the birmingham civic society...marc reeves, editor of businessdesk.com and former editor of the...

The Birmingham Civic Society

Annual Report 2009/10Concerned with Birmingham’s future.Mindful of its past.

BCS Annual Report 21/10/10 10:44 am

The Trustees of the Society during the year2009/10 were as follows:

David Clarke (Chairman)Guppy Dhariwal (Deputy Chairman) (resigned 11 May 2010)Robert Blyth (Vice Chairman)Anthony Collins (Vice Chairman)Tony Collinson (Honorary Treasurer andCompany Secretary)Dr Freddie GickSally HobanJoe JordanRob Langley-SwainPaul Lister (Vice Chairman) Yvonne MaslenPeter MilesGlyn Pitchford (Vice Chairman)Dr Jagit Taunque MBE, DLPeter WallBob Warman (Vice Chairman)Paul FarrowCouncillor John AldenCouncillor Ray HassallCouncillor Mike Sharpe

CommitteesEvents CommitteePeter Miles (Chairman), Margaret Boniface, YvonneMaslen, Heather Ramsay

Citizenship CommitteeRob Langley-Swain (Chairman), James Byng, LorraineCookson, Kirsty Davies, Jo Dunlop (Project Manager),Nicole Elliott, Clare Godson, Linda Lovenbury, KayRivett, Simon Russell

Heritage CommitteeSally Hoban (Chairman), Margaret Boniface, Jez Collins,Dr Malcolm Dick, John Gale, Freddie Gick, Joe Jordan,Professor Peter Marsh, Yvonne Maslen (Blue PlaquesSecretary), Elaine Mitchell, Izzy Mohammed, ChrisRice, Dr Sian Roberts, Professor Roger Ward

Planning CommitteePaul Lister (Chairman), Mark Balkham, Ross Bellamy,Rob Blyth, Marcus Hawley (Secretary), Gavin Orton,Glyn Pitchford, Adele Pogmore, Peter Troy

Trees CommitteePaul Farrow (Chairman), Viv Astling, Rob Blyth, GeoffCole, Jane Edwards (Schools & Community LiaisonOfficer), Jane Harding (Project Support), Sue Griffith(Project Manager), Rupert Johnson, James Wheeler

Finance and General Purposes CommitteeTony Collinson (Chairman), David Clarke, AnthonyCollins, Freddie Gick, Peter Wall

PresidentThe Lord Mayor of Birmingham

Vice PresidentsThe Bishop of Birmingham, Sir Frederick Crawford DL, Lord Jones of Birmingham, Rt Hon the Lord Rooker, Bruce Tanner DL

Annual Report 2009/10

This report describes the work of The Birmingham Civic Society for the year ended 30 June 2010.

These activities are described in this report from the Trustees.

The accounting of the Society's financial affairs must necessarily be stated in the format laid down by theStatement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP). The trustees present in this report a statement ofaccount which sets out the financial position of the charity and for its activities during the year ended 30 June2010. A complete set of financial statements prepared under the SORP will be available for scrutiny at theAGM and at the offices of Collinsons Chartered Accountants 55 Newhall Street Birmingham B3 3RB for 14days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

The Birmingham Civic Society is registered in England and Wales as a limited company number 6426178 and as a charity number 1123806.

The Birmingham Civic Society


The Birmingham Civic Society “isone of the city's gems”.This is not my observation(although I am inclined to agree)but a comment made by a manwho knows Birmingham well:

Marc Reeves, editor of Businessdesk.com and formereditor of The Birmingham Post.Comments like that - and there are many more - are notonly gratifying but provide added incentive for the Societyto do even more.During my first year as chairman I have begun toappreciate even more the work, the role and thecontribution of the Society. Birmingham Civic Society isconcerned not only with what I would describe as the“hard” structure of the city (its buildings, infra-structureand amenities) but the soft elements (essentially, its people- and the various communities and networks of whichthey are a part). It is not an exclusive membershiporganisation but welcomes all and it is not simplyconcerned with Birmingham's past but has a steady eyeon its future also.Let me give some brief examples from the past year -acknowledging that there are many others, some of whichmight be even more deserving.Planting trees is not only good for the environment butgood for the soul. Even better is watching othersparticipating: young and old alike, businesses and schools -taking part in an activity which brings people together asthis year it did at nearly 40 locations throughout the city.I had a similar warm glow from talking to youngstersparticipating in our Next Generation Awards which, inbrief, encourages young people in our schools to thinkabout the Birmingham in which they live and how theymight improve it. This year, more than 2,000 childrenparticipated and each demonstrated a hugeunderstanding of the city and their local community.With youngsters like these caring for our future, we canbe certain that Birmingham has a bright future indeed.Our work in heritage is exemplary. During the year, weadopted a new strap line: “Concerned with Birmingham'sfuture. Mindful of its past”. Being mindful of our past isextraordinarily important. We have this year celebratedthe lives of three leading individuals each of who madesuch a significant contribution to the city, and are nowremembered through the erection of their own blueplaque. The Society has also produced the latest editionof Birmingham Heritage Buildings guide - by far andaway the most popular and widely circulated guide to the

city's principal buildings. It presents an eclectic review ofBirmingham's notable buildings.In planning, we have supported some applications andobjected to others including the potential total destructionof notable buildings. We have also made our views heardin relation to both current and future plans - includingthe new Library of Birmingham and the longer termdevelopment of Paradise Circus.Highlights - for me at least - during the past year includerobust discussion at the Society's Forum entitled “Hopesand Fears”, kindly hosted by Birmingham MetropolitanCollege. We have heard the Leader of the City Council,Councillor Mike Whitby, speak passionately at ourAnnual Leader’s Breakfast, hosted by Hotel du Vin - andThe Bishop of Birmingham, The Right Rev Dr DavidUrquhart, speak with great humility and understanding ata reception hosted by St Phillip's Chambers. Those whowere at last year's AGM will also remember the inspiringthoughts of Brian Gambles, Head of BirminghamLibrary Services as he spoke about the role of libraries inthe next 100 years.Our events programme has included, amongst others, avisit to the Birmingham Oratory and even a talk on flagsand their use. We have hosted city visits - such as bySt.Alban's Civic Society - and become actively involved inCivic Voice, the new national charity for the Civicmovement. We have published Perspectives - our periodicjournal - which is increasingly seen as a vehicle fordebate, discussion and deliberation over the issues thatreally matter to Birmingham.We have also generated comment in newspapers and onradio - and are soon to embark on a more vigorous mediarelations programme. Our web site is soon to becompletely revised to include more ways to keep in touchwith the Society’s activities.I am though mindful of future challenges. We need tosecure our future finances if we are to continue the workthat we are undertaking - let alone extend that role. Wemust broaden our membership so as to be morerepresentative of the city and we need to make greateruse of our supporters and those that can influence - notonly to enhance the work of the Society but also theambitions of the Society.None of this would be possible without the continuingsupport of our members - individual and business - aswell as the hard working committees, trustees and supportstaff that deliver these ambitions. Each can take pride intheir work - and celebrate the fact that we continue tocontribute in such a major way to city life.

Report of the TrusteesMoving forward

Chairman: David Clarke


Concerned with Birmingham’s future.Mindful of its past.


The events programme is avery important part of thework of Birmingham Civic

Society. There are many reasons why it is an integralpart of the running of the society. Firstly, it gives likeminded persons a chance to meet each otherwhether it be on a visit, a lecture or a meal. With avisit it gives members a chance to see things whichgo to make the city what it is; lectures enforcing theknowledge of Birmingham either past or present;and by having a meal together we meet hopefully totalk about aspects of Birmingham over theconviviality of food and drink.

Some of our events are oversubscribed and some have to becancelled through lack of support- but we always try and fit everyone in.

In April of last year, Dr Peter Bestcame and talked on the restorationof the Lapal Canal. So following on from the talk, inSeptember members walked the length of the canaland finished the walk very excited about theprospect of its restoration.

In October, our members attended the AGM at theCouncil House where we welcomed our newChairman, David Clarke.

This year with the imminent beatification ofBirmingham's own Cardinal Newman our visit to aplace of worship was to the Birmingham Oratory -'Rome in Birmingham'. Once again we wereinundated with bookings and had to disappoint somemembers. We had a very animated guide in FatherAnton who we think could have talked for most ofthe day. We will look at going back in the not toodistant future.

In April, John Gale, one of the members of theHeritage Committee and Birmingham's honorary'Flag Waver' gave us an excellent account on the

protocols of flying the flags on public buildings andat events. It is amazing how much we take forgranted when the flags are flown on the CouncilHouse and the Town Hall.

In May, there was to have been a trip to the ElanValley, the major source of Birmingham's water.Unfortunately this had to be cancelled through lackof numbers.

June saw an excellent presentation and discussion on thenew Library of Birmingham - now being constructed in

Centenary Square. Every one agreed whata useful evening it had been.

Also in June there was a first for theCivic Society. We joined with theMidland Antiques Collectors Circle andventured abroad to Amsterdam. Everyyear, approximately forty houses in thecity open their gardens to raise money

for charity. Everyone enjoyed a friendlylong weekend. We hope to do a similar exercise tothe South of France in June of next year.

And to the future. Next year's events are well on theway to being finalised and will feature ideas sent inresponse to a recent member survey. Included will bethe lecture and visit to the church of St Barnabas inErdington which we had to postpone from this year'sprogramme. This listed church was destroyed by firein 2008 and is to be rebuilt. There will also be acanal walk around the centre of Birmingham and avisit to the Magistrates court. Look out for thebooking forms.

I would like to thank the events committee, YvonneMaslen, Margaret Boniface and Heather Ramsay fortheir continued hard work.

And again thank you to the membership forsupporting these events so well and to remind you allif you have an idea for an event then let us know.We welcome your ideas.

Events CommitteeChairman: Peter Miles

“...integral partof the runningof the society”


The Citizenship Committeehas had an extremely busy12 months, but pleasingly it

has been rather fruitful too. In the summer of 2009the committee were awarded funding of £10,000from Birmingham City Council's EducationDepartment to enable us to continue with our NextGeneration Awards programme and expand theoutreach of the scheme to more schools.

With the funding we were able to appoint a ProjectManager to help push the awardscheme forward and coordinate allactivity with each school. InNovember 2009, Jo Dunlop joinedthe ranks in this role and has done afantastic job of managing anddeveloping the programme, supportedby a dedicated team of volunteerswho give up their time on a regularbasis for the Citizenship committee -for which we are extremely grateful.

The Next Generation Awards hasgrown in the past 12 months fromhaving just seven schools, to morethan 16 participating, a dramatic 128% increase inparticipation of young people from the city. Weheld moderation days once again at AnthonyCollins Solicitors in the city centre and I'd like tothank the team there for all of the hard work andsupport in making those days a breeze!

This year's award scheme will have culminated in afinal presentation by the Lord Mayor on 30thSeptember at the Council House, where one schoolwill be crowned overall winner for the year.

We have recently received very good news aboutthe awards for 2010/11, and would like to show

our thanks to the Birmingham Future Foundation,who have given financial support to the scheme.Together with further sponsorship from BHMGMarketing, this means we will be able to continueto develop the project and engage with even moreschools this year. More support from individualsand business would be very welcome and willenable us to further extend the scheme.

In addition to the Next Generation Awards, theCitizenship Committee has also been busy

developing a new initiative foryoung people to become moreengaged with the importantdecisions that are made about ourcity. This Autumn we will belaunching 'The Birmingham CivicSociety Youth Platform' - enablingnominated students from secondaryschools throughout the city to meetthree or four times a year to debateand discuss issues and topics ofrelevance to the city's youngpeople, communities, the interestsof the Civic Society and more.

As Chairman of the Citizenship committee, Iwould like to give my personal thanks to all themembers of the committee who have given up theirtime for our monthly meetings, and the workoutside those meetings - developing lesson plans,designing logos and brochures for the awards,visiting and assessing students at schools around thecity and generally just making things happen. I'dalso like to thank the volunteers from businessesacross the city who have given up their time to visitand asses students. Without all of theircontributions we wouldn't be able to give theseyoung people an introduction to what it means tobe an 'active citizen' in Birmingham!

Citizenship CommitteeChairman: Rob Langley-Swain

“...grown in thepast 12 months

from having justseven schools, tomore than 16participating”


It has been another busy yearfor the Society's HeritageCommittee. Freddie Gick,

acting chairman, was succeeded in September 2009; by Sally Hoban.

Amongst other activities, the committee is responsiblefor the Society's commemorative Blue Plaques acrossthe city.

The first of this year's plaques was unveiled in December2009. It was dedicated to Constance Naden (1858-1889),poet, scientist and philosopher, and erected at 20Charlotte Road in Edgbaston, which was Naden's home.

2009 marked the 120th anniversary ofConstance Naden's death at the early ageof 31. She is little known today, but shepublished two volumes of poetry beforeher scientific interests took over andsubsequently won the Heslop Gold Medalfor her essay 'Induction and Deduction'.Constance Naden made an importantcontribution to both the arts and scienceduring her short life. She was one of anumber of pioneering women inBirmingham who are now beingrecognised by historians.

The Society has also erected a BluePlaque dedicated to Henry 'Chinese' Wilson, which wasunveiled at a dedicated ceremony at BirminghamBotanical Gardens in May 2010. Ernest Henry 'Chinese'Wilson (1876-1930), was a notable English plantcollector who introduced a large range of Asian plantspecies to the West during his long career.

The Heritage Committee has also acted in an advisorycapacity this year for the unveiling of a plaque to John SuttonNettlefold. This took place at Winterbourne House at theUniversity of Birmingham in May 2010. John Nettlefold(1792 - 1866) was a notable local and national industrialistand Winterbourne was the Nettlefold family home.

The Committee is also involved with developing anderecting Birmingham History Plates, which differ fromBlue Plaques because they commemorate sites of historicinterest rather than the lives of individuals. This year, theCommittee has been working on the arrangements for theunveiling of a History Plate on the Moor Pool Estate in

Harborne and this is due to take place in November 2010.Other history plates under discussion this year haveincluded a series of plates marking Birmingham'srevolutionary past and this is a project that will developfurther over the forthcoming year.

Another highlight of the Committee's work this year hasbeen the publication of the Civic Society's latestBirminghamHeritage Buildings guide. The Lord Mayorof Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, was presentedwith the one millionth copy of the guide at a specialreception held at Moor Street Station in July kindly hostedby Chiltern Railways. Thanks are due to Freddie Gick forsecuring sponsorship and project managing the Guide.

The Committee welcomed Jez Collinsfrom Birmingham City University as anew member this year. Jez manages theonline Popular Music Archive projectfor Birmingham, which aims to capturepeople's memories of Birminghammusic and commemorate key historicalsites involved in the city's music scene -essentially those that represent 'sharedplaces and spaces' for the city's musicalhistory. Jez is working with the HeritageCommittee to develop a proposal toerect a series of new media interactivepopular music plates utilisingaugmented reality platforms (mainly

mobile phones and mobile phone applications) aroundsites of musical interest in Birmingham; for example thesite of Barbarella's Night Club in Broad Street whichwas instrumental in establishing the career of DuranDuran. It is hoped that this project will develop furtherin the coming year, subject to funding.

As well as a vibrant popular music history, Birminghamalso has a wealth of historic parks and open spaces, butthese are currently not celebrated in the way that historicbuildings are. The Civic Society has a long history ofcelebrating and supporting Birmingham's parks and inFebruary 2010, the Heritage Committee received aproposal from Sue Griffith to develop a project topromote and celebrate the heritage of the city's parksand open spaces, with the aim of stimulating newresearch, co-coordinating existing work and in the longerterm possibly producing a book. A working sub-group ofthe Committee has been set up to develop this proposaland move the project forward this year.

Heritage CommitteeChairman: Sally Hoban

“...a wealth ofhistoric parks

and open spaces,currently not

celebrated in theway that historicbuildings are...”


The committee considers allaspects of the built environmentrelating to planning,

conservation, public art and public realm and makes theannual 'Renaissance Award'.

Composition and Remit:The planning committee meets monthly and comprisesDavid Allen FRICS, Mark Balkham RIBA, Ross BellamyFRSA, Rob Bylth, John Corstorphine, Marcus HawleyMRICS (secretary), Paul Lister RIBA (chairman), GavinOrton RIBA, Glyn Pitchford FRICS, Adele Pulisciano,and Peter Troy RIBA. The committee forms views ondevelopment proposals, planning applications, buildings atrisk and all aspects of the built environment and presentsthose views to the relevant developer, theplanners or the building's owner. Aformal report of its activities is submittedquarterly to the Board of Trustees.

Conservation and Heritage Panel:A member of the planning committee sitson the City Council's conservation andheritage panel and reports to us on everyplanning application affecting a listedbuilding or conservation area. Ourcurrent representative is Ross Bellamy.

Developments and Planning Applications:The last year has seen a significant reduction in thenumber of major city centre schemes coming forwardthough we have received presentations from Argent andtheir architect who are master-planning the ParadiseCircus area of Birmingham, which could see a significantchange to the city centre in ten years time. We submittedthe comments of the committee and the trustees andhave asked to be kept informed of the next stage in the process.

The committee was a statutory consultee on a number ofplanning applications and a common concern continues tobe the general poor quality of architectural design and theinadequate information provided with some applications.We have been particularly critical of a major studenthousing scheme and the approach to work on a significantgrade two star listed house. We urged the City planners tobe more demanding of the developers and architects.

The major scheme considered during the period was theretirement village at 322 - 336 Hagley Road. Whilst we

support the concept of a retirement village in this locationwe object to this being done at the expense of the totaldestruction of the existing buildings that form animportant part of the Barnsley Road Conservation Area.In contrast we received a pre-planning applicationpresentation on the detailed design for another retirementhousing development to be called 'St Georges' inEdgbaston that successfully incorporates a series of listedbuildings. We were generally very supportive of thisscheme and we are currently reviewing the detailssubmitted for planning permission.

We continue to argue for the highest quality in the designof buildings in the city centre and the public realm andwe have been very critical of the City's proposals to erect

a public broadcasting screen in VictoriaSquare and we remain sceptical about thedesign of other major projects includingthe Cube and the Library of Birmingham.

We are concerned by the apparent lack ofprogress with the construction of the newpark in Eastside. The Civic Society has beena strong advocate of this park and is currentlyseeking clarity on its construction and theplanning of this whole area of the city withthe potential inclusion of a major railway

terminus to support the proposed High Speed 2 service.

Buildings at Risk: The past year has seen no changeto our concern about the condition and future use ofmany historic buildings in the City particularly theneglect of Curzon Street Station, the Golden Lion Inn inCannon Hill Park and buildings in the Barnsley RoadConservation Area. These, and numerous otherexamples, are an embarrassment to the promotion of acity of culture and we continue to urge the City Council,building owners and developers to respect theirguardianship of our architectural heritage.

Renaissance Award: The 2009 award celebrated therenaissance of a building much loved by travellers of theM6 motorway. The conversion of Fort Dunlop byUrban Splash represents a brave and imaginativetransformation of this massive structure in a trulysustainable way and is a very worthy recipient of theCivic Society's Renaissance Award.

The committee is currently reviewing nominations for the2010 Award.

Planning CommitteeChairman: Paul Lister

“...to argue forthe highest

quality in thedesign ofbuildings”


Birmingham Tress for Life(BTFL) is a partnershipbetween The Birmingham

Civic Society and Birmingham City Council formedin July 2006 to promote the importance of trees andto secure funding to plant more of them in the city.The City Council contributes a sum of moneyannually to the project, which pays for most of thenew trees and the Civic Society works to securesponsorship from companies and individuals toplant more trees and develop new projects withlocal schools and communities.BTFL is managed by the CivicSociety's Trees Committee.

Over the winter of 2009/10, BTFL'splanting projects took place at 37 sitesaround the city. Most of the treeswere native species, except for somespecimen trees for specific locations.In total we planted 205 large semi-mature trees (37 different types), 75young trees, 4360 saplings and 16apple trees. Since the start of BTFL,we have planted very nearly 10,000trees.

One of BTFL's most importantobjectives is to encourage children tounderstand the importance of treesby enabling hands on planting. This year ourplantings involved over 360 children and eventswere organised with 19 different schools. Thisaspect of our work is funded for two years by RWEnpower, and we are most grateful for theirsponsorship.

Many companies feel that tree planting can make apositive contribution in the fight against climatechange. In December 2009, four local businessessponsored a 'Tree for Life' and came along to plant

their trees one lunchtime at Woodgate Valley. Eachcompany brought a team of staff who had a greattime planting their semi-mature tree and saplings,with team building in evidence as trees weremanoeuvred into pre-dug large holes.

In December 2009 BTFL participated in the BBCBreathing Places 'Tree O' Clock' event, which wasan attempt on the world record for planting themost trees in multiple locations in one hour. Ourmain event was held at Woodgate Valley when over

130 people came along to plant theirtrees. Many families had sponsoredtrees to celebrate a family event, or inmemory of a loved one and theybrought friends and relatives to join inwith the hands-on planting.

In April 2010 the focus shifted tomarketing and a new website wasdeveloped and launched:www.btfl.org.uk, which is much easierto navigate and encourages peopleand companies to sponsor trees, aswell as enabling people who haveparticipated to see photographs oftheir events.

This was followed in July 2010 by thepublication of a Tree Walk guide for

Cannon Hill Park, sponsored by Calthorpe Estates,which was launched at an event held for CivicSociety members at the newly re-opened MAC.Over 60 guests enjoyed a reception before beingtaken on a guided walk around Cannon Hill Park tolearn about its beautiful trees.

At the end of June 2010, the 2009/10 AnnualReview was published, reporting the busiest year yetfor the Trees Committee and summarising theachievements of BTFL.

Trees CommitteeChairman: Paul Farrow

“...Manycompanies feel

that treeplanting can

make a positivecontribution in the fight againstclimate change”


The summary accounts are presented below. I believe that thishighlights the Society's need to continue fund-raising in order to supportthe broad spectrum of work carried out by the Civic Society. Indeed, aprogramme of active fundraising is in place and has already resulted indonations since the end of the year. In keeping with the presenteconomic situation, we are also mindful of our recurring costs which weendeavour to strictly control.

Finance and General Purposes CommitteeChairman: Tony Collinson


The Birmingham Civic Society9 Margaret StreetBirmingham B3 3BS

T: 0121-236 8110E: [email protected]: www.birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk

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the birmingham civic society...marc reeves, editor of businessdesk.com and former editor of the...

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