Latest News

Additional buses running

Two additional buses now run on Mondays to Fridays at 1745 hours from Downswood to Maidstone and at 1811 hours from Maidstone Bus Station to Downswood.

• Scenic Green Trail

  2nd February 2026

  The updated version of the walker's guide can be found here: scenic_green_trail_walker_s_guide635.pdf ...

• Maidstone Borough Council Environmental Services Newsletter - January 2026

  26th January 2026

  For the latest  news...... Maidstone Borough Council Environmental Services Newsletter - January 2026 ...

• Out and About with Nature

  18th January 2026

  Spotted this morning in Spot Lane Nature Reserve fishing in the river by the bike track, a Little Egret - a great sign that the river is healthy. ...

• MBC Parish Newsletter - January 2026

  15th January 2026

  Read what is happening in the borough. parish_newsletter_january_2026482.pdf ...

• Vacancy for a Parish Councillor/Notice of Casual Vacancy

  14th January 2026

  Resignation of Councillor/Casual Vacancy | Downswood Parish Council ...

• Pee, Poo & Paper

  14th January 2026

  A Message to All Residents: Protecting Our Drains, Our Play Areas, and Our Environment The Parish Council wishes to update residents on the recent sewage overflow in the Foxden Play Area. Investigations by the utility company confirmed that the incident was caused by a blockage in the...

• The Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy is published!

  13th January 2026

  The Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy was published 28th November 2025. From this website you can access all the Strategy documents and mapping, learn about the Strategy and its development and discover how it will support nature recovery in the county. Homepage | Making Space For...

• Winter Newsletter

  9th January 2026

  The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Winter Newsletter 2026 now live! Catch up on recent activity from the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner, including: • Police Property Act Fund awards • Police Funding Consultation • Priorities and plans for 2026 • Their latest community...

• Salt Bins Location Map for Downswood

  7th January 2026

  Downswood has 12 salt bins - please see the map for their locations. They should all be full up so please use them to treat icy conditions on roads and footpaths. If they become empty, please report this directly to KCC. Link to KCC Salt Bins map and gritting areas KCC Primary Salting...

• Rediscovering History, Building Community, and Finding Peace

  11th December 2025

  St Nicholas Church at Otham has stood at the heart of the communities of Otham, Downswood, and Madginford for centuries. Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, it remains a living archive of local history, its churchyard telling stories of generations past. Earlier this year, the church faced...

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