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...
MBC - Parish Newsletter
9th December 2025
parish_newsletter_dec700.docx ...
Maidstone Gypsy, Traveller & Traveling Showpeople Development Plan Document
2nd December 2025
Maidstone Borough Council has published for consultation the Regulation 18c version of its Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document (DPD), which sets out the preferred policies and potential...
Family Festive Fun
1st December 2025
What a truly magical evening we shared at the Downswood Parish Council Festive Family Party! Our heartfelt thanks go to the wonderful residents of Downswood, whose warmth and enthusiasm made the celebration such a joyous occasion. The venue was superb, the atmosphere alive with laughter and...
Supporting the Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter
25th November 2025
This coming Sunday, Downswood Parish Council is once again proud to lend its support to the Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter. This vital initiative provides care and refuge for those facing homelessness during the harshest winter months, offering not only warmth and shelter but also dignity and...
Piling Work - Parsonage Place
24th November 2025
Bellway Homes has confirmed that the final piling works are scheduled to commence at Parsonage Place on Monday, 1 December. The work is expected to last for approximately two weeks. ...
Parish Council Festive Cheer
19th November 2025
On Sunday the thirtieth, as dusk starts to glow, At five o’clock sharp—come rain, sleet, or snow. The Orchard will sparkle with laughter and light, As Downswood gets ready for one jolly night! There’s music and mince pies, and things to delight, With carols and food and trees...
Christmas Party
13th November 2025
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In Grateful Remembrance
13th November 2025
Remembrance in Downswood: A Tribute to the Fallen The Remembrance Sunday display in Deringwood Drive stands as a quiet but powerful tribute—an expression of Downswood Parish Council’s enduring commitment to honouring those who gave their lives in the service of peace and freedom. It is our...
Remembrance Sunday at Otham
10th November 2025
On Remembrance Sunday, the community gathered in solemn unity to honour the courage, sacrifice, and enduring memory of those who served our nation in times of war and peace. Their legacy lives on in our freedoms, our traditions, and our shared resolve. The day commenced with a reverent...
A Delightful Surprise at Otham Church
9th November 2025
A Delightful Surprise at Otham Church Friday morning’s coffee gathering at Otham Church turned into a memorable occasion with the unexpected arrival of Helen Whately MP. Her surprise visit was warmly welcomed by the residents of Downswood and Otham, who enjoyed engaging with her in a relaxed...
Working Together to tackle anti-social behaviour
6th November 2025
working_together_to_tackle_asb769.docx ...
Christmas Lights in Downswood
5th November 2025
As a non-political public body, Downswood Parish Council is committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors. In accordance with statutory Health and Safety obligations, and following due process, the Council wishes to clarify its position regarding this...
Downswood Parish Council Christmas Party
3rd November 2025
A free Christmas festive fun event for all the family, complete with a Christmas buffet treat. ...
MBC Consultation - Heathlands Garden Settlement
3rd November 2025
Have Your Say on the Heathlands Garden Settlement Draft Supplementary Planning Document (Monday 3 November – Monday 15 December) Maidstone Borough Council is inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to...
Otham Church Christmas Market
31st October 2025
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Service of Remembrance 09.11.25
29th October 2025
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Reverend David Bond
17th October 2025
It is with great sadness that DPC announces the news that Rev David Bond died on Monday 13 October, after a fall. In addition to many years of service in the parish of St Nicholas, Otham with St Mary, Langley and towards the homeless in Maidstone, David was for many years, a Trustee of the...
DPC Garden Competition
16th October 2025
The winners of DPCs Garden Competition have been notified and have received their prizes of £50 each, along with certificates. Congratulations to the residents of 20 Horton Downs for the Most Colourful Garden and 11 Ravens Dane Close for the Best Wildlife Garden. Many thanks to Borough...
Maidstone Borough Council’s Housing Land Supply Shortfall
14th October 2025
Following the news that Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has fallen below it's five-year land supply, Downswood Parish Council wrote to Helen Whately MP to request her assistance in understanding why the situation had arisen. The response from Maidstone Borough Council dated 6 October,...
Residents views on the future of local government in Kent
9th October 2025
KCC asks its residents for views on the future of local government in Kent - News & Features - Kent County Council ...
Part Time Litter Picker Vacancy
9th October 2025
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Upcoming Community Surgeries
5th October 2025
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Going Plastic Free
10th September 2025
Joining the Plastic Free Communities Initiative At a recent Parish Council meeting, we were privileged to receive a compelling presentation on the environmental and community impact of single-use plastics. The discussion was not only informative—it was galvanising. It reminded us that even...
Police Community Engagement Event
1st September 2025
We are delighted to share the news that Maidstone Police will be hosting a Community Engagement Event on Monday, 15th September, from 12:00 to 13:00 in the car park at the rear of the Spires shops. This is a valuable opportunity to meet PC James Phillips, our dedicated local officer,...
Mallards and Criminal Damage
29th August 2025
The damage caused at Mallards last night was reported to the Police by the Parish Council first thing this morning as well as to Maidstone Borough Council. While social media can be a helpful platform for raising awareness, we must stress the importance of reporting such incidents directly to...
Mallards Park Gym Equipment
19th August 2025
One item of gym equipment is showing signs of rust and will be removed. Although an assessment by MBC confirmed it is not dangerous, the decision follows feedback that some users feel uncomfortable using it. A decision regarding its repair or replacement will be made later this year. ...
A249 Bearsted Road Improvement Scheme
4th August 2025
A249 Bearsted Road Improvement Scheme ...
Shrub and Hedge Maintenance – A Parish Perspective
31st July 2025
At this time of year, Downswood Parish Council often receives enquiries from residents about the Pyracantha bushes along Deringwood Drive. These concerns are always formally passed on to Kent County Council, who remain responsible for their upkeep. We would like to reassure residents that we...
Brambles Begone! A Joyful Tidy-Up at St Nicholas
31st July 2025
This week, the Open Spaces Team rolled up their sleeves alongside church members and local residents for another round of green-thumbed graft at St Nicholas Church. With strimmers buzzing and secateurs snipping, the gang tackled the jungle of grass, brambles, and bushes that had been staging a...
Victory on the Bramble Front
23rd July 2025
The Parish Council is delighted to report that our valiant Open Spaces team has completed their epic quest: clearing the final stretch of the SSSI footpath from Deringwood Drive to the field. It’s been no stroll in the park—more like a battle through the botanical badlands. Overgrowth had...
Downswood Digs In! A Grassroots Morning of Community Cheer
22nd July 2025
This morning, the Downswood Parish Council Open Spaces Team joined forces with church members and local residents for a good old-fashioned grass-cutting bonanza at the church grounds. The grass may have been tall enough to hide a large dog, but that didn’t stop our merry band of volunteers!...
Help Shape Local Cycle Improvements!
17th July 2025
Help Shape Local Cycle Improvements! Downswood Parish Council has been informed that Kent County Council has Section 106 funding available to improve the cycle route around Church Road and Deringwood Drive. We’d love to hear your ideas! If you have suggestions to enhance this...
Hose Pipe Restrictions in Kent & Sussex
11th July 2025
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Path to Success
27th June 2025
The Open Spaces team have been busy clearing the SSSI footpath as it was very overgrown and nearly impassable. From the photo's below, you can see what a great job they have done. If you walk along the path, you will see 4 massive grab bags of cuttings. These are being removed by Maidstone Borough...
Money Money Money
27th June 2025
HAVE YOUR SAY! - Government Consulting on Changes to Council Tax Billing Council tax shake-up to deliver fairer billing and support - GOV.UK ...
Hear All About It
27th June 2025
The next Parish Council meeting is this coming Tuesday (1st of July). Start time is 8pm but prior to this, we are receiving a talk from Bearsted CAN on going plastic free. This starts at 7.45pm. everyone is welcome. ...
An Apple a Day
27th June 2025
The Open Spaces team have also been busy working on the mini orchard including watering the fruit trees. Downswood Parish Council 'Caring for our Community' ...
Outdoor Gym Equipment - Mallards
27th June 2025
Concerns were recently raised by a resident regarding the condition of the outdoor gym equipment at Mallards. For avoidance of any doubt, Maidstone Borough Council has examined the equipment and has confirmed: ‘Following up on your concern regarding the condition of the equipment —...
The Forever Finley Project
26th June 2025
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Conservation Area Extension
20th June 2025
Otham Conservation Area Update The new boundaries for Otham have been formally adopted. The final document and the associated map are shown below. Please note, the map will be updated to include the Willington estate once MBCs systems have been updated, but they currently do not have a...
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