Published by Rodborough Parish Council. Funded by advertising and The Parish Council. Delivered free by volunteers to every home in The Parish. Views and News from Rodborough ISSUE 69 - February 2021

Rodborough Community Mutual Aid Network uring 2020, a huge team of We would also like Dvolunteers created an incredible to put a call out to street network and made sure that musicians, artists no one in Rodborough was left and performers! We without help and support, and then would love to bring together the worked together to make sure the amazing talent on our doorstep year ended in style. Rodborough to help entertain and inspire our saw the community at its best as it residents. Would you be interested in said goodbye to a tough year and taking part in our future community welcomed in 2021. events? If so, drop us an email at [email protected] Rodborough pulled together in its own creative, community-centred way, And finally, don't forget that if you with visits from Santa to every part of need any help or support, you can the parish, wonderful winter windows contact us on 01453 798321.On lighting up the nights, community Christmas trees, and fantastic food for all via the Freezer of Love. The organising committee of Rodborough's Mutual Aid Network would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of this. We don't want the fun to stop now! Coming up for February (date tbc) we have: The Rodborough Community Quiz with Mr Bobbington. This virtual quiz will be free for residents, with donations happily accepted for the Rodborough Freezer of Love. And if you need it, we can provide help and advice to get you online for this quiz!

The Freezer of Love has arrived in Rodborough reezers of Love are part of a social The food is for anyone - someone who • £5 - is the most commonly paid Fenterprise supported by The Long is isolating, had a baby, lost someone amount. This covers the cost of your Table throughout . they care about, just moved house, meal and allows us to grow what we Community freezers are supplied alone, busy, struggling financially…… offer and move forward. with freshly cooked frozen meals or just enjoys trying good food and • £7.60 - you have paid for your meal using donated, surplus and local supporting a movement for change. and for a neighbour who needs one. ingredients. The freezer is in the church of St • £10 + - around 17% of our donors Mary Magdalene in Church Place, just pay this amount which really helps off Walkley Hill. The freezer is open turbo charge our offer (and starts to between 12-2 pm on weekdays and change the world). 10 am - 2 pm on Sundays. Payment can be made via the QR code People are encouraged to donate on the front of the Freezers or by cash/ something if possible using the cheques. “pay-as-you-feel” scheme. Even 50p helps provide more meals to others. We are looking for volunteers to support the Freezer: The Long Table suggests the following for donations: • Assisting with the organisation and administration of the freezer • 1p - £3.80 - have a meal from us with • Helping with communication to make love. Any money you have put in the sure everyone knows what is on offer pot will help us provide more food • Delivering food to those who can’t for more people. access the freezer • £3.80 - covers the basic cost of your If you are interested in knowing more or meal. Thank you. helping - please phone - 07976 423120.

p1 Rodborough Roads update Published by Rodborough Extending the 20mph limits to our hills Resurfacing work Parish Council After four months of ‘radio silence’ from Butterrow Hill has now been resurfaced Editor: Huw Oliver Gloucestershire’s TRO Team, we finally and the double yellow lines reinstated. Editorial Group: Huw Oliver, scheduled a second virtual meeting It was a much less painful experience Jane Ansell, Alick Miskin, for 15th January. This was to discuss than the letters sent by Highways Robin Layfield and Paul Gibson our demand that the proposed 20mph suggested. These indicated the whole area should extend to Rodborough of Rodborough Lane and Butterrow Advertising: Joy Jackson Avenue, the pavement-less part of Lane up to the end of the village would Contact: The Commoner, Butterrow Hill up to and including Mount be closed to all traffic. This resulted in Rodborough Community Hall, Vernon, Walkley Hill, Tabernacle Walk, confusion as residents understood any Rooksmoor Hill and The Street. Sadly cars within the ‘closed’ zone would be Butterrow West, Rodborough we were not informed of a second ‘site trapped or forced to park elsewhere GL5 3TZ. visit’ that took place sometime in the resulting in a scramble to park anywhere 01453 762686, autumn by the TRO engineer despite outside the ‘red zone’. As it happened email: [email protected]. our insistence that any such visit had to only the first 5 metres of each lane uk be accompanied. Developments will be was affected. Sadly plans to resurface Design: MDL Kelex on the parish website and FB page. We Butterrow West and Rodborough Lane have involved our MP in this process as at the same time have been shelved Printer: MDL Kelex, Printed on current Government guidelines (from indefinitely. FSC certified paper 2013) make it difficult to reduce speeds Further road closures Deadline for next issue: where motorists decide it’s safe to drive at or above current limits. Butterrow Hill above the Pike House 1st April 2021 will be closed from mid-February to Further speed limit reductions Articles, other than those early March for wall repairs and Lower written by the Chair or the Rodborough has been working with Spillmans will be closed from 2nd to and 4th February for Severn Trent work. Clerk, do not necessarily councils to look at reducing limits on There will also be a series of short-term represent the views of the roads that link our adjacent parishes. closures elsewhere due to tree felling Parish Council unless this is These include the stretch of Commons caused by ash die-back disease. Full specifically stated. In line with road by Bownham that we want reduced details of all of these are on the parish its agreed Terms of Reference, from 40 to 30mph and a large network website. The Commoner Editorial Group of single track lanes either side of reserves the right to edit or Minchinhampton Common that we’d omit articles and decisions like to see reduced to 20mph. Most are taken are final. in Minchinhampton but some, like the lane from Houndscroft via St Chloe and If you would like to provide Watledge to Nailsworth, are in all three an article for The Commoner, parishes. please send it to the address above or email to [email protected] by the deadline. Climate Emergency! Help Rescue the Future by Joining our new Climate New Change Working Group. s 2021 unfolds from the anxious Agrip of a pandemic lockdown, Commoner it’s easy to lose sight of the other overriding challenge of the decade contract – how to avoid the disastrous ollowing a survey consequences of global warming and Fcarried out in the August what we can do in Rodborough to leave edition, we have agreed a a safer, healthier environment to our new contract to print the children and future generations. To date the Working Group has Commoner. looked at aspects of local transport In the last two years there has been and electrification, ways of reducing The overwhelming consensus increasing awareness of the need for the costs of providing solar energy was that the Commoner should more urgent action. In our November to Rodborough households via a bulk be more environmentally household survey 88% of respondents purchase and installation scheme, and friendly so we now have it asked us to take climate change and a planting plan for some of the parish’s printed on thinner paper other environmental issues into account common spaces. which has the added benefit of when developing our proposals for The focus of the next meeting on 22nd reducing costs. a new community hall. Rodborough Climate Action Network (Rodborough February will be Domestic and Business The paper is Forest CAN) has joined other parish and town Insulation and Energy Generation. Stewardship Council (FSC) groups at Transition Stroud’s monthly Visit the Rodborough CAN Facebook certified which is generally Forum meetings to share information page. If you would like to take part in acknowledged to be as good if and seek practical solutions. our online Climate Change Working not better for the environment Group meetings and find out how than recycled. The Council’s recently-formed Climate Change Working Group (CCWG), is you can help Rodborough embrace a We also made sure that the meeting quarterly to look at the local cleaner, carbon-neutral future, you’d be printers used renewable energy consequences of global warming and to very welcome. Go to the Rodborough and vegetable-based inks. work in partnership with Rodborough Parish website Working Groups page to We did consider getting rid of CAN to research and plan effective find the link to the next meeting. staples, but unfortunately there strategies on which the Council can lead is no practical alternative. over the next ten years, or until SDC’s We hope you like the new target of becoming a carbon neutral look. district by 2030 is achieved.

p2 can stand and we will be setting up a Zoom meeting shortly where you can hear more about the work of a parish council A message from the and chat to some of us about what it entails. It is a good way to help develop the community we live in Chair of Rodborough and a chance to meet some great people. I hope you like the new look Commoner. We have a Parish Council new contract with our compiler, which has given us the Happy New Year to all our readers. Let us hope this opportunity for a bit of a makeover. Adreadful COVID-19 virus has a lot less impact on our Thanks to everyone who completed the Community Hall lives in 2021. household survey. We were very pleased with the number of responses received and an update on the results is included We continue to adhere to the latest Government guidelines elsewhere in this edition. regarding the use of our facilities including the Hall, our play areas and sports facilities. We will make any necessary Finally, thanks to all the Volunteers and especially the adjustments to our usage policies as things inevitably Rodborough Community Mutual Aid Network, who have change. done so much throughout the past year to help others and to ensure Christmas was as special as possible for people in Council meetings are as busy as ever on Zoom and these are Rodborough. going well as we are all now used to using it. Many thanks to our staff team, who have kept things moving efficiently We are always despite the restrictions. delighted to receive feedback so please In May there will be elections for parish councils, when any get in touch. current Councillors who wish to stand again will need to be re-elected. But any Rodborough resident over the age of 18 Stay safe.

Community Hall Survey hank you to everyone for filling in your surveys Increased parking Tincluded in the last Commoner. GRCC have now availability, with cycle analysed the responses and given us the results. storage, Electric Vehicle charging, The survey had responses from 257 households which better external lighting and a dedicated space for hirers represents a decent proportion of Rodborough and were priorities for the outside of the building. a number of shared values came to light: there is overwhelming support for the Community Hall to be Households surveyed were very much in favour of using developed and people in our Parish really want to do a broad mix of fundraising, a Public Works Loan, Grants something about Climate Change. The most popular and the Parish reserves to fund the development and the reasons given for visiting the Hall were activities that majority of contributors felt that the proposed budget of brought the whole community together, such as sports up to £600k for the development was reasonable. The events, the Summer Fete and Sunday Social. survey also built a picture of the groups and activities that residents are interested in and Rodborough Parish Council Internally, better heating and lighting, more use of natural will be sharing this with other venues in the Parish, so that light, making the hall more accessible for visitors and everyone can get back on their feet once the pandemic is having a better equipped kitchen would be welcome over. improvements. An additional meeting room, projector and built-in sound system, as well as a gallery space and If you have not been able to fill out a survey and still wish a dedicated area for youth activities were also much to be involved, please contact the Clerk about joining the requested. Community Hall Forum.

We want your opinion… Attention Dudbridge residents! This stopped when SDC introduced the brown garden New notice board location waste bins but due to the nature of some of our lanes, there are quite a few parts of Rodborough that are unable We are considering installing a new notice board to use this service. The District Council currently request somewhere in the Dudbridge Meadow area. We already that residents don’t have bonfires as they are bad for have one outside B&Q and one inside Sainsburys but those with breathing difficulties so we are considering Is there another more widely available place you think restarting the service. So, if it was re-introduced on a trial it should go? Maybe somewhere near the entrance to basis, would you use it? Dudbridge Meadow? Or is there a better place? Let us know. It would mean bringing your own woody waste (no weeds) to a central venue on a specific date. Chipping Service To contact us about either of these queries or anything Rodborough Parish Council used to offer a free chipping else, email us at [email protected] or call 01453 service for woody garden waste once or twice a year. 762686

p3 Local Parish Council Elections Elections - Find out more t the moment (mid- s mentioned in our Chair’s address on page 3, all seats on the parish council AJanuary) the assumption Awill be up for election in May. If you are interested in standing and would is that local elections will be like to find out more, please come along to our ‘virtual’ information evening on going ahead on 6 May. Wednesday 24th February at 18:30 when current Councillors will be on hand to answer questions or give some idea of what is involved. The deadline for registering to vote is midnight on Monday 19 If you can’t make that evening, let us know as (subject to Covid restrictions) some April 2021. Please encourage of our Councillors have offered to meet interested parties to answer questions everyone in your household to on a Saturday. For more information contact our clerk on 01453 762686 / clerk@ register by the deadline. See rodborough.gov.uk. The link to join the information evening will be posted on our www.stroud.gov.uk/council- website nearer the time. and-democracy/elections/ register-to-vote You can apply for postal voting What is involved now. Given the risk of Covid-19, many or most voters may wish he main challenge of being a Councillor is to be yourself and to represent your to vote early by post rather TWard as best you can. A successful council depends on having a wide range than in person on the day. The of members from all backgrounds who can advocate for people who share their deadline for applying for a experiences of life, travel, work, family and location. postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday All you need is a little time to spare. It helps if you are comfortable talking to people 20 April 2021. and don't mind doing a bit of reading and walking around the streets where you live. See www.stroud.gov.uk/ There is some more general information, including a list of the requirements, on our council-and-democracy/ website but it is worth noting that meetings usually take place on a Monday evening elections/register-to-vote so you would need to be free then. https://rodborough.gov.uk/being-a-parish- Batches of postal ballot papers councillor/ will be issued from Friday 16 April. You can complete and post your ballot paper back as soon as you want; you don’t Why did our current Councillors have to wait until a specific date to do this. stand for election? If there are any problems you “I got interested in the Planning process when there was a proposal to put a cattle can contact elections@stroud. grid in my local area.” gov.uk “I joined the council to expand my knowledge of matters raised in the meetings and If you do not have access to learn the function of the Parish Council.” email you can phone 01453 “To pursue my ambition of promoting roads as safe and enjoyable public spaces 754886 or write to Elections, where motorists should not terrorise vulnerable road users or threaten their health Council, Ebley with fumes” Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud, Glos, GL5 4UB "I put myself forward to become a councillor because I wanted to give something back to the community that had done so much to support my family when my daughter became chronically ill several years ago." “I particularly wanted to work on climate change and social justice as well as helping the community.” “I wanted to keep my mind active after having my children” “I was particularly inspired to join by the work of one of the existing Councillors” “I went along to a Parish Council ‘Welcome Evening’ and was sufficiently interested to stand for election and the rest is history.” “I read a ‘Rodborough Rant’ in the Commoner back in 2006/7. It was very funny.” “I've really enjoyed my time and met some lovely people, and learned a lot about a wide range of issues that are discussed.” Do any of these sound like you? Are there other reasons why you might be interested in joining us? Residents join for any number of reasons and anyone willing to commit to working for the good of the parish is welcome to stand for election. And finally, if the above has convinced you to stand, how about this endorsement from a current Councillor: How it has affected my life “Being a Councillor is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done in my life; it has been rewarding on so many levels: helping me to grow roots and bond with my community; to feel a part of what is happening in the world around Rodborough; and to support people and groups who have found it difficult to have their voices heard.” “I would recommend this to anyone. If you are ready to make a positive contribution to our community, come forward.”

p4 Lest we forget s the years pass the battles of the Great War fade from living memory to Atake their place in the history books along with Waterloo, Agincourt and Hastings. In 2014, the centenary of the start of Walking the trail can be done easily the war, Remembering Rodborough within an hour and the potted histories set itself an ambitious task to research illustrate how the war was fought by the lives of all the men killed in the real people who lived in houses that we war and commemorated on the war now live in, attended schools that our memorial in the Church. children still attend and who sacrificed The undertaking was assisted real lives. It becomes clear however by members and groups of the that the effects of the war were felt community including the Rodborough through the wider community. Scouts. This is how I got involved, It is estimated that 12% of wives made helping my daughter research the life widows by the war were themselves of Grantley Freebury, who was killed dead within a year and at least 2 on the Western Front aged just 20. fathers of the Rodborough lads killed To mark Armistice Day a remembrance died broken hearted shortly after. trail was established in the churchyard At times it is hard not to shed a tear Thanks must go out to those with information boards and poppies and I defy anyone not to be moved by volunteers who have tended the marking the gravestones of the Richard Burroughs’ Cast Iron Cross graves and decorated with an array of fallen. The majority are inscribed on that he made himself as a memorial for poppies. Thanks also for the hard work family memorials as those serving the sons he lost to the war. put in by the restorative justice project in keeping the tracks and pathways were either buried where they fell in The churchyard is both historic and clear. Commonwealth War Graves or more hilly with a tendency to become poignantly have no grave. overgrown and treacherous underfoot. Martin Ansell Ancient stone stiles ealising that these important historical landmarks are Over 300 photos of the various types of stone stiles – Rnow in danger of disappearing, Peter Wilson of CPRE Step, Slit and Slab – have already been sent in. started an excellent project during 2020 to record all the stone stiles in Gloucestershire which for centuries have More information is available via the CPRE Website allowed walkers access across our countryside where where you can download a form to register any others they indicate ancient paths and often point to where you may know of in Rodborough or elsewhere. farms and other sites existed. Here was an opportunity for me to draw attention to Maureen Arthur the sad plight of a very old friend which was carelessly discarded and replaced by a wooden structure years ago when the road on Gastrells’ hill was widened after the old elms died. (Once upon a time the cottage opposite that old stile was Gastrells’ Farmhouse - Farmer Thos Close died in 1907 - his grave is in our local churchyard.) I hope that it will one day be possible for that ancient stone slab to be restored to its rightful place. Thankfully our other slab stile at the top of Stringer’s field alongside Walkley Hill, has survived. This is particularly memorable because, as children from Kingscourt, it was part of our daily route to and from Rodborough Primary School. (It might have also been used by the Rev. James Stanfield who built his house in Kingscourt Lane in 1649!). Well done to Peter Wilson With over 35 years’ experience, our highly trained teams are experts in delivering award whose project received an enthusiastic response from winning care. walkers giving them an extra purpose during these months of pandemic. We have enhanced infection control measures in place across all care homes protecting those already living with us, as well as providing a safe and reassuring welcome to new residents. If you’re considering care for yourself or a loved one, discover flexibility and assurance – ask about the Care UK 28 day guarantee*. To arrange a virtual tour or one-to-one video chat, please call 01453 808549 or email [email protected] Experts in award winning care. Trusted by over 6,500 families.

Rated 9.8 out of 10 on carehome.co.uk

Scarlet House care home 123 Westward Road, Ebley, Stroud GL5 4SP careuk.com/scarlet-house Gastrells Walkley Hill *Seven days’ written notice required.

p5 Spring Clean 2020 Grazing Season aybe the one brighter spot of 2020 is that only two cattle died in traffic / Litter Pick Maccidents. One was a calf and the other was hit at high speed with the driver lucky to escape serious injury. hanks to the hard work of Tsome local ‘Wombles’ (see Alfie (the donkey) was hit twice. article on this page), we hope The last time he was hurled into the air that the Common is clearer of by an errant motorist but fortunately litter than ever before. Some survived both incidents. As a result he of the other lanes and byways and his troupe of horses have now been of Rodborough however still taken off the Commons for the winter. suffer from a problem with abandoned rubbish. The only remaining cattle are those in the restricted grazing areas, although Residents are invited to some do seem to have an amazing join some of our councillors ability to jump or moooove through and staff in litter picking on the electric fencing. Several Swellshill Saturday 13th March. Meet residents have woken to find one or two outside the Community Hall, of them relaxing in their gardens. Butterrow West at 9.45 for a 10am start. All equipment The Hayward, Mark Dawkins, felt this provided but please wear year’s signage and the use of the gloves. mobile Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) Please observe Social played a large part in the low number Distancing and note that of animal fatalities and despite the huge this event is subject to the numbers of visitors to the Commons current Government Covid-19 caused by the Covid restrictions, legislation. If in doubt, please littering has generally not been that contact us first. much worse than normal. Valiant locals and dog walkers have been active in clearing periodic party rubbish left by thoughtless revellers. Swellshill The Wombles of Litter Free e continue to receive Wreports of vans and Commons Are Here! lorries becoming wedged in between the walls of the t a loose end over Winter? Why not go on a litter-pick? Go for your daily narrow lanes around Swellshill Aexercise around our beautiful villages and Commons, collect litter, then head – the latest one spent four back home, sit down and feel satisfied with yourself. It’s surprisingly rewarding! hours jammed in Water Lane We all use the Commons; we are lucky meaning residents couldn’t to have them. Dog walking, fitness and get out. fun. But litter is not environmentally The council are arranging for acceptable. It harms wildlife, looks some new warning signs to be awful and spoils our enjoyment of the installed but we are well aware beautiful area we live in. that most incidents are caused by non-local drivers blatantly There are only two National Trust ignoring signs. If you live in wardens for the commons and with the this area, please don’t forget best will in the world they cannot scour to remind deliverers about the the whole area for litter. So, frustrated width restrictions when placing with the increasing amount of litter an order. about, a group of us decided to do something about it. Hence the Wombles group, with a mission to get as many people as possible to pick up whilst on daily exercise, walking dogs or just out- and-about.

We’ve formed a Facebook Group, Join the Wombles Litter-Picking "Five Valleys Wombles", where we post Revolution to keep our countryside pictures and encourage one another unspoilt! to litter-pick. Send us a pic with the location at which you find litter and we Contact us via our Facebook Group or can identify problem areas. [email protected] *Please don’t forget to wear gloves to Liz Bruksgård protect yourselves when collecting

*Be careful when picking up bottles in Editors’ note: under the present case they contain unsavoury contents. lockdown exercise outdoors is allowed in an open public space once * We would welcome your thoughts on a day with your household, support how we can prevent littering in the first bubble or one other person from place. another household.

Thank you also to all those Dog Walkers, Scouts, Council Litter Pick volunteers and others who have been out clearing the Common of rubbish over many years. We really appreciate all you do.

p6 Up on the Common: Hidden stories f you are able to access the common regularly in these troubled times, then I'm sure you'll agree how extra lucky we Iare to live here. Do you ever wonder how quirky little features of the common came to be like that? The old quarried areas, large or small, are fairly straightforward but others leave me wondering. There is an area between the Fort and Mount Vernon with lots of nettles, which is odd for the common, and I'm guessing it might indicate an old filled-in refuse tip. And at the very bottom of the west facing slope above Kingscourt is a narrow band of almost pure hazel coppice, extending for about 150m along the upper side of the lane. It was last cut a few years ago by the NT and may have spread naturally from some rather older hazel on the lower side of the lane. Or - as hazel coppice is often an indicator of old management - could this row have been planted in years gone by, to provide a handy source of poles, bean sticks, Hazel Coppice, Kingscourt Apple tree firewood and nuts by an enterprising resident of The Street? Other things no doubt happen by pure chance. A pip will grow up having very different fruit to its parent, In September I came across this little apple tree happily and will usually be a disappointment. For all that, this small fruiting away all by itself - like random apple trees by tree is doing just fine and in the autumn the fallen fruit must roadsides, this most probably grew from the core of an be a welcome oasis for hungry little creatures. And if like apple discarded by a passer-by. But who knows what me you are lucky enough to have an apple tree of your own, variety the walker was munching - unlike the small wild you will never fail to marvel at all that fruit that comes - year crab apple, all apple varieties are raised vegetatively (such after year after year! as by grafting) for their particular eating (or cider-making!) qualities. Geoff March

Help make 2021 the tidiest ever on Rodborough Common hough the last year has been an unsettling one for most Tof us, many Rodborough residents have also found a renewed appreciation of the beautiful place in which we live and the precious resource Rodborough Common offers to our community. Nationally, two-thirds of people think protecting and enhancing green spaces should be a higher priority after COVID-19 and we are asking everyone who feels they benefit from living beside the common to help us care for it in 2021. It has been particularly inspiring to observe so many people voluntarily collecting litter on the commons. Some litter- pick as part of their regular walks whilst others, like the Five Valleys Wombles, set out on deliberate expeditions. Though many visitors come from further afield, if we Rodborough residents do our bit it can make all the difference. This could be by simply making sure we take everything home with Photo credit: Alan Williams us or, for those with access to the necessary equipment to collect safely, litter picking walks can be highly invigorating. Please, if you are driving up to the top of the hill do set a Many may also have noticed a more experimental approach good example by parking responsibly. to parking on the commons as visitor numbers have Though the National Trust do a fine job in caring for the increased. Most local residents are aware that they should commons, only by working together can we safeguard these only use the designated parking places and the National unique places and protect them for everyone to enjoy. Trust have been working hard to encourage everyone to only use these. Parking outside these areas can damage this Ann Finlayson unique grassland habitat so that wildlife cannot survive and Chair - Minchinhampton & Rodborough Commons Advisory it can also impact the underlying archaeology. Committee

The Sharpening STC Services (Stroud) Ltd. THE SHARPENING SERVICE Alpha Auto Services www.goodgaragescheme.com ServicesBISLEY Bisley At Kingscourt Garage • Servicing & MOT Repairs Your Local Garage. Need to update your Will? • Clutches & Cam Belts • Head Gaskets Servicing Will Writing • Commercial Vehicles & Campers Repairs Lasting Powers of Attorney Kitchen knives, garden • Welding & Restoration Work Kitchen knives, garden tools... and MOT Preparation Pre-paid Funeral Plans tools…and most other most other blunt instruments! Clutches Free home Visits & Consultations • Tyres & Exhausts blunt instruments! Fast and reliable • All makes of vehicles Contact Mark Lazell on Fast and reliable All Makes and • Pick up & delivery service Please contact Rupert Miles Models welcome. 01453 751639 • Courtesy cars available Please contact Rupert 01452 770788 www.wills2succeed.co.uk [email protected] 01453 839149 Tel Maurice 01452 770788 01453 766197 Unit 9 Spring Mill Business Park Professional – Ethical – Competent [email protected] Avening Road, Nailsworth. GL6 0BS

p7

Children Youth Voices: and Young Rodborough People in Youth’s Rodborough Campfire Book arents of children and Pyoung adults under the Club age of twenty-five living in efore October 2020 half-term, Rodborough are eligible to Rodborough Youth’s newest apply for grants from the B members enjoyed some outdoor social Stroud and Rodborough time. Following our National Youth Educational Charity Agency COVID guidance and taking Particularly in these two ideas from our members’ wish list, challenging times, we are very we were able to team-up with Carrie fortunate having such a charity and Britta at All Seasons Forest School locally. The next meeting to create the first ever Campfire Book dispensing grants is in April Club. but applications need to be On three lovely autumn evenings at the in before then. Details and scout site in Kingscourt, young people application forms can be found brought their firelighting and story- on their website at http:// telling skills, made each other laugh, www.stroudrodboroughec. talked about books and stories they org/applications love, and made-up active games. A As a separate issue, SDC big thank you to the young people for is looking at setting up a bringing their energy and to our newest Rodborough component of the volunteer helper Gabby. existing Stroud District Youth Council (SDYC). If you think It is hard to plan ahead at the moment, your son or daughter may be but we are working hard with others to interested in getting involved get to the point where we have a regular in this or joining SDYC, please youth worker in place for Rodborough’s contact steve.miles@stroud. young people again. Good youth gov.uk provision benefits everyone of all ages in the community. If you want to support Cllr. Nigel Prenter this in any way, please do make contact: () [email protected]

Meet Gastrells’ New Chair of Governors - Dr Richard Castle ichard is a distinguished practising psychologist whose life experiences have given him unique insights into some Rof the physical and mental traumas that affect people in our 21st century lives, particularly during the current pandemic. I asked him about the key events that have shaped his career. My injuries in the Paddington Train wellbeing implications of Covid-19 as Crash in 1999 were a turning point. I well as continuing to deliver Mental was then in the Royal Air Force and Health and Psychological First Aid spending several weeks in a Burns Unit training. gives time for reflection about what really matters in life. I subsequently How did you become involved with retrained as a psychologist, primarily Gastrells? supporting Armed Forces people I’ve lived in Rodborough since 1996. deployed on operations. My son started at Gastrells in 2011 After leaving the RAF in 2012 I was and my twin daughters in 2013, so I invited to Bangladesh to help set got to know the school well and was up psychological rehabilitation impressed from day one by the happy programmes, initially for the survivors smiling faces and inclusive ethos of of acid violence and more recently the school. After seven years as a for mental health generally and the parent governor, I was elected Chair of Rohingya refugee community in Governors last Summer. particular. That was life-changing too Richard is a modest man with a and helped me to appreciate the needs gift for detailed analysis. How is he of people who are marginalised in steering the Governing team forward? our world. I put these lessons to good use back in the UK, not least in the With unswerving positivity and passion aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire in for our children’s outcomes! We have 2017. an outstanding Head Teacher (Kate Merriman) and, following our Strategic Tell us about your current work. Review in 2020, we are working hard My main professional interest is in to ensure that every child who comes supporting people, communities and to Gastrells achieves their potential, organisations overcome traumatic not just academically but also in their to safeguarding the mental health and events. I’m currently working with emotional and social development. wellbeing of our staff and children. A Public Health Gloucestershire to Following lockdowns and the threat focus on what really matters! address the mental health and of Covid-19, we are also devoting time Interviewed by Paul Gibson

p8 I Live Here - Beth Stapleton omething about Rodborough means that I’ve been happy to live here Sduring my adult life for longer than anywhere else. I’ve always loved travelling and exploring new places, often living somewhere for just a few months or years before being ready to move on. In Rodborough it has felt so easy to put down roots: to make new friends, become part of a community and start a business. I moved to Stroud in 2013 with my gluten-free and refined sugar-free partner Tom. It was time to leave city cakes. Luckily the best view from our life in Oxford behind and we were house is from the kitchen window. drawn to the beauty of the valleys and talk of a creative community. Now that the girls are older, they love Rodborough was the obvious choice, helping me to gather edible flowers with the Common on the doorstep and from the garden to decorate my cakes an outstanding pub & music venue. We and rushing to the door to see who definitely haven’t been disappointed. has come to collect the next box of plant-based brownies. After a few years of living here I felt Stroud Farmers Market has played a inspired to begin my own business, big hand in developing my business Baked by Beth, which has grown to fit and I’m really thankful to have it within around our two young girls. I started walking distance. making cakes for a cafe that friends were setting up at Thistledown Farm. I trade on the first Saturday of each Alice was a baby and whilst she was month, but the rest of the time you napping I’d be experimenting in the can find me baking at home to keep up kitchen, developing recipes to meet with the online orders via my website Stroud's demand for vegan, at bakedbybeth.co.uk

BEWARE: there are new rules for septic tanks or sixteen years we barely gave our septic tank a Fthought. We walked past it every time we went to the car, but if it was ever whiffy the smell had gone by the time we thought to having it emptied and it was months before we thought about it again. Then we decided to move, so we arranged for the tank to be emptied before we left. They said not to leave it so long next time.

We told the buyers' solicitors that we had a septic tank and they wanted a plan of the pipes. We had no idea. It had WARNING worked for the past sixteen years without any problem.

Four months after the sale process started, our solicitor started forwarding e-mails. ‘Please provide Building Regulation Consent and Environmental Agency Consent Dog relating to the septic tank.’ ‘Please obtain your clients' specific confirmation that the septic tank complies with the General Binding Rules which came into force on 1st January 2015’. thefts

General Binding Rules? What were they? There were no plans of the tank’s construction, so they asked for a are sketch map. As we also had pipes for a working LPG tank and a redundant septic tank from a neighbouring house demolished in the 1940s, a sketch could be inaccurate. We might have to send a camera down, at a cost of about £600. on the Further work could cost a five-figure sum.

Find out what gives early in the process rather than late in the day. In 2015 It would have been easy for the increase Environment Agency to ask Severn Trent to inform us that the regulations had been updated, as they know who is not using mains sewage. Help protect your dogs: • Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times (your surname and mobile number) Forewarned is forearmed. If you are thinking of selling • Secure gates using bolts at the top and bottom, along with a heavy-duty padlock and gate alarm a house with a septic tank, have a look at https://www. • Never leave your pet in the garden unattended gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage- • Purchase a driveway alarm so you are alerted to any intruders, these can also be used in rear gardens and yards discharge-to-the-ground#rules-for-existing-and-new- • Make sure your dog is microchipped and their details are updated so that they can be returned if they are stolen and subsequently found. discharges • Avoid leaving a dog tied up outside a shop or left alone in a car, even for a few minutes • Take lots of photographs of your dog to prove ownership if it’s stolen, pay particular attention to any distinguishing Christine Headley markings on your dog.

If you notice any suspicious activity, contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 101.

MP Siobhan Baillie

p9 News from Citizens Advice - Help needed with employment problems during Covid pandemic. nquiries about Employment problems have soared Uncertainty over how she would be able to manage and Eover the last 10 months. People have needed advice what action to consider understandably caused Mrs D on whether they are entitled to furlough pay, how this great anxiety. But having these payments calculated and is calculated, and whether they might be able to claim explained to her by our adviser meant that she could make Universal Credit in addition. informed decisions and became able to cope with her situation. Redundancy is also a big issue and many have concerns about how they will get a redundancy payment if their We also advise on a whole range of other employment employer is unable to pay it. issues. The knock-on effects of job loss can cause financial as well as relationship and housing difficulties. The reason so many people need further help to understand the system is shown in the following example: We are able to offer advice by Freephone and email, but sadly as yet, not face-to-face contact. Mrs D was managing by having two jobs. This meant that in lockdown her income came from a mixture of paid work and For help with any of these issues contact Stroud Citizens furlough payments. It was further confused by a change in Advice on the National Minimum Wage during this time which gave her a small increase. She was then offered redundancy from one Freephone: 0808 800 0510 or 0808 800 0511 job, so again it was important to be aware of the calculation Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm. of her redundancy pay and any other payments which she might be due. Finally, she needed to know if she had any https://www.citizensadvice-stroudandcotswold.org.uk/ entitlement to Universal Credit to boost her income. stroud-cab-email-advice.php

The GEM Project he GEM Project is an employability based programme, Tsupporting individuals who are dealing with challenges to employment and moving these people closer towards or into work including self-employment. It is a partnership of over 40 community-based organisations, managed by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council, The Lead Organisation. The GEM Project is jointly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund. Be involved with GEM and you can: • Receive personalised 1-1 support • Build confidence, self-esteem and motivation • Develop skills and qualifications • Access and training and work experience opportunities.

The GEM Project is led completely by you, with our If you meet all of the criteria listed below, you may be able Navigator Developers providing guidance and support to join the GEM Project. You must: throughout your entire employment journey to help you reach your goals, whether education, training or work • Not be working or have a zero-hours contract based. • Have the legal right to live and work in the UK • Not in any form of education or training Please have a look at our Facebook page that will show the GEM online sessions and individuals journeys to give you For an informal chat please call your local Navigator some idea of the support GEM offers: https://m.facebook. Developer Michaela Elliott on 07341 787896 or email com/GlosGEM/ or our website [email protected]

Imperial Stone Paving BOOKS Covid-19 Scams (Malvern) Bought and Sold www.imperialstonepaving.co.uk eware of one of the latest phishing scams. Some Cash paid for a Bpeople are being sent a link to a convincing yet fake Specialists in Creative Paving NHS page which asks for bank details to enable them Commissions. wide variety of second-hand books. to get a Covid-19 vaccination. All kinds of Landscaping, Others are receiving texts asking them to fill in a form to Tumble Paving as well as If you are clearing Tarmac and Resin Drives check their eligibility for the vaccine or are being called the shelves or looking and asked to pay for their vaccine over the phone contracts. All work Guaranteed / for the ideal gift ring Do not provide your name, credit card or bank details. Reasonable prices. These are scams. Your local surgery will already have Michael Biard on your personal details and will never ask for bank details. For a free / no obligation 01453 750853 Quotation, please 0796 797 1850 If you think you have been targeted by a scammer Contact Joe McGinley on : contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or the police. 0800 696 5133 or [email protected] Mobile 07310 319423

p10 Ready, steady, census Snow Clearance lease remember that the grit supplied by PGloucestershire County Council Highways is only to be used on the road and is not for private use. Highways only promise to fill the bins once a year so try to use the grit sparingly. A small trowel-full will go a long way and is easier to control than using a shovel. he decennial census is almost upon us. Households Tacross Rodborough will soon be asked to take part in More advice on snow clearance can be found on the Met the nationwide survey of housing and the population. Office websitehttps://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/ It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/your-home/ exception of 1941. clearing-paths-and-driveways Information from the digital-first census will help decide how services are planned and funded in your local area. This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, housing or new bus routes. Please support

Households will receive a letter with a unique access code our advertisers in the post, allowing them to complete their questionnaire online. Paper questionnaires will be available on request. They Census day is March 21 2021 support us! For more information, visit: www.census.gov.uk

Martin Weager Driving Services 078087 22255 or (01453) 764845 [email protected]

Chauffeur Services First Gear Driving School

For all your taxi and chauffeuring needs Learn to drive with Martin Weager Air conditioned luxury travel ADI Approved Instructor Airports and Business Patient, friendly and professional Business accounts available Learn to drive in today's traffic, safely and confident

Your Parish Councillors Cllr Steve Ponting (Chair) Morningside, Swellshill, Stroud, GL5 2SW [email protected] 885689 W Cllr Paul Gibson (Vice Chair) Five Gables, Bowl Hill, Kingscourt GL5 5DS [email protected] 07508 084076 S Cllr Philip Blomberg 151 Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3LL [email protected] 07767 834248 W Cllr Jane Ansell Please contact the Parish Office [email protected] 07847 391172 W Cllr Charles Pedrick 2–3 High View Cottages, Rodborough Lane, GL5 2LH 07879 428000 B Cllr Alick Miskin Laurel House, Butterrow Lane, GL5 2LX [email protected] 753024 B Cllr Simon Walker Bramble Cottage, Rodborough Hill GL5 3SS [email protected] 767904 N Cllr Michael Cooksley 29 Arundel Drive, Stroud GL5 3SH [email protected] 07941 417604 N Cllr Michaela Elliott Please contact the Parish Office [email protected] W Cllr Lyn Scudamore Please contact the Parish Office [email protected] N Cllr Robin Layfield 77 Bath Road GL5 3LA [email protected] 07807 144386 N Cllr Rebecca Lazell 15 Heather Close, Rodborough [email protected] contact the office W W=West Ward – 5 Councillors ∙ N=North Ward – 4 Councillors ∙ S=South Ward – 1 ∙ B=Butterow Ward – 2 Councillors Stroud District Councillors Cllr Martin Whiteside Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, GL6 7LU 757874 Cllr Nigel Prenter 2 Church Place, Rodborough GL5 3NF 752757 Cllr Karen McKeown Elland, Rodborough Hill, GL5 3RY 751313 Gloucestershire County Councillor Cllr Brian Oosthuysen, Copperfields, The Street, Kingscourt, Stroud GL5 5DL 872446 Clerk to the Council Hannah Clarke, Rodborough Community Hall, Butterrow West Rodborough, 01453 762686 [email protected] Stroud, GL5 3TZ

p11 p11 Christmas 2020 in Rodborough

Events Diary Mon 1st Feb, 18:30 Transport and Amenities Committee Meeting Online via Parish Council 762686 1st Mar, 12th Apr (via Zoom) – 1st Monday of the Month unless a Bank Zoom Holiday Wed 3rd Feb, 18:30 Planning Committee (via Zoom) 1st Wednesday Online via Parish Council 762686 3rd Mar, 7th Apr of the month. Zoom Mon 15th Feb, 18:30 Full Council (via Zoom) 3rd Monday of the Month Online via Parish Council 762686 15th Mar, 19th Zoom Apr Wed 24th Feb 18:30 Prospective Councillor Virtual Information Event Online via Parish Council 762686 Zoom Feb – TBC TBC RCMAN The Rodborough Community Quiz with Online via rodboroughcommunity@ Mr Bobbington Zoom gmail.com Sat 13th Mar 10:00 - Spring Clean / Litter Pick – subject to CV-19 Rodborough Parish Council 762686 12:00 guidance Community Hall Mon 26th Apr 18:30 Finance Committee (via Zoom) Online via Parish Council 762686 Zoom Thurs 6th May All day Local Elections – Parish, District and County Various SDC Councils polling Stations Mon 17th May 18:30 Annual Council Meeting followed by Full Council TBC Parish Council 762686

The public are welcome to attend all parish council meetings including those held online. The invitation/link to the meeting is published on our website – check the agenda or the Upcoming Events box. All meetings are subject to change. For a full list of meeting dates please see our website www.rodborough.gov.uk and click on ‘Parish Council/Meeting Information’

Useful Contacts Police Non-Emergency Number 101 The Old Endowed School Bookings Louise Ratcliffe 752265 NHS Non-emergency number 111 Tabernacle bookings John Rohrbeck, [email protected] Report Power Cuts 105 Hayward for the Commons Mark Dawkins 07973 326772 SDC Dog Warden 01453 754478 Rodborough Parish Church Vicar Rev Peter Francis 759680 Glos Highways Report a problem on the roads 08000 514514 Rodborough Tabernacle Minister Eric Massey 01594 541006 National Trust 01452 814213 Stroud and Rodborough Educational Trust Shani Baker 860379 Community Hall – Emergency at the Hall 07775 851108 Kingscourt Educational Trust Jenny Wills 763984 Community Hall – Bookings Joy Jackson 762686 Community Connector (Village Agent) 0345 863 8323 PCSO – Amy Webb 01452 753560 Neighbourhood Warden Carol Novoth, [email protected] 07970 250343

p12