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.’
Elaine Smith MBE, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust with John Armfield, son of Jimmy Armfield, next to the blue plaque (lower).
Elaine Smith with Judi Brown a member of the Blackpool Civic Trust.
In December 2017 the Civic Trust were given the opportunity to help restore one of the famous open-top “Boat” trams. A group of members started work on the interior by removal of the seats and several trips were made to Preston to have them dipped to remove all the layers of different paint that had been applied since 1934. Interior panels and flooring were repainted and new varnish applied to the cleaned seats and wooden areas. We were not allowed to touch the exterior which was repainted by the Blackpool Transport Services painter, all by hand, no spray cans involved!
On 25th of October 2018 Andy Mitchell interviewed the Blackpool Civic Trust volunteers enroute to the spare track by Festival House where it was officially unveiled, branded as the Charlie Cairoli tram by Charlie Jnr. (There were plenty of red noses to be seen due to the chilly wind).
A small plaque was also added inside the tram to record the work carried out by the Civic Trust members.
The tram has been very popular and was the leading tram for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee tram Parade in 2022 and second in the parade for the Kings Coronation.
Blackpool Civic Trust workers were:
John Garnham (project leader) , John Odenwalder, Phil Goymer, Carol Ward , David Evans, Stan Harrison, Alan Thompson, Ross Hewitt
Written by John Garnham, Blackpool Civic Trust and Blackpool Heritage Tram volunteer
Boat Tram 227 Seat Restoration
On 25th of October 2018 Andy Mitchell interviewed the Blackpool Civic Trust volunteers enroute to the spare track by Festival House where it was officially unveiled, branded as the Charlie Cairoli tram by Charlie Jnr. (There were plenty of red noses to be seen due to the chilly wind ).
A small plaque was also added inside the tram to record the work carried out by the Civic Trust members.
The tram has been very popular and was the leading tram for the Queens Platinum Jubilee tram Parade in 2022 and second in the parade for the Kings Coronation.
