MANY decades ago, the good folk of East Lancashire delighted in simple pleasures.

In the days when work meant long hours, little leisure time and low wages, a trip into the countryside, a tram ride, or a walk in the park brought a smile to many faces.

One special treat would also have been a boat trip - maybe along the canal, which was also a working waterway passing right through the heart of our communities, or on a local boating lake, such as the one at Queen's Park..

Originally known as a Audley Recreation Ground, the park was opened in 1887, to commemorate Victoria's golden jubilee.

Stretching across 33 acres, it took five years to create and the official opening ceremony was watched by a crowd 20,000 strong.

Its large lake was not built until some years later, but the flotilla of rowing and sailing boats available for hire, was such a success it was not long before Blackburn Corporation withheld the boating rights to private operators and began operating the business itself.

Motor boats were added to the fleet and demand was so great that in the summer months people would queue for up to two hours for their turn to take to the water.