Gordon Celebrates Our Entertainment Heritage
Blackpool’s entertainment history has been put onto the Parliamentary stage, thanks to a motion recently tabled in the Commons by Gordon.
It comes on the back of the acquisition by Blackpool Council of the Critchlow collection, over 20,000 leaflets, posters and memorabilia covering the 1860s-1990s period collected by the late Cyril Critchlow, now being housed in Blackpool Central Library after they were deposited there just before Christmas by legendary comedian Ken Dodd.
The motion, so far signed by thirty Parliamentarians, praises both the Council and Cyril’s family for housing and renovating the collection.
A key mover in the project has been Vanessa Toulmin, Professor of Sheffield University’s National Fairground Archive, who as well as helping sort and curate the Critchlow papers for their new home has also just produced a major new book on the history of the Winter Gardens.
Professor Toulmin is also currently organising the series of events for this year’s ‘Showzam’ in Blackpool which will use the various sites in and around the Winter Gardens to stage a lively series of events and exhibitions celebrating and inspired by historic entertainment, theatrical and cabaret events in Blackpool and other areas.
Gordon commented, ‘I’m delighted that this latest initiative adds to the growing recognition and attraction of Blackpool’s heritage in these areas to both those who live in Blackpool as well as visitors. It ties in also with the hard work and energetic programme of the Blackpool Civic Trust as well as the Council’s heritage unit.
As the former editor of the magazine History Today I cannot think of a better way of making that past and present connection than by acquisitions like the Critchlow connection and people come to the Winter Gardens, the Tower and Blackpool’s other heritage sites for events such as Showzam and other initiatives.
I’m really looking forward also to the completion and opening of the new Tower Headland, which is being supported with money from the Government’s Sea Changes programme. This is a recent initiative to help Seaside Towns like Blackpool with heritage and civic space projects and is a programme I lobbied the Government strongly to introduce.
Its ‘Comedy Carpet’ theme, which will encompass all those who’ve entertained Blackpool audiences from the days of the great music hall stars through to recent comic geniuses such as Morecambe and Wise, is perfect for inspiring and celebrating Blackpool’s heritage for the 21st Century visitor wherever they come from.’
The EDM can be viewed here, for more information on Showzam and the Blackpool Civic Trust, just click on the links about.
