The City of Rochester Society is proud to announce that we have joined Civic Voice. Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement in England. They aim to make places more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive and to promote civic pride.

Among Civic Voice’s current campaigns are Alcohol licensing (to promote a responsible drinking culture in our city centres), Big Tree Plant (a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of trees in our streets and towns and to increase planting and improve care for urban trees, Civic Day (a national celebration of civic pride. It is a day when communities across the country say “we care about where we live”) and Campaign for fair planning (the Government published its long awaited reforms to the planning system in March 2012. Civic Voice and the civic movement ran a well organised campaign to pressurise Government to change its stance).

City of Rochester Society Secretary Christine Furminger recently attended the Civic Voice 2012 AGM and Convention in Coventry at the Herbert Gallery on 19th/20th October. Christine met with volunteers from civic societies all over England and came away with some great ideas. She also had the privilege of hearing Civic Voice President, Griff Rhys Jones speak.

To summarise Griff’s keynote speech, he said we are all involved in the process of planning. So far as the national policy is concerned, considerable changes have to be faced.  While the need for sustainability (a key concept) can be used to override anything, change will happen regardless.  Remember that small shops have survived where they are not in competition with larger organisations.  We must influence policy – short term gains need to be avoided.  Localism is vital.  We need to identify the issues and consider what is being done.  Change should be sensitive to all needs.  The keynotes for the future are Quality, Imagination and Care.”

Thanks to the Coventry Society for the picture of Griff.