promoting excellence in Blackpool since 1975
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’.
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.
In August we had a talk on the restoration of this fine building and today’s visit gave us a chance to see the finished article for ourselves.
Thank you to Peter Legg and the team at The Robinson for giving the civic trust a preview of the office and co-working space prior to opening.
For more information about available space and membership of The Robinson, or for businesses to book a private viewing, click here: https://blackpoolunlimited.com/the-robinson/
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.
Soon some of our group were weaving, warping and carding on looms and mules ready for a shift at 7.30am in the morning, in a different life.
Lunch makes you jolly. Both mills have cafes.
Queen Street Mill weaving shed with dozens of looms and the belts powered by a large steam engine with a tall factory chimney. Quite a sight and very noisy when in operation.
These are impressive museums that were operating up to the 1980s and now mark the significance of the textile industry to the development of the region. The processing machinery looks complex and it tended to be built locally.
Enjoy this tour of the Town Hall showing off the Mayor’s Parlour, the silverware,
stained glass windows and other artefacts. The highlight of the tour will 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
Enter through the front door of the Town Hall and be greeted for the tour.
Tuesday 13th 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.
There was interest in the weekly Social Club, which offers seniors a day time ticket with a drink to see some of the latest films.
Note that as of next week the cinema is to be taken over by Arc Cinemas and the now closed diner is not part of that deal.
We visit the Backlot Cinema on Corporation Street on Tuesday 12th August 2025 at 11am. The new Imax cinema in the Houndshill Centre, Corporation Street. It should be an interesting tour.
Book via RachelSykes@hotmail.co.uk
There was a good turn out for the tour of Lightworks, the home of Blackpool Illuminations. We were treated to a guided tour by the manager, Richard Williams, who gave a lighthearted and knowledgeable account of what it takes to put on several miles of illuminations in the open sea air. Creating the amazing ideas of some of the best designers, such as Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and with celebrity Leigh Francis, better known as Keith Lemon, who designs tableaux.
The entrance to Lightworks:
Richard Williams in yellow and Blackpool Civic Trust and friends in pink:
Sooty who often sits near the top of lamp posts and has a tabeaux of its own:
The Lightworks makes the tabeaux and illuminated displays using modern shaping technoloty such as 3D printing and has to ensure light it evenly transmitted through the display.
The Galleon from the tableaux way up north, Bispham way:
Disco Donkey Cavalcade by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, was on the prom opposite the Blackpool Tower in last years display. A joyful display well appreciated by everyone who saw it. We look forward to seeing it again.
Madhatter’s tea party. Which tea would it be? Quite large aren’t they.
Another display by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on the promenade, 11th July 2025. These are bigger than they look.
Blackpool Illuminations run from 30th August 2025 to 5th January 2026. 2
6th August 2025 brings a preview and fun night out with a closed Promenade for cycling in ‘Ride the Lights’.
From 15th October to 1st November 2025 the Lightpool Festival will display.
Plus the World Fireworks Championship adds to the excitement in September and October.
During the Lightpool festival tours on two illuminated trams, the Western Train and the Frigate, as well as the Balloon tram will run and the Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours will continue to the end of the illuminations season.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
We now have a coach reserved for Thursday 4 September to visit Queen Street and Helmshore Textile Mill Museums. They’re both large mill museums in former mills operated by Lancashire County Council.
Details of pick up times and points are to confirmed.
Itinerary of the day:
Arrival – 11:00am at Helmshore, tour, then leaving for Queen Street at 12:45
Arrival at Queen Street around 13:15 then tour starting at 14:00 and finishing at 15:30, ready for our departure at 16:00
Drop off approximately 17:00
Refreshment: There are two cafes at both sites, although they are unable to accommodate us as a group. We encourage you to bring a sandwich and just have drinks in the cafes, although if you do choose to eat in the café please be patient with the staff as Thursdays is their busiest day. Refreshments are not included in the price
£20 per person, includes coach and tours of both mills.
To sign up for this trip please email rachelsykes@hotmail.co.uk or call on 07205 314218
Payment can be made on Monday 21st July at the Civic Trust Meeting or contact Rachel for more payment options.
Please extend this trip to friends and family as we will be using it to attract new members.
Non-members are welcome.
A number of our members are volunteers at Tramtown. Those with green or high vis jackets in the photo below.
Our visit began with photos firstly at the gate with the Blackpool Illuminations figures reminding us of our upcoming visit to the Illuminations Depot. Then the next photo in front of Boat Tram ‘Duchess of Cornwall’. Group Photos courtesy of Gary Mitchell.
We climbed on board the Boat Tram while a guide explained its history. Built in the 1930s at English Electric Preston for Blackpool Corporation Transport. Ever popular on a sunny day they attract attention and help enliven the Blackpool Prom.
The exhibits include three trams and the underfloor, or tram chassis, shown below. This a 1933 English Electric Ltd design for the Blackpool ‘Balloon’ trams. The underfloor shown was built at the tram depot for Princess Alice the double deck open top tram.
Also below is the old Bolton tram number 66.
Below is the Illuminated Trawler tram. Its LED covered hull is a more recent modification.
Tramtown is being improved all the time. There are a number of special exhibits, a cafe and a shop. The building has been tidied up with green pathways for visitors.
Opening times in summer 2025 are 10am to 2pm: Saturday, Monday, Wednesday. From August there is an extra day: Thursday. Keep up to date with Blackpool Tramtown on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolTramtown
As part of Civic Week 2025, Blackpool Civic Trust visited the newly opened Showtown History Centre, situatated upstairs in Blackpool Central Library. We were treated to a rare viewing of the Blackpool Charter establishing the incorporation of the town. In addition, we had a wonderful tour of the collection stores. We would like to thank the Showtown Heritage Assistants for an informative morning and for sharing details of Blackpool Council collections.
