A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On

There was a ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ in July as the Tutti Frutti 1950s Seaside Festival made its debut at the Platform.

People came from all over, from Scotland to Brighton, to rock around the clock with bands and acts such as The HotWires, Jive Hoot, Mike Haywood, tributes to Billy Fury and Buddy Holly, and finally, Good Rockin’ Tonight had everyone on their feet as they played the final songs to end an amazing day. The evening show was a complete sell out, and there was some disappointment as we had to turn over 50 people away as they hadn’t bought a ticket in time. So many people really made the effort to get into the spirit of the fifties and came in vintage outfits – women wearing circle skirts whilst Teddy Boys led them around the dance floor.
The daytime was packed with free entertainment including dance displays from local troop ‘Happy Feet’. They performed amazing routines to rock ‘n’ roll classics with a modern twist. A group of fifties fans from Glasgow were teaching members of the crowd how to ‘Stroll’.
Helping to recreate the fifties era were vintage motor cycles and cars, stalls selling vintage goods, Punch and Judy shows, the ‘Fifties Factor’ talent show, Kate Drummond with her fifties style ice cream van helped the crowd to cool off and Chill were making fifties style milkshakes.

Poulton Neighbourhood Management and Winning Back Morecambe’s West End funded the event. Lancaster City Council provided a Festival Innovation Fund grant of £500. The festival couldn’t have been organised without the support and help from local residents especially Jackie and Martin Colyer, Keith Louis and Kate Drummond. DJ Steve Middlesborough and many local businesses pledged their support in making the festival a reality and contributed to transporting the town back the fabulous fifties. This was a fantastic event for Morecambe which gathered huge support from local people, so much so, we are coming back next year! 
Tip for next year: THIS YEAR WAS A SELL OUT - BUY YOUR TICKET EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

Moving on Up

As part of our anti-bullying project with the local schools, primary pupils have been receiving advice for when they go to high school in September.
In July, before the summer holidays, eight students from Years 9 and 10 from Morecambe High School went to Poulton-le-Sands Primary School to chat with the Year 6 class about the problems and worries of moving onto high school. The primary pupils also get to meet some of their fellow students so that when they do arrive at high school there are some familiar faces.
Sue Boswell, Community Development Officer for Poulton Neighbourhood Management said: “Both sets of students gained a lot from the visit. It’s a chance for the young people to ask questions regarding issues about the change from primary school to high school and the differences that they will find. The discussion session is both fun and informal.”
Morecambe High School students run a very successful and award winning ‘Anti-Bullying Club’ that supports all pupils, particularly the first year students.