"My
friend was a member and it sounded so interesting when
she spoke of local development plans and other types
of planning gossip, so I decided to join. It's been
great since then. The talks, tours, Christmas dinner
and days out have been great fun as well as
interesting and entertaining. I'd recommend it to
anyone".
Andrew
Knutt
"Do you appreciate beauty and really care about your
surroundings? Are you interested in good architectural
design and future plans for your area? Are you concerned
that older buildings of merit are being left to decay or
are insensitively renovated? Do you eagerly read the local
planning applications?
As members of a Civic Society we have a useful outlet for
our observations. We can discuss and perhaps contribute
constructive ideas to those involved and – oh yes – we do
enjoy excellent talks and outings on related subjects,
too!" Jonquil Alpe
"TAUNTON – conveniently placed between two cities, Bristol
and Exeter, which could offer many advantages, small
enough to sustain a local feeling for its past and an
energetic interest in its future. TAUNTON – it seemed to
be the ideal place for the fresh start in life that
retirement offered.
But we knew little in detail about the town of our choice,
and we needed to meet people. Enter the Civic Society – a
varied group of people interested in the town, often very
well informed, friendly to the newcomer. We joined.
Tentative at first, we rapidly discovered that we were
welcome. We found a lively group with varied interests and
expertise, which helped us to get to know more about the
town and district.
The meetings have been wide-ranging and enlightening; the
outings have taken us from the British Library in London
to St Fagans in Wales – and many places in between.
Everything has been well organised and informative as well
as being friendly and enjoyable. If you need an entrée to
Taunton – join us! You will not be disappointed." Don and Enid Cowie
check out
the region and Taunton's vitals by entering our 'facts and
stats' page' -
Click Here
'By the mid-13th century Taunton had two fairs. These
Middle Age fairs were like markets but were held only once
a year for a period of several days and Taunton fairs
would attract buyers and sellers from all over Southwest
England'.
The US National Academy of Sciences has confirmed what
most people knew already - that humanity has been living
beyond its means for a few decades. Resource consumption
is now at about 120% of its replenishment rate. As
recently as the 1960s we were 'in the black' at 70%. We're
now the wrong side of the so-called point zero of
sustainability.
In the UK,
homes are responsible for nearly a third of the energy
delivered and a quarter of carbon emissions.
Taking
the initiative to get involved can be the first step to a whole new
sense of worth and well-being. Not only can you contribute to your
community, environment and heritage, but you can also learn new
skills and meet new friends.
Below we
have a list of local and national organizations that would love to
have your support. You can volunteer, donate and or even take a
more official role.
Taunton Vision (Have Your say) -
Let Taunton Deane Borough Council have your views
on the vision on Taunton. Click Here For More
Taunton Deane Council for
Voluntary Service - The Volunteer Bureau is a vital
intermediary between the organisations who rely on help from
volunteers and the volunteers themselves. The bureau is
staffed by trained volunteers who are constantly in touch with
the needs of various local organisations that rely on a supply
of voluntary work for their continued operation. The Bureau is
able to offer prospective volunteers a choice of voluntary
work or work experience opportunities within the local
community.Click
Here For More
Taunton & District Civic Society - Why not join the civic
cause by becoming a member of our own society. Social or
Active members welcome.
Click Here For More
Starting Your Own Community
Garden - A community garden is a
green space that is managed (and may be developed) by a
neighbourhood community. According to the Federation of City
Farms and Community Gardens based in Bristol there are more
than 500 such projects throughout the country. This sheet
introduces the subject and suggests further contactsClick
Here For More
Local Nature Reserves - Many
LNRs have 'friends of groups' who carry out practical work on
the reserves. Volunteers like 'Friends of Groups' also get
involved in things like fund raising events and open days Click Here For More
Active Communities at Crime
Reduction Site - There is a lot you can do outside
your home and family to prevent crime. You can take action by
getting together with other people and working in partnership
with the police to reduce crime in your area. You can help in
simply being alert and observant when out and about in your
neighbourhood – or you could apply to join the Special
Constabulary. Anyone can play some part, however great or
small Click
Here For More
Starting Your Own Community Group
- Whether it’s the threat of a new housing
development, or homeless people on the street; a lack of care
for older people, or the need for play facilities, people all
agree ‘Something should be done about it’. Click Here For More
Environment & Volunteering
Holidays - BTCV is the UK's leading
charity working with people to bring about positive
environmental change
Click Here For More
Countryside Agency Heritage
Initiative -
What is it in your part of the
countryside that makes it special? Have you ever been curious
about a clump of trees or a peculiar mound in the ground?
Wondered about how people used buildings in the past or
thought what future generations will see? The Local Heritage
Initiative is an England-wide grant scheme that helps local
groups to investigate, explain and care for their local
landscape, landmarks, traditions and culture.Click Here For More
Make A Play Area -
Many communities find the pressure on landowners to build on
parks and open spaces is insistent. But at the same time, the
need for children to play outdoors is essential. Play offers
many opportunities for exercise, creativity, imagination,
learning social skills and making friends, as well as being
fun! So what makes a sustainable outdoor play area - and if
you want to create an outdoor play area for your community,
where should you begin Click
Here For More
Organize an Event - An event can bring people together, raise
funds, recruit new members and even mean people have a good
time. It can be fun to organise and it can be very stressful.
Like all activities, careful planning can make you more
successful but it can also help you avoid the legal and
financial minefields that lie ahead.Click
Here For More
Kids Zone -
Members of the Royal Family are involved with lots of
different organisations for young people and children. The
Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales have personally been
involved in setting up new organisations to provide
opportunities for young people. Find out more about the
programmes they have set up and how you can take part in some
exciting and useful activities. Click Here For More
Youth Justice Board -
There
are two ways you can become involved in the
Youth Justice System as a practitioner or as a volunteer.
Effective youth justice services need the involvement of their
local community and there are a number of roles volunteers can
play in the Youth Justice System. These include: appropriate
adult; mentor; Youth Offender Panel member. Click Here For More
Nature - English
Nature needs the support of people who live and work near
National Nature Reserves in order to successfully protect and
enhance them. We encourage volunteers to get involved and,
through them, we are able to form close links with
communities. We encourage people from all walks of life to
take an interest and to be active in supporting nature
conservation where they live and work. Click Here For More
Art in the Community -
What does art have to offer to
community groups? How relevant is art in the community today?
And how can you get a community art project off the ground? Click Here For More
Organize an Apple Day -
Apple Day (21st October) is a national celebration of
apples and orchards. The first Apple Day was organised by the
environment and culture charity Common Ground in 1989. By
celebrating locally you can draw on a wide variety of
interests and raise awareness of environmental issues while
involving people in an event which is fun for everyone. This
information sheet will help you to organise a successful
event. Click Here For More
Setting Up a Car Share Club -
Car clubs are a great way of enjoying the
flexibility of using a car without having to own one, members
tend to use the bus, bike and foot more but they can still nip
to the station to pick up granny when they need to. There is
an awful lot involved in setting a club up (insurance, booking
system and leasing for example), luckily there is help at
hand.Click
Here For More
Copyright 2005 Taunton & District Civic
Society. All rights reserved
'By the mid-13th century Taunton had two fairs. These
Middle Age fairs were like markets but were held only once
a year for a period of several days and Taunton fairs
would attract buyers and sellers from all over Southwest
England'.
Taunton Vision (Have Your say) -
Let Taunton Deane Borough Council have your views
on the vision on Taunton.
