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’.
Just announced- waiting list only**
The society are delighted to offer our MEMBERS a unique opportunity to hear about the history of our much loved local Barn Theatre, including some of the behind the scenes preperation for the production of Ottilie, the forgotten Queen of the Blues. Tickets include a glass of wine in the Ingleside Hotel.
Tickets are now sold out but to join the waiting list please email membershipsecretary@cirencestercivicsociety.org.uk
The Civic Society celebrates 60 years as a charity during 2026. The original aims to protect the town in development, shape the future and help promote our beautiful historic town stand as true today as it did in 1966. Have a look at who we are and the ways we look to achieve these aims throughout our website. We look forward to hopefully seeing many of you as we celebrate with special events, alongside our normal monthly talks, FREE to members but visitors welcome for a small donation on the door. For details of our NEW 2026 talks programme
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
Our Next Talk – February 16th
doors open 7pm Talk at 7.30pm
The Victoria County History: tracing Roman to Medieval Cirencester – speaker is Dr Simon Draper
Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane
Simon Draper is County Editor for the Gloucestershire Victoria County History (VCH), a long-running academic project which is conducting detailed historical research into Cirencester and surrounding parishes for a new book which VCH hopes to publish in 2027. This talk will focus on the period from the end of Roman rule in 410 to the Dissolution of Cirencester Abbey in 1539, examining how and why Roman Corinium came to be replaced by Medieval Cirencester.
FREE to members Visitors welcome with a donation on the door.
Interested in getting involved with the society – use the button below for more details on how to become a member. Our members enjoy many private events organised throughout the year as well as FREE access to all our monthly talks.
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.
