A delightful old photograph of travel 1920s style has been submitted by Chronicle reader, Malcolm Cawthorne.
Taken around 1925, it shows some of his family and their friends dressed in their Sunday best for what would be a long and interesting journey.
William Cawthorne, Malcolm's grandfather who founded the firm of W & A Cawthorne, is wearing a flat cap. He can be seen standing behind the windscreen.
Harry Cawthorne, Malcolm's dad, is standing next to his younger brother Roy who, in turn, is standing next to William.
They were on a day trip to Blackpool in the charabanc which had solid tyres. The journey would be very uncomfortable and take them well over four hours before they caught a glimpse of the sea and Blackpool Tower.
Charabancs were given the nickname of "boneshakers" and if it rained everyone had to get off the vehicle until the hood was pulled over.
Just out of interest, the registration number on the vehicle was HE 1027. Blackpool Tower has been a major attraction in the town for over 200 years. The idea for the tower came when the Mayor, John Bickerstaffe, thought it would be a good idea for Blackool to have a new landmark.
After visiting the Great Paris Exhibition of 1889 he was so impressed by the Eiffel Tower that when he returned to the Lancashire resort he commissioned the design.
Five million bricks, 2,500 tonnes of iron and 93 tonnes of cast steel were used at a cost of about £300,000.
It was opened in 1894 and it was so popular 3,000 customers took the first rides to the top. However, in 1897 the top of the tower caught fire and between 1921 and 1924 the whole of the steelwork in the structure was replaced and renewed. Many famous artistes have performed at the tower including Arthur Askey, Cleo Lane, Duke Ellington and Peter Dawson.
The ballroom is a popular attraction made famous by former resident organist Reginald Dixon. He played there from 1930 until his retirement in 1970 and was affectionately known as "Mr Blackpool."
