Join the Blackpool Civic Trust in 2024 for local visits, news and meeting like minded people.
Click Here for Joining Details.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 18th March 2024 at 7pm in Stanley Park Visitor Centre
This will be the AGM where the accounts and reports for 2023/4 will be accepted and the committee elected. Only members are allowed to vote.
The AGM will be followed by a talk by Blackpool photographer Claire Griffiths. One not to be missed!
Nominations cut-off date is 11th March 2024.
Nominations for the committee and how to vote. Click here to, download the one page Word document.
Click here to download the Word one page Voting Form for the committee
Founded in 1975, Blackpool Civic Trust seeks to promote excellence and community spirit in Blackpool for people of all ages. We are interested in all things Blackpool, particularly its heritage and future for people. We have monthly meetings, visits to places of interest, and community activities such as Civic Week. We'd love you to join us.
Join Blackpool Civic Trust
Click here to become a member
Become a Corporate Member find out more, click here
Renewed Blue Plaque unveiling on Blackpool's War Memorial
A very special blue plaque was unveiled on Tuesday 12th December to mark the 100th anniversary of Blackpool’s War Memorial, Princess Parade.
The plaque, which replaces an old one, reflects Historic England’s upgrading of the War Memorial’s listing from Grade II to Grade II*. It was upgraded owing partly to the exceptional bronze panels by sculptor Gilbert Ledward. They are unusual in depicting a fallen German solider and for including figures of wives and children who also made sacrifices during wartime.
When the Memorial was erected in 1923 it was the joint tallest structure of its kind in England.
The Mayor Cllr Gillian Campbell unveiled the new plaque. The Deputy Mayor Councillor Major Adrian Hoyle, Mr John Barnett DL MBE and Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust, Joan Humble, also took part in the event. They were joined by members of Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee, who donated the old and new plaques, to celebrate this milestone in the history of Blackpool’s War Memorial.
The Mayor Cllr Gillian Campbell unveiled the new plaque. Photographed with Mr John Barnett DL MBE
The Mayor Cllr Gillian Campbell unveiled the new plaque. The Deputy Mayor Councillor Major Adrian Hoyle, Mr John Barnett DL MBE and Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust, Joan Humble, also took part in the event. They were joined by members of Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee, who donated the old and new plaques, to celebrate this milestone in the history of Blackpool’s War Memorial.
The revised Blackpool War Memorial Blue Plaque, 12th December 2023
Unveiling the Blue Plaque for Desmond Bagley
31st October 2023, Blackpool
In the centenary year of best-selling author, Desmond Bagley, Blackpool Civic Trust has put up a Blue Plaque where he once lived in North Shore, Blackpool.
Bagley moved with his family at the age of 12 to Blackpool. He later became a journalist and one of the leading writers of thrillers in the 1970s, helping to establish and popularise the genre. His 17 books have never been out of print.
A local author, script-writer and journalist, Michael Davies, is a big fan of Bagley's and has paid the master the ultimate homage of writing two original novels in his style and featuring one of Bagley's last heroes, Bill Kemp.
The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Major Adrian Hoyle and Deputy Mayoress Sharon Hoyle unveiled the Blue Plaque on 31st October and later attended, together with the Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust, Joan Humble, a special event held at Central Library. This took the form of a conversation between Michael Davies and David Brawn, representing the publisher HarperCollins, about Desmond Bagley and his formative years spent in Blackpool, including the many hours he devoted to reading and studying at Central Library.
Photo: Joan Humble, Sharon Hoyle, Adrian Hoyle, David Brawn, Michael Davies
at the Cliffs Hotel Blackpool
Blackpool Civic Trust were pleased to be involved in placing a plaque at the Cliffs Hotel marking the venue where the famous Nolan Sisters, later the Nolans, were discovered in 1973. Present were sisters Anne, Coleen, Linda, Denise, Maureen and brother Tommy. Photos also of Joan Humble, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust and the blue plaque. The Deputy Mayor of Blackpool Adrian Hoyle unveiled the plaque. Monday 16th October 2023.
The Blue Plaque for the Nolan Family at the Cliffs Hotel in Blackpool, North Shore, where they were first discovered in 1973.
See more on our news page click here
Every year we present awards for the Best Building Work and Community Activities in Blackpool
There are 6 categories which must meet the guidelines all listed below. The nominations form and guidelines can be downloaded in Word and pdf format. Work must have been completed in Blackpool in 2023.
The closing date for receipt of forms is 31st December 2023.
Note that the Open Spaces Award closure date is 31st March 2024.
NOMINATION FORM FOR COMPLETION (Please read the guidelines for the relevant category. The guidelines can be downloaded.)
Categories:
1. Best New Build
2. Best New Refurbishment
3. Best Open Space
4. Best New Quality Visitor Attraction
5. Transforming Blackpool
6. Best Community Group
Exclusions: nominations cannot be repeated in the same category in different years, work must have been completed in 2023.
Guidelines for Awards Nominations
Points you may find helpful to consider when explaining the reasons for your nomination in one of the categories below. NB. Not all may apply.
Best New Build
Quality of Design
Distinctive features
Accessibility (including wheelchair users etc)
Respect for streetscape/townscape
Best New Refurbishment
'Kerb appeal'
Distinctive features
Visual design/aesthetic appeal
Accessibility (including wheelchair users etc)
Respect for streetscape/townscape
Best New Visitor Attraction
How does it enhance Blackpool's offer to holiday-makers & visitors?
Distinctive features
Accessibility (including wheelchair users etc)
Is it innovative?
Transforming Blackpool
In what way or ways does it transform Blackpool?
Distinctive features
Visual design/aesthetic appeal
Accessibility (including wheelchair users etc)
Best Open Space
Landscaping
How is the space used and by whom, including birds & wildlife
Most attractive/valuable features
Accessibility (including wheelchair users etc)
Best Community Group
How does the group make a significant or distinctive contribution to the wider community?
How is this delivered and by whom?
Click here to download the full size nomination form in Word format.
Click here to download the full size nomination form in pdf format.
Click here to download the guidelines for nominations in Word format
Click here to download the guidelines for nominations in pdf format
A view of the form, please download a Word or PDF copy to submit it.
Blackpool Heritage Open Days
Guided Tours of Blackpool Town Hall Saturday 16th September part of Heritage Open Days.
Blackpool Civic Trust volunteers will conduct the tours. Just drop in, no booking required. Find out more using the link below.
Click here to read more on the Blackpool Showtown Heritage Open Days Website
Monthly Meeting Speakers for our year 2023/24
To print a copy please click here for a pdf version
The Blackpool Civic Trust Awards for 2022
The awards ceremony� was attended by over 90 guests, members, award-winners and the Mayor and Mayoress, the Chief Executive Officer and senior Council colleagues. It was followed by a splendid afternoon tea.
Joan Humble, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust, read the citations and winners and the Mayor of Blackpool Councillor Gillian Campbell made the awards.
Thanks to the Winter Gardens Trust and assistance from Carl Carrington of Blackpool Council for hosting the event at the Winter Gardens and to Blackpool Council for their sponsorship this year.
We'd like to thank Claire Griffiths for taking photographs of the event.
We are pleased to be able to reintroduce our annual awards scheme after a two-year break due to the pandemic.
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Read more on our 2022 Awards Page
Blue Plaque Unveiling for Audrey Mosson 20th May 2023
The unveiling of the Blue Plaque for Audrey Musson who was the 10th Railway Queen of Great Britain at the age of 15. Then toured Russia meeting railway men and Joseph Stalin on a peace trip. She switched on Blackpool Illuminations in 1935 and then repeated it alongside Joanna Lumley 50yrs later.
Read and view more photos on our news page, click here
Blue Plaque Unveiling for Swallow Sidecars at The Armfield Club 10th January 2023
The Armfield Club, Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, was in 1922 the original factory for Swallow Sidecars who went on to become Jaguar Cars.
The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust represented by Terry Merrygold, had sponsored the Blue Plaque which replaces an older one. For the unveiling they had generously brought from the British Motor Museum, Gaynor, Warwickshire, a Swallow Sidecar with a Brough motorcycle and an Austin Swallow car.
Councillor Peter Hunter, Deputy Mayor (the Mayor had other engagements) gave a short speech before unveiling the Blue Plaque.
Blackpool Civic Trust Seaside Memorabilia Collection
Over the years Blackpool Civic Trust has collected a large amount of Blackpool related Seaside Memorabia. We have photographed the items and created an on-line catalogue. Please click on this link to view it.
Item 5
Direct Links to what we do and other items of interest:
AwardsMembershipCorporate MembersPlanning
BuildingsBlue PlaquesHeritage Open DaysFavourites
LostWar MemorialsBlackpool Heritage TramsBlackpool Air Show
Blackpool contains many buildings and areas of importance:
Over 30 listed buildings
Over 50 blue plaques
One listed park
Four Conservation Areas
Local list of important buildings
Assets of Community Value
Blackpool Heritage Open Days click here
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours click here
Blackpool Illuminations
See our news page for information of what we've done and what we're doing.
If you wish to speak at one of our meetings please contact our speakers secretary listed on the About Us page.
Contact us by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.Charity Reg. No. 504075 R
Become a Corporate Member, see our list, click here