Cirencester Civic Society
Promoting, Protecting and Shaping our Town since 1966
Photo of our newly installed Moongazing Hare, courtesy of artist Mike Smith, which was named Horace in January 2026 following a majority vote from our members. The name Horace is derived from the Roman name of Horatius meaning ‘time’ or ‘season’.
Behind the scenes of the Barn Theatre
Cirencester Neighbourhood Plan
Cotswold District Council (CDC) is seeking views on a proposed Cirencester Neighbourhood Plan. The Plan has been prepared by Cirencester Town Council, with the help of the local community, and seeks to address planning issues and policies that local people have identified as important within the town. ALL comments will be forwarded to an independent examiner who will decide if the plan passes examination. If so it will then be put to a local referendum and all eligible residents will have the chance to vote on whether CDC should use the plan to help determine future planning applications. The consultation period is now OPEN and closes at 5pm on Friday 29th May 2026. You can view the plan below
Heritage Open Weekend
This September the society will be participating in the national heritage weekend when buildings not normally accessible to the public will be open throughout the town. Over 3 days, September 11th-13th, the programme will offer FREE opportunities to explore inside several private buildings alongside town walks and bands in the park. Further information to be released shortly.
Our Next Talk – May 18th
The Changing Face of Cirencester: Life in the 1960s – speaker is Robert Heaven
Part of our 60th celebrations
Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane
Join us for a nostalgic journey back to Cirencester in the 1960s, as we celebrate the Civic Society’s 60th anniversary. This talk explores a decade of significant change and development in our town. From the impact of new industries and technologies to the evolution of local culture and community life, we’ll uncover the stories and memories that shaped Cirencester into the place we know today. Discover how Cirencester navigated the shifting social landscape of the ’60s, and share your own recollections of this transformative era.”
FREE to members Visitors welcome with a donation on the door.
For details of our 2026 talks programme
Church path renovation
The society recently awarded a grant towards the substantial cost of renovating the passageway that connects the church of St John the Baptist cemetery to the Market Place. A short film shows how the work progressed and the finished result, with thanks to Steve Fearn.
Member only events
The society are delighted to offer our MEMBERS unique event opportunities not open to others, including events such as a recent behind the scenes tour of the Barn Theatre, so why not join us for only £15/year or £20 for a family.
To see our member only events click here
Recent ‘member only’ events included behind the scenes tours of Bingham House, the Barn Theatre, the Kingshead Hotel, the Old Station House and a look at the Herbarium at the RAU.
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 and Conservation 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.
Alongside this we also acknowledge those that sympathetically restore interiors, structures and objects with our conservation award.
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.
