Alcester Civic Society

Alcester Civic Society was founded at a public meeting in October 1962 under the guidance of Mr Denis C Norman, then High Bailiff of Alcester and his wife Mrs Pamela Norman.

This was prompted by the demolition of George Mason’s High Street three storey pitched roof grocery shop, replaced by an inconsistent two storey flat roof building, and then the total demolition of the timber framed Rookery building on Stratford Road.  Denis and Pamela then became instrumental in leading the fight to save Alcester’s Malt Mill Lane from demolition.  In January 1963 at its first AGM, a general committee, planning committee and activities committee were elected, subsequently to become a single committee.

The Society forged links with national bodies including the Royal Fine Arts Commission, The Civic Trust (now Civic Voice), Council for the Preservation of Rural England (CPRE), Society of Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), and other UK Civic Societies, with occasional visits.

The town centre is now a designated Conservation Area, and many of Alcester’s historic buildings have been listed for their legal protection against demolition and inappropriate alteration.