THE COMMONER VIEWS AND NEWS FROM RODBOROUGH

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

www.rodborough.gov.uk NOVEMBER 2016 • ISSUE 52 Just how big is Rodborough? Have you ever wondered exactly what falls within Rodborough Parish? Most people could guess that the Kingscourt/Lightpill areas are included, plus the Rodborough Fields estate and of course Rodborough Common and the roads leading up to it, but did you also know that Sainsburys is part of the parish (but not the part of its car park on the far side of the stream!).

The railway line generally forms the boundary to the east and to the west it moves around between the cycle track, the A46 and the back of Rooksmoor (which opted to join Woodchester many years ago).

A lot of people do not realise how far south the parish extends. Bownham Park and Mead are in Rodborough as are parts of Houndscroft behind The Bear hotel. The southern most part of the parish is the hamlet of Swellshill which looks like it could fall within Brimscombe.

To find out more about the settlements that make up what is now Rodborough civil Parish, have a look at the map on pages 6-7.

Binning it (or recycling revisited) Oh heck, from November they’re introducing weekly food waste collections and the rest only gets picked up fortnightly. This is serious. Will we all have to scrape in the old food, the bones, the rotting veg, used teabags and the uneaten dogfood? This means washing out the containers (yuck). And separating all the other stuff: the cans and the bottles, the plastics (not bags, bits of film or polystyrene) and the card and paper. If you want to be more helpful, take the bottle tops off (if they’re different material) and tear out the window from the windowed envelopes. And if you’re really keen to burnish your halo, try to avoid buying un-recyclable items and especially products with microbeads in them (see www.beatthemicrobead.org) on’t you just love recycling? Some people do, others Djust scoop everything into a big black bag and, when Will we do it? Or will the huge big pile of black bags it’s full, get another and another and maybe a few tatty become a massive fortnightly one with quadruple the smell carrier bags; into the bags go half eaten food, beer cans and ten times the attraction for the cats, rats and badgers? (slightly crushed), lots of tins with stuff clinging to the sides, Over to us then teabags, cat food pouches, bottles, cereal packets, apple Alick Miskin cores, detergent bottles, face wipes, old nappies, wilting Resident veg you never got round to eating, pizza boxes ….. the lot. And on bin day, there’s a huge big pile of black bags. Sling ‘Like us on Facebook’– them onto the street, hope the badgers don’t mess with them (if they do, the folk on the bin lorry will sweep it up) search for Rodborough and...job done for another week. Parish Council THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 2 Winter in Rodborough THE

Son w Warden COMMONER Rodborough has an extensive network of grit bins around Published by Rodborough Parish Council the parish. Most of them have a named individual who Editors Kim Richardson and Huw Oliver Distribution Rodborough Parish Council keeps an eye on it and, with their neighbours’ help, Advertising Joy Jackson Compilation Qwertyop.co.uk spreads grit when needed. Printer CBF Printed on recycled paper Contact The Commoner, Rodborough Community Hall, We would like to recruit a volunteer to co-ordinate the grit Butterrow West, Rodborough, Stroud, Glos GL5 3TZ bin wardens. This would involve very little work but would Tel: 01453 762686 Email: [email protected] mean you are the first point of contact with the wardens. Deadline for next issue is: 1st January 2017 This could include contacting them to check the condition No article necessarily represents the views of the editor or of the bins at the start of the season and reporting back to the parish council unless this is specifically stated. the council, receiving reports of empty bins or receiving the If you would like to provide an article for The Commoner, resignation of volunteers. There may also be times when please send it to the address above or email to [email protected] by the deadline. snow warnings (received by the parish council) need to be Advertising in The Commoner starts from as little as sent out. Most of this can be done by email. £36.45+VAT and we can offer discounts for repeat bookings. Contact us for more details. If you would like to find out more, please contact the parish office on 762686 or [email protected].

Correction - Annual Report (Centre of the August Commoner - issue 51) The Summary of Audited Accounts on the back page of the Annual Report should have read 2015/16. All other details are correct.

Could you spare an hour or two 4 times a year? e need a volunteer to Whelp us distribute boxes of The Commoner to some of Grit Bins the individuals who go on to Grit bins are in place to help keep our local roads clear deliver them throughout the of ice and snow during periods of bad weather. They are parish. You would need access there for the benefit of the community and the contents are to a car and to be available not for personal use on private driveways or paths. Using around the starts of February, grit on private property not only constitutes theft, which May, August and November could lead to prosecution, but could also potentially put road users at risk if there is not enough left to use when If you are interested or would the roads are icy. like to find out more, please contact the parish office on 762686 or [email protected]

HANDYMAN AND ALPHA AUTO SERVICES MAINTENANCE To advertise At Kingscourt Garage SERVICES here from just Your Local Garage. Routine maintenance. Painting and decorating. Flat pack installation. £36.45 SERVICING Windows, gutters cleaned. Fences repaired. Smoke alarms, (ex VAT) REPAIRS shelves, curtain poles installed. MOT PREPARATION Gardening and vegetables. contact References and insurance. CLUTCHES CRB clearance. Rodborough Oak Leaf Services Parish Council on All Makes and Kevin Lea Models welcome. 01453 762735 • 077408 54170 762686 or clerk@ [email protected] Tel Maurice 01453 766197 www.oakleafservices.co.uk rodborough.gov.uk THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 3 I live here - Louise Ratcliffe am an architectural When we first viewed our house we fell in love with its Idesigner and love living Cotswold vernacular architecture and began what we here in Rodborough with my thought was a 5 year restoration project - but then 3 partner Jonathan Early, an children came along and now it’s more like a 20 year project! antiques restorer & gilder, After the birth of Arthur I took up architectural design again and our 3 children - Arthur freelance. My neighbours gave me a big break with the 12, and twin girls Cecily remodelling of their Grade II Listed house, and since then my & Florence 9. I was born business has grown year on year designing anything from in Blackburn, Lancashire porches to extensions. Currently a new build eco house is and at an early age had a on my drawing board! passion for visiting stately homes, and saying how I’d design my house when I grew up! So, in 1983 I moved to North I am a founder member of The Old Endowed School London to start my design degree course at Middlesex (T.O.E.S.) committee, spearheaded by Peggy & Brian Polytechnic (where I met Jonathan). Ludlow, and for the last 8 years we have held many fundraising events to help save and renovate this important Once qualified, I started working for design and architectural building. We’ve had a Medieval Feast, Quiz Nights, Murder practices in London until in 1994 I changed tack for the next Mystery evenings, and the popular Angel & Fairy Hunt 7 years and Jonathan and I opened The Blue Legume - with Teddy Parachuting. In my architectural capacity I cafe, patisserie & juice bar - in Stoke Newington, London. have redesigned the hall’s kitchens and loos and the new entrance from the churchyard. I’m even in charge of the In 2001 we sold the business and moved to Rodborough. bookings for the hall, and can usually be found at the Coffee Apart from having friends who lived in Chalford, we didn’t Pot held there every Wednesday morning either catching up know too much about Stroud, but soon loved the energy with committee members or friends for a chat and a coffee! & creativity and sense of community, especially here in Louise Ratcliffe Rodborough. Little did we know about its excellent schools, but that was to come!

BT Phone Kiosk Councillor odborough Parish Council has recently taken on Rthe ownership of the BT Phone Kiosk at the end of Vacancies Rodborough Lane (close to the junction with Butterrow Hill).

ue to the resignation of two parish councillors The council will be working with the Butterrow Book Group Dfor north ward, we will shortly be advertising for who are in the process of restoring and preserving this volunteers to take their place. If you are interested, iconic British landmark for the benefit of the community. please keep an eye on our notice boards, website and Facebook page for more information. Once it has been cleaned, painted and been refitted, they aim to turn it into a Community Book Share facility.

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 750853 0796 797 1850 THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 4 Paul Bennett entered France with the Army in October 1914 and was soon made a 2nd Lieutenant. In November 1915 his battalion were in their front line trench when a German mine exploded beneath them, killing several men and burying many others. The whole area was raked by machine gun fire through which Paul led rescue parties to Rodborough's WW1 dig out those trapped. For his bravery in this action he was Victoria Cross awarded the Military Cross. A year later on the Somme, his company came under ne of Rodborough's more active families in the early devastating shellfire during their attack and nearly all 1900s was the Bennetts who lived at Longcroft, O their officers were killed. The leaderless young soldiers Frome Park Road. The father, Charles Bennett, became stopped and dropped to the ground. The following waves a church mainstay as organist, choirmaster and Sunday were then caught in the open and unable to advance. School leader. Together with his wife plus their daughter Seeing this, a wounded Paul Bennett leapt to the head of and five sons they led almost every parish entertainment the troops and signalled for them to attack with him and by reciting verse, singing or playing their musical they took their objective German trench. Although under instruments. The younger boys Theodore and Paul constant counterattack they held firm until being relieved attended Rodborough School before moving to Marling at nightfall, by which time Bennett could only muster about where they played rugby and cricket for the school, plus sixty men, out of the original three hundred. the parish and Stroud. The trench they held was named Bennett Trench in his honour, and his brave leadership was rewarded with the Victoria Cross.

After the war Paul became a lawyer and magistrate in London, suffered further with the death of his only son, and finally retired to Italy where he died in 1970 Theodore and Paul Bennett, Rodborough School about 1904. a g e d 77. Photograph courtesy Jonathan Briggs Steve Pitman, However, the Bennetts experienced more than their Capt. Paul Bennett V.C., M.C. share of tragedy, losing four of their six men in the Remembering Rodborough Image © S&N Genealogy Sup- plies, used with permission. five years between 1914 and 1919. Leopold died of pneumonia aged 23. Harold in a motor-cycle accident As part of the government First World War Centenary aged 25. Then the youngest, Theodore was killed in Campaign a commemorative paving stone will be laid action in Palestine aged 24. In 1919 father Charles also at the birthplace of all those awarded the V.C. As Paul died. Paul was in hospital with terrible wounds suffered Bennett was born in Cainscross, his stone will be laid in on the Western Front the previous year and could not Victory Park on Remembrance Sunday. attend his father's funeral in Rodborough.

one visit or a telephone befriender. You may like to Friends for You volunteer to write to them, probably on a fortnightly basis, but that can be flexible. We now know that social isolation can be the greatest difficulty experienced by people and that it often has a ‘The penal system considers solitary confinement to detrimental effect on health. So, if you think that you’d be its harshest punishment but we unwittingly subject enjoy being able to offer regular visits, friendship and a our older people to this very punishment on a daily listening ear to housebound people in the area, it would basis’ (Sue Black, Friends for You). be wonderful. For a start you’ll be amazed at the positive impact you’ll get from not only the person you befriend The Friends for You scheme is managed by but also how good you’ll feel yourself. Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC). Friends for You is also is extending its service to include If you are interested please call Sue Black, letter writing. This will be offered to those people who Friends for You: 07810 630167 / 01452 528491 may not be in a position to receive either a one to or email [email protected]. THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 5 Up on the Common Grant report - h, summer! On the Glebe Allotment Association Acommon that means ... well, butterflies for one thing. My son's father in law is interested in these critters so I joined him on a 'rarities' mission in the early summer. Would we be successful? I found out from the National Trust website* that the steep lower slopes are best for certain species (though quite why is less clear - perhaps less wind exposure or the provision of some marginal scrub?) and on a walk I'd had this endorsed by a chap with a VERY large camera lens focused on something tiny a few he grant from the Parish Council enabled the Glebe feet away (always a good sign!), who said the best area is TAllotment Association to effect repairs and sink immediately above the fringe of trees alongside the lane drainage to the main entrance in Butterow West. The gate running from Bear Hill as far along as Little London. posts have been realigned and secured and the road side of the site has been infilled with chippings. And so it proved. Within an hour we had clocked the small, orange-and-brown Duke of Burgundy butterfly - The photograph shows members of the working party in this has declined UK-wide by 50% since the 1970s but need of refreshment. our common is a known stronghold, though numbers are quite small. By then we had already spotted the small blue, green hairstreak and skipper, all three new and exciting to Raised Beds at Lightpill a novice like me - but this wasn't what Alex was really after. Co-operative Allotments Then I heard him shout 'Adonis blue!' and there it was, a At their annual open day the very beautiful brilliant blue, medium-sized butterfly and raised beds funded by an this one in such perfect condition that it had probably only Active Together grant from just emerged. Alex too had an excellent camera and this is Gloucestershire County one of his pictures taken on the day (perhaps one day The Council were declared open Commoner will be printed in colour!). by Mrs Carol Nicholl of the Kings Head. It was a glori- Among other things, both rarities require specific plant ous day and enjoyed by all species (cowslip and horseshoe vetch respectively) and who attended. the lower slopes of our hard-working limestone grassland provide the perfect environment for these little beauties. The raised beds are Give it a go next year in late May or early June and take a available for any gardener of any age who finds mobility tip from me - latch on to an expert if you can! or bending difficult. If you are interested please contact Geoff March Doreen Hoskins, allocation member, on 07813 559842 and * https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/minchinhampton-and-rodborough-commons/ she will be happy to arrange a viewing. trails/rodborough-common-butterfly-walk (also look out for their guided walks) Fran Law THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 6 hounds, like a breeder. to real related something been have may it Or names. animal given often were ‘hound’, children as word the from taken was name whose person a from be could element first The works. farmer small-scale or a ‘crofter’ which on of land parcel Houndscroft. or simply a running stream. barges, or boats for place aterm landing signifying river a Celtic be may ‘Pill’ Lightpill . Map by Steve Smith. Text by Kim Richardson, with help from (and thanks to) Stroud Local History Society, History to) Stroud Local help (and from with thanks Map by Text Steve Richardson, Smith. by Kim

A ‘croft’ was a small a small was A ‘croft’ Remembering Rodborough and Dr Jonathan Marshall (the University of Gloucestershire). RodboroughMarshall Remembering Jonathan Dr and pronunciation of ‘home’. and spelling old the was Bownham ‘Ham’ in time. this before 100 site years this on to existed have 1740. around clothiers appears local for A house built storeys three and bays five with house of a grand site Bownham Park Bownham

used to be the to the be used difficult to negotiate in wet weather. inwet negotiate to difficult so were valleys the because hills stony over to routed be used road The drovers. cattle by Welsh used route London Rodborough Common was the old over up goes which track wide The London Little Bagpath Bagpath narrow for wheeled traffic wheeled for narrow i.e. too trail, one horse a pack indicates name the that suggested been also has It by badgers. i.e. used a path (badger), ‘bagga’ English Old from be could element first the Alternatively, ‘paeth’ path).and (road, track, English name ‘Baecga’ personal Old the with formed possibly was was THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 7 grand houses. two or one and cottages of weavers’ of a handful consistedAges Kingscourt 1463.from Middle the In area the with connected were family, who Kinnes the from name its got have may Kingscourt Stanfields building purposes. for gathered were stones where fields of area an ‘fields’. been havemay It ‘stone’ words & the from derived An EtymologicalAn Map of Rodborough of the Parish Dudbridge mill dating from 1235. from dating mill of a record earliest the with industry, for location a natural Dudbridge made river This Frome. River the spanned which area, the in bridge first the from

seems to be seems

gets its name name its gets (fortified settlement). (fortified ‘burh’ English Old the from derives ‘Borough’ Minchinhampton and Rodborough commons. of to cover much used that woodland the in to a clearing referring (clearing), ‘rod’ English Old the from derive may parish the of name The Rodborough difficult to negotiate in wet weather. inwet negotiate to difficult so were valleys the because hills stony over to routed be used road The drovers. cattle by Welsh used route London Rodborough Common was the old over up goes which track wide The London Little Ages. Middle the in archery to practise required were parishes All Bowbridge). explaining also – thus river of the banks the (or on hill the against up set were practice archery for butts where a place Butt-row, from i.e. to derived be seems Butterrow abutting some fields. some abutting to land refer simply may it though Butterow), (see archery to relate may name The Butts The THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 8 Sing Carols with the Rodborough Youth PACC this Christmas Project © Fred Chance © Fred

RYP receive their grant from Rodborough Parish Council he Prince Albert Carol Consort (PACC) was started in 2001 Tby a small group of regulars who were fond of singing but had no shared repertoire. They described themselves then, odborough Youth Project is a club for 11 – 18 year and still do, as drinkers with a singing problem! Rolds who live in Rodborough or who attended Rodborough or Gastrells Primary School. The youth The original group set about learning ten pub, or village, carols project attracts over 50 young people on a regular basis which are not the ones you learn at school or church. The and offers a range of activities including sport, games and tunes are exuberant and the words are unusually rich. Above music. The club meets Friday evenings in Rodborough all they are fun to sing, which is partly why Victorian clergy Community Hall (free use courtesy of Rodborough Parish considered them unsuitable and banned them from their Council. services. However, folk had worked hard to learn the four-part harmonies and weren't content to abandon them. Instead they ‘’I have been a member of Rodborough Youth Project sang them in village halls, nonconformist chapels and in their for 2 years and it gives us a safe place for fun times and pubs. Some parts of the country have continued the tradition social interaction’’. of singing these unusual carols in pubs ever since. Milly The first year the PACC sang, they were watched warily by a Rodborough Youth Project has recently accepted a smattering of lunchtime drinkers who presumed, wrongly, that new air hockey table and beanbags from Stroud District the singers were a faith group. Nowadays their repertoire has Youth Council’s grant scheme. We are also going to more than doubled and folk need to get to the pub early if they purchase some new computer tablets and take the young want a seat. people on an outing soon after a successful funding bid. Rodborough Parish Council also donated a pool table to The carols are sung in The Prince Albert each Sunday the youth project last year as part of the annual parish lunchtime in December leading up to Christmas and anyone is grants scheme. welcome to come and join in. Rodborough Youth Project is saying goodbye to long Words are available at each session in exchange for which folk standing volunteer, Dawn Quest. Dawn helped the are invited to donate something to a local charity. Rehearsals club set up nearly 10 years ago, and has served on the are also organised for people wishing to learn harmony parts. committee and run sessions regularly over this time. Chair of Rodborough Youth Project, Susan Hesp, said “We Full details of sessions and would like to take the opportunity to thank Dawn for her rehearsals can be found amazing commitment, energy and passion for youth work. on our website: www. We are very sad that she is leaving, and wish her all the albertcarols.uk. Anyone best for the future.” wanting to learn more about the history of village Rodborough Youth Project is looking for new committee carols, and of the Stroud members. We meet 3 times a year to oversee the tradition, should go to the organisation of the project. If you are interested please go history page. Also on the to our clubs website http://ryp.gl5.info website are sheet music and sound files together We are looking to hold a reunion event for previous with a video of the PACC members, staff and volunteers next Summer. If interested in action. in helping to organise this event please contact Susan Hesp on 07875133220 or via the club’s website. Bill Hicks THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 9 1st Rodborough Rodborough Playgroup Guides – get involved! ecently Rodborough RPlaygroup has undergone some new and exciting changes. We have opened our doors earlier and for longer so we now run all day sessions (from 8.45 a.m. until 3p.m.) every day of the week. As part of our new structure we have introduced regular “outdoor-learning” style sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.

We aim to get out in the fresh air as much as possible - whether it be running on the common, walking in the community or using our outside courtyard. But with thanks to our parent-led committee we have raised funds to buy st Rodborough Guides enjoyed a busy and fun-filled new equipment and waterproof clothing so we can offer 1summer. We were lucky enough to be able to visit a new type of outdoor session as well. These are different the RAF Fairford air show, giving the girls the opportunity as the children enjoy “learning through play” by taking to look around the aircraft and take part in science and elements of the “forest-school” type of approach. This engineering activities, as well as watch the Red Arrow places importance on active play in the environment as display. a natural and primary way that children learn. They can assess risks themselves, solve problems and develop their Seven of our guides also took part in a trip to Paris, creativity, along with other guide units in the surrounding area. This fantastic weekend away consisted of one day So far this term we have enjoyed leaf threading, blackberry sightseeing in Paris, including walking up the Eiffel Tower, painting, colour mixing with dyes and making bird feeders and one day exploring Disneyland. to help feed the pigeons we have seen nesting in our buddleia. In the mud kitchen, the children have made some Girlguiding provides girls from the age of 10 to 14 with a delicious “witches pies” by mixing different ingredients chance to meet up, learn new skills, have fun together and such as lavender, blackberries, carnations and rose petals, build friendships. As well as a weekly meeting, we offer sycamore leaves, wild clematis, hazel sticks, fir cones, opportunities to take part in day trips, camps and to get conkers and chalks. involved in community projects.

We also have one member of staff who is currently training We currently have spaces for girls to join us and we to be a forest-school leader and are applying for funds to welcome new members. We are also looking for an adult redevelop a space behind Rodborough Tabernacle into a unit helper, so if anyone is interested in volunteering then “forest-school” area for the children and others to explore. please get in touch with us. If you are interested in your child joining us at Rodborough Playgroup please call our Play leader Nicola on 01453 To contact us please email 1strodboroughguides@gmail. 756141 or email [email protected]. com. THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 10 Report from Rodborough’s Lost Painting Police Community Support am wondering if there is anyone in the Rodborough Officer I area that can help me? As a child in the 1950s I was asked by an artist to sit as a model as she painted me into a picture of a group of children listening to Jesus preaching. The artist, Elsie Anna Wood, was well-known at the time for her religious paintings, book and bible illustrations and was then living in The Private Road, near the Bear Inn.

I have often wondered what happened to that painting. Before she died my mother said she understood it was to be hung in a school in memory of a child who had died but the school later closed and she had never seen it. The artist herself seems to have lived in many different regions of England.

Perhaps she used other models in Rodborough? I recently learned that there is a watercolour TR AffIC painting of Jesus by the same artist in Rodborough In April two police cadets and I conducted speed Tabernacle but it doesn't include children. checks with the mobile speed device at The Butts and Rodborough Lane, following concerns from residents. My e-mail address is: [email protected] or Although we did not capture speeds of any great please make contact via the Parish Office on 01453 762 significance, I do believe that it is an excellent deterrent. I 686 continue to patrol the schools at drop off and pick up times, Ruth Ratcliffe when I can. I know how stressful the school run can be; however, we must put the safety of the children first.

SCHOOLS I am now trained to give internet safety talks and both Rodborough Primary and Gastrells have been offered these talks as part of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre initiative. There has been a slight increase in the number of reports relating to cyber bullying.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR There has been a slight increase in the number of reported incidents. As a large number of these are related to Sainsbury’s, which has its own security guards, I am not overly concerned. I have not had to deal with any incidents involving anti-social behaviour relating to groups of young people over the summer months, which is really encouraging. I have dealt with a football-related neighbour dispute, which is hopefully now resolved.

OLDER BUT NOT OVERLOOKED I have been working closely with our Village Agent, Angela King, with regard to two residents of the parish – an elderly female who is suffering with dementia and has since been moved to a care home and an elderly male who benefited from a “Safe and Well” check with the Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service. Angela has been invaluable, providing vital links to support people in the Community.

BURGLARIES Thankfully, the number of burglaries in the Rodborough Parish has decreased compared to the same period last year. Beverley Owen Police Community Support Officer 249246 THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 11 COMMUNITY GROUPS IN RODBOROUGH Activity and Organisation Name Contact Phone Activity and Organisation Name Contact Phone 1st Rodborough Guides [email protected] Rodborough Old Boys FC Stuart Thompson 07800589173 3rd Rodborough Brownies [email protected] Rodborough Playgroup Nicola Hurford 756141 5VFit Kim www.5vfit.co.uk Rodborough Poultry Club Kirsty Tallon 07751181076 Art Class (Community Hall) Steve Smith 752159 Rodborough Scout Troop Theresa Mansbridge 07793286534 Baby Massage NCT 020 8752 2494 Rodborough Tabernacle - Bookings John Rohrbeck 01452 812934 Cappella Singers Ken Lawrence 759634 Rodborough Tabernacle Choir Di Davis 762373 Coffee Pot Jane Tubbs 767557 Rodborough Tabernacle Lunch Club Barbara Cook 763026 Community Hall - Bookings Joy Jackson 762686 Rodborough Tabernacle URC Minister Eric Massey 766389 Croc N Roll Stephanie 07957235413 Rodborough Toddlers (TOES) Ellen Edwards 07958134873 Dance Pointe Rhianne Banyard 07854298847 Rodborough Youth Football Club Darren Vasey 07742 971974 Fitness Class (Rodborough School) Julie McNally 07964 412475 Rodborough Youth Project Dawn Quest 07855426554 Five Valleys Bridge Club Vesta Rock 886404 Rugby Rascals Toddler Group Sharon Ashenford 750124 Glebe Allotment Association Sarah Zodiates 759422 Scrabble Club Kim Richardson 07833 336843 Hayward for the Commons Mark Dawkins 07973 326772 Sing and Share Community Choir Kate Dryer 07874 216559 Jolly Stompers Line Dancing (Gastrells) Julie Cole 752480 South Cotswold Ramblers Richard Davis 762373 Kingscourt Educational Trust Jenny Wills 763984 Spanish with Little Ones Beth Stapleton 07811 923863 Lightpill Allotment Association Doreen 872733 Stroud & Rodborough Educational Charity Shani Baker 860379 Mid-Cotswold Tracks and Trails Group Pat Harris 823841 Stroud Music & Dance Academy Charles Dyson 07861699198 Model Engineers (Secretary) W.P. Phillips 883438 Stroud Rambling Club Ann Copeland 752654 National Trust (Common Ranger) Richard Evans 01452 810056 Stroud Rugby Club Gordon McDowell 07766763476 Parish Church Vicar Rev Peter Francis Stroud Sea Cadets Paul White 755141 Pilates Karen Brown 07957 539634 The Old Endowed School (TOES)- bookings Louise Ratcliffe 752265 Rainbows Debbie Wood 07810 455774 Village Agent for Rodborough Angela King 07776 245791 Remembering Rodborough [email protected] Wednesday Fellowship (Tabernacle) Dorothy Ede 765978 Rodborough Beaver Scouts Mary Jones 766745 Woodcraft Folk Cyril Laffort 764698 Rodborough Cub Scouts James Lynn 753864 Yoga Class (Community Hall) Amanda Sultan-Black 755635 Rodborough Friendly Circle Olive Heskins 765379 Yin Yoga (Community Hall) Elles Theulan 07815 552952 Rodborough Lionessess Ben Spencer 07960712609

have an impact on education and positively influence children's Community Governors Required lives. Uplands School and Horizons College admit pupils with Uplands Special Secondary School, Catherine Wayte Primary severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Many School, St Francis Church of England Voluntary Aided School, students have additional needs including Autistic Spectrum and Horizons College are looking to recruit Community Disorder (ASD), visual or hearing impairments or complex Governors and wish to extend an invitation to you to join our medical needs. governing body and we would be delighted to hear from anyone who has: Please don't be put off by thinking that you have to have specialist expertise or knowledge. Enthusiasm and interest is an interest in the performance of the school. much more important to start with and there is tried and tested business management/HR recruitment skills/IT/Finance/ training and support available to help you. Remember, you will Premises and Facilities/Health and Safety/Safeguarding be joining a long established governing body and be supported an interest in Education by fellow governors with many years of combined experience. a desire to contribute to and represent the community. an enquiring mind and the confidence to ask questions I would like to stress that being a governor can be enjoyable, and join in debate. stimulating and rewarding. If you are interested but would like to the equivalent of two evenings per month spare time. know more before committing yourself then why not first have an informal chat with our Clerk to the Governors, Heather Large Acting as a Community governor is a fantastic opportunity to at [email protected]

The Conversation Partner Scheme “I am very happy to be a part of the Conversation Partner The Conversation Partner Scheme aims to reduce the social Scheme; it’s a mutually rewarding experience.” isolation of people who have a communication problem following a “I'm really enjoying seeing my partner every week; now we've stroke (aphasia). Volunteers undertake a short training course and both relaxed and feel comfortable in each other’s company the are then paired up with a person with aphasia. The volunteer visits conversation and laughter is flowing!” the person in their home, once a week, for friendly conversation. The scheme is run by Adult Speech and Language Therapy The opportunity to have a regular chat with someone who (part of Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust) after being understands their communication difficulty is greatly valued by set up with the help of Connect, the communication disability stroke sufferers. It makes the volunteers feel good too. network. No previous experience is necessary to volunteer, These are some quotes from volunteers: as training and ongoing support is provided. However, being “I hope my partner enjoys meeting up as much as I do; I know I a friendly person with good listening skills is useful. Anyone volunteered for the scheme to be of help to someone else but I've interested in volunteering is asked to contact Laura Murphy on benefited an awful lot as well.” [email protected] or 0300 422 8105. THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 12

EVENTS DIARY Date Time Event Venue Contact Sun 13th Nov 14.45-17:00 Remembrance Service & commemoration for Paul Bennett VC Cainscross PC 756036 Sun 20th Nov 10:00-14:00 EGLR Coffee Morning, Festive Fayre and Fun Dog Show Community Hall Laura 07900 215139 Sat 26th Nov 10:00 -13.30 Tabernacle Christmas Fair Tabernacle Carole 872446 Sun 27th Nov 10:30 Advent Sunday: “hope for the future” Tabernacle Rodborough Tabernacle 766389 Sun 4th Dec 10:30 “Cloth for the cradle” Service Tabernacle Rodborough Tabernacle 766389 Sun 4th Dec 12 noon Prince Albert Carol Consorts Prince Albert Contact Prince Albert Sun 11th Dec 10.30 Light for the world - A Cafe Church service Tabernacle Rodborough Tabernacle 766389 Sun 11th Dec 12 noon Prince Albert Carol Consorts Prince Albert Contact Prince Albert Sun 18th Dec 10:30 The story of Jesus’ birth (a family service) Tabernacle Rodborough Tabernacle 766389 Sun 18th Dec 12noon Prince Albert Carol Consorts Prince Albert Contact Prince Albert Mon 19th Dec 19:30 Road Safety Working Group meeting Community Hall Parish Council 762686 Thurs 8th Dec 19:00 Dance Pointe Show Cotswold Playhouse 07854 298847 Fri 9th Dec 19:00 Dance Pointe Show Cotswold Playhouse 07854 298847 Sat 10th Dec 13:00 Dance Pointe Show Cotswold Playhouse 07854 298847 Sat 24th Dec 23:30 Candlelight Carols Tabernacle Rodborough Tabernacle 766389 Sun 25th Dec 10:30 Christmas Day Service Tabernacle Rodborough Tabernacle 766389 Sun 29th Jan 10.30am Annual Holocaust Service Tabernacle Rodborough Tabernacle 766389

PARISH COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETINGS The public are welcome to attend all parish council meetings. Full Council - Usually third Monday of the month 7pm. Meetings in August and December subject to confirmation. Contact the clerk. All meetings are subject to change. For a full list of meeting dates please see our website www.rodborough.gov.uk and click on ‘Your Planning, Transport and Amenities Committee - meets monthly, Parish Council’. usually the first Monday of the month at 6.30pm

Finance and Staffing Committee - meets roughly once a quarter or as required.

COUNCILLORS

Cllr Philip Blomberg (Chair) 151 Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3LL 07767834248 W Cllr Joanna Bird (Vice-Chair) 68A Kingscourt Lane, Rodborough GL5 3PX 765461 W Cllr Jane Ansell Please contact the Parish Office 07847391172 W Cllr Charles Pedrick 2-3 High View Cottages, Rodborough Lane, GL5 2LH 07879428000 B Cllr Alick Miskin Laurel House, Butterrow Lane, GL5 2LX 753024 B Cllr Simon Walker Bramble Cottage, Rodborough Hill GL5 3SS 767904 N Cllr Steve Ponting Morningside, Swellshill, Stroud, GL5 2SW 885689 W Cllr Roy Derbyshire 42 Chandos Road, Rodborough Stroud Glos GL5 3QZ 750377 W Cllr Kiera Jones 12 Woodhouse Drive, Stroud GL5 3SG 07799 412676 N Cllr Paul Gibson Five Gables Bowl Hill Kingscourt Stroud Glos GL5 5DS 07508 084076 S Two vacancies in North Ward

STROUD DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Cllr Martin Whiteside, Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, GL6 7LU 757874 W = West Ward – 5 Councillors Cllr Nigel Prenter, 2 Church Place, Rodborough GL5 3NF 752757 N = North Ward – 4 Councillors Cllr Karen McKeown, Elland, Rodborough Hill, GL5 3RY 751313 S = South Ward – 1 Councillor GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR B = Butterow Ward – 2 Councillors Cllr Brian Oosthuysen Copperfields, The Street, Kingscourt, Stroud GL5 5DL 872446 www.rodborough.gov.uk | Contact the Clerk: [email protected] or 01453 762686