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About Us

Our Objects

Formally our constitutional aims are to:

  • promote high standards of planning and architecture in, or affecting, the city of Hereford.

  • educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of Hereford and give related advice and information

  • secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in and around Hereford.

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The core purpose of Hereford Civic Society, in common with all civic societies, is to defend and promote high standards of design and care in the built environment. It is this which underpins the sense of civic pride which most of us feel when we are lucky enough to live in a City as beautiful and richly historic as Hereford.  

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It is a broad brief which encompasses buildings of all types old and new, together with the contextualising spaces between.  So our interests in Hereford and its region are diverse; encompassing history, art, architecture, urban design, transport infrastructure, parks and gardens. This is expressed in our programme of talks and visits to which everyone is welcome whether a member or not.  It is also expressed in our work of influence and advice whether through the media or through the formal planning process.

Our Activities

The Society strives for higher standards in the built environment through influence and advice. This is achieved through pre-application consultation on major schemes and the routine review of  planning applications within the City. We have a non-voting seat on the City Council Planning Committee (currently in abeyance) and regularly respond to applications.

 

For members and supporters we have a busy programme of lectures every month (except August) from visiting experts, usually at the Kindle Centre, by ASDA. Belmont HR2 7JE. We also arrange study visits during the summer to places of architectural, horticultural or historical interest within and beyond the borders of Herefordshire.

 

In addition the Society has for many years produced a quarterly magazine (PLACE). This was paused by the Covid Pandemic in 2020. It is hoped to revive this in a new form as it is a useful forum for debate and ideas about the built environment locally.

 

Our Committee:   

Jeremy Milln (Chairman)

Martin Leaton (Vice Chair)

David Fowler (Treasurer and Membership Secretary)

Chris Bucknell (Minute Secretary and Website) 

Alan Bucknell

Marcelle Lloyd Hayes     

Ben Nash

Members of the committee are also under charity law, the charity’s Trustees​​

Active Supporters:

         Ros Peter (Programme Secretary & Events Organiser)

         Bob Heath (Planning & Conservation Group)

         Laura Somerville (Planning & Conservation Group)

         Christian Montez (Planning & Conservation Group)​

​​​Planning sub-committee

A Sub-committee meets periodically to review planning applications affecting listed buildings, registered parks & gardens and scheduled monuments, including their settings, within our area of interest. Applications affecting any of Hereford's six conservation areas may also be reviewed. Our casework often sits alongside that from the national amenity societies whose expert advice carries great weight, alas not always heeded.

 

The Society is strongly supportive of measures to enhance the walkability and cyclability of our urban environment as such measures enhance overall liveability. To this end we are active contributors to the work of progressive transport groups as we are to the improvement of public transport.

 

The Planning Sub-committee welcomes input from members and supporters, so feel free to get in touch if you care about good stewardship of the historic environment or sensitive design in the contemporary.​

 

Membership Benefits 

These usually include:

  •  Monthly talks where local and topical issues are presented by an expert and discussed over a drink

  •  Regular announcements (usually by email) detailing events and other information of interest.

  •  Quarterly newsletters with well informed, fascinating and sometimes controversial articles (currently in abeyance).

  •  Occasional E-news with topical updates

  •  Visits by car or coach to places of interest in the company of experts

  •  Opportunity to contribute to place-making through the planning process

 

Membership Subscription is £15.00 pa or £25.00 for 2 memberships at the same address. You can print off the MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM  and this may be completed and handed in with your payment or bank mandate.

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Visitors are very welcome at the events at a cost of £5 per person.  Those taking up Membership at the meeting will not pay this fee.

Hereford Civic Society is an independent local charity representing people who care about the city.Registered Charity No 503504

All material is not necessarily the view of the Society, which primarily acts as a forum for discussion around built environment matters, past, present and future.

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