Civic society revival to aid new-look city

From the archive, first published Tuesday 21st Feb 2006.

A group which aims to protect Bradford's heritage and play a major part in its renaissance will be launched tomorrow.

The new Civic Society will be formed as the master plan for the city centre, drawn up by international architect Will Alsop, begins to take shape and major changes emerge.

Businessman Andrew Mason, chairman of the Civic Society steering committee, said today they were looking for people who were passionate about their surroundings and wanted to change them for the better.

In a new mission statement, the non-profit making organisation says it will be devoted to celebrating the city's past, honouring the present and preserving its uniqueness.

Mr Mason - whose company Newmason Properties is redeveloping Shipley's historic Victoria Mill at a cost of £70 million - hopes the public will recognise the importance of the Society and rally round to get it off the ground.

He said: "More has happened to Bradford in the last 18 months than it probably has in the past 18 years.

"There are things like Broadway, Eastbrook Hall, the master plan and developments by Urban Splash.

"We are seeing the birth of a new city."

The new organisation is rising from the ashes of Bradford's last Civic Society, which was disbanded after 54 years in 1996.

It saw major successes, including the restoration of the historic Paper Hall, and set up a scheme giving coveted awards to individuals and organisations. The Paper Hall Preservation Society battled for 22 years to restore the 350-year-old hall in Church Bank to its former glory. As a result it won the Civic Society's coveted medal of merit in 1993.

And the former Civic Society successfully opposed plans to get rid of St George's Hall and supported the refurbishment of the Alhambra. Mr Mason says the new Civic Society will give people an avenue to make their views heard.

Maud Marshall, chief executive of Bradford Centre Regeneration - the joint venture company spearheading the renaissance of the city - said: "We are absolutely delighted about the launch of a civic society for Bradford. It will play a key role in enabling Bradfordians to air their views and provide feedback on the regeneration of their city.

"We place tremendous value on the input of those that live, work and learn in the city and this new organisation will provide a focus for harnessing that input. We have every confidence that Andrew Mason - who has a strong history of regeneration in Bradford - will ensure the society helps to shape the future of Bradford."

Membership of the new society will be £10 for individuals and £15 for couples.

It is offering family membership for £20 and £3 for pensioners and the unemployed. Corporate membership will be £50.

A meeting will be held at 7.30pm tomorrow at Cartwright Hall, Lister Park, Bradford to launch the society.

It will be followed by an annual general meeting on March 22 at Cartwright Hall at 7pm.

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