- Local Amenity Societies
The Lichfield Mercury of 22nd September 1967 [p.8] reported that:
"On Saturday 14th October a conference of local Amenity Societies,
convened by the Lichfield Society, will be held for one day only
at Stowe House, Lichfield. Invitations have been sent to Amenity
Societies in Aldridge, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Birmingham, Burton-on-Trent,
Hinckley, Stafford, Sutton Coldfield, Uttoxeter, Walsall and
Wolverhampton as well as the Staffordshire and Warwickshire branches
of C.P.R.E and the Civic Trust".
"Two main speakers at the conference will be Mr D.W. Riley, Past
President of the Town and Country Planning Institute and former County
Planning & Development officer to Staffordshire County Council and
Mr W.M. Ogden, Chief Planner at the Ministry of Housing and Local
Government, West Midlands Regional Office".
"Mr Riley will speak on The control and distribution of population
in South Staffordshire and adjoining areas, with particular reference
to the Green Belt and overspill. Mr Ogden will talk on The
place of Town and Country Planning in modern society."
"There will also be a discussion on three main topics: Town Fringes;
The relationship between architects and Amenity Societies and
Should Amenity Societies encourage good relations with local
authorities or be slightly agnostic."
The week following the conference the Mercury printed a three column
account of the proceedings, [p.9] with a photograph of some of those
attending; including Mr and Mrs Deacon (the Mayor and Mayoress),
Mr Riley and Mr J.A. Clayton-Smith (the Society's Chairman).
** It all seems very topical today **
- The Future of Stowe Pool
The Lichfield Mercury of 5th July 1968 [p.17] reported that:
"A one-day conference on the future of Stowe Pool, which has been
sponsored by The Lichfield Society, will be held at Stowe House".
"The Society's chairman Mr J.A. Clayton-Smith will welcome visitors,
including the Mayor, Sheriff and City Surveyor of Lichfield".
"The Society's secretary, Mr F.H. Clayton, will talk on The
History of the Lichfield Waters, after which an outline of the
main scheme will be given by members of the Birmingham School of
Planning".
"After lunch members of the school will describe other similar
schemes and an opportunity will be made for general discussion".
"Mr Clayton-Smith said this week: After the conference we hope to
be able to put forward concrete suggestions to the City Council for
the future development of Stowe Pool."
"Visitors to tomorrows conference will be able to see the plans
and models of the suggested schemes for Stowe Pool".
The following week the Mercury [p.15] reported that:
"A conference to discuss the report on the future of Stowe Pool by
students at the Birmingham School of Planning who [had] conducted
a detailed study of the pool sponsored by the Lichfield Society".
"The report was launched at Saturday's one-day conference at Stowe
House when chairman Mr. J.A. Clayton-Smith welcomed visitors including
the Mayor & Sheriff of Lichfield, C'llr Mrs A.G. Millard & C'llr
Mrs M.E. Halfpenny".
"Two reports on the future of the pool were discussed at the
conference: A majority report by students who felt that sailing,
canoeing, angling and, depending on demand, rowing should be
provided; and a [minority] report urging that the pool should not
be commercialised in any way".
"Most students agreed that a wider recreational outlet for young
people could be achieved by providing outdoor water activities, as
at present there were no facilities for development of this field
apart from Stowe Pool".
"They saw development of the pool as a valuable leisure time and
social asset for the local population and an added attraction to
visitors. Careful development and landscaping would maintain the
peaceful character and pleasant appearance".
"Discussing the proposals, the conference felt that the history
of Corporation owned rowing boats might not be a paying proposition
and many society members agreed that if boating were allowed there
should be a sailing club. They maintained that, for the general
public there would be additional visual attraction".
"However, it was argued that it would be an amenity only for those
people who could afford boats and C'llr Wilson commented: If you
allowed this to become a small exclusive club there would be a lot
of objections."
"There was [also] considerable sympathy for the minority report
by students who stressed that "over-development" should be resisted.
They emphasised the importance of preserving the present atmosphere
and character of the area which, they felt, had a serenity rarely
found so close to town centres".
"They pointed out that local residents used the Stowe Pool area
for quiet walks, exercising dogs or just sitting by the water
fishing or admiring the views".
"During the conference the Mayor, C'llr Mrs A.G. Millard, was
provided with a copy of the two reports and the secretary of the
Lichfield Society Mr F.H. Clayton gave a talk entitled "The
History of the Lichfield Waters."
"A vote of thanks to students of the Birmingham School of Planning
was given by C'llr H.P. Taylor, chairman of the City Council's
Development and Plans committee".
There is a photograph of the Mayor and Sheriff with C'llr H.P. Taylor
and the City Surveyor, Mr D.E. Lawrence, studying the plans.
- The Midlands of the Future
The Lichfield Mercury of 15th September 1972 [p.1] reported that:
"The Midlands of the Future will be the theme of a one-day conference
organised by Lichfield Civic Society at Stowe House early next
month".
"The conference will discuss pressures on land and people in the
West Midlands, the effect of recently published regional study and
the role of environmental organisations".
"Speakers will include Mr Gordon Cherry, Deputy Director of the
Center for Urban Regional Studies at Birmingham University".
The Lichfield Mercury of 13th October 1972 [p.11] reported that:
"Saturday's conference, organised by Lichfield Civic Society,
raised many points which the Society would wish to take up".
"It was attended by members of Civic Societies from Alrewas, Burton,
Birmingham, Coleshill, Milford, Sutton [Coldfield], Warwick,
Wolverhampton and of the Staffordshire branch of the Campaign for
Rural England".
"Held at Stowe House under the title "Midlands Tomorrow" the
conference discussed pressures on land and people in the West Midlands,
the need for planning, the tasks of local Amenity Societies in the
seventies and their relationship with local authorities, and the
possible role of a Civic Trust for the West Midlands".
"The Civic Society could play a major role in setting up a Civic
Trust for the West Midlands", said [their] secretary Mrs D.M.
Marston. The Society is one of nearly a dozen "Amenity Groups" who
welcomed the idea of a Trust put forward by Lichfield Architect and
Town Planner Mr John Tetlow".
"Mr Tetlow told the conference that the regional Trusts, branches
of the Civic Trust, were achieving a great deal because they were in
direct tough with local needs and problems. Their broad aims were to
encourage good planning, inspire a sense of civic pride and encourage
people to take an interest in their environment".
"He said that he had started thinking about a Trust for the West
Midlands because there was now a danger of "piecemeal" planning.
Structures were being formulated for whole areas, and at the same
time local plans had to be made. These would be constrained by the
overall policy".
There is a photograph on page 1 of members of the host society and
visitors, possibly including former society chairman C'llr John
Gough.