Raikes Hall Gardens

What a great history of the area, I used to live on the opposite side of Whitegate Drive (Maple Avenue) and used the Raikes when it had a Folk Club. Such a shame it disappeared.
 
I've seen the Memorial Park gates a few times, obviously, but never knew the connection to Raikes Hall.
 
Incredible (and sad) how something like that just gets swallowed by modern life.

I see there was a bowling green even back then, looks to be just slightly further South than the current one. But Blackpool was the No1 area for the game then.
 
Wizaard said:
I've seen the Memorial Park gates a few times, obviously, but never knew the connection to Raikes Hall.
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Yeah in the vlog he notes that the original Raikes gates were 2 arches but the Memorial gardens is only 1 arch. Looks like they just repurposed one of the arches. Definitely the same arch though.
 
Macseasider said:
This is brilliant. An in depth look at the Raikes Hall Gardens. Always been a bit of a mystery to me.

The football club gets a good mention.

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Absolutely brilliant and sad at the same time to see how consecutive council town planning has allowed the distruction of the towns heritage. Should be sent to the council
 
Such a shame that none of that survived . There's the new Garden over in Salford but up north there's nowt in the way of National trust, British heritage etc. Certainly not when compared to some certain Southern counties where there seems to be a huge stately pile every few miles.
The old photos and lined drawings looked amazing
 
Although the council have a lot to answer for - don't get me started on Derby Baths....You can't blame them for Raikes Hall's demolition. The truth is that visitor numbers dipped hugely and it wasn't paying its way. With the three piers, Tower complex, Palace ballroom, several theatres, multiple picture palaces, Pleasure Beach and the Winter Gardens the town developed major attractions either on the near the promenade in walking distance of each other. It was the location of Raikes Hall Gardens that led to its demise - it was just that little bit off the beaten track and in the end that made all the difference. The one bright point is that some years later the council recognised that the town did need an open space for recreation and built Stanley Park which was much bigger and better! If Raikes Gardens had survived we wouldn't have Stanley Park which in my opinion doesn't bear thinking about.
 
Morty said:
Although the council have a lot to answer for - don't get me started on Derby Baths....You can't blame them for Raikes Hall's demolition. The truth is that visitor numbers dipped hugely and it wasn't paying its way. With the three piers, Tower complex, Palace ballroom, several theatres, multiple picture palaces, Pleasure Beach and the Winter Gardens the town developed major attractions either on the near the promenade in walking distance of each other. It was the location of Raikes Hall Gardens that led to its demise - it was just that little bit off the beaten track and in the end that made all the difference. The one bright point is that some years later the council recognised that the town did need an open space for recreation and built Stanley Park which was much bigger and better! If Raikes Gardens had survived we wouldn't have Stanley Park which in my opinion doesn't bear thinking about.
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It's a bit odd that only 20 years or so later Stanley Park was built and was hugely successful, just a few hundred yards away.
 
Really really interesting, thank you for sharing. Spent a few hours in the past in the Raiks Hall! Also watched his video about the Tower/Winer Gardens tunnel. Loved them. Are there any more?
 
A very well-presented video. (Through a contact) I've alerted Heritage Blackpool about its existence. I'm sure they'll view it with interest.

For those that are interested in the history of Blackpool a new museum "Showtown" is being created and is due to open next year. As the say in their publicity;

"We will be an exciting blend of a museum and an attraction. We want you to discover Blackpool's heritage through objects, stories, films and fun. Showtown will shine a light on British popular entertainment. We'll share what makes Blackpool special."

If anyone is interested, there are talks planned in November and December that are free to attend. See:

www.showtownblackpool.co.uk

History Seekers

Join us every month as we explore some of Blackpool's fascinating history in more detail.
www.showtownblackpool.co.uk www.showtownblackpool.co.uk
 
Loved it.
As one who was born and brought up in the area it opened my eyes somewhat.
One thing not mentioned was that, the little street behind the Salvation Army building, which was Blackpool Grammar School,
there was a Synagogue in my days.
Great video.
 
Davepick said:
Loved it.
As one who was born and brought up in the area it opened my eyes somewhat.
One thing not mentioned was that, the little street behind the Salvation Army building, which was Blackpool Grammar School,
there was a Synagogue in my days.
Great video.
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It's still there, derelict. There were plans to turn it into apartments.
 
When I was at St. Johns junior School we had a lad in our class who was Jewish.
His father was the Rabbi at the synagogue.
I still have a memory of the lads Dad sweeping into the school in a long cape and flourishing it as he went along to see the
Headmaster about something. Probably his son Louis being given some stick by the lads.
Louis left not long after.
 
Normoss_Rambler said:
A very well-presented video. (Through a contact) I've alerted Heritage Blackpool about its existence. I'm sure they'll view it with interest.

For those that are interested in the history of Blackpool a new museum "Showtown" is being created and is due to open next year. As the say in their publicity;

"We will be an exciting blend of a museum and an attraction. We want you to discover Blackpool's heritage through objects, stories, films and fun. Showtown will shine a light on British popular entertainment. We'll share what makes Blackpool special."

If anyone is interested, there are talks planned in November and December that are free to attend. See:

www.showtownblackpool.co.uk

History Seekers

Join us every month as we explore some of Blackpool's fascinating history in more detail.
www.showtownblackpool.co.uk www.showtownblackpool.co.uk
Click to expand...

My mum donated her saxophone to the museum display as she was in the then famous "all girl" Ivy Benson Dance Band for which there is a display.
 
Davepick said:
Loved it.
As one who was born and brought up in the area it opened my eyes somewhat.
One thing not mentioned was that, the little street behind the Salvation Army building, which was Blackpool Grammar School,
there was a Synagogue in my days.
Great video.
Click to expand...
Think that Synagogue closed about 10-15 years ago
 
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