Here are eight fascinating facts about your wonderful city and town that may surprise you…..
5. Blue skies over Morecambe Bay
Blue skies over Morecambe Bay By Janette Wright of Bolton le Sands. Morecambe Bay is so called because historian John Whitaker suggested in 1771 that it was the Morikámbē tidal flat described by Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy (died c170 AD). Photo: Janette Wright
6. Morecambe Pier pictured in 1914 from Lancashire’s Seaside Piers by Martin Easdown
Morecambe Pier pictured in 1914 from Lancashire’s Seaside Piers by Martin Easdown. Did you know that John Osborne wrote the gritty Midlands drama that became Look Back in Anger while comfortably ensconced in a deckchair on Morecambe pier? He was appearing with a repertory company in the play Seagulls Over Sorrento there in the early summer of 1955, and penned the first draught of the largely autobiographical piece in just 17 days. Photo: n/a
7. The Castle, one of Lancaster’s magnificent landmarks. Photograph reproduced by kind permission of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Castle, one of Lancaster’s magnificent landmarks. Lancaster castle was used as a prison ever since the late 12th century. One of the most remarkable Lancaster Castle facts is that the first mention of the castle being used as a prison came in the year 1196. This means that the castle has an extensive history as a prison as well since the HMP Lancaster was only closed in the year 2011. The castle is still being used as the administrative offices of the Lancashire County Council and as a Crown Court in some parts of the building. The entire complex is, however, owned by the British sovereign as Duke of Lancaster. Photograph reproduced by kind permission of the Duchy of Lancaster Photo: sub
8. Dave Spikey's book contains a story from The Visitor about a man who stole a Grim Reaper costume from Morecambe Town Hall
Dave Spikey's book contains a strange story from Morecambe's The Visitor newspaper about a man who stole a Grim Reaper costume from Morecambe Town Hall. You may remember the court case from 2007 in which a man dressed as the Grim Reaper was arrested after a lads’ night out in Morecambe. Christopher Kelly lost his mates, who were celebrating a friend’s birthday and were also drunk, and wandered onto the beach where he got stuck in boggy sand and lost his shoes, trousers and jacket. Cold and wet, he staggered across the road to Morecambe Town Hall where, seeing a window open, he climbed inside. “Then he soiled his underwear which he threw into a black bin bag. He found a ‘Grim Reaper’ fancy dress outfit and put this on before leaving the town hall where he eventually arrived at the police station (and) stood there for three hours, still in the Grim Reaper gear, until police arrived.” Photo: submit