BLACKPOOL - A FUTURE OR HISTORY?

[Guest lenwadebob]

While browsing on another pigeon site, I came across the following question "HAS BLACKPOOL LOST IT'S SPARK?" Without the permission of it's author, (Vallance Lofts), and I am sure he wont mind I thought it would be good to get the views of members here.

These are my thoughts.

 

Blackpool will never lose it's sparkle, and I have been attending for over 40 years now. There may have been the loss of a few stands over the years, but for me it's the biggest social gathering of pigeon fanciers from all corners of Great Britain and beyond. I have attended all the major shows down the years and nothing compares to the atmosphere and buzz you get from the Winter Gardens, added to which you get a wide and varied choice from the hundreds of individual hotels with their own characteristics, and the friendliness of their landlords. This is what makes Blackpool a special place for me.

 

The Blackpool Show has a history and tradition that is unsurpassed. What other show is talked about with the same amount of passion? From the moment we start to make our preparations to attend in the Autumn, during the show, and the many tales and fond memories that are spoken about for countless years after. It is an institution, borne out of the very characters that attend year in year out, and no other show in the world will ever match the nostalgia of BLACKPOOL.

 

I remember the Old Comrades Show when it used to be held at the "Alexander Palace" in Wood Green, until it's demise many years ago, and for me the OCS has never been the same since.

 

BLACKPOOL IS BLACKPOOL AND LONG MAY IT CONTINUE.

 

What are members views?

 

Bob

 

[gooner]

i have only ever been once and that was when i was 17 im now 35, and i have some great memories of it, i haventr been back since as like many things in life money dictates. if you go for the whole weekend then you wouldnt get much change out of £500 and i definatly cant justify spending that amount of money on a weekend away, as for the main question has it lost itrs sparkle, i think not as if i had the money then i would attend every year JMO

[PIGEON_MAN]

Just hope it doesnt become history as the condition of the Winter Gardens  as deteriated a lot over the years,there was talk at the beginning of the year that this one may not go ahead.

[Guest lenwadebob]

i have only ever been once and that was when i was 17 im now 35, and i have some great memories of it, i haventr been back since as like many things in life money dictates. if you go for the whole weekend then you wouldnt get much change out of £500 and i definatly cant justify spending that amount of money on a weekend away, as for the main question has it lost itrs sparkle, i think not as if i had the money then i would attend every year JMO

 

It cost you nowt last time, it was Dads pockets that were empty  ;D ;D ;D It doesn't have to cost all the money you mention, half that amount would suffice, especially if you can get a drink out of Vallance. pmsl

[Guest]

well as Gooner said , ive only been once myself .looking forward to going again this year. will it continue ... as long as enough people go ,it will. its the money we fanciers spend that drives the whole thing.                    andy.

[Ian McKay]

I have to agree with you Blckpool is blackpool I went to a show in the NECC althought there was more room in there. Something was missing it took me a while to see the punters drove in that morning and drove home that night so the comedians I have met over the years never realy got started they were all sober. Not that all were drunk but it's different with a cup of tea in your hand, some guy's just need a couple to get them going and then everyone's at it.

 

All the years I have been going to blackpool I have always driven this year we got a bus with a driver (not me) so will get a (soft) ;) ;) drink to keep me happy.

Looking forward to meeting a lot of members from the forum so can put faces to names.

 

The fact Blackpool has so much diverse accomodation makes it more attractive to all so roll on 15 / 16 / 17 them it's all over for another year back home (if we can get home) for the snow to pair up and do the most exciting event in pigeon keeping rearing new babies (my favourite job)

[Guest peter4pm]

im going for my first time this year and i cant wait tbh  ;D

[Guest strapper]

ive never been to blackpool ,but i would say that even smaller shows have lost their sparkle.

what i find is fanciers saying  'its the same as last year'..i dont think the people who arrange such shows realise that to keep fanciers turning up there needs to be something to draw them there.

 

i dunno how they would change things but in any successful event there needs to be something to pull in the punters.

i think one draw to these shows is a good P*** up

anyhow i hope you all have a good time

[Guest WINGS 04]

this will be the 5th time i have been in the 10years of keeping racing pigeons and will be my da's first time i like the sales but not in the show its self but at the clubs and other hotels i will go to the show longer so my da can see it all hope to see some of the members on here

[morgy]

have been going up for 14years now it hasnt lost its spark to me luckily for you english people you can drive there because i live on a island we have to fly + train which becomes quite expensive but look forward to it every year.

[ribble]

Blackpool lost it's sparkle for me years ago, the place that is. I only live 35 minutes away and have lost count of the  Birthday night outs i have had there in the past.

 

I go every year to have a look round the show and always enjoy it, even though it is always the same. I don't bother with the whole weekend thing.

[BLACK W F]

last year was my first time back for a bout 15 years the one thing i did notice its near halfed in size the crowds are smaller  but blackpool is blackpool  and still holds that wee bit of magic  

[greenlands]

Since Blackpool started I've only missed it three times,once when my late mother was too ill to leave on her own and the last two years.The last time I was there I thought it was very poor, a lot of stalls missing and some areas closed all together.Must say I don't miss the show but I miss bumping into old friends.

Lindsay

[Guest stb-]

never been to blackpool since 1990and even back then thot it was a load of tosh.

 

maybe different if you were commpeting in the show classes and more envolved but just to go to see it  for a drinking weekend to look at a load of stalls selling a load of stuff you dont need and can normally get anywhere i dont think its worth the money .

 

As for entertainment value its got zilch.

 

just another place to have your pocketts emptied  for not much return.

 

Hyped up    Sale  after sale of mostly dud pigeons  to help people empty there pocketts.

 

 

 

[BANDIT]

THIS WILL BE MY 3RD SHOW IN A ROW AND I THINK ITS GOT SMALLER WITH A LOT OF STANDS MISSING,ITS A PLACE TO MEET OLD AND NEW FRIENDS HAVE A LOOK ARROUND AND TRY FIND A BARGAIN.THE OLD SHOW SPECIALS SEEM TO BE A THING OF THE PAST.ITS KASSEL FOR ME NEXT NOVEMBER AND IMO ITS THE BEST SHOW IN EUROPE.TO ALL THATS GOING THIS YEAR HAGGLE AND HAGGLE SOME MORE IF YOU WANT A BARGAIN. ENJOY ONE AND ALL

[OLDYELLOW]

i like the whole atmosphere , only go for the day , only thing ill be buying is the odd cup of tea its nice seeing the show birds and meeting friends and besides im the nominated driver for two friends

[kirky]

i like the whole atmosphere , only go for the day , only thing ill be buying is the odd cup of tea its nice seeing the show birds and meeting friends and besides im the nominated driver for two friends

I no you will get us there mark but I think i will bring a shovel just in case.

 

 

[OLDYELLOW]

I no you will get us there mark but I think i will bring a shovel just in case.

 

 

your always thinking of building sandcastles lol ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Guest Mav]

Hi all,

 

I have not been to the Pigeon weekend before and I doubt if i will be going this year,

But as for Blackpool, are they going to clear up the damage caused by the last War, Total mess of a place, Burnt out hotels and B&B`s, Boarded up shops and the shops that are still open need a good coat of paint, Sorry to seem negative about Blackpool but it is a dump. Anyone that pulls Skegness down has never been to Blackpool.

I would think the show would need a change of venue but the its the nostalgia side of the show were it is and past memories for many years.

[Guest ENDFLIGHT]

i have only missed one blackpool show week end since it started being held there in 1977,and that was the OLYMPIAD YEAR.for me and the friends that i have travelled with over the last 33 years its the annual pilgrimage.i personaly enjoy meeting the many friends that i have made over the years,it,s very different from the guys you are meeting every other week,and as the 2010 show week end rapidly approaches oh boy can,t wait.WEE BILLY LIKES THE DOO SALES.every local doo mans one question is UR YI GAUN TAE BLACKPOOL?answer mostly I UR U? HOOZ SALE UR YI GAUN TAE? NANE IRIGHT SEE YI THERE.good luck to all who attend this great show ENJOY,AND GET YOURSELF BOOKED FOR 2011 cheers :) :) :) :)

[ALF]

Been going to the show for over 25 yrs and huvnae missed many years in between.I've never bought that many pigeons at the show but the 1's i did buy wurnae very good up here so now i only go to socialise and have a good laugh and a few night's out that's what blackpool is all about for me

[glenrandal]

went to blackpool show a few years ago thought it had a great atmosphere especially in the hotels at night where i met and enjoyed the company of fellow pigeon men and women..........

[Guest stb-]

Hi all,

 

I have not been to the Pigeon weekend before and I doubt if i will be going this year,

But as for Blackpool, are they going to clear up the damage caused by the last War, Total mess of a place, Burnt out hotels and B&B`s, Boarded up shops and the shops that are still open need a good coat of paint, Sorry to seem negative about Blackpool but it is a dump. Anyone that pulls Skegness down has never been to Blackpool.

I would think the show would need a change of venue but the its the nostalgia side of the show were it is and past memories for many years.

 

got to agree with some of that , you get a brochure for a hotel , looks the part,

 

you get there and find out your booked into a public toilet,  :-/ :-/  what a mess some of those holes are ??)

[Guest puresoontjen]

yes blackpool is full of rubbish thats were they get rid of all there rubbish.ive only been threre once never again. you can all say theres top flyers there with good birds there only there to sell there rubbish to you and most fall for it.

[Guest bakes]

will be mine and the misses first time going to the weekend not going to get no birds as got the birds i need for my teams just going for a look and laugh over a good few pints and buy a few new equipment for the loft im after been shown pics from a few years ago of the show when i was takeing some pics i made for my mate up to his house looks good i no a few birds that was bought at the sale that went on to be cracking birds in club fed but like anythink you pay your money take your chances.

 

all the best.