News 2024
Blackpool Civic Trust News 2024
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Blackpool Civic Trust promoting excellence since 1975
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.
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2024 Meetings
Monthly Meetings
Monthly Meetings are on the third Monday of the month at 7pm
Our next meeting will be on Monday 20th May at 7pm
Guest Speaker: Dr Colin Penny, Museum Manager - Lancaster Castle Cultural Services, speaking about 'The History of Lancaster Castle'.
at the Stanley Park Visitor Centre
Non-members are welcome for a small donation of £2.
Form for new membership and renewal 2024/5 in Word
Meeting Speakers for 2024/5
NEWS 2024
Monthly Meeting April 15th April at 7pm
Guest Speaker: Father Andrew Teather 'Living Heritage at St Stephens on the Cliffs'
at the Stanley Park Visitor Centre
Non-members are welcome for a small donation of £2.
Speaker's Review by Paul Humble
The Living Heritage of St Stephen's on the Cliffs
Blackpool Civic Trust Meeting, Guest Speaker: Reverand Andrew Teather. Monday 15th April 2024 at Stanley Park Visitor Centre
Reverend Teather's talk was wide-ranging, touching on the development of the Church in the nineteenth century . He also mentioned his own early background in the theatre as a stage manager and some of the parishes of which he had been vicar before coming to Blackpool.
Dealing with the history of St Stephen’s he made particular reference to the famous Actor’s Chapel (1929). This impressive Chapel is unique in England and Europe in being dedicated to actors, musicians and entertainers who funded the building costs. The names of the subscribers are recorded on imposing marble tablets. They read like a roll-call of the most famous actors and entertainers of the day, including such illustrious names as Noel Coward, Gracie Fields, George Formby, Sybil Thorndike and many others.
St Stephen’s was the church ‘adopted’ by actors and entertainers, and big crowds would gather outside the church on Sundays to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.
The Church’s strong connection with Blackpool’s entertainment industry continues to this day. The Church is organising the ‘Solstice Arts Festival (9th -16th June) with a tremendous series of events, including family fun days, concerts, dancing and workshops for aspiring ukulele players.
Victoria Monks Blue Plaque, Historic England, April 2024
“Won’t you come home, Bill Bailey?” That was the signature song of Victoria Monks, music hall performer, who was born in Blackpool and who has now been honoured with a blue plaque by Historic England.
The plaque is the first to be approved in Blackpool by Historic England under its own national scheme. This is quite separate from Blackpool Civic Trust, which over many years has put up its own blue plaques celebrating the history and heritage of our town.
Victoria Monks (1882-1927) was a very big star of the music hall and was praised for both her musical gifts as a singer and comedic charm. She toured internationally, including the USA, and became known early on as “John Bull’s Girl”.
Towards the end of her life, she made a welcome return to her home town and performed at the Blackpool Palace in 1925.
March Meeting and AGM
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
Meeting, Monday 19th February 2024 at 7pm
The guest speaker will be Carl Carrington of Blackpool Council who will tell us about key developments in Blackpool 2022/3.
Meeting, Monday 16th January 2023 at 7pm
With an update from Showtown, the museum of fun and entertainment in Blackpool.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Blackpool Civic Trust wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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
See our 5 Blackpool Blue Plaque webpages click here
Click here for the 2023 News Archive
Click here for the News Archive