Magic moments from
DO you remember watching motorbikes roar across the sands at Ainsdale Beach in Southport?
They were a popular fixture in the resort in years gone by, often attracting thousands of spectators.
The Ainsdale circuit included spectators’ enclosures, while riders raced around Formby Corner, Southport Corner, Formby Chicane, Southport Chicane, Ainsdale Chicane and Paddock Chicane.
Also, do you remember either watching or taking part in the events? The image (right) of a pair of bikers is among those taken by the Southport Visiter in 1983 and 1984, in the second part of our series of Southport pictures from the 1980s.
Another popular event in the town during the decade was the English Rose contest – and we have two pictures of contestants in 1984. Do you recognise anyone on the stage?
Meanwhile, many people enjoyed days out at Southport Zoo, where cubs were often among hundreds of animals on display.
Today we also feature shoppers on Chapel Street, long before pedestrianisation took place, as the road carried three lanes of traffic.
People walked past Broadbents and Boothroyds department store, with Woolworths further along the road. What are your memories of Chapel Street in the 1980s?
Other pictures fea- tured show former Sefton tourism director Phil King warning people of the dangers of bathing on Southport Beach; Banks Women’s Inititute celebrating their 30th birthday; a town crier receiving a warm welcome at the Alexandra House autumn fair; guests at the annual Battle of Britain celebration dinner at RAF Woodvale; and a Search For A Star contest.
Do these pictures bring back any memories for you of Southport in the 1980s, or do you recognise anyone pictured?
Do you have any other pictures of Southport in the 1980s you would like to share with Visiter readers?
Please email Visiter editor Andrew Brown at: andrew.brownNW@trinitymirror.com