There was a surprise national award for Goole Civic Society when it played host to fellow civic societies from the region (Oct 28/9).

The society was presented with a certificate from Civic Voice, the national charity for the civic movement, signed by TV personality and Civic Voice President Griff Rhys Jones.

The award recognised Public Engagement and Publicity in celebrating National Civic Day in June, when the society created the Big Goole Quiz and Treasure Hunt, which was published in the Goole Times. The society has also been invited as a special guest to a reception at the House of Commons next week (Nov 16) to launch Civic Day 2017.

More than 40 representatives from societies across the area came to Goole for a meeting of the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies (YHACS) at the Lowther Hotel in Aire Street, where three speakers showcased work that is helping to promote civic pride in the town.

The Mayor of Goole, Coun Terence Smith, the youngest mayor in the country, spoke about the important role of the Mayor in encouraging people of all ages to take pride in Goole. He said he had found talking to schoolchildren about their town’s heritage particularly rewarding and hoped this would lead to youngsters getting engaged with local politics.

The Chair of Friends of West Park, Georgina Petty, spoke about the Friends’ work in organising events to ensure that the restored park, bandstand and café provide fun activities and entertainment for young and old alike.

Finally, the co-owner of the Lowther Hotel, Julie Duckworth, spoke about the hotel’s restoration, showing pictures of how Goole’s oldest building had been rescued from years of  neglect and transformed into a luxury hotel, winning a Grade II*-star listing from Historic England.

YHACS members were also taken on a guided walk taking in the Docks, some of Goole’s earliest buildings and St John’s Church, which is Grade II listed.

The Chair of Goole Civic Society, Margaret Hicks-Clarke, said: “We had a very successful weekend that was very much enjoyed by our friends from throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. Many of them had never visited Goole before but said they would be back to see more.

“The Civic Day Award was the icing on the cake and is national recognition that Goole is showing other places how it’s done when celebrating the unique character of our town.”

If you missed the Goole Civic Society’s Big Goole Quiz, it can be accessed on the society’s website - http://www.goolecivicsociety.org.uk/big-goole-quiz/

Caption 1: Helen Kidman, Chair of Civic Voice’s Regional Forum (left), presents the Civic Voice Award to Goole Civic Society Chair Margaret Hicks-Clarke, watched by Society Secretary Stephen Walker, Press Officer John Clarke and Treasurer Rachel Walker.

Caption 2: The Civic Voice certificate, signed by Civic Voice president and TV personality Griff Rhys Jones.