Civic Society set to mark 100 years of ‘The City Beautiful’ Queen Victoria to get makeover as campaign group reveals major plans for 2018 centenary
THE group which has helped save some of Birmingham’s finest landmarks will mark its centenary with a project to return the city’s Queen Victoria statue to its former glory.
Birmingham Civic Society is planning to carry out a range of initiatives next year to celebrate its centenary and has been boosted by the award of £55,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The centenary programme includes plans to conserve the statue in Victoria Square, which was created by sculptor Thomas Brock and unveiled on January 10, 1901, just 12 days before the monarch’s death.
Other plans include an outdoor exhibition, a new heritage trail, four new blue plaques to notable citizens, as well as a film project for young people, tours, and family activities.
The initiative is called ‘The City Beautiful’, a nod to the headline atop a Birmingham Post story on June 11, 1918, which announced the formation of the society the previous day.
Gavin Orton, chairman of Birmingham Civic Society, said: “The National Lottery grant is fantastic news as it will greatly increase the scope of heritage activities we can deliver during our centenary year.
“While we will be celebrating our past achievements, just as importantly we want to work with young people to explore some of the hidden histories of the city and invite their views and hopes for the present and future of Birmingham. We want our centenary project to reflect the changing face of our great city and look forward to the next 100 years.”
In the 1920s and 30s, the society raised significant funds to purchase and donate substantial areas of land to the city’s public parks.
It was also instrumental in preserv-