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