Blackpool Civic Trust marks 150th anniversary with restoration of 1st Mayor's St John's Church memorial stone

A memorial stone dedicated to William Henry Cocker, the first Mayor of Blackpool, has been restored in the town.

The restoration project came as part of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Blackpool's incorporation as a municipal borough.

William Cocker became Blackpool's first Mayor after the town was incorporated by charter from Queen Victoria in 1876, an act which paved the way for the town to have its own council and mayor.

His memorial stone stands in the churchyard of St John's Church, St John's Square, Blackpool.

Blackpool Civic Trust has funded the restoration of the memorial stone to mark the milestone anniversary. The Trust has thanked all those involved, including its members and Dr Sir Michael Prendergast, its Project Officer, who completed the formalities of restoring a memorial stone in a churchyard.