Dear Editor

I refer to you comments in the April edition of the Campden Bulletin, once again criticising the Campden Society, a long established Society run by volunteer trustees for the well being of our historic town. The decisions made on Wolds End Orchard by the Trustees have been well documented through your paper and on our web site and I have no intention of repeating them or justifying our decisions.

I was however very sad to read your comments. For many years you as the editor have tried to expose the main predator of our town only to turn into one yourself. The Campden Bulletin was set up many years ago by the late Katharine Gell, for the purpose of exchanging information on all aspects of the town, but now has sadly become extremely biased with the personal views of the sole person running the paper, an unhealthy situation for any organization or publication.

This may be due to the length of time the editor has been in the job, you are no longer able to think laterally, or to address the real issues affecting our town, in fact you have abused your position by making offensive comments.

We must not forget some of the good work the editor has achieved, but maybe it is time for you to release the reins, return to the forest, before you are swallowed up by your ‘mouse’.

Dear Jeremy

Following the propaganda printed in your paper and other local news sheets, I wish to clarify once again the position of the Campden Society.

We were approached over a year ago by consultants working on behalf of our Doctors asking about the possibility of the parcel of land at Wolds End, with the existing planning permission (on 1/3^rdof the orchard ), being considered for a much needed modern surgery.

I have at all times stated clearly that no decision on any future proposal for Wolds End Orchard would go ahead without full discussion with and agreement from the members of the Campden Society. The Trustees would have been negligent if they had totally dismissed the request from our Doctors without any discussion.

There have been no discussions between the Campden Society and the consultants acting on behalf of the Doctors for some time The up to date situation from the consultants is that they are still awaiting confirmation from the Primary Care Trust on the funding for a new medical centre before any further discussions on any of the possible sites can take place.

Why should anyone bother with Campden Society?

Well, its easy to forget about all the work done over the decades by the Campden Trust and the Society in saving and protecting many of Campden’s historic buildings

But, the work goes on.  The Society is an important voice in the towns efforts to ensure that we do not loose or damage our precious built environment. Each planning application is carefully reviewed and, where appropriate, written comments are made to the planning authorities in Cirencester. Beyond this, and when it is considered that “planning” has made a serious error, the Society has met with those concerned at CDC face to face to strongly represent the need to take special care in any development.

The latest major investment  by the Society has, of course, been Wolds End Orchard. To some this has been a contentious matter but there is no doubt that this difficult acquisition enables careful consideration to be given by all 300  Society members to the future use of this land.  Campden School’s rural studies imaginative use of the land at nil rent is widely supported and of great benefit. The possibility of a new surgery being built on about x% of the site (while the school retains the rest) has been thrust at the Society. Whether this development proceeds remains in question. No firm proposal has been made and if and when it is the final decision to accept or not will be up to the members.

The four or five Winter evening talks seek to offer interesting Campden-related topics for Members – and visitors. And, the co-operative Summer coach visits with CADHAS have been fully subscribed.

The several newsletters a year are delivered by a band of valued helpers to members and a new website (www.thecampdensociety .org) seeks to keep members informed of the Society’s activities

The primary objective of the Society is:-

To secure the protection of the architectural and historic quality of Campden, its open spaces and its natural setting.

This is a quite “narrow” objective and sometimes makes it difficult to answer the question

“What is your purpose?”

Other societies cover other aspects of Campden life and interests but the Campden Society remains determined to follow the path of previous “protectors” by ongoing concern for, interest in and intervention when appropriate in the building developments within our beautiful town.