Morecambe

Morecambe {{IPA|}} is a resort town in the Lancaster district of Lancashire, England. As of 2003 it has a resident population of about 45,000. It faces into Morecambe Bay.

Related Topics:
Resort town - Lancaster - Lancashire - England - 2003 - Morecambe Bay

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In 1889 the small towns of Bare, Poulton-le-Sands and Torrisholme collectively became known as Morecambe, and those areas of Morecambe are still known by their original names.

Related Topics:
1889 - Bare - Poulton-le-Sands - Torrisholme

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Morecambe has had a proud history as a thriving seaside resort in the mid-twentieth century. Between 1956 and 1989 it was the home of the Miss Great Britain beauty contest.

Related Topics:
1956 - 1989 - Miss Great Britain - Beauty contest

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However, Morecambe has suffered a decline in recent years. It once had two piers - Central Pier and West Pier, but both are now gone. In 1994, The World of Crinkley Bottom attraction in Happy Mount Park closed only 13 weeks after its opening. The ensuing 'Blobbygate' scandal led to a legal battle between Lancaster City Council and TV star Noel Edmonds. The closures of Bubbles, Morecambe's indoor waterworld, and Frontierland, its Pleasure Beach, soon followed.

Related Topics:
Lancaster - Noel Edmonds

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The resort then gained the dubious distinction of being placed third in the October 2003 book '.

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Morecambe is home to the Midland hotel, an important art deco luxury hotel which still contains pieces by luminaries such as Eric Gill. It is currently undergoing a £7m restoration, headed by Manchester company Urban Splash. The company intends to restore the hotel to its former glory and open it for business in 2006. This would include new additions such an outdoor swimming pool as shown in the buildings new design.

Related Topics:
Art deco - Eric Gill - Manchester - Urban Splash - 2006

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Another famous landmark is the partially renovated Victoria Pavillion otherwise popularly known as Morecambe Winter Gardens which was once a venue for swimming baths, grand theatre, restaurant and ballroom and even became a training camp at various times in it's life.

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Morecambe railway station, which serves the town is the terminus of the Morecambe Branch Line from Lancaster. Occasional trains reverse at Morecambe, continuing to Heysham, where they connect with the ferry service to the Isle of Man. There is another station at Bare Lane, serving the suburb of Bare. Services are operated by Northern Rail.

Related Topics:
Morecambe railway station - Morecambe Branch Line - Lancaster - Heysham - Ferry - Isle of Man - Bare Lane - Bare - Northern Rail

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Recent tourism initiatives have made Morecambe a centre for bird watchers with the Tern Project enhancing the resorts heritage linked to the extensive natural landscape of the Morecambe Bay and diverse wildlife. Morecambe also has a statue commemorating one of its most famous sons Eric Morecambe.

Related Topics:
Bird watchers - Eric Morecambe

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The town is in the Morecambe and Lunesdale parliamentary constituency.

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See also:

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• Eric Morecambe
• Thora Hird

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Morecambe: Geography ►