The "policy sphere" is alive with discussion about the importance of "civil society" and the vital role to be be played by "civic society" - all as a part of our "big society"! Did you spot the difference? Is civic the same as civil? There is confusion out there.

For Civic Voice this is no semantic debate - as the new national charity for the civic movement, it defines who we are and what we are about. For many…

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After a wonderful street party on Sunday to celebrate our street's hundreth birthday it is really important to remember how significant public places and civic activity are to building cohesive, nieghbourly communities. Inspired by taking up my role at Keep Britain Tidy, we organised tidy ups (www.keepbritaintidy.org/Campaigns/thebigtidyup), raised money from the City Council and initiated an alleygating scheme. Out of such…

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A debate is taking place at 6:30pm on Tuesday (18 May) in St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire – to discuss how a thriving low carbon, well-being economy can be nurtured to fit the needs of the six towns of mid-Wiltshire. They are Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury, together with the…

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Local Government bewilders most people. As a new Town Councillor, I will admit that, like many people, I knew very little about the structure of local government and its responsibilities when I first stood. Having now made my fifth year as Chairman of a Town Council (subject to confirmation by my fellow councillors at tonight's Annual Town Council Meeting) I hope the one change that we have delivered during that time is to make the Town Hall a more welcoming place. Continue