A museum displaying working examples of the jukeboxes and a drink machine made by Ditchburn in their factory in Lytham complete with your own jukebox choices of your era while enjoying your refreshment.
A presentation by the expert curator and a trip round the museum and refreshments £10.
Wednesday 23rd September at 13:00
The Imperial Hotel Blackpool for afternoon tea and a tour
Thursday 15th October at 13:00 £22 per head. Sounds delicious and should include a tour of the Turkish Baths which Blackpool Civic Trust did much of the restoration work.
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.
Our next monthly meeting is at 7pm on Monday 15th June 2026 in the Holiday Inn, Blackpool. Our guest speaker is Sean Conboy on Architectural Photography.
An internationally renowned photographer, Sean Conboy photographs for architects, construction companies, designers and the world of advertising and marketing.
Non-members are welcome for a suggested donation of £2.
Our meetings are on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7pm in the Holiday Inn, Blackpool, unless stated otherwise. Non-members are welcome, we appreciate a donation thankyou.
We are always interested in hearing from potential speakers.
Monday
Topic
Speaker
2026
April 20th
Fylde Folk Lore
Zowie Swan
May 18th
Black Liver
Ruth and Keith
June 15th
Architectural Photography
Sean Conboy
July 20th
Blackpool Shipwrecks
Barry McCann
August 17th
ENVECO
Diane Farley
September 21st
Stick Men & Author
David Hulme
October 19th
My 75 year love affair with Blackpool
John Lovett Begg
November 16th
The Robert Evan Mills Lecture: ‘Palace (varieties, cinema and ballroom)’
At the Annual General Meeting held on 16th February 2026 we elected the committee for the next 12 months as listed below. We thank all those who participated in the retiring committee and look forward to another successful year.
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.
We’ve refreshed the policy for Blue Plaques in Blackpool as shown below.
BLACKPOOL CIVIC TRUST BLUE PLAQUE POLICY
10th January 2026
The principal criteria to be satisfied for a subject to be commemorated by a plaque:
The event, person or building commemorated must be of very special importance in the history, heritage or shaping of Blackpool.
a. Because blue plaques commemorate history and heritage, a sufficient period of time must have elapsed for the subject commemorated to be truly regarded as part of history. A period of at least 10 years should normally have elapsed.
b. People commemorated must have had a highly significant impact on the life or development of Blackpool, or their achievements or activities must have been of national significance. Such people should have lived or worked in Blackpool for a period sufficient for the town to have had a significant influence in forming their character or shaping their activities.
c. To qualify for a historic blue plaque a person must be dead. At least ten years should normally have passed since their death, so that sufficient time has elapsed for an objective evaluation to be made of their local or national significance. Rare exceptions may be made.
2 A prominent and physically suitable structure (normally a building or wall) on which the plaque can be erected should exist. There needs to be a strong association between the structure and the subject of the plaque.
a. The owner of the structure needs to be amenable to the erection of the plaque. b. It is the very nature of a blue plaque that there is a strong association between the physical structure on which the plaque is erected and the subject of the plaque. Departing from this principle would dilute the essence of the blue plaques scheme.
c. A major element of the scheme is celebrating the town’s built heritage. There is therefore a very strong presumption against erecting a plaque commemorating the sites of buildings now demolished.
d. An exception to 2(b) above may be made for pre-20th century buildings. In some cases the function and location of the buildings may give a very valuable insight into the early development of Blackpool.
e. An exception to 2(c) may be considered if the site makes a strong and important contribution to public understanding of a place.
3 There must be a sponsor or group of sponsors prepared to meet the cost of the plaque. Currently (2025) the cost of a plaque is approximately £600. This covers the cost of manufacture only and there may be further costs for the erection of the plaque and future maintenance.
Proposals for new blue plaques. If you have a suggestion for a new blue plaque which you think would meet these criteria, especially if you have an idea about a possible sponsor, please contact Blackpool Civic Trust providing as much background information as possible.
All suggestions and applications are considered by the Executive Committee of Blackpool Civic Trust.
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’.
Monday, 17th November, at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, it’s our November meeting. It will be the annual Robert Evan Mills lecture. This year the lecture is by Bev Carroll and titled. ‘Raikes Hall and the Royal Palace Gardens’.
Starting at 7pm. Non-members are welcome for a small donation £2. Please note the venue.
A celebration event to unveil the Blue Plaque for Charlie Cairoli. Where else but The Blackpool Tower Circus where Charlie starred in the ring from 1939 to 1979. The plaque was unveiled by Charlie Cairoli Jnr in front of an audience of admirers.
The plaque was presented by Steve Richley and the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society. It will be mounted in the Tower front entrance.
Saturday’s event at the Tower was part of a busy weekend including dining at the Imperial Hotel and a celebration of his life at Showtown. There are many photographs of the event, a small selection is below and links to other notable records of events are at the end of the page.
Charlie Cairoli Jnr unveils the Blue PlaqueNigel Male of the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society brings the bust of Charlie into the ringElaine Smith MBE, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust takes to the ringBowler hats into the ring
