About the Society
The Valley Conservation Society exists to
"Protect and enhance the valleys of South Maidstone for the benefit of residents, wildlife and visitors."
Founded in July 2000, the Society was formed initially by residents of the Lower Loose Valley in Tovil, near Maidstone, Kent, but has since grown to encompass members in Loose, Boughton Monchelsea, Coxheath and much wider afield.
In December 2010 we had around 450 paid-up members.
The Society is run by an Executive Committee of up to 12 members, who are elected at the Society’s annual meeting in January. They serve for a one-year term.
The Executive Committee can appoint sub-committees to address specific items, and may invite ordinary members to sit on these.
There are currently sub-committees for
Development Control (planning)
Fund Raising
Land Acquisition and Land Management
Any member wishing to be co-opted to a sub committee contact the secretary
In addition, there are regular working parties every Tuesday and occasional weekends organised by the chairman, where volunteers undertake practical conservation work in the Loose Valley and the surrounding footpath network.
The Society sends delegates to meetings of the Loose Valley Conservation Area Partnership (LVCAP). The principal aim of the Partnership currently is to prepare a Character Assessment for the Loose Valley Conservation Area, which could be adopted as supplementary planning guidance by the local planning authority, Maidstone Borough Council.
One means of protecting the Conservation Area is to promote the local sense of community and "ownership" of the Valley. To this end, the Society holds a number of social events throughout the year. Some are fund-raisers for the Society; others – such as the annual children’s show – are a means to support local schools and youth groups.
The Society is financed mainly by donations from members.
The Society aims to protect the Valley from unwelcome development by purchasing any open land that may become available. The Society has formed a company limited by guarantee for this purpose – Valley Conservation Limited. The Executive Committee members of the Society are also the directors of the company. There are no shareholders, no dividends are paid and there are no re-numerations paid to any directors. A Company Limited by Guarantee is a status similar to being a charity.
The Company has made its first purchase – a small area of woodland close to Hayle Mill in the Lower Loose Valley, which has been found to be a rich haven for wildlife.
The Society aims to be inclusive. All meetings are open to any member to attend, and indeed members are positively encouraged to come along.
Proper minutes of all meetings are kept and can be viewed through arrangement with the Secretary.
A copy of the constitution is available - free to members, price £1 to non-members. Again, contact the Secretary.
The Society’s audited accounts are presented each year to members at the annual meeting in January.
Members of the Committee are: Meeting dates for 2012
| Chairman: Bryn Cornwell | |
| Vice chair: Jane Holman | |
| Secretary: David Fleck | |
| Treasurer: Tony Day | |
| Membership secretary: Colin Holman | |
| Minutes sec Maggie Davis | |
| Peter Hobden | |
| Alan Smith | |
|
Joy Creasey |
|
| Jill Lee | |
| Denis Usmar | |
| Toni Gilbert | |
| David Hill Webmaster | |
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Aims and Objectives The Society exists to “Protect and enhance the valleys of South Maidstone
for the benefit of residents, wildlife and visitors.” The
Society will: ·
Liaise with Parish Councils, community and other amenity
groups within the area to co-operate with these organisations and to
co-ordinate action with these groups for the benefit of all within the
area · Promote sympathetic and limited development with the area ·
Oppose inappropriate, inconsiderate and unwelcome
development ·
Promote and encourage a sense of community · Promote and encourage a sense of ‘ownership’ of the valley ·
Acquire any open land that may become available to promote conservation or prevent unwelcome development The Society
undertakes to: · Carry out practical conservation work within the Loose Valley and the surrounding network of footpaths · Liaise with any group proposing to improve the environment or quality of life within the valley and, where appropriate, organise or supply volunteers to assist these groups with their endeavours · Promote social events for members and to support the local schools and youth groups |