John Bickerstaffe Jr, the great-grandson of Sir John Bickerstaffe, the man behind the construction of Blackpool Tower, visited the iconic landmark for the first time at the

age of 80. Inspired by a trip to Paris in 1889, former Blackpool mayor Sir John Bickerstaffe had the idea of building a Lancashire version of the Eiffel Tower. His great-grandson travelled with his family from Bristol to see the landmark after daughter Lucy discovered that he had never seen it at close quarters.

Upon his visit, Mr Bickerstaffe Jr expressed that the structure was "absolutely amazing." While he had visited Blackpool with his new wife in the late 1960s, they had not had time to go to the tower. "In latter years we've been up the M6 and looked across at the tower but never actually got there again," he said. Mr Bickerstaffe’s two daughters and three grandchildren "all thought it was absolutely wonderful".

The retired civil engineer was impressed with the Victorian structure and admired the riveted construction. "It's very special indeed and the staff at the tower were just beyond belief, they are incredibly helpful and gave us a tour of the tower and its detailed history and background. It was superb," he said.

Aaron Edgar, head of operations at the tower, expressed that he was "honoured" to show Sir John's relatives round the landmark. "Thanks to his great-grandfather's vision, generations have enjoyed many fun and memorable visits to the tower and now John has had the opportunity to as well," he said.

The construction of Blackpool Tower began in 1891 and was completed in 1894. Thousands lined the street of Blackpool's promenade to view the first stone being laid on 29 September 1891. At the time of its opening, Blackpool Tower was the tallest freestanding structure in the world. It is 158 metres (518 ft) tall and has a total of 5 floors. Today, it remains a major tourist attraction and is considered an important part of Blackpool's cultural heritage.

The visit of John Bickerstaffe Jr to Blackpool Tower is significant not just because of his personal connection to the landmark but also because it highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Blackpool Tower is not just a structure but a symbol of the town’s history and culture. As such, it is important that it is maintained and preserved for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the need to preserve cultural heritage. Governments and organisations worldwide are recognising the importance of protecting sites of cultural significance. In addition to their intrinsic value, cultural heritage sites can also contribute to local economies by attracting tourists and creating jobs.

However, cultural heritage sites face a range of challenges. These can include natural disasters, climate change, and human activities such as urbanisation and tourism. Preservation efforts require a multi-pronged approach that involves conservation, education, and community involvement.

The visit of John Bickerstaffe Jr to Blackpool Tower highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations. It is a reminder that our heritage is not just a relic of the past but a living part of our present and future. As such, it is our responsibility to ensure that it is protected and maintained for generations to come. Photo by Nathanemmison, Wikimedia commons.