Civic Society of St Ives – 1993 to 1997
Civic Society of St Ives – 1993 to 1997
Changes in the Civic Society
The mid 1990s brought significant changes in leadership. Long-standing Chairman Willie Wilson retired in late 1993, passing the reins to Bob King. Treasurer Astrid Hurst stepped down in 1994 after six years, replaced by Ken Swift, while Secretary Julia Papworth handed over to Susan Summerside in 1996.
The decade also marked the loss of key founding figures, including Molly Harrison. To honour her legacy, the Society made her a Life Member and planned a memorial tree. Behind the scenes, the organisation updated itself. Members adopted a new constitution in 1994, registered with the Charity Commission, and set up clear committee roles and sub-committees for planning and special projects. By late 1996, the paper typewriter gave way to computerised record-keeping.
To connect with the town, the Society launched annual Spring Fairs at the Corn Exchange from 1995, created a New Year Social Evening, and dropped the entry fee for the 1997 fair to welcome more visitors.
Issues and Challenges
Paid membership dropped steadily from a peak of 450 to under 380 as unpaid subscriptions mounted. Committee members had to knock on doors and insert reminder slips into newsletters to collect dues. In 1995, rates rose to £3 for single members and £5 for families.
The Society regularly challenged local planners over dense housing developments, ugly commercial signage and lost green spaces. Troublesome developments included the Robert Winsor site on St Audrey Lane, Jewson’s on London Road, Greenfields, and proposed extensions to the Dolphin Hotel.
Volunteers also pushed back against local neglect. They raised concerns over crumbling landmarks like the Priory Wall, filthy public toilets at Globe Place and the bus station, missing street signs, graffiti, and shoddy pavement repairs in the Sheep Market.
Dealing with councils proved uphill work. Meetings with the Mayor and Town Clerk brought little backing, while getting hold of planning documents outside normal working hours remained a constant struggle.
Successes and Failures
Years of persistent work paid off when English Heritage and Huntingdonshire District Council funded the restoration of the Priory Wall, marked by a plaque unveiling in May 1997.
Volunteers made practical improvements around town. They swapped an unsafe stile near the Dolphin Hotel for a swing gate in 1994, and set up a sturdy picnic bench along the Thicket path overlooking Nobles Field in 1997. Heritage Open Days proved a huge hit, drawing over 800 visitors to the Town Bridge Chapel in 1996 and another 700 the following year, while 2 The Quay secured Grade II listed status.
Not every battle was won. Officials turned down listing applications for The Priory and the Old Police Station. Despite joint petitions with conservation groups, developers won approval to build homes behind Barnes House.
Efforts to bring in younger blood by writing to St Ivo School students drew little interest. Outings also saw falling numbers, forcing the committee to scale back the trips programme.
Future Plans
Members joined town-wide working groups to help shape the future of St Ives town centre, focusing on accessibility and local amenities. Looking ahead to the year 2000, the team planned new improvements and prepared applications for Millennium Commission funding.
Volunteers took to the streets to catalogue and photograph the historic blue and white enamel street signs, while pushing to officially name forgotten lanes like Filbert’s Walk. When sewage works damaged the historic ridge and furrow ground at Warner’s Park, the Society held Anglian Water and local contractors to account until they promised to restore the land.
By the End of 1997
Despite changing hands over the years, the St Ives Civic Society stayed active, financially secure, and influential across the community. Money from Spring Fairs, book sales, and Woolwich share dividends kept the bank accounts healthy, while membership steadied at nearly four hundred. Through Heritage Open Days, public talks, and active seats on planning committees, the Society earned a strong profile. Council officials increasingly looked to the group as a vital local voice on conservation and the future of the town.
To view the Society’s Annual Reports for this period, click Civic Society of St Ives minutes 1993-1997
To view more information about the Society’s history, click Civic Society of St Ives.
Not yet a member of The Civic Society of St Ives?
We welcome new members, so please join us to help preserve and enhance our beautiful town. Membership subscriptions are our primary source of funding and the views of its members give the Society its voice and direction. There are a variety of ways you can support the Society by becoming a volunteer, amateur historian, speaker, or presenter, joining one of our focus groups, becoming a Trustee or nominating a building for a black plaque.
Members will receive a monthly newsletter providing updates as the Society is highly active in its involvement in a number of local projects.