From our President

As our Chairman, Ron Waters, indicates in his report for the year, the Society is facing some big changes to local government, including the planning system, which have been gathering momentum since the arrival of a new government in 2010.

At the same time, we also hear much of the concept of The Big Society. This is attracting varied responses from voluntary and charity organisations and there are many different interpretations as to what the Big Society might mean in practice, or whether it really represents anything new. I am sure, however, that there is wide, if not universal, acceptance that our country needs to make the best possible use of the energies and enthusiasm of all those who are willing to give their time to community activities.

Over the 50 years since it was formed, initially to protect our iconic Thames bridge, The Marlow Society has surely been a big Society in action, drawing on the expertise and commitment of scores of dedicated volunteers, and backed by the support of hundreds of ordinary members. Together they have made a vital contribution to conserving and enhancing the fabric of the town and its surroundings. While so many historic towns and villages have suffered from the blight of crude over development, Marlow has retained much of its unique character, and that all important sense of place.

Of course, I am not suggesting that we should be in any way complacent, or pretend that our efforts always achieve the results we would like. The pressures from seemingly unstoppable growth in traffic, and the demands for housing from an expanding population, will not go away in the fore-seeable future. I am confident, however, that we can continue to "make a difference" in the way that these problems are handled, to ensure that Marlow retains its historic accolade as one of England‘s most attractive and interesting towns.

If the Big Society is indeed the vision for the future, we can surely claim that we are there already!

Sir Keith Stuart