Fleetwood memories
Here are memories of Fleetwood and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Fleetwood or a Fleetwood photo.
Knott End - The Ferry
My grandma's unmarried brother and sisters lived in Knott End. Me and my many cousins - all post-war boom babies - would spend many days there in summer. The biggest buzz of all was when the 'Wyresdale' was operating. How I loved that boat! With its double deck and hissing steam pipes (doomed to meet with a tragic end ..) it was to all of us just like another comment said -'Better than any cruise liner'. A favourite bit of fun at the Knott End ferry slip was to use mussels as bait to catch any number of mangy green crabs that used to live at the water line by the slip, put them all in a bucket, wait for the queue to build up - there were a lot of passengers in the mid 1950s - and release them all in one and giggle profusely as the girls and women all started screaming as the enraged crustations vented their anger at their feet! Ha ha ha - real Just... Read more
Fleetwood Ferry
My great-grandfather, Thomas Newton Croft, a member of the family that founded the Fleetwood to Knott End ferry, managed it for the local council from c.1896 to his death in 1915. I am told that my grandmother, Alice, used to do cartwheels to entertain the passengers waiting for the boat to come in. The service was re-privatised a few years ago. Being involved in marine business myself I like to refer to it as "the family shipping line"!
Fleetwood, Miniature Railway c1955
The miniature railway was built by a Mr Dove and his family and I know this as they stayed at my parents hotel, The Fairhaven, and we had parts of the trains in the garage. Mr Dove and his family came from the Derbyshire area.
Update July 2011
65th birthday on July 19 - what better way to rediscover lost innocence than a visit to Knott End and a ferry boat trip. So we all piled in to the ageing family MPV and up the M6 and over Shard Bridge we went - recalling the anachronistic way one used to have to pay a toll to the troll who manned the imaginary barrier. Well quick and clean and quiet the modern boat may be, but nothing could ever beat being open to the elements on the slatted benches of the Chugga Lug Lunevale or Old Smokey Wyresdale. Particularly when one now has to sit down so as not to rock the boat! Part of the fun of the Wyresdale was being on the upper deck when the waves were rolling. In the mid 1950s Robert Newton's Treasure Island was on release and for a 9 year old in 1955 it was easy to be Jim Hawkins on the Hispaniola on the deck of the Wyresdale ....... Read more
The Minature Railway
This model rail was built by a man from Wales and the money for it was provided by Randolph Turpin, the former boxer and middle-weight champion of the world. He lost his title to the American, Sugar Ray Robinson. The project went bankrupt after about 4 years and the lines were taken up by Albert Foulds, a local scrap merchant
Fishermans Friend
This shop was Lofthouses Chemists who sold the original Fishermans Friend cough medicine. You took your own bottle and paid sixpence to have it filled, no matter how big the bottle was.
Ice-Cream Van at Rossal Beach & Fleetwood
My grandfather Walter owned the Mr Softie ice-cream van that operated around Rossal beach & Fleetwood. I am looking for anyone that may have pictures of that van on the sea wall there? Gary
The Paddling Pool
I certainly remember the paddling pool in Fleetwood, and the puppet shows, but I believe that they called them The Marrionettes. I also remember Fleetwood Carnival, and what we called Morris Dancers, that were probably kind of Majorettes. Mrs Kenmar, her daughter, and some other friend of hers. Back to your laughing policeman on the pier, Mrs Kenmar and her friend were on Opportunity Knocks singing 'The Laughing Policeman'. They performed it regularly at the Old Age Pensioners Hall, just on the corner of Radcliffe Road and Ash Street, on the Pantomimes produced by Hazel at the Chesters Dance Studio. The star was always Barbara Pye. Young girl, wonderful voice. Wonder what happened to her?
Puppets!
Can remember paddling in the little paddling pool behind the chalets (always seemed kind of mirky around my feet) and going to watch the puppet show. Absolutely fabulous memories of staying in a Guest House (Mum, Dad, Grandma and 5 kids!) and going to Knot End on the ferry.
Does anyone remember the laughing policeman game at the Pier?
Cheers,
Kath
In Dear Old Fleetwood Town
I was born in Fleetwood in1939 and lived in Adelaide Street; opposite the market at no 19. I remember Tommy Butler (daft Tommy) digging great holes on Ferry beach. I used to help Frank Brown (market superintendant) to set up the stalls on Tuesday and Fridays (market days). A couple of doors down was the Queens Palace Theatre which was closed during the Second World War, and at the end of the war the American Army was billeted there who watched over some German POWs. My father-in-law Bill Powell was the Engineer on the ferryboat when it blew up, killing him instantly. My pals in those halcyon years were Dave Leadbetter, Bob Abram, Bill Wright, Pat Longrigg, James Heaney, Pat Macdermott, Vic Macdermott, Gordon Robinson. I wonder if any are still around? I think of them from time to time. My family came to Fleetwood in 1840s, so we go back a long way. I remember The Fiesta Follies coming every summer and they sang a song which I can... Read more
Mike Daley
I lived in Fleetwood in Crake Avenue until Christmas 1970 when we moved down south. I always remember the events at the Marine Hall, the top names in wrestling, as my Uncle Richard (Dicky Allen as everyone knew him) was the caretaker for many years and I used to go and help him, or rather get in the way on the occasional Saturday or skivey day off school. I forgot to mention I was born in 1956 and hold many fond memories of Fleetwood.
Wartime Fleetwood
My father was a police officer and we lived in Victoria Street, next door to the market. Our house, No 19, is now a cafe and sometimes I have a coffee there when I visit.
Fleetwood was buzzing during the war. Seamen, sailors, soldiers and Americans. Lots of money was about and lots of drinking went on. Plenty of work for policemen. I went to Chaucer Road School. My teacher was Dorothy Bennett. I was her star singer at concerts in the Marine Hall. I went to chapel and Sunday School at Wesley, which has now been demolished. Then it was packed with young people. We came to Fleetwood from Kirkham. I went back there to Grammar School. In 1945 we moved to Poulton le Fylde and lived in the Police Station in the town square. I played rugby for Thornton Cleveleys and cricket for Fylde. I worked at Norbreck before joining the Tank Regiment in 1948 and ever since 1950 I was a teacher in Burnley. Moving to Fleetwood... Read more
My Grandfather
My grandfather, John Wilson, is entered as being Captain of Steam Boat Ferry in the 1901 census of Fleetwood. Although the ferry boat pictured does not appear to be steam, this sight must have been very familiar to him and his family who lived in nearby Pharos Street.
Holidays
My mother was born in Fleetwood and lived in Pharos Street, just below the
lighthouse. I was born in Lancaster but I remember having holidays at
Fleetwood when I was a child just after the end of the war. I particularly remember being fascinated by the marionette shows which took place in the gardens near the Pier.
In 1894 my grandmother worked as a Stewardess on the Duke of York when it first
sailed between Fleetwood and Belfast - possibly she was one of the first women
to work on these newly-built steamers.
A Local Boy 1955-1960
I was born in the nursing home at the back of the mount as far as I know. I lived at 117 Blackiston Street until I was about five, and went to school across the road with the only childhood friend I can remember, a little girl from over the back street behind where we lived called Lorraine Jackson. My aunty Else Leadbeter had a son called Les, a well known character because he owned three pet shops in the area, and a daughter called Vera who's husband was called Brian Norton, he worked for the post office if my memory serves me right. My dad was called Walter and was a well known part time chimney sweep. My godfather is Tom Hazelhurst, his wife is called Evelyne. I have sadly lost touch with all these people but still have a soft spot for my home town and still follow the fortunes of Fleetwood fc and Blackpool fc from my home near Doncaster.
Childhood Memorys
I used to live in Church St in the mid 60s. I went to Blackiston St School, and I remember playing on the Mount Park with friends, or going on the ferry over to Knott End, or going down on the docks when the boats come in and going home with a bag of fish for my mam. We also used to get fish from the docks and go and sell the fish in Liverpool, somewhere near a dolls hospital.
Fleetwood as A Lad
I was born in Fleetwood in Flagg Street (which was called Flagg Alley ). My Father worked in a rock and easter egg factory with Harry Bentley and I used to taste the rock for them. My Father was called Walter Lawn. There used to be a pigery not far from there and I used to go round when going to school. My relative was the skipper on one of the boats (trawler) cannot remember when though. My Memories are still vivid in my mind although I live now in Stoke on Trent and am very disabled. I do not get up there very often, but when I saw the photos of Fleetwood it made me reminisce. My mother and father have passed away now but I still have family up there - sister Barbara and sister Maureen.
Cissie Whiteside
My aunt Cissie Towne, nee Whiteside, came from Custom House Lane, perhaps you remember her. She married Harry Towne.
FLEETWOOD GRAMMAR....DISTRICT BANK
I too went to Fleetwood Grammar, about 1948-51. Dr Grieve was headmaster & Miss Lumsden headmistress. Latin master was Mr Terence Huss who ran a troop of Scouts. He must have been very keen to have taken the troop camping to Borrowdale in the Lakes. I still have a Panorama photograph of the students & staff taken in 1948. During my time the school sports grounds were developed; pupils being used to pick up stones prior to grass being sown. Other memorable teachers are Mr Wallace (Physics), Dr Reich (Biology). Mr Mather taught french and maths. Some memorable pupils of my era were Pat Rigby, Eileen Waters, Eileen Walters, Ann Wright, Brian Penswick, George Bundy, Ian Gornall, Reg Hockings, Steve Mapp, and Bob Crewdson who lived at the Crown Hotel in Dock Street. Subsequently I worked in the District Bank Lord St, Poulton Rd, Knott End, & Stalmine on Tuesdays. Mr Freddie Partington was Head Cashier, and Mr King Manager. A Mr Hewitt was the cashier & resident at... Read more
The Fleetwood I Left Behind
I was born in Fleetwood in 1947 but seemed to oscillate between there and Malaya for a number of years up to the age of 12 just before dad died. My first memories are of starting at Stella Maris convent and then being whisked off abroad for some time. When I returned to Fleetwood I attended St Mary's School in London Street before once again heading back to Malaya my second home. My dad died at the tender age of 39 in 1961 out in Malaya and this then ended our travels abroad. I lived in Hesketh Place and had a sister Marisa, and two brothers, John and Michael. My fondest memories of Fleetwood are swimming at the open air baths in summer to the music of Del Shannon, the Fish Trades dances at the Marine Hall where I fell in love with John Edwards (for simply being nice to me because I was a bit tubby then), the most gorgeous fish and chips... Read more
Memories of my Time in Fleetwood
We used to own the Katherine holiday flats on the front at Fleetwood. We had a lovely time living there and we still go back to visit. Unfortunately the Pier was burnt to the ground in 2008 and there is now nothing left of it. Sad really. Fleetwood had and still has a lot going for it, but the council wouldn't put any money into the facilities to encourage visitors.
Ann Lever's Recollections For D C Dyson
My recollection is that Beech Cottage was up Beech Road off Pilling Lane near the school and Dyson's fruit and veg was a tiny shop on Pilling Lane and was run by an old gentleman called Dicky Dyson. We could buy 1/2d Spanish sweets if we had the money, and other junk, as we would call it now.
Ann Levers Recollections
I remember Ann Varley as she was then called. I was a mate of Peter Simpson who lived on Queens Terrace & I lived in Custom House Lane.
Peter's grandfather was called Potts & was the landlord of the Steamer Hotel.
The last I heard of Peter was that he went to America on an exchange scheme through the I.C.I & was working at Cape Canaveral.
The lad with the spade on the ferry beach was always called daft Tommy by the kids & lived on Blackiston Street.
The other families that lived in the area of Custom House Lane were the Crostons, the Abrams, the Whitesides, the Brooks family, the Peddars & others that I can't recall.
When the Isle of Man boats started up again after the war my aunty used to sell jugs of tea to the people in the Queue & charge six pence deposit on the jug & two cups.
When the queue moved forward they would leave the jugs & cups on the pavement... Read more
Days Gone by
I lived in Fleetwood from around 1948 - 1952. My dad was in the army and we lived in the Drill Hall in (Ithink) Preston Street. I can remember going to the library nearby and playing on the beach near some piers. There was a young man who was unfortunate who used to dig very deep holes in the sand and chase us kids with his shovel when we taunted him (how cruel are kids). I went to Fleetwood Grammar School for a year before we moved south. I lived in Queens Terrace for awhile and loved looking out of the bedroom window at the cottages on Knott End. My name then was Ann Varley, and I remember also going to Saturday morning pictures and being in love with the boy next door (I was all of 9 years old and he was 11, I can still remember his name - it was Peter Simpson! I am sure that Fleetwood is nothing like... Read more
Memories of Lancashire
Memories Of Ockwells Caravan Site, Rossall
I spent many many happy years at our family caravan on Ockwells Caravan Site in Rossall, we had the caravan there for quite a few years. I have many many pleasant memories of our annual holiday (last week in July, first week in August). We had an old Willerby caravan that was purchased in the year of my birth (1955). I have spent a lot of time playing in the paddling pool on the caravan site and eating chips from newspaper cones from the chippy on the site, they were simple times but very happy ones. The love of caravans has remained with me and I am still fascinated by vintage British caravans, pictures, photos and any history connected to them.
I was born in Clayton, Manchester in 1955 and moved to Chadderton in 1970, we emigrated as a family to Barrie, Ontario, Canada in 1975 and have been here ever since (I have lived in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the last 16 years). I was recently back in England... Read more
Ockwells....
My grandparents had a van on Ockwells, from 1967 or 68, right on the perimeter road next to ICI. The hum and hiss of the plant sent us to sleeo many times. One Sunday morning,however, we were rudely awakened by a booming noise like an explosion. This is what it was. The 'van' opposite us had gone up! An old gent had gone to the toilets, having put the kettle on the stove, and he went out, the wind blew thru the door and put out the flame on the cooker. Some time later he returned, only to find the kettle stone cold. No problem, light the gas..... which had built up, and bang!
Crabbing
Iam not sure how close Iam on the date, however when we where kids, me and my friends would spend most of the day in the summer holidays with string and safety pin, stick some muscle meat on it from the muscle bed from the other side of the jetty, and then we'd tie a stone to the string and then lower this down the side of the jetty to catch an unexpecting crab, you had to be very careful pulling it up from the water as sometimes the crab would fall back in the water, then you'd have to start again, but we would have great fun watching the crabs running all over the place, especially when the tourists where waiting for the ferry, they would scream and scurry away from the approaching crab. This was great fun for us during the summer hols.
Knott End in The 1950s And The 1960s by Norma Smith
We, that is my father Norman, mother Ethel and my Auntie Peg, moved to Knott End in 1948 and lived at 15 The Esplanade. As well as being a boarding house (as it was called in those days) it doubled up as the doctors' surgery. For those with a good memory you might remember Old Dr Taylor Young, Dr Taylor and Dr Allen Pilling from one practice and Dr Stewart, a GP on his own. I went to Pilling Lane School where the headmaster was the formidable George Hobson. Two other teachers were his sister Miss Hobson and a Miss Hull. On a good day in the summer we were taken up the field and at the end was the seashore, where we were allowed to play. After passing my scholarship I used to travel everyday on the 85 bus to go to school in Blackpool. In the early 1960s our free time was spent between the Juke Box at the ferry end of the village and the Verona Cafe... Read more
Various Memories
My parents visited Knott-End-on-Sea many times, particularly in the September before I was born in March 1932. We used to stay at a house in Lune View with a family called Butler and Mrs. Butler nursed me many times when I woke during the night! They were a lovely family - I think the daughter was called Eva but cannot remember the name of their son. They moved to Fleetwood. My parents and I visited Knott-End every year until 1958. That year, my friends and I were wondering where to spend our holiday. I suggested Knott-End. The father of one of my friends said that he did not think we would like it there because there was nothing to do. However, we took no notice and booked in with a family in Clarence Avenue. My friend whose father said there was nothing there, met a boy who she later married! She went to live there - followed by her parents! She still lives there and finds loads of things to... Read more
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