Glitterballs and ice cream: Memories of seaside town district

Photographs, keepsakes and personal stories from the past of a seaside town's distinct community are being shared to celebrate "a place full of character and community spirit".

The South Shore Stories exhibition, now open at Blackpool Enterprise Centre, invites residents and visitors to celebrate the people, places and memories that have shaped one of Blackpool's most loved communities.

Blackpool Council said the exhibition and its accompanying book "offer a fascinating snapshot through the eyes of the people who know it best".

Local people have shared memories from family holidays and guest houses, seaside attractions and the former Lido Baths.

Angela Kershaw, Blackpool Council's head of business growth, explained the exhibition had particular meaning for her personally.

She said: "Growing up in our family guest house in South Shore gave me a real appreciation of how important local businesses are to the character and spirit of this area.

"It feels incredibly special to now be working here."

The book features a foreword by Elaine Smith MBE, chairman of the Blackpool Civic Trust, who moved to Blackpool aged 10 in 1945 and dedicated much of her adult life to preserving the town's heritage.

In her foreword, Smith describes South Shore as "a place full of memories, character and community spirit that deserves to be celebrated and remembered".

However she also told the BBC: "It is not what it was - Bond Street used to have so many interesting and thriving shops.

"The only place from the past is Notarianni ice cream."

Musician Darren McNeil, who penned a tongue-in-cheek tribute song to the area which was widely shared on social media several years ago, differs and said: "It's changed over the years but also stayed the same - the regeneration of Highfield Road is a great example of a community that cares with local shops still operating and several great restaurants cafes and independent bars."

McNeil, whose song was a pastiche of Alicia Keys' hit New York, added: "It's got a hell of a lot more going for it than most high streets."

"Successful respected schools, the best kebab shop in the UK on Harrowside, and on the whole clean tidy streets.

"Did I mention a huge glitterball?"

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