views and news from rodborough · 2018-11-07 · system for sustainable gardening and living. now...

The hugely popular local Rodborough fete took place once again at the Community Hall grounds. The sun

shone graciously and several hundred people saw coconuts shied, castles bounced on, wood turned, faces painted, hoopla rings thrown, football penalties saved and home-made cake sold.

This year’s theme was “The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” and well done to the Child's Fancy Dress Competition Winner Alex Ansell as ‘Alice’ and to 3rd Rodborough Brownies with their 'Mad Hatter’s Sock Party' stall.

There was rousing music from the Five Valleys Music Centre and more from Dance-Pointe ballet which again contained many of the Wonderland tea-party folk. There were dogs large and small, competing on their handsome looks, waggly tails, and even on their appealing eyes.

The Make and Grow competition had entries of delicious cakes, breads, chutneys, vegetables and flowers.

Still, this was England in the summer time and after a couple of hours the heavens opened and I was forced to take refuge in the beer tent. I missed the evening event (sold out!) but am told it was “brilliant”. Many thanks to all the volunteers and councillors who made it possible, to Keith Allen who stepped in at the last moment to open the proceedings and to Lotte Lyster for taking on the role of Chair of the Fete Committee. Hope to see you all next year!

Huw Oliver

Welcome our new councillors

Rodborough Parish Council has three new councillors to whom I’d like to extend a warm welcome. They are

Simon Walker (representing North Ward), Steve Ponting (West Ward) and Katherine Grace (West Ward). They all attended our Annual Meeting and May Full Council Meeting, and the Council looks forward to being able to use and benefit from their energies.

All three of these new councillors have also volunteered to sit on our various committees: Simon onto Planning and Transport Committee, the Road Safety Working Group and Amenities and General Purposes Committee, Katherine onto Planning and Transport Committee, the Road Safety Working Group, the Wallbridge Field Village Green Working Group and Amenities and General Purposes Committee, and Steve onto the Finance and Staffing Committees. In addition both Steve and Katherine have agreed to represent us on the Rodborough Fields Preservation Group alongside Charles and Alick.Chair of the Council, Cllr Philip Blomberg

COMMONERTHE

Views and News from Rodborough

Summer 2015 • Issue 47

Published by Rodborough Parish Council, funded by advertising and the Parish Council and delivered free by volunteers to every home in the parish.

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Do these ears suit me?

Sock it to 'em

www.rodborough.gov.uk

Changes at The CommonerAs new chairs of the Commoner Editorial Group we

would like to thank the previous editor, Stephen Moore, for his dedication to and hard work on The Commoner magazine over the past two years.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Commoner Editorial Group: Huw Oliver, Karen Zaremba, Kim Richardson and Alison Barnes.

Anyone who wishes to add anything to The Commoner magazine please contact the parish office. Jane Ansell and Alick Miskin (co-chairs of the Commoner Editorial Group)

Singeing in the Rain – the Volunteers BBQ

Having had almost a week of sunshine, it was rather

disappointing that the 14th of May turned out to be rather cold and wet – most definitely not BBQ weather! However, the true spirit of

the Rodborough volunteers (snow wardens, magazine distributors and helpful neighbours) prevailed, and suitably attired we arrived at the Community Hall looking forward to a glass or several of wine, good food and a chance to chat with friends and neighbours and meet new ones. A big thank you has to go to the chefs who remained outside runnning the barbeques, producing a steady stream of burgers and sausages for a queue of people that must have seemed never-ending. There was also a good choice of desserts for all, and thankfully not a ‘healthy option’ on the menu. So a very enjoyable evening, in spite of the weather. We can but hope for better weather next year. Thanks to all that helped in the organisation of the event.Karen Zaremba

In these days of omnipresent ‘Health

& Safety’, we note with fascination, and sometimes a little trepidation the memories of our older residents.

George Evans told us about when as a child in 1938, he made his way

down the middle of Walkley Hill in his pedal car. He had got as far as Rodborough Court garden, when he was met by his dad who was returning from work, and Charlie Cook, the chimney sweep. Charlie simply gathered him up into his cart and brought him home, can you imagine the health & safety headlines if this happened now!

Another resident, Brian Fletcher played cricket in Kingscourt Lane, with the stumps stuck in the middle of the road. ‘If a car came you just had to move the stumps’, he said.

While Ron Cook talks of sledging from Rodborough fort all the way to Wallbridge without stopping! What great fun, but a very long walk back up the hill.

The first tarmac-laying on Rodborough Hill in the 1920s was remembered by the late Irene Cook. Previously it was a rough old hill; ‘all white stones’.

She remembered the horses struggling to get a purchase on the hill, when pulling the two-wheeled high-sided coal wagon and the huge brewery wagon loaded with barrels of beer. The children knew all the horses and ‘Tom’ who pulled the Co-op bread cart was often in trouble for eating people’s cabbages over their garden walls!How things have changed!

Julie MountainRemembering Rodborough will be at ‘The Coffee Pot’ at The Old Endowed School on Wednesday 19th August from 10-12. Come and see our large collection of photos, maps and memories.

THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 2

COMMONERTHE

Published by Rodborough Parish CouncilEditors Kim Richardson, Huw Oliver and Karen Zaremba

Distribution Rodborough Parish Council Advertising Joy Jackson Compilation Qwertyop.co.uk

Printer CBF Printed on recycled paperContact The Commoner, Rodborough Community Hall,

Butterrow West, Rodborough, Stroud, Glos GL5 3TZ Tel: 01453 762686

Email: [email protected] for next issue is: 1st October 2015

No article necessarily represents the views of the editor or the parish council unless this is specifically stated.

The theme for the next few editions of The CommonerNovember issue - Listed buildings. Deadline 1st October 2015

February issue - Unusual Pets. Deadline 1st January 2016May issue - Holiday experiences. Deadline 1st April 2016If you would like to provide an article for The Commoner, whether on the theme or not please send your article to:

The Commoner, Rodborough Community Hall, Butterrow West, Rodborough, Stroud, Glos GL5 3TZ,

Or email a document file for articles or jpg file for photos to: [email protected]

In Days Gone By

The Commoner Advertising Rates

The Commoner is the Parish Council magazine that goes to every home in the Parish every three months.

Contact the Parish Office for information on advertising in The Commoner

3 Sizes ex VAT Inc VAT Size

Large (quarter page)

one off £119.60 £143.52 9 x 13.5 cm (portrait) / 18.5 x 7 cm (landscape)annual £416.00 £499.20

Medium( eighth page)

one off £67.70 £81.24 9 cm x 6.75 cm (landscape)annual £208.00 £249.60

Small (sixteenth page)

one off £36.45 £43.74 4.5 x 6.75 cm (portrait) / 9 x 3.325 cm (landscape)annual £104.00 £124.80

By the standards of the district I would have to describe

myself as an ‘incomer’ having been born in London and moved to Stroud, at the age of two. The family moved to Lightpill when my father was demobbed, and returned to his job at the local engineers, T. H. and J Daniels Ltd. When old enough, I secured

an apprenticeship with Fielding & Platt Ltd of Gloucester, a company proud to describe itself as ‘the heaviest engineers south of Sheffield’.

In 1974 my family moved away to Leeds and I came to live in Spillmans Road where I remain. As British industry followed its inexorable decline I lost my job at Fielding’s and went to work for Listers of Dursley, and remained until I retired.

All my life I have been fascinated by vintage transport


BOOKS BOUGHT & SOLD

Cash paid for a wide

variety of secondhand

books. If you are clearing

the shelves or looking for

an ideal gift

Ring Michael Biard on

01453 7508530796 797 1850

I live here - Tony Dyer especially when it is steam powered. As a young lad I travelled on many of the local branch lines – Cirencester, Tetbury, Cinderford, Coleford, Bourton on the Water, Sharpness and Ross-on-Wye are some of the places I reached by train before Dr Beeching put an end to it all. Fortunately the end of the country branch line coincided with the rise in popularity of the traction engine rally so I still had plenty of engines to photograph. Later came the heritage railway movement that now plays a significant part in this country’s tourism industry.

Working in engineering and with a love of steam engines I suppose it was inevitable that I would become involved in model engineering and I have been a member of Stroud Society of Model Engineers since the mid nineteen seventies. I spent many hours helping to build their miniature railway tracks in Stratford Park and since it opened in 1982 have helped with its operation and maintenance. It is surprising how many proud young parents come up to us and say, “My mum and dad used to bring me for a ride on this. I used to love it”. We must be doing something right!

Tony Dyer

Learn how to live sustainablyPermaculture is an integrated, common-sense design

system for sustainable gardening and living. Now in our fourth year, a Permaculture Design Course is being held at Rodborough Community Hall this autumn, covering permaculture principles, design systems, organic gardening, energy, woodland management, soil and ecological interactions, group dynamics and community engagement.

We will explore positive, creative and practical solutions towards a sustainable, community-led future. There are weekly evening sessions with talks, workshops and discussions, and a choice of weekend field visits and practical’s, including the chance to visit Charles Dowding’s ‘no dig’ garden in Somerset, and other local sustainability projects.

You will learn design skills, get to do your own design project working with others in the group. Previous student groups have done designs for Season House (a direct access residence for homeless 16 to 25 year-olds in Stroud), The Exchange garden (on Brick Row in Stroud), a new Nailsworth

Allotment site, an outdoor education space at Hawkwood, the Community Garden off Stroud High Street, and Robinswood Primary School in Gloucester.

Previous students have come from Rodborough, whilst others have come from as far afield as Italy and Holland. Many find it a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and join the growing network of permaculturalists in Stroud.

The course is accredited by the UK Permaculture Association. Completion of the course provides delegates recognition as a Permaculture Design graduate. The course is run on a not-for-profit basis with profits being donated to various sustainability projects around Stroud.

Dates and times: 10th September to 3rd December 2015 Thursday evening session 6.45-9.30pm and a choice of weekend activities. Cost: £350 (£250/£125 concessions).For more details visit www.commonedge.org.uk, email [email protected] or phone Seb Buckton on 07557 508025. Seb Buckton

RODBOROUGH COMMUNITY HALL

HALL AND PITCH FOR HIREHall and kitchen daytime from

£5.13 per hour

Hall and kitchen evenings from £10.21 per hour

Pitch bookings for one off events

Pitch only from £5.39 per hour

See www.rodborough.gov.uk for more information

CONTACT:[email protected]

01453 762686


A46 - GOLDEN CROSS TO ROOKSMOORThe A46 is constantly busy at most times of the day – particularly between 8 and 9 a.m. when the route is heavily used by people travelling to work, school or to the shops and later on in the evening between 4.30 and 5.30. Congestion can build really quickly during these times, with regular queuing down to the Kites Nest Lane junction and towards the Clothiers in the other direction. That congestion leads some drivers to get frustrated and to take chances, particularly at the Dudbridge Road junction. There are a number of near misses there each week – quite often local residents hear the screeching of brakes as cars travelling south have to slow down to allow cars to exit this junction safely.

But it’s not just congestion that is an issue – the other serious danger is speed. Many cars after coming through the Golden Cross traffic lights are already over the speed limit halfway down the hill. By the time most reach the warning flashing sign opposite Stroud Auctions they may be travelling at speeds well over 40 mph. Heading north, speeding vehicles often accelerate very quickly from the junction at Kitesnest Lane to speed up this straight part of the road. In the evening, when there is less traffic, the sound of speeding cars accelerating can be enough to wake those living nearby.

Much like the road closer to town, the pavements opposite the trading estate and Elmore Stoves become very narrow. With speeding cars and large lorries frequently travelling at speeds of 40 m.p.h you take your life in your own hands as a pedestrian. Local residents would really like to see some clear road signs signalling that this is a 30 mph zone, as it is a residential area. Joanne Hampton

Road Safety Working Group Report

Rodborough Playgroup - rated "Good" by Ofsted

Welcome chances to make new friends and get to

know key staff are the main features of autumn term at Rodborough Playgroup, but last autumn we also had an Ofsted inspector come to see what we do and how well we do it.

Their report credited our playgroup with being well run and with helping the children to learn effectively and to a "Good" standard. We use the national Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum to plan activities and this is what they use to assess our performance.

The staff, and everyone who volunteers and fundraises for the playgroup, deserve much thanks for consistently giving the children such a good start. All the children live in Rodborough.

Most of the children go on to Gastrells and Rodborough Primary Schools and they take their friendships and readiness to learn with them, helping them make the most of their Reception year at school. Rodborough Playgroup is a registered charity run by local parents.

New enquiries and visits welcome. For a full choice of days and sessions please enquire early. Children can attend from 2 years 9 months old. Advance bookings help us to plan and finance staffing; nursery education grant can be used.

Where: Tabernacle Walk, off Rodborough Hill (near cattle grid)When: Drop-off at 9:15 daily; pick-up times are fixed, depending on session (12.15 / 1.00 / 3.00). Open in school term times, closed in school holidays.

Sally Daley, Chair, Rodborough Playgroupwww.rodboroughplaygroup.co.uk, 01453 756141 or [email protected]

ALPHA AUTO SERVICESAt Kingscourt Garage

Your Local Garage.

SERVICINGREPAIRS

MOT PREPARATIONCLUTCHES

All Makes and Models welcome.

Tel Maurice 01453 766197

HANDYMAN AND MAINTENANCE

SERVICESRoutine maintenance. Painting and decorating. Flat pack installation.

Windows, gutters cleaned. Fences repaired. Smoke alarms, shelves, curtain poles installed.

Gardening and vegetables. References and insurance.

CRB clearance.

Oak Leaf ServicesKevin Lea

01453 762735 • 077408 [email protected]

www.oakleafservices.co.uk


Summer Fun and Games! Every Sunday afternoon, during the school holidays there will be an opportunity for all to use the Rodborough

Playing fields, to have fun, play games and enjoy this wonderful facility.

The members and friends of Rodborough Tabernacle and Rodborough Parish Church will open the Community Hall so that there is access to a cup of tea, and the loo, from 2pm every Sunday of the holidays, rain or shine. Indoor games /activities and outdoor games will be on offer.

Come along and meet us, have some fun, make it a holiday at home. The more we use the facilities the more they are appreciated. Bring your own games too, we can all join in.

Eric MasseyRodborough Tabernacle

Join us for fun and games at the Community Hall

Storms at sea, saucy secrets and sibling rivalry

This sums up the play which Mikron Theatre group will bring to Rodborough in September.

Sir Caspian Delamere is on a mission to find the best fish and chips in Britain and has narrowed his search down to two seaside shops. By co-incidence, they are rival establishments run by twins, Roderick and Annette. Unable to agree on the best way to cook the nation’s favourite dish, they went their separate ways many years ago.

Rivals for the golden chip fork

The competition for the Golden Fish-Fork is covered by unscrupulous journalist, Meriel Hacker, who finds herself in deeper than she ever expected.

“One of Each” promises to bring Mikron’s ever popular mix of humour and pathos along with a rattling good story line to Rodborough Community Hall on Saturday, September 5th at 1.00 p.m. This will be their fourth visit to Rodborough.

If the weather is fine the play will be performed on the field. Bring a rug and a picnic. No need to book. A collection will be taken after the show.

On the same day, Mikron will perform its other play in this year’s repertoire – “Raising Agents” about an ailing Women’s Institute branch - at 7.30 p.m. in Randwick Village Hall.

Further information about both shows can be obtained by calling (01453) 758 138.Stephen Moore


I love going out on the common from ‘marking day’

in May until it starts to get too dark in the evening. The lovely grass up there is delicious and I like meeting the other local cows and horses too (sometimes a donkey!). There are a few things that I don't like, though: the fast-

moooving metal boxes that sometimes run into us. Some of my friends have been hurt and even killed by these boxes! Even at night we still mooove and graze, so please drive carefully and keep a look out for us at all times.

Dogs can scare us, especially if we have our calves with us; we worry that the dog will hurt our babies, so be warned we may chase your dogs! Letting your dogs get into our water troughs is never good, as dogs are normally treated with insecticide for fleas, which taints the water. We have also seen people bathe their dog in our drinking water . . . even using shampoo! Please keep your dog under control or on a lead, and we will get on fine.

The other thing that we don't like is the dog poo. Whilst we munch through it, it is harmful to those of us ladies that are pregnant, and can cause a miscarriage (see Neospora link below). Always pick up your dog’s poo and take it with you – picking it up and leaving it in a bag doesn't count, it makes the common look a mess, and the plastic can get stuck in our guts.

Any rubbish can be a hazard, especially glass bottles and grass clippings which cause colic in horses and possibly bloating in us cows. Also overhanging yew hedges are highly poisonous to both us and horses, and please don’t use weed killer and chemicals such as Roundup to kill the grass and weeds outside your gardens if you live by the common!

So if we all live by the following simple rules, we can mooove along together just fine!

Pick up dog poo (and take it home) Keep your dog under control Drive slowly and carefully, looking out for

cows at all times.

Neospora: see http://www.thecattlesite.com/news/47763/rising-neospora-cases-prompt-vet-response/

Cycling on roads is a little akin to being in front of

a firing squad, with drivers instead of the chosen dozen. Like squad members, very few drivers get up at first light wanting to kill someone. Most drivers deliberately aim to miss you as you cycle along, graciously waiting till it’s safe to overtake and then giving

you as much room as when they’re overtaking a car. A few, though, enjoy a close miss, their projectiles whistling much too close for comfort and then accelerating fiercely just to show who’s boss (and engulfing you in diesel fumes). But a small minority have always longed to finish you off and either clip you or cut in so sharply that you’re likely to fall off. As a cyclist, you never know what sort of driver it is as you hear them approaching: you are at their mercy.

To increase the odds of surviving, cyclists need to be highly visible: good lights, bright clothing and, above all, riding far enough out into the road to be seen; unless, of course, the driver is busy texting or tired or drunk or just having a bad day. Lower speed limits help hugely (so long as they’re obeyed) as it means drivers travelling at 15 to 20 mph don’t come upon cyclists so suddenly, as the difference in speed is no more than 10 or 15 mph.

Around Rodborough we’re lucky. Some roads have Quiet Lane status and 20 mph limits and many have parked cars that slow traffic. As the best protection of all is keeping drivers and cyclists separate, we have lots of routes that minimise road use: cycle tracks, class 6 highways, the Commons, bridleways and towpaths. You can cycle on most of them, so long as you’re nice to pedestrians, horse riders and animals.Alick Miskin

The Joy of Cycling

Road Safety

From a cow's perspective


Road Safety

People sometimes wonder why the Parish Council keeps

pressing for reduced speed limits and greater speed enforcement.

Partly it’s to make Rodborough safer for those who walk, ride or cycle, particularly where roads are narrow or there are no pavements. But it’s also because slower traffic results in fewer serious accidents.

And we do seem to have a lot of accidents. Here’s a selection of those we know about, just from May. Half of them were “single vehicle accidents” where speed is most likely to have been a contributing factor:

Junction of Bath Road (A46) and Dudbridge Road by the Kites Nest: vehicle collision (8 May)

Bear Hill, just below the cattle grid: Polo failed to make the bend and rolled over (9 May)

Butterrow Lane, near Moors Terrace on single track section: Peugeot came down the hill, past the old school, hit the bin lorry head-on and turned over (15 May)

Rodborough Common, just by the Bear: vehicle failed to make the slight bend, left the road, careered across the Common just beyond Bear Hill and destroyed the big National Trust Rodborough Common sign (29 May).Cllr Alick Miskin

May Bumps

As a 14 year old resident, I regularly walk and cycle along the lanes of Rodborough. However, my brothers,

friends, neighbours, other walkers and I feel we take our lives in our hands when we venture out.

There are often no pavements we can retreat to for safety as cars speed, and I mean speed, by. We find ourselves leaping into hedges to avoid being hit.

I have had two very near misses. One when I and a friend were narrowly missed by a local resident who was driving dangerously. Another time, a car came so close and fast whilst I was cycling that in order to avoid being hit I ended up lying in the hedge.

Luckily no one has been seriously or fatally hurt yet. I’m worried that this may change unless we all take responsibility for the way we travel along our lanes.

It says 20mph for a reason. Please stick to it.Matthew Cullimore

It is 20mph for a reason

Of the three million horse riders in Britain, many are forced to

ride on the roads because of the disjointed bridleway network. Road accidents involving horses are usually serious and sometimes fatal for both rider and horse. Drivers and riders, have a right to use the road so they must share responsibility and consider each other’s needs.

Horses are large, powerful animals, easily scared by noise and may panic around fast moving vehicles or loud engines. Drivers should pass slowly giving the horse plenty of room and be ready to stop if necessary, and drivers of HGV’s please do not use your air brakes! Riders should use clear hand signals, wear high visibility clothing, and always thank drivers, though this may not always be possible if the rider is trying to control a panicked animal!

I was hit several years ago riding past The Bear. An impatient driver towing a trailer overtook me and a friend even though there was traffic coming from the opposite direction. The trailer rattled, causing my horse to spook moving his rear end out into the traffic, the trailer hit my right leg and his off-side rear leg.

Fortunately we only sustained minor bruising, although we did a very fast canter down the centre of the road risking a further incident. Although not physically hurt it has had long term psychological effects on us both; I am a much more nervous rider and Ziggy is no longer ‘bomb-proof’ in traffic and I try to avoid busy roads as much as possible.

Riding around Rodborough I find most people are patient and considerate, but get caught out by bicycles or hybrid cars sneaking up behind us, can catch us unawares. Drivers that speed along single track winding roads relying on their horn to warn other road users as they approach a bend is particularly unhelpful – many of these roads have few passing places so there is no possibility of moving out of the way!

The British Horse Society were concerned that many accidents were not being reported so have set up a website for people to report a wider range of equestrian related incidents. The BHS estimates that there are around 3,000 such accidents involving horses each year, about half of which occur on minor roads.Jo BirdFor more information on road safety involving horses go to the following:www.roadsafety-gloucestershire.org.uk/safer-communities/rural/animals-on-the-road/www.bhs.org.uk/~/media/BHS/Files/PDF%20Documents/Safety%20leaflets/Horse%20Sense%20for%20Motorists.ashx

View from the saddle


As we explained a few issues ago, The Parish

Council is an organisation which operates a number of committees and working groups which report back to it. One of these is the Road Safety Working Group.

Rodborough is faced with a combination of high density housing and wide open spaces, very hilly and narrow roads and a major ‘A’ road – the A46. It regularly receives reports of dangerous driving from members of the community and every year several cows are killed on the Common. With all this in mind, the Council decided several years ago to form a separate Working Group to focus on the issue of road safety.

The Working Group is currently chaired by Cllr Charles Pedrick, and reports to the Council’s Planning and Transport Committee. A combination of Councillors and members of the community sit on it, and it meets roughly every 6 weeks.

It has met with the Police and Crime Commissioner, members of the Police, the Road Safety Partnership and Enforcement Team, and has carried out a great deal of speed monitoring in the Parish, both with the Police, and independently.

It has been looking at many various issues to do with road safety and has representatives from the most dangerous parts of Rodborough. It has also been looking at the overall picture e.g. statistics, speed limit policies, average speed cameras, how the money raised from fines is used and education courses.

All members of the community are welcome to attend our meetings. Check the Events Diary on p11 for dates

Councillor Philip Blomberg

What the Parish does:Road Safety Working Group

From the Cotswolds to the West Bank

I recently took three months unpaid leave from work as the

Clerk to Rodborough Parish Council. I would like to thank the Council for agreeing to the leave and to Joy, our Deputy Clerk for covering my job, whilst still doing her job.

I took the leave to volunteer in the West Bank, part of occupied Palestine, to work in a volunteer role as a human rights monitor.

I worked alongside Palestinian and Israeli peace groups and provided a protective presence to Palestinian communities at risk of violence. This included families trying to access their farmland and children their schools.

When I leave my home I know I can get to where I want to go and back again without encountering checkpoints or violence and without having to get a permit for where I want to go. In the West Bank daily life involves these restrictions even when going to school or grazing the sheep. Witnessing this in 2013 on a study tour made me want to become an Ecumenical Accompanier (EA).

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is a programme of the World Council of Churches which aims to support those affected by conflict and those working for an end to the occupation. The programme started in 2002 as a response to a request by church leaders in Jerusalem, and in the UK and Ireland is run by the Quakers.

While in the West Bank I wrote blogs on the situation (eyewitnessblog.com). I am also planning to tell the stories of the people I met. If you are interested in hosting a talk contact [email protected].

There is a talk on Monday 10th August at 7.00pm at Rodborough Community Hall.

Theresa Mansbridge


Rodborough Summer Social Raises £3,500 for

Local Groups

When Lotte Lyster, landlady of the Prince Albert, approached Sue Hesp and me and asked if we’d like

to do a fundraiser on the evening of the Rodborough Fete using the marquees from the day, we jumped at the chance to raise money for the local community. I was previously a co-chair of Rodborough Primary School PTA and Sue is part of the Rodborough Youth Project.

We enlisted the help of Mike Johnson, who was involved with the Rodborough Fields Preservation Group, and Nikki Mayer, a local parent who I previously worked with as Treasurer of the Rodborough School PTA. We were four Rodborough residents who wanted to put on an event for the community, with all the proceeds going back into Rodborough groups and charities. The hardest part was working out how to share the money, but then Nikki came up with a brilliant idea that when people arrived in the evening they could use their ticket to vote for the group that they wanted their ticket money to go to.

So popular was the event that it sold out and we had to hire another marquee from Miles Connelly so we could sell more tickets. Elvis appeared with his backing singers the Belle Sensations, followed by local DJs El Rewind, Hot Feet did pizzas and the Albert did the bar. Several local businesses sponsored the event and Claire Ash produced all the graphics.

In total we sold 320 tickets, raising just under £3,500; with extra money from sponsorship and money raised on the night, the total amount raised was £4,889.68. Total expenditure was £960. £3,446.67 was distributed via the votes cast on the evening and the remainder was split equally between all the groups.

The evening was a huge success and we’d like to thank everyone involved.

Stephen Ash

Rodborough's Summer Social was an outstanding success

My name is Steve Ponting and I joined the Parish

Council in 2015. I have lived in Gloucestershire for most of my life and have occupied my current property in Swellshill for over 25 years. I am married to Diane and we have two sons Ollie and Tom.

I work for Renishaw plc as their Group Business Systems

Manager and I am Chair of Governors at Thomas Keble School. My other interests include watching most sports and wrestling with the garden when I have to.

I joined the Parish Council because I care about the area we live in and want to help ensure the views all parishioners are represented. I would also like to try to ensure all taxpayers’ money is spent wisely.

Steve Ponting

Introducing our New Councillors

STEVE PONTING IS A COUNCILLOR FOR WEST WARD

‘Like us on Facebook’– search for Rodborough Parish Council

Pilates in the Community Hall from 14th September

Body Control Pilates classes with Karen Brown will be held every Monday from 2 to 3pm.

Body Control Pilates works to improve your core stabil-ity and joint mobility. The classes will focus on building muscle strength and increasing flexibility. They also help relaxation. The method helps to improve day to day ‘functional movement’, and can work for everyone re-gardless of fitness level. Classes are gentle, safe and fun!.

Karen currently runs classes in Bristol, Cirencester and Stroud. She is a qualified Body Control Pilates teacher. She has extra training in working with the over 50s, and has helped many clients rehabilitate following injury.

Contact Karen to book on 07957 539634Email: [email protected] block of 6 classes costs £54. Taster sessions £10 on request subject to spaces being available. 10 people max per class.

www.karenbrownpilates.comwww.bodycontrolpilates.com

In late 2013 Rodborough Scouts decided they

would like to challenge themselves to complete the Cotswold Way in 2014 by doing day hikes.

On 16th January 2014 we started at Chipping Camden in bright sunshine– with one young leader, 3 scouts, 1 beaver, 2 leaders, 1 sectional assistant, 1 parent and a dog. Through the year we did 11 walks

with two in August done as overnight expeditions involving the original group plus another 7 scouts, 1 young leader, 4 parents, 1 sibling and another dog.

We finished at Bath Abbey with all the original group, plus some extras on a festive 30th November with carol singers and a band and then went for a group meal out to celebrate and to thank our main car driver and supporter Andrea.

In all 10 people completed the whole length of the Cotswold Way, including a Beaver Scout who had just turned 8 years old. Along the way scouts learnt route planning, map reading, camping and expedition skills, got very muddy on one particular walk into Broadway, were harassed by cows on several occasions and enjoyed great views over the countryside especially from the Tyndale monument.

For further details about Rodborough Scout Troop contact:Theresa [email protected] 07793286534


Cotswold Way completedRodborough Lionesses

is a girls’ football group linked to Rodborough Football Club. We cater for girls in Years 6 and 7. We are always happy to welcome new girls keen to try out and join our friendly team. We play matches on Sundays and train one

evening in the week. If you require any more information please feel free to contact Ben Spencer on 07960712609 or [email protected].

Rodborough Lionesses

Rodborough Tabernacle Choir Di Davis 762373

Rodborough Tabernacle Events Carole Oosthuysen 872446

Rodborough Tabernacle Lunch Club Barbara Cook 763026

Rodborough Tabernacle News Brian Oosthuysen 872446

Rodborough Tabernacle Secretary John Cook 766731

Rodborough Tabernacle URC Minister Eric Massey 766389

Rodborough Toddlers (TOES) Ellen Edwards 07958134873

Rodborough Youth Football Club Darren Vasey 07742 971974

Rodborough Youth Project Dawn Quest 07855426554

Rugby Rascals Toddler Group Sharon Ashenford 750124

Scrabble Club Kim Richardson 07833 336843

Sing for Your Supper Peggy Ludlow 752659

South Cotswold Ramblers Richard Davis 762373

St.John Ambulance 01452 858220

Stroud & Rodborough Educational Charity Shani Baker 860379

Stroud Music & Dance Academy Charles Dyson 07861699198

Stroud Rambling Club Ann Copeland 752654

Stroud Rugby Club Gordon McDowell 07766763476

Stroud Sea Cadets Paul White 755141

The Old Endowed School (TOES)- bookings Louise Ratcliffe 752265

Transition Stroud Seb Buckton 07557 508025

Truly Madly Stampin Hazel Benn 01452 740258

Upholstery Class (Community Hall) Daphne Hook 883404

Wednesday Fellowship (Tabernacle) Dorothy Ede 765978

Woodcraft Folk Cyril Laffort 764698

Yoga Class (Community Hall) Amanda Sultan-Black 755635

Yoga Class (Rodborough School) Karen Saunders 07773215870


COMMUNITY GROUPS IN RODBOROUGHActivity and Organisation Name Contact Phone

1st Rodborough Guides Keeley Burke 07746 710107

3rd Rodborough Brownies [email protected]

Art Class (Endowed School) Cyril Corio 765649

Art Class (Community Hall) Steve Smith 752159

Astrology Classes Polly Wallace 753017

Break Out Productions Helen Carter 07899848180

Cappella Singers Ken Lawrence 759634

Circle Dancing Chrissie Grice 07814011980

Coffee Pot Peggy Ludlow 752659

Commoner - Parish Magazine Stephen Moore 762686

Community Hall - Bookings Joy Jackson 762686

Croc N Roll Stephanie 07957235413

Croquet Club Richard Way 833762

Dance Pointe Rhianne Banyard 07854298847

Éternel Fitness (Community Hall) Leah Ponting 07756750151

Fitness Class (Rodborough School) Julie McNally 750628

Five Valleys Bridge Club Vesta Rock 886404

Friends of Gastrells School Tracey Lewis 765959

Friends of Rodborough School Deborah Evans 762050

Gastrells Primary School Governors Amanda Baker-Dibley 765959

Gastrells Primary School Headteacher Kate Merriman 765959

Glebe Allotment Association Sarah Zodiates 759422

Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archeology Ray Wilson 860595

Hayward for the Commons Mark Dawkins 07973 326772

Jolly Stompers Line Dancing (Gastrells) Julie Cole 752480

Kingscourt Educational Trust Jenny Wills 763984

Lightpill Allotment Association Wendy Lea 762735

Meditation and Yoga Classes Elles Theulan 07815 552952

Messy Church Peggy Ludlow 752659

Mid-Cotswold Tracks and Trails Group Pat Harris 823841

Model Engineers (Secretary) W.P. Phillips 883438

National Trust (Common Ranger) Richard Evans 01452 810056

Parish Church Vicar Peggy Ludlow 752659

Pilates Karen Brown 07957 539634

PIPS After School Club Jane Burrow 07971737863

Rainbows Debbie Wood 840006

Remembering Rodborough [email protected]

Rodborough Beaver Scouts Mary Jones 766745

Rodborough and Bownham Commoners Bill Powell 885507

Rodborough Cub Scouts James Lynn 753864

Rodborough Fields Preservation Group www.rodboroughfields.org.uk

Rodborough Friendly Circle Olive Heskins 765379

Rodborough Lionessess Ben Spencer 07960712609

Rodborough Old Boys FC Stuart Thompson 07800589173

Rodborough Playgroup Nicola Hurford 07759099360

Rodborough Poultry Club Kirsty Tallon 07751181076

Rodborough Primary School Mrs M Halsey 763159

Rodborough Scout Troop Theresa Mansbridge 07793286534

Rodborough Tabernacle - Bookings John Rohrbeck 01452 812934

Activity and Organisation Name Contact Phone

RODBOROUGH PARISH WALKSIN CONJUNCTION WITH SOUTH

COTSWOLD RAMBLERS

Thursday 20th AugustCanals and railways. 4 miles.

Friday 18th SeptemberKingscourt and Rodborough. 3 miles.

Everybody is welcome on these friendly walks. Chil-dren are always welcome on the walks accompanied by adults although the walks are not suitable for very

young children.

Most walks will be over reasonable tracks and quiet roads but the nature of the area is such that there will usually be at least one steep climb. You are advised to

wear good shoes or walking boots.

All walks start from Rodborough Community Hall at 6 pm except the September walk which starts at 5.30 pm.

There may be pub stops on some walks.

Published walks may be subject to alterations.


Sunday 2nd Aug. 14:00 Community Café Community Hall Tabernacle 766389Sunday 9th Aug. 14:00 Community Café Community Hall Tabernacle 766389Monday 10th Aug. 19:00 Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel Community Hall Theresa 07793286534Sunday 16th Aug. 14:00 Community Café Community Hall Tabernacle 766389Wednesday 19th Aug 10:00 Remembering Rodborough at the Coffee Pot TOES [email protected] 20th Aug. 18:00 Parish Walk Butterrow West Car Park Parish Council 762686Sunday 23rd Aug. 14:00 Community Café Community Hall Tabernacle 766389Thursday 27th Aug. 19:30 Road Safety Working Group Community Hall Parish Council 762686Sunday 30th Aug. 14:00 Community Café Community Hall Tabernacle 766389Saturday 5th Sept. 13:00 Mikron Theatre Butterrow West Mikron 758138Monday 7th Sept. 20:00 Community Fete Committee Community Hall Parish Council 762686Friday 11th Sept 19:00 Talk by Theresa Mansbridge about her experiences in Palestine with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel Tabernacle church hall Tabernacle 766389Friday 18th Sept. 18:00 Parish Walk Butterrow West Car Park Parish Council 762686Sunday 27th Sept 10.30 Harvest Festival : ‘Harvesting our gifts and talents’ followed by share lunch Tabernacle Peter Freeman 759943 Wednesday 7th Oct. 19:30 Road Safety Working Group Community Hall Parish Council 762686Sunday 11th Oct. 10:00 A Harvest of Justice Parish Church Parish Church 752659Friday 16th Oct 19:00 Quiz includes 2- course supper Tabernacle Mary Freeman 759943Monday 2nd Nov. 20:00 Community Fete Committee Community Hall Parish Council 762686Thursday 12th Nov 19.30 Quiz in aid of Amnesty International Prince Albert Richard Styles 07768904407Wednesday 23rd Nov. 19:30 Road Safety Working Group Community Hall Parish Council 762686Saturday 28th Nov 10.00 Christmas Fayre Tabernacle Carole Oosthuysen 872446Sunday 20th Dec 10:30 Love's greatest gift:: a family service for all Tabernacle Tabernacle 766389Thursday 24th Dec 23:30 Candlelight Service Little Chapel Tabernacle 766389Friday 25th Dec. 10:30 Christmas Day Service Tabernacle Tabernacle 766389Sunday 27th Dec. 10:30 The first Sunday of Christmas Tabernacle Tabernacle 766389Monday 4th Jan. 20:00 Community Fete Committee Community Hall Parish Council 762686Wednesday 13th Jan. 19:30 Road Safety Working Group Community Hall Parish Council 762686

E V E N T S D I A R YDate Time Event Venue Contact

Chair: Cllr Philip Blomberg 151 Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3LL 07767834248 NVice Chair: Cllr Joanna Bird 68A Kingscourt Lane, Rodborough GL5 3PX 765461 WCllr Anna Karmilavicius-Guarino 2 Dudbridge Hill, Rodborough, GL5 3HW 753920 NCllr Jane Ansell Please contact the Parish Office 07847391172 WCllr Charles Pedrick 2-3 High View Cottages, Rodborough Lane, GL5 2LH 07879428000 BCllr Alick Miskin Laurel House, Butterrow Lane, GL5 2LX 753024 BCllr John Bloxsom 6 Rodborough Avenue, Rodborough GL5 3RS 766529 NCllr Simon Walker Bramble Cottage, Rodborough Hill GL5 3SS 767904 NCllr Katherine Grace Hillgrove Cottage, Tabernacle Walk, Rodb GL5 3UJ 07788780717 WCllr Steve Ponting Morningside, Swellshill, Stroud, GL5 2SW 885689 W

STROUD DISTRICT COUNCILLORSCllr Stephen Moore Conegar, Rodborough Hill, GL5 3SS 758138Cllr Martin Whiteside Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, GL6 7LU 757874Cllr Nigel Prenter 2 Church Place, Rodborough GL5 3NF 752757

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLORCllr Brian Oosthuysen Copperfields, The Street, Kingscourt, Stroud GL5 5DL 872446

C O U N C I L L O R S

W = West Ward – 5 CouncillorsN = North Ward – 4 CouncillorsS = South Ward – 1 CouncillorB = Butterow Ward – 2 Councillors* co-optionOne vacancy for a Parish Councillor in West WardOne vacancy for a Parish Councillor in South Ward

PARISH COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETINGSFull Council - third Monday of the month 7pm. Meetings in August and December subject to confirmation. Contact the clerk.Planning and Transport Committee - First Monday of every Month 6.30pmAmenities and General Purposes Committee - First Monday of alternate months 8pm (August, October, December, February, April, June)Finance Committee - usually first Monday after end of each quarter 6.00pm (October, January, April, July)The public are welcome to attend all parish council meetings.For a full list of meeting dates please see our website www.rodborough.gov.uk and click on ‘Your Parish Council’