Lytham St Annes Civic Society

Lytham St Annes Civic Society was formed in 1960. It has a membership of well over 400 people. The group is dedicated to the improvement of Lytham St Annes as a place to live, work and relax.

The Society believes in the conservation of the best of our buildings and townscapes, and in a high standard of design for new buildings. It’s aim is to protect the built and historic environment of the town. Not forgetting the open spaces and coastline.

Lytham St Annes Civic Society

Over the years, Lytham St Annes Civic Society has become the areas key independent organisation for monitoring and commenting on planning issues. It’s respected as an informed pressure group which conscientiously endeavours to protect and improve the built urban environment.

It’s part of a network of over 700 civic trusts and societies. Nationally, their aims are to ensure good design for new buildings, to respect the historic character of the local environment, and to protect parks and open spaces.

We have close contacts with other national and local groups with similar aims. These include The Victorian Society, English Heritage and The Council for the Protection of Rural England. Plus the Open Spaces Society and The Heritage Trust for the North West. We also work in partnership with Fylde Borough Council.

Our coastal areas are very special places. The Society doesn’t think that commercial development should be permitted on the Green and foreshore at Lytham, or in the dunes at St Annes.

Achievements of Lytham St Annes Civic Society

In 1997 the group raised £14,000 in order that the Council could demolish and not redevelop a derelict nightclub at Lytham. Soon afterwards the Society fought very hard (but failed) to try and stop the re-development of the derelict Blackburn Home at St Annes.

The award winning Witch Wood woodland walk (pictured above) was created by the Civic Society in 1974. A team of volunteers still maintains and improves it as a public amenity. Over £20,000 has been spent on path improvements there in the last few years.

The resurgence of Lytham Hall as a community asset is supported and we hold events there whenever possible. We have supported their applications for lottery funding and contributed to specific projects.

We have a programme of Blue Plaques being placed around the town. These commemorate notable residents, events and buildings of interest.

Please support the Civic Society!

We believe that conservation groups such as ours are an important counterbalance to both commercial pressures and political “spin”. The Society is a voluntary organisation, relying on the spare time and good will of individuals. Would you like to help achieve our aims and raise awareness in the local population?

Why don’t you get involved? Here’s a taste of the groups activities:

• Committees –
  The general committee considers issues and actions of the day.
  A technical committee considers planning applications.
  Other groups, including non-committee members, take projects forward. For example, Witch Wood is managed by the Witch Wood Trust although still owned and supported financially by the Civic Society.
• A newsletter is sent out every three months, written, assembled and hand delivered by volunteers.
• The programme of events is produced each year, including social events, lectures and visits.
• A large archive of photographs and old postcards is maintained.
• Our finances and membership records are administered efficiently.

We are constantly being alerted by members of the public concerned by threats to the historic environment. We always hope for the re-use of significant local buildings, not their demolition.

IF YOU LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE – BE PART OF IT!

Get Involved

One of our aims is to raise and stimulate awareness of local environmental issues through lectures, publications and exhibitions.

Enjoy coffee mornings and meetings with speakers. Check out event and meeting details here.

• Lytham St Annes Civic Society website

Enjoy all the benefits of becoming a member!

• attend intriguing and informative talks
• enjoy visits and trails to places of interest
• attend our exhibitions and those of other local Civic Societies
• participate in Heritage Open Days – a free event for the public
• receive a quarterly newsletter to keep up to date with the lastest news and project developments
• Become a member

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