Through 2023 and early 2024 I joined and hosted a series of workshops with the long-standing diverse photographers of The New Langdale and Blackpool Centre for Independent Living. The group had discovered a commemorative plaque dedicated to borough architect JC Robinson at Hawes Side Library in South Blackpool, a library no longer acting as a library but still a space used by the community.
We began to think about the built environment in the 1920s-40s in comparison to the current day in Blackpool a place which leans distinctly towards serving tourism. Our investigations uncovered a series of 30 buildings designed by the little-known architect with many of the buildings still existing and some demolished we thought about the spaces holding important experiences for The New Langdale photographers, their families, and the wider community. We aimed to uncover social stories collaboratively capturing memories through photographs old and new. The buildings are Hawes Side, Marton, Bispham, Highfield Library, Derby Baths, South Blackpool Open Air Baths and Lido, South Blackpool Rock Gardens, The Solaris Centre, Bispham Tram Station, Carleton Crem and Gatehouse, Layton Library and Toilet block (ex tram station), Stanley Park Art Deco Cafe, Stanley Park Gate House shelter, The Colonnades, Blackpool Cricket Club and Pavilion, Stanley Park Golf Club, North Shore Cabin Lift, Stanley Buildings, Harrowside Bridge, Collegiate Grammar School, Highfield School. Citadel 1924 Memorial Hall, St Johns Market, Palatine Technical College, Squires Gate Bridge and Station, Stanley Junior School, and Talbot Road Bus Station. Art Council England funding in August of 2023 to explore the architecture of Borough Architect John Charles Robinson.
Watch the film about the project here film of New Langdale exploring the people we met and places we visited.
The New Langdle Photographers have been gathering for a long time, 9 years. It feels like the bringing together of the diverse photography group is as much about a social experience as it might be about making or taking images. We have been accepted as guests into their Monday and Friday sessions spending a few hours making new friends or telling people about our project and sharing knowledge about John Charles Robinson the borough Architect who designed many buildings that were and still held dear in Blackpool communities.
A current show featuring The New Langdales explorations is currently on display at The Grundy Art Gallery Blackpool: https://www.thegrundy.org/whats-on/single/sharing-space-architect-jc-robinson-through-a-diverse-lens/