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Dr Kathryn Ferry

@seasideferry.bsky.social
1.8K followers 606 following 829 posts

Historian specialising in seaside, architecture & design. I write books, give talks and do a bit of telly. Chair @seasidenetwork.bsky.social Fellow @royalhistsoc.bsky.social Media agent @pastpreservers.bsky.social linktr.ee/kathrynferry

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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/2658836...
lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
How Blackpool’s seaside arcades shaped Britain’s slot machine story
Few towns in the country have earned the right to call themselves an entertainment capital quite like Blackpool. Long before streaming platforms or theme park queues, the Lancashire resort was already...
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This is exactly what we feared @seasidenetwork.bsky.social @artdecosocuk.bsky.social! An overscaled proposal for the site of the 1930 lido at #gorleston www.thesun.co.uk/travel/40549...
thesun.co.uk
English seaside town with one of Europe's best beaches reveals new attraction
A PRETTY English seaside town could soon get a massive upgrade. Gorleston in Norfolk is home to Gorleston-on-Sea Beach which was recently named one of Europe’s best beaches in Tripadvisor’s Travell…
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Well I did not know that! And I do like Edward Mountford's work. Not quite sure how you're going to get justice on that one...
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This time last week I was on my way to #Llandudno for @thevicsoc.bsky.social AGM weekend. My lecture about resort development in North Wales was well received and it was great to see so many familiar faces. Went on the #pier and up the Great Orme - it's a lovely place!
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Independent Historians Network (UK) @indyhistnetwork.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
after a couple of hair-pulling-out days, the IHN website is BACK! it looks a little different (but not much) but most excitingly, our Members Only resources are now online too! Members will receive an email shortly on how to access it. FOMO? sign up! independenthistorians.org
independenthistorians.org
Independent Historians Network
The network for UK freelance and independent historians
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This was my Saturday morning. What have you been up to?
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Such a privilege to make these awards and share all the lovely things that voters said about their favourite #seaside places.
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
You can knock the #GrandHotel but you can't knock the views across #scarborough South Bay This is what I can see to north and south of my bedroom - with a lot of sea in between 🌊🌊🌊😍
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Made it to #york, definitely one of my fave stations 😍 Next stop sunny #scarborough ready for @seasidenetwork.bsky.social Big Day Out tomorrow
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Ah, that would have been good. Well done on the scanning though 👍
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Thanks Jo. Good luck with the move 🏡
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
It's so easy to forget that photos had to be much more considered in the past - all those things we missed! But then maybe we just snap so much now we barely notice what we're snapping. Sad about Runcorn though
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
That is a good memory, gotta love those Geography field trips. It sounds like there was never much actual movement on the tracks but at least you saw them
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Yes, opened the same year as the Sun Centre by a private company. Quite jealous that you saw it!
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Wow! That's quite something!
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
😂
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Best find at today's collector's fair - a postcard of the short-lived #monorail at #rhyl. It only ran for a few weeks in 1980 - read more at theleisurehistorian.com/rhyl-monorail/
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Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Skegness may be bracing but - Bridlington will make you jump for joy! The wonderful cover to the Yorkshire coastal resort's Official Guide for 1934. #seaside #holidays #design #yorkshire @seasideferry.bsky.social ↘️ flic.kr/p/2sAWUoW
Bridlington will make you jump for joy : official guide : Bridlington Corporation : 1935 : With a marvellous take on the "Skegness is so bracing" line - the cover to the 1934 official guide to Bridlington "for Glorious Holidays" and as published by the Yorkshire coastal town's Corporation. The guide was printed up the road in Scarborough by E.T.W. Dennis, the company formed in 1870 and who are reputed to have printed Britain's first picture postcard, a genre they became famous for including the saucy seaside type.

The cover shows the beach, dotted with people,  with the distant Promenade and buildings with, centred, a smiling woman in a red bathing costume, appearing to vault over the bold, shadowed and inclined title lettering "Bridlington". The 'will make you jump for joy" is below right corner.
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I LOVE vintage #seaside souvenirs so really want to go and see the current exhibition #Southend Central Museum www.southendmuseums.co.uk/exhibitions/...
southendmuseums.co.uk
Kiss Me Quick: a Love Letter to Southend
An immersive exhibition on the history of Southend's tourism and entertainment heritage
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
In my past life I would have looked at the houses. Since getting a whippet all I see are the whippets!
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Really fascinating day at the #DelaWarrPavilion #bexhill taking part in #BeingModern. A great selection of talks and I had my own dressing room!
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Helen Day @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
‘September’ Artist: Eppo Doeve (Not a Ladybird artist - but what a striking image)
A tangle of brightly coloured, slightly surreal September plants have been set under a mysterious grey, forbidding sky. In the background, we see a gardener walking away, his back to us. 
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Society of Genealogists @sogorg.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
THIS THURSDAY! Join @seasideferry.bsky.social on 10 Sept, 2pm, for Sir Billy Butlin: The Holiday Maker From travelling showman to holiday-camp pioneer, Butlin's rags-to-riches story made him a household name. But behind the brand, family life was far less happy portal.sog.org.uk/event/book/2...
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
It was a pleasure - thanks for the invitation!
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Not arguing with that. They've just spent £6 million re-carpeting the Grand but that's going to be the tip of the iceberg of what's required isn't it?
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Glad to hear you're a Brodrick fan Ben! The central staircase space is still pretty grand but bland modern paint schemes don't do it or the Palm Court justice. It did also have a 1930s refurb which has left some odd Art Deco bits and bobs. The exterior still has the original, dominant presence
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Probably true but it was a Butlin's beforehand so I think the grandeur was already faded pre-Britannia. Not unusual for seaside hotels, sadly
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
My first time staying at The Grand Hotel... It hasn't managed to maintain its original reputation for grandeur but I think it's important to put your money where your mouth is. Seaside resorts need inward investment and Scarborough needs The Grand - can you imagine South Bay without it?
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Here are a few of my favourite examples of #seaside #streetart - ice creams at #cleethorpes, two massive murals from #westonsupermare and a fading #banksy at #cromer
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
#Southend also hosts a major street art festival which is going from strength to strength with artists coming from all over the world to take part www.southendcityjam.co.uk
southendcityjam.co.uk
Southend City Jam 2026
Join us for Southend's international street art festival - featuring over 100 local, national and internationally acclaimed artists across three jam-packed days.
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Lots of seaside places are using graffiti as a way to attract new audiences and liven up old buildings. Last weekend 70 street artists were at #greatyarmouth which is in the running to be UK #townofculture www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Graffiti artists transform Great Yarmouth seaside wall into mural
Seventy artists from across the UK and Europe descend on the town to transform the wall.
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Yes, she was getting ready but didn't see her leave unfortunately
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John Grindrod @grindrod.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Swanage cutealism
Modernist decagon libraryModernist Mowlem cinema
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Agreed, though the outlet centre looks pretty popular, it was really busy this afternoon
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
An interesting mix of buildings and boats around #portsmouthharbour
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Been in #portsmouth this afternoon to speak @agragenealogy.bsky.social meeting. We were in the #maryrosemuseum which was designed to look like an oyster shell but made me think of a whale's mouth
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Hi Andrew, The lecture is online, tickets via the @sogorg.bsky.social website
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Of course I could just ask @sogorg.bsky.social
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Good question! Let me ask and get back to you
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The Billy Butlin story is full of myths but his biography was an incredible one and I'm looking forward to sharing it with @sogorg.bsky.social Open to non-members and Butlin's fans 😊
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I've got a couple of talks coming up so thought I'd share the details in case anyone fancies joining me... On 12th September I'm taking part in #BeingModern at the De la Warr Pavilion in #bexhill Amazing venue to talk about #seaside #modernism and sign copies of my book www.dlwp.com/event/being-...
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Thank you for the reminder @kentmapsonline.bsky.social FINAL day of voting TODAY so fans of #hernebay pier and #margate #shellgrotto can show their support at seasideheritage.org.uk/bucket-spade...
seasideheritage.org.uk
Vote for 2026 Winners - Seaside Heritage Network
Discover the rich heritage of seaside tourism and its unique architectural legacy with the Seaside Heritage Network.
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Picked up some bright and colourful #seaside ephemera from the collector's fair this morning. #morecambe winter garden programme from 1955, cruising brochure from 1960 (flag-waving nautical seal 💙) and 1963 #broadstairs pavilion programme
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Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Edwardian #Brighton as seen on the cover of the 1909 "Book of Brighton" & official guide by artist Val. Prince. With details of attractions & amenities for holiday visitors & potential residents the guide offers health & pleasure all year round. @seasideferry.bsky.social ↘️ flic.kr/p/2sxqJkg
The Book of Brighton : official guide : Henry D. Roberts : Brighton Publicity Association : Brighton : 1909 : covers by Val. Prince : A relatively early example of an 'official guide' this being the "Book of Brighton" and dating from 1909. It was written by the Director of the town's Public Library, Museums and Art Galleries Henry D. Roberts and published by the Brighton Publicity Association. The Association, of whom the Mayor was President, has addresses at the Town Hall as well as North Street in the town and an Information Bureau on Queen's Road. The guide gives details of the seaside town's many attractions for leisure and pleasure, including what to do on wet days. It also has a section on the residential attractions of the town

As the cover states the town was for "Health and Pleasure all the year round" as well as boasting of a "grand sea front, finest in the world". The fine detailed and colour scene of the Edwardian town, the Promenade and two piers as seen from the sea is by Val. Prince an artist who appears to have worked in the advertising and publicity field. The central area of the promenade is seen flanked by the tow piers - that on the left with fashionable folks strolling and on the sea various vessels and boats.
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
It was wonderful 😊 Can't believe it's been 2 years though!
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
😂 It's not well documented...
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I'm preparing a new #socialhistory / #geneaology talk about the #BritishSeaside which is fun except that there is so much to put in! 300 years distilled into 45 minutes. These pics are going in anyway
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
@leedstours.bsky.social and other indy historians in the Leeds area, this one is for you!
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Do keep an eye on the @seasidenetwork.bsky.social website because we'll be inviting nominations for next year in due course
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Dr Kathryn Ferry @seasideferry.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Thank you Barbara! Last year's winner was the Lemon Top ice cream from Redcar and the runner up in 2024 was a paddling pool in Ventnor! Both much-loved but often overlooked. Long live quirky!
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