Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Author: The Editor

image_pdfimage_print

Stroud District Council

What canal? A Survey.

What canal? This canal survey is for you even if you’ve never visited it

Community organisations are keen to hear peoples’ experiences of the Cotswold Canals – and views from those people who don’t currently use it, to generate a baseline so people’s awareness and attitude towards the canals can be measured over the coming years.

Everyone who lives in the Stroud district is welcome to fill out the survey including those who regularly use and enjoy the canals and wider canal corridors, people who live nearby, and others who live in the district who have never or rarely visited it.

The survey asks participants about the two linked Cotswold Canals: the Stroudwater Canal (from Saul Junction to Wallbridge in Stroud) and Thames and Severn Canal (from Wallbridge to Brimscombe). The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal (from Gloucester in the north to Sharpness in the south) is not included.

The survey is at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CotswoldCanals2023

SURVEY END DATE is Sunday 24 September

JB

Tea Towel Competition 2024

And the Winner Is…

The Tea Towel Competition is over and judged. With £270.00 being raised for Church Funds. £170.00 was raised by the competition and the first prize of £100.00 has been donated by the winner as well.

I asked John and Joyce Pinch to judge the competition and this is their judgement.

There are some great photos. Many taken abroad – and even in the French village of St Cyr!

The photograph we have chosen is well composed, using the full frame to illustrate to focus of the image. The foreground uses a sculptural figure, creatively constructed out of driftwood, echoing the location by a waterway. The towel makes good use of the bird’s beak, suspended like a flag, or even caught by the bird in the wind! The towel is shown to its full potential against the plain background of the blue sky.

We also particularly liked the wedding image, delightfully presented by the obviously happy pair!!

John and Joyce Pinch Sept. 2024

The rest of the Entries can be viewed following this link.

Thank-you to all who took the time to enter the competition for a little fun. I hope you enjoyed it and am only sorry that more did not participate.

Richard Bartlam

Dursley Running Club

Community Activities at Dursley Rugby Football Club

Community Activities at Dursley Rugby Football Club: How To Get Involved

I’m sure most Stinchcombe residents know of Dursley Rugby Club (DRFC) located at the top of The Avenue in the Village. However, not everyone may know that incorporated into the Rugby Club is a cricket club, a running club, a triathlon club and there’s also a gym available.

There is a wide range of activities for all ages which we’ll be telling you about over the next few editions, but firstly we want to let you know about two activities in particular – the Mindful Mile which runs every Saturday morning and the Autumn Walk2Run Programme which starts on Saturday the 16th September.

These two activities are run by Dursley Running Club (DRC) for the community and are as much about promoting health and wellbeing as running. There is no requirement to be or become a member of the club.

The Mindful Mile

The Mindful Mile is open to anyone of any age and children are particularly welcome. It’s held every Saturday at 9am starting at the Rugby Club and follows a one lap course around the grounds of the Club which can be run or walked or a combination of both. It’s supported by run leaders at the club with the particular aim of promoting health and wellbeing. Please feel free to just turn up and see what it’s all about.

The Walk2Run

The Running Club normally holds a Walk2Run programme in the New Year for anyone who is keen to try out running. Due to its success, we’re launching an Autumn programme as well this year which starts on Saturday 16th September and lasts for 10 weeks.

The programme is designed for adults as an introduction to running. It’s fully supported by experienced run leaders, many of whom have previously competed the programme. The aim is for everyone to build up their endurance gently over the 10 week programme so they are able to run or run/walk 5K. The sessions will incorporate warm up and stretching techniques to prevent injury.

Walk2Run will be incorporated with the Mindful mile on a Saturday morning at 9am and a second weekly session will be held on Tuesday evenings at 18.30, starting at the Club.

We have found that by following the programme as a group, participants will make new friends and are more likely to keep it going after the programme has finished.

If you’re interested in the Mindful Mile then please come along and join us with your family.

If you would like to join the Walk2Run sessions or have any questions, please contact Damian at drcwalk2run@gmail.com.

Ride and Stride 23

Ride and Stride 2023

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust “Ride and Stride” Event

On Saturday 9th September 2023 it will be the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust “Ride and Stride” event. This coincides with the Tour of Britain wheeling through Stinchcombe at around 2:30pm, but it is not thought that they will stop to admire our beautiful church!

Andy Hamilton and Richard Bartlam, joined again this year by some brave co-venturers (would anyone else like to join us?), will once again be cycling on behalf of St Cyr’s. The route this year is still in the planning stage, but will likely involve visiting churches a bit closer to home (so they can cheer on our faster brethren!) and coming back to St Cyr’s during the afternoon.

They will be visiting as many churches as they can along the way, – so please encourage them with your generous sponsorship!

You can pledge your sponsorship at the “justgiving” website https://www.justgiving.com/page/st-cyr-stinchcombe-rideandstride2023  – QR Code below) or complete the form in the church porch.

Thank you for your support and generosity. This Charity provides valuable funds and expertise to maintain all our amazing Churches in the county, and 50% of all funds raised will be directly returned to St Cyr.

Ride and Stride 2023
Please sponsor at the “Just Giving” website

Be a councillor

Be a Councillor

Be a Councillor’ Event – Wednesday 6th September 2023

Have you ever thought about standing for election as a Councillor?

If you have a keen interest in your local community, have innovative ideas, a commitment to local people and are passionate about making a difference in the Stroud District area, then please join us to learn more about what being a Councillor entails. The ‘Be a Councillor’ event is being held in the evening on Wednesday 6 th September at Ebley Mill, Stroud District Council. The event will be an excellent chance for any prospective District, Parish or Town Councillors to find out what it really means to be a Councillor.

There will be presentations from Officers and current Councillors addressing how the Council works, the process of standing for election and the support that is available to Councillors. They will also outline a Councillor’s duties, the variety of opportunities that are available to them and give advice on how to how to successfully juggle this role with their daily life.

There will also be an opportunity to speak to current Councillors and ask any questions you may have about the role.

Wednesday 6 th September 2023 – Council Chamber, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud, GL5 4UB. Tea and Coffee will be provided.

  • The event for prospective Parish/Town Councillors will start at 6.00pm
  • The event for prospective District Councillors will start at 7.00pm

If you think being a Stroud District councillor is for you please email democratic.services@stroud.gov.uk to register your interest.

If you would like more information on becoming a councillor please follow the link: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections/becoming-a-councillor

Homes for Ukraine

Refugee Week in Gloucestershire

Every week is Refugee Week in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire County Council, as part of the local Strategic Migration Partnership, is celebrating the contribution refugees have in the county and beyond.

Refugee Week took place 19 – 25 June, however for public and voluntary sector partners every week is for supporting and celebrating refugees and asylum seekers.

Currently, Gloucestershire is committed to resettling 35 Afghan families under the government’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), with 31 families currently resettled in the county. This means adults can get their lives back on track, while their children can flourish in welcoming and supportive local schools. There are also people being offered a safe place to live under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

Gloucestershire has welcomed nearly 1500 Ukrainian guests, including more than 300 school-aged children. While some have chosen to move on or go back to Ukraine, others have stayed and settled in the county. Currently there are 356 households hosting Ukrainian guests in Gloucestershire; opening their family homes to welcome those displaced by war.

In addition to those from Ukraine and Afghanistan, a further 89 families (364 people) from Syria have so far been supported to resettle in the county, under the Gloucestershire Refugee Resettlement Programme (GRRP).

Gloucestershire’s Strategic Migration Partnership

All resettlement schemes are over-seen by the Strategic Migration Partnership, made up of representatives from many of the public sector organisations in Gloucestershire. The partnership works with local charities and aid workers to establish local support as asylum seekers navigate their way to a safer environment to live in. They make sure asylum seekers get access to medical treatment, emotional support, and practical help, such as housing and clothes.

How can you help?

The Homes for Ukraine scheme is always looking for new hosts who are able to share their home with Ukrainian guests. Find out more about becoming a host at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/your-community/ukrainian-support/gloucestershire-homes-for-ukraine-sponsor-guide/

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers are looking for landlords who would consider renting to a refugee family resettled in Gloucestershire, through the Home Office Resettlement schemes. Find out more about GARAS at https://www.garas.org.uk/

FHAF

Holiday Activities and Food Programme

Free Family Holiday Activity and Food Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food programme will be available this summer for four weeks during the school holidays in Gloucestershire. It aims to provide children with free activities to keep them happy, healthy, and entertained.

Families who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can register now for the summer Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) funded by the Department for Education.

This summer, using grant funding, Gloucestershire County Council is once again able to extend fun, enriching holiday activities to all children and young people in the county, through its Holiday Activities Programme (HAP).

Both the HAF and HAP programmes will run for four weeks during the school holidays.

Families are encouraged to:


There are lots of great options to choose from again including drama and science workshops, sports and games, art, and crafts, as well as the ever-popular ticketed attractions. More information is available at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.

To support families in accessing and participating in HAF activities, six new HAF Community Connectors have been introduced in Gloucestershire. These Connectors, one for each district, aim to provide additional assistance to families in need. Furthermore, families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can apply for Holiday Free School Meal vouchers provided by the council. Each child, from reception to year 11, will receive £30 for a two-week period (£15 per week). More information on how to apply can be found at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/holiday-school-meal-vouchers/.

Parents who have registered previously are automatically included and do not need to reapply. Families whose circumstances may have changed can find out about eligibility for free school meals on our website. Anyone who needs additional support over the summer can apply to the Household Support Fund, which supports households in the most need with food, energy and water bills, and other essential items. The council’s Support Hub also includes links to helpful information and advice, including tools to help save money and look after health and wellbeing.