Welcome to the Addingham Civic Society Website
We were established in 1978 and from a relatively small membership initially, we grew to 260 in 1987 and over the years continued to grow to the point that our membership now stands at 403 (Jan 2021). This figure represents over 10% of the total population of our Village. We are a Registered Charity and currently have a board of 12 Trustees which includes 4 Officers consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. We meet monthly to conduct Society business.Within our structure the Society has a number of sub committees who are able to focus and specialise on a range of activities and projects. The Finance, Planning Committee and our amazing Environment Group are 3 such examples. There are very close links with the many Organisations and Clubs in the Village and we work closely with Bradford Council, the Parish Council andother external bodies. It is not coincidental that one of our important objectives is to work with, support and promote the many other village organisations.
The Society is an active member of Civic Voice (the National Body representing Civic Societies) which replaced the Civic Trust in 2010. This organisation represents over 300 societies around the country. We are also an active member of the Yorkshire & Humberside Association of Civic Societies (YHACS), which is the regional body representing 40 member Society’s. YHACS enables access to many contacts and it also provides an excellent platform for networking with the other societies in the region. Our Chairman, Jim Robinson, is also a Trustee of YHACS.
The Society benefits the village by providing action on civic issues, planning matters, environmental issues and closely monitors developments which may not always be to the benefit of the village. The Society’s Constitution which was revised in 2016 reinforces this message by stating that:
The Society is established for the public benefit for the following Objects in the ‘area of benefit’which comprises of the Parish of Addingham in the area of the Metropolitan District of Bradford
- To stimulate public interest, education and enjoyment.
- To promote high standards of planning, design and architecture.
- To promote the protection and enhancement of the historic character of the built and natural environment.
- To secure the development, retention and improvement of features of general public amenity or historic or public interest, to promote the preservation and conservation of local green environments, in the area of benefit and more generally in Wharfedale.
- To promote and support sports and recreation facilities for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit and for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants.
These ‘Objects’ or purposes, basically say what the Society will do or certainly try to do!
Now, to support these ‘Objects’ our Constitution also sets out how the Society will try and achieve these. They are referred to as our ‘Powers’ and they underpin what the Society does. To learn more about our ‘Powers’ just click on the link above.