History of the Fylde of LancashirePorter, John (Writer on the Fylde of Lancashire)
History
History of the Fylde of Lancashire
Porter, John (Writer on the Fylde of Lancashire)
Lancashire (England) -- History
In 1821 the census returns of the population of Layton-with-Warbreck
showed a total of 749 persons. On the 19th of July in that year the
coronation of George IV. was celebrated by the inhabitants and visitors
of Blackpool “in a manner most grateful to every benevolent heart.” A
handsome subscription, we are told by the gentleman whose words have
just been quoted and who was present on the occasion, was expended in
procuring one day’s festivity for the poor and needy, the aged and the
young. About ten in the morning, the children of the township, amounting
to one hundred and thirty-nine, assembled at the national school, erected
near the church, where they were each presented with a coronation medal.
Afterwards they paraded the beach, headed by two musicians, and sang the
national anthem at all the principal houses, followed by ringing cheers;
returning to the school-house, each child was regaled with a large bun,
and spiced ale and coppers were distributed amongst them. When these
had been dismissed to their homes, upwards of thirty old people met in
the same room, where they sat down to an ample and excellent dinner,
at the conclusion of which they each drank the king’s health in a pint
of strong ale. The same kind-hearted ladies who had superintended the
children in the procession, waited on this venerable company, and had
their generosity rewarded by witnessing the amusing spectacle of three
old women, upwards of seventy, who had probably danced at the coronation
of George III., go through a Scotch reel, which they accomplished in
excellent style.
On the 21st of March, 1825, the first stone of a small Independent
chapel, situated at the lower end of Chapel Street, and lying on the
south extremity of the village, was laid by the Rev. D. T. Carnson, and
on the 6th of the ensuing July it was opened for public worship by the
Rev. Dr. Raffles.
The summer of 1827 is remarkable as having been an exceptionally
prosperous season for Blackpool; vast numbers of carts and other vehicles
laden with their living freights arrived from Blackburn, Burnley, Colne,
Padiham, and the borders of Yorkshire, and during the month of August
so crowded was the place that many were lodged in stables and barns,
whilst others sought refuge at Poulton. The following year a fine gravel
promenade was tastefully laid out on the sea bank to a considerable
distance, occupying a large portion of the site of the old road. A
beautiful green turf walk was constructed from the beach to the church,
leading through pleasant fields, and furnished at intervals with covered
seats. The Albion Hotel was also erected at the north-west corner of Lane
Ends Street.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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