This year's Civic Society lecture takes place at Open Ealing at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 9 July. The lecture, titled Keep it lively and pass it on: Ealing's 'living' heritage will be given by Dr Stephen Shaw, Associate Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Dr Shaw is an urban geographer, a Chartered Town Planner and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He has chaired various not-for-profit organisations, including Discover Islington, the Visit England-sponsored Tourism Development Action Programme, and the Cultural Tourism Committee (UK) of the UNESCO International Council on Monuments and Sites. He has also published a wide range of books and articles on cultural heritage, especially the creative contribution of settled migrants in large cities.

His work is inspired by Unesco's principles for the recognition and protection of 'living' heritage, which, he argues, must evolve in ways that keep it lively and relevant to future generations. This is a topic close to our hearts as members of the Civic Movement – how do we generate and maintain an interest in preserving and enhancing our heritage in a way that will engage and inspire upcoming generations? What is our 'modern' heritage?

Dr Shaw hopes that his talk will give rise to discussion on what might count as living heritage in Ealing and how it might contribute to our sense of place. We look forward to a rather different and lively evening.

All welcome – members and non-members.

Our annual public lectures are named after former vice-chairman John Delafons who came up with the idea and for many years chaired the lectures.