MEMBERS of the Basingstoke Heritage Society have been handed a top honour in the Sense of Place category for their work in the town.

The society was set up in 1989 as more and more of the town centre was earmarked for redevelopment. The founding members were afraid that the town would be swallowed up by developments and Basingstoke would be left without any sense of history.

Debbie Reavell, the society's secretary, said: "When I started to do our submission for the awards, I really became aware of how much we have done in the few years we have been around.

"I think it's really important to take pride in your town and it's something people are often ashamed of. I think the awards are really what we are all about as a society - they are a very positive thing for the town."

The Heritage Society is far more than a planning watchdog and likes to take a proactive role in many aspects of the town.

Its chief aims now are to:

promote high standards of planning and architecture in the area

encourage a better understanding of the geography, history, natural history and architecture of the area

secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in the area

promote civic pride.

The society is the driving force behind the town's heritage plaques, which give residents and visitors an insight into Basingstoke's history.

Members are currently working on a town trail that will bring together the historical events that have helped shape Basingstoke.

Article first published on Thursday, April 1, 2004