Wymondham and Edmondthorpe Civic Society (WECS) is a voluntary organisation, formed in 2004, which seeks to promote high standards of planning, conservation and regeneration for the benefit of our communities near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England.

This includes:

• Lobbying to protect and enhance the conservation area and reviewing planning applications
• Acting for watchdogs for local heritage, including archaeology and historic and listed buildings
• Increasing the capacity of the community for local action, helped by forging close links with other local organisations and individuals
• Affiliation to the Civic Voice, a national organisation concerned with enhancing the quality of life while safeguarding the heritage and character of our towns and villages

Our objectives:

• To promote high standards of planning and architecture in, or affecting, Wymondham or Edmondthorpe
• To promote interest in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of Wymondham and Edmondthorpe
• To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in Wymondham and Edmondthorpe

WECS maintains a close working relationship with the Parish Council, Wymondham Village Hall Committee, St Peter's Church and St Peter's C of E (aided) Primary School and liaises with them on matters affecting the communities of Wymondham & Edmondthorpe.  Plans within Wymondham & Edmondthorpe submitted to Melton Borough Council are reviewed by WECS.

WECS members have successfully campaigned for the retention of trees and open spaces and the parapets of the Butt Lane bridge, which features in the Wymondham Heritage Trail's route from the Windmill, past the Navvies' Cottage at Station House near the Old Station and former Goods Yard, towards the village centre.  We hoped to have the parapets Listed by English Heritage, for their Group Value with the other Listed Buildings in the near vicinity.  The same applies to Miss Gill's Shop, off Chapel Lane at the centre of Wymondham, where WECS is concerned over the redevelopment of the Golling's site and Chapel, with the potential loss of both Miss Gill's Shop and the Chapel.

Open meetings take place fortnightly on Wednesday evenings during the winter months, commencing at 7:30pm, usually in the Snug at the Berkeley Arms, Wymondham.  Details are published in the Wymondham-Edmondthorpe Journal, along with notification of our other events.  Meetings are less frequent during the summer.  At the time of writing, the next meeting is scheduled for the 6th June 2012.  WECS welcomes new members and opportunities to liaise with other local organisations.

The 2012 AGM was held at Wymondham Village Hall on Tuesday 10th April, with a review of the past year's activities and the election of officers.

WECS' projects and activities include a Village Plan; recording oral history from people who have lived in the area for many years; forming a collection of items, books and photographs of local interest; walks and talks; competitions and treasure hunts; and bringing performers and speakers to the area.  We have already been successful in obtaining grants but seek to build on the local support given so far.

The Wymondham Heritage Trail leaflet, produced by WECS members with grant assistance, was published in May 2009, and is available from Wymondham Cottage Stores and other outlets.  The leaflet is also available as PDFs (totalling 1.26MB) for you to view and print: Wymondham Heritage Trail, part 1 and Wymondham Heritage Trail, part 2.  Although designed for printing in colour at A3, they are still readable when shrunk to fit A4 and printed with a B&W laser printer.  When you've printed the double-sided sheet, it may be folded in half across the width, and then vertically twice, to the right of the Introduction panel and to the left of Wymondham Heritage Trail.

Wymondham's ancient Market Charter was presented to WECS, its new owner and custodian, by local history author Trevor Hickman in January 2010.  Framed copies may be viewed in Wymondham Village Hall and the Berkeley Arms, Wymondham.

Forthcoming events

Wymondham May Festival on Saturday, 19th May, 11:30-17:30.  Look out for the WECS Tombola at this event with something for the whole family.  Proceeds from the tombola are donated to local organisations – please check back for an update.

Centre Screen presentations are promoted as well as our Centre Stage events, enabling us to see films, both old and new, on a large screen right on our own doorstep – Flicks in the Sticks!  The next, on Thursday 24th May, is the multi-award winning The Help (2011, rated 12A).  The film will be shown at Wymondham Village Hall on Church Lane, commencing at 7:30pm prompt.  Tickets are £4.00.  Bring your own refreshments (and chair or cushion, if you wish!).  There'll be no adverts and no interval, but there will be a raffle, drawn at the end.  Further details are available from 01572 787 247 / 07792 756 511 and also from the Wymondham Village Hall website.  Please note:  the already-published pre-publicity for May's film refers to The Artist, but its release schedule has been put back and so it will now be shown on Monday, 25th June.  We apolgise for any inconvenience and disappointment this may have caused.

Wymondham Open Gardens (13 of them!) will be available for you to wander around and admire on Sunday 17th June 2012, which is Father's Day, so why not give your green-fingered Old Man a treat?  Tickets and maps (£3.50 for adults and 50 pence for children) will be available outside the Berkeley Arms.  Further details to follow.

Centre Stage events bring professional live music and drama to the parish.  Please check back for details of the next WECS promotion.

Recent events

The Churchfitters in Concert were here for a Centre Stage event on Thursday 26th January at Wymondham Village Hall.  The Churchfitters are a Brittany-based group of musicians from England, Ireland and France who presented a fast paced, infectious show, combining the rhythms of rock, pop and jazz with the universal appeal of traditional music.

The annual litterpick was held on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday 17th March, continuing Malcolm and Mary Owen's example of "don't just sit there" and "many hands make light work".  It had rained overnight, so the turnout was a little down on previous years, but the haul was just as "impressive" as before, so Many Thanks to all who helped, including those who don't contribute to the problem in the first place!

Cribb vs. Molyneux 200th Anniversary Walk:

On Sunday 25th September, Wymondham & Edmondthorpe Civic Society celebrated the First International Prize Fight, which was a bare knuckle boxing match between Tom Cribb (England) and Tom Molyneux (United States) which took place on 28th September 1811 in front of 20,000 spectators.
 
The Society organised a walk to the location of the contest, at what is now known as Cribb's Meadow, a few miles east of Wymondham.  A picnic was enjoyed and WECS Chairman Barry Watkins recited a poem about the fight and gave out a light hearted quiz.  A collection of memorabilia was also displayed in the Berkeley Arms, Wymondham.

Welcome to readers of the New York Times!  You'll find some photos of St. Michael & All Angels' Church in Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire and photos of Edmondthorpe events.

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Permission in writing is required for republication of any content herein, in any form.
 
This page is located at http://www.wecs.org.uk