The aim of the Society is to preserve and enhance the character, appearance and environment of the villages of Sonning and Sonning Eye. It intends to achieve this through three activities:

1. Promotion of high standards of planning and architecture. A Planning and Environment Panel drawn from the membership will comment on planning applications and proposals. Linked to this activity, another Panel also drawn from the membership focuses on Traffic and Transport issues.
2. Dissemination of information about the geography, history, natural history and architectural heritage of both villages through a series of walks and talks, which will be open to members and non-members alike. This Programme is co-ordinated by an Education Panel drawn from the membership.
3. Preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic, natural and public interest, working alongside the two Parish Councils. The Society’s top-level decision-making body is the Executive Committee, which holds open meetings, including an Annual General Meeting at which Officers are elected. These are meetings which members are most welcome to attend.

Below is an excerpt from the Society Constitution which further outlines the Society aims. You can also read the Constitution in full by clicking HERE.

1. NAME

The name of the Society shall be the Sonning & Sonning Eye Society.

2. OBJECTS

2.1 The Society is established for the public benefit for the following purposes in the area comprising Sonning and Sonning Eye and their surroundings which area shall hereinafter be referred to as "the area of benefit":

(i) To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit.

(ii) To educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of the area of benefit.

(iii) To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic, natural or public interest in the area of benefit.

2.2 In furtherance of the said purposes but not otherwise the Society through its Executive Committee shall have the following powers:

(1) To promote civic pride in the area of benefit.

(2) To promote research into subjects directly connected with the objects of the Society and to publish the results of any such research.

(3) To act as a co-ordinating body and to co-operate with the local authorities, planning committees, and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and persons having aims similar to those of the Society.

(4) To promote or assist in promoting activities of a charitable nature throughout the area of benefit.

(5) To publish papers, reports and other literature, using appropriate media.

(6) To make surveys and prepare maps and plans and collect information in relation to any place, erection or building of beauty, natural or historic interest within the area of benefit.

(7) To hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions.

(8) To educate public opinion and to give advice and information.

(9) To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of subscription, donation and otherwise; provided that the Society shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for its primary purpose.

(10) To acquire, by purchase, gift or otherwise, property whether subject to any special trust or not.

(11) Subject to such consents as may be required by law, to sell, let, mortgage, dispose of, or turn to account, all or any of the property or funds of the Society as shall be necessary.

(12) Subject to such consents as may be required by law, to borrow or raise money for the purposes of the Society on such terms and on such security as the Executive Committee shall think fit, but so that the liability of individual members of the Society shall in no case extend beyond the amount of their respective annual subscriptions.

(13) To do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said purposes.