fred, born in the Blackpool area.

Hi Is this the Frank Swift you are looking for. I have a photo of Frank Swift. Jacqui (1913-1958) Frank Victor Swift was one of England's finest and most popular goalkeepers and his name should appear near the top of any list of great players. He worked as a coke-keeper at Blackpool gasworks as a young man before playing football for Fleetwood Town as an amateur, and then professionally for Manchester City Football Club in October 1932. He was a large man, over 6ft tall, weighing in excess of 13 stone and reputedly with extremely large hands - ideal qualifications for a goalkeeper. He was also an amiable, entertaining and larger-than-life character who stood out from the crowd. Swift was part of the team that helped Manchester City to win the FA Cup in 1934 and the League Championship in 1937. He was captain of the England side twice, the first goalkeeper to receive this honour. His brother Fred also played in goal for Oldham and during the summer months they ran a pleasure boat together at Blackpool. Between 1932 and 1949 Swift made 338 League appearances for City and won 19 caps for England in a distinguished career. He went on to become a respected journalist after 1949 and was killed in the Munich air crash after travelling to Belgrade with the Manchester United team as a journalist for the "News of the World". Many believe he was the greatest British

Hi Is this the Frank Swift you are looking for. Jacqui (1913-1958) Frank Victor Swift was one of England's finest and most popular goalkeepers and his name should appear near the top of any list of great players. He worked as a coke-keeper at Blackpool gasworks as a young man before playing football for Fleetwood Town as an amateur, and then professionally for Manchester City Football Club in October 1932. He was a large man, over 6ft tall, weighing in excess of 13 stone and reputedly with extremely large hands - ideal qualifications for a goalkeeper. He was also an amiable, entertaining and larger-than-life character who stood out from the crowd. Swift was part of the team that helped Manchester City to win the FA Cup in 1934 and the League Championship in 1937. He was captain of the England side twice, the first goalkeeper to receive this honour. His brother Fred also played in goal for Oldham and during the summer months they ran a pleasure boat together at Blackpool. Between 1932 and 1949 Swift made 338 League appearances for City and won 19 caps for England in a distinguished career. He went on to become a respected journalist after 1949 and was killed in the Munich air crash after travelling to Belgrade with the Manchester United team as a journalist for the "News of the World". Many believe he was the greatest British goalkeeper of all time.

Hi Everyone I'd like to hear from anyone related to or researching Frank Swift b 1913 and his brother Fred, born in the Blackpool area. Regards Roger

In a message dated 11/06/2006 00:35:22 GMT Daylight Time, olive.cookson@btinternet.com writes: Have you asked at Park Cemetery about them, in case they are buried or cremated there? Have you a number for Lostock Gardens, may as well add that one to the list of photographs? Hi Olive My cousin has emailed me back and the number is 22 Lostock Gardens. I think they would have lived there between the 40s and 50s. After a lot of searching I have found that my Grandparents, John Richardson Higgin and Catherine Christina Higgin, are buried at Layton Cemetery. And my father, Frank Higgin, was cremated at Carlton. It was confusing because the cemetery department sent me the wrong information at first. There was one more Higgin family living in Blackpool and buried at Leyton but I cant find a connection to my Higgins. Jacqui

Hello Jacqui Just off to bed now, but it is so hot, there seems no rush, probably not be able to sleep. Still, we should not complain, I guess this hot spell will not last very much longer. Still got to do the photographs, but feet are driving me potty as well as the heat, but will get there eventually. Just bear with me. So, now we have Herbert Higgin, a golf professional. There are a few golf clubs that I may be worth contacting. Am not sure when any of them were formed, but surely he must have been at one of them. Royal Lytham for a start comes to mind. Have you looked on the GRO for the death of Herbert and also Tina Braithwaite? Have you asked at Park Cemetery about them, in case they are buried or cremated there? Have you a number for Lostock Gardens, may as well add that one to the list of photographs? It might be worth looking in the Yellow Pages for Golf Clubs and then seeing which were running at the date you mention. Olive

In a message dated 11/06/2006 00:35:22 GMT Daylight Time, olive.cookson@btinternet.com writes: Have you a number for Lostock Gardens, may as well add that one to the list of photographs? It might be worth looking in the Yellow Pages for Golf Clubs and then seeing which were running at the date you mention. Olive Hi Olive I couldnt sleep either so I thought I would come on here for a while. I think the golf club would have been Lytham, but you know what it is like when tales get handed down, they sometimes get a bit embroidered. Like I had an great aunt who was something big at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, she was said to have had shares in the place. It turned out she was the house keeper. I.ve looked for histories of golf Clubs around Lytham and Blackpool and been trying to find lists of past Pros but had no luck. I will email my cousin in Canada and ask her if she knows what number Lostock Gardens her dad (Franks nephew)used to live at. The hot wether will make your feet swell so take care. Jacqui

Hi I am trying to find out if there are any living relatives of my father still living in Blackpool. His name was Frank Higgin and he was born in 1906 in Ash Street, off Highfield Road. He died in 1975/77. I cant remember Frank as he and mum split. up (they had married 3 weeks after I was born), and mum re-married, but I know I lived with him at 8 Ash Street. In fact, I didnt even know he was my father as his name wasnt on my birth certificate. I recently found him named as my father on my Baptism certicate. My mum would never tell me the name of my father. I have been told he was a nice, cheerful man and he used to make Golf Clubs. He also used to Caddy for his brother, Herbert (b 1904 at Ash Street) who was a golf proffessional. I also know there was a sister called Tina who married someone called Braithwaite, but I think she died not long ago. The Higgin family who live in Canada used to live in Lostock Gardens, again in the Highfield area. That is all the info I have about him and I got that from his gt niece who lives in Canada. I would love to find out if I have any relations still living in the Blackpool area. It seems ironic that I lived all those years in Blackpool and didnt find out about my dad till I moved out of the area. Any info would be most welcome . Jacqui Kilcoyne

Hi Jacqui Your fingers must be worn to the bone with all that typing! Thank you so much for posting all of the Notable Events messages. Your wonderful contributions have given those of us that don't live there a real feel for the area. :-) Best wishes, Lynne List Admin.

This is exciting news! Forwarded with the kind permission of the author: -------- Original Message -------- Hi www.lancashirebmd.org.uk is one of several similar sites providing on-line access to indexes to register office birth, marriage and death certificates. Other sites cover Yorkshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, W. Midlands, N. Wales, Wiltshire and Bath. Ian Hartas who designed the original system has now introduced a facility to search across all of these databases and this is available at http://www.ukbmdsearch.org.uk/ Searches will provide the same facility of printing an order form for a certificate to send to the office concerned. The only limitation is that searches are limited to 10 year periods so you may need to do more than one search if there is any uncertainty as to dates. Searches are so fast that you should not find this a problem. John ++++++++++++ John Marsden Sale, Cheshire Researching the MARSDEN surname worldwide

What is the connection between a man of the cloth and an ice cream cone. The answer lies in a building at the north corner of Station Road and South Promenade. The first Church in South Shore opened in 1837 and was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The Vicarage, overlooking the sea later became Pablo`s ice cream parlour and cafe, a role that it retains today. The neighbouring property is also party of Pablo`s ice cream business. There is a picture of early 1900s and today included in this Gazette article. Some time ago on Lancsgen someone was asking about Pablo`s ice cream, so I will post this to the Lancs list also. Olive

Anyone interested in a picture of the above, please contact me and I can send a copy. I have also a picture of the blue plaque which is on the Old Custom House. Olive

Here are a few that I have noted. 1990 Central Pier Big Wheel Erected 1991 North Pier - two deck carousel opened. 1997 North Pier - Two hundred metres of steam jetty was lost to Christmas storms. 1998 South Pier Theatre demolished to make way for new rollercoaster. 2000 North Pier jetty demolished during the summer. Three child patients at Victoria Hospital were brutally murdered - This was a terrible incident, the Doctor was from somewhere like Saudi and his family managed to get him back there somehow. If I remember correctly the little children were stabbed whilst asleep in their beds. I have quite a number of these events that I would like to look at, so some day I shall go to the Library with a list and look at the old newspapers. Especially the later ones that I rememer. Thanks for this Jacquie. How is the fence situation now, Jacquie? Olive

Here are a few that I have noted. 1990 Central Pier Big Wheel Erected 1991 North Pier - two deck carousel opened. 1997 North Pier - Two hundred metres of steam jetty was lost to Christmas storms. 1998 South Pier Theatre demolished to make way for new rollercoaster. 2000 North Pier jetty demolished during the summer. Three child patients at Victoria Hospital were brutally murdered - This was a terrible incident, the Doctor was from somewhere like Saudi and his family managed to get him back there somehow. If I remember correctly the little children were stabbed whilst asleep in their beds. How is the fence situation now, Jacquie? Olive

In a message dated 06/06/2006 10:48:55 GMT Daylight Time, olive.cookson@btinternet.com writes: How is the fence situation now, Jacquie? Olive Hi The fence is nearly finished. They had to pull it up because they had forgotten to widen the path (6 inches). They have left a gap at the end of each path so I asked the workmen when they were going to put the gates on. They said they dont know if they are putting gates on. So, whats the point in putting a fence up to keep people out if they dont have a gate on. They said they will get back to me on that one. So I wait in anticipation. Oh well. as the old Lancashire saying goes " We've not much money but we do see life". P S. Forgot to mention:- Biggest Event-When the hardest working Duo in Blackpool, "Just Us" retired in 2003. lol Jacqui

Hi Everybody These are the notable events for 1972-1973-1974-1975:- 1972 The first phase of the Zoo opened and a one and a half acre Model Village behind Stanley Park. Three child patients at Victoria Hospital were brutally murdered, supposedly by an intruder, though later it was ascertained by a member of staff. A doctor was charged but was found unfit to plead, A party of nine Germans were killed when their light plane took off from Squires Gate Airport and crashed into the holiday camp nearby. 1973 The New Inn and Central Hotel on the corner of the promenade near Central Station were demolished. Work was proceeding on the new Police Headquarters. Demolition men busy knocking down the Central Methodist Church, the Queens Theatre, the Palatine Hotel and Cocker Street Baths. The death was announced of Sir Alan Cobham pioneer of the "Flying Circus". (October). 1974 A Time Capsule was buried under the foundation of the Space Tower. (I0th September). 1975 Odeon Cinema adapted into a 3-screen cinema. M55 opened. (July). Restoration of Maxims Flying Machine. Last of Coronation trams scrapped. Lights appeal started. Collection boxes along route. Well folks, that is all I have. I have enjoyed doing this and will try to find more interesting facts. Maybe someone could carry on from here. Regards Jacqui

Notable events for 1966, 1967, 1968. 1970, 1971:- 1966 Blackpool paid £950.000 for the 23 acre site of Central Station. Plans were announced to construct new Law Courts at a cost of £1.325.000. A plan for comprehensive education was adopted. 1967 A fire destroyed the premises of R.H.O. Hills. (Second time in 35 years). E.M.I. acquired the Tower Company. Fortes took over the South Pier. Blackpool F.C. was relegated to theSecond Division. £500.000 extensions at Victoria Hospital were completed and opened by Lord Derby. 1968 A sad year, for steam-locomotive fans saw the last of the steam trains in the Fylde. The passenger line to Fleetwood was closed. The new R.H.O. Hills store re-opened for business. Central Pier celebrated its centenery with a new Theatre and Showbar. 1969 Plans for the Zoo were approved and put into operation. 1970 Conversion to North Sea Gas. Emotional fairwell to Reginald Dixon M.B.E. the organ maestro, on his retirement after presiding at the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer for 40 years. His final performance was at Easter. H.R.H. Princess Margaret attended a charity ball in aid of Dr Barnado's. Blackpool F.C. was promoted (briefly as it transpired) to the First Divsion. The Victoria Pub on the Prom was offered for sale with vacant possesion for £200.000. A row of small cobblestone buildings in Brittania Place, South Shore were demolished. (December). 1971 The Zoo project was well in hand. Blackpools team won the Euro-televised "Its a Knockout" competition. The Victoria Hotel underwent a facelift and emerged as Ripley's Auditorium. The Royal Lancashire Show was held at Blackpool for the last time before transferring to Wrea Green. Sea Defences were constructed at South Shore at a cost of £160.000. Blackpool F.C. was relegated once more to Second Division. Superintendant Gerald Richardson, a popular officer in his late thirties, was shot dead in a back entry of Sherbourne Road after an armed raid at Prestons the Jewellers on the morning of Monday, 23rd August, 1971. Gerry was shot in the chest below the heart and died in Victoria Hospital an hour later. Two other police officers, P,C. Carl Walker (37) and P.C. Ian Hampson (27) were also shot but recovered. Sub officer Ronald Gale, a Blackpool fireman who tackled the gunmen in the Strand, was coshed over the head with an iron bar. Thousands lined the funeral route to St Johns Church on the 26th August. Thats all for today folks. (note) Gerry Richardson was a good friend of ours and is still sadly missed to this day. Jacqui

Hello Everybody Here are the notable events for the years 1960-1961-1962-1963-1964-1965:- 1960 Hopes that Blackpool might be fortunate enough to attract the proposed Lancashire University. The new Cableway was opened, crossing the entire Pleasure Beach site over Watson Road. 1961 University bid secured by Lancaster. Blackpool purchased Squires Gate Airport for £193.000. New Grammar School opened at Furlong. The Tower Company sold The Palace, the old County and the Lane End Hotel to Lewis's for a site for their new Emporium. The first traffic wardens stalked the streets of Blackpool, eyes cocked, notebooks at the ready. 1962 Clearance of old run-down property in the Queenstown area. Blocks of high rise flats built. Hippodrome to be replaced by A B C Theatre. Corner of Abingdon Street and Birley Street cleared. Interested crowds watched excavations into the Ice-Age boulder clay of Blackpool prior to the building of Timothy Whites. (later Boots store) Princess Alexandra came to Blackpool to open a new home for the Blind. 1963 Opening of A B C Theatre. Aquisition of North Pier by Fortes. Commencment of the Mecca Locarno Building. Proposals to develop the Talbot Hotel area. Prince Philip attended a Golf tournament at North Shore. Princess Royal opened the Gifts Fair. 1964 Messrs Lewis's Store opened. Central Station closed. Fire at Clifton Hotel. Fire at Tivoli Cinema. Fire at South Pier where the Theatre was destroyed. Death, (in May), of Lawrence Wright, famous songwriter (sometimes known as Horatio Nicholls). He left £366.000. He lived at Carlin Gate. Rags to riches impressario, james Brennan, died. he bought Felmans Theatre and turned it into the Queens and promoted great summer shows, 1965 Blackpool newly decorated with double yellow lines. Stanley Matthews, the legendary soccer star recieved a knighthood. The remedial section of Derby Baths was opened. More to follow later. Jacqui

Lynne Thank you for the link to the archives, I had lost that from my list of things to remember. Another one of my "lists". Olive