Civic Societies Week 2008

What is it all about?

This first ever Civic Societies Week is being organised by YHACS and sponsored by Spawforths to draw the public's attention to the role of civic societies across the region. Many of our societies are organising special events to publicise the work they do and hopefully attract new members who want to get involved with their local society.

The purpose of Civic Societies Week is to raise the profile of the civic society movement within the region. We want to make people and organisations aware of what we do, to appeal for their support and engagement with their local society and also with YHACS where appropriate. We also hope to see societies attracting new members from their own community as a result of the publicity and activities that are being organised. Civic Societies Week is not just about doing something for your existing members although you may want to involve your current membership in organising your events for the week.

To see what's happening around the region, please see below.

Why civic societies

Whether you live in a city, a town or a village, you cannot help but notice the development that is going on across the country. The plans put forward by developers, planners, architects, local authorities and property owners affect us all and it is important that the community is able to engage in informed debate and has a voice in such decisions. Civic societies provide that voice.

What is a civic society exactly?

A civic society is a diverse group of active local citizens with a shared sense of civic pride and community spirit, who volunteer their time to campaign for the very best in design and quality in building, conservation and environmental schemes.. They provide an accepted public voice on all areas of urban development. Membership of a civic society is open to anyone who shares a concern for what is happening to the public realm.

Civic societies are

• forums for the community to debate and have a say over what is happening to their public spaces
• mediators between local authority planning officials, developers and the general public on developments that have implications for the quality of life of local communities.
• act as custodians of local history and heritage in their communities.

Most importantly, they make an excellent springboard for fostering a sense of civic pride and community cohesion in any given community.

How to get involved

If you want to take part in Civic Societies Week, contact Kevin Trickett Kevin Trickett by email by clicking here, or click here for the latest round-up of events.

1. Addingham Civic Society

Distributing a special village-wide newsletter and launching a Strategic Plan Mike Bolton
E: mike.bolton@virgin.net
T: 01943 831117

2. Aireborough Civic Society

Display in local library

Contact: Clive Woods

3. Barnsley Civic Trust

• Thursday, 26th June, 5.30 pm for a 6.00 pm start. The Lucorum, Barnsley - 'Big debate': Remaking Barnsley - the transport debate. A constructive debate which will explore all of the travel issues facing a fast developing town such as Barnsley.
• 'Your view of Barnsley' competition - encouraging people to send in their own paintings, photos, sketches that have been inspired by Barnsley
• The Barnsley Civic Trust shops award - now in its second year, an award for town centre shops creating a vibrant, exciting and attractive impact on the street, helping to improve our town centre and make it more attractive to people. Nigel Mitchell

E: Nigel@eis2win.co.uk
T: 07717 516 036

4. Barton upon Humber Civic Society

Guided tours around what is thought to be North Lincolnshire's oldest house at 51 Fleetgate, Barton (dating back to 1325) Open Saturday and Sunday, 21st & 22nd June and 28th and 29th June, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, with free admission. Also promoting lecture by Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS,14th Astronomer Royal on John (Longitude) Harrison - Lincolnshire Genius, 'Saviour of souls at sea'. Wednesday 25th June 2008, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
East Coast Media. Grimsby Institute.
Contact: Ian Wolseley
E: thewolseleys@aol.com
T: 01652 632928

Ticket enquiries:
Christina McGilligan-Fell, Organiser and Co-ordinator.
E: Christinafell@msn.com
T: 01472 234783 M: 07906040659

5. Bridlington and District Civic Society

Running for the whole nine days: 'IS YOUR NUMBER UP?' - a campaign to urge the display of house, shop and business premises door numbers.

Contact: Cyril Oliver
E: cyril.oliver@talktalk.net
T: 01 262 677 592

6. Castleford & District Civic Trust

Week commencing 23rd June: (In conjunction with Heritage Festival Weeks - 27th June to 20th July) Photographic competition in shop windows re location of Bridges (entry forms available on Heritage Festival Weeks programme). (There will also be a Castleford Civic Trust celebration of 200th year anniversary of 'Old Bridge' and fixing of a blue plaque on the bridge with a commemoration service and parade, 2.00 pm Sunday, 13th July).
Contact: Joan Nicholson
T: 01977 552463

7. Forest of Galtres Society

Manned display in library (open when library is open i.e. Saturday Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday). Photographs, curiosities, archaeology, books, questions. Celebrate re-hanging of refurbished gates (a project led by Forest of Galtres Society and with very welcome assistance from several councils, local people and local organisations) at gate piers in the Market Place which themselves received assistance from the Society many years ago when inscriptions commemorating the Army and the Navy at the Battle of Talavera were re-carved and put back in place.

Contact: Helen Kirk
E: helenmkirk@yahoo.co.uk

8. Grimsby Cleethorpes & District Civic Society

Guided walk of the Society's new "Cleethorpes Heritage Trail". Led by author Ernie Brown and historian Alan Dowling. Date Sunday 22nd June, departing 11.30 am from Cleethorpes Library, Alexander Road.

Contact: Teresa Bassett
E: GrimsbyCleeCivic@aol.com
T: 01472 696 449

9. Halifax Civic Trust

Tuesday 24 June. Guided tour of Lister Lane cemetery at 6 pm hosted by the Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery who have invested much time and effort into restoration of this private burial ground dating from the C19 that contains the graves of many interesting local notables. It is registered on the list of "Historic Parks and Gardens". Followed by refreshments at 7 pm at the nearby Park URC church hall and a light-hearted illustrated talk by David Glover on "After Death: Funerals etc in the parish of Halifax before 1900". No charge just turn up and support us. We have also launched our new website on www.halifaxcivictrust.org
Contact: June Paxton-White
E: June@paxtow.demon.co.uk
T: 01422 834448

10. Harrogate Civic Society

• Tuesday 24 June 2pm: Royal Hall open visit and talk by Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam
• Thursday 26 June 7.30pm: CS AGM at Grants Hotel, Swan Road, Harrogate, speaker Malcolm Neesam 'Harrogate's Greatest Sons'
• Sunday 29 June 2pm: Heritage Walk 'Old Harrogate', led by Malcolm Neesam and Mike Burke, meet at Empress Hotel, High Harrogate

CS leaflets to be left at Harrogate town library, Tourist Office, Royal Hall and other small outlets.

Contact: Mike Burke
E: mkburke@talktalk.net
T: 01423 569 563

Alternate Contact: Howard Hughes
E: howardhughes@aol.com
T: 01423 562 820

11. Horbury Civic Society

Display at Horbury library

Contact: Joan Fawcett
E: joancfawcett@yahoo.com
T: 01924 276 182

12. Hornsea and District Civic Society

Display and coffee morning in Parish Hall, New Biggin, Hornsea.
Display will include slide show on the town.

Contact: John Miller
E: chairman@hornseacivicsociety.org.uk

13. Horsforth Civic Society

Saturday 28 June: Horsforth has held a Gala in Horsforth Hall Park each year for over 100 years it is a large event and attracts thousands of people, if the weather is good. Horsforth Civic Society always has a Stand. This year we have joined up with the local Photographic Society to run a competition based on identifying photos of parts of some of our interesting buildings. Bob Shallcroft

14. Howden Civic Society

Saturday, 21 June 2008: Howden Civic Society welcomes Hornsea Civic Society with a guided tour of the historic heart of the town.
Saturday, 28 June 2008, 9.30-12.30, Market Place, Howden: What Has Conservation Done for Howden? Open Exhibition and Consultation on the Role of Conservation in Howden including the Map of Listed Buildings, revised Conservation Area Draft and new Conservation Partnership Scheme (In association with East Riding of Yorkshire Council). Contact: Lorraine Vant or Charlotte Hursey
E: contacthowdencs-2005@yahoo.co.uk
T: 01430 436 389

15. Huddersfield Civic Society

Stall, shop window, quiz and sorting on options, (eg, statue, plaque for buildings, footbridge, etc) by the public. Conference with speakers on various plans. Guided walks Contact: Richard Huddleston
E: Richard.huddleston@k2direct.com.co.uk
T: 01484 847 562

16. Hull Civic Society

Hull Civic Society has a major project to restore a bell tower formerly at the site of Victoria Dock, now on the Marina. In actual fact it is a post with a bell on top. This will be a self-help project to draw attention to our "good works". On the 23rd June (evening), the Society will offer a guided tour of Hull University art collection.

Contact: Malcolm Sharman
E: malcsharman@hotmail.com
T: 01482 561 611

17. Ilkley Civic Society

• Heritage Walk on Ilkley's blue plaques, led by Alex Cockshott, 22nd June, 2.00 pm from station forecourt.
• Display at Ilkley Library

Contact: Alex Cockshott
E: jcockshott@uwclub.net
T: 01943 601 561

18. Leeds Civic Trust

• Tuesday, 24th June at 7.00 pm - Blue plaques supper walk on Personalities in Leeds (booking required)
• Thursday, 26 June at 11.00 a.m. a Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaque will be unveiled celebrating the history of radio broadcasting in Leeds and the 40th anniversary of the launch of BBC Radio Leeds. The plaque will be unveiled by Mark Byford, the Deputy Director General of the BBC, at the BBC Headquarter, St Peter's Square, Quarry Hill.
• Saturday 28 June, we have organised at coach trip to Liverpool to the see the regeneration of the city, including tours of its new arena and the splendidly refurbished St. George's Hall. Booking required.

Contact: Kevin Grady
E: office@leedscivictrust.org.uk
T: 01132 439 594

19. Market Weighton Civic Society

• Saturday, 21st June, 9.00 am - 1.00 pm: Publicity stall at the Farmers' Market
• Guided Town Walks - Sunday 22nd June 2.00 pm, Sunday 27th June 2.00 pm, Wednesday 25th June 7.30 pm: Walks will last approx 1 and ¾ hours. Meet at the Giant Bradley statue, Market Place.

Contact: Tony Leonard
E: ad.leonad@btintenet.com
T: 01430 872 871

20. Ossett Civic Society

Launch of new website: www.ossettcivictrust.co.uk; Open evening at Ossett Community Centre, Prospect Road, Ossett from 7. 30 pm. Light refreshments.

Contact: Ruth Amos
E: info@ossettcivictrust.co.uk
T: 01924 260 218

21. Pickering Civic Society

Stall at event in Malton on 28th June organised by Rydale Council. Also, stall at Community Day event in Pickering Memorial Hall on 14th June.

ContacT: Betty Hood
E: elizabeth.hood1@btinternet.com
T: 01751 474 095

22. Pontefract & District Civic Trust

Photographic competition on best and worst buildings, and launch of new website: www.pontefractcivicsociety.btik.com

Contact: Norman Blackburn
T: 01977 704 662

23. Ripon Civic Society

We shall conduct a survey of people going about their business in the city centre.

Contact: Sheila Winpenny
E: sheila@winpennypr.co.uk
T: 01765 608 320

24. Saddleworth Civic Trust

• Thursday, 26th June, 7.30 Open lecture: Life in Saddleworth in the early1800`s, at Saddleworth Museum.
• Sunday 22nd June; stand at the Saddleworth Show. Presenting a plaque to a local builder who has produced a sympathetic development in the area.

Contact: David Makin
E: david.makin1@btopenworld.com
T: 01457 872 866

25. Scalby Village Trust

Distributing Civic Societies Week literature

Contact: Sheila Johnson
E: sheils@talktalk.net
T: 01723 364 660

26. Scarborough & District Civic Society

Painting new Valley Garden Gates provided by S&DCS & handing over to SBC with comm. Plaque fixed by the gates.

Contact: Adrian Perry
E: adrianperry@talktalk.net
T: 01723 379 912

27. Selby Civic Society

Civic Stand in Selby with (a) a balloon race, (b) Tombola, (c) Quiz on Selby, (d) leaflets, etc.

Contact: Jim Wildash
E: james@wildash.fsworld.co.uk
T: 01757 268 459

28. Skipton-in-Craven Civic Society

Display in library, Guided walk around Skipton, Display in shop window/ or in shop if suitable property can be found.

Contact: Susan Wrathmell
E: spwrathmell@gmail.com
T: 01756 795 532

29. Spen Valley Civic Society

Date - Saturday 21st June 11am - 1pm
Venue - Savoy Square Park, Cleckheaton Town Centre
Event - Celebrating the creation of a public park, a public art display and a plaque trail
The event highlights the different types of activities that are undertaken by civic societies and gives Spen Valley Civic Society the opportunity to thank all those involved in these admirable projects. At the event it is planned to hand out specially designed colourful helium-filled anniversary balloons to children, give away Spen Fame Trail guides and display before and after pictures of Savoy Square. There will be a special birthday cake of Savoy Square, pre and post war Panther motorcycles on show, characters from the Trail in period dress, live music and lots more to make this town centre park a hive of activity and make people aware of what a diverse Civic Society they have for their area.

Contact: Jenny Alderson
E: info@spenvalleycivicsociety.org.uk
T: 01274 870 072

30. Todmorden Conservation Group

Street leafleting session

Contact: Malcolm Stroud
E: malcolm@stroud14.freeserve.co.uk
T: 01706 839656

31. Wakefield Civic Society

Thursday, 26th June, 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm Corporate event for local businesses and other local organisations at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, Overton with special guest, writer and broadcaster, Ian Clayton.

Contact: Kevin Trickett
E:Info@wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk

32. Wetherby Civic Society

Library display at Georgian Bathhouse (TBC)

Contact: Derek Gulland
E: derek@wetherbycivicsociety.org.uk
T: 01937 583 729

33. Whitby Civic Society

Sunday, 29th June. Guided walk through Georgian Whitby. Meet 2.00 pm at the Whalebones, West Cliff. Booking not necessary but note that Whitby is hilly!
Sunday, 29th June. One of Whitby's hidden jewels, Victoria Spa well House, Mo Broomfield Terrace, Bagdale, will be open 10.30 am to 2.30 pm.

Contact: Barry Atkinson
E: barry_atkinson@onetel.com
T: 01947 811 717

34. York Georgian Society

Library Display from 2nd to 7th June to promote CS week.

Contact: John Long
E: johnwhlong@aol.com
T: 01132 813 292