The purpose of the Friars' Community Group is to represent the interests of people
living and working within the Friars, to preserve its architectural and historical
integrity as far as is reasonable, and to act as a point of contact for negotiation
with developers, builders, and local and central government departments.
The Friars is one of the oldest parts of town. Before London Rd was built, traffic came through the South Gate and dived down South Gates street, around Friars Street and ended up in Saturday Market Place by St Margaret's Church. It thrived in the age before the infernal combustion engine, and because of over development, (a folly by both developers and the local authority that has permitted it), the infernal combustion engine has conspired to create friction ever since. In the world of ever expanding government housing targets, it has gone beyond its limits of sustainability. The Friars' Community Group exists to protect and preserve it as a decent place to live, and recognises its history and that it is an important component and has a contribution to make to the beauty of the town
The Carmelite Arch is the remnant of the time when Carmelite Friars lived here.
Despite the ravages of war, tempest, flood, and Town & County Planners, it has survived
the test of time. It stands bold and proud as a testament of survival against the odds.