Local organisations lend their support to Showtown
Following the announcement last month of the generous donation from the Sir Ken Dodd Foundation, Showtown have released more details about local organisations who are contributing to the success of the museum of fun and entertainment, which will open in March 2024.
Blackpool Civic Trust has awarded £1000 to fund the conservation of items that will be on display in the museum. The portrait, sword and helmet belonging to Dr W Cocker, Blackpool’s first mayor, helps the museum to trace a period in which Blackpool was undergoing a period of rapid growth and modernisation as it emerged as a popular seaside resort.
Joan Humble from Blackpool Civic Trust commented:
“Blackpool Civic Trust is delighted to support the splendid Museum project. Our fundamental aim is to secure the preservation , protection, development and improvement of features of historical or public interest in Blackpool.
We are very pleased to make a donation to enable the conservation of memorabilia associated with Dr W Cocker, who played such an important part in Blackpool's early development.
These significant local heritage items will remind residents and visitors of how Blackpool developed. The museum will have a key role in educating its visitors through fun and adventure.”
Other donations have been gratefully received from Barcadia, Masonic Lodge, Equity Blackpool Variety, Royal Variety Charity and Duggie Chapman Associates.
Rachel Sykes, Stakeholder and Engagement Coordinator said,
“ The support of our local community in providing stories, artefacts and financial support, over the years has been a real feature of the development of the museum and we can’t thank them enough. As a charity we really value the support that we receive and, as we move towards our opening in March 2024, we’re keen to hear from anyone else in Blackpool who feels they’d like to support us in what is going to be an exciting new chapter in history for Blackpool.”
Other Major funders of the museum also include Blackpool Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, DCMS - Northern Cultural Renewal Fund, Coastal Communities Fund, The Great British Coast, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Coolsilk, The Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, V&A/Arts Council and the Pilgrim Trust.
