History
An independent voice for Leighton-Linslade since 1965
The 1960s was a time of great change in Leighton Buzzard - as elsewhere in Britain. Buildings which had stood two or three hundred years were being swept away and replaced by some of the least inspired architecture in history. The South Bedfordshire Preservation Society had been formed to try to prevent this. They were regarded by many, including the town planners, as harmless eccentrics who were best ignored. But, as a result of their efforts, the local paper noted at the end of 1960 “There seems to be a new spirit in Leighton - a spirit of protest against planning”.
By 1965 it became clear that Leighton needed a group of its own, and the local members of the South Bedfordshire Society formed the Leighton Buzzard and District Preservation Society, to focus on the towns of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade and the surrounding villages. One of the proposals fought by the new Society was the creation of a drive-in cinema in King’s Wood, Heath and Reach. King’s Wood is now classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve, illustrating how awareness of the need to cherish the best in our natural and built environment has grown in 50 years.
In 2001, it was decided that the Society should be known simply as “The Leighton Buzzard Society”. The word ‘preservation’ was thought to give too restricted an impression, as the Society had always supported good developments and improvements, and not just strived to keep everything as it was. Although for brevity the name no longer contains ‘and District’, the Society still covers the surrounding villages.
Membership is open to all.
Active in all areas of proposed change and development, the Society campaigns, question and speak out against changes to the Green Belt, Flight Paths, proposed housing,planning, transport links, mineral extraction, the state of pavements, roads, cycle ways, footpaths.
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Memberships costs just £10.00 per year for individuals, £18.00 for family membership (couple with or without children) and runs January to December, if you join after August your membership will run to the December the following year.
(For non members to attend a meeting there is a charge of £2, occassionally there is a member only meetings at the request of the speaker).
Cheques payable to Leighton Buzzard Society
Send to Membership Secretary,
Leighton Buzzard Society,
3 Cetus Crescent,
Leighton Buzzard
to pay online via BACS please use your name as the reference and email our Membership Secretary for details on how to pay online.
(For non members to attend a meeting there is a charge of £2, occassionally there is a member only meetings at the request of the speaker).
Cheques payable to Leighton Buzzard Society
Send to Membership Secretary,
Leighton Buzzard Society,
3 Cetus Crescent,
Leighton Buzzard
to pay online via BACS please use your name as the reference and email our Membership Secretary for details on how to pay online.