Convention 2009
May Bank Holiday Weekend
Click Here for Pictures from the Weekend
The Fylde Tramway Society once again enjoyed its Annual Convention over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The weekend started on the Friday evening at 7.30pm with the May monthly meeting at the Wings Club at Cleveleys. Mr Doug Garrett from ReBlackpool gave a very enthusiastic talk on the regeneration plans for Blackpool. The evening was very well received by all present, and Mr Garrett through the floor open to questions and the end.
Saturday morning brought with it the ever-popular tour of the depot and workshops of Blackpool Transport Services Ltd. Almost 140 people had booked for this event, and BTS didn't disappoint. The recently-restored Western Train was pulled out onto the depot fan for all to see, and what a beauty she is. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the completed vehicles really show what versatile skills are posessed by the tradesmen employed at BTS, and she will definitely turn heads on the promenade later in the year. Following the tour, Princess Alice 706 and HMS Blackpool 736 swallowed the crowd for the journey to Fleetwood and the A.G.M. In the evening it was 'beer and buses', and the Lancastrian Transport Trust once again provided a preserved vehicle for a tour of local hostelries.
Sunday morning came round all-too-quickly, and it was the 'Twin Twin-Car Tour', utilizing 672/682 and 675/685. From the depot, the convoy went to North Pier, then Starr Gate, Little Bispham and back to Bispham for a lunch break. From there it was up to Fleetwood, where both sets occupied the loops at the Ferry before running back to Pleasure Beach, Foxhall, and in to the Depot. Many photo stops were taken along the way, and how impressive it was to see these vehicles lined up on Little Bispham Loop, and side-by-side on South Promenade. At Fleetwood Ferry, the tour 'took over' the street scene, with trams and enthusiasts everywhere! In the evening it was the Annual Dinner, and again, an improved attendance over last year meant we were back in the Ballroom at the North Euston Hotel at Fleetwood. It was so nice to see so many members present, and some lively entertainment was brought to us by Mr Bryan Lindop from BTS.
In typical Bank Holiday style, the weather was not so kind on the Monday, but nevertheless, the tour went ahead. Boat Car 600 was exchanged for Balloon 717, but Vanguard 619 was still used. Leaving the depot together, they both then went into 'Service' between North Pier and Cleveleys, providing many riding and photographic opportunities along the way. Just before 3.30pm, both cars journeyed to Fleetwood and back, and people just stopped and stared and 619 rummbled its way along Lord Street. On arrival back in Blackpool, 619 went back to Depot, but 717 carried on to Starr Gate before returning home.
Once again, a very enjoyable Convention weekend. It was nice to see a number of new faces again, and also, nice to know that some participants were members of years gone by who had recently re-joined the Society; to all of these people, thank you. Convention weekend is the highlight in the FTS calender, and comes highly recommended to one and all. The Blackpool Tramway always has something new, something different to see, and the next few years will be no exception with the Tramway evolving into a modern light-rail system, enhanced fully by its collection of priceless vehicles.
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