Our meeting on Monday 16th February 2026 at 7pm will be held in the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road, Blackpool.
There is a change of guest speaker. It is to be Stephen Jones speaking about the differences and similarities of Blackpool and Morecambe.
Non-members are welcome for a small donation of £2.
Our meeting on Monday 16th March at 7pm in the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road will be our Annual General Meeting. There will be no guest speaker. The meeting will follow a process culminating in the election by members of the committee for the period from the AGM 2026 to the AGM in March 2027.
Any members wishing to join the committee should submit a nomination form with nominees as stated. The current committee will stand down and be replaced by the elected committee during the meeting. Current members are listed on our website About Us Page, linked here.
Held at the Blackpool Winter Gardens on 22nd January 2026
Blackpool’s pride and community spirit were in the spotlight at the annual Blackpool Civic Trust Awards, honouring outstanding contributions to the resort’s environment, heritage, and civic life.
Hosted by Blackpool Civic Trust and held in the Spanish Hall at the Winter Gardens, the event recognised excellence across the town’s streets, open spaces, buildings, and community organisations whose hard work continues to enhance Blackpool for residents and visitors alike.
The ceremony highlighted achievements that reflect the Trust’s ongoing commitment to promoting high standards in architecture, urban design, environmental quality, and community involvement throughout the resort.
Elaine Smith MBE, who is chair, explained how the Civic Trust had been founded in 1957 by then Minister for Housing Duncan Sandys to encourage high standards of planning and architecture and to stimulate interest in the good appearance of both town and country – aims which were embraced by Blackpool Civic Trust when it was founded in 51 years ago.
“But we also aim to instil Civic Pride in the local community. Because of this we decided not only to give awards for design and construction excellence but also for environmental and community projects.”
Mrs Smith, assisted by a presentation collated by Carl Carrington, Blackpool council head of Planning and Heritage, and citations read by Andy Mitchell of Radio Lancashire, announced the awards which were presented by Blackpool Mayor, Councillor Kim Critchley and mayoress, Councillor Mel Fenlon, following an afternoon tea.
The annual awards underscore Blackpool’s dedication to preserving its unique character while encouraging innovation and improvement across the townscape, started with the Best Street Award to the town centre’s Lord Street – chosen from street nominations made by ward councillors for way residents work together as a community. Lord street is the home of the Be You Initiative and was described as “a hub of community, inclusivity and civic pride.”
Best Street Award to the town centre’s Lord Street
A highly commended award was given to Mere Road.
The DWP building which has changed the landscape in the town centre, won the Best New Build award for Blackpool Council, Muse Developments and Vinci Contractors and was described as “a landmark example of civic architecture”.
By contrast it the iconic Stanley Buildings, constructed in 1935 and designed by then borough architect J.C. Robinson, won the award for Best Refurbishment for Blackpool Council, main contractor F Parkinson Lyd and architect Cassidy & Ashton. Now named, The Robinson, it has been sympathetically restored to provde a vibrant support centre for business and enterprise.
Best Transforming Blackpool to Enveco North West for the Keep Blackpool Tidy programme.
Open Spaces to Re-Form Landscape Architecture for the recreation area at the new DWP site.
Best Community Group to Layton Together and the Forward Project.
Best Youth Project to United Youth Alliance Social Action Group.
Highly Commended Youth Project Award to the Play Inclusion Project.
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.
Our next meeting is on Monday 21st July 2025 at 7pm in the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road, Blackpool. The guest speaker is Claire Walmsley-Griffiths a local photographer who you may have seen at events.
Forthcoming Visits
Our next outing is to look around the Backlot Cinema at 11am on August 12th. Rachel will have the board out for you to put your name down at our meeting next Monday (21st) at 7pm at the usual Holiday Inn.
Next Monday is also your chance to pay your £20 for our coach trip to the two Lancashire Mills on Thursday 4th September. After next Monday it will be sent out to other organisations to fill up the coach. Seats on the bus will be booked on a first come with the cash basis!
Forthcoming Events
Also, from next Monday onward, tickets will be on sale (again £20) for our Afternoon Tea Awards ceremony in the Winter Gardens’ Spanish Hall on January 22nd 2026 – our 51st anniversary – at 1pm for a 1.30pm meal. Yes! I know that sounds a long way away but do you want to pay £20 in the middle of buying Christmas presents? At the speed this year is going it will soon be Christmas!!!
Remembering Loraine Calvert
Finally, on a sadder note, I do hope that a lot of you make time in your busy schedules to say goodbye to our friend Loraine Calvert. Loraine (yes, it is one ‘r’) worked so hard for the Blackpool Civic Trust both as a member and a Committee Member for such a long time that she deserves our proper farewell now. Through ill health, Loraine had been ‘off the radar’ for the past few years but it didn’t mean that she had been forgotten.
The funeral is at St Stephen on the Cliffs at 12 noon this Friday (18th) before being taken to Carleton Crematorium. The wake is being held at the Norbreck Bowling Club, Clovelly Ave, FY5 1RZ and all are welcome.
If you are coming to the wake, I would be grateful if you would let me know by tomorrow (Tuesday) please as Corrine, Loraine’s daughter, needs numbers for the catering.
Claire Walmsley Griffiths Guest Speaker
If I don’t see you on Friday, I do hope I see as many of you as possible on Monday. Our speaker is Claire Walmsley, a local performance and heritage space photographer. I am really looking forward to this as over the past number of years Claire has been there with her camera at so many events that I have attended. I am sure that this will apply to a lot of you when you see her and I think it will bring back happy memories for many of us.
Our next meeting is on Monday 21st July 2025Blackpool Civic Trust visit to Lightworks, Blackpool Illuminations Depot 11th July 2025
