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The Civic Society

Granting of Arms June 2008

Celebrating ninety years of service 1918 - 2008

BCC 10/6/08 14:09 Page 2 2 Rashid Councillor Chauhdry for my year as Lord Mayor. in office and I am indeed honoured to be its President century. It is a credit to the great city it serves its first I wish the society well as it nears civic matters. has taken in a variety of testament to its work it and the leadership is a Arms a Grant of through the award of fact that the Society has been recognisedThe a remarkable force for good in Birmingham. planting and citizenship, the Society has been to its present roles in planning, heritage, tree parks From its earliest days as a provider of the city. positive contributions to the life of Over the years the Society has made many its 90th birthday. issued on the occasion of Civic Society to this commemorative booklet Birmingham The and friends of members It is with great pleasure that I welcome Civic Society The Birmingham President of Birmingham Mayor of Right WorshipfulThe Lord The The The Birmingham Celebrating ninety years of service oteCt fBirmingham. to the City of our Society and building our contributions I look forward to continuing the development of this booklet who have made our birthday celebrations so special. back of We are very indeed to all who grateful have sponsored our work, especially those listed at the members. and corporate our personal Society - made possible by interest in the the generous support of a resurgence of a city-centre office, are all outward signs of establishment of our new thought-provoking and the journal constitutional changes,The the publication of Dr Freddie Gick An important milestone for the Society the Society of Introduction from the Chairman right for the Society to play a part in building the our citizens. I believe it is the lives of other aspects of programmes have extended into wider areas embracing and active interest in our built environment, our taking a keen retain the traditional civic society role of by the changes in emphasis our work. While we As weon the last ninety years reflect we may be struck appreciate for many years to come. memorable way - a way that we shall be able to next few pages, are being rewarded in a unique and service given by our predecessors, chronicled on the of many The years Arms. have been awarded a Grant of to Civic Society in the country also become the first we not only reach our four score years and ten, but we Civic Society as it is the day when Birmingham for The Today, 10 June, 2008, marks a most important milestone trees to do so. in the city - and encouraging others our various comm active citizenship among young people in of concept Celebrating ninety years of service

unities and to be proactive in planting 3

BCC 10/6/08 14:09 Page 4 4 The Badge of The Birmingham Civic Society Birmingham The Badge of The Civic Society the Birmingham of Arms The environment for the builtconcern brickwork reflecting Garden bond English family Bermingham the de of Colours signifying service Ancient crown life Birmingham of symbolising the fullness with flora Drinking horn Scroll signifying education The Birmingham Civic Society The Birmingham civic organisation Mural crown for a a Society union for Chain of

Celebrating ninety years of service

de Bermingham family de Bermingham the of Reflecting the arms metallurgy in Birmingham metallurgy Iron reflecting gauntlet Concept by Glyn Pitchford by Glyn Concept

Plymouth Earl of Barling Bart.and the Sir Gilbertt of colours argent and sable, the Two banderoles in strength and the future symbolising acorns oak with English 1918 foundation mantling reflecting Eighteen point For the citizens fthis booklet. of and to CitiQuilter for their sponsorship Arms for sponsoring the petition to College of City Council and HBJ Gateley Wareing Society is also very to Birmingham grateful The Elaine Mitchell the Presentation in organizing Ceremony. Peter Miles, Yvonne Maslen and by Glyn Pitchford, together with additional support of It is appropriate, therefore, to acknowledge the work undertaken by the Committee chaired its history. Society and will rank among the major events of great significance for the are handed over by formally the Lancaster Herald is one of the work out over it has carried nine decades. ceremony The in which Patent the Letters in recognition of Arms It is a great honour for the Society to have a Coat of been granted Society are entitled to wear the badge. the displayed on other materials and goods commissioned by the Society. of Members may be used on the letterhead and other publications and the Arms Once granted, the badge was also completed in same way. design of The Arms. and this was subsequently approved Arms, by the Kings of the Grant of conferring Committee finally approved the design to be shownPatent, on the Letters the document the draft designs for the Arms, After visiting the College and reviewing a number of the motto Pro Civitate (For the citizens). recommend the adoption of Heritage, Citizenship, Future and Wisdom. to At this time also the Committee agreed the Society, Built environment, encapsulated in the words Birmingham, the work of the key aspects of a list of Arms Committee identified and submitted to the College of The Adrian de Redman.Birmingham, the City of Freddie of Hartland, supported by Gick and Stephen Armorist the Honorary Anthony Glyn Pitchford Collins, (Chairman), Council and a subcommittee composed of with the Lancaster Herald, Robert Noel, after careful consideration by the Executive Civic Society the petition was submitted in association Birmingham The In the case of it is felt probable that such a petition will be accepted. if arms of the officers the petitioner by one of called, to the Earl is drawn This up for Marshal. the signature of is to submit a petition, or memorial as it arms of in applying for a grant step first The the arms. of the granting Before Arms. they can act in each case they must have first from a warrant the Earl to agreeing Marshal the College of who of are officers Arms such patent letters to the Kings of and crests by are patent. granted Crown letters The Arms delegates its authority to issue Arms Coat of The

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The Birmingham Civic Society Celebrating ninety years of service History of the Society 10 June 1918 was a day like many others on the Western Front. The guns blazed as Programme the Germans advanced on Compeigne, the French withdrew from Carlepont Wood 10 June 2008 on Ribecourt and the Australians advanced south of Morlancourt between Ancre and the Somme. Far from the carnage of the battlefield in the parts of the City will gradually follow.” more serene surroundings of the Such an ambitious aspiration proclaimed at Presentation of Letters Patent to The Birmingham Civic Society Birmingham Council House a group of the the inaugural meeting of the Birmingham great and the good of the city gathered to Civic Society by its first President, the Earl of Banqueting House, Birmingham Council House begin a rather different campaign. In the Plymouth, on that fateful day was translated words of the noble Earl presiding over the into a more formal set of objectives to be proceedings the intention was to create an achieved by an Executive Council of thirty- organisation...“to bring public interest to bear one members. 12.30 Reception upon all proposals put forward by public Guests assemble for a drinks reception bodies and private owners for building , upon The early years the laying out of open spaces and parks, and generally upon all matters concerned with Initially, the Society did not aim at a large the outward amenities of the city and district. membership and decided consciously to test 13.00 Presentation ceremony “It will insist that taste is a thing that matters, their opportunities and their ability to meet Arrival of Platform Party and if any offence against taste is challenged them before going to the public at the outset, great good will be done, and for support. They were able to Welcome by The Lord Mayor, Councillor Chauhdry Rashid converting of mean do this by virtue of a grant Presentation of the Letters Patent by the Lancaster Herald, Robert Noel and unlovely of £300 a year from The Birmingham Common Presentation of the Chairman's Badge of Office by the Lord Mayor Good Fund, a Municipal Address by the Chairman, Dr Freddie Gick Trust established by Alderman George Cadbury in 1917. These funds continued 13.20 Buffet Lunch to be received for Guests are invited to enjoy a buffet lunch in the adjoining room. several years, enabling

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The Birmingham Civic Society Celebrating ninety years of service

the Society to establish a well-run 3 February 1920 on the understanding that for the redevelopment of Northfield village. publishing his own ideas organisation, employing a typist to support the Society would be consulted about any Similar initiatives followed in relation to for the future of the City the Honorary Secretary, William Haywood. future development of the Park. Pebble Mill Road and the entrance to in 'The development of The first major event, in that same month, This set the pattern for several similar Cannon Hill Park in 1921. Birmingham' in 1918, he was the receipt of a donation of £15,000 ventures during the following few years. In The second initiative in 1919 was the became the first Secretary 1 from the Trident Trust to enable the Society October 1920 the Society purchased 25 ⁄2 publication of a pamphlet outlining a scheme of the Society in the to buy land to create open spaces for the acres at Kings Norton for £3062 and for the public use of the Lickey Hills. This same year. public to enjoy in the south west of the city. presented it to the City along with £1000 so publication contained maps and photographs, William Haywood's hand Northfield was the first area to benefit from that it could be converted into parkland was funded mainly by members of the can be seen in most of this initiative with the purchase by the Society and playing fields. The Society also donated Cadbury family and proved so popular that it the major initiatives taken of ten acres of land at a cost of £1,100, £300 towards the cost of a kiosk and gates was reprinted in 1920 and ran to a third by the Society in this period. These included supported by donations of £500 from a for the park. edition. Subsequently the Society published a calling a meeting to promote better Mr Moreland and a Mr Impey. This land was Muntz Park in Selly Oak followed in ensuing guide to Sutton Park containing articles on gardening cultivation, resulting in the used to create a Daffodil Park which was years, as did The Henburys adjacent to local history, geology, flora and fauna and a formation of the Gardens Guild, and handed over to the City Corporation on Highbury Park and the creation of gardens in map of the park. campaigns in 1926 to save Stratford House several other parks including Park, On a different front, the Society became and the Aston Almshouses from demolition. Handsworth Park and Yardley. involved in submitting designs for street A more significant campaign was the 1919 saw three other important initiatives. furniture and telephone boxes. While its successful attempt to keep the Repertory First, a deputation from the Society met with designs for lamp standards were not adopted Theatre open in 1923. When Sir Barry the Town Planning Committee to argue the at that time, subsequent designs produced in Jackson announced in November of that year case for better and more comprehensive 1937 were used. Its designs for telephone that the theatre was to close in the following planning of the physical environment, boxes were not adopted but led indirectly to a February the Society immediately contacted culminating in the Society presenting a plan national design competition in which the him and offered to help him to Civic Society played a part. make it commercially viable. The Society There followed a period of about 15 years in arranged a programme of productions and which the range of activities broadened set up an organising committee which significantly, due in considerable measure to mounted a campaign to boost audiences. the enthusiasm and energy of its Secretary, This was highly successful for several years, William Haywood. Haywood was the but difficulties arose again in 1934. This time Birmingham-born son of a silversmith, William Haywood met with Sir Barry and trained as an architect at the Birmingham convinced him to agree to give the theatre to School of Art and practised in the firm of the people of Birmingham, provided that Buckland-Farmer in Congreve Street. After sufficient funds could be raised to guarantee its continuing maintenance. Despite a The Society became involved in disappointing response to a public appeal for submitting designs for street funds, Jackson handed over the theatre to a furniture and telephone boxes new Sir Barry Jackson Trust which succeeded in gaining exemption from the Entertainment

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The Birmingham Civic Society Celebrating ninety years of service

Tax and in increasing seating capacity to only the head remains of John concentrated more on their careers and the improve financial viability. The Sir Barry There were urgent needs to provide Skirrow Wright. pressures of modern society and a generation Jackson Trust continues today and includes a new housing for large parts of the The Society noted in its annual report of of the 'great and the good' had virtually representative of the Society as a trustee. population and to regenerate the city 1956 that disappeared. In the 1930s the Society continued its work on centre, including the provision of new 'The swift pace of post-war development in One significant achievement was the city parks and in advising the City on a range library and other facilities. Birmingham coupled with the acute shortage of reinstatement of the pools around the of planning matters, adding to its work in devastation of the war years. There were undeveloped land is leading to the clearance and Chamberlain Fountain in Victoria Square in Aston Hall Park and producing designs for urgent needs to provide new housing for large rebuilding of old sites. In this process a number of 1978 under the leadership of the then improving the area around the Town Hall. The interesting buildings are being removed.' parts of the population and to regenerate the One significant achievement was the latter involved preparing a detailed plan, city centre, including the provision of a new This modest reaction was perhaps reinstatement of the pools around the including replacing the Chamberlain memorial library and other facilities. symptomatic of public opinion at the time, Chamberlain Fountain. and widening Edmund Street. This was Under the leadership of City Engineer, as may have been the Society's decision to submitted to the City Council in 1937, but was Herbert Manzoni, the Council embarked on reward Sir Herbert Manzoni, the architect of Chairman, Sir Joseph Pope. eventually superseded by larger scale plans for ambitious projects to build new housing estates the whole programme, with its Gold Medal Successive leadership teams strove to rebuild the development of the whole area. of high-rise apartment buildings, encircle the in 1963. the Society during the 1980s and 1990s, The Second World War city centre with a ring road and burrow under On a more positive note the Society erected in culminating in the recruitment by Bruce it with road tunnels. The result was the 1953 the first of what was to become around Tanner of a few individuals who accepted the and beyond creation of much enhanced housing for 90 blue plaques honouring famous citizens challenges and the freedom he offered to thousands of residents who were delighted to and it promoted exhibitions on Silver and build new programmes and activities. Following the outbreak of war in 1939 the have accommodation that included fitted urban trees in 1956 and 1959 respectively. The first of these was the publication of the Society recognised that Birmingham would kitchens and inside lavatories. Motorists were There followed a period of less Heritage Buildings Guide, inspired by Bruce become a target for bombing and that many of also able to travel in a matter of minutes from intense activity during the Tanner and marking a significant its buildings were likely to suffer damage. one side of the city to the other - an asset that next few decades. Works enhancement of the visibility of the Society. Specifically, the Burne-Jones designed windows still largely holds true and which differentiates of public note were few To date 750,000 copies of this guide have in the cathedral were considered to be it from many cities of a comparable size. in number, though the been printed. vulnerable. The Society decided to use £375 Notwithstanding these remarkable Society continued to This increased visibility contributed to from its Charitable Trust to remove and store achievements, there were a number of less lobby for better membership recruitment and stimulated the the windows and to board up the empty positive consequences. Several important and planning and facilities adoption of wider perspectives on the spaces. In the ensuing years the building was beautiful Victorian buildings were demolished for residents, potential role of the Society. It was bombed and all the remaining windows were to make way for city centre redevelopment, sponsored recognised that in addition to the traditional destroyed. When the Cathedral was being including the Central Library, The Grand postgraduate work role of civic societies in being concerned restored in 1944 the Society provided £640 for Theatre, the Colonnades and the Stork Hotel. and ran events for about their physical environment, the state of the replacement of the windows. These fine old buildings were a significant loss its members. The the social environment is at least as The retirement of William Haywood in 1947 to the city and in more modern times would drive of the early important. In a city where a high proportion and his award of the Society's Gold Medal certainly have been preserved. The city's years had of residents have only short histories in this marked the end of an era and the beginning of statues also suffered - Josiah Mason and diminished as country there is a special need to promote massive redevelopment of the city following the George Dawson were reduced to busts and people awareness of our heritage and a broadening of participation in city affairs.

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The Birmingham Civic Society Celebrating ninety years of service The Society today

Today the Society has 500 personal members and 100 corporate members and possibility of introducing a new award scheme has a robust committee structure which manages its different programmes. for Young Citizens of the year. Civitas has now been replaced by a new Following a strategic workshop in November Leather, a senior historian from Birmingham The Trees Committee manages our tree planting programme, Birmingham Trees for magazine, Birmingham 2004, the Society under the leadership of the University. The committee fulfils the Perspectives, appealing Life, funded largely by Birmingham City author, decided to operate programmes in traditional role of erecting Blue Plaques to a wider audience Planning, Heritage and Citizenship, supported honouring some of Birmingham's most Council. Led by Society Vice Chairman, Rob around the city. by a strong programme of events for illustrious citizens, coordinated by Blue Blyth, the committee has organised the planting members. This list was later supplemented by Plaques Secretary Yvonne Maslen, but has of several hundred trees over the last two years, its water supply, the restoration of the Town the addition of a tree-planting programme, also begun a programme of erecting History usually in association with local schools. Public Hall and Birmingham's canals. For the brave, a Birmingham Trees for Life, funded largely by Plates to mark important events in the city's and corporate sponsorship of tree planting has four day trip to sister-city Chicago has been the City Council. history. It also manages the production of the also been achieved through a Plant a Tree for arranged for May this year. The core role of the Society continues to be Heritage Buildings Guide of which 750,000 Life programme in which special tee planting The Society has made significant changes to its in the area of Planning and the general copies have so far been printed. days are organised in local parks and sponsors membership communications. A website was development of the City. A very active Promoting active citizenship among members are invited to join in group planting sessions. launched in 2005 and a new magazine, Civitas, Planning Committee led by Paul Lister, a Vice of all the different ethnic groups that now Project Manager Sue Griffith coordinates the with a circulation of 3000, was introduced at Chairman of the Society, which includes three make up the population of the city is the activities of Birmingham Trees for Life which the same time. architects, two Chartered Surveyors and a main activity of the Citizenship Committee. this year have also included planting an orchard Civitas has now been replaced by a new property lawyer among its members, considers Led by Michael Sheehan, this committee has in a restored garden at the Edgbaston Guinea magazine, Birmingham Perspectives, appealing and advises on all significant planned pioneered the introduction of a highly Gardens, preparing for a second Apple/Tree to a wider audience around the city, an office developments in the city. The Society's successful programme, the Next Generation day at the Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses has been opened in the Birmingham and representative on the City Conservation and Awards Programme for school pupils aged 11 and several tree planting ceremonies in city Midland Institute building in March and for the Heritage Panel makes regular reports to the to 14. Just over 2000 pupils a year participate parks. A Red China Birch Tree has been first time in several decades the Society has its Committee. Increasingly city planning officers in this six week project based programme, planted in the City Centre Gardens to mark the own paid administrator. and developers meet with the committee to culminating in a major award ceremony in Society's 90th birthday. The transformation of the Society during the discuss outline plans and canvas opinion the Council House. This committee also Mindful of the need to ensure that past five years has been remarkable, made before detailed proposals are prepared for manages the long running Schools members of the Society are kept up to possible by the energetic enthusiasm of a public disclosure. awards programme in which up to date with the development of the growing number of active members and Enhancing the accessibility of the cultural six schools each year are selected to city and have opportunities to enabling more significant beneficial contributions heritage of the city is the focus for the be rewarded for the work they have contribute their ideas and opinions, to be made to the quality of life in the city. Heritage Committee which is led by Peter undertaken to improve their local the Events Committee, led by The celebration of the Society's 90th environment. Other initiatives Peter Miles, organises a series of birthday on 10 June 2008 is being The core role of the Society continues currently being pursued include the lectures and visits throughout the year. marked by the award of a Grant of to be in the area of Planning and the preparation of a workbook for teachers to use Among recent events have been talks on the Arms, a first for Birmingham among the general development of the City. with final year Primary School pupils and the Elan Valley Dam from which Birmingham gets country's civic societies!

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BCC 10/6/08 14:09 Page 14 14 The Birmingham Civic Society The Birmingham 1995 1994 1992 1991 1990 1989 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1958 1957 1953 1951 1949 1948 1947 1936 1935 1934 1931 1930 1929 1928 1926 1925 1923 1922 1921 Forward prize recipients Gold medal recipients Birmingham Citywatch Birmingham ChamberlainThe Hotel ArcadianThe Car park RiverThe Cole & Chinn Brook Winson Green Visitors centre St Basil's centre for the Homeless Parks (Emphasis on islands) Department Shopping Centre Birmingham J A Skipper, Street Cleaner Society for mentally Birmingham Tree Birmingham Lovers League City of City Police Panda Car Scheme Conservation Group Handicapped Children Florence Barrow Florence Sir Wilfred Martineau MC TD MA J Leslie Wright Sir Albert Bradbeer JP Alderman George FRIBA Drysdale W Byng KendrickAlderman William Haywood FRIBA MTP VincentSir Harry Sir Gilbert Barling Bt CB CBE Sir Granville Bantock MA DMus FRCM BarrowMr And Mrs Cadbury Hon Lady Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe The Rt Hon Neville ChamberlainThe MP Councillor G E Macdonald George Cadbury Jr Alderman W H Bidlake MA FRIBA JacksonSir Barry Appleby Matthews James Richardson Holliday MA 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 2000 1998 1996 1992 1990 1988 1986 1984 1981 1979 1976 1974 1972 1970 1968 1965 1963 1961 Rev Tom Pike/St Paul's Church SchoolElmhurst for Dance Conservation Trust/Birmingham St Martin's in the Bullring Castle Vale Housing Action Trust MailboxThe Artists RoyalThe Society of Birmingham Old Crown,The Digbeth Argent plc - Brindley Place - New StreetCity Planning Department Centro The National TrustThe for Back to Backs (Patrick Brennan) Les Milner Dr Llewellyn Lloyd Reverend David Collyer Anne Kenrick Sir Simon Rattle Professor Marsland Edward George Jonas LLB Michael Cadbury John OBE English Sir Joseph Albert Pope WrightDr Norman Bertenshaw Harold Gray FoyleBeryl Sir Robert Aitken Lloyd Stephen Alderman Paul Cadbury CBE Herbert Manzoni CBE MICE Derek Salzberg CBE A company registered in EnglandA company registered and Wales, no. 6426178. charity no. 1123806 www.birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk [email protected] Phone: 0121-236 8110 B3 3BS Birmingham 9 Margaret Street Civic Society The Birmingham Nick Madeley Secretary Honorary Tony Collinson TresurerHonorary Bob Warman Glyn Pitchford Paul Lister Anthony Collins David Clarke Rob Blyth Vice Chairmen Guppy Dhariwal Deputy Chairman Dr Freddie Gick Chairman Bruce Tanner DL Rt Hon the Lord RookerThe Birmingham Lord Jones of Sir Frederick Crawford DL Birmingham Bishop of The Vice Presidents Rashid Councillor Chauhdry Birmingham, Right WorshipfulThe the Lord Mayor of President the Society of Officers Peter Wall Jagjit Taunque MBE DL Councillor Mike Sharpe Events Committee) the Peter of Miles (Chairman Yvonne Maslen (Blue Plaques Secretary) Heritage Committee) the Peter of Leather (Chairman Councillor Ray Hassall Heritage Panel representative) Ross Bellamy (Conservation and Councillor John Alden Secretary Honorary The Treasurer Honorary The ViceThe Chairmen Chairman Deputy The Chairman The the Trust Board Members of Celebrating ninety years of service W: www.clarke-associates.co.uk Clarke Associates UK Ltd, Designed and produced by T: 0121 702 2525 Birmingham Birmingham BCC 10/6/08 14:09 Page 16

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