Thanks. Victoria mentions Oxford Street in her book with photo. A beautiful tree lined Victoria terrace street in sunny Morecambe. Alan loved the place.
A wonderful bit of irony in Morecambe. Birthplace of Dame Thora Hird is commemorated with a plaque on the side of a Wetherspoons. She was teetotal all her life.
I'm reminded by AB's accent that there was very little difference between Lancastrian and Yorkshire accents back then. Listening to Alan is like listening to older people in Lancashire in the 1960s when I was a kid.
Ooh Alan! You took me right back to the 1950s! My Mum took us to Morecambe several times all the way from Glasgow. Like your parents she thought it more select than Blackpool. Loved our visits to The Lido and musicals at the Winter Gardens.
I grew up in Southend so I understand a little bit of the seaside town draw. However, my era was really the 70’s so most of the seaside holidays fad had died by then. I couldn’t imagine staying in a dingy boarding house with razor thin walls. I’m long removed from the UK now and living in Florida, so it really is a world apart. I think for people living in smoke filled, drab cities back then it probably was an adventure to see the ocean.
My Grandparents regularly took Mum to Morecambe for their annual holidays. Mum was born in 1927, so was 7 years older than Alan, and I'm sure they overlapped. Grandad was a Baker and they ran a bakers and confectioners shop in Burnley. Morecambe hotels would have been too grand for them, they stayed in B&Bs (lodgings). Like the Bennetts, my Mum's parents were not well off, but not really poor either. The Midland Hotel, Art Deco Hotel, which is still a Morecambe landmark, was built in 1933, the year before Alan was born. It was a place families like the Bennetts and Singletons went to look at, not to stay in. To further economise, my Grandma would bring the little girl (Mum) on the coach from Burnley, while my Grandad cycled it on a home made bike. The distance, by the most direct route then available, was about 55 miles. Once here, they mainly walked everywhere, with the occasional tram ride. Grandad always walked. Their favourite trip was to Heysham, just along the coast. This is a different world to commercialised Morecambe. It features an 8th century ruined Saxon Chapel (St Patrick's Chapel) with stone cut Saxon graves, and also a quite modern (10th century) late Saxon /early Medieval Church (St Peter's),which is still the main place of worship in the village. I have photo of Mum in her 80s, sheltering in the church grounds from a wind off the Irish Sea. Heysham village hasn't changed much from the 1930's, when Mum was there as a girl. But in those days, entering the Royal Hotel for lunch, would not have been an option. Way too expensive. This was the grandest Pub in the village, and still is. My Grandparents made do with a flask of tea and sandwiches from the lodgings; and maybe a ice cream for Mum, if she behaved.
same sort of family as my mother except they went to Margate and once to the Isle of Wight from where Granny wrote a letter, which I now have, to family in Hastings on the morning of their departure saying to meet them off the train the same day at Bo Peep Station at 4pm ... and I am sure all went to plan ... I hate to think what they would make of today's society
Nothing mysterious about Lancaster Green Ayre -- that was the Lancaster station for east-west trains coming from Yorkshire to Morecambe and Heysham. When that closed in 1966 it dealt a huge blow to Morecambe; the train connections were hugely reduced. British Rail simply didn't seem to consider through traffic as a benefit on lines where there was little local traffic but a useful direct connection; the same mistake led them to close the busy Preston-Southport line. In fact, with the decline of a lot of British towns, you'll see running down of rail links turning up to be a considerable part of it.
I spent three memorable years in Morecambe from 1964-67. I was intrigued by the opening sequence of the film when a young man on horseback gallops towards the camera. Can anyone confirm my thoughts that he is called Fred Townsend and the horse is called 'Paddy'?
I remember, when first working in London, seeing someone wearing a bowler hat and thinking it odd. The memory doesn’t seem long ago but it was in the mid 1980’s. Today, a day in December 2020, I saw someone of my age wearing a camel coat and stripy shirt. It surprised me as I reflected, “I used to dress like that. I didn’t think people still did”.
it was a uniform for men working in the City of London Bankers and the like to wear a pin stripe suit and a bowler hat ... many being ex military men having served in India, Ceylon and Africa
Alan Bennett’s Memories of Morecambe:Not born till after ‘50.Rationing till 1953?No Meat till Spam!Mr.Bennett Post War survivors generation.As I got older started to loathe and even despise them?You were so lucky you enjoyed school and the mentoring to scholarship.I think it was (in Hull)the way they adjusted to austerity and humiliation that made me hate them.As you say it’s just the way they were!Or what they privately got away with!?Memories of brown paper carrier bags,Lino,COD liver oil,Malt extract,dolly tub,Corner shop,(Yea old idea).Topper through letterbox.Everything worn away by x6 years of war.Brains and feelings got messed with.I witnessed the barbarity as done to adults!No forgiveness.It held me back for years.Thanks Mr.Bennett.Mac.SL.2020.
Not sure I can we as a family during the 60 70 and 80's had many memorable English beach holidays staying in caravans and B&B's ... abroad is for wimps!
“… 1983, my father went to ‘Lucifer’s’ a short lived bar and bistro, then a day at frontierland in the haunted house and a stint in the cyclone ride… later, I often went with Mum, to Gizmo’s pizza for a take-away tea in 1993 then it was off to Lancaster to see Jurassic Park” He missed all this out!
I should have realised before rather grumpily stating the obvious. I do need subtitles unfortunately but it’s surprising that Google can’t do a better job.
![[4k, 50fps, colorized] (1901) Panoramic View of the Morecambe Sea Front.](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oTXL6OrfWsw/mqdefault.jpg)
Can never have too much of Alan Bennett! Lovely way to start the day.😂👍👍🇨🇦
He has a mesmerising voice ,just love listening to a truly beautiful man .🙂
Victoria Wood lived on our street in Morecambe. The female Alan Bennett. I could hear her rehearsals on the piano as I walked past.
Thanks. Victoria mentions Oxford Street in her book with photo. A beautiful tree lined Victoria terrace street in sunny Morecambe. Alan loved the place.
Both such great talents, sad to lose Wood so young. 👍👍🇨🇦
Love Alan Bennett northern gritt can't beat it
Thank you. A lovely interview with some great footage! You can never have too much of AB.
Sunset Across the Bay is a terribly sad movie, but the actors in it are great.
A lovely little film. You can’t beat a bit of AB to start the weekend. Thanks 😀
A wonderful bit of irony in Morecambe. Birthplace of Dame Thora Hird is commemorated with a plaque on the side of a Wetherspoons. She was teetotal all her life.
Really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing.
This was wonderful and it brought back so many of my own memories of family holidays but the seaside
I'm reminded by AB's accent that there was very little difference between Lancastrian and Yorkshire accents back then. Listening to Alan is like listening to older people in Lancashire in the 1960s when I was a kid.
I love Morecambe Been going since 1962 great memories
Thanks David. A lovely tribute. Simple and evocative.
I really enjoyed this. A fascinating insight.
Alun Armstrong and Pauline Yates, impressive cast.
Brilliant ....As i would expect .
Ooh Alan! You took me right back to the 1950s! My Mum took us to Morecambe several times all the way from Glasgow. Like your parents she thought it more select than Blackpool. Loved our visits to The Lido and musicals at the Winter Gardens.
I grew up in Southend so I understand a little bit of the seaside town draw. However, my era was really the 70’s so most of the seaside holidays fad had died by then. I couldn’t imagine staying in a dingy boarding house with razor thin walls. I’m long removed from the UK now and living in Florida, so it really is a world apart. I think for people living in smoke filled, drab cities back then it probably was an adventure to see the ocean.
And being kicked out after breakfast and not being allowed back in by terrifying landladies. Actually saw 'Hot and cold water in all rooms"!
My Grandparents regularly took Mum to Morecambe for their annual holidays. Mum was born in 1927, so was 7 years older than Alan, and I'm sure they overlapped. Grandad was a Baker and they ran a bakers and confectioners shop in Burnley. Morecambe hotels would have been too grand for them, they stayed in B&Bs (lodgings). Like the Bennetts, my Mum's parents were not well off, but not really poor either. The Midland Hotel, Art Deco Hotel, which is still a Morecambe landmark, was built in 1933, the year before Alan was born. It was a place families like the Bennetts and Singletons went to look at, not to stay in. To further economise, my Grandma would bring the little girl (Mum) on the coach from Burnley, while my Grandad cycled it on a home made bike. The distance, by the most direct route then available, was about 55 miles. Once here, they mainly walked everywhere, with the occasional tram ride. Grandad always walked. Their favourite trip was to Heysham, just along the coast. This is a different world to commercialised Morecambe. It features an 8th century ruined Saxon Chapel (St Patrick's Chapel) with stone cut Saxon graves, and also a quite modern (10th century) late Saxon /early Medieval Church (St Peter's),which is still the main place of worship in the village. I have photo of Mum in her 80s, sheltering in the church grounds from a wind off the Irish Sea. Heysham village hasn't changed much from the 1930's, when Mum was there as a girl. But in those days, entering the Royal Hotel for lunch, would not have been an option. Way too expensive. This was the grandest Pub in the village, and still is. My Grandparents made do with a flask of tea and sandwiches from the lodgings; and maybe a ice cream for Mum, if she behaved.
same sort of family as my mother except they went to Margate and once to the Isle of Wight from where Granny wrote a letter, which I now have, to family in Hastings on the morning of their departure saying to meet them off the train the same day at Bo Peep Station at 4pm ... and I am sure all went to plan ... I hate to think what they would make of today's society
Enjoyed reading your comments.
Nothing mysterious about Lancaster Green Ayre -- that was the Lancaster station for east-west trains coming from Yorkshire to Morecambe and Heysham. When that closed in 1966 it dealt a huge blow to Morecambe; the train connections were hugely reduced. British Rail simply didn't seem to consider through traffic as a benefit on lines where there was little local traffic but a useful direct connection; the same mistake led them to close the busy Preston-Southport line. In fact, with the decline of a lot of British towns, you'll see running down of rail links turning up to be a considerable part of it.
Very similar to my experience as a child
Saw the video title and immediately the word 'miserable ' came to mind....
Never
Morecombe, a holiday during war, was not so bad. No beach holidays for our Canadians of that generation.
I spent three memorable years in Morecambe from 1964-67. I was intrigued by the opening sequence of the film when a young man on horseback gallops towards the camera. Can anyone confirm my thoughts that he is called Fred Townsend and the horse is called 'Paddy'?
I remember, when first working in London, seeing someone wearing a bowler hat and thinking it odd. The memory doesn’t seem long ago but it was in the mid 1980’s.
Today, a day in December 2020, I saw someone of my age wearing a camel coat and stripy shirt. It surprised me as I reflected, “I used to dress like that. I didn’t think people still did”.
it was a uniform for men working in the City of London Bankers and the like to wear a pin stripe suit and a bowler hat ... many being ex military men having served in India, Ceylon and Africa
Punch and Judy used to make me cry 😢
Love Morecambe
Alan Bennett’s Memories of Morecambe:Not born till after ‘50.Rationing till 1953?No Meat till Spam!Mr.Bennett Post War survivors generation.As I got older started to loathe and even despise them?You were so lucky you enjoyed school and the mentoring to scholarship.I think it was (in Hull)the way they adjusted to austerity and humiliation that made me hate them.As you say it’s just the way they were!Or what they privately got away with!?Memories of brown paper carrier bags,Lino,COD liver oil,Malt extract,dolly tub,Corner shop,(Yea old idea).Topper through letterbox.Everything worn away by x6 years of war.Brains and feelings got messed with.I witnessed the barbarity as done to adults!No forgiveness.It held me back for years.Thanks Mr.Bennett.Mac.SL.2020.
I visited Morecambe in the early 80s, what a miserable depressing hole.
Things change, places get old!
Can you see now why people left these places for Greece,Cyprus, Spain & Portugal as soon as package holidays arrived in the late 1960s?
Not sure I can we as a family during the 60 70 and 80's had many memorable English beach holidays staying in caravans and B&B's ... abroad is for wimps!
“… 1983, my father went to ‘Lucifer’s’ a short lived bar and bistro, then a day at frontierland in the haunted house and a stint in the cyclone ride… later, I often went with Mum, to Gizmo’s pizza for a take-away tea in 1993 then it was off to Lancaster to see Jurassic Park” He missed all this out!
I did a school athletics tornumemt at Green Ayre Sport Centre 😅
Disappointingly subtitled “Malcolm” for Morecambe is only the worst of many errors
Hi, this subtitling is auto generated by RUclips. Its not something we have done. In settings you can easily turn subtitles off.
I should have realised before rather grumpily stating the obvious. I do need subtitles unfortunately but it’s surprising that Google can’t do a better job.
A chip in the sugar
Its a shame really it has alot of potential …..not much here now