What and who is Formby Civic Society?

You may well have heard of the Formby Civic Society yet not know what it does or who it is for. It is for anyone living in or connected to Formby as a way of safeguarding our heritage and playing a part in giving Formby people a say over proposed changes that may have a negative impact on our community. Change and movement forward is clearly important, but not every proposal is in the best interests of our town and it should be the right change for the right reasons.

The ‘Formby Society’ was founded in 1953 with the aim of: •Fostering Formby’s identity; •Safeguarding our amenities; •Developing cultural activities; •Encouraging local studies.

More recently, we became ‘Formby Civic Society’ and affiliated with Civic Voice.

We provide talks throughout the year, a Summer Programme and newsletters. All events are open to non-members for just £2; full membership is £10 per year.

In helping guard Formby’s ‘unique identity’, we monitor local Planning Applications and make representations when necessary. Our services as Heritage Providers are available to local schools and other bodies. We have built up a valuable history library with a pictorial collection, digitally scanned, of cottages, farms, houses and lanes; this includes the Sibley Collection.

We also research local subjects such as the Formby Lifeboat Station (the first in Britain), and are working on the ‘Home Front’ in Formby during the First World War. We assisted the National Trust in creating the Asparagus Heritage Trail and helping develop several Ravenmeols Local Nature Reserve Heritage Trails.

We provide exhibitions and have published several local history books, such as ‘Formby, Then and Now’. Duke Street Library holds the ‘Formby Tapestry’, a visual record of Formby’s history from the Vikings to the 20th Century.

You may like to visit our website which is a treasure trove of information and photos about Formby. Website: www.formbycivicsociety.org.uk

I will be writing regulary for the Formby Bubble about many different subjects in Formby. I am the Chairman of the Formby Civic Society, Mr John Phillips. If you would like to get in touch about anything, please email me. Email: chairman@formbycivicsociety.org.uk