After watching the splendiferous Blackpool show it's entertainment pedigree last night for the Royal Variety Performance I thought I'd share with you that I attended the launch of the Cyril Critchlow Collection which documents Blackpool’s entertainment history.
As a founder member of the Blackpool magic club for over 60 years he collected and recorded all aspects of Blackpool’s entertainment heritage from the nineteenth century through to the present day. The collection includes theatre programmes, hand bills, posters and photographs – including some unpublished images of the Beatles. Over 100 locals turned up to see parts of the collection and listen to his good friend Ken Dodd presenting his own personal reminiscences of Cyril.
The collection is housed in the Local and Family History Centre on the first floor of Blackpool Central Library. A catalogue is available at the centre, or can be viewed at www.blackpool.gov.uk/cyrilcritchlow.
This is a fantastic resource for local historians, family history enquiries, researchers, schools and community groups. For further details contact the library on 01253 478090
Diane Blakemore
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