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The Claremont Heritage Gala on the 4th of July is organised by our Social Secretary. Members are requested to attend and if possible to assist guiding the procession.

The Blackpool Borough Charter was signed by Queen Victoria in 1876 granting borough status to the town. The wax seal has almost disintegrated. As this is 150th anniversary the committee agreed that restoring the seal and framing of the charter was a worthwhile expense for the Civic Trust.

The Civic Trust  have offered to lend books to the Imperial Hotel. Labels have been ordered and attached to the books which are now on the bookcase at the hotel.

At the Parish Church, St John’s, the grave marker of the town’s first mayor, Dr Cocker, as well as the marker of the Reverend William Thornber, celebrated local historian, needs restoration. The Civic Trust has submitted an application to the diocese to permit the work and has made the budget available.

Members are encouraged to attend a meeting at the Central Library on the 2nd June about the Aden Project. There will be a talk by a veteran at 11.30 and 1.15. Update: an email thanking members for their attendance has been received.

There’s an Armed Force’s cabinet meeting on the 16th June 2pm at the Empowerment Base in Bispham Road which members may attend.

The talk at the May Monthly Meeting was the Cyril Critchlow memorial lecture. The talk is always on a show business theme. The comedy duo Ruth and Keith known as Black Liver told us how they became a duo. It was a most enjoyable evening. Ruth is from Blackpool and Keith is from Liverpool, hence the name Black Liver.  

A number of town crest buttons are available to members for a donation of £3 to the Civic Trust.

A number of planning applications were reviewed in May where potential heritage concerns applied. So far our Planning Officer has made no objections.

The Planning Officer wrote to the Planning Department requesting that the hoarding in front of Sainsbury’s is removed as it is detrimental to pedestrian safety and the streetscape, The hoarding has now been removed.

The Planning Officer also requested a reply on the heritage tram situation from the council and is to pursue it further.

A meeting has been arranged in the Blackpool Council offices regarding the care of heritage assets affected by the coastal defence works.

Stanley Park centenary plaque has had another proof from the manufacturer, and it has now been approved and can be ordered.

Royal Artillery Association Blackpool and Fylde Branch: the RAA had recently formed a branch in the Fylde area as well as one in Blackpool. They are currently restoring a 25 Pounder gun which did service in World War 2. BCT has been informed that its members are welcome to visit and inspect the gun in St Annes.

Members are requested to advise the social secretary if they are interested in attending the Manchester Christmas Market. Various options of travel have been investigated including a coach and the train.

A tramtown volunteer reported that the building on Rigby Road is to act as a temporary site for the Blackpool Heritage Trams and that the council are seeking another site for Tramtown.

Karl Bartoni’s Film Archive, all videos are now available on YouTube.

At the July meeting, the speaker was Sean Conboy, an internationally renowned photographer. Sean showed the audience how he uses a variety of camera systems and equipment to consistently produce high quality industrial commercial photography. He then answered questions from the audience.

A blue plaque is proposed for Strawberry Gardens at Belle Vue, it will be positioned when the redecoration of the pub is completed.

Members attended the Polish Heritage Day and found it a very enjoyable and linguistically enriching experience.