This is a fantastic book for those of us with fond
memories of getting as close to travelling in the Tardis as we could at Blackpool’s Golden Mile each
summer. I’ve already done several posts on here a while back with my memories
of the Blackpool exhibition and its good to see more people sharing memories
and photos of the place. This book was originally online but for the generation
that remembers Blackpool, a physical memento is something extra special.
The book contains the story of how the exhibitions came to happen and run through each of the eleven years it was open. A map of the strangely shaped site and list of the exhibits is accompanied by photographs, mostly by Richard Leaver. While the superb atmosphere in the exhibition made it difficult to take good photos – back then cameras were very basic and the flash would show on some of the glass screens – the ones here are as clear as they can be. They really reflect the excellent lighting that the place had. Thank goodness he kept these photos. I remember taking loads for several years- well twelve was as much as you could get on a roll I think- but have no idea what happened to all but a few of them.
They are presented
in rich colour (black and white would never do!) bringing back fond memories of
the attraction. There are some photos I’ve never seen before, notably of Blackpool’s
anniversary parade in which the likes of an Exxillon, Cyberman, Kraal and Zygon
paraded along the sea front before crowds of people. There are also some photos
of the times when the current Doctor visited the place.
The text vividly brings the old place to life with
insights and snippets of information. Alex Storer’s piece in particular evokes
memories not just of the exhibition itself but of a visit to Blackpool with
those sights and smells you only find in seaside towns. The book also includes
interviews with two of the people who worked directly on the exhibition.
This has to be my favourite Doctor Who
publication in ages. I’d recommend it to any fan whether you recall visiting
the exhibition or not. It is so good to have this visual record and account of
something that seems a world away yet remains such a good memory. There’s even
more on a free digital publication that can be found at
blackpoolremembered7485.wordpress.com
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