Imagine doing this these days?? Blackpool magician Harry Dewhurst reckoned he knew the route along the resort's seafront so well he could drive it with his eyes closed. So he went one better and blindfolded, with a bag on his head, he broke all records by driving just under two miles from North Pier to The Casino, Pleasure Beach in about half an hour!placeholder image
Imagine doing this these days?? Blackpool magician Harry Dewhurst reckoned he knew the route along the resort's seafront so well he could drive it with his eyes closed. So he went one better and blindfolded, with a bag on his head, he broke all records by driving just under two miles from North Pier to The Casino, Pleasure Beach in about half an hour!

25 era-defining retro pictures of Blackpool in 1977 taking you back to different times

By Claire Lark
Published 11th Aug 2023, 12:00 GMT
Updated 10th Jul 2024, 14:03 GMT

It was the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and also storms which battered the Fylde Coast

A magician drove along the promenade blindfolded to prove he knew the route so well (!!) and race horse Red Rumand jockey was in town to switch on the Illuminations. These and plenty other fantastic pictures wrap up Blackpool in 1977.

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Conservative party leader Margaret Thatcher with 16 year old Rother Valley schoolboy William Hague, after he received a standing ovation from delegates at the Tory party conference in Blackpool

7. Blackpool, 1977

Conservative party leader Margaret Thatcher with 16 year old Rother Valley schoolboy William Hague, after he received a standing ovation from delegates at the Tory party conference in Blackpool Photo: PA

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A class at Burn Naze Primary School in 1977

8. Blackpool, 1977

A class at Burn Naze Primary School in 1977 Photo: submit

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Yate's Wine Lodge on April 18 1977

9. Blackpool, 1977

Yate's Wine Lodge on April 18 1977 Photo: Staff

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1977 Illumination Swicth-on with Red Rum and jockey Tommy Stack outside Blackpool Town Hall

10. Blackpool, 1977

1977 Illumination Swicth-on with Red Rum and jockey Tommy Stack outside Blackpool Town Hall Photo: National World

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Congested scenes as anglers pack into Stanley Park lake in the summer

11. Blackpool, 1977

Congested scenes as anglers pack into Stanley Park lake in the summer Photo: library

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A schoolboy's delight - the huge model of the aircraft carrier Ark Royal with her decks displaying all the latest models of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft at Blackpool Air Pageant, May 1977

12. Blackpool, 1977

A schoolboy's delight - the huge model of the aircraft carrier Ark Royal with her decks displaying all the latest models of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft at Blackpool Air Pageant, May 1977 Photo: library

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