Celebrated comedian, presenter and actor Griff Rhys Jones will visit Addingham on Tuesday during a campaign trail promoting the civic movement nationwide.
The president of national civic movement charity Civic Voice, Mr Rhys Jones, 58, will speak out on Government policies and the role of local civic societies at Bracken Ghyll Golf Club in Skipton Road. His visit is part of a four-day tour of Yorkshire and Humberside, which coincides with the Government pushing forward with the Growth and Infrastructure Bill.
He plans to talk to communities and businesses in the region about how national policies will affect them, and will be encouraging people to go out and support the work of their local civic society. The visit is at the invitation of Addingham Civic Society.
Addingham has the third-largest civic society in the region, after York and Leeds, with more than 400 members.
Addingham Civic Society chairman, Jim Robinson, said: “I am obviously delighted Griff Rhys Jones will be visiting Addingham. This will be a big day for the society and the village, and demonstrates how much we align ourselves with the aims of Civic Voice.”
Mr Robinson says examples of this are the society’s support for the anti-Chelker wind turbines campaign and being at the forefront of the Wharfedale battle against proposed Bradford District Local Plan housing targets.
Mr Robinson said: “I see an important growth in the Civic Movement nationally, and here in Addingham the society goes from strength to strength. With more than 430 members, we are now the third biggest Civic Society in Yorkshire.
“Griff will hopefully inspire more residents from Wharfedale to join civic groups, as we come to terms with the challenges of weak and ineffective Government legislation.”
Mr Rhys Jones will also meet representatives of local groups during his visit.
Tickets to the event cost £5. They will be available to members of Addingham Civic Society at the annual meeting tonight, and from the Old School Room in Main Street between 1pm and 4pm tomorrow, and from 10am to noon on Saturday.
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