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Wem's Roll of Honour

WEM CIVIC SOCIETY

Aims of WEM CIVIC SOCIETY
  • To stimulate public interest in the area.
  • To promote high standards of planning.
  • To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in the area.
  • To protect and enhance the built and natural environment.
The Civic Society evolved from Wem Society so has a wider remit than most civic societies, as one example it takes a keen interest in the wider environment. This has led to concern about the impact of climate change on the built and natural environment. The Society is a member of teh Wem Area Climate Forum.
Membership is open to all those who have an interest in the preservation of the best of Wem & Wem District along with development that is sustainable and appropriate to the area.
Wem High Street,
as seen from the Church Green, February 2010

Activities of Wem Civic Society
The society offers a programme of meetings and the chance to be come more actively involved in projects relating to the aims of the society. The talks usually centre on subjects relating to Wem or with a Shropshire aspect. There is an annual trip. Members can also become involved in a number of projects relating to the broad aims of the society. The committee usually meets on alternate months or as needed.

Projects of Wem Civic Society
LOCAL HISTORY:

Individual projects, many centred on the buildings and business activities of Wem, are undertaken. Other projects include:

  • Wem Cinema
  • WWI. The first publication, 'Harry Strong: the Story of a Wemian in War & Peace by Alan Riches' became available in November 2018 and can be purchsed from the society or Wem Book Shop. Price is £3.50.
    Midcounties Co-operative Community Fund awarded a grant to Wem Civic Society to support this publication.
    The printing and artwork was carried out by local printers, North Shropshire Printers.
  • The stories of the men listed on Wems's war memorials.
A number of leaflets have been produced:
  • Trades and Education in Bygone Wem
  • The Old Inns of Wem
  • The Changing Face of Villages
  • Bygone Industries of North Shropshire
  • The Streets of Old Wem

These booklets are available for purchase.

Reminescences are also being collected from Wemians.
Midcounties Co-operative Community Fund also awarded a grant to Wem Civic Society to help in the early days of this project, which was used to purchase an iPAD and training for members. The iPAD will allow the recording of images and video for uploading to this website. Another private donation allowed the purchase of an H2n sound recorder. The latter is a 'future-proofed' device that will allow the society to pass on recordings to Shropshire Archives.
The society has also contributed to the Victoria County History project, in particular, the Wem 'short', which was recently published.


Wem Harvest Market, 2nd October 2010.
    MARKETS
    WCS members, along with Incredible Edible in Wem and Wem & District Garden Club, run the Wem Combine Harvesters, and have developed and organised two Quarter Markets in Wem, the Spring (St George's Day Market)and the Harvest Markets . The next Harvest Market will be on Saturday 24th September 2022. We are also involved in the 'Apple Collection', surplus apples are turned into apple juice and profits from the sales go to civic projects. The society also takes stalls in other markets to raise money for the various projects.

    PLANNING:

    The Society contributed to the consultation on the SAMDev Report and also helped produce the Town Design Statement for Wem. Click for the WTC website for a copy of the design statement.
    The society is now assessing the value of working on Design Codes and/or Neighbourhood Plans.


Installation of the handrail.
 WEM WAR MEMORIAL:

This major project involved the installation of handrail. It had been noted that many elderly and disabled people had difficulty ascending the steps. There was concern that this would affect the overall appearance on the steps but it was decided that the needs of people overrode the aesthetics of the structure.
The image to the left shows the rail being installed, the one below, the completed installation. The handrail was designed to complement the lamps sited at the top of the processional steps.
Further work may take place in the future.
  • Meetings are normally held on the third Tuesday of each month in Wem Town Hall at 7.30 pm, with the exception of August
  • Annual Subscription: £10.00
  • Visitors: Meetings are usually open to the public, only a nominal £2.50 admission charge being requested.
  • Information about meetings can be found on the notice board at the junction of Chapel Street and High Street in Wem or this website.

For more information about Wem Civic Society - contact: wemcivsoc@yahoo.co.uk or look at the society's Facebook page, 'Wem Civic'.