Cultural Cleveleys

Cleveleys residents do not need to be told what a rich, cultural heritage the town has. Everywhere you look is a reminder of it's unique and irreplaceable history, as well as its present live culture, as vibrant as it is diverse. Skateboarding teens collide with elderly, infirm pensioners in a way that anywhere else in the world would result in a trip to Accident and Emergency, but here in Cleveleys the juxtaposition of these two opposing cultures just seems to work. Metaphorically, at least. If they actually collide in a physical way we do recommend calling for an ambulance.

A number of annual events bring visitors to Cleveleys from far and wide. Among these are the annual Cleveleys Mobility Scooter Jousting Tournament, held each year on St Georges Day. This wonderful traditional display of chivalry and bloodlust dates back to medieval times and has changed very little over the passage of time. Calls from health and safety cranks to replace the real lances with theatrical props have thankfully failed, and to date the event has been carried out as tradition dictates, with the final victor carrying the head of the loser through the streets of Thornton and Cleveleys on his or her scooter, including twice around Kiddie's Corner, before casting it into the sea.

In more recent times, younger visitors have been drawn to the town to take part in 'Jump The Bins', an event which takes place by the bins out the back of Cleveleys KFC. Devised as an event to rival Blackpool's 'Ride The Lights' it has overtaken the neighbouring event in popularity. In 2013 a total of 7 people took part. True, 12000 cyclists reportedly took part in 'Ride The Lights', but to be fair there were also 12000 bikes. KFC only has 3 bins, so putting things in perspective the Cleveleys' event is more popular.

But for history buffs the real pull of Cleveleys is it's forgotten Pirate history. Just a year ago a major archaeological discovery was made quite by accident when the former Kwik Save premises were renovated to become The Jolly Tars, and some extra 'lebensraum' for adjacent KFC. Builders discovered that the site was in fact an ancient Pirate burial ground, with catacombs running deep under the former supermarket. A preservation order was quickly drafted and the new developments took place without disturbing the final resting place of literally hundreds of sea-faring Cornish criminals. Twice per year there are guided tours of the catacombs, the highlight of which is the tomb of infamous Cleveleys born pirate 'Black Francis Townend' who single-handedly fought back invaders from Bispham. Single handedly, and unsuccessfully, hence the tomb. Some patrons of the Jolly Tars claim they have seen strange, skeletal figures wandering past, or heard incomprehensible moans echoing around the premises, but these could just be people from Fleetwood trying to make it to the toilets.

Young or old, gainfully employed or scrounger, cultural Cleveleys has something for you!