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.
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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.
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.
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.
Blakey Moor acquistion
Blackburn’s Townscape Heritage Project celebrates another major step forward today. After months of negotiation, the Council has now secured the acquisition of properties that have been holding up delivery of a major regeneration scheme to the Blakey Moor area.
New cinema designs approved
The Planning Application was approved last month for the new eight-screen cinema complex on the former Waves site next to Blakey Moor. This will undoubtedly have a massive positive impact on the economic regeneration of the town, but how comfortably will this modern building sit within the heart of our Conservation Area?
Live Project: 29 Northgate
We have some amazing renovation plans for 29 Northgate, but until we are ready to get started we are really happy that the building is providing the perfect training ground for construction students from Blackburn College.
Cinema plans becoming REEL
Regeneration of the Blakey Moor area takes another major step forward as the planning application for the Reel Cinema development was submitted yesterday.
The new eight-screen cinema to be built on the former Waves Water Fun Centre site will bring an exciting mix of Hollywood, Bollywood and independent film to Blackburn. It will also include a 100 space underground car park and food and drink outlets that spill out onto a pavement seating area on Nab Lane.
We are working closely with the landscape designers to ensure that the external improvements here blend seamlessly with our own plans for public realm improvements to Blakey Moor.
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