It’s a good question and requires a little navel gazing.

Recently, I have received complaints about posts on the platform and I also know at least three people who have left the group because they did not like the way some posts were attacking others. (people, institutions, government and even others etc)

So, I ask what is Stinchcombe Social for?

• Is it a platform for people to rant?
• Is it a platform to tell jokes at others expense?
• Should we be proud that people have felt the need to leave?

At present we have 108 people in the group, but probably only 25 people who post regularly. So what DO the silent majority think?

Remember how it started

Stinchcombe Social started as a self help group to help neighbours and keep up morale at the start of Covid. Has it lost it’s way? It’s never had any rules, but should the Administrators now be taking a more active part?

Stinchcombe Social has been a great force to bring the community together, the last thing we want is it to now drive members of the community apart.

People, who know me know I am the last person to have much political correctness or belong to the woke community, but even I think we should have standards on how we converse with each other on Stinchcombe Social.

I would love to hear your views.

• Should there be “rules on speech”? – I’m personally not in favour of this as I feel that we should all know how to act.
• How about “guidelines”? – maybe, but what guidelines should there be? The only “guideline” at present is if talking to someone individually – TAKE IT PRIVATE….but no-one seems to follow this
• Should the administrators take a more active role? – If someone complains with reasons, I will.
• Is Stinchcombe Social the forum for expressing strong views on any topic? Especially when you have an open invitation to write a concise, thoughtful, well researched article for publication in our own eNEWS!

Please email me, talk to me or speak to me if you would like to express an opinion on the above and if not me, perhaps Caroline Marshall or Jessica Milliner or Roger Batty

Sincerely, Richard Bartlam

The Playground and Community Space Working Group have been working in conjunction with the Stinchcombe Parish Council and St Cyrs Parochial Church Committee to further develop plans presented to the Village through consultation in September last year.

The Working Group and PC took on comments from across the village about proposed designs and the PC have now approved a reduced design which includes modifications to alleviate concerns about privacy and road safety from neighbouring residents. The design has been approved to go through permitted development as a single phase development with the caveat that a lease is legally drawn up for the use of the ground in Church Field, and a supporting Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use or Development (CLPUD) is secured, which ensures the design is lawful and endorsed by Stroud district planning.

This decision marks great progress in making reality a community space which provides families and people across the village of all ages a place to relax, have fun and make friendships.

The PC would also like to refurbish the existing swings at the Rugby Field site. The old swingset has been dismantled due to the structure not being safe. Further discussions will take place with the Rugby Club, and local support will be needed to make this a reality.

We will continue to keep the village briefed on new developments via the PC website. We will also be hosting new fundraising events through 2023 for the new development at Church Field and welcome support from villagers for fundraising and to support grant funding applications. Please reach out to Naomi Heming or Steve Lane if this is of interest.

New Planning Application submitted

A Planning Application for the two storey, three metre extension into the Village Hall Car Park has been submitted to Stroud District Council. You can read more and submit comments at the link below. Deadline 10th March. 

To see the revised plan on the Village Hall Website use this link

It’s taken a long time and a lot of work, especially by Kath Hudson, but everything needed for the traffic calming scheme (gates, signage, posts for the VAS) has been procured and should be with the contractor by next week. The contractor has to decide on the order he tackles the locations, the dates at each location, the exact position of the temporary lights etc. This involves a lot of paperwork but we have a provisional start date of 13^th March – fingers crossed there are no more delays!

Several residents have kindly made donations towards the cost of the village gateways and the Parish Council is very grateful for their generosity. If you would also like to help towards these costs with a donation, however small, it would be very gratefully received. Please email clerk@stinchcombepc.co.uk if you would like to do so.

Stinchcombe Village Hall Vacancy

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 roll 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 be a have an important role and will have a part in it’s future success.

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

Charlie Oakhill

07958 474807

Palette Club Membership

Might you be interested in joining us? Wednesday morning in Stinchcombe Village Hall.

We meet and paint together for 2 – 3 hours and enjoy occasional demonstrations, workshops and outings to sketch or visit exhibitions.

Contact Angela for more information.