Hartford, Cheshire
About
Hartford Civic Society is a registered charity which works to improve the village of Hartford and aims to protect its identity.
The Civic Society has a hard-working committee and enthusiastic supporters, who help to ensure that Hartford continues to be a fantastic place to live, work, study or visit.
Cherish the past
Hartford Civic Society is interested in the geography, heritage, natural history and architecture of the village and is keen to develop and share its knowledge with the public.
Although it is not a history group specifically, an important part of the Society’s role is to cherish and preserve historic sites and features, and to help ensure that the history of the village is promoted and celebrated.
Protect the future
The Civic Society takes pride in maintaining, improving and providing amenities for its local communities. This includes the provision of recreational facilities and events.
The Society promotes high standards of planning and architecture and works to ensure that development reflects the character of the village and makes a positive contribution to the local environment.
The Society also aims to preserve and protect the village from development that may be considered excessive, inappropriate or insensitive to the character of the area.
Our Objectives
Since its inception in 2003, Hartford Civic Society has completed various projects and tasks which have made a positive contribution to the village. Here are just a few examples of our work.
Keeping up appearances
We all appreciate the importance of looking after our environment and we hold regular monthly litter picks on the second Sunday in each month. As well as helping to ensure that the village is kept clean, tidy and litter-free, this activity provides our participants with an opportunity to socialise and get to know other villagers. We welcome participants of all ages and provide litter-picking tools and rubbish bags.
Enhancing our environment
We are constantly thinking of ways to help make our village more colourful, attractive and welcoming. We have provided and help to maintain planters and hanging baskets, at various locations across Hartford. We have also planted spring bulbs at the entrances to the village and in the village centre. Our work helps to ensure that Hartford’s historic features – such as the stone drinking fountain and black and white finger post signs – are refurbished and maintained. We have also installed blue plaques, to draw people’s attention to our many sites of historic interest.
Contributing to the development of new facilities
We are pleased to work with our local councils to develop new features and facilities which will benefit the community. We recently helped to fund the restoration of an old football hut, which has been transformed into the Green Field Pavilion. Other features we have helped to inspire, create or provide include outdoor gym equipment near the cricket club, a mosaic at the corner of Chester Road and School Lane, a defibrillator on the wall in the village centre, and audio-visual equipment in the Village Hall.
Our Achievements
The old pavilion on the Green Field was successfully refurbished, with the support of Hartford Civic Society, in 2022/2023. The Pavilion building itself is not a large space but, since its reopening in April 2023, it has been well used and appreciated by the allotment holders, Cycle Hub and other local organisations for community activities.
The terrace in front of the Pavilion building has also been used extensively since the building reopened. Hartford Civic Society funded the addition of a canopy. This provides much-needed shelter during wet weather and shade during warmer weather.
You can admire our planters and hanging baskets in the centre of the village (on School Lane and Chester Road), which are provided by HCS and watered by our wonderful volunteers.
A prominent feature of the village, the Drinking Fountain was last refurbished by us 11 years ago and has recently been refreshed. As it is no longer in use as a fountain, it was recently planted up with a beautiful floral display.
Blue Plaques, the lectern and the blue plaques walk trifold were all the idea of Pat Hatfield, who led the work between 2012 and 2021. They took time and effort to deliver, helped by financial contributions from CWaC, the Co-op and one of our Supporters, who wanted to make a difference to Hartford.
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We started planting bulbs at the entrances to the village in 2005. Those in the centre, we planted in 2016. They have naturalised beautifully and are a joy to see each Spring.
We launched the Civic Awards in 2026, to recognise some of the many wonderful residents who work hard to make Hartford an even better place. "Granny H" was one of our award winners and her story was sufficiently special to attract the attention of award-winning journalist Jayne McCubbin, who made a lovely programme for BBC Breakfast. You can watch the story here.
Unlike our fabulous planters in the centre of the village, which are planted up by HCS and watered by volunteers, this lovely displays on Hodge Lane and Vale Road have been planted up and watered by local residents, with a little bit of help from HCS.
Hartford's Mosaic was created in 2010 and it needed some specialist tile cleaning and restoration work in 2026, after heavy footfall (and badly parked utility vehicles) took their toll! The whole area was given a complete overhaul by a team of dedicated volunteers. The area now features raised beds with colourful planting, a cleaned up seating area, and lighting - which will hopefully deter vehicles from using the area as a parking spot!
Current Opportunities
Hartford Civic Society's Trustees and supporters brainstorm ideas for future projects and subsequently whittle them down to compile a shortlist of opportunities - some of which are still under consideration. Please let us know if you would be interested in helping with any of these. We also welcome new project suggestions from members of the community.
Our Events
Hartford Civic Society organises and participates in a series of events throughout the year. Please refer to the What's on? section of our home page for more information. Examples include:
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monthly litter picks, to keep the village looking lovely
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biannual coach trips and other occasional local visits
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a series of sociable, guided walks
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occasional management of green spaces and ensuring that overgrown street signage is clean and readable
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we have also been inspired by wider initiatives, such as "Clean for the Queen", putting our own local activities together to reflect what's happening nationally
Litter Picks
Group Visits
Sociable Walks
Get to Know Us
Hartford Civic Society came into being in 2003, when Hartford Village Trust, which was founded in 1996, was renamed. We are also a member of the national organisation, Civic Voice.
Subscriptions from Supporters help with our work, but more funding comes from grants, the Village Lottery, donations and legacies. The Society is a registered charity, with a committee of Trustees.
You can see a copy of our Charity Registration Certificate here.
You can also download a copy of the draft minutes from our latest AGM.
Trustees & Key Supporters
Allow us to introduce you to our Trustees and key supporters.
Trustees of the Society are elected at the AGM or subsequently by the Executive Committee.
Publicity Officer
Jo Mitton
Jo has lived in Hartford since 1975 and has seen quite a number of changes during that time. She remarks it is good to see we have kept our parade of shops, but a pity we lost a really good college, where she studied Business Studies.
Jo currently works for a Global Facilities Management Company in Compliance and Safety.
Supporter Secretary
Mike Sterry
Mike moved to Hartford, with his family, in 2012 to be closer to work as an Air Traffic Controller at Liverpool Airport.
The family all became members of the Civic Society shortly after.
Mike volunteered to become Membership Secretary in 2022, soon developing this role into Supporter Secretary, to more accurately reflect the part our members, now supporters play.
He continues to look for new ways to encourage Hartford Residents to support the Society's many projects and aims.
Tell your family, friends and neighbours!
Trustee
Mike Pinchien
Mike was born in Lancashire but has lived in Cheshire for most of the time. He moved to Hartford in 2008 and joined the Civic Society in order to meet people. It soon became obvious that the Society is an effective body to make things happen for the good of the village. As a trustee, Mike has a variety of responsibilities including project work and organising coach trips.
After a 30 year stint in publishing, redundancy created a career opportunity and the remaining 17 years were spent working in care at a residential home. Mike's interests include football, music, travel, nature and walking with his dog.
Mike's daughter Heather is also a Trustee, who project leads various initiatives, particularly those where photography and design are important.
Trustee
Patricia Parkes
Patricia has served as a Cheshire West and Chester councillor for ten years, representing the Hartford and Greenbank ward.
She also serves on Northwich Town Council as the councillor for Greenbank.
Having grown up in Hartford, Patricia is passionate about her village and proud to play an active role in community life. She is a supporter of Marshall’s Arm Nature Reserve and is keen to see the local environment cherished and protected for future generations.
Alongside her council work, Patricia runs her own small business. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dog, exploring the countryside, and has recently discovered a new love of cycling.
Trustee
Jean Pritchett
Jean moved to Hartford in 1971 and over the years has seen many changes in the area – more housing, changes in education, work and recreational opportunities as well as different transport conditions.
She has always found Hartford to be very fulfilling for the activities and opportunities that are available for adults, children and families.
Jean was previously employed as a probation officer but in the 1980s the focus of her work changed as people were facing enforced redundancies, early retirement and various changes in lifestyle and employment. She therefore set up a system for helping employers and individuals to face changes and to take advantages of the opportunities that became available.
In Hartford there are numerous possibilities for people to build on their previous experiences in order to develop a new and satisfying life for their own futures.
The Hartford Civic Society always aims to work towards the greater good and enhancement of the village and the individuals who live and work here.
Chair
Lorna Byrne
Having spent 25 years living and working away from the area, Lorna has developed an even greater appreciation of Hartford village life.
She has run her own communications and community engagement business since 2012. Working on a part-time basis gives her time to indulge her passions for wildlife and the great outdoors by volunteering at Marshall's Arm Local Nature Reserve and various other local green spaces.
She and her husband Michael were honoured to rehome a retired Guide Dog called Yazz in 2023, so they are often seen out and about with her, walking around the village.
Trustee
Richard Capper
Richard has lived in Hartford for nearly thirty years and, having brought up family in the village, it has only strengthened his pride and belief in what Hartford has to offer.
Having over three decades’ experience in the both the private and more recently social housing sector, Richard is confident he can bring valuable insight to his Trustee role and continue the strong legacy that the Civic Society enjoys.
Alongside anything property related, Richard enjoys family and dog time!
Trustee
Heather Pinchien
Heather moved to Hartford in 2008, she thinks Hartford is a lovely place to live and wants to help keep it that way!
Heather cares very much about where she lives and is proud to support the society. She initially started to do specific pieces of work for the society, such as displays and calendars. A couple of years ago, after her dad Mike had a hip operation, she took him to meetings and also attended. She was quickly persuaded to become a project leader and tells us that the trustees are a friendly bunch who all care about where they live!
Heather has since lead the Hartford i Spy booklet project. She runs competitions, helps organise the society’s stands at the Picnic in the Park and Christmas Fayre.
Heather enjoys looking after her two rabbits and dog, camping, birds, wildlife, nature and photography…oh and Scotland!