TV architecture critic Tom Dyckhoff to give Cheltenham Civic Society annual lecture

One of Britain’s most prominent architectural writers and critics will be speaking in Cheltenham next month.

Tom Dyckhoff, an honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and a panel member for its prestigious Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be giving the Cheltenham Civic Awards Lecture on April 16.

He is the former architecture critic of The Times and a columnist for The Guardian and is best known for his TV Series “Saving Britain’s Past”, “The Secret Life of Buildings” and “I Love Carbuncles”.

His talk will be an alternative history of housing, with a quizzical look at ‘architecture without architects and the growing popularity of people building their own homes.

Chairman of the Cheltenham Civic Society Roger Woodley said: “A previous chairman Douglas Ogle knew him a little and wrote to him a couple of years ago, but he wasn’t able to come, but now he’s coming to give the 2014 talk.

“It’s a great privilege for us to be having him. He’s one of the best known architectural critics in the country following his television programmes.

“His talk should be very interesting, we’re very pleased to have him. Everyone will be welcome, you don’t have to be a member of the Civic Society, I hope we get lots of people coming along.”

Mr Dyckhoff is currently honorary senior research associate at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, - the most prestigious school or architecture in the country - and he is editor of the 21st edition of Sir Banister Fletcher's A History of Architecture.

Mr Dyckhoff will be presenting the Civic Society’s awards to winners at 4pm at Cheltenham Town Hall.

His talk will start at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church in Montpellier Street.

Tickets, which include a glass of wine, cost £7.50 and are on sale at the Tourist information Centre at The Wilson art gallery and museum in Clarence Street, or on the door on the night.