Civic Society

The society is a fully constituted organisation with the aims of doing anything which might enhance the community of Samlesbury and its surrounding areas. The committee, made up of dedicated volunteers, is chaired by John Evans, who has the unenviable task of finding sufficient finances to enable the Civic Society to fulfil their aims.

‘Best Public Building’ for Samlesbury War Memorial Hall 2023!!!

Samlesbury Area Civic Society are proud to announce that the village of Samlesbury came runner up in the Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition and ‘Best Public Building’ for Samlesbury Memorial Hall, runner up  ‘Best Community Garden’ for the Community Garden at the Memorial Hall, highly commended in the ‘Community Notice Board’ at the Memorial Hall and Samlesbury Hall in the ‘Heritage Feature’ and New Southworth Hall in the ‘Industrial / Commercial Premises’ were also ranked highly.

Thank you everyone  involved!

If you would like to get involved for next year please contact the Samlesbury Area Civic Society via their Facebook page please or call either of the numbers at the bottom of this page.

 The Civic Society (CS) has its base at the community garden, which is adjacent to the Memorial Hall, and in return for allowing us to have a base here the CS maintains the garden at the front of the Hall. The Centenary Community Garden is maintained by a band of local residents, who maintain the eight raised beds. Tractor tyres of various sizes are also used, and when filled with soil create excellent planters to add further colour to the garden. The garden is supported with a medium sized greenhouse along with a shed where all tools can be locked away. It should also be mentioned that ‘the Kettle’ is also in here. At present we meet on a Wednesday around 10:00 to ensure that the garden is kept neat and tidy. Other volunteers come and spend as much or as little time that suits their busy lives. Everyone is made very welcome, whether that is to help or just to sit and relax.

From the outset we have strived to bring people within our community together, and gardening seems to be a good starting point. We very quickly realised that if we could encapsulate more sensory experience into the garden, then this would open the garden to residents with impaired vision. Accordingly, several elements within the garden have been implemented that help to create a more sensory element. This starts with the various herbs which are placed just inside the gate as you enter the garden. Moving further into the garden there is a small waterfall with the sound of running water. More herbs in the tyres further challenge the smell, taste, and touch senses.

We also identified that a garden can be a source of comfort to people who are living with dementia. Testimonies from several carers who have visited with their companion have been very encouraging. We have already agreed that we need to make sure other people are aware of what we offer, even if it is only for a short visit to the garden.

Since the garden has been open to the community, we as a group have offered a wide diverse range of activities. The Litter Picking group work tirelessly throughout the year in trying to keep our community clear of rubbish. An average litter pick will routinely collect in excess of twenty-five large plastic bags of rubbish. We cannot understand the type of person who thinks it is acceptable to throw their rubbish around our community, but thanks to our stalwart resident litter pickers our lovely rural community remains largely litter free.

We have held several one-day courses, modesty forbids the writer of saying how well these courses were received, however, suffice it to say that we are constantly being asked when the next one is? The previous courses have included such things such as: – How to grow Sweet Peas – How to assemble a hanging basket – How to make a living wreath. All the above were fully booked, and the feedback from the people who attended was very encouraging. The CS is well aware of how holding the above group days enhances the community spirit.

Several local residents in the Nabs Head area came together and with the help of the CS, planted flowers into a large tyre. The CS provided the soil and the plants and with the input of the local residents who planted up the tyre, it has become a focal point of their community. The local community are responsible for the daily watering and general maintenance. Assuming this is successful and the local residents wish to continue the CS will provide spring bulbs and winter flowering violas and pansies which will ensure that the planters remain a good focal point all year round. Armed with this success the CS can, with the help of the local community, enhance communal spaces, with the result that this not only brings local communities together, but adds colour to a former bare area. The CS are now looking for more areas where they, with the help of local residents, can create an inviting picturesque environment.

 All of these agendas cost money and our Chairman works wonders in approaching local industries to help in supporting the CS. Make no mistake without the generosity of a wide range of businesses life for the CS would be much harder. However, we do try to raise further funds with the selling of plants raised by our volunteers. Whether that be tomato plants, flower posies or bird boxes and even bird tables all can be on sale at the corner table outside of the garden. As the season progresses everything from Tomatoes to Damsons and Apples will be on sale on this little table where all proceeds go back into the garden to help promote anything which highlights the power of community engagement and caring for our local community. 

Every volunteer led organisation is dependant on volunteers and good ideas. The CS would welcome anyone who thinks that they could help us to enhance our community in any way. There are many ways in which you could come on board to help. We would welcome new residents to join our litter pick team. The garden is always needing some attention that just a couple of hours each week would make a great difference. Have you got some special skills which you feel might enhance our community? Please think of coming onboard, you will be made very welcome.

Contact either John Evans (Chairman) on 07962121678 or John Greaves (Secretary) on 07910235256.