Trip back in time on board a heritage tram

Blackpool Transport has teamed up with a local hospice to provide a nostalgic trip along the seafront for a group of Fylde coast residents living with dementia.

Organised by Trinity Hospice as part of Dementia Action Week (May 18 – 22), the journey on board one of the town’s famous heritage trams featured a stop for fish and chips at Papas on the promenade, and an old-fashioned sing-song.

The elderly passengers were joined by their carers, and were welcomed on board by Mayor-elect Councillor Danny Scott and Mayoress-elect Councillor Michele Scott for what proved to be a very special day out.

Hayley Gregory, Marketing and Customer Insight Manager at Blackpool Transport, explained: “It was lovely to see so many smiles as everyone boarded the historic Number 717 ‘Balloon’ Tram at the Pleasure Beach for the return trip to Little Bispham.

“A lively singalong of ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside’ was also among the highlights of the morning on the tram, and we were delighted to be involved in such a wonderful trip down memory lane.”

Dementia Action Week is organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, and further information can be found here.