What we aim to do
About The Farnham Society
We are one of the largest and oldest conservation and amenity societies (Civic Society). The Society originally started in 1911 from the initiative of Charles Borelli, who was Chairman of what was then the Farnham Urban District Council and Harold Falkner a key local architect. Other original founder members included the Bishop of Winchester, the Head of the Art School, W. H. Allen and George Sturt a prominent local writer about the social history of Farnham. Their vision for the purpose of the Society remains relevant today. In essence to ensure that Farnham remains a great place to live, to work and to visit. And to preserve as far as possible the style and character of the town and its setting as well as celebrate and sustain its heritage despite the pressures of growth and development.
This is a legacy we continue to have as central to our current purpose. Therefore, we promote and campaign for excellence in design and sympathetic, sustainable development, so that the character of the town and in particular its Conservation Areas as well as its many green spaces remain its key feature.
Our achievements
Reminiscences from
Michael Blower MBE FRIBA A.A. dipl. FRSA
Michael has been a member of the Farnham Society for over 50 years, He was Chairman 1985 – 1988 and is now Vice President. Here he is reminisces about the role the Farnham Society has had in Farnham.
The role of the Farnham Society in shaping Farnham’s development is often misunderstood., Before the present day Farnham Town Council was formed, important groundwork was being done, largely by the Farnham Society working alongside (and sometimes pushing against) official bodies.
After the Second World War, huge national changes came in under the Attlee government — things like town planning laws, the NHS, education reform, and council housing. In Farnham, this triggered a moment of self‑reflection: what should the town be doing next? That led to the 1947 town plan, drawn up by professional planners. But the Farnham Society strongly objected to many of its proposals, particularly road schemes that would have divided the town, widened historic streets, or misjudged traffic patterns — and played a vital role in stopping damaging ideas.
At this stage there was no Town Council, only the Farnham Urban District Council (which lasted until 1974). The Farnham Society, made up largely of professionals like solicitors, architects and planners, became an influential voice, often questioning or challenging official plans. Although unelected, it had real influence because its members were knowledgeable, organised, and deeply invested in the town.
After local government reorganisation in 1974, Farnham briefly had no local town-level authority at all, with control passing to Waverley Borough Council. This created frustration. Many people — especially those involved in the Farnham Society — felt Farnham had lost control over its own assets and decisions. That dissatisfaction eventually led to the creation of the Farnham Town Council, emerging properly in the 1980s–90s.
Many early Town Councillors came directly from the Farnham Society, including key figures like George Baxter and Basil Smallman. In effect, the Society acted as a nursery for local leadership — shaping ideas, building consensus, and then supplying people who went on to formal roles once the Town Council existed.
Heritage protection became a major part of the Society’s activity, In the 1950s and 60s, towns across Britain were being aggressively redeveloped through “comprehensive development areas”, often wiping out historic buildings. Farnham was under the same threat. The Farnham Society worked closely with the Urban District Council to identify and protect buildings that had been missed in earlier listing exercises. Michael himself served on an influential committee reviewing listed buildings, which helped save large parts of the town — though not without controversy, such as the decision to exclude South Street.
This growing preservation movement fed directly into national change, including the Civic Amenities Act of 1967, which introduced conservation areas. Farnham was very much part of that shift, and the Farnham Society was central to it.
The Farnham Maltings is a standout example. It had planning permission to be demolished and replaced by a road scheme. The Farnham Society strongly opposed this, helped raise funds, and worked with figures like John Verney to save the building. This led to the creation of the Farnham Trust, which provided a legal and financial vehicle to buy and protect historic properties — something the Society itself couldn’t do directly. The Maltings’ survival, and its later success, are presented as clear evidence of the Society’s impact.
Similar stories are touched on with Bishop’s Meadow, Waverley Abbey, Farnham Castle, and other historic sites — all places that were at risk at various points, and where the Farnham Society (often working quietly, behind the scenes) helped bring people together, raise awareness, and influence outcomes.
The Farnham Society didn’t usually design buildings, pass laws, or hold power — but it supported, encouraged, challenged, and connected the right people at the right moments. Its influence came from persistence, expertise, and being willing to speak up when the town was at risk.
In short, Farnham as it exists today — its historic streets, key buildings, green spaces, and strong Town Council — didn’t happen by accident. Much of it can be traced back to decades of steady, often unglamorous work by the Farnham Society.