Origins and Activities

Buntingford Civic Society was born on 20th November 1970 out of the Buntingford Conservation Area Action Committee. The latter had been formed on 3rd April 1970 as the result of the neglect and demolition of the historic buildings at 65 & 67 High Street (now Sainsbury's Supermarket).

Buntingford Civic Society is a successful organisation that works with the local Councils and other bodies to improve the fabric of the Town and to help develop a sense of Civic Pride in Buntingford.

Since its inception, the Buntingford Civic Society has led or been significantly involved in enhancement, planning, restoration and communication associated with improving aspects of life in Buntingford. These activities have included:

Enhancement

• Erection of the Town Sign on Market Hill
• Erection of "Welcome" Boundary Signs
• Planting around the Boundary Signs
• Installation of Christmas Lights
• Fitting of Blue Plaques to Buildings of historical interest
• Improvement of Town Notice Boards
• Provision of Seats in Layston Gardens and on the Causeway
• Financial assistance to Aspenden Parish Council for children's play equipment
• Tree Planting in Layston Court Gardens
• Provision of a Layston Garden Water Supply
• Illumination of the Almshouse Frontage
• Installation of the Seth Ward Plaque at the Community Centre
• Donation of a framed "biography" of Bishop Seth Ward to augment the portrait of Seth Ward at Manor House
• Clearing the River Rib

Planning

• Campaigning for a Town By-pass
• Consultation on High Street Enhancement
• Taking a leading role in the Preparation of the Existing Town Plan and contributing to the Local Community Strategy
• Conducting Opinion Surveys and Organised Meetings on Matters of Local Interest
• Providing Comments on Local Planning Applications, County Structure Plans, The East of England Plan and the East Hertfordshire Plan and the Local Development Framework

Restoration

• The Cage at the Bottom of Church Street
• The Jubilee Pump on Market Hill
• The Milestone by St. Peter's Church

Communication

• Publication of the Buntingford Journal
• Preparation of a set of Illustrated Town Trails
• Assistance with Buntingford Area Footpaths Map
• Buntingford Civic Society Website

Financial Support

• To Freman College in its quest for Specialist School Status
• To the Buntingford Relief In Need Charity for restoration of the Old Town Clock
• For the Millenium Town Clock
• To Aspenden Parish Council for Children's play equipment
• For the Restoration of the War Memorial
• To the Town Carnival Committee

In addition, the Civic Society has provided financial support to other Town organisations whose activities are consistent with our own aims; we were instrumental in the resurrection of the Buntingford Carnival and continue to be involved in other local working/advisory groups.

Buntingford Civic Society is a registered charity and is funded by membership subscription fees and by the revenue obtained from the sale of advertising space in the Buntingford Journal. Through our membership of Civic Voice (the successor to The Civic Trust), the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the East Anglia Association of Civic Trust Societies (EAACTS) and the Association of North Thames Amenity Societies (ANTAS) we are able to have influence on a wider range of planning issues.

This website and all the pages herein are © Buntingford Civic Society.