Achievements of Torbay Civic Socirty

During the decades since its founding in 1976

From the Friends of The Pavilion group during the 1970’s came Torbay Civic Society and achievements since include;

• The replacement of one of the arms on the statue of Britannia on the roof of the Torquay Pavillion.
• The provision of a specially designed seat to fit the zigerrat walkway from Cary Parade to Fleet Street Torquay
• The publication of Torquay & Paignton town trail maps
• The replacement of many hundreds of trees via a society Tree Fund that was then used to establish or replace more trees around the three towns centres and secondary areas of Torbay
• The provision of public seats in the grounds of Torre Abbey plus the research and creation of a four foot by three foot framed history of the Cary family which was put on display at Cockington Court
• The creation of special exhibition boards concerning heritage for educational purposes in schools when a Torbay Civic Society cup was awarded to the winning student of a set test paper
• The exhibition boards were eventually put on display in Torbays public libraries 3
• The provision of furniture to a newly created Agatha Christie heritage room at Torre Abbey Mansion during the mid 1970’s
• The donation and creation of a scented garden at Lower Hollicombe garden in celebration of the Year of the Disabled in 1981
• The publication of more than fifty biographical history pamphlets that celebrate either the built heritage or a famous individual of Torbay
• The provision of a full size copy of the original painting of Napoleon & Josephine above the marble staircase at Oldway Mansion plus the purchase of the now highly prized oil painting of Persephone by Arthur Hacker on display in the Winnaretta room at Oldway Mansion 3
• The provision of two public seats at “Old Maids Perch” on Torquay seafront to commemorate Torbay Centenary Year
• The donation of two forged tree guards plus new trees to the Torquay Natural History Museum in 2001 which were unveiled and dug in by H.R.H Prince Andrew.
• The creation of a sensory garden at Preston House Gardens Torquay Road Paignton in partnership with South West Water
• The support of English Heritage open days by organising special public events around Torbay 3
• The commissioning of a substantial sculptured memorial a -Maritime Sundial - to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Year - 2002 3
• The Society were the runner up in the National Civic Trust Awards of 2002 for “Fastest Growing Society”
• The publication of Torbay’s first full colour public Heritage Trail & Tourist Map in 2006/7
• The awarding of “Merit Certificates” to developers who are seen as protectors of our area’s built heritage
• The unveiling of over forty Blue Plaques honouring either a building or a famous person in & around the three towns and districts of Torbay
• The creation of a covenant to protect the built heritage – the Henry Brunel staircase at The Manor House, Torquay
• The production and publication of a book entitled “Famous Devon Figures” for the Torbay Civic Society
• The provision of money or support to sponsor other associations around Torbay
• The support in 2007 for the founding of a public backed Friends of Oldway group in partnership with Paignton Preservation & Local History Society
• The provision of a refurbished Scented garden in partnership with Torbay Council and PlusS Working Torbay at Hollicombe in the Spring of 2008