EPISODE 6
Preston
This week's journey takes Michael from Preston all the way to Kirkcaldy in Scotland. At his first stop, he meets Anne Hindley, a member of the Temperance Society, to hear how the hard working, hard boozing mill town of Preston gave birth to the Temperance Movement. Continuing north to Blackpool on the 'Passion Express', Michael meets Norma and Norman Watkins. In the 1950s, many a romance was started on the 'passion express' which carried youngsters to Blackpool to dance the night away. Norma and Norman met on the train and have been together ever since. In Blackpool Michael heads for the Tower Ballroom, to find town crier Barry McQueen. Accompanied by the tower organist, Barry gives a special performance of a Victorian music hall hit all about Bradshaw's Railway Guide. As Michael takes in the sights of Blackpool, including the famous tower, he discovers how the town's birth as a resort was a direct result of the railways. Soon, day trippers and holidaymakers from all over the country were heading to this entertainment Mecca. Michael spends the night in very familiar hotel, the Imperial, which has hosted many party conferences and even a few prime ministers in its time. After a stroll along the pier with local Blackpool comedian, Joey Blower, he travels on to his final destination Kent's Bank on Morecambe Bay. Here he meets Cedric Robinson, the 'the keeper of the sands', an official guide appointed by the government and mentioned in Bradshaw. Cedric protects walkers venturing out onto the shifting tidal reaches of Morecambe Bay.
22 min · 11 Jan 2010