Downton society closes

The Downton Society has taken the difficult decision to discontinue.  A statement from the society reads:

“It is with considerable regret that after fifty years the Downton Society is closing. The society, whose main aim is to stimulate interest in Downton and to promote high standards in planning and architecture while aiming to preserve, develop and improve the village, can sadly no longer continue.

As a society we have always taken a very pragmatic and independent view about planning issues and it has never been about preventing change. Where necessary we have opposed planning proposals if we felt they were inappropriate but equally we have supported plans often against the views of planning officials. We would like to think that a collective village voice has counted where it matters.

In addition, we have supported organisations and campaigns within the village on a wide range of planning and environmental issues. Unfortunately, with decreasing numbers of committee members and with no persons wishing to be actively involved, the committee has felt there is no other choice but to wind the society up and steps are now underway to do this.”

One of the many services which has been funded by the Society is the village website downtonvillage.co.uk which has been maintained and updated for many years, and has been a valuable source of information about village organisations and events.  This will continue to be funded until new arrangements (which are already in the pipeline) can be made.

The Society was also instrumental in organising and documenting village walks - this work will  be incorporated into the new DiscoverDownton website which is being developed to encourage visitors (and locals!) to explore what the area has to offer.

The village flower tubs on the Borough Green and in various other locations are awaiting volunteers to take them on.