The Painswick Beacon Vol. 25 No.9 December 2002 Wishing peace and happiness to all our readers for Christmas and the New Year This issue includes an illustrated reminder of the diversity of local traders for Christmas shopping, subscribers who were lucky in the Christmas Draw, a brain teaser for those still awake after Christmas lunch, Christmas serv- ices - times and places, a collection of birds-in-a-box for younger readers, conservation cash, end of an era for the Senior Circle, and who painted our cover picture. PARISH COUNCIL NEWS by Leslie Brotherton Painswick Centre - community events Tony Crook, Parish Council representa- Reports upon meetings of the Parish Council cannot help but be selective, if only because their regret and the very significant loss tive on the Trustees of the Centre, drew of space constraints. We try to draw attention which would result from the departure of attention to their being keen to encourage to those of wider interest, but remind readers Mr.Grant. events which would be attractive to as that the full minutes of Council meetings are The Council agreed that the Working wide a section of the local community as available at the Council office on Wednesday Party currently looking into matters as- possible. and Friday mornings as well as Painswick sociated with the future organisation of While the trustees were not able to Library. its administration and possible registra- organise such events themselves, they tion for 'quality council' status now also would be very pleased to consider book- COUNCIL MEETING consider the terms and conditions for a ings which led to help for such as the youth Parking offenders replacement Clerk. The advertising of club, children's parties and so on. The Council reiterated its support for the the impending vacancy will be necessary police and traffic wardens who identify early in the New Year. The Working Party Edge - speed limits drivers who breach regulations. The lim- will report at an early date, probably this The Chairman reported that the traffic reg- ited number of designated parking spaces month, because any Council which wishes ulation order applicable to the introduction within the village centre, each with suffi- to seek the 'quality' status is required to of revised speed limits in Edge (Beacon cient stop-over time to permit most visits have created and produced a Publication July p3) had now been approved. (including deliveries) to bank, post office Scheme before the end of December. A or other retailer, or to private addresses, is Publication Scheme ".. is to be a means PLANNING MEETING most important. However, where thought- by which local councils can make a sig- Gyde House land - fence/hedge less drivers abuse the time restrictions, nificant amount of information available The Chairman of the committee, Malcolm or decide to park illegally across double routinely, without waiting for someone to Watts, reported that the Enforcement Of- yellow lines, the Parish Council hopes specifically request it". ficer of the District Council had confirmed that the legal process unfolds without fear that the fencing which had been erected or favour. Parish Precept 2003-04 parallel to the Gyde Road did require plan- The recently reported (Beacon October A detailed report was received from the ning consent. The fence had recently been p2) instance, where the Crown Prosecu- Chairman of the Finance and General removed and an evergreen hedge planted tion Service decided not to offer evidence Purposes Committee, Johnny Johnson, instead; a hedge does not, it seems, require and hence proceed with a case, had led to upon the forward budget. An 11% increase planning approval. an exchange of correspondence with the was required mainly because of three Mr. Watts acknowledged the concerns CPS. Regarding the latest response as less particular items requiring funding in the expressed by David Hudson and others than satisfactory, the Council decided to coming year: a low four-wheel trailer that the hedge had the effect of demarcat- continue to make representations, not least for moving the mower and maintenance ing land with the possibility of a planning because the offence in question had been equipment around the parish, replace- application being contemplated. The hedge observed throughout by a policeman who ment of the Clerk and possible overlap had the effect of disfiguring the appearance happened to be on duty at that location at of service, and substantial increases in of the grounds. It was agreed to make the time. insurance premiums - a national trend. A strong representations to the District Coun- precept of £56,615 (November Beacon p4) cil and keep the representative of residents Fireworks was approved. informed of actions taken. The Chairman, Terry Parker, reported The Council was reminded by John receiving representations from pet own- Stephenson-Oliver that there was also a St.Mary's development - drainage ers and farmers concerning the seeming 'planning gain' in the order of £17,000 due Malcolm Watts reported that layout for the extended period during which fireworks upon completion of the St.Mary's site de- storm drainage for this site had now been were used this year; some two weeks of velopment . No decisions have been made placed in the hands of Severn Trent. activity were noted. as to the use to which that receipt might As this seemed to be a national problem, be put since the date upon which it would Parish Plan - District Council the Council decided to write to the Mem- become available is unknown. The committee agreed to press the District ber of Parliament on the subject. Council for a response to the request made Farmers Market in February that both Part One and Part Retirement of the Clerk The Council noted reports that little enthu- Two of the Parish Plan be endorsed. The Chairman reported that the Clerk, siasm had been expressed for a Farmers Peter Grant, had indicated his intention Market to be regularly located in Pains- Shutway Quarry to leave his post coincident with the com- wick, and decided not to pursue the idea. Concerns were expressed that a lengthy pletion of the annual audit of accounts, It was, however, also noted from a report report in the Stroud News upon the con- in other words a month or two after the by Tony Crook that occasional one-off tinued occupany of this site for residential end of March 003. Members expressed markets for such as (say) the Centenary purposes were less accurate than should celebrations would be welcomed under have been the case. The Parish Council the auspices of Painswick Centre. supports the District Council in any action CHRISTMAS against the unapproved use of the site. TREES BOOK-KEEPER/TREASURER Building Repairs Friday Street - Painswick REQUIRED ------------------ Painting & Decorating by the Gloucestershire Carpentry Traditional and non-needle drop Guild of Craftsmen Choice of sizes - up to 10ft Work very part-time Free delivery available For further information telephone T MIFFLIN 01452 814745 or call at the Guild Gallery at the Call Rupert on 01452.810921 Enquiries Welcome for details or to arrange viewing Painswick Centre, Bisley Street Painswick Telephone Painswick 813866 Seasonal cover Worship at Christmas Time The Beacon Committee is most grateful to Len Taylor for providing this year’s front 11th December (Wednesday) page illustration. 6.00pm Croft School - Churches Together Around Painswick Carol Service Len drew our first December issue cover 15th December Third Sunday of Advent picture in 1979 and, as we celebrate our 11.00am St.John - Sheepscombe Christingle 5th anniversary next April, we thought 4.00pm St.James - Cranham Christingle it appropriate that Len should be invited 18th December (Wednesday) 6.00pm Sheepscombe school procession with Bishop David from Butcher’s to produce our traditional Christmas il- Arms Pub Sheepscombe to St John’s Church lustration again this year. 19th December (Thursday) .30pm Bishop David at St.Mary’s for Croft School's Nativity service 20th December (Friday) 6.00pm St.John the Baptist - Edge Carols by candlelight 21st December (Saturday) 6.30pm Brookthorpe (redundant) Church [opened specially] Carol Service Boxing Day Walk 22nd December Fourth Sunday of Advent The annual Parish Council Boxing Day 8.00am St.Mary’s - Painswick BCP Communion walk will start from Stamages Lane at 8.30am Our Lady and St.Thérèse Mass 10.00am. The circular walk will return to 9.00am St.John the Baptist - Pitchcombe BCP Communion the car park at approximately noon. 9.30am St.Mary’s - Painswick CW Communion Details of this year’s route will be 10.30am St.John the Baptist - Edge - CW Communion published on the Town hall notice board 10.30am Friends Meeting House - Painswick Family Service and Carols nearer the day. Dogs are welcome but 11.00am St.John - Sheepscombe Communion and Baptism walkers must ensure their pets are kept .30pm St.James the Great - Cranham Carol Concert in the Village Hall on a lead at all times. 4.00pm Christ Church Baptist URC - Painswick Carol Service 6.00pm St.John the Baptist - Pitchcombe Lessons & Carols 6.15pm St.Mary’s - Painswick Lessons & Carols 6.30pm Methodist Chapel - Sheepscombe Carol Service 6.30pm St.James the Great - Cranham Evensong 24th December (Tuesday) CHRISTMAS EVE 3.00pm St.James the Great - Cranham Crib Service (Posada) Collection(s) 4.00pm St.John the Baptist - Edge Crib Service 4.30pm St.John - Sheepscombe Crib Service (Posada) of the season The Beacon has made enquiry of the 5.00pm St John the Baptist - Harescombe Crib Service District Council about refuse colection 6.30pm St.Mary’s - Painswick Crib Service (Posada) and they said that the Christmas Day 11.30pm St.John the Baptist - Edge Midnight Communion 11.30pm St.Mary’s - Painswick Midnight Communion and Boxing Day collections will be held 25th December (Wednesday) CHRISTMAS DAY over until the following Wednesday and 8.00am St.Mary’s - Painswick BCP Communion Thursday.