Cirencester Civic Society
Promoting, Protecting and Shaping our Town since 1966
The Cirencester Civic Society recently celebrated 60 years since its formation with an evening reception to which were invited all society members, local dignitaries and representatives from the many community organisations the society has worked alongside over the years.
Our thanks to Canon Graham Morris for the use of the parish church, Lord Bathurst and our Mayor Andy Jopp for their kind words, to Roi Geyari and his fellow musicians for the wonderful jazz and to all who joined us to mark this considerable milestone for the society.
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’.
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.
Behind the scenes of the RAU Herbarium
Heritage Open Days Weekend
Do you love the history and heritage of our town? Would you like to help others discover more about Cirencester and enjoy three fantastic days of special events, guided tours, exhibitions and access to buildings that are normally closed to the public? Following the huge success of this year’s Heritage Open Days, the Cirencester Civic Society would love to make it happen all over again in 2027 – and we need your help! We’re now looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join the team planning Heritage Open Days 2027, taking place from 10–13 September. Planning will begin in January with some informal get-togethers to share ideas and start putting the programme together. Things will get busier during July, August and September as the event approaches – this is when your involvement will be requested most. No special expertise is needed – just enthusiasm for Cirencester, its heritage and creating a great event for the community. Interested? Have an informal chat with us to find out more.
Contact: comms@cirencestercivicsociety.org.uk
All the events that took place in 2026 can be seen here:
Our Next Talk….
Gloucestershire Paths
October 19th @ 7.30 pm
Cirencester Baptist Church Chesterton Lane Cirencester
The talk explores the theme of the ‘Old Paths of Gloucestershire’, examining their history back to Iron Age times, the pattern of local paths as it had developed by Saxon times, and then the additions of pilgrim paths, drovers’ paths, paths to work, and finally those developed for leisure purposes
FREE to members Visitors welcome with a donation on the door. For details of our 2026 talks programme
New Town Walk Map
Pick up a copy of our new Town walk map for £1.50 from the Local Information office within Bingham House on Dyer Street or the Corinium Museum to find a self guided walking route through the historic streets of Cirencester
Members visit to the Old Station House
Behind the scenes of a production at the Barn Theatre
Tour of Bingham House and Gallery
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?
Photo courtesy of David Viner
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.
