Cirencester Civic Society
Promoting, Protecting and Shaping our Town since 1966
30th October: Beyond the Arts and Crafts Scene – hear about the history of the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen with a buffet brunch in the Kingshead Hotel.
Interested in getting involved with the society – see our ‘About Us’ page for more details on who we are, when we meet and how to become a member. Our members enjoy many private events organised throughout the year – see our ‘Events’ page for examples.
Our October newsletter is ready to read on the “About Us” page
We are hosting 2 events during the Cirencester History festival
28th October: The secrets of Dollar St House – the renovation of one of the most significant houses in Cirencester and the recent recipient of the Civic Society 2025 design award. Join us in the Corinium Museum as those involved with the development describe the challenges they faced to restore the building into three fabulous town houses.
full details at www.cirencesterhistoryfestival.org
Jim Thompson
1933-2025
The Civic Society were saddened to learn of the death of Jim Thompson who was not only an integral part of the work of the society for over 40 years, but a previous chair and until recently, a town walk guide. He will be much missed and we are very grateful for all the time and expertise as an architect Jim gave to the society.
Coming soon
our Next Talk – 20th October 7.30pm
Cirencester’s Green Spaces
Cirencester has a wealth of important green spaces with significant heritage value, from the Abbey Grounds to the City Back Local Nature Reserve. Andrew Tubb will review progress with the Town Council’s projects as part of the Green Spaces Strategy Review. This includes iconic sites such as the Roman amphitheatre and its surrounding green heritage, and the Abbey Grounds, specifically the Norman Gate area.
Visit our civic pride ‘Grants’ page to see the recently renovated medieval church path the Society helped finance after three years of planning. Members of the society were instrumental in securing the funding, and recently a dedication service was held to thank all those involved.
Protecting and shaping the town through engagement with the local planning authorities
The society protects the distinctive character of our town with members using their professional skills to support and scrutinise the planning process, enabling the town to grow sympathetically and in tune with the local community.
Supporting local community groups and organisations with Civic Pride Grants
We award civic pride grants to organisations and community groups working hard to enhance the built environment, improve local facilities and protect the character of our town. As part of the renovation of the building, in 2008 the Civic Society contributed to the sculpture ‘A Celebration of Hands’ that sits on the wall of the New Brewery Arts.
Do you have a worthy nomination you could tell us about?
Hosting Town Walks with our trained guides
Join us for a town walk of Cirencester hosted by our trained volunteer guides and hear about its 2000-year history from the Romans to the present day and some of the people involved.
Celebrating good design within the town through our Civic Design Awards
Cirencester has some fantastic buildings; do you have a favourite? We celebrate thoughtful building design with our design awards, given to developments that meet a strict criterion of good practice.
In 2025 the Cirencester Civic Society design award was given to the sympathetic restoration of Dollar Street House after many years of neglect.
Awarding Blue and Purple Plaques to buildings for architectural contribution, historical importance or association with an individual.
The Civic Society began installing Blue plaques as a Millennium project in 1999, most of which give a brief description of the building and its historical importance, architectural contribution to the town or association with a well-known person. Recently seven purple-coloured plaques have been erected to mark significant sites in the town.
