OPENING OF ST.
JOHN'S MARKET, BLACKPOOL.
On Monday morning last, the New Market, at
Blackpool, was formally opened to the public the building being
sufficiently near completion as to allow of its being used.
The market-house is
erected on a plot of land behind Mr. C. Nickson's hotel, formerly used as.
a bowling green. The building is of brick, with stone
dressing. It is 111 feet in
length, and 28 feet wide, in the interior, and is in three compartments,
one for fish, one for butcher's meat and cheese, and one for a general
market.
The market is built in a
parallel line with the beach, and has two entrances, one from
Church-street, and the other from Market-street. The building which is from
the designs of Mr. Tuach, is in the Elizabethan style of architecture, and
has a porch at each end.
Over the north entrance,
are the arms of Thomas Clifton,. Esq., of Lytham Hall, and over the south
entrance, the arms of Sir Benjamin Heywood, and the Rev, W. Thornber, Over
the porch at the south end, is also the inscription "St. John's Market;
anno Christi, 1844. Buy the truth and sell it not."
Considerable preparations
were made to give eclat to the opening and the,Mayor of Preston had
intimated his intention of landing with the Corporation, at Blackpool, on
the occasion of his excursion to Fleetwood, if the weather
permitted. Flags also floated from the tower of the church, and other
places. However, that no inconvenience should be suffered by the
inhabitants and the salesmen, the ceremonies attendant upon the opening
were postponed until after the principal part of the market business bad
been transacted.
Shortly after nine o'clock in the morning, the market
was opened for business; and every stall was well filled. There was a
large supply of butchers' meat, fish, fowls, potatoes, and other
vegetables, fruit, &c; in the market, and adjoining the market
house were wheat; beans, straw &c., &c,
The sale commenced
immediately and continued briskly the whole of the forenoon. The
market was thronged the whole time, and the inhabitants appeared to take
the greatest interest in the proceedings.
At
half-past one o'clock, a procession was formed of the trustees of the
market, the principal inhabitants of Blackpool, the contractors of the
undertaking, many of the visitors, and the school children, proceeded by a
band of music, and numerous flags. The procession passed
through .the market, and along the principal, streets of the town, "At
intervals during the procession, the firing of cannon took
place.
Shortly after two o'clock,
a numerous party sat down to lunch at Mr. Nickson's hotel, the Rev, William
Thornber, in the chair. After the lunch had been partaken of, the Chairman
proposed "The Queen," which. was drunk with three times. three, The toast
of "Prince Albert and the rest of the Royal Family," was next proposed, and
similarly honoured.
The Chairman said they
would all regret that they had been unable to have that day the company of
the Mayor and Corporation of Preston, but the wind had been so unfavourable
that they could not land. The Mayor had wished to be present to
congratulate them on the spirited way in which they had carried on the
undertaking. He felt honoured by this offer. There was no wonder that
the inhabitants of Blackpool should be stiring, innoculated, as they must
be, by the progression at Fleetwood and Preston, Blackpool being situated
between the two towns.
The Chairman then referred
to the position of Blackpool and the Fylde in former times, which he
contrasted with its present State. Nature had done much, for
Blackpool, and now its inhabitants would do something. He spoke
shortly of the position of Blackpool and its advantages as a watering
piece, and concluded by drinking 'Success to Blackpool Market, and the
health of the Lord of the Manor."-:(Loud applause.)
Mr. John Bonny proposed the."Health of
Sir Benjamin Heywood, Bart," a gentlemen whose kind and liberal
disposition caused him to be much esteemed in Blackpool.—(Three
cheers.)
P. Ryeroft, Esq., proposed a toast, which
would be agreeable to all. It was the health, of a gentleman whose family
had been known for centuries In that neighbourhood, and had been always
liked. He spoke highly of the hospitality of the people of the Fylde, and
dwelt on the high opinion which all the neighbours had of their Chairman.
There had been something very unlike fair play as regarded him; and on that
account he felt more anxious to speak thus of him.
He had seen his exertions
to promote the prosperity of Blackpool, and to establish market, and his
exertions had been properly appreciated by all parties: He had been the
means of conferring a great benefit on Blackpool, and his name would go
down to posterity in connection with the improvements he had been the means
of effecting. The Chairman, he knew had an earnest desire to do all
the good he could in this neighbourbood. - (Applause.) He hoped they would
soon see him in his old Pulpit again. -(Loud applause), They had no wish to
depreciate the services of the excellent clergymen now ofliciating in
Blackpool, but they could not but wish to see their friend in his old
place. The toast was drunk with, three times three, and "One cheer More,"
for Mrs. Thornber and family.
The Chairman thanked them
for their very kind reception of the toast. He then alluded to the
exertions of the contractors, who had all executed their work in an
efficient manner. Mr. Kenrick, Mr. Leeming, Messrs. Hill, Mr. W. Butcher,
and Mr. Walmsley had been employed in the undertaking. Mr. Tuach, the
architect, was Lila° entitled to their thanks. He proposed "the
Architect and Contractors." Mr Tuach
returned thanks. Mr. Ryecroft
proposed the health of the "Mayor and Corporation of
Preston, which was received with great
applause.
Just as the toast had been
drunk, Mr.Alderman Taylor, Mr. Richard Threlfall, jun., Dr.Norris,
Mr.J.German Fisher, Mr.P Walker, and Mr.John Gorst, entered the room, as a
deputation from the Mayor and Corporation of Preston, to attend the opening
of the market.
Having beeen informed of
the toast last drunk, Mr Alderman Taylor rose to return thanks. He said
that when they left Preston it was the intention to land on the coast at
Blackpool, and attend the opening of the market; but finding this could not
be done, he (Mr.T.) and his friends put ashore at Lytham, to attend as a
deputation. - (Cheers) The deputation had been through the market and he
could say that the building did them infinate credit. - (Cheers) He felt
that Blackpool in this respect, was before Preston. No doubt the market
would be a great convenience to both inhabitants and visitors and he
trusted that it would tend to the advantage of all parties. He begged to
propose the "Town and Trade of Blackpool."
Mr H Banks returned
thanks. He remembered the time when there were only two houses in
Blackpool, and, he watched its continued advancement with much
interest.
Mr.Alderman Taylor
proposed "Success to the Blackpool Railway," which was duly
honoured.
Mr.Ryecroft gave the
health of a distinguished gentleman in the neighbourhood, well entitled to
their respect. He proposed "Sir Hesketh Fleetwood; and success to the town
and port of Fleetwood-on-Wyre." - (Three times three.)
The Chairman and principal guests here
retired and the party shortly afterwards broke up.
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