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FRIENDS OF THE GRAND NEWSLETTER SPRING 2026
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Friends Monthly, Thursday Coffee Mornings.
Dear Friends... Welcome to the Friends’ newsletter which under the rules of our new constitution will be my last as Chair. During my period in office, or previously as a committee member, the Friends have been involved in fundraising which led to our contribution to the purchase of the shops; the reseating and carpeting of the auditorium; improvements to the canopy; and the Sir Ken Dodd bust, with regular donations to the theatre as and when help was requested. We also celebrated our 50th anniversary by watching a show in the theatre followed by a ride on a vintage tram to the White Tower where we enjoyed a splendid meal. I filmed or photographed many events in the theatre, copies of which are in the archives. The changes to the constitution will also include the departure of Christine Watkins and Ann Royle. Many of you will remember Christine as one of the early Friends who later became a member of staff dealing with Friends’ memberships for many years. Before Ann became our secretary she volunteered on the mailing team and took over the management of the Friends’ coffee bar. My thanks go to Christine, Ann, the current committee members and all others who have given their time and expertise to our work, past and present. Thanks to Adam our CEO for his ready advice and support, to Andrew Howard and the marketing department for all their efforts on our behalf and also to Shaun Gorringe and his staff for their practical help with our fundraising activities, especially coffee mornings. In order to move on with our work, we need to elect some new committee members. Can you help?
10.30am in The Space, Blackpool Grand Theatre. Doors open 10.15am, enter via Matcham Court The Friends Committee are delighted to present our list of Brilliant Speakers who have kindly offered their services to speak at the Friends of The Grand Coffee Mornings. Come and chat with other Friends of The Grand old and new over refillable drinks of tea and coffee, an assortment of cakes and biscuits and our usual raffle.
April 16
Beryl Johnson
‘Thanks for the Memory – Palladium Nights’
May 07
Friends AGM
2pm in The Space
May 28
Mykey Young
Artistic Director
June 18
Hillbilly Heaven
Musical Entertainment
July 16
Captain Neil Airey
My Three and a Half Years with the Sultan of Dubai
August 20 Speaker TBC
John Grady | Chair, Friends of The Grand
(Membership forms are available at the Coffee Mornings or from the Box office)
SPRING
2026
September 17
Cheryl Fergison
Star of Stage and TV
August 20, October 15 & November 19
Speaker TBC