WARRINGTON’S new look Civic Society is set to tackle Conservation area issues in the town – to ensure they are fully up to date in planning terms – to help protect them from future development risks.
More than 20 people attended the official relaunch of the registered charity during a special meeting at the Gateway, when organiser John Shipley was unanimously voted in as Chairman.
Former Society secretary Harry Wells opened the meeting before handing over to the newly elected Chairman.
Mr Wells said the Society had been founded in 1962 and in the days of the Warrington New Town had warned of the threats to the town centre, which had all come true.
He said it was important to work with like-minded people and avoid confrontation with elected members and to work in a positive way and avoid being seen as a “bunch of cranks!”
“It is important to recognise when a cause is lost,” he said. “The key is to change attitudes and win hearts and minds.”
Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the Lib Dem group of Warrington Council told the meeting the Civic Society was “enormously important for the town.”
It was agreed that the Civic Society would work under the umbrella of the North West Association of Civic Trusts and the national group “Civic Voice.”
Members of the Civic Society will attend heritage days in Warrington and surrounding areas and are actively looking to recruit new members.
For more information on joining email John Shipley [email protected]
A book outlining the work of Civic Society in 1965
5 Comments
Good luck to the new look Civic Society – some wise words from Harry Wells.
Harry Wells is a genuine historian and a genuine gentleman – but what would Bob Barr be doing at a meeting of a Civic Society? He was one of the main players in the destruction of the beautiful Victorian Stockton Heath Primary School and sat on his ass whilst Bewsey old Hall was gutted and stuffed! etc.etc.etc.
One might wonder whether a compliant ‘Civic Society’ is just what is needed to tick the boxes for the Regeneration of the Town Centre – contracts for the ugly concrete proposals that Bob Barr claims to have crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s on long before Labour took the reins at the Town Hall – and notably very long before any public consultation was carried out! Running roughshod over public opinion seemed to be the trademark of the Lib Dem reign of destruction and no means considered too low to be mustered to achieve their aims. Who could have forgotten the devious, behind closed doors decisions, and totally undemocratic methods used in the attempt to sell off Walton Hall and Gardens?
I can assure you it will not be a “compliant” Civic Society!
It is a group of like minded people who have the interests of Warrington at heart.
While I am not on the committee (and neither is Bob Barr) I will be signing up as a member and dedicate time as and when I can while also keeping a watching brief.
I think you Gary would have a lot to contribute to the Civic Society. You have a genuine interest and the means to give the publicity these societies need.
I am certainly not surprised that Bob Barr is not on the committee, as there would be ‘conflict of interest’ issues. Though I am surprised that he was at the meeting – I would have expected from a meeting of this kind he would have been barred (pun intended).
You assure me that it will not be a compliant Civic Society. What makes you believe that? Are plans already afoot to scupper the building of the high rise concrete carbuncles that will if built completely dwarf and destroy the beauty of Bridge Street? Has a petition already been started to replace Andy Farrel with a regeneration officer more sensitive to local heritage? I’ve not read anything so far that would lead me to think this group will be in any ways revolutionary. one can only hope!