25 mind-blowing retro pics of 1979 Preston, from Caribbean Carnival & schools to polling stations & shops
By Jack Marshall
Published 13th Jul 2023, 12:00 BST
Updated 2nd May 2024, 12:59 BST
1979 was quite the year.
From the election of Margaret Thatcher and the death of Sid Vicious, to widespread strikes and the opening of the first J.D. Wetherspoons, it was an eventful year to say the least.
Take a look at some of our best archive pictures of life in Preston in 1979...
Preston Guild Hall was full of respect, control and self-discipline during the Budoken Karate Open World Championships. People variously demonstrated this by screaming at each other, hitting one another in the stomach - but not in the face - and chopping fruit and veg up with swords Photo: RETRO
Little John Gibirdi should have a happy first day at school - thanks for a grand send-off arranged by his mum. Fun-loving Kathleen Gibirdi got together with neighbours to hold a street party for John and his pals in Shelley Road, Preston. The youngster will be attending Roebuck Street Primary School with his brother David, aged eight. Meanwhile, two-year-old Keith and Michael, seven months, will stay at home with mum Photo: RETRO
Boomtown Rats fans in Lancashire come up with their own heart-rending version of I Don't Like Mondays. The punks spent all night lying on cold floors, waiting from Preston Guild Hall's box office to open to get their hands on tickets for the band's concert in the town Photo: RETRO