"This is great news. Many people have shown real faith in the civic societies. I want to thank them. It seems inconceivable that such an important movement should sink under the waters, even in such difficult financial times. Let's hope that this can be matched by others and the next twelve months can provide a more solid basis for the future”
Griff Rhys Jones, broadcaster, author, former President, Civic Trust
“The civic society movement is larger than any political party, has its roots in the community and high aspirations for the future of each and every town and community. This is a movement that is too valuable and too important to lose. I am supporting in every way possible the re-emergence of a strong national civic society movement that can unite our strong community voice ensuring that our concerns are heard and acted upon.
Laura Sandys
Daughter of Duncan Sandys, founder of the Civic Trust
“The civic societies are at the core of a crucial movement which empowers local communities and helps safeguard and improve the quality of our heritage and the local environment.”
Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director-General
National Trust
"Now more than at any other time, the local civic society movement needs to do its bit to rally membership at grassroots level, support a stronger national voice and prove our relevance."
Garry Thomas,
Hereford Civic Society Chair
“It is vitally important that the civic society movement is not left without some form of independent national co-ordination or reference. The Civic Trust has played a major role in informing and increasing interest in our public realm and in encouraging higher standards. It is therefore vital that it is re-invented or re-grouped in some form and that the major network of local civic societies are not left to fend entirely for themselves.
George Ferguson
RIBA Past President
“More than ever the country is in need of national guidance and support for civic societies”
Nicola Twamley,
Greasley and District Civic Society,
“The loss of the Civic Trust is entirely regrettable, leaving an absence of a national voice representing local civic societies. Such societies engage local people in decisions affecting their local environments and are active in promoting better design, conservation of heritage and more community-focused regeneration. The Institute for Historic Building Conservation believes it to be essential that a national voice for civic societies be reinstated as a matter of urgency."
Dave Chetwyn,
Chair, IHBC
Now is the time for the voluntary independent sector to take a lead. A national network is needed - it is the right time to re-invent itself and become an even more important force in urban affairs"
Sir Terry Farrell, architect and design champion
“The closure of the Civic Trust is a major loss to the charitable sector, one which deserves support if it is to deliver the quality we want to see in our towns and cities”
Gideon Amos OBE, Chief Executive,
Town and Country Planning Association
"The Civic Trust did a great job. It really raised the bar in showing how communities can work together to restore civic pride"
Sir Peter Hall,
Professor of Planning and Regeneration at University College London
“We feel that an umbrella movement for local civic trusts and societies is essential for grassroots credibility.”
Elaine Smith,
Blackpool Civic Trust
“We believe that the single most important function of the former Civic Trust was its work as an umbrella body for the many civic societies in the United Kingdom. We are very anxious to see that work continued and developed so that civic societies have proper support in their work to enhance and sustain the quality of the local environment.”
Robert Upton, Former Secretary General
Royal Town Planning Institute
“We look forward to the re-establishment of a support framework for English civic societies in the context of a wider United Kingdom partnership of the nations.”
Matthew Griffiths, Director,
Civic Trust for Wales
