Blackpool Social Club

4 days ago | blackpoolsocial.club | David Simper

David Simper is known for his love of a photo walk, and blasting off some film in general, so it was with pleasure that he travelled down to the Solaris Centre on 3rd May 2025, to take part in this event, focused on the sights of South Shore. I arrived at the Solaris Centre muster point in good time and to find several Blackpool Community Darkroom friends indulging in elevenses. After that repast, we sallied forth across the South Promenade road, stopping only to distribute and load film.

1 week ago | blackpoolsocial.club | David Simper

Being familiar with Tom Lopato’s work, David Simper was keen to catch the opening of his solo exhibition. He headed to the buzzing HIVE gallery on Church Street and caught up with the local artist. I had chatted to Tom at an event at the Tea Amantes gallery – we had got onto the then upcoming Grundy Open Exhibition and coincidentally, when this exhibition opened, his piece was hung almost directly over mine on the wall.

1 month ago | blackpoolsocial.club | David Simper

The month swings round with alarming speed and it’s time for the switch over at the Tea Amantes cafe and gallery. This time a very different photography follows on from the street snapping of the last show. David Simper popped along to see it. For once, the service 61 bus let me down and, while I had time to walk to catch the service 3 instead, this meant that I was later than usual at the Tea Amantes gallery.

1 month ago | blackpoolsocial.club | David Simper

Grundy Art Gallery, Artangel and award-winning artist and Spider-Man enthusiast Hetain Patel present a new exhibition that began with a nationwide call-out inviting members of the public to share the activities to which they dedicate their spare time. David Simper heading to the town centre gallery to fine a colourful, creative and touching body of work. The show features many artists and craftspeople and is based around hobbies, from which come quirky beauty and art.

1 month ago | blackpoolsocial.club | David Simper

The regular Saturday morning HIVE Jive get together at the Church Street gallery also featured an exhibition of GCSE work produced by tomorrow’s creatives from local school, St. Aidan’s. David Simper ordered his usual Americano and climbed the stairs to view this display. The 22nd of March’s HIVE Jive gathering was enlivened by the opening of this fine exhibition consisting of GCSE art and design work created by the pupils of St. Aidan’s school.