Stalkingham News - Stroud District Community Websites

Stalkingham News
The Local Newspaper for the Parishes of Stone, Alkington and Ham
Issue 77
May 2015
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This issue is sponsored by
Editorial page 2
Our Sponsor page 3
Local News starts on page 4
Vale Orchard
Fancy a Pint? page 9
Alkington Parish Council page 6
Read more on page 3
Walking News page 8
Memories of Stone page 14
Ham & Stone Parish Council page 7
Becoming a Parish Councillor page 10
Useful contacts page 15 and back cover
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 31st Sargent’s Mess at the Sally
8:30-ish. Folk music see page 9 for details
May
Thursday 7th Local and Parliamentary
Elections
Saturday 9th The Bad Dads Live at the Sally
8pm-ish. Acoustic blues and rock ’n’ roll
Monday 11th 7.15 Alkington Parish Council
Annual Meeting at The Stagecoach,
Newport.
June
Thursday 11th, 7.30 Stone and Woodford
WI, at Stone Village Hall. Rag Rug Making
Guest speakers Cherry and Louise
Saturday 13th 9.30–12.00 Craft Fair with
demonstrations, Berkeley Books see page 11
Saturday 13th 7.00 p.m. Summer Concert, St
Mary’s Church, Berkeley see page 11
Monday 11th 7.30pm Stone Summer Fayre
meeting at Stone Village Hall. See Editorial
Thursday 14th 7.30 Stone and Woodford WI,
at Stone Village Hall. ‘One Egg or Two’
Guest speaker Rosemary Prosser
Friday 15th SIA Make the Batter Matter see
page 13 for details
Saturday 16th Village Clean Up Day. 2.30
Stone Village Hall see page 3 for details
Monday 18th 7.30 Annual meeting of Ham &
Stone Parish Council, at Stone Village Hall.
Wednesday 27th Morris Dancing at the Sally
7:30-ish see page 9 for details
July
Saturday 4th, 7.30, Barn Dance at Hamfields
see page12 for details
Thursday 9th, 7.30 Stone and Woodford WI
at Stone Village Hall. ‘Fortnum and Mason’
Guest speaker Gillian Wimpress
Monday 13th 7.15 Alkington Parish Council
at Stone Village Hall.
Monday 20th 7.30 Ham & Stone Parish
Council, at Stone Village Hall.
August 31st The Berkeley Show See Editorial
1
Editorial
Summer sees the community get together at village fetes and country
shows, so let’s all support these two highly popular, local events.
Every year in Stone, we run a Village Fayre.
Over the years, various people have
organised it, and everybody who attends
has enjoyed it. So do we have enough
enthusiasm to run one again this year? I
would like to set up a meeting in the Village
Hall on Monday 11th May at 7.30pm for
anyone interested in the idea of holding an
event this year. The possible date I have is
the 18th of July but this could be discussed
to see if it is appropriate. Other subjects to
cover could be where to hold it in the
Village. Do we go back to the Village Green,
or hold it again where it was situated last
year? Also what type of event do we want to
hold? Country craft theme etc.? For more
information please contact Gareth Langdon
on
01454
260
007
or
email
g.langdon@sky.com
classes topped up by the Rare Breeds
section with hens & ducks, goats and pigs.
On the subject of animals let’s not forget
the dogs with the Companion Dog Show
classes extended this year. Entries taken on
the day. Or have you thought of the
Horticulture and Crafts section competitions
- here there is a variety of classes to enter
and a section for children – something to do
in the summer holidays maybe. If none of
the competitive elements take your fancy
then come along for a good day out. We aim
to provide something for everyone and for
all ages. As well as seeing the competition
entries, we have double harness Scurry
Racing – fast & exciting, Vintage & Modern
Machinery, Dancing & Music, Heavy Horses,
a Funfair, Archery, Cookery Demonstrations,
Trade Stands, Craft Marquee, Foodhall and
a Farmers Market. Add to this mix food and
drink and good company and the 113th
Show will be one to remember.
Admission Adults: £10 Children & Senior
Citizens £7 Family Ticket (2 adults & up to 4
children - £30) Ample Free Parking. (Cars on
Showground £10 plus cost of driver &
passengers – before 11am)
If you would like to join the Berkeley Hunt
Agricultural Society, memberships are
currently £30 (joint) £18 (single) which
covers admission to the Show and Members
enclosure. Contact: CHRISTINE CARTER,
Secretary Berkeley Show 01453 543335
113th Berkeley Show will be held on August
Bank Holiday Monday. After a difficult year
in 2014 with dreadful weather on Showday,
it was necessary to raise funds to carry on,
but thanks to our Members plus some
effective fund raising, we are now confident
of going ahead. Although the Show is not
until the end of August, the schedules will
be available in May, and there is a
competition for everyone, from Hunters and
Showjumping to ‘most suitable child’s
pony’. There will be a Gymkhana, plus
Cattle, Sheep, Pet Lambs and shorn Fleece
This edition: ©2015. Subject to the rights of third parties. Copyright the Editorial Committee.
No unauthorised reproduction. Printed by: Cotswold Marketing J & C Carter (Printers) 22
High Street, Cam, Glos. GL11 5LE Tel: 01453 546645 Fax:01453 544311
The next edition of the Stalkingham News will be published on 1st August 2015.
The editorial team welcome all contributions. Please submit copy before 10th July 2015 to:
Penny Wride, 1, Court Meadow, Stone. (01454) 260 097 pennywride@hotmail.com
or Susan Angus, Greyhound Cottage, Newport (01453) 811 145 stevemcdon@gmail.com
2
More from our Sponsor
motorway makes Bristol, Gloucester and
Cheltenham an easy commute and with the
shopping and leisure facilities of the Mall
only 10 minutes away we should have
absolutely no trouble selling here”, says Lisa
Costa of Lisa Costa Residential. The houses
will be marketed from May with prices
starting at starting at around £350,000.
VALE ORCHARD COMING SOON
Locals living in the beautiful village of Stone
will have noticed the activity at the former
Berkeley Vale Hotel site. The former hotel
was demolished in late 2013 and has now
been replaced by a new building comprising
of five new apartments. The Guinness Trust
has already purchased these apartments and
the Clerk of Works for Guinness said “In my
40 years of doing this job it’s one of the best
in terms of quality and workmanship I have
had signed off”. The building had to be
finished in seven months to meet the
completion deadline so credit must go to the
Prospect Developments team for delivering
the finished article on time.
A big thank you from the developers has to
go to local residents and particularly our
neighbours who have had to put up with
noise, disruption and site traffic over the last
few months. Also the Parish Council who
have been very supportive throughout the
planning process. It’s never easy to keep
everyone happy during a project like this;
with road works, limited parking and
building on a busy road, but the whole
scheme of five apartments and eleven
detached houses will have been completed
in just over a year, so hopefully all will be
forgiven in September, when what has been
an eyesore for over ten years will finally
have been put into good use.
A further eleven luxury detached 4 and 5
bedroom homes are now well under way
which should be completed and ready for
occupation by September of this year. A
beautiful new show-house will be available
for viewing at the end of May. The selling
Agents are very excited about the scheme
“This is just what Stone needs; quality
homes to bring new people and families to
the area. Vale Orchard is in a great location
and it’s hard to find property in a lovely
village such as Stone. Easy access to the M5
For further information on sales and
availability at Vale Orchard please contact
Lisa
Costa
01454
279734
sales@lisacosta.co.uk
Now that the Berkeley Vale is looking so smart, how about
helping on Village Clean-up Day! Saturday 16th May
Our band of trusty "Litter-Busters" do a
great job of regular litter clearing in and
around Stone. Thanks to their efforts the
discarded takeaways, escaping bin-bag
rubbish and general litter is kept at bay.
Sadly, dog poo left in non-biodegradable
bags is still an issue. The morale of our
volunteers could do with a boost, so we're
asking for a show of support from the wider
community. Can you help out for an
afternoon? We will assemble in the village
hall at 2.30pm, where we will be issued with
bags, litter-grabbers, etc, and return at
4.00pm for refreshments and general feelgood conversation! Many thanks to all!
Naomi Sargent 01454 260376
3
Local News
Stone with Woodford WI
Stone WI held their first meeting of the
year on Thursday February 12th, when
Martin Spice gave a presentation on
‘Kathmandu and Beyond’, teaching and
writing in South East Asia.
At our March meeting our guest speaker for
the month was Jean King from Canine
Partners. Assisting Jean was Tina Pitts and
two lovely, well behaved dogs from the
charity, Helena and Lindy. Canine Partners
is a registered charity that assists people
with disabilities to enjoy a greater
independence and quality of life, through
the provision of specially trained dogs,
whose well-being is a key consideration.
the dogs learn to enable them to care for a
disabled person in the community.
There was a lot of noise at our April
meeting as Simon Carver from Rhythm for
Life brought along drums for members to
play on! Simon explained how Rhythm for
Life now offer the Remo HealthRHYTHMS
Group Empowerment Drumming protocol,
which is a structured and research-based
drumming
programme
that
has
demonstrated significant and tangible
health benefits from exercise, nurturing
social support, to intellectual stimulation,
spirituality and stress reduction.
The drum plays a unique and key role in
enabling people to experience the health
benefits of rhythm therapy and recreational
music making and is suitable for all ages
and levels of ability. All members took part
in the drum circle and within a few minutes
were all playing together and making music.
Jean thanked Simon for a very interesting
musical evening.
Our next meetings will be held on:
May 14
One Egg or Two Guest
speaker Rosemary Prosser
June 11
Rag Rug Making Guest
speakers Cherry and Louise
July 9
Fortnum and Mason Guest
speaker Gillian Wimpress
Jean and Tina introduced three year old
Labrador Helena and one of her nine month
old puppies, Lindy, to members. Jean went
on to explain how she and Tina are
volunteer puppy parents for the charity and
how the charity was started. She then went
on to demonstrate the different skills that
Stone to Bristol on the No. 88 Bus
Not sure how many of you know about the
9.36 a.m. Bus Service from Stone Bus Stop
that goes to Bristol direct, via the motorway.
It’s brilliant. We discovered it last week and
used it for the first time. Sure enough, it
turned up just before 9.45 a.m. and we were
getting off in Bristol Bus Station at 10.05 a.m.
Perfect. On the return journey we caught the
3.05 p.m. bus and we were home, enjoying a
cup of tea, by 3.45 p.m. All in all a good day
out, and it even runs on Saturdays!
What worries us is that we were the only two
passengers going in - and there were only four
passengers on the return journey. If we don’t
use it we will lose it!
So, just in case you are not aware of this
facility we thought it should be publicised.
And used!
Rita Hughes
4
Stone & District Village Hall
The Annual General meeting was held on
Monday 27th April. ‘The Hall has had
another successful year with increasing use
from groups and occasional hirers. A fund
raising dinner in the summer raised sufficient
funds, which together with a grant from
Magnox enabled the replacement of the
external wooden doors with more resilient
PVC safety doors. General maintenance work
has been undertaken to preserve the Hall
and grounds. Thanks to Chris Chopping and
Ken Morton for all their help in this area.
I would also like to thank Sue Chopping,
Emma Fryer and Ann Leaney who as fellow
trustees have supported me throughout the
year. The trustees and management
committee meet on the first Monday of the
month at 7.30pm. You are welcome to
attend. Remember the hall is run by
volunteers and without your support
it will be difficult to maintain this vital and
important community asset.
David Wride. Chairman
Stone with Woodford School
Ready for action. Key Stage 2 children showing their new team kit.
Children in Stone with Woodford School are
now able to wear a new team kit when they
represent the school at any sporting event
thanks to the generosity of the Magnox
socio-economic scheme. The children are
very proud of the kit, which is designed in
the school colours. In their first match
wearing the new kit, the boys 5-a-side
football team won the area competition and
went on to play in the Stroud area finals.
Since then it has been worn many times
including cross country, football and hockey,
with more competitions planned.
The kit was secured for school by the hard
work of Mrs Dawn Bramley, whose children
have represented the school in various
sports. Mrs Bramley was presented with gifts
by the grateful children.
5
Alkington Parish Council
More solar farms in the parish?
Having worked hard to pull together a case
to ensure a large solar farm at Upper Wick
was refused (sadly unsuccessful), the council
has received preliminary notification that
another solar farm is under consideration in
Lower Wick. This could be the third solar
farm in the parish.
anything they could do to help stop large
HGVs parking overnight in the laybys on the
A38 near their properties. Their sleep is
interrupted by noise from lorries with
refrigerated units whirring away during the
night and the early morning revving up of
engines. In addition there is the problem of
littering and the unpleasant use of the verges
as a toilet. Council has been in touch with
Highways to see if there is anything that can
be done and is awaiting the outcome of their
preliminary investigations. Environmental
Health at Stroud District Council have also
been informed.
Community speed watch – are you prepared
to help? Only 3 people came forward to
work with Alkington Parish Council to
conduct traffic speed surveys in both
Woodford and Newport, and on the country
lanes, as speeding traffic continues to be an
issue in the parish. We need teams of 3
people to carry out speed checks in hotspots
across the parish from time to time. The
police will provide training and the
equipment, which we will have access to for
a period of one month at a time, provided
we have a minimum of 6 people. If you are
interested in helping out, could you please
contact the Clerk 01453 810 560 or email
alkingtonpcclerk@btinternet.com
Don’t forget Alkington Parish Council has its
own website, hosted by Stroud District
Council, so that information about the work
of the council can be posted on it.
http://community.stroud.gov.uk/alkington.
You will be able to apply to put details of
your business on it, read minutes of parish
council meetings and check planning
applications for the parish. Please take the
opportunity to use this community resource.
Alkington Parish Council’s Annual Parish
Meeting will take place on 11 May at 7.15pm
in the Stagecoach, Newport. Come along to
meet your councillors and hear what the
council has been doing on your behalf during
the past twelve months.
Renewable Power will be making a
community presentation with regard to a
possible solar farm at Actrees Farm. The
venue is still to be arranged and it will be in
mid May. Please look out for further
information and if it becomes a planning
application please do send in your comments
to Stroud District Council whether you
support or object.
Broadband; Colin Rea of Upper Wick has
circulated information encouraging people to
register with Fastershire to ensure that a
green box is installed in the parish to shorten
the distance from the exchange at Berkeley.
This will guarantee that the whole parish can
benefit from faster broadband. The website
is www.fastershire.com
Laybys at Berkeley Heath; Residents of
Berkeley Heath asked council if there was
6
Ham & Stone Parish Council
The following issues were discussed at their
meeting in March:
Dog Waste Bins – it is now proposed to buy
two waste bins and site one opposite Hall
Farm in Stone and one in Lower Stone. Being
just general waste there should be no
emptying costs but the Clerk will check with
SDC to confirm this.
New Lighting in Ham – a light along the main
Stone to Berkeley Road, as one comes into
the village, has been requested and will be
investigated.
Speed
Control
in
Ham
–
after
correspondence with Highways and the
intervention of the County Councillor the
painting of “30mph” signs on the road
coming from Berkeley is being considered
along with a sign noting the beginning of the
village of Ham at the bottom of the High
Street.
Berkeley Burial Committee – further to new
Terms of Reference being sent out, wording,
which formerly read “Berkeley Town Council
owns the property known as Berkeley
Cemetery” was requested to be changed to:
“BTC owns the property on behalf of the BC”.
The Clerk will advise the Clerk to the BBC and
our representatives will also bring this to
their attention.
In Ham, the telephone box has been a source
of concern because of its dilapidated
appearance and after contacting BT it has
now been re-instated with a telephone and
lighting and re-painting is now expected.
The Clerk has received literature about
“Adopting a Kiosk” and this will be
investigated by Mr Case.
In Stone there is still great concern about the
road junction by the school. Although
Highways says there have been no serious
accidents, with added traffic from the
Berkeley Vale site (Vale Orchard), another
dwelling at Norton House and any future
development by the School, this will only be
compounded. It was suggested that the
Clerk contact Highways for a Safety Audit.
The path from the Church to Court Meadow
is badly in need of repair and it is hoped that
this can be financed by the S106 money.
However with changing rules to the receiving
of this money it is not known when or how
much will now benefit the community.
In Lower Stone two stiles have been repaired
by the Cotswold Wardens and the Clerk was
requested to send a letter of appreciation for
their efforts.
The Clerk informed the Council that as
Employers they will be required to provide a
Pension Scheme for their employee, the
Clerk, whether it will be used or not, given
that the Clerk does not earn enough to
stimulate it. Council will also need to update
its Financial Regulations in line with
government policy.
Planning Matters
Permissions granted for applications at
Middle Mill Farm, Damery Lane, Woodford
and Hazel Mead House, Lower Stone
Applications submitted for the following
sites: Land adjacent Norton House, Stone
Berkeley Technology Centre, Hamfields Lane;
The Yews, Stone; Hazel Mead House, Lower
Stone. The application for Norton House has
been called in and officers have reason for
concern about Hazel Mead House so this is
being investigated.
Date of Annual Meeting of the Council - May
18th in Stone Village Hall at 7.30pm
Remember Village Clean-up Day! Saturday 16th May!
Meeting at 2.30 Stone Village Hall
7
Alkington Parish Design Statement
We are extremely pleased at the positive
some work to your property, this is an
feedback we have received from parishioners
important document for you as it will help you
who have purchased a copy of the Parish
with your planning application. The full-colour,
Design Statement (PDS). Why not check and
32-page PDS includes dozens of photos of
see if your property is featured and learn more
locations and buildings around the parish,
about your immediate area within the parish,
including distinctive architectural features, as
Are you considering making a planning
well as maps of habitats, water courses, public
application? If you are thinking about doing
rights of way and listed buildings.
Copies are available for purchase at a cost of £2.50 plus postage if outside the parish.
Please contact the Clerk via alkingtonpcclerk@btinternet.com or 01453 810 560.
Walking News
Substantial improvements are being made to
public rights of way access in Ham and Stone.
Two new stiles have been installed on the
Lower Stone Road - one opposite Lower Stone
Farm and the other next to Holly Tree Lodge.
Previously walkers had to negotiate metal
gates which could be difficult, if not
impossible, to open. In addition, work is
currently underway to open up the path
which runs from behind Summerfields on the
Lower Stone Road to Pedington Elm Farm on
Hystfield Lane. This is a major undertaking this path has been unusable for years as
access has been blocked by tall hedges.
This work has been commissioned by the
Gloucestershire County Council Public Rights
of Way Team and is being undertaken by the
Cotswold Voluntary Wardens.
Obstructions to public rights of way should be
reported on line at
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/prow It
is, of course, only by reporting obstructions to
rights of way that the PROW team can assess
the need for taking action.
Hopefully these improvements will make
walking more accessible and enjoyable for us
all.
Happy walking!
Local resident Joanna Barry is a qualified reflexologist, working from home in
Swanley. Reflexology involves the massage of the feet, applying gentle but
firm pressure to various points which “reflect” the body and its systems. If you
want to give reflexology a try, call Jo on 0780 130 4323 or email
jb.therapies@berkeley-reflexology.co.uk 10% off your first treatment.
Charity Clothing Collections - Advice for Residents
Many charities ask householders for old
clothes and other items, which can be sold for
charitable purposes. However, not everyone
who comes to your home, or drops in a plastic
bag is operating on behalf of a charity. Many
collections are genuine however sometimes
the flyers give the misleading impression that
the items are being collected for charitable
purposes. In reality, the items that you put
out could be collected by commercial
operators who then sell the donated items for
profit. If you have any doubts about a
collector don’t put items out for collection
and take them to your local charity shop
instead.
Contact the Licensing Section, Stroud District
Council, for more information
8
Fancy a Pint?
Real ale lovers will be aware of a
couple of local success stories.
Between The Sally at Ham and
Nibley Ale, we are spoilt for
choice, so prepare for a treat
and support these local winners
The Salutation at Ham has been voted
CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year, having
sailed through all the stages from Dursley and
District Pub of the Year, via the
Gloucestershire and South West heats. There
are about 50,000 pubs in the UK, to give you
an idea of the size of the competition. It just
goes to show how influential the local branch
of CAMRA is, as, over the years, we have
managed to get both The Salutation and The
Old Spot through all the stages to receive this
ultimate accolade.
Pete at the Sally continues to innovate and
has recently started brewing his own beer on
the premises, which has been very well
received. He has also taken to keeping
chickens and growing potatoes, which will join
his pigs on the menu in the form of Ham ham,
egg and chips. You can’t get much more local
than that. The Sally also hosts a guest chef
night, a ‘Ham at Home’ night and ‘Locals
behind the Bar’ nights! See below for details.
Meanwhile local Severn Vale brewer, Steve
McDonald has also been winning accolades,
this time for his Nibley Ale. He first brewed
this to be served at Nibley Festival and this
year entered it in the Society of Independent
Brewers regional competition.
Like The
Salutation, Nibley Ale went through all the
regional judging stages and won gold in the
standard bitters category at the annual
competition in Sheffield in March. Given that
SIBA has some 900 member breweries, this is
quite an achievement.
Severn Vale has linked with Cotswold Spring
brewery and together they are currently
developing a new brewery at Tortworth. The
borehole has been dug and the water tested
and approved for brewing. Combining the
two breweries resources has meant that they
have been able to purchase a larger plant to
fulfil increased orders more efficiently, but
they will also be retaining a small plant for
specialist brews and for experimentation.
Both breweries will be retaining their own
brands but the partnership provides greater
opportunities for expansion going forward.
More reasons for a pint!
2nd & 9th May- Pizza Monkey at the Sally – Noon till 3pm! Wood-fired Neopolitan pizzas,
made using slow-rise, hand-stretched bases topped with a mix of authentic Italian ingredients.
4th May Guest Chef Night There is just one dish, freshly-cooked with locally-sourced ingredients.
9th May The Bad Dads Live at the Sally foot-stomping, award-winning night of rock ‘n’ roll ‘n’
beer ’n’ cider! Sounds like a winner to us! Music starts at 8pm.
Locals Behind the Bar Night - when our locals pull pints and work the archaic Arkwright-esque till
from 5pm till 6.30pm. 11th May - Mark and Clare Kitchen; 18 May – Colin and Dawn Pearce
26 May Ham from Home Night Bring your homemade produce to swap and share or sample
the goods with a small donation to our local charity.
27 May Morris Dancing at the Sally starting at about 7.30pm
31 May Sargent’s Mess at the Sally starting at 8.30pm
9
Becoming a Parish Councillor
Local parish councils are the tier of local government which is closest to individual communities
and therefore have the greatest potential for identifying, understanding and addressing the needs
of the communities they serve. If you have an interest in local issues and things that affect people
and are interested in learning about the parish council and the work of councillors, please do
attend the meetings of your council.
9. To participate fully in the formation of the
council’s budget, deciding how much to
raise through the council tax in order to
deliver your council’s services
10. To oversee the running of local services
which may include: open spaces, play
areas, village halls, etc
11. To influence and shape the long-term
development policy, strategy and service
delivery for the parish
12. As part of the planning process, comment
on planning applications in the parish
13. To represent the parish council on outside
bodies to which the councillor is appointed
14. Working to bring about improvements
through local projects, lobbying other
service providers and working in
partnership with other parishes and
agencies
15. To keep up to date with issues affecting
the parish at a national, regional and local
level
Main duties and responsibilities
1. To attend parish council meetings
2. To conform to the code of conduct
3. To prepare for parish council meeting and
familiarise/prepare for matters being
discussed
4. Be able to attend evening meetings
5. To ensure, with other councillors, that the
parish council is properly managed
6. To be accessible and represent the
interests of the parish and deal with
parishioners’ enquiries, representations
and complaints
7. To represent the whole electorate; listen
and then represent the views of the whole
community when discussing council
business and working with outside bodies
8. To take part in meetings and form sound
judgements based on what is best for the
community, and then abide by majority
decisions
A Parish Councillor is not an employee or a
volunteer; they have put their name forward
for public office and been elected as a
representative volunteering their time for free
to work on behalf of their community. If you
are interested in becoming a parish councillor
in the future you need to meet the following
criteria:
Be a British, EU or Commonwealth passport
holder
Be over 18 and on the electoral register
Be a resident of the parish for which you are
standing during the whole of the last 12
months (although there are certain
exceptions).
In May 2016, there will be elections for both
Ham & Stone and Alkington parish councils.
Support and training
Each parish is supported by a Clerk and their
role is to ensure that the council as a whole
conducts its business properly and to provide
independent, objective and professional
advice and support. There is also training
available which supports you in your role.
How to find out more
Contact the parish clerk to find out more or an
existing parish councillor to discuss the role.
10
Berkeley Books – Your Community Library
5th Glosters Home Guard We have been given
some photographs of the WW2 Home Guard
who covered Berkeley, Berkeley Road,
Halmore, Slimbridge and Purton areas and
would like help to name everyone. If you have
a relative, or know anyone who served in the
Home Guard, please come into the Library and
help us to complete the names.
Summer Concert: This will take place in St
Mary’s Church on Saturday 13th June starting
@ 7.00 p.m. Cotswold Male Voice Choir and
Berkeley Primary School will be performing.
Tickets are priced at Adults £7.50 and £5.00
for Senior Citizens or Children (under 12) and
are available from the Library and Coventry
Building Society.
Craft Fair With Demonstrations: Saturday 13th
June, the Craft Club, which meets in the
Library on the last Wednesday morning each
month, are having a Craft Fair with
Demonstrations, in the Library from 9.30 –
12.00. Refreshments will be available and we
will be running a Raffle. The Library will be
open as normal.
Bedspread Raffle: One of our volunteers has
offered to crochet a bedspread which we will
be raffling in December. The bedspread will
be a work in progress and can be viewed
during Tuesday morning Crochet sessions.
Tickets for the Raffle are available from the
Library and Berkeley Tea Rooms.
Photography Competition for 2016 Calendar:
Entries for this year’s competition will close on
30th June. The theme is Berkeley & Area.
Photographs should be landscape and the
entry fee is 50p. per photograph. On the back
of each photograph please put your name,
phone no & email together with the location
of the photograph.
Library Talk: Monday, 18th May and is entitled
‘Jim’s Talk’. This talk will be given by David
Tandy using photographs of Berkeley and area
taken by local man, the late Jim Barge. Doors
will open at 7.00 for a 7.15 start. Tickets which
cost £5.00 each and include a glass of wine or
soft drink, are available from the Library.
Did you receive yellow tulips at Easter? The
Gardening Club maintain our tubs and borders.
Unfortunately, during the Easter weekend, the
steps and planters were subject to vandalism.
A large quantity of rubbish was left strewn
about, the flower heads from one planter
were broken off and left but the flowers in the
other planter were taken away.
Library Opening Hours: Tuesday & Friday
10.30 – 4.30, Saturday 9.30 – 12.30.
Berkeley Books Community Library
School Lane, Berkeley. GL13 9DQ
Telephone:
01453
810520.
email:
berkeleybookslibrary@hotmail.co.uk
Web site: Berkeleybooks.org.uk
Local resident, novelist, poet and illustrator, Sophie E Tallis, will be
signing copies of her latest novel, epic fantasy, ‘White Mountain’ at
Octavia’s Bookshop in Cirencester on Saturday May 16th, and has been
asked to participate in the Cirencester Literary Festival in July, where
her illustration skills will be used to inspire children to create their own
fantasy characters. See http://thedarklingchronicles.weebly.com/
11
Berkeley Parochial Trust
Have you heard of the above Charitable Trust
or know what it does? If not, the following
information may be useful.
The Church’s Poor Charity was founded in the
19th century for ‘the relief of the poor and
needy in the Parishes of Berkeley’. Over time it
amalgamated with other similar charities,
evolving into the Berkeley Parochial Trust, with
its purpose remaining the same. So, if you are
resident within the five Parishes of Berkeley,
and are in need, we may be able to help you.
The Committee is made up of representatives
from the following Parish Councils:Hamfallow, Alkington, Sharpness, Ham &
Stone, and Berkeley Town Council, plus three
co-opted people who have either relevant
knowledge and/or experience of charitable
Trusts, and a Clerk.
So how does it work? How can you contact us?
If you, or someone you know, is ill or in
financial difficulties and you need help from
the Trust, the easiest way is to contact our
Clerk, Mrs Susan Watson, by e-mail
berkeleyparochialtrust@hotmail.com
or
telephone on 01453 542208
The committee meets four times a year when
requests for help are discussed and the
amount of help agreed. These meetings are
entirely confidential. We also have a subcommittee that can act between formal
meetings and in most cases we have received
a request for help and been able to respond
within three days.
Eugene Camper. Chair, Berkeley Parochial
Trust
Raising Funds for Bristol Oncology
Last year, Karen was wading through the mud at Glastonbury. This
year, we can actively support her... by clicking a mouse!!
At the end of May I am walking the West
Highland Way, with my sister Judith and friend
Donna.
Bristol Oncology Centre which is where I
received my treatment. Last November I
reached my 5 year milestone and wanted to
mark the event somehow. We are in the
throes of training under the guidance of my
sister aka Mrs Bear Grylls. Her comment is the
96 mile walk won’t be her challenge, it will be
getting me and Donna round in one piece.
I have set up a just giving page, so if anyone
reading this piece would like to sponsor me
and help this amazing place, please log on to
my just giving page and donate whatever you
can. Every penny helps. My details are
www.justgiving.com/Karen-Waldron2
Thank you very, very much!
Karen Waldron
Altogether it will be 96 miles and we are doing
it over 8 days. I am raising money for the
Barn Dance - Saturday 4th July at 7:30pm. Hamfields, Berkeley
Band, Bar, Ploughman’s supper. Adult £12, Child £6
Tickets only available in advance: 01454 260376 01454 260277
12
Great British Fish and Chip Supper – Friday 15th May
want to make the batter matter and raise
£40,000 from everyone holding suppers.
The money raised from the suppers will help
the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to
individuals who become paralysed, and to
their families, from the moment a spinal injury
occurs and for the rest of their lives. Every
year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a
spinal cord injury and there are an estimated
40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK
alone.
For more information or request a fundraising
pack call Elizabeth Wright on 0845 071 4350 or
email fundraising@siafishandchips.co.uk or
visit www.siafishandchips.co.uk
Want to eat Fish and Chips, while
raising money for charity? Hold a fish and
chip supper on Friday 15th May 2015 whilst
raising awareness of spinal cord injury and
supporting SIA’s vital services. You can hold a
fish and chip supper in your own home, at
work or hold a larger supper at your local
community centre. SIA will provide a
fundraising pack containing hints and tips,
recipes, invitations and donation envelopes.
By inviting 8 friends and asking them to
donate an additional £5.00, you will raise at
least £40.00 from your supper, but we will
also give you additional fundraising ideas to
raise even more money for SIA. In 2015 we
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish is the leading childhood
bereavement charity in the UK, helping
children and young people rebuild their lives
after the death of their mum, dad, brother or
sister, and enabling them to face the future
with confidence and hope.
Throughout Gloucestershire, Winston’s Wish
runs a unique bereavement support program
called SWITCH. The program is aimed at
children aged 8-14 who have suffered a close
family bereavement which is having a negative
effect on their behaviour. The bereavement
may not be recent but may still be having an
impact on the child. The SWITCH program
offers family work, individual work for children
and their carers and group work. We end the
program with a celebration day. The aim of
SWITCH is to provide children and families
with the opportunity to work through their
experience with qualified professionals and to
help them make sense of their emotions and
feelings, meet other people in similar
situations and provide them with coping
strategy to help them reach their full potential.
SWITCH has been running in Gloucestershire
now for three years and feedback from both
children and their carers has been very
positive.
Feedback from a mother after the SWITCH
program:
“She’s like a different girl. I can’t explain it –
it’s like she has grown up. She’s excellent. I
think being able to talk about her feelings
and listen to the others and what they do
when they get one on them has really helped
her. She still gets grumpy, but now takes
herself off to her room and listens to music
and when she’s calmer, then I go and talk to
her!”
We would like to reach as many of these
children and families as possible in
Gloucestershire. If you or you know a child or
family who would benefit from the SWITCH
program or would like any further information,
please contact Sheila Elliott, Family Program
Lead
for
SWITCH:
selliott@winstonswish.org.uk
/
switch@winstonswish.org.uk / Phone the
office on 01242 515157 and ask to speak to
myself or a member of the SWITCH team. .
For further information about other services
Winston’s Wish can provide for children who
have suffered a bereavement, please go to our
website www.winstonswish.org.uk
13
Further extracts from Stone with Woodford,
‘Our Village in Living Memory’
compiled in 1957 by Stone Womens’ Institute.
threaten us into good nursing. He will doctor
your treasured cat or dog as well as you.
For those who live at Swanley - Foul
Murder at Swanley In 1794, Mr William
Reed of Swanley was in failing health. His
wife, some years younger, and an attractive
woman, had transferred her affection to
another. She prevailed on her doting husband
to make a will in her favour (£6,000). Then she
quietly and lovingly put poison in his broth. An
extract from the Annual Register of April 5th
1796 reads:
“Yesterday cause on at Gloucester Assizes, the
trial of Mrs Mary reed, charged with the willful
murder of her husband, William Reed, of
Swanley, in the parish of Berkeley. Mr Jenner
surgeon of Berkeley, disposed to being called
in …… On opening the stomach, he found
liquid in it, some of which he gave to two dogs
and killed them.”
After an absence of 10 hours the jury returned
a verdict of “Not Guilty”, which was evidently
a surprise.
Bylaw 6 relating to Stone Village Green
(Is it still in force? Ed)
(It is forbidden) To draw, drive or place upon
the Greens without any lawful authority any
carriage, cart, caravan, engine, truck. motor
vehicle, motor cycle, aero plane, flying
machine or any other vehicle; or erect, or
permit to remain on the greens any building,
shed, tent, fence, post, rail or other structure
The School
Known as Ham and Stone Church of England
School; it was built in 1869, on the site of the
old tithe barn: “One of the seven Tithe barns
belonging to the parish of Berkeley”. (Smythe)
Nine years later the school house was built; it
is said by the Rev Cripps, who gave part of his
orchard for the purpose. The infant room was
enlarged in 1885; in 1889 lavatories and a
cloakroom were built, and rebuilt in 1897. In
1907 a well, and pump were added. Electric
light has been installed this year (1957?),
together with heating stoves. The school
holds a high standard of education;
scholarships being awarded for places to
Dursley and Thornbury grammar schools. In
recent years a boy won a scholarship for a
school of Quaker foundation in the north.
Stone is proud of its school and takes a very
live interest in its welfare.
Mrs Reed lived to a good old age, her
paramour committed suicide (or did he? Ed);
she died at Southampton, a very miserable
woman it is said. An entry in Stone Church
register reads “April 19th 1794 William Reed
Burial”. Dr Jenner mentioned I suggest was Dr
Edward Jenner.
The Doctor
The Doctor is on his rounds on horseback,
today, sometimes he is in his gig. A character,
our Dr Audry, short tempered and tender
hearted. Founder of the Berkeley Cottage
Hospital which has Matron Shipp at its helm, a
member of an old Stone family. The doctor is
feared and loved, and manages to scare and
There is no village hall here, so any
improvement to the school is an added
attribute to the village for any sort of
entertainment. The school is now voluntary
controlled.
14
Local Organisations
Stone Womens Institute
Jean Hill, President. (01454)
261 307 Meetings: 2nd
Thursday 7.30 pm in Stone
Village Hall
Cheerleading Emma Fryer
(01453) 810764 For
children aged 5 to 16.
Thursdays 4.30 – 6.15 in
Stone Village Hall.
Woodford Silver Band
Geoff Farr (01454) 260 392
Meetings: Friday Evenings
Stone Village Hall
Berkeley and Stone-withWoodford Parish Churches
Rev. Richard Avery.
Vicarage: (01453) 810 294
Office: (01453) 511 542
Playgroup & Toddlers: Jo
Thornton (01454) 260 828
stonewithwoodfordpat@go
oglemail.com
Stone-with-Woodford
School PTA Emma Fryer
(01453) 810764
Dog Training: Alice Crick
07511 011 562 or email
Alice.crick@hotmail.co.uk
1st Falfield (St George)
Scout Group Peter Martin
(01454) 260 772
Yoga Group Joan Stephens
(01453) 843 053
1st Falfield & Stone
Brownie Pack Mrs Gill
Barber (01454) 413 759
brownowl@1fsb.co.uk
Berkeley Books - The
Community Library (01453)
810520
Stone Cricket Club: Dennis
Booth, (01454) 260 689
Farm Watch Colin Rea.
Manor Farm, Upper Wick.
(01453) 511 809
Stone & District Village
Hall Chairman: David
Wride. 1, Court Meadow,
Stone. (01454) 260 097
Bookings Secretary: Mrs R.
Harper. (01454) 260 875
Village Agent Penny
French. 07776 245 726
pennyf@villageagent.grcc.o
rg.uk
Neighbourhood Watch
Local Representatives:
Stone: Rosa Harper.
(01454) 260 875
Lower Stone: Judy Clark.
Little Paddock, Lower
Stone. (01454) 260 275
Woodford: Max Holland.
The Cottage, Damery Lane,
Woodford. (01454) 260 678
Chapel Hill: Craig Davey.
(01453) 511 236
"Difficult to see where you
could land an aeroplane."
With acknowledgement to
Mr R Jordan
15
Useful Contact Details
Alkington Parish Council
http:// community.
stroud.gov.uk/alkington
Chair Richard Coffin.
Wick House, Lower Wick,
(01453) 810 460
Deputy Chair Susan Angus.
Greyhound Cottage,
Newport.
(01453) 811 145
Julie Brindle.
Meadowside, Berkeley
Heath, (01453) 511 884
Brian Gregory. Glencoe,
Newport (01453) 511 294
Gethin Lewis, Cynfal.
Damery Lane, Woodford.
(01454) 261 319
Jan Sayers. Rose Cottage,
Lower Wick,
(01453) 810 417
Marie Wooldridge. Holts
Farm, Stinchcombe.
(01453) 542 712
Parish Clerk: Anita Sach.
Lower Wick Cottage, Lower
Wick 01453 810560
anita.sach@btinternet.com
Ham and Stone Parish
Council
Stone Ward Councillors:
Chair Penny Wride.
1 Court Meadow, Stone.
(01454) 260 097
David Clark. Little Paddock,
Lower Stone.
(01454) 260 275
Gareth Langdon. 2 Court
Meadow, Stone.
(01454) 260 007
Cherry Miller. The Old
Vicarage, Stone.
(01454) 260 277
Ted Stokes. 12 Court
Meadow, Stone. (01454)
261 359
Ham Ward Councillors:
Philip Case. Walnut
Cottage, Ham. (01453) 819
221
Sue Dunbabin. Park View
Cottage, Ham, GL13 9QW
01453 810119
Parish Clerk: Jenny Nichols.
Honeysuckle Cottage, Ham.
(01453) 511 200
nichols@homecall.co.uk
District Councillor Penny
Wride. 1 Court Meadow,
Stone. (01454) 260 097
pennywride@hotmail.com
County Councillor John
Cordwell.
(01453) 842 439
Email:John.Cordwell@glouc
estershire.gov.uk
M.P: Neil Carmichael.
(01453) 751 572
Water Supply
Emergencies: Severn
Trent Water 0800 7076
442
Environment Agency
Flood Line:
0845 988 1188
Police Non-emergency
Sewer & Drain
Problems: Wessex
Water 0845 600 4 600
Medical Emergencies
“Out of Hours”
Gloucestershire
Practices: 0300 421 0220
South Gloucestershire
Practices: 111
Electricity Supply
Problems: Western
Power Distribution 0800
67 83 105
16
Stroud District Council.
Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf,
Stroud. GL5 4UB
www.stroud.gov.uk
Emergencies (24hrs):
(01453) 222 104 General
Enquiries: (01453) 766 321
Litter Problems: (01453)
754 424; Dog Fouling (01453) 754 492
Gloucestershire County
Council. Shire Hall,
Gloucester
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk
Environment Help: (01452)
425 500 Highways Help:
0800 0514 514
www.gloucestershire.police.
uk PCSO: Mike Trebble
Tel 101 (15p per minute)
Neighbourhood Warden:
Andy Murray
Tel 01453 754 276
Mobile Police Station:
Paul Bowman
Tel 07734 068276
paul.bowman@gloucesters
hire.police.uk.