Membership of the Society is open to all those who are interested in preserving the amenities and rural character of West Chiltington. In particular, we welcome newcomers to the area who appreciate the environment of the Village and the Common, who wish to preserve their distinctive character, and who wish to be involved.

Where possible, the Society endeavours to foster a proper sense of pride on the part of civic and private enterprise in order that any future developments in West Chiltington shall be of high standard and will not detract from the beauty and character of the area. The Society encourages the care, signposting and preservation of footpaths in this and adjoining parishes.

The Committee of the Society regularly monitors the Planning Applications affecting West Chiltington that are registered with Horsham District Council and decides whether these should be supported or opposed. It is considered desirable to maintain good relations with the Planning Department of the local authority and understand its priorities in seeking to deal with the conflicting demands of conservation and increasing housing demand.

The Society is a not-for-profit organization. There is no annual subscription, but a fee of £5 per person or £10 per family is payable on joining the Society. Additional donations are, of course, always welcome.

Meetings are held in the Village Hall in Mill Road at 10.30am on the third Wednesday of alternate months, commencing in January. Guest speakers are invited to talk on subjects likely to be of interest to members. Entrance to the meetings costs £1 to include coffee.

A newsletter is distributed to members to inform them of the Society’s activities during the year and to advise them on matters of current interest. Posters giving details of the meetings are displayed on notice boards at the village crossroads, the Village Hall, in Nyetimber Lane and by courtesy of the Parish Council on their notice board in Haglands Lane. The information appears in the Parish Magazine and is also to be found on the Society’s own website at www.wcrps.org .

Application to join the Society may be made by completing the slip below and passing it, with the appropriate joining fee, to one of the following officers

Chairman:            D S Foard, Tree Tops, Crossways. Tel 813332

Hon Secretary:    Barry Wright, Ikoyi, Bower Lane. Tel 813787

Hon Treasurer:    M J Hoolahan, Kirklee, Church Street. Tel 813065

In support of its objectives, I (we) wish to join the;

West Chiltington Rural Preservation Society and enclose the joining fee of £ ____. ___

NAME(S) __________________________________________________________

ADDRESS _________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Cheques should be made payable to WEST CHILTINGTON RURAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

1. The Name of the Society shall be:

WEST CHILTINGTON RURAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY

2. The Aims of the Society shall be:

a) To help preserve the amenities and rural character of West Chiltington by fostering a sense of pride on the part of civic and private enterprise so that any further development in the village shall be of a high standard, and will not detract from its beauty and character.
b) To encourage the care, signposting and preservation of footpaths.
c) To maintain a study of local development plans, and any reviews thereof.
d) To stimulate public opinion in support of these objectives, and when necessary to consult with Parish, District and County Councils.

3. The Membership of the Society shall be:

a) Open to all those interested, whether residents in West Chiltington or elsewhere.
b) Local Residents’ Associations affiliated to the Society shall make a payment of not less than 10p per household per annum; this will entitle them to receive information, including literature, relating to the Society’s activities, but does not confer individual membership of the Society.
c) Affiliation to the Society of local organizations with sympathetic Aims to the Society will be welcome, provided they have no religious or political basis.
d) Those joining the Society shall pay a joining fee of not less than £5 per person or £10 per family; thereafter there shall be no annual subscription, but donations are welcome.

4. The Administration of the Society shall be:

a) In the hands of a committee consisting of the members, chosen, as far as possible, from the different parts of the village.
b) The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. Three members shall retire annually, but be eligible for re-election.
c) The Committee shall appoint from their number a Chairman, Hon Treasurer and Hon Secretary; they may appoint a solicitor (who need not be a member of the Committee) to advise and assist them.
d) The Committee shall have power to fill vacancies on the Committee on a temporary basis, ie until the next AGM, and to co-opt, in a non-voting capacity, one or more members for particular purposes, eg to give expert advice or to represent views of a local organization.
e) The Committee shall have power to seek affiliation to other suitable bodies.
f) The Committee shall keep a record of their deliberations and accounts.
g) A number of members will be invited to be Area Representatives and to disseminate information.
h) The Hon Secretary shall arrange to publish at least one Newsletter each year for distribution to all members of the Society.
i) The Society shall be a not-for-profit organization.

5. The Meetings of the Society shall be:

a) An Annual General Meeting to be held in the first quarter of each year. At least 21 days’ notice must be given by the Hon Secretary. Nominations for election to the Committee with sponsor, seconder and a written agreement to serve shall be made to the Hon Secretary not later than 7 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
b) The Committee shall meet as and when circumstances require, but at least once per quarter. A quorum shall consist of five.
c) A Special Meeting of the Society shall be called on the initiative of the Committee when it is desired to resolve some pressing matter of a controversial nature, or of particular importance.
d) The Chairman shall have a vote and a casting vote at all meetings.
e) A bi-monthly meeting of members shall be organized, at which Guest Speakers will be invited to talk on appropriate subjects.

6. The Financial Year of the Society shall be:

terminated on the 31st December and an audited Statement of the Accounts and a Balance Sheet shall be presented by the Hon Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

7. Any Change of Rules of the Society shall be:

made by the duly elected Committee as interpreter of the Constitution and Rules of the Society. No changes thereof shall be made except at an Annual General Meeting or a Special Meeting of the Society with the consent of at least two-thirds of the members present at the Meeting.