THE FARNHAM SOCIETY

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND ITS FUNCTION

The Farnham Society has a very active Executive Committee, meeting once a month at the St Joan's Centre. It has a wide variety of expertise, consisting of officers and elected members, a number of co-opted members serving in an advisory capacity, and its Vice Presidents.

 

The amenities of the town are of primary importance, and the Committee is concerned that Farnham should be a well organised, convenient and attractive place, providing good facilities for all its citizens and visitors. Roads, shops, car parks, sport and leisure facilities, provision for the needs of special groups, open spaces, all come under this heading.

 

The Committee and Officers currently (Autumn 2009) consist of Alan Gavaghan (Chairman), Ann Thurston (Vice Chairman), Rosemary Thomas (Vice Chairman), Michael Blower (Vice President), Ronnie Broughton (Vice President), Maggie Blyth (Secretary) Simon Bradbury (Treasurer) David Berry, Maureen Briggs (Social Events, Outings), Michael Clements (Planning, Traffic Management, Newsletter and Website), Gloria Dyche (Membership, Social Events, Coffee mornings), Michael Murphy (Traffic Management), Krish Kakkar (Planning), Linda Katz, Caroline Slim, Erica Wilkinson.

 
THE SUBCOMMITTEES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
 

Amenity and conservation are the twin concerns of The Farnham Society. Members of its Planning Sub-Committee scrutinise and comment upon planning applications that would have an impact upon the character of the town. The Society aims to protect and enhance the Conservation Areas and the many listed buildings in the town, and to care for all the details, which are such an important part of the overall effect. Representations are also made to the appropriate Authority regarding a wide range of development plans and proposals. The Committee maintains contact with all bodies concerned with the planning process, the County, Borough and Town Councils, and the Residents’ Associations. The Local Authorities take account of the Society’s opinion when making their decisions. The Society is also a member of CPRE, and is represented in its local group.

 

The Traffic Management Group deals with car parking and road problems, and has been influential in several important road improvement schemes. It has carried out surveys on matters such as car parking occupancy rates in the public car parks, which will be affected by the proposed East Street development, and the inadequate provision in Network Rail's Station car park.

 

The Social Events Subcommittee arranges the coffee mornings, which are held through the summer. They take place in large and interesting houses where the owners are willing to act as hosts for the morning. It is an enjoyable and popular social event, and of course, requires some organisation and volunteers to help.

 

Each year through the winter season, four illustrated evening talks are arranged, with a variety of speakers, on subjects of general environmental, historical, archaeological or architectural interest. The talks are now held at the St.Joan's Centre, with the advantage of their digital projector.

 

The subcommittee also arranges three outings by coach each year allow members to explore places of interest, including country houses, palaces, castles, museums and towns centres, with guided visits to their interiors.

 

The Heritage Open Days Working Group has the task of running the annual Heritage Open Days, together with the Town Council. Publicity for this event is a major task, as well as arranging for the volunteer staffing of the many properties that are specially opened to the public, often with associated events.

Encouragement towards good building and construction design, planning and detailing is given by the presentation of bi-annual Amenity Awards, to projects which make a contribution to the local environment and enhance their surroundings.

The Committee welcomes the active support and involvement from the membership.