Welcome to our website
Please note that we are updating our website. Some pages and photos are missing and a number of links don’t work.
Founded in 1975, Blackpool Civic Trust seeks to promote excellence and community spirit in Blackpool for people of all ages. We are interested in all things Blackpool, particularly its heritage and future for people. We have monthly meetings, visits to places of interest, and community activities such as Civic Week. We’d love you to join us.
Join Us
Please visit the Join Us Page to become a member of Blackpool Civic Trust, click here
Monthly Meetings are on the third Monday of the month at 7pm
Next Monthly Meeting is 7pm on Monday 19th January 2026 at the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road
The guest speaker is
John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services, Blackpool Council
At the Holiday Inn, 7pm, Monday 19th January 2026
Read the full list of monthly meetings
Blackpool Civic Trust Awards 2025
Awards Ceremony – final call for booking
Our Awards ceremony will be an afternoon tea in the Winter Gardens’ Spanish Hall on January 22nd 2026 – our 51st anniversary – at 1pm for a 1.30pm meal, £20.
Contact RachelSykes@hotmail.co.uk for tickets.
Payment is due by Friday 16th January 2026 when last numbers will be submitted and anyone who hasn’t paid by then can’t be included.
The closing date for nominations was 28th November 2025 and judging took place in early December.
The awards are to be presented at the Awards Ceremony on the occasion of the our 51st anniversary on Thursday the 22nd January 2026.
Blue Plaque Policy update
We’ve updated our policy on the placing of Blue Plaques in Blackpool. This is summarised below and the link is to the full document.
Blackpool Civic Trust Blue Plaque Policy Document, pdf
10th January 2026
Summary:
- The event, person or building commemorated must be of very special importance in the history, heritage or shaping of Blackpool.
- A prominent and physically suitable structure (normally a building or wall) on which the plaque can be erected should exist. There needs to be a strong association between the structure and the subject of the plaque.
- There must be a sponsor or group of sponsors prepared to meet the cost of the plaque. Currently (2025) the cost of a plaque is approximately £600.
Proposals for new blue plaques. If you have a suggestion for a new blue plaque which you think would meet these criteria, especially if you have an idea about a possible sponsor, please contact Blackpool Civic Trust providing as much background information as possible. All suggestions and applications are considered by the Executive Committee of Blackpool Civic Trust.
Please see our Blue Plaque gallery click here
Forthcoming Visits and Events
It was agreed at a monthly meeting that there will be fewer visits next year as arranging one every month has proven taxing.
Recent Visits and Events
Remembrance Sunday Wreath Laying
Sunday 9th November 2025
Shirley Matthews and John Garnham laid a wreath on behalf of the members of Blackpool Civic Trust at the Blackpool War Memorial on Sunday 9th November 2025, in remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
The Blackpool Civic Trust joined many other similar groups from Blackpool such as the Scouts and Girl Guides as photographed below.
On the war memorial are the words ‘Their name liveth forever more, lest we forget’.
Layton Cemetery Blue Plaque Unveiling
On Saturday 9th November 2025
A Blue Plaque sponsored by The Friends of Layton Cemetary and Layton Councillors was unveiled by the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Kim Critchley, at Layton Cemetery.
Charlie Cairoli Blue Plaque unveiled
Saturday 1st November 2025
A celebration event to unveil the Blue Plaque for Charlie Cairoli. Where else but The Blackpool Tower Circus where Charlie starred in the ring from 1939 to 1979. The plaque was unveiled by Charlie Cairoli Jnr in front of an audience of admirers.
The plaque was presented by Steve Richley and the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society and a full weekend of events was enjoyed. Links to other records of the weekend is in our post linked below.
Visit to The Robinson, Blackpool’s new business centre
Friday 31st Octbober 2025
Today Blackpool Civic Trust visited The Robinson, Blackpool’s new business hub, based in the Stanley buildings, Church street, following its £8m renovation.
Heritage Open Days 2025 – Blackpool Town Hall
Saturday 20th September 2025 10.30am to 3.30pm
There was a constant stream of visitors to the Town Hall and our guides were kept busy all day. Showing off the Mayor’s Parlour, the silverware, stained glass windows and other artefacts. The highlight of the tour was be the impressive Council Chamber with its many points of interest, such as the Wragg Window, history wall paintings and the four windows representing the activities for which Blackpool was known.
Sat 20 Sept 10.30am-3pm
Report of Monthly Meeting 20th October 2025 at 7pm
There was a good turn out for our October meeting in the Holiday Inn Blackpool. A number of proposals were discussed and agreed before the guest speaker, Alistair Baines presented his talk ‘The Life and Times of a Sandgrown Architect’.
Read more click here: /october-monthly-meeting-short-report/
Visit Report Helmshore and Queen Street Mill Museums – Sept 2025
A day out in the mills of Lancashire. Our coach tour took us from Blackpool to East Lancashire: Helmshore Mill near Rawtenstall and Queen Street Mill at Harle Syke in Burnley to visit the former cotton mills now being operated as museums by Lancashire County Council.
Our group outside Helmshore Mill. The multi-storey mill has full size cotton and wool factory equipment in two mills set out as it was and with additional displays, such as Arkwright’s Water Frame and spinning wheels, plus a waterwheel and an attractive stone former railway bridge adjoining the factory.
Click here to read more on the news page
Visit to The Backlot Cinema and IMAX Blackpool
On Tuesday 14th August 2025 we visited impressive Backlot Cinema and Imax in the Houndshill Shopping Centre, Blackpool and were led by Sales and Events Manager Megan.
Megan highlighted the venue’s various screens, including conference spaces available for hire and informed us of the free car parkig, ticket pricing and the bespoke clubs they offer for a variety of viewers. To see more of our tour click here
Visit to Tramtown, Blackpool
We had an excellent tour of Blackpool Tramtown on Monday 16th June. Read more click here
Blue Plaque unveiling at the Armfield Club, Blackpool FC
On Saturday 30th August 2025 Blackpool Civic Trust attended the unveiling of the Blue Plaque representing the activities of the Seasiders Independent Supporters Association.
‘In 2013 the movement brought Blackpool Football Club back into the heart of the community and led to the introduction of independent regulation by the government.
The Armfield Club, the independent supporters club, opened in 2020 and is a lasting legacy for all Blackpool fans past and present who played a role in re-claiming our club.’
Artwork by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen at Blackpool Illuminations 2024
Restoration of Boat Tram 227 – behind the scenes
A look back to December 2017 when Blackpool Civic Trust Volunteers were tasked with restoring in the interior of Blackpool Heritage Trams Boat Tram 227 and took part in its naming ceremony, which is Charlie Cairoli. See our review written by John Garnham our Team Leader.
https://blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk/restoration-of-boat-tram-227-a-transformation-journey/
https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolCivicTrust
Please follow our Facebook page for the very lastest updates, and like our posts. Facebook is a good way to contact us if it’s not urgent.
Listed buildings on Blackpool Promenade
Photo of Blackpool War Memorial, Grade II* listed on Princess Parade. In the foreground the Grade II listed promenade shelters, and the Grade 1 listed Blackpool Tower in the background. This area has a lot of listed buildings.
Princess Parade was opened by Princess Louise, the Duchess of Argyll, and the 6th child of Queen Victoria in 1912.
Blackpool Civic Trust 50th Anniversary Dinner at the White Tower Restaurant 22nd January 2025
