Pride in Place – Proud of Blacon new Chair appointed
The Reverend Canon Christina (Tina) Upton is the newly appointed Chair for the Blacon Neighbourhood Board.
Tina has been Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Blacon for over 14 years, and also Chair of the food charity Blacon Beacon for 6 years.
Pride in Place is a UK-wide grant programme investing up to £20 million over 10 years in neighbourhoods identified by the government as most in need of support.
The Pride in Place Programme empowers local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood. It gives communities the resources and tools to drive change themselves and shape their neighbourhoods for the better.
As Chair of the Neighbourhood Board, Tina will act as a champion for Blacon and local people, supporting and organising engagement that reaches out into the community, to ensure decision-making is community-led.
Tina’s first task as Chair, in conjunction with Samantha Dixon MP (pictured left), is to appoint and convene a Neighbourhood Board to oversee the project.
An important initial task for the Board will be to agree a regeneration plan for Blacon to be submitted to the Government in the Autumn. Regeneration Plans are then expected to be approved in Spring 2027 after which the first year of funding is expected.
Tina Upton says: “I am very excited at the privilege of Chairing the Board and the opportunity to make a big and lasting difference in Blacon. We want to see the community thrive, and for everyone here to reach their full potential, which this initiative could make possible.
Samantha Dixon MP says: "I'm very pleased Tina has been appointed to chair the Proud of Blacon Board. Her experience and her knowledge of Blacon will be really important as we harness all Blacon's strengths for this exciting project."
Tina told us: "I firmly believe it is a Christian imperative to become deeply involved in conversations about place. We believe in the incarnation - and incarnational ministry which brings Christ alive in each local context is so important for parishes. There is much evidence that Asset Based Community Development can bring about enduring change, and what better way is there of building on local assets, than to be at the table talking to local people about what they do best and about what needs to change for the wider community. As a leader of the Church in Blacon, I am also generally seen as a local community leader, and so being involved in conversations about what is happening for the local community is imperative for me."
For further information:
In Chester Diocese there are Pride in Place projects in 6 other places: Hattersley; Brinnington; Ellesmere Port (Rossmore); Birkenhead Central; Woodchurch; and Seacombe.
There are two Pride in Place Boards in Cheshire West and Chester, Blacon and Ellesmere Port. Details about Pride in Place:
29 June 2026