Front doors, Fleetwood

In 2006, when this photograph was taken, I worked in Fleetwood, Lancashire. It was a visually interesting place with the sea, the port, the town, the marina, the River Wyre, and distant Barrow in Furness and Lakeland across the bay. Unsurprisingly I was frequently to be seen there with my camera. However, this particular photograph could have been taken anywhere in England. It shows part of the front elevation of a couple of houses composed of ready-made building components - bay windows, door surrounds, gate posts etc - that date from the late C19 or, more likely, early C20. It wasn't these that caught my eye though. Rather it was the beautifully painted red and green doors, probably contemporary with the rest of the structure, and the word "Ribblesdale" (the area of my upbringing) imprinted on the leftmost gate pier.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus E-300     2006

Coronation Class tram, Fleetwood

For many decades Blackpool was one of the few English towns continue with trams. When other cities were taking up the tracks and dismantling the over-head wires, Blackpool was continuing to run its trams of varying ages on the ten miles of track between Fleetwood and Starr Gate at the south end of the town. They not only provided transport, they also formed part of the seaside holiday "offer" that attracted visitors. This beautifully prepared "Coronation Class" tram with its corporation green and cream colour scheme, "moderne" or "streamlined" chrome styling and rounded windows, dates from the 1950s. I photographed it on "Tram Sunday" in 2005. Just visible behind the tram is another tram made to look like a navy warship. You can see it in all its glory here.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus E300     2005