Cirencester Civic Society
Promoting, protecting and shaping our town since 1966
Coming soon our Next Talk – 15th September 7.30pm
Arts and Crafts – Cotswold Churches
The Arts and Crafts Movement made a big impact on our region’s churches – from church building to stained glass, from woodcarving to conservation. Kirsty explores the impact of designers and makers from William Morris, through the Guild of Handicraft, Gimson and the Barnsleys, to 20th century artists such as Edward Payne who worked in the tradition.
Protecting and shaping the town through engagement with the town and district councils planners.
The society protects the distinctive character of our town with members using their professional skills to support and hold to account 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 and 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.
