Yorkshire Air Museum

The Yorkshire Air Museum has burst back to life celebrating the wonder of Aviation, which we proudly proclaim as Yorkshire’s greatest invention! Did you know that the aeroplane was first invented in our own county?

Museum Director Barbara George explains: “Scarborough born nobleman George Cayley was so inspired by the passenger carrying hot air balloons of the Mongolfier brothers in France that he defined the principles for a ‘flying machine’ in 1799, designing the very first outline of a ‘conventional’ aeroplane with fixed wings, a ‘fuselage’ and using the acts of propulsion and lift as individual functions to make it fly.” This ultimately led to the creation of his full-size glider which, in 1853, made the first man-carrying flight at his family home at Brompton by Sawdon.

The Museum is proud to display the unique replica of this amazing craft which now takes take centre place in our huge hangar, strikingly mounted on a plinth, along with other iconic Yorkshire designed aircraft, such as the Blackburn Buccaneer, the last of a long line of aircraft from the company founded by Leeds born Robert Blackburn, and, of course, own unique WWII Halifax Mk. III bomber, “Friday the 13th”. This is so named after the most successful Halifax, flying from its Yorkshire base at RAF Lissett near Bridlington. We know you will be inspired after visiting our wonderful museum, based on an original WWII Bomber Command base, with all the history and heritage of the period. Enjoy discovering our amazing aircraft collection amongst our extensive, spacious grounds and take a stroll around our woodland nature area. Discover a tranquil, fragrant spot in our ‘Jardin des Papillons’ or Memorial Rose

Gardens and enjoy a family picnic on our lawns.

Open Daily 10:00am to 17:00pm. (Winter 10:00am – 16:00pm)

Admission: £12 Adults, £5 Child (4-17). Family £30 (2A + up to 3 Children.) Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award.

Three of Blackpool’s prestigious beaches have been granted Seaside Awards

The national awards, announced by Keep Britain Tidy, have rewarded Blackpool South, Blackpool Central, and Bispham for their high standards of beach management, as well as their nearby facilities and water quality.

Cllr Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “This is great news for local residents and visitors to Blackpool. “So many people work extremely hard to keep our beaches clean as we know how popular and much loved they are. “On behalf of the council I’d like to thank everyone who has played their part and securing this independent seal of approval. From our dedicated Streetscene and Beach Patrol teams, to the many volunteers who litter pick, to every person that does the right thing and disposes of their litter responsibly.”

Blackpool has more than 800 litter bins, including 250 large capacity bins on the Promenade alone. They are emptied daily under normal conditions, and collections are increased whenever there is good weather and high visitor numbers. Reminders are in place to prompt everyone to get rid of their rubbish in the nearest available bin or take it home with them.

Blackpool is part of Turning Tides the cross-agency partnership working together in north west England to do everything possible to improve the quality of our bathing waters. Through infrastructure, planning, campaigning, volunteering, educating, engaging and hard work, the aim is to make sure everyone enjoys our beaches for generations to come.

The market, which has recently been given a slick and extensive facelift to align with modern 'food hall’-style venues such as those seen in Manchester or Liverpool, will open to the public for the first time at 12pm on Saturday, 27th May. The venue opening will be marked with a live DJ playing 12pm – 6pm, with local musicians Daisy Atkinson and Chris Wilde playing 7pm -10pm.

Upon opening, the Abingdon Street Market food hall, whose entrance is located on Edward Street, will be open from 9am –10pm Monday – Sunday.

Visitors to the newly-opened market will be able to try food samples from the six local independent food vendors joining the market, as well as sampling drinks from one of the venue's two bars or coffee shop as well as enjoying live entertainment for the opening weekend in the spacious open dining area. The new food and drink vendors will be announced over the upcoming week on social media channels, with one vendor being announced each day leading up to the venues opening date.

As well as the variety of locally-focused food and drink vendors, Abingdon Street Market will also open retail units with a range of products, from fresh produce to handmade crafts and gifts later in the year – which new operators Little Blackpool Leisure hope will reinvigorate the town centre as a shopping destination.

Abingdon Street Market will also be available for use as an events space, and the operators hope to use it for community events, live music and charity-led initiatives.

The building was opened in 1862 as

Foodies

Blackpool's police station – a detail preserved in the stone-carved 'Police Station' sign above the Abingdon Street entrance - before being converted to an indoor market in 1928.

The contract to operate Abingdon Street Market was awarded to Little Blackpool Leisure, a company run by James Lucas, Andy Shields and Jake Whittington. The team also operates nearby Common Bar & Kitchen and Nook Wine Room and Terrace, which have gained a reputation as some of Blackpool's most popular destinations for food and drink.

Little Blackpool Leisure team said:

We're so excited to finally open the doors to the new version of Abingdon Street Market and get to see this new phase in its long heritage begin. It has been a mainstay of the town centre for many decades now, so finally seeing locals and visiting tourists enjoy the space again will be really special. There's definitely going to be an air of celebration – we're looking forward to enjoying the entertainment and welcoming visitors to the market. To see it come to life and take on that bustling market feel – as it has done for so many years before –will be an honour.