In his latest talk Bro Rick Hudson explored how people travelled to Bridlington over the last 300 years as the resort attracted visitors in increasing numbers.

Early rich visitors were originally enticed to Bridlington by the exaggerated health benefits of drinking chalybeate spring water and swimming in the sea. They came in either their own private coaches or by stage coach. Bro Rick gave examples of how slow and uncomfortable such journeys could be, even after the road improvements made by local turnpike trusts starting in 1744.

Then railways arrived and the world changed. Bro Rick described how the railways reached Bridlington in 1846 celebrated by a sumptuous meal for 900 in the goods shed, the only building from the original station still standing.

Special excursions to Bridlington were advertised as early as 1848.  In 1882 the local press said that excursion fares were within the reach of all but the very poorest. Bro Rick gave a brief history of Bridlington station. There were just two platforms up to about 1895. Between the wars there were eight platforms.  On one Summer’s day in 1932 there were 31 excursion trains.

Now we have only three platforms.  Bro Rick revealed how the rise of the motor vehicle led to this decline.   He discussed the use of motor coaches, motorbikes, and car ownership. He also mentioned how local businesses developed to provide and service these vehicles.

It is not generally known that the Bridlington cycle races were an international phenomenon before 1900. Bro Rick reported that the races were held at the Moorfield recreation ground track and in 1887 attracted three riders from the USA.  Several Yorkshire cycling clubs regularly visited Bridlington.  Annual Whitsun meets started in 1881 involving processions through the streets.

Bro Rick also covered local wheeled transport. He included Williamson’s buses, local charabanc trips, the Spa miniature railway, and rides on a wheeled elephant. Also featured were the precarious transport arrangements local villagers made for their grand days out to Bridlington.

The talk concluded with a medley of old seafront photographs to the accompaniment of “I do like to be beside the seaside” recorded in 1909.

Bro George Parrott in his vote of thanks said the talk fulfilled the Augustinian motto of “Local History at its Best”.