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Author: The Editor

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Part-time Administrator

Dursley United Charity (DUC) provides grants to individuals living in Dursley, Cam, Uley and Stinchcombe for education and to alleviate poverty and distress.

DUC is seeking a part-time administrator for a few hours per week.

The successful applicant will have IT skills, be flexible and trustworthy with confidential information.

Terms: Pay is National Living Wage of £12.21/hr, hours are an estimated 150hrs annualised. A laptop will be provided.

For more information: call 07971 780825

Spring 2025

Church Warden’s Report – March 2025

Thankfully, the days are drawing out and spring is approaching but it’s been a wet cold year for all of us. It seems that even the Toads are hiding away and delaying their migratory visit to the pond to date. Only the snowdrops seem to be flourishing and in greater profusion than ever especially in the field behind St Cyr’s church and in the church yard.

Bell Ringers

Meanwhile, we can look forward to enjoying the sound of the St Cyr’s church bells again on a regular basis. Andrew Ward from the local Wotton Bellringers branch is arranging a series of bi-weekly advanced minor practices for Wotton Branch ringers. On the second and fourth Monday evenings each month. 7:00 -8:30 pm Please let him know if you’re likely to attend, and if there are any particular minor methods you’d like to ring. The emphasis will be on Surprise minor, with the aim of working through the ‘standard 41’ – the ‘new’ method for this first practice will be Allendale (2nds place Norwich above, Allendale below). Other methods will be rung, especially if any local (Stinchcombe) ringers are able to attend.

Sponsored Walk

Looking ahead, another event to include in your diary is the St Cyr’s Sponsored Walk which is taking place on Saturday 29th March 2025. This year the Sponsored Walk will start from Gloucester and conclude at Slimbridge. It is in aid of two good causes namely St Cyr’s church and the Stroud Food Bank. As ever we are seeking support in the form of sponsorship for this event, so your help is warmly requested, but additional walkers are welcomed. Further details can be obtained from Pippa Leggate: email pleggate@aol.com

Mothering Sunday 30th March – 10.30am St Cyr’s Church

There will be a simple service of praise and thanksgiving centered on Mums and all those wonderful carers of our children. Please come and join in with family and friends of all ages for a time together with music, story, craft and thanksgiving. More details to follow but be sure to put the date in your diary.

Electoral Roll

Would you to consider being on the electoral roll for St Cyr’s church? This could be a small step in showing your support for the church as part of the heritage of Stinchcombe and a sacred centre for our community. Joining the electoral roll gives you official membership of the church, a way to show that you belong. It enables you to vote at the annual meeting and to be eligible to join the PCC (Parochial Church Council) which makes decisions about the direction and future of the church. There is no financial obligation or expectation for you to be on a committee! Every six years the electoral roll for Saint Cyr’s church is to be completed. All those already on the roll will need to reapply and we welcome new supporters. The media often use the Electoral Role figures when they write articles such as ‘the church is dying’ – so joining is a way of showing that the church community is alive and a reflection of all those involved in making St Cyr’s such a special place in our community.

Application forms for the electoral roll can be collected from Joan Jelfs or from the church. Alternatively, you may want to print one off by following this link and selecting Form 1 https://parishresources.org.uk/the-pcc-as-a-charity/apcms-and-electoral-roll/#Preparation_new_roll

In all cases, please return completed forms to the church.

The roll will be open from April 15th to April 29th and published in St Cy’rs church after its completion. If you are resident in the Parish, the only requirements for you to join the roll are that you are baptised, over 16, and for you to consider yourself a member of the Church of England. Finally, thank you again to all those who have generously supported the church over the last few years and who hold it as a central place within this wonderful village whether you worship with us or enjoy this special building.

The approach of Easter:

Please note that Easter falls rather later this year towards the end of April with Ash Wednesday marking the start of Lent on Wednesday 5th March. This will be marked with a service at St George’s, Cam and a Holy Communion service at St Cyr’s at 11.10 on Sunday 9th March. Full details of the Easter services will be provided nearer the time, although there will be a reflective service at 2pm at St Cyr’s on Good Friday 18th April March and a Eucharist on the 20th April – Easter Sunday.

Pippa Leggate – Church Warden

VE-Day-Logo

VE Day 80th Anniversary

VE Day Community Celebration Thursday 8th May


VE Day in 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. There are two key dates to remember, Thursday 8 May and Friday 15 August.

Thursday 8 May is Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) the day the German forces surrendered to the Allied powers. Friday 15 August is Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). This is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered, in effect bringing World War Two to an end.

On Thursday 8th May 2025, throughout the country, there will be the lighting of Beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9.30pm.

The Parish Council wants to gauge the level of interest.

The suggested outline of the celebrations is below. However, unless at least 30 people express an interest we won’t go ahead with it or will only have the beacon. The decision will be made at the next meeting on 26th February. If it does go ahead we will also publicise it in neighbouring parishes.

The suggested outline for the event is:

  • low key and not for fundraising
  • decorate the Village Hall with bunting etc
  • 6.30pm start
  • bring your own drinks and food (possibly something share, possibly 1940s-style)
  • optional 1940s fancy dress
  • Rednock Swing Band plus recordings of well-known 1940s songs when they aren’t playing
  • use projector to show appropriate photos/film clips/information (including information on VJ Day) in the background (not a formal exhibition or talk)
  • 9.30pm beacon lighting

Stinchcombe Village Hall Logo

Stinchcombe Village Hall update January 2025

After almost 5 years of planning and fundraising the Village Hall Committee are very pleased to announce that Building work will commence on the 17th of February on our Improvement project. Following the installation of acoustic panels in the main Hall building work will commence on a much-needed extension to the dated and tiny Kitchen, we are also enlarging the storeroom and hallway and creating a new main entrance.

As a bonus a new 1st floor amenity room will be created which will be ideal for family parties, larger meetings and will suit some of the smaller groups that regularly hire the main hall.

We are always looking for new Committee members to assist in the management of the Hall and in September we will be looking for a chairman who will have a gradual handover from the current chairman. We usually meet about 8 times a year and are also Trustees being responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance also ensuring we meet current legislation. It can be very rewarding working alongside a small group of local people and sharing responsibilities.

For either position contact any committee member details are on the hall website www.stinchcombehall.org.uk

Stinchcombe Playground

Auction of Drawings and Paintings

A Silent Auction to raise money for the Stinchcombe Playground and Community Space

Eight local artists have donated works to be auctioned off to raise money for the Stinchcombe Playground and Community Space.

There are also mounted prints of drawings of houses and other features in Stinchcombe.

To continue the committee’s fundraising for the Playground and Community Space, there is a Silent and Confidential Auction of 28 artworks (see link attached). 

Before the celebration event at St Cyr’s Church on Saturday 1st March between 2-5pm, Confidential bids for the items will be accepted by John Pinch who will issue those bidding a Bidders Number which they can use to make further confidential bids.

At the celebration event the artworks will be on display together with a sheet which will show against a bidders number the largest amount bid so far at 2pm. Anyone can then make further bids on the sheet using a bidders number which can be obtained from John if you haven’t already got one. 

The bidding will close at 5pm also be viewed by appointment at Court Barn, Stinchcombe Tel 07779 872711.

Please be generous and help us create a playground and community space

View towards Uley - Claire Failes
View towards Uley – Claire Failes
Torres river Patagonia – Christine Dack
The Village Hall – John Pinch
The War Memorial – John Pinch
The Telephone Box – John Pinch
The Malt House – John Pinch
The Old Parsonage – John Pinch
The Old School House – John Pinch
The Old Vicarage – John Pinch
The Swedish Houses – John Pinch
The Drinking Fountain – John Pinch
Sweet Chestnuts – Joyce Pinch
Stragglers Field – John Pinch
St Cyrs in Spring – Nola Bradley
St Cyr’s Church – John Pinch
Manor Lodge – John Pinch
Melksham Court – John Pinch
Hare by Karen Hilliard
Personalised Monogram – Miranda Songer
Pet Portrait – Catherine Sharpley
Maelstrom – Cherie Rimmel-Faulds
Piers Court – John Pinch
Langside John Pinch
Lamport Court – John Pinch
1 & 2 The Buildings – John Pinch
3 & 4 The Buildings – John Pinch
5 & 6 The Buildings – John Pinch
Stinchcombe Church - Jane Lampard
Stinchcombe Church – Jane Lampard

The Prints by John Pinch

  • There is only one print of each.
  • The prints measure 42cm wide x 30cm high, including the card mount.
  • The full-size prints are of original ink drawings by John Pinch.

The Paintings by Local Artists

  • Catherine Sharpley A pet portrait of your choice created in pastels on paper, unframed A3
  • Cherie Rimmel-Faulds “Maelstrom” Acrylic and Resin on canvas 30cm wide x 24.5 cm high, framed
  • Claire Failes “View towards Uley from Cam Peak” Acrylic on canvas 39.5cm x 21.5cm, unframed in A2 mount
  • Joyce Pinch “Sweet Chestnuts” Acrylic on board 38cm x 38cm, framed
  • Nola Bradley “St Cyr’s in Spring” Acrylic on canvas 20cm wide x 25cm high, unframed
  • Miranda Songer has offered to create a personalised monogram, similar to the image provided.
  • Christine Dack “Las Torres river, Patagonia” Oil on board 34cm wide x 38cm high, framed
  • Karen Hilliard “Hare#1” Charcoal on Saunders Waterford paper, A1, framed with glass and mount
  • Jane Lampard “Stinchcombe Church” Oil on linen panel, 25cm x 30cm, unframed

Email Bidding

Bid directly using email to:  johnpinch46@gmail.com before the celebration event.

Stinchcombe Parish Council - A community with Spirit

Please Complete our Household Survey

The Parish Council is the first level of local democracy with responsibility for representing and promoting the interests of our community. Although Gloucester County and Stroud District Councils are responsible for strategic matters (housing, highways, infrastructure, open space development etc), working at the local level, the Parish Council can create a shared vision, influence decisions and take local action.

To help us do that, we need to know the views of residents and are asking you to spend a few minutes completing this short survey.

We are intent on making Stinchcombe Parish Council work for you so plan to engage with you regularly to ensure we keep you informed as things change.

In the last Census (2021) the Village had a population of 482. Every resident’s views are important to us, so, we hope each household survey will capture the opinions of both our adult population and the 70 under 18 year olds who live here.

Survey responses will be submitted by completing the survey here but hard copies will be available at our Community Open Evening (see below) or we can deliver one to you if you let Mandy, our friendly Parish Clerk know using the contact details below.

Please complete and submit your survey by 5th December.

Everyone is welcome to join us for some festive refreshments, to meet your Councillors in person and discuss your preferences for the parish at the Parish Council Community Open Evening on Thursday 5th December from 6.30pm December in the Village Hall Committee Room.

We will also be launching the Crowd Funding initiative for the long awaited development of the Community Space and Playground on the Church Field.

Thank you very much for taking the time to complete this short survey.

Stinchcombe Parish Council

Church Wardens Report from St Cyr’s

Church Warden’s Report from St Cyr’s – December 2024/January 2025

As usual in November two services of Remembrance were held at St Cyr’s church with the All-Souls service at 6pm on the Sunday 3rd November to honour and give thanks for those who have departed this life and the Remembrance Day services on Sunday 10th November to remember those who gave their lives to our country during the World Wars. Once again, we gathered by the War memorial for a short service to honour those who died with a two-minute silence marked by the bugler and the immortal words “We will remember them.” The names of the fallen were read out by Howard Cordle and the poppy wreath was laid by Albert Wyatt whose uncle lost his life in the First World War. Maintaining such poignant family links in Stinchcombe is important and it was good to see so many members of the village present. A special Holy Communion service then followed in the church.
Meanwhile it’s hard to believe that once again Christmas is fast approaching, and it will soon be that wonderful time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus! In preparation, we look forward to Advent and to the services that tell the story of the arrival of the son of God.
With our smart new Notice Board at St Cyr’s firmly in place, we hope that you will have no difficulty in knowing what is taking place over the next couple of months!

Please note in anticipation of Christmas there are several dates at St Cyr’s church to mark in your diary as follows:

Sunday 1st December 6pm – Advent Evensong at St Cyr’s church

Sunday 15th December 5pm – Candlelight Carol Service followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Prior to the Carol service, the Scratch Choir will meet for several practice sessions, please contact Jayne Kirkham if you are interested in joining.

Saturday 21st December 10.30 a.m – 12 noon – Christmas Coffee Morning.
All are welcome to enjoy the festive decorations, Christmas cookies and coffee in aid of St Cyr’s church plus a special Book sale and Raffle. Also there will be a highlight on the new leaflet that focuses on “St Cyr’s Stinchcombe: Your Church” and ways you can offer support.

Saturday 24th December – 2pm – Christmas Eve – Once again on Christmas Eve there will be a special Live Nativity Service for all to take part in starting at 2.00pm, meeting first in the yard are at Church Farm opposite St Cyr’s church, to follow the Star and tell the story of the birth of Jesus in a manger with the animals watching round.

Sat 24th December 9.00 pm – First Holy Communion of Christmas First Holy Communion service to celebrate Christmas in St Cyr’s church will be a held at 9pm on Christmas Eve. All are welcome to celebrate this joyful time of year.

Christmas Day – 25th December – This year there will be no church service on Christmas day at St Cyr’s. The church will be open however throughout Christmas day for private prayer.

Sunday 29th December at 11.10am – Benefice Eucharist – the last Holy Communion prior to the New Year 2025.

As we look forward and prepare for Christmas, do please share details of the forthcoming dates and events with your friends and neighbours. All are welcome here at St Cyr’s church especially as we continue to enjoy the improved access facilities following the “Open to All project” that has extended the opportunities offered.

Looking ahead to January 2025, the sequence of services will continue to be as follows:

First and third Sunday of the month- Evensong
Second and fourth Sunday of the month – Holy Communion


With all good wishes for a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year 2025
Pippa Leggate

Photo taken by Caroline Marshall

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