Our Weston Heritage

A series of Civic Society talks by top speakers to raise awareness of Weston’s unique heritage

Monday 12th February

Clough Williams-Ellis

The 1947 Weston Master Plan

John Crockford-Hawley

The 1947 Development Plan was so radical, so car orientated and so dismissive of Victorian architecture that nothing short of starting anew was deemed appropriate for the town's future prosperity.

"A Garden City By The Sea" had an airing but this hugely controversial plan never left the drawing board (apart from one residential property which was built).

And who were the great national figures behind this plan? The Hon Lionel Brett (Rector of the Royal College of Art and President of the RIBA) and Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (of Portmeirion fame). 

The story has never really been told and few plans remain in existence but John Crockford-Hawley has researched the fascinating and controversial subject, recreated plans from the old documents and produced a fully illustrated PowerPoint presentation especially for Weston Civic Society. 

Monday 4th March

Birnbeck Pier

The Way Forward

Rachel Lewis

Rachel Lewis, North Somerset Council Heritage & Design Manager, will tell the history of the pier and the exciting plans for the future.

Monday 8th April

AGM (always brief!)

And Annual Awards (always interesting!)

Monday 13th May

The High Street HAZ Legacy

Cara MacMahon

Monday 10th June

Weston's own Rosie Smith's Tile Paintings

Rosie Smith

Rosie discusses the range, influences and technique involved in her ceramic tile paintings.  From Weston’s Art Deco Pool; the Mathew tile paintings marking 500yrs since John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland; postcard images and messages 100yrs apart; together with commissioned work for public and private buildings in Weston and Somerset.

Details of events in September and after to appear soon!

Monday 14th April 2025

AGM (always brief!)

And Annual Awards (always interesting!)

 7.30 pm at Weston Museum, Burlington Street  BS23 1PR

£2 admission, free to members

Doors and cafe bar open at 7.00 pm.