English Lakes Blog

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.

The Ultimate Charity Challenge for Lancaster Hotelier

Fresh from last year's successful ascent of the British 3 peaks in under 24 hours in aid of Open Arms International and Primrose House Trust, Tim Bell, General Manger of Lancaster House has once again set his sights on another epic mountain challenge for charity. In September he will be attempting to climb the world's largest free-standing mountain, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. At 19,340ft the famous African peak is considered one of the world's most gruelling physical challenges, with climbers having to combat not only the sheer height of the mountain, but also the dramatic and potentially life-threatening effects of altitude which ultimately cause more people to fail than actually succeed.
 
As with the successful 3-peaks challenge of 2010, Tim is once again accompanied by his sister and leading Cumbrian paramedic, Amanda Singleton, and for this year's trek is also being joined by Nichola-Jayne Harrison, a member Food & Beverage team at Lancaster House. All 3 volunteers are raising money for Children Today which provides life-changing equipment for severely disabled children in the local area.
 

Despite the enormity of the challenge and the fundraising targets, Tim, who spends the majority of his free time climbing the many Lakeland summits on his days off, remains typically positive and upbeat about his chances of success. "The opportunity to conquer one of the world's biggest mountains and at the same time make a real and very positive difference to the quality of life for disabled children here in Lancashire was just too good an opportunity to turn down. I know that the very tallest of Lakeland peaks pail into insignificance compared to Kilimanjaro, but I consider myself very fortunate to live on the doorstep of Britain's best training ground for such a challenge. The only thing we can't prepare for is the altitude, and with temperatures ranging from 30 degrees C at the base to Minus 25 at the summit, we are in no doubt that our mental and physical capabilities are going to be tested to the very limit"
 
"But all three of us are very head-strong, determined people and we are not going to let our Charity down. Failure isn't an option for us, and we're training hard, climbing the Lake District fells at every given opportunity, whatever the weather, which in true Cumbrian style, can be very challenging even at the best of times. I'm donating over £1000 to the fundraising myself and am also giving up my beloved annual holiday to do this challenge. There's no sun, sand and sangria for me this year. Just boots, blisters and backpacks. So, I have no intention of stopping until I reach that summit"
 
Each team member has to raise £3000 for Children Today with 80% of the target required 12 weeks prior to their departure for Africa. Tim continues "We hope that people can dig deep and support our effort. Children Today really does make a difference to local kids, and we're 100% all confident we won't let our supporters down. We're putting our heart and soul into this, giving up all our free-time to train, and we're hoping to reward our chosen charity and our kind donators with an effort we can all be proud of. And with Lancaster House celebrating its 20th year, I think this is a great way to mark our birthday in style"
 
You can pledge online on both Tim and Nichola's JustGiving pages. You can also follow the team's progress via their facebook page and via Tim's regular blogs.
 
Everyone at English Lakes wishes Tim, Amanda and Nichola all the very best of luck with their Kilimanjaro challenge and we will of course update you on their progress.

Lancaster House Annual Spring Wedding Fayre

Your perfect Wedding Day starts at the Lancaster House annual Spring Wedding Fayre on Sunday 27th February 2011!

Meet over 40 of the regions finest Wedding suppliers including florists, jewellers, photographers, stationers, cake decorators and many more: plus a catwalk show with 4 Bridal Shops modelling their latest dress collections.

Free entry, free parking and free prize draw as well as exclusive discounts if you book on the day.

Date:                 Sunday 27th February 2011
Venue:               Lancaster House, Green Lane, Ellel, Lancaster, LA1 4GJ
Doors Open:       11:00am
Catwalk:             1:00pm - 1:45pm
Fayre to Close:    3:00pm

Some of the confirmed exhibitors to date include:

• Banks Lyons 
• Bridal Collection
• Bridal House of Torrisholme
• Broughton Wedding Cars
• Butterfly Bridal
• David Lancaster
• David Millington
• Deborah Jayne Bridal
• Double Act Wedding Stationary
• Events by Design
• Greenwoods Suit Hire
• Lakeland Productions
• Lancastrian Imaging
• Newdawn
• The Icicle Tricycle Company
• Wedding Flowers by Catherine

Interested in exhibiting at our Wedding Fayre? Contact Deana Chesterton: 01524 585175

Unique Charity Firewalking Event at Lancaster House

On the 23rd February 2010, starting from 7pm, Lancaster House will play host to a unique charity firewalking event. The night will start off with the firewalking experts, BLAZE who will guide you through a 2 hour fear busting seminar, before walking 20 foot of hot, fiery coals at 9pm. Anyone wanting to watch is very welcome, there will be food and drink available on the night.

If you would like to take part in this fantastic event, please email lancasterhouse@englishlakes.co.uk or telephone 01524 844822 and request to speak to Katie Bradshaw, a £10 registration fee is payable and the event organisers request that you raise a minimum of £100 in sponsor money. To make this ambitious event happen we require a minimum of 30 participants.

All proceeds and sponsorship from your participation in this exciting challenge will be donated to Children Today to purchase vitally-needed equipment which will improve, assist and enhance the lives of children and young people living with disabilities.

“Children Today is a charity that raises funds to provide specialised equipment for children and young people with disabilities throughout the UK. Our aim is to ensure that every disabled child and young person fulfils their potential and leads an active childhood. With your support we can achieve this.”

Last Minute Christmas Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers are the ideal gift for close friends, family, or an important business client. English Lakes offer a choice of hotels within the Lake District and Lancashire providing some of the best locations for a special break in the North West of England.

English Lakes gift vouchers allow flexibility of choice and can be redeemed against short breaks, romance packages, fine dining, watersports activities and more.

Order by 3pm on 21st December 2010 for Christmas delivery.

Order Online or telephone 015394 33773