The Darley Abbey Society

The birth of the Society in 1989 came about from the success of Julian Marshall and others, in consultation with an architect and a developer, in opposing the planning application for a block of flats to be built, where the very pleasant cottages are now, in Brick Row opposite the old School. From this experience and success it was appreciated that it would be good to have a group in Darley Abbey that could keep an eye on such matters in the future. Thus, The Darley Abbey Society was born - Darley Abbey's voice, so to speak!

One of the other early big projects resulted from the planning application for a proposed large house to be built on the area where the riverside garden is now located on Darley Street. Objections to the plan were started by the residents of Flat Square and the DAS were asked to help. We followed it through and, after much discussion and two public inquiries, the house proposal was over-turned. Thereafter the DAS, with Derby City Council and the then River Authority, purchased the land and jointly designed and developed the garden which is now enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

We have bought litter bins and initiated others in areas of need in the village. We have bought seats for the garden, the park and the village. We have also initiated and paid for for new notice-boards and have repaired and acquired additional ones, all of which are well-used by village groups and others.

When it was known that Nynex were coming to the village to lay their cables, we had all heard tales-of-woe about damage done to trees, pavements and private front gardens by cable-laying in other parts of the city. The DAS arranged meetings and exhibitions with Nynex staff to enable people to express their concerns. As a result Nynex did a very satisfactory job in Darley Abbey and had very few complaints.

At one time the Public Toilets in the park were a disgrace and unusable for most people. As a result of much time by the DAS in discussion with the City Council the toilets were greatly improved. There is now a continuing need for vigilance by us all to report any vandalism or other activity that could again make them unusable.

Safety for users of the pathway from the A6 to the Walter Evans School was improved when, through DAS initiative, the Electricity Authority and the City Council got together and installed lighting which had been badly needed. The Society also took action successfully when Some Darley Abbey residents were being disturbed by excessive noise from heavy lorries early in the mornings. Helen McCoy and Gordon Jones, respectively, acted for the Society in those two matters.

For five consecutive years from 1993 to 1997 Darley Abbey won 1st place in the East Midlands Britain in Bloom competition and in 1993 also won 1st place in the National competition. Thorston Sjolin and I, on behalf of the DAS, were the co-ordinators with the City Council for the work involved, which included the re-cultivation and re-planting of the garden in front of the shops from DAS funds and mainly with DAS labour.

Residents, members and non-members, have come to the Society from time to time for advice or help on planning applications for proposed development which they have felt would be intrusive on the area. The Society has assisted where possible.

The Society has addressed many other smaller problems on a day-to-day basis over the years. Many of those would seem extremely small to people not involved, but to those affected some of those small problems have been very big and worrying.

Traffic movements and parking in Darley Abbey continue to be a problem despite the success of  the traffic committee in getting traffic calming measures installed on the main routes through the village. We are therefore trying to reform the Traffic committee to try and get better traffic contol measures implemented .

The Darley Abbey Society is always very happy to welcome new members who will receive regular newsletters each year and are invited to all of the open meetings to hear good speakers on many different subjects of common interest.