Blackpool Civic Trust promoting excellence since 1975

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 Blackpool Civic Trust

Download our membership form for 2024/25 renewals or new members, both individual or corporate:

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NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE FOR MEETINGS

Our next meeting will be on Monday 19th August at 7pm

Guest Speaker: Adrian Page, local historian,
History of Art and English Bell Ringing
at the Blackpool Cricket Club.
Non-members are welcome for a small donation of £2

Meeting Speakers for 2024/5

Blackpool Civic Trust Meeting Speakers for 2024/25

Our meeting on Monday 15th July at 7pm was at the Blackpool Cricket Club
with Guest Speaker: Tony Sharkey, talking on 'Blackpool Then and Now'.

Meeting Report

Tony Sharkey, who was assisted by Kathryn Thompson, gave an excellent, interactive talk on ‘Blackpool ‘Then and Now’ to Blackpool Civic Trust at its July meeting.

He invited his audience to identify a wide variety of photographs of street scenes of Blackpool in the mid-1920s and then showed recent photographs taken from the same vantage point. Tony took care to place the various street scenes and buildings in their historical context.

He also invited his audience to think about the contrasting styles of vernacular architecture of Blackpool then and now and decide which they preferred. Perhaps it is not surprising that many Civic Trust members found the 1920s buildings more appealing to the eye with their greater attention to detailing and ornamentation. Many thanks to Tony, Kathryn and Showtown for a thoroughly entertaining and informative presentation.

Barry Shaw, RIP

It is with great regret that I have to tell you that Barry Shaw, one of our Vice Presidents, has died.

Barry was always busy on behalf of Blackpool Civic Trust. He held many positions over the years. To name but a few, he was the hard-working Vice Chair from 1993, and then became the Chairman, President and finally Vice President.

He spoke regularly to the Members Meetings. On 15th May 2023 he gave a talk about the Foundation of the Civic Trust and his role as Chairman. He gave the Robert Evans Mills lecture on The Winter Gardens in 2013. He gave two talks on the seaside. One was 'Seaside Traditions' and another on 'Seaside Frolics'. Barry wrote many articles, including, how the origin of Blackpool’s name evolved from the Ice Age!

Barry cared passionately about Blackpool, its history, its people and visitors. In recent years, he took part in several practical projects, including a three-year long project cleaning the Burmantoff tiles of the Imperial Hotel’s Turkish baths. He also helped paint a listed Promenade Shelter.

Barry will be missed as a local historian, as a gifted and humorous speaker and as a key figure in his beloved Civic Trust to which he contributed so much over so many years.

Joan Humble, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust

St Stephen's on the Cliffs Blackpool

Renewed Blue Plaque unveiling on Blackpool's War Memorial

A very special blue plaque was unveiled on Tuesday 12th December to mark the 100th anniversary of Blackpool’s War Memorial, Princess Parade.

The Mayor Cllr Gillian Campbell unveiled the new plaque. Photographed with Mr John Barnett DL MBE

The Mayor Cllr Gillian Campbell unveiled the new plaque. Photographed with Mr John Barnett DL MBE. 12th December 2023

The revised Blackpool War Memorial Blue Plaque, 12th December 2023

The revised Blackpool War Memorial Blue Plaque, 12th December 2023 Blackpool Civic Trust

Blue Plaque unveiled for the Nolan Family

at the Cliffs Hotel Blackpool

16th October 2023

Blackpool Civic Trust were pleased to be involved in placing a plaque at the Cliffs Hotel marking the venue where the famous Nolan Sisters, later the Nolans, were discovered in 1973. Present were sisters Anne, Coleen, Linda, Denise, Maureen and brother Tommy. Photos also of Joan Humble, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust and the blue plaque. The Deputy Mayor of Blackpool Adrian Hoyle unveiled the plaque. Monday 16th October 2023.

Blue Plaque for the Nolan Family at the Cliffs Hotel Blackpool

The Blue Plaque for the Nolan Family at the Cliffs Hotel in Blackpool, North Shore, where they were first discovered in 1973.

See more on our news page click here

Here are the nomination forms for the 2023 Awards
as of the 23rd October 2023

Every year we present awards for the Best Building Work and Community Activities in Blackpool

Blackpool Civic Trust Awards for Achievement in 2023

We invited everyone to nominate a building or organisation for a Blackpool Civic Trust Award for achievement in 2023.

Nominations are now closed

There are 6 categories which must meet the guidelines all listed below. The nominations form and guidelines can be downloaded in Word and pdf format. Work must have been completed in Blackpool in 2023.

Categories:

1. Best New Build

2. Best New Refurbishment

3. Best Open Space

4. Best New Quality Visitor Attraction

5. Transforming Blackpool

6. Best Community Group

Monthly Meeting Speakers for our year 2023/24

To be announced following the AGM in March.

Blackpool Civic Trust Awards and Afternoon Tea for Achievement in 2022

Also including the Blackpool Council Awards for Conservation 2019

Held at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, Baronial Hall on Friday 18th August 2023.

The Blackpool Civic Trust Awards for 2022

Blackpool Civic Trust Awards and Dinner for Achievement in 2022

The awards ceremony was attended by over 90 guests, members, award-winners and the Mayor and Mayoress, the Chief Executive Officer and senior Council colleagues. It was followed by a splendid afternoon tea.

Joan Humble, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust, read the citations and winners and the Mayor of Blackpool Councillor Gillian Campbell made the awards.

Thanks to the Winter Gardens Trust and assistance from Carl Carrington of Blackpool Council for hosting the event at the Winter Gardens and to Blackpool Council for their sponsorship this year.

We'd like to thank Claire Griffiths for taking photographs of the event.

We are pleased to be able to reintroduce our annual awards scheme after a two-year break due to the pandemic.

Read more on our 2022 Awards Page

Blackpool Civic Trust Seaside Memorabilia Collection

Over the years Blackpool Civic Trust has collected a large amount of Blackpool related Seaside Memorabia. We have photographed the items and created an on-line catalogue. Please click on this link to view it.

Item 5

Blackpool Civic Trust Seaside Memorabiliia