Peepers pop-up – re-imagining a lost cultural scene

PEEPERS POP-UP
Prism Contemporary Gallery, 14 Lord Street West on Friday 31 January 2020,
7pm-10pm.

Peepers is a pop-up event which through the use of memory and imagination aims to archive a cultural scene in Blackburn from nearly 30 years ago. A youth rock disco called ‘Peepers’ that was located in the basement of a property on Richmond Terrace/Museum Street.

In response to the collective memory of an online community of people who used to attend Peepers in the 1970’s and 80’s, local artist Christian Bell has re-imagined a place in time and is inviting its old attendees to an event which remembers and imagines Peepers.

Once Upon a Time in the North West….

‘The World’s First Western’ event will take place this Saturday to close the British Textile Biennial and to celebrate Northgate’s link to the famous film pioneers, Mitchell and Kenyon and explore the unexpected impact the town’s cotton industry had on the world of film.

Paint the Town 2019

The Townscape Heritage Project is delighted to be supporting Blackburn’s Paint the Town for the fourth year running, helping to spark interest in the town’s amazing built heritage through art.

35 Northgate secures first Townscape Heritage Grant

Works to restore and bring back into use an historic town centre pub have been given the go ahead after the first grant application was approved by the Townscape Heritage Project Grants Panel.

Gladstone’s Axe

Really interesting programme about Gladstone aired on BBC Radio 4 this morning, but available to listen again online here – The Prime Ministers. By today’s standards, we might think he had some questionable views, but in context of the time wasn’t all bad.

Nick Robinson, BBC Political Editor explains how his axe and public displays of tree-felling helped him win the support of working people.

‘Mr Cotton Town’ helps bringing history to life

TV shows like Who Do You Think You Are? and Time Team prove that history is a hugely popular subject. There has also been a significant increase in the number of people taking an interest in local history – which has never been easier thanks to volunteers like Stephen Smith of local history website Cotton Town.

Heritage skills showcase

The Townscape Heritage Project will be showcasing architectural heritage company Darwen Terracotta and Faience and the Whitebirk Sink Co. at this year’s Festival of Making in Blackburn Town Centre.

Come along to our pop-up shop at 29 Northgate on Saturday 12th and 13th May.

See the amazing heritage products that are still manufactured here in Blackburn and meet some of the people involved in keeping traditional craftsmanship alive and profitable!

DARWEN TERRACOTTA AND FAIENCE

When one of the UKs oldest and most highly respected terracotta companies, Shaws of Darwen, closed its architectural division, years of history and heritage was saved by its former employees who set up a new business and re-employed the skilled craftspeople. Darwen Terracotta and Faience now carry on this nationally important heritage tradition, working on restoration and new build projects for some of the most prestigious buildings in the UK, Europe, North America and Canada.

www.darwenterracotta.com

THE WHITEBIRK SINK CO.

It was right here in Blackburn that the very first traditional fireclay sinks were made, all the way back in the late 1800s. Centuries later, the Whitebirk Sink Co. are proud to be continuing this fine Lancashire tradition with its beautiful range of heritage and modern fireclay sinks, handmade in Blackburn by master craftspeople.

www.whitebirksink.co

For the full festival programme visit the FoM webiste

Clayground at Festival of Making

We’ve teamed up with the festival team and Darwen Terracotta to help bring ‘Clayground’ to this year’s National Festival of Making, 12th and 13th of May.

A tonne of raw Staffordshire modelling clay will be dropped off in Blackburn by the Clayground Collective in a FREE, drop-in event for everyone aged 5 and up.

Come and help us fashion Blackburn’s biggest ever communal sculpture!

Saturday and Sunday 11am-4.30pm, King William Street, Blackburn.

TH SOCIAL

The second meeting for businesses and property owners in the Townscape Heritage Project Area will be held next Tuesday 1st May from 4.30pm.

This time the event is kindly hosted by Hugos and as well as being a great opportunity to meet everyone, we’ll be talking all things Blakey Moor, Northgate and Lord Street West.

Hope you can join us.

Thank you Barbara Castle

We are proud to be supporting a new public campaign to raise funds for a statue of Barbara Castle and we hope that it will be located in the Townscape Heritage area.