WSDS is a registered charity, non-political, and non-profit making, funded by the subscriptions of its membership.

The Society was formed in the 1960s to preserve and protect the amenities and rural character of the villages and hamlets in the area the Society covers. These include, Woburn Sands, Aspley Guise, Aspley Heath, the Brickhills, Husborne Crawley, Salford and Wavendon. Any person living in these areas is welcome to become a member of the Society, on payment of a small annual subscription.