DEBATING SOCIETY: The Annual General Meeting was held before the final debate of the current season in the Church Rooms on Saturday, March 25, when the topic was This house believes that Chipping Campden should remain essentially unchanged.

The main proposer, John Ellis, began by stating that much change had occurred in the past and it was therefore necessary to try to define the essential nature of Chipping Campden in making his case. He suggested that the built environment, particularly the High Street (the most beautiful in all England), the surrounding landscape and the social and economic fabric were the three essential elements which must be preserved. Current planning regulations protect reasonably well the first two of these but our way of life is threatened by the large increase in the cost of properties, the growth of second homes and the loss of essential shops if they are deserted for the giant supermarkets. Happily, the social fabric, with its caring groups, its excellent schools and its many clubs and societies, is in good shape. Judith Ellis (cousin of John), suggested the formation of the CLF (Campden Liberation Front) to outdo the Chic London Fortnighters (CLF).

In opposing the motion, Andrew Perkins, pointed out that Campden has been subject to change since its mention in the Domesday Book in 1086. The wool trade was the backbone of Campden's prosperity for several centuries, only to vanish over a 100 years ago. The railway came to Campden in 1847 but was axed 40 years ago. The arrival of the Guild in 1902 was only temporary; many new homes were built after the First World War, and after the Second World War the population had almost doubled. James Monteith seconded the opposition by raising the case of the proposed car park, first mooted several decades ago, as an essential change in order to accommodate the growing number of tourists and those who come in to shop from the catchment area.

The motion was carried, 19 for, nine against, with four abstentions.