|
|
From the Newsletter- January 2005 |
2005 CENTENARY YEAR!
I am writing this in December 2004 amongst the rubble of our Christmas cards, out of date address lists, not enough stamps, who do we leave off this year and the smell of mince pies wafting over the house. It’s just the climate for reminiscing on our campaigning Society and its hundred years of life.
Our work and focus have expanded since the early 1900’s and the inauguration of the Kyrle Society, our founding name. Today we continue to monitor our environment and join with local communities and professions in fighting for our beliefs. This is the basis for our position as An Independent Force for a Better Bristol.
And we don’t just talk about it - we do it. There are six working groups meeting regularly. They produce authoritative documents; monitor planning applications, sending constructive criticism as appropriate; via local committees we have influenced the City Council in considering change and improvements throughout the city over the last few decades.
For 15 years we have run an annual Environmental Award scheme on a city wide basis. This encourages the public to nominate environmental improvements throughout the city and is much appreciated. In 2004 and again in 2005, our sponsors are Bristol Water.
So, on our hundredth birthday, May 23, we will be celebrating our part in this city’s many virtues with members, friends and dignitaries, past and present, on the terrace of the Bristol United Press Building at the hub of the city. We will be able to raise our glasses to the continuing existence of a Society which more than punches its weight in all the right places.
And we will keep on doing this!
On this celebratory evening, when our generous hosts will be the Bristol United Press, we will be regaled by the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, George Ferguson and one of our Vice Presidents The Very Rev. Robert Grimley, Dean of the Cathedral.
The guests will also be introduced to our new, colourful centenary campaign booklet which proclaims many of our truly groundbreaking achievements over the past and present, as well as pointing ways forward. In producing this we have been greatly assisted by financial help from: John Pontin and Fred Paddle (who was a regular at our meetings with his wife, in whose name he has given a generous donation).
I am hoping that the Society will extend and develop its influence through the wide circulation of this publication and through some of the publicity activities which will be developed over the year. Here are a few ideas:
The campaign booklet will be available at many venues such as the Architecture Centre and bookshops
An exhibition of pages from the campaign booklet in the Architecture Centre, probably in May
A continuation of the successful biannual lunchtime debates at the Architecture Centre with the purpose of attracting professionals and a wider public. The next will refer at least to our campaigning prowess over the years
An expanded Environmental Award Scheme (with thanks to our sponsors Bristol Water). What about ‘best building in 1905’, a ‘wooden spoon’ or even ‘bitter lemon development’?
A continuation of the good media contact we have enjoyed and enhanced over the years
Continue our annual sponsorship for an outstanding piece of work by a student in the Department of the Built Environment at the University of the West of England
If you have read thus far please do contact me with any ideas, or just for a chat. I will, I hope, be very responsive!
AND MAY THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS BE AS CAMPAIGNING AND SUCCESSFUL AS THE FIRST!
Charles Fox
Publicity Officer
Tel: 0117 927 9578, email: charlesfox@virgin.net
Back to 'Cuttings' page
