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From the Newsletter- October 2004 |
On 23rd May 2005 we will celebrate our hundredth birthday.
As a campaigning organisation aiming to promote the sustainable development, refurbishment and protection of Bristol's environment we have maintained our fervour and success over a century. Isn't that something to be proud of?
So on the 23 May we shall be celebrating the influence of this organisation over the quality of the environment throughout our lifetime. We will renew our pledge and that of the Deputy Prime Minister to be pro-active in all aspects of the built and landscaped environment in conjunction with other bodies and Amenity Societies.
We started modestly as the Bristol Kyrle Society named after John Kyrle who devoted his life to the beautification of Ross-on-Wye. We have developed from litter, green space improvement and preservation of trees, flowers and wild life to a more hard nosed, pro-active involvement often at the early planning stages in major developments in and around the city. Our interests extend from planning, through transport to the landscaped environment.
We became the Bristol Civic Society at the end of the second world war when the city architect, grieving over the rubble of the blitz said 'the city will rise again'. Since then we have been involved in campaigning rigorously through our six active and hard-working groups. We have been encouraged by backing from names like Sir Hugh Casson in the late 60's and early 70's to the involvement of the public at hearings such as that for the original Canon's Marsh proposal in 2001.
Our Environmental Awards sponsored for the last 4 years - are hugely appreciated by those who win them. Our tree planting scheme started with others in the 70's and grew to spread all over Bristol, sponsored by many businesses. In short we are a lively and active campaigning organisation.
Now these are the plans for our centenary celebration at present:
A celebratory party on the roof terrace of the Evening Post. Speakers we hope will include: George Ferguson, Robert Grimley (a Vice-President) and the Chairman of the Evening Post The launching, through The Post, and various other outlets, of our new CAMPAIGN BOOKLET which will feature many of our successes over the century and will be widely distributed. The development, to be announced, of our environmental award campaign.
MEMBERS AND READERS
What else would you like to see the Society doing to celebrate our century? PLEASE SEND, or talk about your ideas with me. I can be reached on/at TEL: 0117 9279578, or email: charles.fox@virgin.net
Or write: 10 Dowry Road, BS8 4PR
Generous Gift from Staunch Supporters
The Society has just received a donation from Mr Fred Paddle. He and his wife Dorothy, who died
recently, were among our regular supporters. Fred has donated a very generous cheque to the memory of Dorothy. The money will go towards the production of our 2005 Centenary campaign booklet. Fred has said how delighted he is that they are able to help in this way.
