The Nottingham Civic Society officially celebrated its twenty-first birthday a few months ago. There was, in fact, a Civic Society in existence very much earlier than 1961, and Geoffrey Oldfield has collated some information about this. We also know that in 1926 it sponsored the publication of the well-known collection of T.W. Hammond drawings, "Nottingham Past and Present". If any of our readers can provide any further information about this Society, I should be delighted to receive it.
The history of amenity, conservation and heritage societies and associations, in the widest sense, goes back well over a century, with many notable milestones on the way, but the formation of the Civic Trust in 1957 marked a general resurgence of interest in such matters. The climate was right, therefore, in 1961, for the formation of our Society. The credit for getting things moving belongs to Arnold J. Pacey, who was at that time a student in the University of Nottingham and Chairman of the recently founded Architecture Society. He enlisted the support of the Civic Trust, who were able to give advice and assistance in many ways, such as the formulation of a Constitution for the newly formed Society. Mr. Pacey contacted a large number of individuals and organisations in Nottingham, whom he felt might be interested in the project. Members of the University and the Architecture Society were very much in his mind, of course, and he elicited the support of many prominent members of staff and heads of departments at the University. He cast his net very widely, however, in his initial approaches, writing to many who were well known in industry, commence and local government. I set out with the intention of listing them, but I soon concluded that anything like a complete list was impossible and it would be better to write in general terms rather than risk leaving out someone who deserved to be mentioned.
In the letter which he sent out in August, 1961, he said "I envisage the kind of society which would watch new developments in the city and raise informed and constructive criticisms where necessary: it would also try to combat 'subtopia' in the way which has been so successful at Windsor, Norwich and elsewhere. But some of us in the Architecture Society at the University are also most concerned about the destruction of old houses of architectural merit and we hope that a Civic Society would make a consideration of these a matter of some urgency."
Writing to Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Barley, he added, "As students, we are very much temporary residents in Nottingham, and we are relatively inexperienced in these matters. We are therefore particularly anxious to enlist the support of those members of staff who have helped our Society during its first year. I very much hope you will approve of what we are doing and will come to our meeting in September".
Mr. Pacey must have been quite a remarkable young man, fired with enthusiasm and also evidently having the ability and determination to launch this very considerable enterprise.
The response was extremely encouraging, ranging from the benevolent to the enthusiastic and it soon became evident that there was a widespread interest in the idea. To quote only one reply, Mr. E. J. Laws, the Art Director and Curator of the Castle Museum and Art Gallery, wrote, "I sympathise strongly with your views. The destruction of houses of architectural merit is almost a Nottingham speciality. A city that could destroy Abel Collins' Hospital is capable of anything! Fortunately there are people in Nottingham who resent this kind of vandalism and if you can organise them into an active and effective group you will be doing the city a real service".
A meeting was called for 21st September 1961 in Cripps Hall at the University to discuss the proposals. There were 27 persons present, with Professor J. D. Chambers in the Chair. It was agreed that any society must cater for those interested in preservation as well as for planners, that a Society should be formed in Nottingham affiliated to the Civic Trust and that a temporary acting Committee be formed to organise a public meeting and to draft a statement of policy and a Constitution.
The Acting Committee met on several occasions before the end of the year, mainly to agree details of the Society's Constitution and to define the road ahead. There was a feeling that a prominent figure in industry or commence in the city should be invited to become Chairman and approaches were made to several such, including Mr. Anderson of Boots and Mr. Limb of Ericsson, but these approaches were unsuccessful.
A meeting to inaugurate the Society was arranged for 11th January 1962 in the Co-operative Education Centre, Broad Street, Nottingham. This does not appear to have been a public meeting in the strictest sense, though the invitation list was extensive - some 300 persons.
Unfortunately we have no record of the proceedings of this meeting, but its Agenda was set out as - (1) Introductory Remarks: Professor 3. D. Chambers, (2) Short Talk: Mr. Tim Rook of the Civic Trust, (3) Adoption of Constitution, (4) Election of Officers and Committee, (5) Remarks of the Chairman of the Society.
Mr. Maurice Barley was elected Chairman, with Mr. Brendan Henry, Managing Director of Jessops as Vice-Chairman. The Secretary was Mr. David S.Corder and the Treasurer, Mr. A. Storrey. The Committee were Professor J.D. Chambers, Mr. Peter Bartlett, Mr. R. Cullen, Mr. J. G. Dady, Mr. F. T. Hartlett, Mr. E. W. Mugglestone, Mr. W. W. Potter, Mr. M. G. Dobbin, Mr. G. W. Cutts, Miss Margaret Walton, Mr. L. Spinks and Mr. F. C. Matthews. Mr. Pacey and Mr. Paul Ritter, the well-known architect and planning consultant appear to have been co-opted onto the Committee.
So the Society was launched. It has had its disappointments as well as its very considerable successes. We wish it well in the future!
Ray Banks
"Keeper of the Archives"