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Author: The Editor

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Stinchcombe Playground

Stinchcombe Playground & Community Space

A New Initiative

A new initiative to create a new playground space in Stinchcombe has been underway since Spring last year. It has been necessary to explore many elements which has taken significant time and effort by the Committee.

We are now in a position to update the village on where we are with the project.

Working in Consultation

Working in consultation with the Church PCC, The Friends of St Cyr’s, Stinchcombe Village Council and the Dursley Rugby Club, a number of options have been explored for the creation of a new space for children and families from our village to enjoy. In agreement with the Church PCC we are delighted to announce that we have been granted approval to use the Church Field site (opposite St Cyr’s church) – pending planning approval – as our designated site. Furthermore, we have decided in consultation with the Church PCC to increase the scope of our project from the creation of a playground to the development of an inclusive space for all residents in Stinchcombe; a space where we can come together as families and friends, relax, restore and have fun. The site will combine a blend of environmentally sympathetic playground equipment and landscaping along with trees, planting and seating areas.

Initial Designs

We are in the process of developing initial designs for the Community Space which will be presented for consultation with Stroud District council. In due course these designs will be shared with the residents of Stinchcombe village for your feedback.

We will continue to provide updates on the development of the Stinchcombe Community Space over coming months via Stinchcombe enews as well as providing information displays at key fundraising events, such as the upcoming Race Night scheduled for the 19th March at the Village Hall.

Questions

I am sure all of you will have many questions about the Community Space project, a few of which we hope will be answered through the Q&A below.

Q: Who is the Community Space project aimed at?

We hope to create a space which residents of all ages in Stinchcombe will enjoy. We aim to create play areas and facilities for children of all ages as well as areas for adults and families to sit, walk and relax. We also aim to create an accessible space for children or adults with disabilities.

Q: When will the space be ready to enjoy?

At present we do not have a specific date for installation of the site. There are many different design, planning and funding challenges to be overcome as well as different groups to be consulted. With the scope of this project being significantly larger than its original aim, we expect to plan a multi-phased programme of work which may take a few years to install. We are striving to start with a first phase of work in 2023 – the scope of which is still to be decided and agreed. Further information on this will be released in due course.

Q: How is this project going to be funded?

Our aim is to raise a significant portion of the funds for this project via grant applications. In addition we will be organising a number of fundraising activities, a number of which will be aimed at attracting people and money from the local areas around Stinchcombe. In consultation with the Village Parish Council, we have provisionally earmarked some Precept funds for the ongoing maintenance and management of the site.

Q: How will we access and park at the site?

This is an element of the project which is a challenge and we are focussing on. Pedestrian access and parking is being considered and assessed as part of the project, however we hope that many of the residents from within Stinchcombe will walk or cycle to the site in order to minimise parking requirements.

For further information on how to get involved in supporting the Stinchcombe Community Space Committee and its activities please contact Naomi Heming.

Open2All Logo

A prayer for the Open 2 All project

I was asked by The Rev’d Fiona to write a prayer for the ‘Open to All’ project as we approach the commencement of the work.

The prayer which I have written can be used in its entirety, or broken into a sentence or section. It may be that one particular line resonates with someone, and they may wish to pray that one sentence? 

When contemplating prayer, I am reminded of the words of Wilferd Peterson:-

“Change can be accomplished most of all through the power of prayer, because with God all things are possible“

Wendy Hamilton

A Prayer for the Open 2 All Project

Heavenly Father,

It is with grateful hearts that we give thanks to all who have worked so tirelessly to bring this project to commencement. For generosity, perseverance and belief, expressed by so many.

We remember and give thanks for all those who have held this dream in their hearts, but are sadly no longer here to witness its fruition.

We ask for God’s protection on all who will work on physically creating easy access and space for hospitality.

We pray for patience, understanding, and care to be expressed with humanity to one another during this time of change.

We look forward with hope that St. Cyr’s will provide welcome, strength, and inner peace to all who visit.

May the love of Christ seep into the souls of those who seek comfort.

In this holy place, may there be refreshment, hospitality and healing.

As we create, so we pray in faith, that St. Cyr’s will offer security and witness for generations to come.

We pray that in times of uncertainty in a transient world, here there is permanence.

We give thanks for our beautiful church, loved by so many, now, and through ages past. Let us pray that it is love which radiates from this holy house of God, and truly provides a place of welcome and joy.

It is with hope that we create. It is with faith that we look forward. It is with love that we open St. Cyr’s to all.

Let us pray that it may be so.

Amen

Trustee Vacancy – Stinchcombe United Charities

New Trustee Sought

Do you live in Stinchcombe and might be interested in becoming a trustee?

Stinchcombe United Charities is a collection of six charities regulated by the Charity Commission which have been supporting the people of Stinchcombe for centuries. Over that time, they have provided financial support to countless parishioners in times of hardship or distress and have assisted Stinchcombe’s young people with the cost of their studies.

Maeve Aldridge has recently retired as a trustee of the Charities. The Board is very grateful for her support since 2010 and is now looking for another parishioner to continue the Charities’ work in Stinchcombe.

The new trustee will join 7 other trustees and the Vicar of St Cyr’s who is an ex-officio trustee. The role is not particularly onerous, usually involving attendance at one or two meetings per year to ensure that income is managed and allocated in accordance with the governing document.

Becoming a trustee of Stinchcombe United Charities is a good way to get to know the local community better. If you would like to hear more about the role, please get in touch with me or any of the following trustees for a chat – Russ Holloway, John Pinch, Joan Jelfs, Richard Jones, Julie Thomas, Charlie Oakhill, Rev. Fiona Crocker.

To apply for this vacancy, please contact:  

Sharon Townend (Chair – Stinchcombe United Charities)

by e-mailing

20 Plenty

Time to reconsider 20’s plenty?

Valentine’s Day – time to reconsider 20’s Plenty?

Until a couple of months ago I thought 20’s Plenty was all wishful thinking and wheelie bin stickers.  Then the Parish Council got an email from Scott McNeill, campaign organiser for Gloucestershire. Scott urged us to pass a motion supporting 20 mph as the default speed limit on village and urban streets where people live, work, shop, play or learn.

A Persuasive Campaign

Following up on the links Scott sent us, I was amazed at the head of steam behind the campaign both nationally and locally. More than 1 in 3 of the UK population live in Local Authorities which already accept 20mph as the right speed limit where cars come into contact with people.  That includes our neighbours in Oxfordshire, Bath & North East Somerset and Bristol and the whole of Wales.  In all these areas and in many others the process of rolling out 20 mph limits has started.

Yes, but …

Like me, you’ve probably got questions and doubts about how 20 mph limits would work.  As a starting point, have a look at this short video by Rod King, founder of 20’s Plenty

Video is on the website or see the video here

20’s Plenty Gloucestershire

Here in Gloucestershire there is strong and growing support for wider use of 20 mph limits.  85% of the 121 town and parish councils responding to a county council survey last December were in favour.  The survey was rather a rushed affair in the run up to Christmas and we suspect that it was overlooked by a considerable number of councils.

At the most recent count, nearly 50 councils, including Stinchcombe PC, have confirmed their support for a 20 mph residential limit by passing a motion. Some of the District Councils are included and the Greens in Stroud District plan to bring a motion at the next full council meeting.

Gloucestershire Constabulary now strongly supports the use of 20 mph zones and encourages their greater use, especially in residential areas. (Based on letter from Chief Constable Rod Hansen to Eastington residents, quoted in GCC Environment Scrutiny Committee minutes of 12/1/22.)

Since I signed up as the 20’s Plenty campaigner for Stinchcombe I’ve been talking tactics with Scott and other campaigners around Gloucestershire.  I’ve also made contact with neighbouring councils, some in full support, others undecided or  unaware of recent developments.  At the national level, Rod King and Campaign Manager Anna Semlyen are approachable and full of knowledge and enthusiasm.

Public Consultation

GCC accepts that “20 mph limits are going to be a key instrument in delivering safer roads”.  It has included 20 mph limits in a wider review of its Road Safety Policy.  Full public consultation is expected to take place in April/May this year.

I’ll do my best to ensure that Stinchcombe residents are notified in good time and know how to participate if they wish. 

Let’s start talking now

We don’t need to wait for the consultation to begin considering this complex issue.  If you have thoughts or questions about introducing 20 mph limits in Stinchcombe you can contact me at Stinchcombe@20splentyforus.org.uk

  • Was the Parish Council right to pass a motion of support?
  • Where would you welcome a 20 mph residential limit in Stinchcombe?
  • Are there stretches of road you think should retain a higher limit?
  • Would you want a 20 mph limit by your home?
  • What benefits would 20 mph limits have for you and your family?
  • What doubts or concerns would you have?

I won’t have the answer to every question but if it’s possible to get one for you I will do so.

How would it fit in with our other planned traffic calming measures?

Our vehicle-activated sign (VAS), when we get it, could be used with 20 mph limits just as well as with 30 mph limits. It would provide useful data on how speeds changed with the introduction of a lower limit.   In case you’re wondering, the current position is that our VAS application is still with Highways, nearly 4 months since we first submitted it.  County Councillor Linda Cohen is helping us chase up a response.

Village gateways are compatible with 20 mph limits and are often used to reinforce them.  We have identified a preferred supplier for village gateways on Wick Lane, Echo Lane and Taits Hill.  There will be a meeting soon between representatives of the Parish Council and Stinchcombe Speed Watch and residents who have offered funding to come up with a detailed proposal.  The proposal will then be publicised so that others have chance to comment.

Kath Hudson 🦸‍♀️

Thank God It's Friday Logo

TGIF – The first of 2022

It’s only 4 weeks to go!

Time to shake off any winter blues and look forward to spring. In four weeks time, on 4th March, TGIF is set to return. 5.45pm to 7.30pm at the Rugby Club. For all those sociable Stinchcombe souls deprived of communal comfort and convivial conversation. Or as I say, time for a drink at the bar! 😉

Put it in the diary now!

Friday March 4th

Village Green

The Village Green

Cut and Raked

This area of grass on Stinchcombe hill by the trig point is the village green, strangely as it is so far from the village. It has recently been cut and is in the process of being raked by the Wednesday volunteers.

Parts of the hill are sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) maintained by the volunteers of the Stinchcombe Hill Trust under the auspices of Chris Wiltshire. If anyone is interested in helping contact Chris for details.

Stinchcombe Planter

The New Planter

The new planter at the entrance to The Avenue has been installed under the auspices of the Parish Council but is a real team effort.  We are most grateful to:

  • John Pinch for the design, contacts and spadework
  • Will Heming for donating the brown oak sleepers
  • Leaf & Ground for donating the compost and a great selection of healthy plants
  • Stinchcombe Speed Watch for doing the planting and ongoing maintenance

John has made laser cut bamboo plaques acknowledging the contributions of Heming Landscapes and Leaf & Ground, which will be added shortly. As well as looking good the planter is intended to draw attention to the recently washed 30 mph sign.  Perhaps we could do the same on Taits Hill Road if we can find a sponsor?

Kath

Editor – Anybody like to come forward to help sponsor?