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2024 News

Dosca is now concentrating on new projects for 2024. Most notably we will be installing solar panels on the south-facing roof over the Oak Room. Once up and running the panels will generate electricity and together with a planned battery storage system will make a considerable contribution to reducing our electricity costs over time. We have now selected a supplier and have submitted a Planning Application.

We continue to expand the kind of activities that we now offer the local community with new pregnancy yoga classes, boxing courses and Arabic language lessons now added to our range. The Monday Minis Playgroup is proving very popular.

At a recent management meeting it was decided that DOSCA should make further donations to local causes and has made awards to both the One Can Trust and the Mayor's Appeal which includes The Chiltern Wood School and the Breast Cancer Unit in High Wycombe Hospital.

If you would like to know more about us and the facilities we can offer please get in touch and take the following video tour which will answer many of your questions about our facility.

The Community Centre has also a well established grant funding scheme to support local community projects.  Any Downley area club or association may apply if they are looking for financial support for a local, non-profit activity or initiative that directly benefits the local community.

In the first instance please contact us on grants@downleycommunitycentre.org.uk or download an application form here.  The committee will assess proposals for all projects on a monthly basis. You can read or download our grants policy guidelines here.

Downley Community Centre Information

Downley Community Centre is home to numerous clubs, associations and the local community library and is situated in the very centre of the village on the old Middle School site between School Close and Chapel Street.

The building comprises two large rooms both fitted with modern kitchen units, has ample parking with access from School Close. The Centre has free WiFi, a fitted projector screen and can host functions for up to 120 people with full wheelchair access provided.

The Centre is run by a group of committed volunteers who meet regularly to manage and maintain the facility on behalf of all local residents.

Address:

Downley Community Centre
School Close
Downley
HP13 5TR

Contact details:

• Contact: Cathy Price
• Tel: 07580 953 181
• Email: bookings@downleycommunitycentre.org.uk

Opening Times:

Weekdays

Opens: 09:00 | Closes: 22:00

Saturday

Opens: 09:00 | Closes: 22:00

Sunday

Opens: 09:00 | Closes: 21:00 on request

If you would like to learn more about what is going on or see how to join in, download our Regular Activities file here (pdf format).

How to find the Centre

Downley Community Centre is located at the end of School Close in Downley Park. If you are driving to us come to the School Close gate; pedestrian access is via both School Close and Chapel Street. HP13 5TR for satnav.

Download our location map here.

Using the Community Centre

The Centre can be hired by any group or individual subject to a hirer agreement and availability.  The Centre accommodates functions for up to 120 people.

It is ideal for local family celebrations, meetings, classes, exhibitions and training sessions.

How to hire the Community Centre

Further detailed information on room sizes, facilities, and a section on frequently asked questions is included in our Information Pack.  This can be downloaded here.

Check availability by emailing the bookings manager at: bookings@downleycommunitycentre.org.uk  We will be delighted to show you round of course, just ask.

If you would like to hire any of the Centre's rooms or facilities for a single occasion, eg. for a meeting or a party, please dowload this contract form. Single Event Booking Form pack. Our prices are shown on the form.

If you are looking to hire any of the Centre's rooms on a regular basis, eg. weekly or monthly, please dowload this contract form. Regular Hirer Form Pack. Our prices are shown on the form.

Meet the Team

The Centre is run by a group of committed volunteers who meet regularly to manage and maintain the facility on behalf of all local residents. All full members have become trustees of the official charity which manages the Centre.

Collectively they bring a diverse range of skills and give their time generously. They all bring enthusiasm, determination and the range of experience needed for this challenging project. Roles include building maintenance, project and financial management and business skills as well as a wide range of contacts through related activities in the local community.

Steve Morton – Chair

Steve chairs the management committee meetings, and oversees all aspects of the Centre's projects. His activities include the representation of the centre to the local community, dealing with local government and the numerous other organisations we have contact with.

Richard Armitage

Richard has lived in Downley for over 30 years and is an active member of several local groups and organisations. He is a retired Civil Engineer and Project Manager and brings broad experience that will benefit any works necessary to maintain the structure of the community centre.

Pauline Baker - Treasurer

Pauline is our Treasurer. Pauline has extensive experience of accounting systems and audit work and particular knowledge of our accounting system. Pauline is a long-standing member of the Downley community and is active in other groups and clubs.

Cathy Price – Bookings Manager

Cathy manages all aspects of bookings. She maintains our full calendar of events and issues all contracts and schedules. Cathy is also active in other groups in the village which ensures we stay at the heart of community activities.

Fran Neary – Secretary

Fran maintains official records of all our meetings, produces and distributes the agenda and minutes for all our monthly meetings and the Annual General Meeting, which is held in March each year.  Fran also focuses on how the needs of children at the centre are met.

Paul Homer – Marketing and Purchasing

Paul’s extensive background in marketing and sales promotion is a great asset to us.  His experience helps source many diverse items for the Centre ensuring that best value for money is achieved. He also undertakes all our promotional activities to publicise the Centre bringing news of all our users’ activities to the widest possible audience.

Peter Loadman – Health & Safety

Peter has been active in the community for many years and brings valuable management skills to our operation. Peter chairs our Grant Awards committee and also concentrates on health and safety issues for the Centre.

Wendy Monroe-West - Downley Parish Councillor

Wendy Monroe-West has been a Downley Parish Councillor (DPC) for 5 years and has worked in local government for 28 years and brings much experience to her role as DPC liaison.   As DPC own the freehold of the Centre, she will build on the importance of close relationships with the trustees and management committee.

Giles Tandy - Downley Parish Council

Giles is the Clerk to Downley Parish Council & works from the Community Centre five days a week. He has a background in Financial Services having worked as a Bank Manager for many years.

Kimberley Reed

Kimberley is a local mum of two and has grown up in the village. She has a passion for encouraging local people to enjoy and explore what the Community Centre has to offer and with a background in marketing is eager to improve the Centre’s social media presence.

Caroline Vassie

Caroline is also a local mum, and wants to encourage more families to use the Centre. She redesigned the schedule to make it easier for locals to discover all of the activities and classes that are on offer. From 2022 - end of 2023 she rebranded the Centre's baby and toddler group "Monday Minis" alongside Kimberley, and it has been a huge success ever since, continuing to be run weekly during term-time by another local mum.

David Worsdall

David has stood down as Chairman and concentrates primarily on hand-over issues whilst still managing some aspects of the management of the Centre.

Dave & Emma and Karen

They form our regular caretaking and cleaning team and take care of all day-to-day operations for the building.

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The Downley Old School Community Association is a registered charity and runs the Centre. It has established a formal complaints procedure. You can download details of how to make a complaint here.

Privacy Policy Statement

The Downley Old School Community Association has an official privacy policy which determines how we store and manage all client and member information that is held by the charity under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can download our full privacy policy statement here.

For all our latest news follow us on Facebook at Facebook/DownleyCommunityCentre

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