Autumn 2020

Parents set up their own toddler group A group of parents are launching a toddler group to provide much needed support, thanks to Stroud Town Council. The Top of Town Tots group first opened in February, but had to shut after just three weeks due to the pandemic. Chair Louise Higgins said they were overwhelmed when more than 60 people showed up to the group based at the Parliament Children’s Centre in Bisley Old Road. The group was set up with the support of the Town Council. Louise said Emily Osler, the Town Council’s Community Development Officer, has helped in many ways, from sourcing funding to clearing and cleaning. Now the group is reopening on Tuesdays, from 9.30am to 11am, from November. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the sessions will be limited to eight families and places must be booked in advance. The group is appealing for more volunteers to support the sessions or join the committee. Louise said with more support they could possibly open more often. People interested in volunteering can contact Louise on [email protected]. Louise Higgins (centre) with Jo Ellis (left) and Issy Kellaway from the Top of Town Tots group Making our town a better place to live Stroud Town Council’s team of staff another £10,000 to support project can be rolled out across the Ally has supported the Commercial work in myriad ways to improve the community groups responding to the town. Waste Recycling Group to explore community. Coronavirus pandemic. Other Town Council staff work with ways to improve commercial waste recycling in Stroud. Ally’s work The Green Spaces team looks after The Subscription Rooms is heading community groups to empower them also includes the next steps for the the parks and playgrounds in the to make a difference to people’s lives. up a new town-wide initiative which Golden Valley Route Study and the town centre. They also advise people the team, with the support of Stroud Emily Osler, Community review of Stroud’s Neighbourhood on how they can play their part in Town Council, hope will help to Development Officer, has been Plan, ‘Shaping the Heart of Stroud’. improving the environment. safeguard the future of the town’s working with families at the Top vibrant cultural economy. of Town who have set up their “The Town Council is committed The biodiversity ranger recently met to improving the quality of life in with people from Bisley Old Road own toddler group. Emily has also A grant from Stroud Town Council supported the Paganhill Community the town,” said Town Mayor Kevin Allotments to discuss ways they has funded the short-term role of a Group. Cranston. “While we are limited could improve biodiversity value. volunteer coordinator for the town. by what we can achieve, what Project Officer Ally Rood has been The Town Council supports Heather Massey will initially focus we can do is provide the support developing the Stroud Active Travel organisations by providing a range on building a team of volunteers to and guidance to empower the Consultation and working on social work within the Sub Rooms, but by community to be proactive. It is only of grants. This year it has a budget distancing measures in the town the end of her contract she will also by working together we can continue of £30,000 to support a range centre. of community-driven initiatives, present a feasibility report to Stroud to make Stroud a wonderful place which has been increased by Town councillors to assess how the In addition, working with partners, to live.” Autumn 2020 Briefs Repairs begin on Meet our own town heroes The Town Council was inundated with nominations for memorial shelter its Lockdown Heroes. Temporary repairs have been made to Good neighbours, postal workers and NHS staff were a shelter in Park Gardens following an among the scores of nominations. arson attack. Among the winners are Access Bike Project, a group The shelter in Slad Road was erected of young people who refurbished more than 40 in memory of people from Stroud who bikes for key workers and helped set up the Stroud sacrificed their lives for their country Pedellars, who delivered over 590 items to shielded during the First World War. and protected people during lockdown. The Town Council is establishing how The women involved with Stroud-based MOBS much damage has been done and how (Mothers Offering Breastfeeding Support) also much long-term repairs will cost. received an award. It is part of the GBSN, the It is also calling for people who may have Breastfeeding Support Network. seen the attack to contact the police. The team at The Long Table, a Community Interest The land for Park Gardens was donated Company, won an award for preparing and delivering by Councillor Sidney Park as a memorial over 31,000 meals to the community from mid-March to his only son Herbert and all those who to 31st May. fell in the First World War. Herbert was “Congratulations to all those who were nominated. killed in France on 26 October 1917 in a This is such incredible proof that Stroud’s sense of training accident. He was 23. community is alive and thriving,” said Town Mayor Witnesses are asked to contact the Kevin Cranston. police by phoning 101 or anonymously Visit the Town Council website to see the full list of to Crimestoppers 0800 555111 stating winners. incident number 78 ( 26/9/20). A golden vision

A buzzard was spotted having some time for the busy A419 out in the Park Gardens play area An innovative project has been launched to make to make comments as the study progresses. the A419 Stroud to Chalford route welcoming for The study highlights eight places – ‘villages’ – along the motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. route where extra steps could be taken to strengthen The initiative suggests creating a designated footway local communities. There could be speed limited zones and cycle track along the busy route. in the villages with added measures such as raised level zebra crossings, visual narrowing of the road and The study was commissioned by Brimscombe & improved junctions and crossings. Thrupp Parish Council, Chalford Parish Council, Stroud Town Council and Stroud Valley Cycling Campaign Roads could be safer where people live, and crossing in collaboration with Council and them could be easier. Bus stops and the canal towpath Gloucestershire County Council. could be easier to get at and use. It looks at whether and how the A419 between Stroud Individuals and businesses can support the initiative in and Chalford could be improved, making it welcoming a variety of ways, from registering their support for the to everyone, not just cars. initiative to donating money or space to the project. The study is the first step in a longer process to look at how to address the issues faced by all users of the To find out more about the initiative, go to Saddle up for a visit A419. There will be numerous opportunities for people www.goldenvalleyroute.net The Green Spaces team have installed cycle hoops at Wallbridge as part of ongoing efforts to encourage more walking and cycling in Stroud. These Keeping shoppers safe in the centre provide people with somewhere to A section of London Road through “All the local authorities, at town, Shoppers are reminded to always secure their bikes while visiting the the centre of Stroud will be district and county level, are bring their face covering to wear town centre. closed on Saturdays to enable the working incredibly hard to promote in stores and to maintain social Farmers’ Market to maintain social and nurture town centre businesses distancing at all times. distancing. while maintaining important Lend a hand infection control procedures. Councillor Doina Cornell, SDC's The limited closure follows a Leader, said: “We know this is a The Stroud District Foodbank has been “Now, more than ever, it is review involving Stroud Town critical time for traders which is why busier than ever and is appealing for important to maintain social Council, Stroud District Council, we are backing high streets across people to support their Christmas distancing which is why we have Gloucestershire County Council the district with our Shop Local campaign. Find out more at: decided to keep London Road and Stroud and District Chamber campaign and have introduced https://strouddistrict.foodbank.org.uk/ of Trade. closed on Saturdays to enable the give-help/christmas/ Farmers’ Market to spread out and a raft of changes to car parking, Town Mayor Kevin Cranston said: operate more safely.” proposed by traders.” Autumn 2020

Cyclists can park up and take the train Briefs Cyclists can take advantage of Take time to a new storage area at Stroud station thanks to a project honour heroes supported by Great Western People can pay tribute to those who Railway and the Town Council. have sacrificed their lives for the country by attending this year’s Remembrance The train operator teamed up service online. with Stroud Town Council to provide 40 extra cycle parking Due to the pandemic, large groups spaces alongside the entrance cannot gather so Stroud Town Council to platform 2, which serves is planning a small private service on trains towards Gloucester. Sunday November 8th at 10.45am at the Cenotaph in Park Gardens. Funding was secured from To ensure people can still pay their the Town Council and the respects, the service will be filmed and Department for Transport’s streamed live. Cycle Rail programme. The event will consist of a traditional Dan Okey, GWR’s interim service and a reduced parade from 29 head of commercial Stroud Town Mayor Kevin Cranston with Chris Rule, GWR’s Interim Station Manager for the South Cotswolds. Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps. A limited development, said: “Stroud number of people will be invited to lay is an important station on transport by bike and by train.” to 40 bikes under cover, so rail wreaths. our network and it is great to see investment being made Town Mayor Kevin Cranston said: passengers will be able to cycle “We know that so many people will here to support sustainable “There is secure storage for up home on a dry saddle.” be disappointed that they cannot join the service in person, but it is vital we follow government guidelines around gatherings in relation to the pandemic,” said Town Mayor Kevin Cranston. “To ensure as many as possible can pay their respects the Town Council Hundreds have say is arranging for the service to be live- streamed.” Full details of how you can watch the service can be found on the Town in travel consultation Council website. Please note that these plans are based Hundreds of people have made a was Cainscross Road, which and polluted, with high volumes of on the rules currently in place and will total of more than 950 comments was considered both cyclist and traffic. There was agreement that be reviewed if the rules change. on how to promote more pedestrian unfriendly, mainly due as a primary walking/cycling route active travel in Stroud and the to the speed of traffic. Calls for a into the town centre improvements surrounding area. segregated cycle lane and reduction were necessary. Lighting up in speed limits were common Stroud Town Council set up the The Merrywalks area of the threads. Stroud Active Travel consultation A46 was also regarded as being for Christmas to capitalise on the increased London Road and the A419 from heavily polluted, congested, and A more modest Stroud Goodwill Evening appetite for more active forms of Chalford received numerous unpleasant and dangerous for both will take place on Friday December 4th. travel bought about by the Covid-19 comments along the length of the pedestrians and cyclists. The Town Council is working with the pandemic lockdown. route. A cycle lane and reduced The comments will be shared with Goodwill Committee to help them with speed limits were suggested public safety and risk assessment and Throughout September Gloucestershire County Council outside Waitrose. has agreed a £2,000 grant in principle respondents could add their own as the Highways authority and towards the celebrations. comments, or ‘like’ those of others. Another cycle lane, a 20mph speed Stroud District Council. It will also This highlighted ‘hot-spot’ locations limit and cycle awareness signs help the Town Council campaign The Town Council will also install for concern whilst other comments were proposed between Bowbridge for improvements and additional Christmas lights in the town centre as indicated other problems in many and London Road to increase cyclist funding and help inform the review normal. other locations. safety. of Stroud’s Neighbourhood Plan, “It will be a very different Christmas for Among the areas of concern Beeches Green was felt to be noisy ‘Shaping the Heart of Stroud’. all of us but we will do our utmost to bring a bit of festive cheer to what has been a difficult year,” said Town Mayor Kevin Cranston. Making the most of lockdown “Please support our local shops as much Essential work has been carried Foundation has enabled vital will be put in place to ensure as you can. By buying local you will be out at the Subscription Rooms improvements to be done to the that families can enjoy the spell- safeguarding the future of our town during lockdown. upstairs bar. binding visual display ‘Everything centre.” is Light’, from November 9-21. Grants from a range of A team of event specialists The event has been supported by organisations have funded the have worked together to create Arts Council , Stroud Arts work at the Town Council venue. a special visitor attraction. Festival and d&b Audiotechnik. The Summerfield Trust has It features illuminated built provided a grant for acoustic work. corridors, tunnels and rooms The newly-decorated box office designed by Stroud artist Jack and People’s Republic of Stroud Monies from the Arts Council Wimperis who had been due to shop is open every Saturday. went towards replacing broken design this year’s Glastonbury mic stands, improving lighting and For tickets to ‘Everything is Light’ stage. upgrading outdated equipment. and other upcoming events, visit Support from the Foyles Special Covid-19 safety measures www.thesubrooms.co.uk. Autumn 2020

Seat vacant

Following on from a public consultation on how the Town Council manages Park Gardens in Slad Road, the Green Spaces team have been working hard to make the space more natural and better able to help pollinating insects, as well as providing a really pleasant place to wander through or sit and enjoy. The team has added wildflower meadow strips and continued to add more perennial plants within the beds of ‘The Wheel’. Meet Jess, our new councillor Jess McQuail has been co-opted on Councillor to Stroud Town Council to represent McQuail Valley Ward. said: “I would encourage Jess, who works in the charity sector, anyone who has lived in Valley Ward for 13 years wants to make and is passionate about the town. a difference “I firmly believe that local actions in their can make a huge difference to the community quality of life for local people and to consider am committed to work hard to make running for Stroud stronger, fairer and more Stroud Town climate friendly,” said Councillor Council. The grassroots is often where McQuail. real change that matters to local The Labour councillor has been people happens.” involved in several projects in Seat vacant Gloucestershire, including the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Make a difference Centre (GRASAC), the women’s refuge, The next election of the full Town the anti-incinerator campaign, the Council is due to take place in May, Stroud Fringe, the Sub Rooms, and the 2021. To find out more about how Stroud Lido/Outdoor Pool. to run as a councillor contact Town She will represent the ward for 10 Clerk Helen Bojaniwska. months until the local elections in May Email: [email protected] 2021. Phone: 01453 762817

Jess McQuail (Deputy Mayor) E: jess.mcquail @stroudtown.gov.uk