Tourists turn back the clock to war 70 years ago in Lytham

Lytham is set to turn the clock back more than 70 years as thousands of visitors descend on the town for its annual wartime weekend.

Lytham St. Anne’s is a conurbation in the Fylde district of Lancashire, England. The neighboring towns of Lytham and St. Anne’s on the Sea (nearly always abbreviated to St. Anne’s) have grown together and now form a seaside resort. The towns are situated on the Fylde coast, south of Blackpool at the point where the coastline turns east to form the estuary of the River Ribble leading inland to Preston. St. Anne’s is situated on the northern side of the turning and, like Blackpool, overlooks the Irish Sea, whereas Lytham is on the eastern side and overlooks the Ribble Estuary.

Lytham St. Anne’s is internationally renowned for golf and has four courses and links, the most notable being the Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s Golf Club, one of the host courses for the Open Championship, also known as the “British Open,” which has been a competition course since first hosting the Open in 1926. Approximately once every ten years, the coming of The Open—a major sporting event—brings a major influx of visitors, including the world’s media, into a fairly peaceful community. Lytham St. Anne’s is considered to be a wealthy area with residents’ earnings among the highest in Lancashire.

The popular event in this resort town, which saw an estimated 25,000 people visit the town last year, promises an excellent weekend of entertainment, with attractions including a mock battle on Lytham Green, a vehicle rally and a fly-past by a Spitfire Dakota.

Coun Susan Fazackerley, Fylde Council cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “We’re all really excited about this year’s festival.

“As well as the hugely popular military vehicle displays and parade through Lytham, vintage rides for children, living history camps and entertainment zone, we’re looking forward to the special Battle of Britain memorial flight of the Spitfire Dakota flyover planned for the Sunday shortly before 2pm. Let’s hope the weather is kind.”

Last year’s festival saw Lytham town center come alive with many visitors in wartime dress, while shops, pubs and cafes entered the spirit of the occasion.

Coun Fazackerley added, “We hope to attract thousands of visitors and residents to this event, making it a fun-filled and busy weekend for everyone in Fylde.”

Viv Wood, head of tourism at Fylde Council, said, “The event is getting bigger and better every year and we have plenty of attractions for visitors.”