Ditchling Village Association
About the Ditchling Village Association
The Ditchling Village Association (DVA) was formed in 1947 to co-ordinate the activities of the various clubs and societies in the Village and continues as an organising body working in co-ordination with numerous and varied local organisations to promote co-operation between all sections of the community.
The stated objectives are:
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To unite all who live in Ditchling for the good of all
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To promote the welfare and well-being of all who live in Ditchling
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To help support and encourage each Council, Society and Club to fulfil its particular objectives
All parish residents are automatically a member of the DVA and therefore entitled to attend all meetings. Additionally, each association nominates a representative. The Officers are elected annually.
The Ditchling Village Association (DVA) works as a co-ordinator between all the organisations - formal and informal - within the village. It serves as a platform to bring together all factions of the village for combined events, such as the Village Fair, Newcomers Party, Coffee Mornings, etc.
It also provides support to all its associated individual organisations and societies, who in turn reciprocate to make all the village events truly "family" affairs!
DVA - Process for making grants
The DVA provides grants to village clubs, groups, societies and events for small projects and other benefits. Applications for grants are invited to be submitted for review by 31 October and 30 April each year. Typical grants are in the region of several hundred pounds.
DVA - Application form for Grant
THIS LINK opens the application form for a DVA grant. As set out in Process for Making Grants (above), the DVA provides grants to village clubs, groups, societies and events for small projects and other benefits. Applications for grants are invited to be submitted for review by 31 October and 30 April each year.
Current Officers of the DVA:
Chair — Catharine Robinson — chair.dva@ditchling.com
Hon. Treasurer — Melissa Mathur — treasurer.dva@ditchling.com
Hon. Secretary — Neil Iosson — secretary.dva@ditchling.com
Website Co-ordinator:
If you wish to raise any issues etc, regarding this website please contact:
John Willis — 15 East Gardens — johnw@ditchling.com
Our Inspiration
Oh! There is gorse on Ditchling
All golden in the sun,
And sweeping slopes of Downland
Where gold cloud-shadows run,
And Caburn silver misted,
And Chancton’s sunset Ring,
And little Clayton laughing
In wonder at the Spring.
The narrow road to Ditchling,
The old white road I love –
There’s open Down beside it
And open sky above.
Unlorded, brave and lonely
It runs from end to end,
The skylark for companion,
The sea wind for a friend.
But we who’ve stood on Ditchling,
And watch’d the red sun set
Behind the hills at Fulking-
We shall not soon forget.
Mount Harry, grey and quiet,
Crown’d Cissbury tinged with fire
Or royal, happy Ditchling,
The haven of desire!
Extract from a poem “Ditchling Beacon” by Alfred Bathurst Norman
written in May 1917