Here is some basic information about the DCA and the Downswood community centre.

Firstly, the centre is owned by Maidstone Borough Council but has been managed by the DCA (Downswood Community Association) since the opening in September 1990.

The DCA have a general committee which is made up of residents and representatives from many of our centre user groups. As the DCA is a registered charity these committee members are also known as charity trustees. The general committee meet approximately five times a year and discuss problems and suggestions concerning the association and the centre.

All our meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome, we are always looking for new members to join us.

We also have a management team who deal with the day to day running of the centre.

This all sounds all very complicated with committees and trustees – but it’s not!

It’s just that we need to keep the centre running efficiently and safe, for everyone who uses it.

The centre is also open to private hiring for weddings parties and meetings.

The DCA was formed in 1986 to encourage and help groups in and around the Downswood area, with a wide range of interests to establish membership, ready for our new planned community centre.

At present we have many regular groups at the centre:

Badminton Club - (DCA Section).

5th Bearsted Brownies - (DCA Section).

Under 5’s Parent & Toddler group - (DCA Section).

Short Mat Bowls Club - (DCA Section).

Linden Lea Nursery School & After School Club - (Affiliated group).

Willow Rise Pre-School - (Affiliated group).

Willington Players - (Affiliated group).

Downswood Active Retirement Club - (Affiliated group).

East Sutton/Downswood Community Youth Theatre - (Affiliated group).

Downswood Parish Council - (Affiliated group).

Kent School of Bridge.

Shukokia Karate Club.

Weight-watchers.                     
(For contact numbers of all these groups, go to our web site).

The DCA sections are groups that are part of the DCA, although we do not interfere with the running of any of these groups, we are there for support and guidance.

The affiliated groups are totally separate from the DCA and pay £50 per year affiliation fee, but have certain conditions they must adhere to. All these groups receive reduced hiring fees. One major condition is that DCA sections and affiliated groups must support the DCA in all our fundraising events. All other hirers are classed as private hirers.

If you are interested and would like to find out more, please give us a call, we are all friendly volunteers and want to encourage more people to join us.

John Everett or Di. Thompson (01622) 862730 or Vanessa Meads (01622) 861780.