Friends of Stanley Park and Salisbury Woodland, Blackpool
News Archive 2023
Link to previous archives: 2021 2022
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
£700 wow!
A huge thank you to all those of you who were able to attend the Carol Concert at
the Bandstand last Sunday and a special thank you to all the volunteers who helped
in any way. We collected the magnificent sum of £700.00 for Blackpool Victoria
“Blue Skies Hospital Fund”. Thank you all so much.
On behalf of myself and the Committee may we wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and a Healthy Happy and Prosperous New Year. We look forward to seeing you in
the Park in 2024. Nigel, Chairman of the Friends of Stanley Park.
Photos at the Christmas Carol Singing on Stanley Park
£700 for Blue Skies Hospital Fund at Blackpool Victoria
Sunday 17th December 2023 at 1pm
The Friends of Stanley Park Christmas Dinner at Stanley Park Golf Club
14th December 2023 a fine Christmas Dinner.
Friends of Stanley Park Dog Club Christmas Meeting
13th December 2023
The Christmas Fair raised £2100. A big thankyou to all who helped and contributed. The funds will be used for the park.
Saturday and Sunday, 2nd/3rd December 2023 10.30 to 2.30pm
The Christmas Fair was held at the Visitor Centre on Staney Park Blackpool.
Christmas Carols on Stanley Park Bandstand Blackpool
Sunday 17th December 2023 at 1pm
On Sunday 17th December 2023 at 1pm there are Christmas Carols on Stanley Park Bandstand Blackpool. With singing led by Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company. Collections will be for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund for better patient care at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Hosted by Friends of Stanley Park, Blue Skies Hospital Fund and Blackpool Council.
Please make sure you're dressed for the weather.
Christmas Fair thanks, we raised £2100
Family Entertainment in Blackpool
Saturday and Sunday, 2nd/3rd December 2023 10.30 to 2.30pm
What a great weekend we had for our Christmas Fair. We would like to thank our visitors
for coming in such big numbers and for spending their money so generously and allowing
us to raise £2100 which will all be reinvested in the park over 2024.
To our volunteers thank you so much for making so many children and parents’ smile. Your
creativity in making things to sell and baking cakes was marvellous. Your efforts to putting
on our Christmas Fair were well rewarded. THANK YOU ALL.
To Father Christmas it was a great show you gave and we are thankful for your time to
support us again this year and hopefully you will be available next year.
Halloween Weekend Thankyou
What an absolutely amazing weekend we had. The weather was fabulous and people came to the park in their droves and we had a record weekend taking £1309.
We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to put the fair on and to everyone who made a donation of a prize or baked cakes on the two days or assisted with the craft making.
We would also like to thank all our visitors for digging so deep and helping to support the Friends.
Halloween Weekend
Saturday and Sunday 28th Oct and 29th Oct 2023
10.30am to 2.30pm in the Visitor Centre
Stanley Park Blackpool
Family fun with spooky games, arts and crafts, fancy dress, side stalls, tea, coffee and cake.
In the Visitor Centre
Windmills in the Fylde Exhibition
Windmills in the Fylde Exhibition in Stanley Park Visitor Centre until 7th November 2023
Other News:
Local Artists display at Stanley Park Visitor Centre, Blackpool. 5th September to 1st October 2023, 11am to 3pm Tuesday to Sunday.
In Stanley Park Visitor Centre is a display of photographs taken by the New Langdale Photographers Blackpool. They feature the well known buildings of Blackpool designed by Borough Architect JC Robinson.
'For 24 years, from 1920, John Charles Robinson held the tools that shaped the look of the resort. As assistant architect and later borough architect he designed schools, libraries and other public buildings, some that remain and others that are long gone.
The Bispham base for New Langdale is the former library, which is a JCR designed building; they have a photography group that meets each week in Stanley Park, where his pen drew the plan for the cafe and the shelters; at Carleton Crematorium where The New Langdale operates Nibbles@Carlton Cafe, JCR designed the Chapel at the Crematorium. Layton Square’s toilet block is another of JCR’s buildings, and is just across the road from the cemetery where The New Langdale’s ‘Green Team’ waves its magic wand carrying out environmental and community work.' As reported on Blackpool Council's website.
Photos at the display courtesy Elizabeth Gomm:
Halloween Weekend
Saturday and Sunday 28th Oct and 29th Oct 2023
10.30am to 2.30pm in the Visitor Centre
Stanley Park Blackpool
Family fun with spooky games, arts and crafts, fancy dress, side stalls, tea, coffee and cake.
The Creative Hub
Watch out for future dates. Artists, photographers interested in the park, meet up at Stanley Park Visitor Centre, Blackpool.
20th August, 3rd September
Older News
Macmillan Coffee Weekend
Saturday and Sunday 30th Sept and 1st Oct 2023
10.30am to 2.30pm in the Visitor Centre
Stanley Park Blackpool
Fund raising for Macmillan Cancer Care at our coffee morning in the Visitor Centre. Family fun with, games, tombola, raffle, tea, coffee and cake.
The cake stall on Saturday morning, 30th September 2023
The tombola winners on Saturday morning, 30th September 2023
Sunday 17th September 2023
Makapaka Party Band,
3 Blokes,
The William Smith Quartet
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
That's it on the bandstand for summer 2023. Here's to 2024!
At the last show of 2023. Volunteers get a thankyou.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gomm
Sunday 10th September 2023
The Violet Hours, The Deal
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Sunday 3rd September 2023
The Deadbeats, Cherished Times, Betty Kendrick
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Sunday and Monday 27/28 August 2023
Sunday 27th August 2023
The Kingsmen, Elvis, Prime Mover
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
and the Classic Car Show in the Italian Gardens at 10am.
Monday 28th August 2023
Soul in the Park with DJs
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Sunday and Monday 27/28 August 2023
11am to 3pm in the Visitor Centre
Stanley Park Blackpool
Table Top Sale. Tables £10 each a day.
Contact 07518 039 625 or call in at the Visitor Centre
Sunday and Monday 27/28 August 2023
11am to 3pm in the Visitor Centre
Stanley Park Blackpool
Table Top Sale. Tables £10 each a day.
Contact 07518 039 625 or call in at the Visitor Centre
Sunday 20th August 2023
New Dawn, Next of Kin, John Morgan
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Blackpool in Bloom Winners 2023
Stanley Park Rose Garden wins the Blackpool in Bloom 2023 Best Community Gardens Award.
Congratulations to our Gardening Club volunteers, who focus on this and the Garden of Remembrance, and the Park Gardeners for their work.
Sunday 13th August 2023
Ska Face, Thursday's Fiasco
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
..................
On the bandstand Sunday 6th August 2023
Five-O, The Versions
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Love Parks on Stanley Park Blackpool
Blackpool Love Parks Monday 31st July to Friday 4th August 2023
Blackpool Park Development Services alongside Friends of Stanley Park are excited to announce a week of family-friendly activities to celebrate Love Parks Week 2023!
Activities will be free to attend, however all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Here is a sneaky peak at what you can expect...
Monday
- Multi Sports with Active Blackpool
- Mini Beast Hunt and Pond Dipping with Blackpool Park Rangers
Tuesday
- Pirate Adventure Wide Game with Blackpool Park Rangers and Friends of Stanley Park
- Tower building workshop with Showtown
Wednesday
- Multi Sports with Active Blackpool
- Cycling and Eco event with Active Blackpool, Enveco, Blackpool Police and Blackpool Park Rangers
Thursday
- Pirate Adventure Wide Game with Blackpool Park Rangers and Friends of Stanley Park
- Bike coding with Blackpool Police
Friday
- Circus workshop with Blackpool Circus
- Cricket at Blackpool Cricket Club
The next Book Club meeting is on Thursday 24th August 2023 at 2.30pm
The Friends of Stanley Park hold their book club meeting on the 4th Thursday of each month. The next meeting is on Thursday 24th August 2023 at 2pm for 2.30pm in the Stanley Park Visitor Centre next to the cafe. New members welcome.
There is just the Christmas Meal in December and no meeting.
Dates through to January 2024:
Parks Tennis on Stanley Park Blackpool
Free family fun day Saturday 5th August 2023 10am to 12noon.
Sunday 30th July 2023
Majesty, The Cherished Times, Mike and Jo
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Bandstand Show, Sunday 16th July 2023
Neon Rain and Beat Bros
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Friends of Stanley Park 21st Birthday Party
Saturday 15th July 2023 in the Visitor Centre
An excellent afternoon was had at the Stanley Park Visitor Centre. The Friends of Stanley Park, Blackpool, were formed 21 years ago, July 2002.
Many thanks to Sean, Karlos and team from Parks Art Deco Café. Stanley Park, Blackpool for an excellent afternoon tea on Saturday
CCTV Cameras now operating 11th July 2023
CCTV cameras are now fully operational in Stanley Park and are being monitored. Please spread the word that the cameras are now working and make sure your dog is on a lead where indicated by signs in the Park. Dog Wardens are empowered to take appropriate action especially for attacks on wildlife.
Sunday 9th July 2023
Parka Monkeys,
The Immediates
Daisy Atkinson, Mark Arnold, Imogan Evans.
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Sunday 2nd July 2023
Touch the Pearl and guest.
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Plus, in the Italian Gardens at 11am
The Stanley Park Motorcycle Show by MAG
Full Programme for 2023 Summer on the Bandstand
7th May to 17th September 2023
Below is a thumbnail not readable:
Keep up to date on our Facebook page
Link to our Facebook Page, click like when you get there
Call for Art for our Exhibition
6th August 2023 to 3rd September 2023 in Stanley Park Visitor Centre, Blackpool
Book Club meeting is on Thursday 27th July 2023 at 2.30pm
The Friends of Stanley Park hold their book club meeting on the 4th Thursday of each month. The next meeting is on Thursday 27th July 2023 at 2.30pm in the Stanley Park Visitor Centre next to the cafe. New members welcome.
There is just the Christmas Meal in December and no meeting.
Dates through to July 2023:
The monthly meeting was on Saturday 17th June 2023 at 2pm
Our guest speaker was Esther Steele who is Head of Corporate Governance at Blackpool Victoria
Hospital and is also responsible for community engagement at the Trust.
Tea and Coffee will be available from 1pm
Weekly Craft Club on Tuesday, Dog Club on Wednesday. Gardening Club on Monday and Thursday. Monthly Book Club on the 4th Thursday.
Sunday 25th June 2023
Sleepwalker, 48 Ashes plus
acoustic sets
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the bandstand
Bandstand, Sunday 18th June 2023
Rupert Fabulous, Mark Arnold
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
It is with deep sorrow that we advise you of the sudden death of one of our founding members. Joyce Street, our former Vice Chairman and Treasurer, passed away on Monday 5th June.
Joyce did great work for the Park and we are indebted to her for her contribution. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. We have spoken to her family and will add more later.
Bandstand, Sunday 11th June 2023
Bob On, Ghetto Defendants, DJ Inush
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand
Bandstand, Sunday 4th June 2023 The Deal, Monday Harmony Club.
1pm to 4.30pm live music on the Bandstand.
Guest Speaker at our May 2023 Meeting. Norman Barrett former Ringmaster at the Blackpool Tower Circus:
The monthly meeting on Saturday 20th May 2023 at 2pm
The speaker is Norman Barrett, former ringmaster at the Blackpool Tower Circus.
Certain to be a great talk.
Tea and Coffee will be available from 1pm
Mr Mel's Big Chill on 14th May
Tuesday 9th May 2023 A date at the Palace, Buckingham Palace
Garden Party for those attaining the Queens Award for Voluntary Service 2022
Nigel Patterson, Chair of the Friends of Stanley Park, and Carole Thaw, Events Officer, of the Friends of Stanley Park, and Lynne Patterson attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on the 9th May 2023.
The Garden Party was hosted, on behalf of The King, by The Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness was joined by The Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Altogether 8,000 guests attended the party in recognition of their public service and charity or community work.
Nigel, Carole and Lynne:
Nigel and Lynne Patterson:
Carole Thaw and Lynne Patterson:
Sunday 7th May on the Stanley Park Bandstand:
From May 2 there is an exhibition to commemorate the Coronation of HM King charles III in the Visitor Centre
An exhibition devoted to the Coronation of King Charles III is now on view at Stanley Park Visitor Centre.
If you are having an event to celebrate this historic weekend please send in a picture, along with some details, and we will find room to add it.
Thank you.
p.s. The gorgeous bunting was made especially by Vanessa from the Tuesday Craft Club. We really appreciate it, Vanessa. Thank you.
Bandstand Photographic Exhibitions in The Stanley Park Visitor Centre
From 5th April to 1st May there is a photographic exhibition in Stanley Park Visitor Centre featuring musicians and people enjoying the Friends of Stanley Park - Blackpool Music at the Bandstand.
The exhibition is a prelude to the new season of gigs starting on May 7.
Big Success at our Easter Fair
Thanks to everyone who visited and contributed to our Easter Fair on the 8th and 9th April 2023. You all did us proud.
The generosity shown in donating cakes, bottles, chocolates, bric-a-brac, and raffle prizes.
Thanks to each and every one of you. And a big thank you to all the volunteers who staffed the stalls and
helped sell our wares. It was a fantastic effort from a great team..
We took £2139.98 nett this year which is a record.
Monthly meeting on Saturday 15th April 2023 at 2pm
This will be the Annual General Meeting where the committee will be agreed
Tea and Coffee will be available from 1pm
Weekly Craft Club on Tuesday, Dog Club on Wednesday. Gardening Club on Monday and Thursday. Monthly Book Club on the 4th Thursday.
Photographic Exhibition in The Stanley Park Visitor Centre until 4th April 2023
Thanks to everyone who went to the trouble of submitting photographs for our latest exhibition in the Stanley Park Visitor Centre featuring autumn and winter in our wonderful park.
Our appeals resulted in more than 70 being handed in.
They are absolutely lovely and will be on show whenever the centre is open all through March and until the 4th April 2023.
Note the Visitor Centre is normally open Tuesday for the Craft Club 10.30 to 2pm, Wednesday for the Dog Club 10am to 2.30pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm.
Thank you again!
Fun for all the Family at the Friends of Stanley Park Easter Fair
Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th April 2023
10.30am to 2.30pm both days.
Easter Bonnet Competition, Fancy Dress, Fun and Games for all the Family. Our own stalls, Tombola. All welcome please come along, all proceeds go to our activities and maintenance on the park.
New Social and Hobby Group - First Meeting
Sunday 30th April 2023 in the Visitor Centre
For anyone who was unable to come to our open session about a photography/wildlife/art club on Sunday, this is the outcome:
We had a great turnout and people signed up for the group, which will be what you, as members, want it to be. Initially a social gathering where you can meet like minded people to chat, work together and share ideas.
We will provide a place to meet, refreshments for a donation and the first meet will be Sunday 30th April. I know its a Bank Holiday but not everyone does things then, and we will aim for meeting fortnightly and see how that works.
It was very encouraging and we look forward to developing the group.
The next Book Club meeting is on Thursday 27th April 2023 at 2.30pm
The Friends of Stanley Park hold their book club meeting on the 4th Thursday of each month. The next meeting is on Thursday 26th January 2023 at 2.30pm in the Stanley Park Visitor Centre next to the cafe. New members welcome.
Dates through to July 2023:
Photographs Wanted of Stanley Park in Autumn or Winter
Friends of Stanley Park are now inviting amateur photographers to submit their pictures of autumn and winter in Stanley Park for an exhibition starting at the beginning of March in the Visitor Centre.
Pictures must be mounted on card and can be sized up to A3 size.
Pictures should be signed with your name on the FRONT and please write your contact details on the back.
They should be handed into the Visitor Centre before February 25th deadline, please.
The Visitor centre is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-12.30 approx.
Our spring and summer exhibitions received lots of praise from visitors and it's lovely to bring enjoyment of the park to others.
We really look forward to seeing your pictures.
The fountain in the Italian Gardens 2022:
2022
December
Christmas Choir Concert 1pm 18th December 2022
Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company led the singing of Christmas Carols and Songs on Stanley Park Art Deco Cafe Terrace on Sunday 18th December 2022. Proceeds from donations went to the Blue Skies Hospital Fund and Sam's Superheroes.
Although the weather wasn't kind there was a good turn out and it was an enjoyable time.
Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company:
Singing in the Rain
Inside the Visitor Centre for Sam's Superheroes:
Christmas Fair 3rd and 4th December 2022
Santa is coming to Stanley Park Visitor Centre on Saturday and Sunday 3rd and 4th December 2022. Both days 10.30am to 2.30pm. Come to our fair and have your photo taken with Santa. Plenty of family fun with games, raffle, tombola, stalls, cakes, tea and coffee.
Proceeds go to supporting the park.
Update after the Christmas Fair
The Christmas Fair was a great success raising £2443 over the 2 days which is amazing given the value for money prices we charge.
Thanks to everyone who came and helped us and the park.
Thanks also to all our volunteers for their Trojan efforts in donating and selling so many items. It was a great team effort which gave us a fantastic and successful weekend. Thank you for whatever you did to help. It is testament to why and how we achieved our award for voluntary service from the Queen.
November
The Planting of the Queen's Tree 24th November 2022
Blackpool's Stanley Park now proudly features a tree which formed part of a sculpture celebrating the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The field maple, one of the trees from the sculpture, has been planted today by Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, John Barnett, and Blackpool Council's portfolio holder for climate change and environment, Jane Hugo.
It was one of 350 British trees featured on the "Tree of Trees", a 70ft metal sculpture which was on display outside Buckingham Palace in June and which highlighted the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative encouraging people to plant trees to commemorate her reign.
As it matures the tree, which is the UK's only native species of maple, will become a stunning centrepiece in the remembrance garden and a living memorial to the life of our longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
The monthly meeting was on Saturday 19th November 2022 in the Visitor Centre at 2pm to 4pm.
Guest Speaker: Keith Myerscough
'Wish you were here! Images of lived lifes - in Blackpool'
Weekly Craft Club on Tuesday, Dog Club on Wednesday. Gardening Club on Monday and Thursday. Monthly Book Club on the 4th Thursday.
The next Book Club meeting is on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 2.30pm
The Friends of Stanley Park hold their book club meeting on the 4th Thursday of each month. The next meeting is on Thursday 27th October 2022 at 2.30pm in the Stanley Park Visitor Centre next to the cafe. New members welcome.
There is just the Christmas Meal in December and no meeting.
Read more old news in our Archive
Click here for news 2012 to 2020
Awarded to the Friends of Stanley Park June 2022:
2019
Fields in Trust Best Park in the UK - Stanley Park Blackpool
Following our award of UK Best Park and Best Field Event in 2017 we were ecstatic at winning the UK Best Park in 2019.
The announcement September 2019:
Link to Fields in Trust website
Fields in Trust champions and supports our parks and green spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy in perpetuity. Because once lost, they are lost forever.
Our 2017 Award:
Facebook Pages
Friends of Stanley Park has a Facebook page with our latest news. Click here
Updated: 14th February 2024