Early days ...

The first Town and Country Planning Summer School opened on 11 September 1933 at Digswell Park Conference House in Welwyn.

Before the School closed on 17 September the scholars passed a resolution that:

"We, the members of the first School of Town Planning held at Digswell House, being convinced of the great value and need of the School in advancing town planning education, therefore recommend that the School be continued in future years and be developed as a permanent institution"

... And it certainly has been.

The Summer School has developed over the last 73 years and many changes have taken place. But it still remains true to the objectives laid down in 1938:

"to provide an opportunity during a brief period each summer, to promote education and discussion of principles and methods of town and country planning and kindred subjects; to enable those engaged in the practice of town and country planning to exchange views regarding their several experiences of its administration and application; and generally to promote education in all matters relating to the science and art of planning in town and country"

And now ...

In 2001 the name became simply Planning Summer School and the format of the school changed. There are now three schools – all four days in length : the Elected Members' School and two Planners' Schools.