About the Society

The Bishop’s Waltham Society is a Civic (or Amenity) Society* formed in 1986 for the benefit of the general public within the Civil Parish of Bishop’s Waltham. *Click here to find out more about Civic Societies.

 

It is run by a group of voluntary Trustees who are elected or re-elected each year. It is supported by our members who pay an annual subscription and who may attend the Annual General Meeting and cast their votes.

 

We are a registered charity (No. 1170683) and have been constituted (since 2017) as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. We are therefore subject to regulation by the Charity Commission.

 

All of our activities described below can only be undertaken with the support of the local community. We are fortunate to have well over 300 members. If you support what we try to accomplish, please consider becoming a Member yourself. You will be very welcome!

 

What we do

We have a number of specific objects in our Constitution.

 

But in simple terms, the Society works to accomplish the following:

 

• Ensure that new building developments and housing plans are appropriate to our area, and meet national and local planning regulations, as well as the Local Plan and Design Statement

• Identify, understand and preserve the architectural, archaeological, historical and design features of the town as well as those in the countryside and villages within Bishop’s Waltham Parish

• Protect wild life, trees, locally rare or specific plants, and other natural features within our area

• Conduct research into the town’s history and environment, and publish books and other material of local interest

• Hold meetings, talks and other events to encourage interest and increase local knowledge.

 

We actively support other local organisations such as Bishop’s Waltham Town Team, Bishop’s Waltham in Bloom, Bishop’s Waltham Museum, the North Pond Conservation Group, the Bishop’s Waltham group of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, and others.

 

Where appropriate we work with Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council, Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council.