Whether it’s of an individual, place or time, stories are at the heart of every project The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports. Heritage is about stories and everyone has one of those.
This Friday, community groups and creative organisations working in Blackpool are invited to join the National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore the potential of a heritage project. The Heritage Fund is hosting a brunch for all who might be curious about hearing more about their funding and networking with other local organisations.
This informal event will give attendees an introduction to funding available through their National Lottery Heritage Grants programme, insight into the potential of delivering a heritage project and a chance to discuss ideas with Heritage Fund staff and other organisations in the area.
There are so many stories out there, still waiting to be fully explored and shared – just take a look at some past Blackpool Social Club articles and you’ll see a wide range of local heritage, from historic buildings to nature and cultural practices.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” css=”” custom_src=”https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Windrush-Tower-June-2022-images-Claire-Griffiths-14-2048×1367.jpg” caption=”Windrush Day on Blackpool Promenade. Photo: Claire Griffiths”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” css=”” custom_src=”https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CJGriffiths-Photography-Nov-2017-Pleasure-Beach-Blackpool-Edit-image-Claire-Griffiths-2048×1356.jpg” caption=”Sir Hiram Maxim’s Captive Flying Machine. Photo: Claire Griffiths”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]
As local photographer Claire Walmsley Griffiths said when reflecting on the New Langdale Photographers’ project about architect John Charles Robinson’s influence in Blackpool:
“In Blackpool we need more people to be able to tell their own complex and diverse stories.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”600×400″ alignment=”center” css=”” custom_src=”https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jacqui-Cheng.jpg” caption=”Little Bispham Tram Stop. Photo: Jacqui Cheng”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]
Recent projects
If you’re looking for some examples of local projects, there’s Abingdon Studio’s We’re Still Here which captures untold stories from local people with lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community in Blackpool.
Or take a look at Mirador Arts’ Jukebox: The Teenage Revolution which highlights the story of Blackpool’s role in building the first jukebox made in Britain and its influence on the growth of British youth culture.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”600×400″ alignment=”center” css=”” custom_src=”https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/000019410014-1536×1067.jpg” caption=”Heron’s Reach. Photo: David Simper”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]
Join the Fund for Brunch
So if you’d like to find out more, head down to the Old Electric at 9:30am on Friday 28 March 2025, where you can
- Learn more about what can be funded, the investment principles that guide all of the Heritage Fund’s funding decisions and how to get support to develop your own heritage project.
- Meet members of the Engagement Team from the Heritage Fund and connect with other local organisations to explore potential partnerships.
- Hear from Garth Gratrix of Abingdon Studios about their previously funded project, We’re Still Here!
- Share your project ideas and get top tips on how you might develop it further.
[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Book your place here” style=”custom” custom_background=”#1E73BE” custom_text=”#FFFFFF” align=”center” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-ticket-alt” css=”” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketsource.co.uk%2Fnational-lottery-heritage-fund%2Fsharing-blackpools-stories-funding-brunch%2F2025-03-28%2F09%3A30%2Ft-dvzmdey|target:_blank”][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” css=”” custom_src=”https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/368888794_10159707380052399_5458141798201281550_n-1294×1536.jpg” caption=”Lytham 1940’s weekend. Photo: Elizabeth Gomm”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Header photo credit: RNLI guided walk to Wyre Light – Stephanie Cottle[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” css=”” custom_src=”https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/386886600_282148474644254_2163433052269837263_n-2048×1152.jpg” caption=”The archaeological site at Bourne Hill. Photo: Juliette Gregson”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
