Cliff Crabtree experienced childhood throughout the thirties and the war. His maternal mother died when he was six, and his god mother took over both as parent and landlady. This is a fascinating insight into life in a Morecambe boarding house prior to, and during the war. To add authenticity to his story, Clifford has the most wonderful broad Lancastrian accent!

Originating from Burnley, Robbie’s mum, Hazel Booth, ran two Morecambe guesthouses throughout the 1960s. Everything had to be done correctly, professionally, and orderly. Protective of her moral reputation, sneaking your boyfriend or girlfriend in was a big no no. This woman worked hard throughout her days as a landlady, ensuring her guests came back year after year, but enjoyed every moment!

Bethany chats to Gail about her grandmother’s friendly and fair way to run a Morecambe boarding house

Finding your mums wartime diaries hidden away in your loft, for most, would be a lovely piece of personal family history to discover. Fiona went one step further, turning them into a little book for her extended family to enjoy. Here, Fiona and her brother Leo, reminisce about their parents wartime honeymoon in Morecambe.

Dickie chats to Gemma about his mother Agnes, who ran the St Winifreds Hotel in Morecambe from the mid 50s to the early 70s

If you ever thought of seaside landladies as stern harsh women, then you have not met Pat. A Morecambe landlady for more than forty years, she looked after holiday makers, Irish lads working on the Power station, and the young unemployed. And throughout her entire life, she has shown love and kindness to all she met. She was also deeply involved in shaping the local social scene for Landladies, starting a darts league, and an aerobics class. Anna interviews Pat on a long and satisfying career as a landlady

Joanne chats to Natasha about her landlady Nanna, who she describes as Hyacinth Bucket, and when together with her aunty, the Thelma & Louise of the 1960s!.

Tyler chats to Marilyn about her days as a Morecambe Landlady. Her recollections are more a laugh a minute, than the hard graft that landladies were renowned for.

Brenda recalls childhood memories of her mothers boarding house, where hearty meals were clearly the appeal to come back the following season.

Bessie’s daughter Jennifer, describes the challenges of being a single parent and running a busy Morecambe boarding house during the 1940s and 1950s

Julie recalls ‘giddy’ teenage memories and fun times working for Mrs & Mr Whalmby at the Grangeville Hotel in the early 1980s

Elizabeth interviews Jennifer, who recalls a hard working grandmother running a guesthouse on Clarenden Road. And her various roles and tasks as a girl and teenager

On seeing screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages in Morecambe, 15 Year old Jo Whaite dreamt of becoming a Savage. In his 40s Jo arranged a local gig for Lord Sutch, and achieved his teenage ambition by playing with the band.

Roy recalls fond memories of his actress mother, her best friend Thora Hird, calling in at Eric Morecambe’s house, and how a lifelong admiration of Ruby Murray was topped by seeing her live at the Winter Gardens.

Ted Jones had that boyish wartime spirit of adventure. The fact that he and his pals were playing football on the Army’s minefield didn’t bother Ted. If he could get in for nothing, why bother paying?… and Ted managed to get in most places for free!

One of Morecambe’s unsung heros was Eric Smith, who along with his father invented the mechanical elephant, a children’s entertainment popular on Morecambe beach during the 1950s and 1960s.

Two students from Lancaster Royal Grammar School interview Brian & Gloria Dunstan about their teen memories of watching the biggest bands and the youth culture in Morecambe during the 1960s

Writer Alan Bennett recalls fond  childhood memories of holidaying in Morecambe with his family.

Catherine Huddleston interviews Audrey about her time as a variety star in Morecambe and on tour.

Nat and Dan from Lancaster Royal Grammar school interview Pete Nelson. Pete, originally from Blackburn, tells a compelling and often amusing story of life as an entertainer from the age of seventeen over a sixty year span. Pete is still playing regularly today.

Brenda Ralph, describes her role as a child with the first speaking part in John Osborne’s film adaptation of ‘The Entertainer’

Pat Modley was a dancer from a young age, and at 16 joined the famous ‘John Tiller Girls’ Enjoy her memories of that period, along with the many other interesting things she has done.

Morecambe lad, Ken Thompson remembers the small parts he played during the making of the film ‘The Entertainer’, which was filmed in Morecambe 60 years ago.

On hearing a live band at Pontins (Middleton Towers) holiday Camp in 1963, Peter Ross was hooked. ‘All my pocket money went on records from then on’ .Peter recalls happy memories of seeing some of the biggest bands around during the 1960s and into the 70s, who performed at the various Morecambe venues.

For many years the O’Connor family ran more than half of the amusements on the Morecambe Winter Gardens Fair Ground. Here Shirley and Brenda, reminisce, with happy memories of the stalls, the rides the characters, and some of the amusing incidents. If you also have memories of the fair ground, we would love to hear your comments.