Annual Trustees report for 2010 - 2011

As acting Chairman, Tony Krarup has guided the Beeston and District Civic Society through a lively year of activity. We have been delighted to welcome Brian Loughborough on to the Committee this year and value his ready and wise contributions to the Society’s work.

Registered Membership of the Society stands at 196 and our monthly meetings on local matters, normally held in Beeston Library (from October2010-March2011), have been well attended and have stimulated interesting exchanges of views.

Public Profile

The Society has been actively involved in a number of local events this year.  In Cooperation with the Beeston and District Local History Society, Stapleford and District Local History Society and the Bramcote Conservation Society, eight Blue Plaques have now been installed in recognition of noteworthy persons and places of historic interest in the area.  Other installations are in preparation.

Members of the Committee played a major part in the planning and organisation of September’s Heritage Open Days celebrations. The range of activities was even greater this year and the feedback extremely positive.

Beeston Carnival presented another opportunity to involve the Society in local celebrations and our stall was laid out early and manned by members throughout the day.

Guided walks in our area continue to be greatly valued and we are especially grateful to Robin Phillips and Professor Beckett for their organisation and leadership.

Local Concerns

The Planning Subcommittee continue to be watchful of applications coming before Broxtowe Borough Council.  There is active interest in the Chilwell Conservation Area proposals. We have opposed the application for the demolition of the old cottage (343 High road) and hope that it will be included in the Chilwell Conservation Area review proposal under consideration.

The Borough Council has been approached on the subject of Trees - their retention, preservation and planting and replacement in the area. The Council have informed us of their current plans and we are following up their expressed wish for this Society to be involved in future decision-making.

Members of this Society’s Committee continue to participate in meetings of the newly named BID (formerly Beeston Business Forum).

Concern about the state of the Ten Bell and surrounding vicinity triggered an approach to Sainsbury’s management with whom some of the responsibility lies.  A helpful response was followed by an immediate effort by the firm to clean up the area. We hope that contact with the Borough Estates Department will lead to a more imaginative and permanent improvement to the area concerned.

Committee members have also been involved in discussion of plans for landscaping the Parish Churchyard and have submitted their views on the University’s Wind Turbines proposal

The Government’s revised planning policy has refocused interest on local building development applications and the Committee have submitted their views on sites likely to come under early consideration. We maintain the view that first consideration should be given to use of suitable `Brown Field’ sites.

The Committee are very aware that further major development issues will soon arise concerning the advent of the Tram and the Henry Boot proposals for redevelopment of Beeston centre.

We continue to take part in the Highfields Users Committee and welcome the improvements made to Highfield Park and Play Area this year.

News and ideas from other regions in the East Midlands come to us through attendance at EMACHS’ meetings and receipt of their journal. Through this society membership we also learn of any National concerns reported by CIVIC VOICE.

Publications

David Lovesy has undertaken Editorship of the Society’s Newsletter this year with enthusiasm and expertise. We congratulate him on the improved and prompt production of four lively publications. It is encouraging to record that our members are responding to articles, notices and queries in the Newsletter and we seek to encourage such participation in the Society’s affairs.

Newly designed Membership Leaflets are available and the publication group is working on a revised edition 0f the Beeston Heritage Trail pamphlet.

Copies of the Society’s postcards and greeting cards are available at Meetings and in the local stationery outlets.

Your Committee have worked conscientiously throughout the year to conserve and, hopefully, improve the environment in which we live and are seeking new active members to assist in their endeavours.

We would encourage interested volunteers to make themselves known to our Secretary, Eileen Atherton, or to any other Member of the Committee they may know.

This report has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Beeston & District Civic Society as Trustees of that society.