February 2009

We all know that the centre is available for everyone to hire and having competitive hiring rates and exceptional facilities makes our centre a really good venue for one off parties and all the diverse groups who regularly meet here. (A full list of all these groups and the contact numbers are in the notice board outside the centre).

Bad news first:

Some of the hiring fees for affiliated groups and DCA sections have had to be increased from 01^st January 2009.

Still the current financial climate seems to be affecting grants and donations to local organisations such as ours. After applying for funding from a variety of companies and organisations for our Renewable energy project, we have been unsuccessful in gaining the required £35,000 + for our solar panels.

Better news:

The centre gardens are looking much better now we have a regular gardener who is local and works approximately 6 – 8 hours a week.

The overgrown shrubbery along the front of the centre is to be removed, (subject to the weather). It is planned to replace this with a grassed area and to also replace the old ‘’OK coral’’ fencing with a smaller fencing.

The centre management are looking into replacing all the external wooden doors, not for cosmetic purposes but for reasons of security and most of all because they were installed in 1990 and are now falling apart and have gaps big enough for leaves to be blown under!

This project will of course be subject to grants & donations.

The community payback ( Kent probation service) team are back at weekends & have started six major redecoration projects at the centre.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Fundraising:

Very poor turnout for the ladies indulgence evening last November!

The 2009 Downswood Summer fete is to be held on Saturday 6^th June. If you think you could help us in any way, please contact John (01622) 862730.

Before that we have another joint Downswood badminton club/DCA Quiz night! This was to be held in February but has now been re-arranged for Saturday 16^th May.

Stuff you need to know:

Centre booking secretary (Post Office Bobbie): (01622) 861405.

Centre Caretaker: (01622) 861780.

Complaints concerning the centre: John (01622) 862730.

Complaints concerning anything: John (01622) 862730.

Downswood (unofficial) web site: www.downswood.co.uk

(Apparently Downswood Parish Council has the official one)!

Stuff you don’t really need to know and probably know already:

The centre has been successfully managed by The Downswood community association since it’s opening in 1990.

The Downswood community association was established in 1986 and is a registered charity (No: 298218).

Downswood has a beautiful restored 14^th century church – nearby.

OK it’s in Otham but it’s closer to Downswood than Otham.

There have recently been lots of whisperings, and talk of what’s happening at the church - with all the unusual renovations going on.

You may have read about it in all the local papers & you may have received a personal letter from Rev. Andrew?

Why not go & see or ring Rev. Andrew Sewell to give him your support or even tell him about your displeasure! (01622) 861470.

Other stuff:
The traffic lights at the junction of Willington Street and Madginford Road are now working and as we all can see, Downswood and Spot Lane is being used as a ‘rat run’!
Unfortunately these Roads were never built to have this much traffic on them & with the chicanes in Spot Lane, they make it even worse!
Mallards Way will be an accident waiting to happen!
Fast cars driven by frustrated drivers and children crossing Mallards Way to get to the park, do not mix – it’s that simple.
I and many residents have written to The KCC many times but it a[[ears our letters are falling on deaf ears.
PLEASE don’t just ignore it – write to The KCC and express your views.
Tel. & email addresses:
Ben.Hilden@kent.gov.uk   (01622) 798375.
Louise.Rowlands@kent.gov.uk 08458 247 800.

Downswood Parish Council are discussing having additional CCTV cameras in the Downswood area – what do you think?
You’ll be paying for them, through your council tax!
Ring the Parish clerk & give her your views: (01622) 717466.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

John Everett

DCA Chairman.

Telephone: (01622) 862730

Email: johnny.everett@blueyonder.co.uk

Registered Charity No: 298218