English Lakes Blog

The Midland to Host Ladies Day at the Races Event

The Midland is proud to host ‘Ladies Day at the Races’ this Sunday 3rd July 2011, an event in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK organised by fundraiser Kate Hardcastle, who has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness of the cause.

"Pancreatic Cancer claimed the lives of my mother, Marguerite, and my brother, Terry.  Their pain made me determined to raise awareness of and funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK; so that a test may be found to detect this cancer early and so to save more than the 3% who currently survive."

"Since 1st March 2009 over £10,000 has been raised due to the generosity of people on our previous charity events such as our 7,000 mile Odyssey around the UK by bus in 2009 and on our 97 mile walk from Morecambe to Saltburn in 2010.  My goal is £20,238 and with your help this can be achieved”.

At the event you will own and name your own racehorse and the winning horse gets a bottle of champagne. The afternoon is inclusive of strawberry afternoon tea, half price cocktails, a ladies Hat competition, grand raffele and you could even win money by betting on the races. Entertainmet for the even will be porivded by Ray Evans, Lounge Pianist.

Tickets for the event are £30 per person and include a Pimms reception, your own racehorse, strawberry tea and half price cocktails.

The event starts at 2.30pm at The Midland Morecambe. Tickets can be purchased through Kate on 01524 823080 or 07702980903. All proceeds will go to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
 

Midland cinefilm shows 1950s Morecambe life

Rare cinefilm depicting Morecambe life in the 1950s is now on show at the iconic art deco Midland hotel in Morecambe.

The film gives a fascinating insight into life in a sunkissed Morecambe in 1959.  It features a packed seafront of happy go lucky holiday makers enjoying the summer sunshine, with children playing in the outdoor swimming pool and enjoying a traditional Punch and Judy show on the beach, and even tall ships moored by the pier.

Historic Happy Mount Park is also featured with its gardens, mini train and even a small zoo with seals, pelicans and bears.

The footage was discovered by chance at a car boot sale by the parents of one of the architects involved in the redevelopment of the property.  It was then digitally converted to DVD by staff at English Lakes, which runs The Midland, and there was a surprise for IT Manager Harvie Rollins when he spotted his parents and elder brother in some of the footage.

Harvie says: “I was just checking the film to see if it was in the correct format for digital conversion and was only about 30 seconds in when by chance I spotted my family in one of the scenes on the seafront.  It was a nice surprise and struck a chord as my Dad was a keen cinefilm buff and amateur film maker.”

The film is now showing to guests in rooms at The Midland. Matt Stanaway, the manager of The Midland says: “The Midland has such a wonderful history, and to be able to show guests the film of Morecambe as it used to be is a nice addition to the rooms.  No doubt there will be some other people – locals and visitors - who will spot family members in the film.

“I'm sure some local people will also have similar footage and if so we’d love to hear from them.”

The film was also used as inspiration for the redevelopment of the hotel.  Still frames were used as prints in each room and the colour schemes of the rooms is based around the stills.

Originally built in the 1930s, the art deco inspired hotel helped to make the town fashionable, with celebrity guests including Coco Chanel, Wallace Simpson and Lawrence Olivier.

The Midland overlooks the uninterrupted coastline of Morecambe Bay with views across to the Lake District.