New Councillor

The Parish Council is back up to full strength as we welcome Tracey Legg as our new member. Tracey has lived in Stinchcombe for 25 years and brings with her considerable experience in administration work and a good understanding of the planning process which should prove very useful. We are pleased to have someone from Taits Hill Road on the Council as it’s good to have representation from various parts of the village.

As previously announced we have also recently welcomed Charlie MacFarlane to the Council. Charlie lives on The Street and has nobly agreed to take on the role of Chair of the Council where he’s already doing an excellent job.

Our other Councillors, Marian Shaw, Diana Davidson and Ian Kirkham all continue to carry out their duties and represent the village as well as ever.

Preparing for Winter

Gloucestershire County Council has agreed a process to allow us to have more grit bins. If you know of any bins that need replacing or relocating, or can think of particular locations where they would be useful, please let the Clerk know as soon as possible.

Once the leaves start to fall, blocked drains become an increasing problem and our County Councillor, Linda Cohen is starting a “Leaf It Out” campaign to try and encourage residents to clear the drains by their properties just to keep the worst under control without waiting for Highways to do it. Any help you can provide in doing this would be greatly appreciated. It would also be very helpful if, where possible, residents could avoid parking over drains so that Highways can reach them when they do come to clear them.

Highways Have Your Say

Gloucestershire residents are being asked for their views on all things highways after a new survey was launched. The survey asks residents for their views on road condition, grass verges, pavements, street lighting, road signs and more. Please try to spare the time to make your views known.
Gloucestershire County Council want more detail on what residents think at a local level. They’re also offering anyone who completes the survey the opportunity to take part in further focus groups to offer more detailed feedback.

Access the highways survey before it closes midday 1 August 2023. Offline submissions also available on request.
Reporting highways issues can be done online Your Highways – Report it – Highways (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

Stinchcombe History Society is participating in a local history exhibition at Museum in the Park, which is located in Stratford Park in Stroud.

TripAdvisor rates the Museum as the second best thing to do in Stroud so it’s worth a look. If you’re wondering, Woodchester Mansion came out as the top attraction.

The exhibition is called Local History in the Five Valleys and runs from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd July. Shh … don’t tell them that Stinchcombe isn’t in the Five Valleys! ☺️

See the Museum’s webpage for opening times.

Dursley Rocks –

On behalf of the entire Rugby Club, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in the Parish for your patience with and support of the recent Dursley Rocks event which we hosted recently.

This is the first time the not for profit community event has been held at the grounds and marks our first major event since the Summer Ball held prior to the various Lockdowns. We appreciate these events can cause disruption and hope on the whole this was managed effectively. I know many of you attended and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that has given us feedback as it will certainly help us learn for future events.

One of our key learns has been the need for clear communication within the local community and we are planning to utilise the e-News more regularly moving forward to inform you of upcoming events and club activities. We always welcome any thoughts and feedback.

70th Anniversary Celebrations –

In the spirit of communication we are very excited to announce a family friendly day of celebration to be held at the club on the 19th of August to mark our 70th season as Dursley Rugby Club.

We are planning a host of celebratory events so please come and join us as we kick-off with a day of family fun and rugby, with entertainment for everyone. We’re still finalising details but there will be plenty of food, drink and children’s entertainment followed by a friendly game of pre-season rugby. There is no cost to enter the event so please do come along..

Phil Sprague – Chairman Dursley Rugby Club

Imagine my surprise

When adding todays content onto the website, imagine my surprise to be offered a new button on my program called AI assistant. OOoo err! I thought. what happens if I press it!

Original Paragraph

The Village Hall Committee will shortly have a vacancy for a Treasurer, following many years of loyal service by Sarah Tweed. Sarah is sadly stepping down due to other commitments and the desire to spend more time travelling. The vacancy will start at the AGM in November; however, we hope to get someone sooner to ‘learn the ropes’ before Sarah departs. Without belittling Sarah or understating the responsibility, the position is mainly keeping management accounts, online Banking and paying suppliers. Working alongside the Bookings officer and producing a summarised Cash flow report monthly. Qualifications are less important but an active role in account management is essential.

AI told to Summarise

The Village Hall Committee is in need of a new Treasurer as Sarah Tweed, who has been serving the position for many years, will be stepping down. Sarah’s decision to resign is due to her other commitments and her desire to spend more time traveling. The vacancy will officially begin at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November. However, it is preferable to find a replacement as soon as possible to allow for a smooth transition. The primary responsibilities of the Treasurer include managing the organization’s accounts, online banking, and paying suppliers. The Treasurer will also work closely with the Bookings Officer and produce a monthly cash flow report. While qualifications are not the main focus, having experience in account management is essential for this role.

AI told to sound Optimistic!

The Village Hall Committee will soon have an exciting opportunity for a Treasurer! After many years of dedicated service from Sarah Tweed, who is sadly stepping down due to other commitments and a desire to explore new adventures, we are looking for someone to fill her shoes. Although the official vacancy will start at the AGM in November, we are eager to find someone sooner to provide a smooth transition. While we fully acknowledge Sarah’s invaluable contributions and the weight of responsibility, the primary duties of the position involve managing accounts, online banking, and ensuring timely payments to suppliers. The Treasurer will work closely with the Bookings Officer and be responsible for generating monthly and concise cash flow reports. While formal qualifications are not our primary focus, active involvement in account management is a must. This is a wonderful opportunity to join our team and contribute to the community’s success!

AI told to sound Humorous

The Village Hall Committee is about to have a fabulous opportunity for a Treasurer, courtesy of Sarah Tweed’s retirement after years of dedicated service. Sarah, with a heavy heart, has decided to step down to pursue her dreams of globe-trotting and explore the world. The vacancy will officially open its doors at the AGM in November, but we’re hoping to find someone beforehand to learn the ropes from Sarah. Now, let’s not undermine the tremendous work Sarah has done or downplay the responsibility, but the role primarily involves managing accounts, handling online banking, and keeping those sneaky suppliers paid. You’ll be working closely with the Bookings officer and preparing a monthly Cash flow report that’s concise and to the point. While qualifications matter less, having an affinity for account management is an absolute must. Get ready to embrace this exciting position!

And finally my favourite…Sceptical

The Village Hall Committee surprisingly has a vacancy for a Treasurer, following Sarah Tweed’s alleged years of loyal service. Sarah is apparently stepping down due to “other commitments” and a sudden urge to travel. The vacancy will supposedly start at the AGM in November, but they seem strangely eager to find someone before Sarah leaves to “learn the ropes.” Apparently, the position primarily involves managing accounts, online banking, and making payments to suppliers, but let’s not downplay Sarah’s role or the responsibility involved. The Treasurer will conveniently work alongside the Bookings officer and conveniently produce a summarised cash flow report on a monthly basis. They claim that qualifications are less important, but they insist on an “active role” in account management.

I predict that by the end of this year I will be digitalized completely!

There are over 400 members of the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens spread across five Districts of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We are the volunteer arm of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and for almost 50 years have been giving our time and skills to enhance and encourage enjoyment of the Cotswolds.

We have in place a network of “parish wardens” throughout the Cotswolds. These wardens patrol the footpaths of their parish and also maintain regular contact with parish councils and landowners. In many parishes these wardens are already in regular contact with designated representatives of the councils and the lines of communication are working well. We are, however, well aware that coverage of all parishes in South district is incomplete.

Cotswold Wardens can assist landowners and councils in the following ways:

• By patrolling footpaths and bridleways to advise the Public Rights of Way officers of problem areas. They may also identify local features in need of restoration. Cotswold wardens work closely with all PROW teams.
• By mobilising trained & insured work parties to clear blocked paths, stiles and stone walls, in co-operation with landowners. Where required, wardens install new kissing gates, stiles, steps and footbridges. Work parties also undertake other appropriate community projects, such as hedge-laying, tree planting, dry stone walling, and the conservation of unimproved limestone grassland, meadows, and of broadleaved woodlands.

Guided Walks

Cotswold Wardens organise and lead a full programme of guided walks throughout the year. These are published on our website. The Cotswold AONB has been renamed “Cotswold National Landscape”.

Download “Guided Walks near Stroud in July and August 2023”

Our labour is entirely free of charge. However, we welcome voluntary contributions from ramblers enjoying our guided walks. All donations go to the “Cotswold Conservation Board Countryside Fund.” Such funds are used to source materials for projects endorsed by Wardens in order to conserve and enhance the Cotswolds, or to promote understanding and enjoyment of them.

If you would like to find out more about our services, please contact me at jagchg@yahoo.co.uk . I am a warden and also was a parish councillor at King’s Stanley. Further information on the Cotswolds AONB, guided walks, and Cotswold Voluntary Wardens can be found on www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk.

John Graham ( South District Cotswold Wardens) tel. 01453 823351.

A few parishioners have asked the question above, and it has been a while since the playground group has shared an update in regard to the proposed playground at Church Field.

After the consultation events in September/October last year, tweaks were made to the proposed design, taking into account the feedback received. The feedback and updated designs were shared with the Parochial Church Committee (PCC) members who are responsible for decisions related to Church Field and the Parish Council (PC) who would be responsible for any development that takes place.

Quite rightly, both groups have responsibilities and separate considerations that needed to be addressed, and we are currently awaiting the appropriate and agreeable legal lease to be drawn out. After this has taken place, the playground group will be more active, working with the PCC and PC to start fundraising and finalizing a plan going forward.

We also get asked about the situation regarding the old swings on the rugby club site. The PC has carried out a survey and been in discussions with the Rugby Club to consider a way forward to replace the swings by the village hall that were decommissioned due to condition.

In the meantime…

Our children are getting older and there is still a community for them to feel part of. Therefore, the playground committee is arranging a Summer Social at Church Field. It is a free event on Sunday 16th July from 2-5pm.

The Village Hall Committee will shortly have a vacancy for a Treasurer.

Following many years of loyal service by Sarah Tweed. Sarah is sadly stepping down due to other commitments and the desire to spend more time travelling. The vacancy will start at the AGM in November; however, we hope to get someone sooner to ‘learn the ropes’ before Sarah departs. Without belittling Sarah or understating the responsibility, the position is mainly keeping management accounts, online Banking and paying suppliers. Working alongside the Bookings officer and producing a summarised Cash flow report monthly. Qualifications are less important but an active role in account management is essential.

It is an unpaid position as with all the Committee who are also Trustees. We are a registered Charity, so an annual report has to be filed to the Charities Commission with the help of the Chairman. We hold around 8 meetings a year and we would expect the new Treasurer to attend most of these meetings. The Hall has been busier over the past few years and is entering an exciting period of improvements and updating to cater for the increasing demands and future needs of our Community. The successful candidate will have an important role and will have a part in its future success.

Apply in confidence for an informal chat to Charlie Oakhill (Chairman) charlieoakhill@hotmail.com