Derek Webster writes:

When I played ‘Blackpool Belle’ by Fivepenny Piece on my show the song brought back a flood of memories for Boom Light listener Pauline of train journeys in younger days on the Belle, from her home in Burnley Lancashire to the seaside resort of Blackpool.

With this in mind, I hopped on a train following that same railway route from my home in Hebden Bridge, calling at Burnley, Blackburn and Preston along the way.

But this time, it wasn’t the sea air I was looking for, or the nights of dancing remembered by Pauline, but a time capsule of entertainment and laughter.

Showtown, ‘Blackpool’s museum of fun and entertainment’, is just around the corner from the famous tower. It’s a tribute to the legendary stars who brought laughter and song to the resort’s great theatres.

And there’s plenty to see and do. I went straight to the Sooty puppet - which fitted my hand perfectly and soon took on a life of its own. Much to the amusement, or annoyance,  of other visitors I performed my very own Sooty Show.

I once had an encounter with the real Sooty at Theatre Royal in St.Helens when the mischievous bear drenched me with his water pistol during a radio interview. At close range it felt more like a water cannon than a child’s toy. I suspect Sooty was encouraged by Matthew Corbett, his guardian at the time. Being squirted by Sooty is a memory I treasure like a badge of honour.

Later I walked along Blackpool North Pier where Harry Corbett bought the orange coloured bear for seven shillings and sixpence in 1948.

There were many more things to do at the Showtime museum. I had a go at doing a Punch & Judy show but drew the line at putting on clown make up and dressing up. A queue of children were having great fun doing just that.

But what I really came to see was the Ken Dodd Museum which is currently housed at Showtime Blackpool. There’s a life sized statue, which is great for selfies, and his old make up case on display. There were theatre bills from the many summer seasons of laughter he brought to the resort - and you can even wave a tickling stick.

Ken Dodd was the first famous person I ever interviewed on the radio. I asked what made him laugh. He answered by jokingly turning the tables on me: “Take you for instance”, he said, “Your ears stick out and your teeth stick out. In fact you look a bit like me!”. He put me at ease straight away. I still have that tape.

Showtime Blackpool is well worth a visit next time you’re in the town. A place where live theatre continues to thrive. I walked past a huge queue of people at The Winter Gardens where Miss Saigon was packing them in.

But for me it was time to get back on the train homeward bound. On the old Blackpool Belle route, once an escape to the seaside for people in industrial Lancashire and West Yorkshire,looking for thrills, entertainment, sea air and fish and chips.

Good to see it’s still there for all to enjoy today.

Derek Webster is on Boom Light weekday mornings from 09.00 - and on Boom Radio with Night Ride from midnight Monday to Thursday.