The Downton Society - Supporting our Village and the Environment

DOWNTON SOCIETY MONTHLY WALKS

Dear Downton Society Member,

The daffodils are out and spring will soon be here!

You will be pleased to hear that we will be continuing with our monthly social walks starting in March.

These will take place on the last Saturday of every month, starting at 10am and they are generally between 3 and 5 miles, taking between one and a half and 2 hours.

We normally try to start at a car park, and finishing somewhere near a pub, for those who would like a drink or something to eat.

We try to have a variety of walks and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

I will co-ordinate things, and lead the first 3 walks, and would welcome offers from members to lead a walk. If you could contact me at my e-mail address david.gillett@davg.co.uk with the proposed walk start location etc, I will draw up a programme in April and circulate it to members.

Our first walk on Saturday 30th March, will be to enjoy the magnificent pine trees along Rhinefield Ornamental drive and visit the Blackwater Arboretum, meeting in Brock Hill Car park at 10am. (Turn left off the A36 onto Rhinefield Drive and then the first car park on the right). For those wishing to eat or drink after, The Oak inn at Bank is a pleasant pub only a couple of miles from the car park.

Our April walk will be The Lymington Marshes walk, starting from the Lymington Town Quay Car park on Saturday 27th April. More details in early April.

I look forward to hearing from prospective leaders and walkers and to sharing these pleasant social occasions in our beautiful countryside.

Kind regards

David Gillett
Downton Society Walk Co-ordinator




Current Newsletter

Dear Downton Society member

This year seems to have gone by very quickly – from its start with Covid still lurking - but, as you will have seen from the AGM Minutes, we managed to keep up with housing and heritage issues and organise a couple of social events for members. In the coming year, which marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Society, we would like to do more, and will be outlining our plans in the new year.

Much of what can be achieved depends on the willingness of members and residents to become involved. The Committee can initiate many things, but our resources are limited – and, whether it’s maintaining the website or planters on the greens, organising food, hosting events, clearing footpaths or cleaning bridges we need support. So, a very big thank you to all those volunteers who have provided much valued help during the year. The Society, in return, can provide support to members or residents who want to take on projects that are consistent with our aim of enhancing the village in which we live.

Please remember that our corporate membership of the Salisbury Civic Society enables you to benefit from a wider programme of talks, walks and visits. Some of these are outlined in the latest issue of their magazine – which is attached. An unusually bright cover for this issue features the new mural in Fisherton Street. We would love to have your views on this innovative design.

Meanwhile, I and all the Downton Society Committee (Nigel, Susan, Jeremy, Peter and Bryan), thank you so much for your continued support and wish you a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year filled with the hope of good things to come.

Nikki
Nikki Ratcliffe Wilson (Chair)


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