HISTORY

The St Philip and St James (Area) Residents' Association (SPJARA) arose when the St Philip and St James Church Council proposed to build a large two-storey 'Community Centre' on the land between Church House and the church. 193 local residents objected to the proposed building on environmental, traffic and other grounds, and a group of them came together to form SPJARA to lead the opposition. We were formally constituted in February 2006 to represent the interests of residents in the area (the Church Council has since abandoned the scheme).


Despite its origins, right from the outset  SPJARA has been committed to positive action. Our statutes (for full text, see /statutes.html) say that we will: 

• • "promote the well-being, and protect the amenities, of the residents of the streets immediately surrounding St Philip and St James Church, Leckhampton 
    
  • encourage social contact, and promote joint activity, among these residents 
    
  • safeguard and enhance the quality and convenience of streets and open spaces within that area.
  
  

In furtherance of these objects, but not otherwise, the Association may : 

• arrange meetings, events, exhibitions etc 
  
• collect and disseminate information 
  
• undertake or commission research 
  
• publish newsletters, pamphlets, books, photographs, films etc 
  
• raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons by way of subscriptions or otherwise 
  
• do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the objects".

The Shurdington Road/Leckhampton Road junction early in the 20th century

Park Place as envisaged in earlry nineteenth century