The subscription is 50p per year although larger donations are appreciated and this gives villagers membership and entitles them to two newsletters that contain interesting local articles and information. The Society holds an AGM and a cheese and wine evening where often a speaker is engaged to present a local topic of interest.

The president, Martin Finney has been a leading light in the society for a number of years along with Bob Dearden who is the secretary and Peg Mackay (MBE), who until recently was the chairman. David Burn is currently filling this function for 2003/4. The late Ted Stebbings founded the Shenley museum that is now continued by Chris Wilkinson and is located within the village hall and is full of historical pictures and artefacts of days gone by. Steve Smith is currently the treasurer and gives a financial status at each meeting.

The book of Shenley records that the Society started in 1965 when a potential property developer applied to put high-rise flats and a car distribution centre in the middle of Shenley. The Society defeated these applications, backed by the Parish Council, but had this development succeeded would have surely been the end to Shenley’s rural character and identity as a village. Other campaigns included opposition to the M25 route and the passing of heavy vehicles through the lanes, and of course, the Society took no small part in the re-development of Shenley hospital that is now the Porters Park estate took responsibility of ‘Chairmanship of the co-ordinating committee’. The Society has also run competitions to encourage residents to take a pride in their homes and gardens, by awarding prizes for best-kept frontages and hanging baskets.

The Society is always seeking new members to help represent all interests that are valuable to a village and would welcome anybody considering taking an active part in Shenley life.  If you are interested in joining, please contact Peg McKay on 01923 855488.