Community pride and passion for local buildings, streets and public places is alive and well. A revitalised civic society movement can champion the millions of local people who care about where they live and want to make a difference.
These are key conclusions of the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken of the civic society movement in England. As well as reporting on what civic societies currently do, the research looks to the future with a view to harnessing the movement’s potential for the 21st Century.
The civic society movement is one of England’s unsung treasures. A network of over 1,000 voluntary civic societies with over 250,000 members plays a crucial role in defending and celebrating the identity and quality of the places where we all live.
Own the future is a report from the Civic Society Initiative1 on the future role and influence of civic societies following closure of the Civic Trust in April 2009. Published today, it points to the potential of civic societies working together as a collective movement and forming a new national body to champion their cause. A copy of Own the future is attached.
Speaking at the Civic Societies National Convention in Blackpool today, Tony Burton, Director of the Civic Society Initiative, said:
“Local communities are fed up with the damage being caused to their streets, buildings and open spaces, and by the lack of respect from too many politicians and policy makers. People are taking more control of their own lives and the power of local communities working together is immense.
“A revitalised national movement for local civic societies can be in the driving seat of a new politics which respects and responds to community needs and the pride people have in their roots and their identity.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The Civic Society Initiative was launched by Griff Rhys Jones and Tony Burton on 1 June 2009. It has been established to support and provide a voice for the unique network of over 1,000 civic societies and 250,000 people across the country following the Civic Trust going into administration in April 2009. Copies of Own the future can be downloaded from www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk.
2. Examples of civic society activities and campaigns include:
- Bradford Civic Trust’s publication of alternative “common sense regeneration” plans for the city
- Camden Civic Society’s campaign to improve the design of the British Museum extension recently refused planning permission
- Leicester Civic Society’s campaign to save the unique Bowstring Bridge and re-open the listed Silver Arcade
- Skipton Civic Society’s detailed survey of listed buildings in the town centre and guide to the ginnels and yards of the town
- Oxford Civic Society’s “Street for people” campaign in partnership with Oxford City Council to promote streets as social places for everyone to enjoy and remove unnecessary clutter from signs, posts and bollards
- Huddersfield Civic Society’s plans for a heritage trail and blue plaques recognising the town’s important buildings, open spaces and people
- Stamford Civic Society’s Paving the way report revealing the deteriorating condition of much of the pedestrian pavement throughout the town centre
- St Albans Civic Society’s campaign against a rail freight terminal in the Green Belt with five warehouses each larger than Terminal 5
- Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society’s campaign to find a future for the listed Ice Factory previously used to provide ice for the fishing fleet
- Wakefield Civic Society’s environmental audit of the run down Kirkgate area of the city
- Addingham Civic Society’s development of a new £60,000 playground in the heart of the village
- Tonbridge Civic Society’s campaign to restart the High Street clock.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Tony Burton, Director, Civic Society Initiative (m) 07810 657729
(t) 020 7981 2881
