Welcome to the home page of Wakefield Civic Society - an organisation dedicated to making Wakefield a better place in which to live, work or relax.

Whether you are a resident or a visitor to Wakefield, the Society can offer something of interest. From printed information through to talks and guided walks and from excursions through to social events, there is something for everyone.

If you would like to help us, please get in touch by emailing us at info@wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk. Alternatively, you can find details of our membership schemes for individuals and corporate organisations on the attached pages.

Civic Society calls from Friends of Thornes Park group to be established.

For more information, please see the press release on our News Pages. If you are interested in getting involved and helping the Society to set up a friends group, please email us at parks@wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk

The Society will be looking to set up a Steering Group to begin with. The Steering Group will then work with the Council, other interested parties and the community to create a Friends Group which, ideally, will become a charitable organisation in its own right, independent of the Civic Society.

We are particularly keen to hear from people with skills and experience of setting up charity groups, fund raising,  IT, and parks and woodland management and conservation - as well as other people who just want to get involved and help where they can to ensure this important green space is a safe and well maintained place for the community to use. 

Very brief history:

Clarence Park was the first piece of parkland to be created and passed into the care and ownership of council in 1893. Holmfield Park followed in 1919 and Thornes in 1924. The current bandstand was erected in 1926. At the opening of Thornes Park, the Wakefield Express reported (9th August 1924) that the council had 'dedicated to the use of the citizens of Wakefield for all time some of the finest natural timbered parkland in the North of England'. It was also the council's wish that the people of Wakefield should see the three parks as 'priceless possessions to be reverently guarded'.

Wakefield Civic Society Design Awards announced! Full details on our news page. Press release also available.

At the Society's Annual General Meeting on 20th March, Kate Taylor on behalf of the panel of judges annouced this year's Design Awards for new and refurbished building and  environmental schemes together with the results in the Shop Fronts, Public House/Cafe Bar/Restaurant and Residential Development categories. Details of each award can be found on the news pages.

Plaques were presented to two outright winners in their categories: to Wakefield Council for the refurbishment of Crown Court, and to Red in the Public House/Cafe Bar category.

For another perspective on what is happening in Wakefield and some thought-provoking ideas on what might be done - have a look at this website constructed by local designer Peter Barrs. Please note that the views expressed on the site are not necessarily those of Wakefield Civic Society!

What is Wakefield Civic Society?

Wakefield Civic Society was established in 1964 out of a concern for the built environment of our city. Now a registered charity, the Society is also a member of the Civic Trust (see www.civictrust.org.uk) and is dedicated both to preserving and celebrating our built heritage and to campaigning for new schemes to be of the very highest standard and quality possible. Membership of the Society is open to anyone sharing our ideals and details of how to join can be found on our membership pages.