WHAT WE ARE ...

The Society, a registered charity founded in 1969, is concerned with the area of the River Conwy, extending from, in the north Glan Conwy and Conwy (although the town of Conwy itself is excluded), to Capel Curig, Dolwyddelan, Penmachno and Ysbyty Ifan in the south.

The objective of the Society is to encourage the preservation and improvement of all that is best in our environment. The growth of the amenity society movement reflects the realisation that, in the face of insensitive town and country planning, commercial developments and political pressures, many well-loved and valuable features of our landscapes and townscapes are disappearing.

The Conwy Valley Civic Society is one of over a thousand amenity societies in Britain and is linked to The Civic Trust for Wales.

WHAT WE DO ...

We monitor proposals for developments in the Valley. We encourage those of good design wherever these are worthwhile, but oppose those that conflict with our lovely countryside, the characteristic vernacular architecture or our cultural texture. The Society provides a focus for opposition to activities or developments that cause local concern.

In 1988 we initiated a biennial Awards Scheme to acknowledge significant local contributions to the environment of the valleys of the Conwy, Lledr, Llugwy and Machno. The size or cost of the project is not important, and Awards have been given for restorations and conversions of old buildings, new buildings and rebuilt drystone walls.

We hold monthly lecture meetings during the winter, with talks on subjects of local and general interest and, in the summer, outings and excursions are arranged. Everyone is welcome to join these activities. Members are kept in touch with environmental matters and Society activities through the Newsletter which they receive about eight times a year.

We are represented on a variety of local groups including the Western Conservation Area Advisory Committee, the Conwy Estuary Partnership, the Police and Community Consultative Group. Twice a year we are involved in the activities of the Federation of Historical Societies in Caernarfonshire.

THE CONWY VALLEY HERITAGE FUND

The Fund was established by the Society with a view to making small grants towards the cost of maintaining, restoring or improving any part of our local scene. The Fund mainly supports projects in the public eye but any application will be carefully considered. Grants may be made to individual applicants, community councils, societies or to neighbours joining together in a common project. The Fund's only sources of income are voluntary donations from individuals or firms and the Society's annual contribution is made following discussion at the Annual General Meeting.

HOW TO JOIN

Further information about the Society can be obtained from the CVCS Secretary, Kath Barrar, Tel: 01492 650764 or E-mail: kath.barrar@virgin.net  An Application for Membership form and Gift Aid declaration can be downloaded here.