Please select the a comminity news item from
the drop down menu below.

Community of Blackpool excel at
Houndshill Celebrations!

Throughout the redevelopment of Houndshill Shopping Centre, the local community of Blackpool embraced the centre, participating in many of the events that had been organised. Now that the extension is completed Houndshill want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to ensure that Houndshill is a success.

One of our first community projects began a year ago when we invited local GCSE art students to take part in the Houndshill Art Competition. Entries which were created by the students, represented Blackpool and winning entries are now displayed in the lift lobbies and car parks of Houndshill. The Overall winner was Leah Curtis from St Aidans Technology College who produced an outstanding film-strip based piece of artwork, based on Blackpool’s most prominent features.

Houndshill is also lucky enough to host an all faith chaplaincy on Adelaide St West. Stuart Furnival, who is a lay worker at the Chaplaincy holds a variety of services to all faiths throughout the year. We invited Stuart to officially bless the centre over the opening celebrations, and to encourage community inclusion and activity throughout Blackpool and also, at Houndshill.

On Saturday 6th September, the official Houndshll Shopping Centre opening celebrations commenced with a seaside themed parade through Blackpool Town Centre. Dynamic New Animation, a Preston-based company created a number of hand-made puppets fpr the parade. All materials were from community art workshop, GRUMPY and were glued together by some creative helpers in Blackpool. A variety of workshops were organised prior to the opening of the centre and volunteers from Clifton St Sure Start community group were a great help with creating the sea creatures. (Clifton St Sure Start were involved through ‘B’ inspired, a project in partnership with Blackpool Council, Barnados and GRUMPY). The parade itself was led by Houndshill Centre Manager, John Holt with upbeat music being provided by popular Blackpool samba band, Poco Loco. A variety of groups took part in the parade including Sure Start Clifton St community group, Paul Nicholas School of Acting and FY West Coast Street Dancers. This fantastic group of talented street dancers also went on to perform on the main stage as a warm up act for our celebrity artist, Natasha Hamilton from Atomic Kitten.

As a result of some inspiring and enthusiastic work, Houndshill Shopping Centre would like to thank all who took part prior to all events and on the day !!!