100 years celebrated at St Annes green space

Clog dancers, a George Formby tribute act, a Punch and Judy show, period costumes, games such as target bowls, croquet and a coconut shy, a sale of plants, a Guide Dogs for the Blind display, music from Blackpool Brass Band, a barbecue and the final of a new centenary bowls tournament will all feature in a celebration day being held on Saturday to mark 100 years since the opening of Ashton Gardens, St Annes.

The Gardens, previously known as St George’s Gardens and in a state of disrepair by 1914, were gifted to the people of the town in 1916 by Lord Ashton, who also funded an extension of the park to include a new entrance at Clifton Drive North.

The history of the venue will be related in another feature of the centenary celebrations - an illustrated talk by Fred Moor, repeated at intervals throughout Saturday.

Held in West Lodge, St George’s Road, each talk will run for half an hour each at 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm and advance booking is strongly advised by calling (01253) 728047 or emailing info@fredmoor,com.

Fred is a former chairman of the Supporters of Ashton Gardens, which was set up in the late 1980s to fight threatened development of part of the Gardens by a supermarket chain.

He said: “There’s no entry charge for the talks but we’re asking people to pre-register because space is limited in West Lodge, and each talk can only accommodate around 20 people.”

The free celebration day runs from 10am to 4.30pm and Jon Harrison, chairman of the Supporters of Ashton Gardens, who are organising the event, said: “We hope plenty of people will join us for the celebrations.”