Hi everybody I will try to put a bit more on each list as I have just realised how much paper it is taking if anyone is printing these out. 1954 H.R.H. Princess Margaret visits Hawker Aircraft Factory. Arnold Girls School opened by H.R.H. The Princess Royal. High tides create a full scale emergency at Rossall. Sea wall damaged. 1955 A year dominated by the Royal Variety Show attended by H.M. Queen Elizabeth 11 and H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Endinburgh. Royal box specially built at the Opera House for the glittering occasion. Glamorous veteran film star Marlene Dietrich appears at the Opera House. Illuminations switchen on by Jacob Malik, Russian Ambassador. 1956 Gifts Fair held for the first time in Blackpool. Disastrous fire (13/14th December) caused by a cigarette end left in a chair results in £500.000's worth of damage to the Tower Ballroom. Blaze described as "a scene out of hell" fought by 50 firemen and 100 Tower company staff, brought under control in 6 hours. 1957 British Home Stores building completed and opened. Plans for a £7m, redevelopment scheme for Central Station and Golden Mile area. Squires Gate factory closed. 1958 Trailer-trams introduced (9th April) First double deck trams run to Fleetwood (Easter) Gala opening (23rd May) of restored Tower Ballroom, Lounge and Bars. 18 months after the fire. Chapel Street subway opened. 1959 County and Lane End Hotel (requisitioned for war-time Civil Service offices) purchased by Tower Company for £178.000. Illuminations switched on by Jayne Mansfield, American film star and sex symbol. Bye for now, more tomorrow. I have found some info up to about 1975. Jacqui

> 1956 > > Gifts Fair held for the first time in Blackpool. > > Disastrous fire (13/14th December) caused by a > cigarette end left in a chair > results in £500.000's worth of damage to the Tower > Ballroom. Blaze > described as "a scene out of hell" fought by 50 > firemen and 100 Tower company staff, > brought under control in 6 hours. > Memories! - My father was the fire/security officer on duty at the Tower that night.....

Bob, that was some fire. The worst thing I remember was about trying to get the animals out of the Zoo. Not sure, but I think they were all saved. I have often wondered who left the cigarette end, someone must remember sitting in that chair. It was quite amazing how they restored everything to almost what it was before. Olive