Au revoir Tonbridge Civic Society Committee....

And speaking of committees, last night I informed the Chairman of the Tonbridge Civic Society that I no longer wish to be considered for re-election onto the Excecutive Committee. Effectively that means that I step down as of now, although officially after the society's AGM at the Angel Centre on Tuesday May 26th. I've really quite enjoyed the experience of being actively involved in matters which directly effect the the look of the town; I think the society has its heart very firmly in the right place, with no hidden agenda of any kind. Just a bunch of, mainly retired, Tonbridge folk who care about their town, want to promote civic pride and wish to see new buildings particularly in the town centre being well thought out and built to aesthetically pleasing designs. There can't be anything wrong with that can there? Ok it probably does attract a few busy-bodies who may occasionally stand in the way of positive progress, but surely that's better than nobody caring. So why have I stepped down then? Because, not being retired yet, I really couldn't give the exec committee role the time and commitment it deserved, I have done my four year stint, perhaps it's time for someone else, with time on their hands and fresh ideas to give it crack. I will continue to pay my ten quid a year family membership and attend as many of their open meetings as possible, maybe I'll even help out on the newsletter or with PR from time to time, because I do believe actually that the TCS does make quite a considerable contribution to the town. Anyone can join, and some of the meetings really are very entertaining and informative; the Civic Design Awards, which is their flag ship event is held in the lovely surroundings of Somerhill Hill House and Gardens, and you get a nice buffet meal and pretty much unlimited wine, all for £12, which can't be at all bad. Click on this link to find out more; and I've just noticed that the top photo on their home page is actually a picture of me (and my daughter) walking away in the distance through the Market Quarter development, which won last years design award, and that photo now takes on a new significance....