Category: Village News

Community

Articulated truck stuck in Luxted Road

Lorry in Luxted Road

A 40 ton articulated truck was stuck in Luxted Road this morning. It was trying to get to Essex!!! It came to a halt when travelling towards the village and half way along Luxted Road as the driver was concerned about the overhead power cables. The driver reversed along the road until he came to Bird House Lane and then became stuck.

The police were called and the driver eventually turned the truck round and left via the other end of Luxted Road and Single Street. Unfortunately, when he travelled along Jail Lane he took down the overhead power cables outside the Old Jail Public House. The Fire Brigade and Police were called and the road was closed again.

The driver said he was following his Sat Nav!

Community

Downe Willow

Today’s update 9th June 2017

We have just heard from LBB that ‘works are on order to remove the tree completely. It will be replaced in the forthcoming planting season (November-March)’.

The willow lost yet another branch in last night’s wind. It looks as though it will be the ‘final chop’ for Downe’s iconic willow.

Downe Willow tree

Photo taken 6th June 2017

 

Unfortunately the lovely willow in the pond suffered the loss of a large branch  from the top of the tree in the strong winds yesterday (4th May 2017). It then cut through and removed one of the lower limbs.

This tree was planted more than forty years ago to soak up the excess water in the pond. The pond had not held water for a number of years and it was decided to plant three willows and the strongest one was retained. The trees were planted by the Residents’ Association and the one that was kept was then handed over to LBB as a ‘street tree’.

 

Community, Downe Wildlife

Lovely walk in the woods around Downe

Bluebell Woods                                                       Deer grazing

The countryside around Downe is looking beautiful. The bluebells are a mass of colour and the scent is overpowering.

We spotted a herd of fallow deer numbering at least forty. There were three albino in the herd and although they were aware of us they made no attempt to run away.

Community, Downe People

Brenda’s Tea Party

A Tea Party was held in the Village Hall on Saturday afternoon for Brenda Powell who is shortly leaving the village to live near her daughters. Brenda has lived in the village for more than fifty years and all those present were keen pass on their good wishes for the future.

Brenda was presented with a rose and planter and the village combined to wish her every happiness in her new home.

Brenda thanking everyone for the gift and cutting her lovely cake

Community, Traffic

Damaged lamp-post in Luxted Road

Who has damaged one of our new lamp-posts in Luxted Road? The post has been completely removed from the base by what must have been a very large vehicle travelling towards Downe Village earlier this week.

The lantern has now ‘disappeared’ and the column has been removed (Friday 25th November) – where is it and will it be replaced asap?

Damaged lamp-post

The damaged lamp-post in Luxted Road has recently been replaced. The standard was replaced before Christmas and the lantern, that was damaged in the incident, has been refitted. We now have ‘the leaning lantern of Luxted Road.’

Luxted Road lamppost.jpg
Leaning lantern of Luxted Road, Downe
Community

Christmas comes to Downe

 

A very enjoyable evening was held in Downe on Sunday with carols and mulled wine following the May Queen Carol service. The Big Switch on occurred after the 146 bus had left the Village. Live music accompanied the Switch on and a big thanks to all those who organised the very successful event.