ON Friday August 31 the North West attraction that heralds the onset of autumn will be unveiled . . . the annual switch-on of the gaudy feast for the eyes that is Blackpool Illuminations.
It's much anticipated by young and old alike, and has been since 1879!
A visit to the Blackpool Illuminations is a rite of childhood for anyone who has grown up in the North West.
Who doesn't remember the excitement of the night-time drive to the seaside? The drive in the queues of traffic from North Pier, past the Tower at Central Pier, finishing at the Pleasure Beach? Who can't recall the 'oohs' and 'aahs' at the sight of the technicolour splendour strung from more than two miles along the Prom? If you were very well off, you got to take the ride in a horse and carriage with a fish supper to round off the annual treat.
Our picture shows 't' lights', as they are known across the north, in all their glory in 1963. And on the right, is an illuminations worker in the cabling store in 1961.
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