About The Wirral Society
The Wirral Society was formed in May 1928, following a public meeting at St Michael's Church Hall, Claughton in Birkenhead. The meeting, was chaired by the Professor of Civic Design at Liverpool University, Sir Patrick Abercrombie. Concern was voiced at the many unplanned developments that were taking place around the Peninsula, which were affecting its character.
It was agreed that a Society should be set up, called 'The Wirral Society'. It was to act as a non-political 'watchdog' for the Wirral environment. An Executive Committee was established, to act on the Society’s behalf.
A Constitution was drawn up with its objectives being to protect the Wirral Peninsula's natural beauty, architecture, flora and fauna, and its sea coast.
Eighty years on, those objectives still apply, but have now been extended to include the urban and suburban areas of the Peninsula.
An early action of the new Executive Committee, was to agree to an invitation to become the Wirral District Branch Committee of a national organisation, the then Council for the Protection of Rural England (C.P.R.E.) – now the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
The Society has been pleased to accept this dual role, which has continued with only a short break, to this present day.
For the last 80 years, the Society, through its Executive Committee, which meets monthly, has done its best to take an active role in preserving what makes Wirral unique. It has tried to keep a careful eye on any proposed plans or developments which it believes threatens or is detrimental to, what currently exists.
The Society aims to be constructive about change, and whenever possible, will offer an alternative solution to anything we consider to be undesirable. Over the years, thanks to the "eyes and ears" of members, the Society has been able to act effectively on many local environmental issues - some successful and some not (you win some, you lose some!)
The Society is a Registered Charity and currently has some 300+ members, which it tries to involve wherever possible. A quarterly newsletter, "Wirral Matters", is sent to all our members, and also local Councillors, local MP's, the media and libraries. This includes news and information about our current activities, and is now included on this Website as an archive.
If you also feel strongly about the Wirral peninsula, you might like to consider joining us in the ongoing task of protecting the Wirral environment!
- Area Covered
- The Hundred of Wirral (i.e., the Wirral Peninsula). Area covered by the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, the Borough of Ellesmere Port and Neston and Chester City Council (part).
- Founded
- 22nd May 1928 - as an independent Society, but has since that time also acted as the Wirral District Committee for the Campaign To Protect Rural England (CPRE).
- How It's Set Up
- A subscribing membership and an Executive Committee that meets monthly (elected at an annual General Meeting). The Executive Committee comprises of members serving as individuals and some as representatives of other Societies.
- Current Membership
- 480 members
- Activities
- Mainly undertaken through the Exectutive Committee:
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- Through dialogue and written comments on Planning applications and other proposals for change, e.g., RPG.
- Funding, including supporting other groups initiatives (e.g. Tree planting), founding of 'Friends' groups (e.g. Friends of Hilbre), introduction of a 'Schools Environmental Award' and joint initiatives with Councils (e.g. sponsored Litter Bin purchasing).
- Talks to other Organistaions.
- Lectures and occasional publications aimed at increasing appreciation of the area.
- Contact with Members
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- Publication of 'Wirral Matters' published quarterly.
- An Annual General Meeting and an Annual Summer Meeting.
- Three 'W. Victor Smith Memorial Lectures' per year.
The Executive Committee For 2007/8
The day-to-day work of the Society is carried out by an Executive Committee.
The Committee comprises 15 Society Members, are elected annually. They give of their time to help run the Society’s affairs, including dealing with casework, as it arises.
The Committee meets once per month, and considers any environmental issues affecting the Peninsula. New information is usually obtained from society members and Wirral residents making contact with us, or via the committee members themselves.
Current members are as follows >>
- President:
- Professor John Nelson Tarn OBE, DL
- Vice Presidents:
- Peter L Jones, Alan Brack OBE
- Chairman:
- Rod Tann
- Vice Chairman:
- Terry Edgar
- Hon Secretary:
- David Casement
- Hon Treasurer:
- Peter Bowler
- Minutes Secretary:
- Doreen Grey
- Membership Secretary:
- Mrs Audrey Platt
- Press & Publicity Officer:
- Mrs Judith Railton
- CPRE - Cheshire Committee:
- Mrs Yvonne Sanné
Representing >>
- Wallasey Civic Society:
- Terry Edgar & Mrs Joy Hockey
- Hoylake Civic Society & Hoylake Heritage Group:
- Mrs Elizabeth Davey
- Eleanor Road Residents Association:
- Dr Lilian Potter
- Individual Members:
- Mrs Diane Lane, Mrs Gill Wollers, Mrs Joanna McIlhatton, Mrs Elizabeth Davey, Prof Robert Lee, Dr Lilian Potter
Additional Supporting Members >>
- Webmaster:
- Nick Lauro
