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Best open space in Blackpool is actually a graveyard

A top award which recognises the best green open space in Blackpool has awarded it to a graveyard due to its successful blending of wildlife and history.

The best open space in Blackpool has been named as Layton Cemetery in an annual awards scheme by Blackpool Civic Trust. This award celebrates the best architecture, design and urban environment in Blackpool. The graveyard opened its gates for the first time in 1873 and many important local citizens rest in the 40-acre site, these including the man who commissioned the famous Blackpool Tower, John Bickerstaff.

When presenting the award, Blackpool Civic Trust said: “This green space within a large urban area uniquely offers an opportunity to take a walk through time and revisit the early history of Blackpool.

“This award is testimony to the work that the Friends of Layton Cemetery, volunteers and council teams undertake to maintain and develop the space.”

The awards were presented at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in a ceremony which was attended by around ninety people. This was the first time that the award was held since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chairman of the Civic Trust, John Humble, said: “We are one of the very few civic trusts or societies in England that annually makes awards in a number of categories and holds a formal ceremony with invited guests and award winners.

“There had been a two-year break due to the pandemic. The Civic Trust was very pleased to be able to make six awards for 2022 to very worthy winners in a variety of categories.”