Cedar Tavern - Blackpool - Heritage, Air Crashes and Ghosts !

Taken back in 2013 ( please forgive the dreadful HDR ! ) 

Jan 2019 I wrote the following post on #The scheme for the Cedar Tavern in Cedar Square, which is currently closed, has been given the go ahead by Blackpool Council using delegated planning powers.

Resort-based architect Joseph Boniface has drawn up the designs which include a roof extension to form a rooftop seating area giving customers views over the town centre. Alterations will also be made to the existing facade to lower the sills and enlarge the three windows onto Wood Street. The building, which dates back to the 1930s and was originally used as an insurance centre, is locally listed and sits within the town centre conservation area. A design statement, which accompanied the application, says the town centre “currently lacks quality drinking establishments” and the aim is “to cater to a market which is currently under-represented.” Work will include restoring parts of the facade which have been damaged over time by impact and other intervention such as signage, plastic plants and lighting.

 In 1865 Homer Terrace was built in Cedar Square off Church Street. The square was named after the private house, called Cedar Villas, which had stood there. 

1931 The Cedar Tavern, Blackpool: The Liverpool, London, and Globe Insurance Company opened an office at 15 Cedar Square. This later became Royal Insurance and then White’s Bar, before settling as the Cedar Tavern. It had been designed by JC Derham, who had also designed the Olympia buildings.

On the 11th of September 1935, Lilian Barnes aged 33 and her sister Doris 30, were laid to rest in Marton Cemetery. The two sisters - both flying enthusiasts - were thrilled to bits when they heard that Sir Alan Cobham's Flying Circus was coming to Blackpool on the 7th of September 1935. To get a better view of the flying aces performing aeronautical stunts over the town centre, they decided to take to the air themselves in a light plane piloted by Captain Robert Stewart.

The sisters waved to the crowds below - thoroughly enjoying every moment of their flight with a grandstand view of the daring stunts. However, their expressions of enjoyment turned into screams of horror when out of nowhere they were hit by one of the planes in the show. The tail of their tiny plane landed in Cedar Square, the main body falling into Swainson Street where it caught fire.

Lilian Barnes was thrown out of the plane, and hitting a tree in Leopold Grove, was killed instantly. Her sister Doris fell into Swainson Street where she was also killed. Captain Stewart was pulled out alive but later died of his injuries. Lillian and Doris Barnes were buried in Marton Cemetery on this day, the 11th of September 1935. It's said that years later a handbag - possibly belonging to one of the sisters - was noticed and later recovered from the roof of a house in Swainson Street. This may have given rise to the name Flying Handbag of a bar near where the tragic accident happened.

 Information from Blackpoolcrime.wordpress.com with thanks to Martin O'Callaghan

Air  Click Air for a fuller version, Extra information also from Denys Barber,  Nick Moore https://www.blackpoolhistory.co.uk/ and www.facebook.com/groups/blackpoolspast/

 The damaged house was demolished, and neighbouring dwelling were compulsorily purchased later, ostensibly to build a replacement for Cocker Street Baths. The land has remained undeveloped, becoming an unofficial car park., Doris Barnes' handbag was spotted and retrieved from the roof of a house in Swainson Street and gave its name to a well-known hostelry in the town.

The Cedar Tavern has several reports of unusual activity: moving items, unexplained footsteps, a lonely child seen playing hide and seek with security cameras as well as a phantom chef who has been known to throw stuff around the kitchen and wind up former staff members...

 

I would love it if this pub was to be reinvented again ! Having been inside on the first floor is a little bar, seating and a very small stage area that could be used say for clubs, or mediums dare I say.. 

If I am in town and in the area I always stop and take a few shots of the old girl - what are your memories ? 

 Extra shot From Phill Anderson !!