Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society

Royal Tunbridge Wells Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic SocietyCivic Society

Chairman’s Report to AGM, Chairman’s Report to AGM, 20082008


As you all know, I am now As you all know, I am now retiring after three years of retiring after three years of

service to you service to you – – one more year than the usual one more year than the usual

term, term, due to the need to bridge a due to the need to bridge a

succession gap.succession gap.


As you all know, I am now As you all know, I am now retiring retiring

after three years of service to after three years of service to you you

- one more year than the usual - one more year than the usual term - term -

due to the need to bridge a due to the need to bridge a succession gap.succession gap.

So my report this year is So my report this year is possibly possibly

more than an Annual Report, more than an Annual Report, and more of a Report and more of a Report

on the three years of my on the three years of my StewardshipStewardship

on your behalf.on your behalf.


I know that it is impossible to I know that it is impossible to pleaseplease

all members all of the time,all members all of the time,




but I hope that I have pleased but I hope that I have pleased

most of you, some of the time, most of you, some of the time,




but I hope that I have pleased but I hope that I have pleased most of you, some of the time, most of you, some of the time,

or some of you, most of the or some of you, most of the time.time.


In those three years, In those three years,

your Society has changed and your Society has changed and developed developed

probably more rapidly and radically probably more rapidly and radically

than in any similar period of its than in any similar period of its history history

– – not, I should emphasise due to not, I should emphasise due to me,me,

but to your Executive Committee.but to your Executive Committee.


The Society’s Constitution has been The Society’s Constitution has been updatedupdated

after a 20 year interval to widen its after a 20 year interval to widen its aims,aims,

- beyond its original aims - beyond its original aims

of the Conservation and of the Conservation and Restoration of the Fabric of our Restoration of the Fabric of our

Town, Town,

to include protecting the Quality of to include protecting the Quality of Life Life

of those who live and work in of those who live and work in Tunbridge Wells.Tunbridge Wells.


The Society has taken a much The Society has taken a much more pro-active approach to more pro-active approach to Tunbridge Wells issues, such as :Tunbridge Wells issues, such as :


The Society has taken a much The Society has taken a much more pro-active approach to more pro-active approach to Tunbridge Wells issues, such as :Tunbridge Wells issues, such as :•seeking and having direct seeking and having direct discussiondiscussion

on a regular (3-4 monthly) basis on a regular (3-4 monthly) basis withwith

both our local MP and the Leader both our local MP and the Leader of the Council. of the Council.

Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008The Society has taken a much more The Society has taken a much more pro-active approach to Tunbridge pro-active approach to Tunbridge Wells issues, such as :Wells issues, such as :•seeking and having direct seeking and having direct discussiondiscussion

on a regular (3-4 monthly) basis on a regular (3-4 monthly) basis withwith

both our local MP and the Leader of both our local MP and the Leader of the Council. the Council. • and directly and successfully and directly and successfully approaching developers (such as approaching developers (such as Padlake/Rydell and Targetfollow) for Padlake/Rydell and Targetfollow) for discussions.discussions.

Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008The Society has taken a much more pro-The Society has taken a much more pro-active approach to Tunbridge Wells active approach to Tunbridge Wells issues, such as :issues, such as :•seeking and having direct discussionseeking and having direct discussion

on a regular (3-4 monthly) basis withon a regular (3-4 monthly) basis with

both our local MP and the Leader of the both our local MP and the Leader of the Council. Council. • and directly and successfully and directly and successfully approaching developers (such as approaching developers (such as Padlake/Rydell and Targetfollow) for Padlake/Rydell and Targetfollow) for discussions.discussions.•And inviting the Marquess of And inviting the Marquess of Abergavenny to be our President, an Abergavenny to be our President, an invitation which he has graciously invitation which he has graciously accepted.accepted.

Chairman’s Report to AGM, Chairman’s Report to AGM, 20082008The Society’ Scrutiny Sub-Committee The Society’ Scrutiny Sub-Committee

has examined 287 planning applications has examined 287 planning applications relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has written 77 letters of representation. written 77 letters of representation.


has examined 287 planning applications has examined 287 planning applications relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has written 77 letters of representation. written 77 letters of representation. The Society’s website had a total of The Society’s website had a total of 10,619 ‘hits’ in the past 12 months, up 10,619 ‘hits’ in the past 12 months, up over 3,000 on the previous year.over 3,000 on the previous year.


has examined 287 planning applications has examined 287 planning applications relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has written 77 letters of representation. written 77 letters of representation. The Society’s website had a total of The Society’s website had a total of 10,619 ‘hits’ in the past 12 months, up 10,619 ‘hits’ in the past 12 months, up over 3,000 on the previous year.over 3,000 on the previous year.The Society had 438 members at 31st. The Society had 438 members at 31st. August 2008 and held 12 meetings for August 2008 and held 12 meetings for members through the year.members through the year.


has examined 287 planning applications has examined 287 planning applications relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has relating to Royal Tunbridge Wells and has written 77 letters of representation. written 77 letters of representation. The Society’s website had a total of The Society’s website had a total of 10,619 ‘hits’ in the past 12 months, up 10,619 ‘hits’ in the past 12 months, up over 3,000 on the previous year.over 3,000 on the previous year.The Society had 438 members at 31st. The Society had 438 members at 31st. August 2008 and held 12 meetings for August 2008 and held 12 meetings for members through the year.members through the year.The Society’s Annual Garden Party was The Society’s Annual Garden Party was held on Nevill Ridge in July by kind held on Nevill Ridge in July by kind permission of Miss Jean Barling and was permission of Miss Jean Barling and was attended by about 100 people, including attended by about 100 people, including the Mayor and Mayoress and many the Mayor and Mayoress and many Councillors.Councillors.


The Society has initiated, promoted, The Society has initiated, promoted, and given its full support, to local events, and given its full support, to local events, such as such as – – the ‘400 Years’ celebration in 2006, the ‘400 Years’ celebration in 2006, - Heritage Open Days for the past three - Heritage Open Days for the past three years,years,- and the Centenary of the ‘Royal ‘ title - and the Centenary of the ‘Royal ‘ title in 2009. in 2009.


The Society has initiated, promoted, The Society has initiated, promoted, and given its full support, to local and given its full support, to local events, such as events, such as – – the ‘400 Years’ celebration in 2006, the ‘400 Years’ celebration in 2006, - Heritage Open Days for the past - Heritage Open Days for the past three years,three years,- and the Centenary of the ‘Royal’ ‘title - and the Centenary of the ‘Royal’ ‘title in 2009.in 2009.

The annual Heritage Open Day event The annual Heritage Open Day event in September now has 35 properties in September now has 35 properties and eight events involved, and an and eight events involved, and an estimated 6-8,000 participants in 2008.estimated 6-8,000 participants in 2008.

Chairman’s Report to Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008AGM, 2008

The length and breadth of the Society’s operation has been widened by including

Local History within its remit .

Chairman’s Report to Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008AGM, 2008

The length and breadth of the Society’s operation has been widened by including

Local History within its remit .

The publication of a series of Local History Monographs (now nine in number), have added to both the Society’s reputation and finances.

Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008Chairman’s Report to AGM, 2008

The financial situation of the Society has improved considerably with a balance sheet increased several fold – although this has never been a major aim.



This has been due principally to the Monographs etc. which we have produced; but also to Gift Aid donations.



This has been due principally to the Monographs etc. which we have produced; but also to Gift Aid donations.


Nonetheless we are still a relatively poor Society,


Nonetheless we are still a relatively poor Society, but there is no doubt that a larger ‘cushion’ of financial support


Nonetheless we are still a relatively poor Society, but there is no doubt that a larger ‘cushion’ of financial support enables us to think and act more broadly and more pro-actively on a wider number of issues;


Nonetheless we are still a relatively poor Society, but there is no doubt that a larger ‘cushion’ of financial support enables us to think and act more broadly and more pro-actively on a wider number of issues; to make suitable donations where necessary;


Nonetheless we are still a relatively poor Society, but there is no doubt that a larger ‘cushion’ of financial support enables us to think and act more broadly and more pro-actively on a wider number of issues; to make suitable donations where necessary;and also to keep our subscription rates down in times of inflation.


All of this achieved, while maintaining the original aims of the Society, as set up in 1959,and whose 50th. Anniversarywe are due to celebrate in 2009.


So I conclude my report by wishing So I conclude my report by wishing my successor, my successor, Dr. Alistair Tod Dr. Alistair Tod

continuing success in the continuing success in the Management of the Society, Management of the Society,

particular in what will be particular in what will be our 50 th. Anniversary Year.our 50 th. Anniversary Year.

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Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society

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