To maintain or improve the quality of life for people living in Bampton.

To keep up to date and in close touch with all proposed changes in Bampton and oppose those considered undesirable.

This is done by:

Studying all planning applications;

Studying local plans and structure plans as drafted by the West Oxfordshire District Council or the Oxfordshire County Council;

Studying all proposals for change proposed by the Parish Council;

Making representations supporting or objecting to proposed plans or changes;

Developing new ideas for improving life in Bampton;

Co-operating with Bampton Environmental Watch Group (B.E.W.G.), a society which has broadly similar objectives, with the Parish Council and the W.O.D.C. whenever possible.

Since its formation in 1993, there have been no further large housing developments approved. Previously, a new development was approved almost every year. This virtually complete halt in major housing developments was achieved by objecting as strongly as possible to each proposal. Usually the Society also obtained co-operation and agreement from other organisations such as W.O.D.C. and B.E.W.G. Evidence was given at the Public Inquiries relating to two major applications. It is probably fair to say that developers now realise that Bampton is no longer the "soft touch" it used to be.

The Society purchased Sandford’s Field, the last open space near the centre of Bampton and gave it to the Bampton Recreation Ground Charity with a proviso that it must never be used for building and must be retained as an open space for residents to use free of charge.

Current membership is around 450. The Society would like as many members as possible, so as to have the largest possible "voice" when making representations.

Membership fees are £2 for 3 years - half price for O.A.Ps.

For that modest fee members receive letters up-dating them on a regular basis. Also, when members have planning problems, help is offered to the extent possible.

To join the Society, write to the Chairman, S.P.B., Manor House, Bampton. OX18 2LQ, and send the membership fee for each applicant in the household.

The Society is run by a Committee. Each member is elected for 3 years after which they retire, but can offer themselves for re-election by the membership.

The Committee appoints its officers – namely, a Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary. There is an annual general meeting, usually in March each year at which the Chairman reports on the previous year’s activities and current situation. The Treasurer presents the annual accounts at the same meeting.

The election of Committee members takes place by post about the same date.

The Committee can co-opt additional members but these co-opted members must subsequently submit themselves for re-election.

The Committee is currently as follows:

Chairman: The Earl of Donoughmore, The Manor House, Bampton; Telephone 01993 850231.

Secretary: Dr. R. Landray, Grange Cottage, High Street, Bampton; Telephone 01993 850223.

Treasurer: Mr. S. Plumb, Field View House, Mount Owen Road, Bampton; Telephone 01993 851993.

Mr. P. Cowan, The Old Farmhouse, Weald, Bampton.

Mrs. Jenny Parrish, Haven Cottage, Buckland Road, Bampton.

Mrs. Louise Robinson, Cobb House, Church Close, Bampton.

Mr. & Mrs. A. E. Walker, Waterloo House, Broad Street, Bampton.