The recently-formed Civic Society of Great Yarmouth heard how groups such as them are working throughout the country to enhance towns and cities.

Ian Harvey, joint founder and chief executive officer of Civic Voice, gave a walk to the new group in Christchurch recently, explained how the Civic Movement had originated in Rochdale in 1844 where the Co-operative Movement was started.

Civic Voice was founded in 2010 and represents and connects its 100,000 members. Societies vary in size from six to 3,000 members and subscriptions vary from £3 to £35 with an average of £13.

He gave examples of how Civic Societies were working in areas such as tree planting by schoolchildren, and Oxclean where each spring in Oxford over a weekend the community comes together to clean up the city. Children who participate are given certificates by the mayor.

He thought it was important to involve the whole community and to encourage families rather than just individuals to participate.

The Civic Voice website - civicvoice.org.uk - contains 101 ideas of how civic societies can work better.

Details about the Civic Society of Great Yarmouth and how to join can be found at CivicsocietyGY.co.uk.