We have a summer programme of visits and talks, and a winter programme of talks, plus a special Christmas event each year...
We organise a programme of spring and summer visits to both historic buildings and modern developments.
Many of the visits organised by the society are to buildings not otherwise open to the public.
We also organise a programme of talks throughout the year, along with guided walks to interesting areas.
The current programme is available from the links on the left or just by scrolling down. Outline information on recent events is given immediately below, with links to more detailed reports where available.
Plans for summer 2012: Oxford part II, a study day at Broughton House, a lecture on Norman Jewson by Sir Nicolas Mander and much more….
Recent highlights
Reports on some of our recent events, including some of our 2011 evening events and our 2010 summer visits, are posted on the Reports Pages - and others may, in future, be posted on our website blog (more details on this soon).
Winter Programme 2011/12
All talks take place at the Old Town Hall, The Shambles, Stroud and start at 7.30pm
The Natural House – the Prince’s Eco-home
Thursday January 19th 2012
A talk by Bettina Balwah
The Natural House is a unique, prize winning project by the Prince of Wales Foundation.
A new house, designed to be beautiful and eco friendly, a sustainable, low carbon house which is both attractive and affordable.
Bettina works for the Foundation and researched this project and has been involved in other new works.
A report on this event is available in our Reports pages.
The work of some local architects
Thursday February 18th 2012
A presentation by David Austin and Jonathan Bassendale
The RIBA recently organised a competition in the West of England and two of the finalists were:
- David Austin and the Ecotricity Building (Stroud)
- Jonathan Bassendale and the Blackfriars Priory (Gloucester)
David will talk about the problems of new design in the first building and Jonathan will talk about issues of conservation and future use in the priory.
AGM and The Restoration of Robert Raikes’ House
Thursday March 15th 2012
A talk by Tim Potts
AGM at 7.00pm. Reception with wine, followed by talk at 7.30pm
The amazing restoration of this fine 16th century house in Gloucester cost £4 million.
He will describe his work at the house, now a pub and we plan to visit this and other timber framed building in Gloucester in the spring.
Pre-Christmas programme below:
Toilet Talk Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Public Lavatories (but were afraid to ask)
Thursday October 20th 2011 An illustrated talk by Tim Mars
Inspired by his frustrating but fascinating involvement in the project to refurbish the Bedford Street loos in Stroud, Tim Mars presents an illustrated talk on the history and lore of the public convenience – from George Jennings’s first underground lavatories at the Royal Exchange to the Healthmatic Urilift – from cast-iron pissoirs to Lucinda Lambton’s ‘cathedral of the sanitarian art’ on the isle of Bute.
West Galleries - the architectural evidence of a lost tradition
Thursday November 17th 2011
A talk by architectural historian Linda Hall
Architectural historian Linda Hall returns with a talk on her latest subject, West Galleries - the architectural evidence of a lost tradition.
West Galleries were invented when the rood lofts forbidden by the Puritans were re-erected at the back of the church for the singers and musicians. Soon they were being built in large numbers, with panelled fronts or balustrades.
The mid 19th century saw the destruction of huge numbers of West Galleries as organs and robed choirs replaced the informal church bands so wonderfully depicted by Thomas Hardy. Yet many galleries have survived, dating from Elizabethan times to the mid 19th century. Linda will start and end her talk with some West Gallery music to show the vibrancy of this wonderful lost music.
Christmas outing to Two Temple Place, London
Thursday December 8th 2011
William Waldorf
Astor’s magnificent neo-gothic mansion, one of London’s hidden gems and opening for the first time to the public with an exhibition of William Morris’s major works.
Extra event 2011: Heritage Open Day September 11th 2011
We will be taking part in the national Heritage Open Day programme this year at Lypiatt Park, where we will be viewing the Sculpture Trail at Lypiatt Park. This is rarely open to the public, so the day will be a great opportunity to see the site.
The Trail will be open from 2.00pm – 6.00pm and admission will be by free, prebooked ticket only.
No admission without a ticket
For more details and to book please contact;
Juliet Shipman, Rose Cottage, The Street, Eastcombe, Glos GL6 7DN. 01452 770263
OR collect a booking form from the Tourist Information Centre in Stroud (Stroud Tourist Information Centre
Subscription Rooms,
George Street,
Stroud,
Gloucestershire,
GL5 1AE 01453 760960)
Selsley Church and its William Morris Windows Saturday May 14th 2011
A visit to this famous church, with morning coffee, followed by a talk on the stained glass and then a home-cooked lunch in these delightful surroundings.
Price £15.00 to include a lunch and a guided tour and talk on the famous windows.
A visit to Sir Roy Strong’s Garden, Lasketts, Herefordshire
Thursday July 21st 2011
We will be visiting Sir Roy Strong’s Garden at Lasketts, a four acre triangle of land that he has been developing as a garden since 1973.
As part of our day in Herefordshire we will also visit two Arts and Crafts churches, including the outstanding Brockhampton Church.
We will have a picnic lunch, eaten in the nearby informal country garden at Shieldbrook and we return there for tea after our visit to Sir Roy’s garden.
The coach will leave Stroud at 9.00am and returns at 6.30pm
Price £35. 00 to include entrance to Lasketts, tea and entrance to Shieldbrook and coach travel.
Some Waterlane Houses And Gardens
Sunday August 21st 2011
There are two outstanding houses at Waterlane near Oakridge. The first is a fine early 18th century house, remodelled in 1799 and 1833. The gardens have a wonderful setting and there is a summerhouse built from fragments of a Roman Villa.The owner, Thomas Baker built another house, Waterlane House, nearby for his sister. This was substantially enlarged by Ernest Gimson and Norman Jewson.
We will have a tour of Watercombe House and visit the gardens of the other house while it is open to the public during the “Yellow Book” scheme. It is open from 10.00am – 6.00pm Teas will be available as part of the open day there
Price £10.00 (to include admission to Waterlane House) It is probably best if members buy their teas individually. Also members will be invited to make a small donation to charity for parking, which is arranged by a neighbour
We have an extra event in September - for the Heritage Open Day programme. This is the Sculpture Trail at Lypiatt Park - for details see above
Modern Architecture In Oxford Sunday September 25th 2011
Oxford has a stunning collection of modern buildings by the likes of James Stirling, Arup Associates, Powell & Moya, Ahrends Burton Koralek, HKPA and MacCormacs – to name just a few. We will be visiting examples of their work, and seeing many historic buildings, streets and quadrangles along the way.
The day will include a guided tour of Arne Jacobsen’s St Catherine’s College, described by Pevsner as ‘the most perfect piece of architecture of 20th century Oxford”
Tim Mars will lead the expedition. Tim read English at Cambridge but spent most of his time exploring the city and studying the architecture. Members will remember his lively and fascinating tours of Bristol and Birmingham.
There will be a lunch stop en route or feel free to bring a packed lunch.
For events that need to be booked (not evening talks etc) bookings should be sent to Juliet Shipman, Rose Cottage, The Street, Eastcombe, Glos GL6 7DN.
Ian Mackintosh on 'The Making of Middle Street, Stroud'
Thursday November 18th at 7.30pm
Local historian Ian Mackintosh gives the Civic Society a chance to hear his popular illustrated talk on the fascinating history of one of the most significant streets in Stroud.
Christmas Event 2010:
"The Christmas Story in Medieval Art"
Saturday December 11th at Newark Park, 11.30am to 4.30pm
Dr Gillian White, who gave members an inspiring talk on Elizabthan interiors a year ago, returns to entertain and inform us at the historic Newark Park.
Members will be greeted with mulled wine, then listen to the first part of Dr White's talk. a hot buffet lunch, witha 'Christmas Casserole', wine and pudding will be served. After lunch Dr White will conclude her talk and the day will end with tea and seasonal cake.
Philip Wilkinson on 'English Buildings'
Thursday 20th January at 7.30pm in the Old Town Hall (note new venue)
Philip Wilkinson is author of ‘The High Street’, written to accompany the BBC1 TV series and ‘Restoration’ which accompanies the popular BBC 2 series with Griff Rhys Jones.
He has also written ‘The English Buildings Book’ published by English Heritage. For a flavour of his work look at his blog English Buildings.
Alec Hamilton on 'The Friends of Friendless Churches'
Thursday 17th February at 7.30pm in the Old Town Hall (note new venue)
UPDATE: A Report on this meeting is available here, and a pdf version of the Report can be downloaded here)
Members will remember Alec’s brilliant talk on Arts &Crafts in Gloucester Cathedral. Among Alec’s many other architectural interests is his role as a trustee of ‘Friends of Friendless Churches’ Some of the most remote and unspoilt churches have been taken under the wing of this charity and Alec will talk (with slides) about these churches and the work involved in rescuing them and restoring them.
Copies of ‘Saving Churches’, with colour photographs and an introduction by Sir Simon Jenkins will be on sale: price £16.99
Nigel Paterson on 'Stately Mansions and Crumbling Cottages'
Thursday 17th March; 7.30pm AGM and 8.00pm Talk in the Old Town Hall (note new venue)
Nigel, Chairman of the Gloucestershire Buildings Recording Group, updates us with his latest work revealing discoveries at Elmore Court (recently seen in Country House Rescue), Wallsworth Hall (home of Nature in Art) and a number of small cottages.
Rodborough Chapel
Sunday May 9th, 2010 (afternoon)
An afternoon visit to the recently restored Rodborough Chapel, a “highly regarded example of Arts and Crafts design” with a talk on the building followed by tea.
A recent BBC story about the restoration of the Little Chapel is available by clicking here.
Broadway – An Arts And Crafts Town
Sunday June 13th, 2010
Often considered a tourist hub, there is much of interest to see in Broadway.
The day will start with a visit to the Gordon Russell Museum with an introduction by Ray Leigh who was formerly chairman of the notably furniture company.
Our visit coincides with the opening of the Broadway Arts Festival so after lunch (we suggest picnics) we have the chance to visit two interesting exhibitions, guided by art historian, Alan Ford. Both exhibitions commemorate the two-year residence in Broadway, of the celebrated artist, John Singer Sargent. The first has sketches of his work lent by the Tate, including the famous “Lily, Lily, Rose, ” and the second is a record of his life and time in Broadway with many old photographs.
There will be time for tea in one of the numerous cafes and a short walking tour led by Alan Ford of some of the outstanding Arts and Crafts houses built or restored by the 19th century owners.
Cost £22.00 (to include entrance to museum and two exhibitions and coach travel)
Over the last 20 years, Birmingham has made strenuous efforts to overcome its reputation as a concrete jungle of shopping centres and motorways. A new vision, based on the idea of a series of distinct urban quarters linked by a superb public realm, has been realized.
As a result of removing traffic from the centre and dropping the ring road, a high quality public space has opened up from the station to a new landmark public space Centenary Square. Superb new fountains and sculpture make the route even more memorable.
Having ignored its canals for many years, the city has embraced them as a new focus for leisure. We will visit the revitalised Gas Street basin where eighteenth century cast-iron bridges contrast with a hotch-potch of post-modern styles.
We will also see: - St Phillips Cathedral with stained glass by Burne-Jones, Birmingham Central Library, one of the most important ‘new brutalist’ buildings, the fine neo-classical Town Hall, the silver disc-covered space ship that is the new Selfridges, Lethaby’s arts and crafts masterpiece - the Eagle Star building and the Holloway Circus Tower, Ian Simpson’s sleek, curved, ‘tiger-striped’ skyscraper, voted eight best in the world in 2006.
Noted urbanist Tim Mars will lead our expedition
Cost£20.00 - to include coach travel to and from Birmingham.
There are many interesting pubs and wine bars in the city or members can take
picnics.
This very fine eighteenth century house, near Worcester, now run by the National Trust, has recently been re-united with its landscape gardens, the first to be designed by Capability Brown.
There will be a visit to the house, especially interesting to view at the moment, because it is entirely empty of furniture. Then there will be a guided tour of the “eye-catchers”, icehouse (pictured, left, under restoration), temples, follies (Coadstone 'River God' pictured below) and castles led by the conservation architect John Goom. (He has been responsible for restoration work at Snowshill Manor, Woodchester Mansion and at Croome Park itself)
After this tour there will be tea (cakes, sandwiches and scones) served in the restored World War II canteen and the Project Curator, Sarah Kay, will give an illustrated talk, explaining where all the furniture is, if it will come back and who were the Coventry’s, one time owners of the magnificent estate.
Cost £20 (NT members) £25 (non NT members)
We will leave Stroud at 1.00pm and return at 8.00pm
Civilised Streets - reconciling people, places and traffic
An illustrated talk by Ben Hamilton-Baillie
Thursday January 28th 2010, 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall
There has been a revolution in thinking about streets and traffic. Ideas about 'shared space', where people and vehicles negotiate their interaction, have overturned years of traffic segregation. Instead of just being conduits for traffic, streets are being reclaimed and resurrected as part of a civilised public realm.
Ben Hamilton-Baillie is the leading exponent of integrated street design in the UK. He is both a passionate advocate and a witty and entertaining speaker and has been involved in schemes ranging from historic medieval villages, like Dunster, to major metropolitan streets like Exhibition Road in South Kensington.
He is a member of the consultant team which drew up the the Public Realm Strategy for Stroud.
The video below, featuring Ben Hamilton-Baillie, introduces some of the concepts of shared space:
Temple Moore - the forgotten architect of All Saints, Uplands
An illustrated talk by Geoffrey Brandwood
Thursday February 18th 2010, 7.30pm All Saints Church, Uplands
All Saints Uplands is one of the finest, if not the finest, church in the Five Valleys.
Its architect, Temple Moore, built some 40 splendid churches which established him as England's leading ecclesiastical architect of the Edwardian years. Yet today he is little known, especially in the south-west.
In the centenary year of its consecration, Geoffrey Brandwood will give an illustrated talk on this underrated architect in the church itself. He has written a recent biography, Temple Moore: An architect of the late Gothic Revival, which will be available to order at a special price at the meeting.
Geoffrey Brandwood is an active member of the Victorian Society and has written numerous other books on church architecture and the heriatge of the public house.
(Tickets £5.00, payable at the door, include a glass of wine. Parking is difficult, therefore we will arrange a shuttle service from Church Street Car Park to the church. Please be in the car park from 7.00pm if you would like a lift)
Restoring the Corona on the spire of Minchinhampton Church
Richard Bossons
Thursday March 25th 2010, 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall
Richard Bossons is a local architectural stone carver and mason. He describes his work at the church and the problems he faced.
A Report on this meeting is available on our Reports Pages.
The Railway Stations of Mid-Gloucestershire
An illustrated talk by Mike Oakley
Thursday April 8th 2010, 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall
Mike Oakley, author of Gloucestershire Railway Stations, gives an illustrated account of local railway stations.
His particular interest is the buildings and he will talk about the stations from Swindon to Gloucester,. including the many long lost stations and halts.
Copies of his book will be available at the special price of £6.50
We have a summer programme of visits and talks, and a winter programme of talks, plus a special Christmas event each year... 
Local historian Ian Mackintosh gives the Civic Society a chance to hear his popular illustrated talk
