Fleetwood 175

Fleetwood 175 was the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the town, in 2011. It was a year of events and parties, and a monument to mark the occasion.

A public meeting was held in 2010. The unanimous opinion from residents and existing groups was that the anniversary was a special occasion. It should be marked with a year of events and activities for everyone to take part in and enjoy.

A committee was set up to plan a years parties and celebratory events. It was led by Margaret Lund as Chairman of the 175 Committee and Margaret Daniels from Fleetwood Civic Society.

All the primary school children in Fleetwood received a commemorative 175 model trawler as a memento of their fishing heritage. Fleetwood Museum worked with a local author who wrote ‘Fabulous Fleetwood’, a storybook about history and heritage, which was given to all under 11’s in the town.

A Year of Events

There were some special one-off events, along with a special 175 focus for longer running annual events. There was tremendous support and enthusiasm from the community.

The events during 2011 included:

11-Jan	National Archive Film Festival	Marine Hall
28-30 Jan	Steamer 175 Charity Music Fest	Steamer
10-12 Feb	29th Camra Beer and Cider Fest
10-Mar	Schools’ 175 Music Festival	Marine Hall
08-Apr	Exhibition opening	Museum
09-Apr	175 Spring Ball	North Euston
22-24 April	Jazz Festival	North Euston
24-Apr	Easter Sunrise Service	The Mount
28-Apr	Musical Heritage Festival	North Euston
08-May	Heroes Fun Day and Tattoo	Fleetwood FC
17-Jun	School Playground Parties
30 Jun -1 Jul	The Golden Dream	North Euston
25-Jun	Fleetwood Carnival 175
July	Decimus Burton Exhibition	Marine Hall
13-Jul	Schools’ Dance Festival
17-Jul	Transport Festival
23-Jul	Memorial Park Fun Day
2,3,4 Sept	Fleetwood Folk Festival	Various venues
8-11 Sept	175 Heritage Festival
21-Sep	Songs of Praise	Marine Hall
30-Sep	175 Royal Marine Band Concert	Marine Hall
3-5 Nov	Fleetwoodstock 175	Marine Hall
05-Nov	175 Community Bonfire	Rossall Field Westway
13-Dec	Schools’ Christmas Concert	Marine Hall

And a Fleetwood 175 Monument

In 2011 the town turned 175. A fantastic achievement and celebration of a town that still retains much of the architecture in the streets originally laid out by Decimus Burton.

2012 was another big year for Fleetwood with many more exciting events.

• It was the year that Marine Hall Gardens were reopened after remodelling,
• the Queens Golden Jubilee Party,
• and the arrival of the Olympic Torch.

This was also the year that the new Fleetwood 175 Monument was unveiled.

The team were really pleased that there were enough funds left from the 175 celebrations to install the new monument on the Esplanade, to remember the anniversary for many years to come.

Mrs Doreen Lofthouse, Chairman and Honorary President of Fleetwood Civic Society, unveiled it on 7 September 2012 with Margaret Lund and Margaret Daniels. A special event was held, attended by local councillors, school children, members of the Rotary Club, and supporters of the town of Fleetwood.

Monuments Marking Special Events

The Fleetwood 175 monument joins many others from Fleetwoods past. They mark historical occasions, fishing tragedies and new buildings, in a town which has always had strong community pride.

It’s inscribed with the town’s crest ‘Onward’ and the very true inscription, ‘Fleetwood – A Town with a Heart’.

The new stone is at the site of an old wishing well, just across from The Mount public house. Everyone can see it here, in its spot overlooking the outer promenade and sea beyond.

While you’re here…

Have a look at the homepage of the Visit Fleetwood website for more of the latest updates.

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