In the second of a two-part series, Arthur R. Nicholls, vice-chairman, describes the work of Kendal Civic Society

KENDAL Civic Society is not only concerned about the past but is active in promoting best practice now and in the future.

A group of local architects on its committee scrutinises development plans, making informed judgments and criticisms, which are valued by South Lakeland District Council planners when making decisions.

In 2009 the society initiated its own Design Award scheme to encourage a better standard of building design in the town. The first award went to Kendal College and later ones were given for the restoration of Stricklandgate House and Castle Dairy.

To bring the delights of the town to people’s notice, the society organises Heritage Guided Walks and more than 50 green information plaques have been placed on buildings, telling their history and that of the people who lived there.

Information and pictures were provided for the SLDC street signs around the town.

An attractive garden has been created in Blackhall Road, on which there is a plaque on a huge boulder of local limestone bearing the names of two long-serving members of the Society.

The Kendal Heritage Centre has been set up in Stricklandgate House to display and describe much of Kendal’s recorded history and the society has published a number of books and charts and a series of booklets about aspects of Kendal’s history.

It has not only carried out major projects, it funded the replacement of the broken Miles Thompson finial on a house in Beast Banks and the restoration of the Pestle and Mortar sign on The Highgate Pharmacy, which was found to be in danger of falling into the street.

The old tobacconist’s sign over Gawith & Hoggarth’s snuff factory in Lowther Street suffered serious deterioration, was restored by the society, and now stands as a reminder of Kendal’s historic industries.

Old finger posts around the town, made by local foundries, have been restored, as have some ancient milestones.

Old Washing Steps on Waterside, from which wool used to be washed, have been cleared of vegetation and restored – a reminder of Kendal’s woollen industry .

Grants have been made to local bodies for projects like Kendal in Bloom, Kendal Museum Support Group, Millennium floodlighting under bridges, and tree planting.

Members of the society are cataloguing and conserving the Town Hall treasures, and displays those in the Mayor’s Parlour to local groups.

They have helped to organise exhibitionsin the Town Hall illustrating such subjects as the painter, George Romney.

Organised facelifts have brought colour and freshness to streets, ways to help disabled people have included funding for step-free access to Kendal Library and a ‘Wheelchair Walk’ around historic Kendal.

Kendal Civic Society has worked for the last 50 years, with projects large and small, to improve the town for its people, and continues to work into the future.

Its Jubilee Project is to bring new life into the Old Police Office Yard between Market Place and Finkle Street, and its Golden Jubilee Exhibition is being held for a month in Kendal Library from May 7 where exhibits will illustrate the Society’s work and aspirations.