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.
Rubbish now Cleared
11th April 2026
We are sad to say that yesterday, there were three instances of fly tipping on Downswood with one alarmingly in the Old Spot Lane Nature Reserve. However, we are glad to say that the fly tipping was reported to Maidstone Borough Council. As a direct result and with swift action, this...
Environmental Services Newsletter April 2026
10th April 2026
April 2026 updates Environmental Services Newsletter April 2026 ...
Downswood Parish Council Photo Competition
9th April 2026
Downswood Parish Council is delighted to invite all residents to take part in our newly launched community Photo Competition, open from today. Whether you’re capturing the beauty of our green spaces, the character of parish life, or a moment that simply makes you smile, we would love to see...
Fly Tipping
9th April 2026
Today, there has been two incidents of fly tipping in Downswood. The first one was in the Nature Reserve and the second one is in Deringwood Drive by the junction with Horton Downs. Fly‑tipping is unacceptable because it shifts the cost, the danger, and the mess onto everyone else. It’s...
Keeping Busy and enjoying the Sun!
8th April 2026
Kent Police out and about. https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
Highways Improvement Plan (HIP)
8th April 2026
What It Is and What Residents Can Expect Our Highways Improvement Plan sets out the parish’s priorities for improving road safety, managing traffic, and addressing the concerns raised by residents. It is a practical working document that helps us make the strongest possible case to Kent...
Funding Opportunity
8th April 2026
The Police Property Act Fund is now open for applications. https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
The Police Need Your Feedback
7th April 2026
The Police Priority Survey is now live. https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
New Councillor
2nd April 2026
A big welcome to the latest member of the team, Councillor Zarah Duffield, already out and getting her hands dirty with the Open Spaces Team. ...
Emergency Road Closure - Willington Street (Property Service Road), Maidstone - 8th April 2026 (Maidstone)
2nd April 2026
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Annual Parish Meeting
31st March 2026
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Theft of Cars
28th March 2026
There have been a couple of cars that have been stolen in Downswood recently and they have happened on a Sunday evening into Monday morning. We have been in contact with PC James Phillips about them and the following is his response. Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies for the late...
Have Your Say
26th March 2026
Current consultations through Maidstone Borough Council Have Your Say - Street Trading Policy ...
WeRoam
25th March 2026
From the KCC Active Travel Team ...
Police Crime Prevention Advice
23rd March 2026
Need any advice? Please see the following link https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
Egg-Citing April
23rd March 2026
What's on in April What's On in April ...
Fly Tipping
21st March 2026
Advice and Guidance from the Police on Fly Tipping https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
Downswood Parish Council Photo Competition
20th March 2026
Downswood Parish Council is delighted to invite all residents to take part in our newly launched community Photo Competition, open from today. Whether you’re capturing the beauty of our green spaces, the character of parish life, or a moment that simply makes you smile, we would love to see...
Climate Change and Biodiversity March 2026 Newsletter
13th March 2026
Read About the 'Gold Award' Climate Change and Biodiversity March 2026 Newsletter ...
Crime Stoppers
13th March 2026
Kent Police Needs You! https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
Environmental Services Newsletter - March
12th March 2026
How to be Waste Savvy Environmental Services March 2026 Newsletter ...
New Gate
12th March 2026
Maidstone Borough Council has very kindly installed new gates at the entrance to Mallards - very smart indeed and nice to see ...
New Bench
12th March 2026
We are pleased to announce the installation of a new bench in the community mini orchard for everyone's use. ...
Tetra Paks
10th March 2026
Maidstone Borough Council have confirmed the following ...
Church Road - Safety Measures
3rd March 2026
Otham and Downswood Parish Councils came together today with the Leader of KCC and officers to open a much‑needed conversation about safety along Church Road. The dialogue was open, constructive, and grounded in real experience, with KCC able to see for themselves the challenges that residents...
A Trip to Custody at Kent Police
2nd March 2026
Kent Police are Recruiting Independent Custody Visitors in Kent - interested? https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
Environmental Services Newsletter
2nd March 2026
Increase in fly-tipping Environmental Services Newsletter ...
Neighbourhood Watch
2nd March 2026
March News https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
Speed Watch
2nd March 2026
Community Speed Watch (CSW) stands as a frontline defence in road safety, coordinated by Kent Police and powered by trained local volunteers. Armed with approved speed‑indication devices, these teams work to prevent tragedy, safeguard neighbourhoods, and remind drivers that speed limits are not...
Latest Alerts
2nd March 2026
Please see the latest link from 'My Community Voice' regarding the theft of motorbikes https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
Shape Local Government Reorganisation in Kent
20th February 2026
Do you want to know more about the Local Government Review? Want to have your say? Please click on the following link. Shape Local Government Reorganisation in Kent ...
Local Officers take Catapult and Counterfeit Cash off the street!
20th February 2026
To read more, follow the link https://www.mycommunityvoiceke... ...
What Goes Up!
14th February 2026
St Nicholas. affectionately known by many as “Otham Church”, has long stood as a spiritual and cultural anchor not only for Otham, but also for the communities of Downswood, Bicknor Wood, Madginford and the wider parish family. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the church has watched nearly...
Extraordinary Full Council Meeting - 19.02.26
13th February 2026
Please see the agenda for full details Minutes and Agendas | Downswood Parish Council ...
Downswood SSSI Site
12th February 2026
MBC has confirmed that work to remove all the vegetation from the SSSI rock face is planned to take place on Thursday 19th & Friday 20th February. What the Downswood SSSI Is All About The SSSI in Downswood is designated because of the old ragstone quarry—a remnant of the area’s...
Five Steps to Become Better Prepared
7th February 2026
Are you emergency ready? 5_steps581.pdf ...
Downswood Carbon Footprint
5th February 2026
Are you concerned about the effects of global warming? Do you know what the carbon footprint of Downswood is? Click on the following link, enter your email address and a full report will be downloaded. This report tells you about your community’s carbon1 footprint – both the scale of...
Parish Councillor Vacancy
4th February 2026
Are you interested in becoming a Parish Councillor? Downswood Parish Council currently has a vacancy for a Councillor to represent the interests of those who live or work in Downswood. The Council is made up of nine voluntary Councillors, all of whom live or work locally, supported by our...
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 ...
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...
Vacancy for a Parish Councillor/Notice of Casual Vacancy
14th January 2026
Resignation of Councillor/Casual Vacancy | Downswood Parish Council ...
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...
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