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Pleasureland Memories
THE story of Southport's famous amusement park, Pleasureland, is to be told for the first time in a new book to be released on 20 August 2005: 'Pleasureland Memories: A History of Southport's Amusement Park'.
Pleasureland's story began in the 1870s, when a ramshackle collection of shies, stalls and simple rides appeared on Southport's Foreshore. Following 2 changes in location, the Pleasureland as it is known today opened in 1922, with famous rides such as the River Caves and Scenic Railway roller coaster. This book tells the full story of the park, from its early beginnings, through its temporary closure during two world wars, through to its revitalisation in recent years under the ownership of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
The book is the latest in the 'Amusement Park Memories' series published by Skelter, and follows the successful publication of 'Kursaal Memories: A History of Southend's Amusement Park' (ISBN 0-9544573-0-7) in 2003, which was an Essex bestseller.
Author Stephen Copnall is a freelance teacher of Business German, Dutch and French, who has worked internationally. Until recently, he was an associate lecturer at the University of Salford. He has lifelong family connections with Southport and an extensive knowledge of the town. Now he presents this 112-page work, offering a fascinating collection of over 160 photographs, many in print for the first time due to his unrestricted access to the Pleasureland archives.
Stephen says:- "Pleasureland Memories comes at a turning point in the history of one of the North's favourite amusement parks. I hope it will recall many happy days spent in Southport to all those who have known Pleasureland in its various guises over the years."
The book features over 160 photographs, many of which have never before been published.
The book will be launched at Pleasureland itself on Saturday 20 August 2005 at a special event at the park's Casablanca Entertainment Centre. The event will include an appearance by John K Walton, the author of many books on the British seaside, who will give a short talk on the history of Pleasureland. There will also be a chance to buy copies of the book and have them signed by the author. The event starts at 2pm and is free of charge. All are welcome.
"Beatlemania"
LIVERPOOL witnessed a
''Beatlemania'' style stampeded this week - as 8,000 wristbands for a major gig at the 2005 Mathew Street Music Festival were snapped up within three hours. People in Liverpool were reported queuing outside HMV stores from 1am this morning to see the 2 hour Radio City Live show of chart-topping acts on August Bank Holiday Monday, 29 August 2005.
The wristband offer was launched today at 9am in HMV Stores in Liverpool city
centre, Liverpool Speke, Chester, Cheshire Oaks, St Helens, Southport, Warrington and Birkenhead. A total of 4,000 wristbands were on offer in Liverpool.
Radio City Live on Mathew Street Monday at the Pier Head features:-
McFly - No1 album and single selling group
Lee Ryan - formerly of Blue
Lemar - Fame Academy finalist
Freefaller - Top 10 band featuring Ollie of Point Break/Byker Grove
Lucie Silvas - Platinum selling 24-year-old artist
Friday Hill (featuring Kenzie, celebrity Big Brother contestant formerly of
Blazin' Squad)
Simon Webbe, formerly of Blue
Tyler James - Smash Hits Best Newcomer Award Winner
Plus very special guest:-
Also playing at Europe's biggest free annual music festival will be The Stranglers, Buzzcocks and top Liverpool band Amsterdam. More big names are to be announced by The Liverpool Culture Company who have revolutionised the festival by signing professional bands for the first time in the festival's history. As well as the big names there will also be more than 150 tribute bands from more than 20 countries playing live on six outdoor stages and more than 40 indoor venues.
Liverpool is expecting to welcome more than 300,000 people to the
event held from August 27 to August
29, a festival which is now in its 13th year. This week full up signs went up in the city as all hotel rooms have now sold in record time for the three-day event.
Tom Hunter, Managing Director at Radio City, said:- ''Wow! This is better then we expected. We know we have an immensely strong line-up and its clearly what music fans want. The excitement the show has generated is fantastic. We're really looking forward to our special Radio City Live show. It should be a fun family event and the perfect way to start Mathew Street Monday.''
Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Member for Culture, said:- ''The queues this morning show what a coup it is to have Radio City Live at the Mathew Street Music Festival. This year should be the best yet. To have acts of the calibre of McFly playing live for free, 24 hours after punk and rock icons Buzzcocks and The Stranglers played on the same stage shows we have a unique music festival that is fast establishing as one of the best in the UK.''
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HELP THE LEGION SAY
'THANK YOU' TO VETERANS FROM MERSEYSIDE WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM
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TO mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, The Royal British Legion is running a campaign called 'The Nation's Biggest Thank You' to give people across the country the opportunity to celebrate, remember and say Thank You to all those men and women who fought for the nation's freedom 60 years ago. To raise awareness of the importance of this anniversary and to remember those who fought on in the Far East until Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August 1945, the Legion has organised a host of commemorative events across Yorkshire to mark the day.
Mrs Fitzgerald, of the Wirral, Merseyside has a photograph of a VJ party at Norris Green in Liverpool that her younger brother and sister attended. She has very clear memories of the end of the war and the parties she attended.
Mr G Pierce MBE, from The Royal British Legion in Merseyside says:- "In 1945, the 15 of August (Victory over Japan Day) was the day on which World War II finally came to an end. The 'forgotten army' were still fighting or living as POWs in the Far East whilst the allies were celebrating Victory in Europe. Over 90,000 British soldiers either lost their lives or were injured in the war against Japan; 60 years on this is the last big occasion to pay our respects and express our gratitude to every member of our local community who took part in Britain's heroic war effort, especially to those who fought right to the bitter end."
The Legion has received overwhelming support from the general public in response to its 'Victory Thanks' campaign so far. A staggering 115,000 messages of Thanks to WWII veterans have been returned to date. Each of these individual messages, written on the back of Victory Thanks bunting flag, were made up into lengths of bunting and displayed in London's Trafalgar Square for the commemorations held on July 10. Messages of Thanks can still be returned up until 15 August (Victory over Japan Day), the day the war finally came to an end. They will then be made into a commemorative book to serve as a lasting record of Thanks from a grateful nation for years to come.
Apart from the huge number of Thanks messages received, the Legion has distributed over 12,000 party packs (1,300 to schools) and more than 1.2 million Victory Thanks lapel badges. To date the campaign has raised over £2.8 million which will directly benefit veterans of all ages.
If you still wish to take part in the Legion's 'Nation's Biggest Thank You' call 0845 845 1945 or visit:-
www.victorythanks.org.uk.
Brits Abroad - Sex, Lies & Swinging?
WITH thousands of North West holidaymakers heading abroad this summer, a new survey reveals our holiday sexploits:-
· Close to 1 in 10 British parents are more likely to have sex in a public place on holiday abroad
· Men are over 50% more likely than women to cheat on their partners on holiday
· Scottish holidaymakers are the most likely to cheat on their partners - North West holidaymakers are in 6th place. The South West and East of England are the most faithful.
· 10% are more likely to lie about who they are and what they do when on holiday
Top for Holiday Sexploits:-
1. Scotland
2. Northern Ireland
3. North West
4. Yorkshire
5. North East
6. Midlands
7 London and the South East
9. Wales
10. East of England
11. South West
A survey of nearly 2,000 Brits has revealed that nearly 1 in 10 of us is more likely to have sex in a public place when on holiday abroad, and men are most up for some fun in the sun. The Tickbox.net survey for car hire specialist carrentals.co.uk, questioned British parents about holiday activities as part of the company's Family Active campaign, and with the summer holidays in full swing the results may raise a few eyebrows with our European cousins.
Hotting things up are red-blooded males who are nearly 50% more likely than women to enjoy sexual exploits in a public place. 13% of men stated they are up for some fun on the beach or in a nightclub, compared to just 7% of women. In terms of age it's 25 to 34 year olds who maintain the work hard, play harder, mentality with over 16% of them stating they're more likely to enjoy some public sexploits on holiday rather than back in the UK.
Regionally the Northern Irish are most interested in a public display of affection (16%), followed by the North East (11.5%) and Scotland in third place (11%). With just over 10%, the North West is still proving its love of public antics, while the South West is in last place with only 3% enjoying some public exposure.
Holiday mode also has an effect on fidelity, with men over 50% more likely to cheat on their partner than women when on holiday overseas. The warm weather seems to particularly affect the libidos of Scottish holidaymakers who are the most likely of all the regions to have an illicit liaison. The most faithful regions are the South West and the East of England.
Men (7%) are also more likely than women (1.5%) to take part in sex games/role play while on holiday, and over 3% of men are also interested in swinging/wife swapping while away. Regionally, it's the North East that is most up for sex games/role play, followed by Scotland, and Yorkshire in third place. The North West is 3rd from bottom of the sex games list with just under 2% saying they would take part.
The survey also found that around 10% of Brits are more likely to lie about who they are and what they do when on holiday. Regionally, Scotland (15%) is the most likely to tell porkies, followed by Northern Ireland (12.5%), and London (10%). The North West is joint fifth with the North East, with nearly 9.5% of people saying they are more likely to lie when abroad.
In terms of age it's the 16 to 24 year old parents who are most likely to lie with over one in five admitting to being selective with the truth when it comes to details about what they do and who they are. But perhaps one of the most concerning facts is that over one in ten 16
to 24 year old parents (11.9%) are more likely to drink drive when on holiday.
Andrew Stevens, managing director of carrentals.co.uk, said:- "The survey shows just how many people will do things on holiday that they wouldn't dream of doing at home. A combination of sun, a different environment and no work pressures makes everyone a lot more relaxed and carefree - some just seem to take it a little too far."
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