It was the year Margaret Thatcher swept back to power and Michael Jackson moonwalked into pop history, the pound coin made its debut as did Superman III. But what was happening closer to home? From royal visits and spaghetti-eating contests to forgotten landmarks and familiar faces, our archive photographs turn the clock back to Preston in 1983
But what was happening closer to home? This was Preston in 1981...
13. Walking on the wild side
An assortment of colourful characters sets off from Preston Flag Market on a fancy dress sponsored walk in 1983. Raising money for a good cause was clearly no excuse for leaving the costumes at home | Contributed
14. A church remembered
St Augustine's Roman Catholic Church in Avenham, Preston, pictured in 1983. The historic place of worship closed the following year after dry rot was discovered and was eventually demolished in 2004, although the facade survived | Contributed
15. All aboard Lady Katrina
The Lady Katrina pictured at Preston Dock in 1983, two years after the port had closed to commercial shipping. The docklands were entering a new chapter, with plans for leisure and redevelopment beginning to take shape | Contributed
16. The last word in music
German bandleader and easy-listening superstar James Last makes an appearance at Preston Guild Hall in April 1983. The hugely popular musician brought his unmistakable orchestral sound to audiences around the world | Contributed