Heritage organisations unite to strengthen civic society movement
Howard Lake | 1 June 2009 | News
The civic society movement – one of the country’s unsung treasures – was boosted today by the launch of an initiative to strengthen its network of over 1,000 voluntary civic and amenity societies and 250,000 members.
The Civic Society Initiative was launched today (Monday) by Griff Rhys Jones in London’s Covent Garden, scene of a successful civic society campaign against a damaging six lane road scheme in the 1970s. This follows the Civic Trust – which had provided the national voice for civic societies for 50 years – going into administration in April 2009. Information on the Civic Society Initiative and the role and history of the civic society movement is attached.
Civic societies provide a focus for voluntary and community action to improve the places where people live, work and relax. They champion the importance of these places to decision makers and opinion formers in business, politics, government, the media, the voluntary sector and elsewhere. They play an essential role in helping individuals and communities to understand and take action to improve the quality of their life through the place where they live. Civic societies promote and celebrate the best of what is inherited from the past and what is developed for the future. They are a fundamental source of civic pride.
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The Civic Society Initiative is being funded and supported by the National Trust, North of England Civic Trust, Campaign to Protect Rural England, and Royal Institute of British Architects among others. It will work with local societies and other community groups to develop a strong champion for civic societies and a network of support that makes their collective voice stronger still.
Speaking at the launch and announcing a £50,000 appeal for funds, Griff Rhys Jones said:
“The need for a vibrant civic society movement is greater than ever before and we are enormously grateful to the organisations that have rallied round with offers of financial and practical help. With the right support we can build a movement to support and champion community action for local places that is stronger than ever.”
The Civic Society Initiative will be led by seasoned campaigner and community advocate Tony Burton. Tony has over 20 years experience as the National Trust’s Director of Strategy and External Affairs and formerly with the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which he left in 2001 as Deputy Director. Tony Burton starts as Director of the Civic Society Initiative with immediate effect. A biographical note is attached.
Tony Burton said:
“The civic society movement is in the warp and weft of local communities throughout the country. With conventional politics on the rocks, the time is ripe for a rebirth of local democracy which champions the importance of places for people. We urge all those who care for the place where they live to get involved and keep in touch at www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The Civic Society Initiative was launched in Covent Garden by Griff Rhys Jones, Tony Burton, Fiona Reynolds (Director-General, National Trust) and Laura Sandys (daughter of Duncan Sandys, founder of the Civic Trust). Journalists wishing to attend the launch should contact Ivo Dawnay at
iv********@na***********.uk
(07909 925041). Photographs will be available after the event.
2. The Civic Trust went into administration in April 2009 after running into financial difficulties.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Tony Burton, Director, Civic Society Initiative (t) 020 7981 2881
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.