Author: The Editor

Financial Regulations

The Financial Regulations document for Stinchcombe Parish Council.

Pirates or Traders?

Now the UK has sailed out from the EU trading region, one of 22 World Regions and Trading Organizations that I can find, to sail by ourselves in the seas of world Trade we have to consider our future. Are we to sail alone under WTO rules with the EU as Boris suggests? Or join a new fleet?

How many countries sail under WTO rules with the EU?

First let’s answer the question of just, How many countries Trade with the EU under WTO rules alone? This is a difficult one to answer. Depending on who does the calculations, it is either ONE (Mauritania) or Fifty-Eight. Whichever is correct, it’s a very small amount of Trade.

A suggested alternative

Some people suggest we should join another such grouping of nations such as the EFTA (European Free Trade Association). However, a growing number of politicians seem to want, to form a new Trading Group. The CANZUK.

The CANZUK family

CANZUK stands for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Four countries on the opposite ends of the world but with a common language, values, and governmental systems. Also all still belonging to The Commonwealth.

Would it work?

Certainly there are many similarities with these four countries. Economically, culturally, and educationally. Free movement of people to work would benefit everyone. I like the idea, but whatever, expect to hear a lot more about CANZUK in the coming years.

Comments

The Comments section has been opened on this Post as an experiment and I would welcome your comments / feedback on the above.

Stinchcombe Village Hall Logo

The results of the Quiz

A message from the Village Hall Committee

On behalf of the Village Hall Committee, I would like to thank everyone who came to the Quiz night on Friday 23rd October. It was a great success and seemingly enjoyed by all. The evening was extremely well organised and attended. Almost as if back to ‘normal times’.

It was a great effort by Nola Bradley and those who organised the event. Making sure to observe all Government COVID-19 guidelines. Also, our thanks must go to Janet and Paul Bartlett as quizmasters who, as always, did a sterling job.

Funds Raised

The funds raised will go towards the running and maintenance of the Hall. This is most welcome at this time, due to almost no income for 5 months and currently a reduced ongoing income. It was nice to see mainly Stinchcombe Villagers supporting this local event.

Crafts Fayre

Hopefully Stinchcombe Villagers will be out again on Saturday the 14th November when we will be holding our Annual Crafts Fayre from 10am until 3pm. This year with several new and different stalls and with some stalls under canvas. Hopefully the event will have a real Christmas feel to it.

Charlie Oakhill

Ash Die-Back

Ash die-back

Our Disappearing Ash Trees

An incurable fungal disease, commonly called ash die-back, is killing many of our ash trees. Affected trees may fall or lose large branches within the space of a few years. Those close to roads, footpaths or bridleways are therefore a risk to the public.

On Stinchcombe Hill

The Stinchcombe Hill Trust manages much of the land on the Hill. At a recent meeting it discussed how to deal with ash die-back. Felling diseased trees where the Cotswold Way passes through the woods on the west side of the Hill is a high priority.

A group of ash trees on the English Heritage monument at Drakestone Point will also be removed. Contractors will do the felling, but local volunteers will help with scrub clearance and stump treatment. The volunteers meet on Wednesday mornings – contact Kath Hudson for more information.

In and around the Village

Ash die-back is not limited to closely packed woodland trees. It is spreading elsewhere too. Possibly you noticed some sickly trees on your walks or drives this summer. A key sign is much less dense foliage than normal.

The Parish Council has reported some diseased trees to landowners. We all need to keep our eyes open though. There is already some guidance on spotting ash die-back on the Parish website.

Some good news on funding

Ash trees are an important feature of the landscape in our part of Gloucestershire. The Council for the Protection of Rural England has a fund to help us reduce the impact of the disease. Funding has now been extended to the end of 2021. Parish Councils and community groups can apply for money to plant suitable replacement trees. A maximum of £500 is available for each project.

We need your help

Do you know a place in Stinchcombe parish made special by mature ashes? Let the Parish Council know so together we can decide on one or more applications for funding. It can be on public land or on private land visible to the public, as long as the landowner agrees.

An Interesting Fact

Stinchcombe’s only officially recorded ancient tree happens to be an ash. It is a pollarded specimen which is completely hollow. The tree is close to the public footpath network in the Clingre area. Its grid reference is 51°41’41.1″N 2°23’25.4″W.

Australian Terms

A Deal on “Australian” Terms

Is an “Australian Terms” deal a good one?

We keep hearing that the British Government are happy to negotiate a deal with the EU on “Australian Terms”. So what is it? and Is it good? Even last week Michael Gove said

“We hope that the EU will change their position […] But I think it’s only fair also that we communicate one other thing, which is that we are ready, if required, to leave on what have been called Australian terms.”
Michael Gove, 18 October 2020

Forgetting everything else, just to concentrate on one thing, While Australia is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with the EU, it does not yet have one.

Therefore if the UK moved to trade with the EU under “Australian terms”, it would have no favourable access to the EU market. UK businesses would face the EU’s standard WTO tariffs when trying to export to the continent, and EU businesses would face the UK’s standard WTO tariffs when trying to export to the UK.

Just to keep you in the picture!

World Statistics Day

Did you know that on average 99.9% of people didn’t know that this was World Statistics Day!

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Attributed by Mark Twain to Benjamin Disraeli

World Statistics Day – my website of the week!

Pirates or Traders?

How many countries sail under WTO rules with the EU?

A suggested alternative

The CANZUK family

Would it work?

Further reading

Comments

A message from the Village Hall Committee

Funds Raised

Crafts Fayre

Our Disappearing Ash Trees

On Stinchcombe Hill

In and around the Village

Some good news on funding

We need your help

An Interesting Fact

Is an “Australian Terms” deal a good one?

World Statistics Day

Today

13 November 2026

Saturday

14 November 2026

Sunday

15 November 2026

Monday

16 November 2026

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Local Pictures by Mike Henton