As the new Chair of this town’s Civic Society, I am honoured to follow in David Stewart’s footsteps and those who came before him, to benefit from the opportunities and expertise they brought.
Many of you will remember, may have been part of, the excitement of founding the Society in 1968 to challenge damaging or inappropriate town development plans. Many more have joined over the years to help sustain and develop civic pride in this lovely town, most recently to resist the blandest of town centre development plans which would have eliminated many historic sites of which we are so proud.
Building on our collective commitment and energies, we have decided to be proactive, to talk to people and groups across town to identify the historic or quirky sites in their area which they think should be protected, or conserved – not just listed buildings but pathways, common land, gardens, trees, street furniture, historic remnants of one kind of another.
Of course, we are also continuing our schedule of popular events such as the monthly talks, the latest of which, about the history of the Thicket Path, drew more than a hundred members and visitors; the Heritage Open Day each autumn, as well as supporting other organisations which are making a difference to the town – so keep a watchful eye on this Home Page for all the updates.
Christine Phillpotts