We hope you will join us at the next members monthly meeting at 7pm on Monday 16th June at the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road.
We will discuss our activities and plans, followed by our guest speaker.
The guest speaker is Local Historian, Anne Charlesworth, talking about the early development of South Shore starting from 1819
Non-members are welcome for the small contribution of £2.
Membership is £10 a year and you can join by filling in the membership form and paying the fee. Please read the page linked below and download the application form. We look forward to meeting you.
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.
Our next monthly meeting is this Monday, 19th May 2025, at the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road.
This meeting is our annual memorial show business talk for Cyril Critchlow. The guest speaker is entertainer Pete Lindup on the topic of Impresario Lawrence Wright and his long association with the North Pier.
A photo of Peter Lindup giving his well received talk at our May Monthly Meeting:
The Blackpool Civic Trust Award ceremony for 2025 will be held in February 2026 at a Dinner or Afternoon tea (decided by you nearer the time) so now is your time to get your thinking caps on and to nominate buildings, building work, organisations or even people for these Awards. The Nomination Forms will be available at the May meeting.
Guess which year this was our Best New Building?
Blackpool Houndshill Debenhams extension, Blackpool Civic Trust Best New Building 2008.
A great photo of Elaine Smith MBE, our Chairman, and Griff Rhys Jones, of Civic Voice, at our 2011 awards held in January 2012.
The Civic Trust will be enjoying an afternoon tea whilst listening to Lilli De Caro 1940s singer.
Lilli played by Beverley Alexander – The 40s Swing Tribute Singer, and Expert Vocal Coach from Lytham St Annes, who will get us in the mood for VE 80th Anniversary celebrations.https://www.beverleyalexander.uk/index.html
Wednesday 7 May at 2pm until 4pm
VE Anniversary – Sheraton Suite, Hotel Sheraton, North Shore, Blackpool
£20 per head for afternoon tea. Feel free to extend this invitation to your friends and Family.
At the Annual General Meeting held on 17th March 2025 at the Holiday Inn, Blackpool, the new committee was elected.
Elaine Smith was elected to return as Chairman following the resignation of Joan Humble.
Heather O’hara is Hon.Treasurer,
Walter Cairns is Membership Secretary as well as Minutes Secretary,
Jan Cresswell joins us as Planning Officer and Faith Buildings Officer,
Margaret Moussadis stays as Speakers Secretary,
David O’Hara moves from Planning to being the Project Officer
We welcome Rachel Sykes as Social Secretary.
Elaine Smith is temporarily doing the secretarial duties and
Publicity will be arranged within the committee.
We thank retiring Committee Members and look forward to their continued involvement.
At the meeting it was requested that all members fill in a new membership form as the information from many members is out of date. Elaine Smith will send the form by email and asks that it is returned to Walter Cairns.
A copy of the constitution will be sent to all members to ensure they have a copy.
Blackpool Civic Trust will have a stand at the Stay Blackpool Trade Show on the 8th April at Norbreck Castle. We hope to attract some new members and members who wishes to help at the stand even for a short time will be welcome.
At our meeting on 17th February 2025 Councillor Hoyle announced that funding was being assessed by Blackpool Council for not-for-profit groups who had submitted applications by 17th February.
These not-for-profit organisations are based in or delivering work in Blackpool and focus on creating community cohesion and a sense of togetherness.
Notification is given that The Annual General Meeting of Blackpool Civic Trust will be held in the Meeting Room, Holiday Inn, Talbot Road, Blackpool, on Monday 17th March at 7pm.
The purpose of the meeting will be to receive Reports and Accounts for 2024 to 2025 and to elect the Executive Committee for 2025 to 2026.
Members have received a full notification by email containing more details. Please let us know if you haven’t received yours. Only members are able to vote.
