The Painswick Beacon Sine praeiudicio Volume 37 Number 3 June 2014 Stroud District Council Election At the election on Thursday 22nd May, Mrs Julie Job retained the Painswick Ward seat for the Conservative Party. The seat was previously held by Mrs Frances Roden. Mrs Job joins Councillor Nigel Cooper, Conservative, as the second Painswick Ward District Council member. Both councillors reside in Cranham. Result Peter Ralph Adams Green Party 407 John Richard Ford UK Independence Party 296 Julie Anthea Job The Conservative Party Candidate 1005 Thomas Joseph Lydon The Labour Party Candidate 217 European Parliament Election The following South West Region candidates were elected as Members of the European Parliament at the election on Thursday 22nd May. Molly Scott Cato Green Party William (The Earl of) Dartmouth UK Independence Party (UKIP) Ashley Peter Fox Conservative Party Cllr Julie Job Julie McCulloch Girling Conservative Party Photograph courtesy Clare Miranda Moody Labour Party of the Stroud News & Julia Reid UK Independence Party (UKIP) Journal. A June celebration of Laurie Lee and the Slad Valley Post It probably won’t have escaped Beacon readers that the year of 1914 didn't just mark the start of the truly Office terrible Great War – it was also the year in which Laurie Lee, extraordinary and well loved writer, traveller and artist was born. As well as a whole range of official events, the villagers of Slad are enthusiastically In the Painswick Cen- marking the centenary with the week-long Slad Valley Festival that includes art, poetry, music, entertain- tre News item on page ment, and chances to explore the valley. Here is a guide to some of the things you won’t want to miss! 9, Trustee Mike Hill Inspired by Slad Valley – exhibition in Holy Trinity Church in Slad 21st-29th June , 10-5 Mon-Sat, writes, Sunday 1-5. This is an exhibition of high quality work by Gloucestershire artists and craftsmen, all of it “We are continu- inspired by the valley and some of its for sale – It includes painting, ceramics, glass, sculpture, textiles and ing to process the much more. opening of a Post The Valley under the Skin - 17th June to 6 July at the Lansdown Gallery in Stroud (just next to the Office Local at the library). 10-5 Mon-Fri, 11-4 Sun. Exhibition of the work of local glass artist, Amanda Lawrence, based on Painswick Centre. We a unique two year project of walking though the Slad Valley with sketchbook, recorder and camera to hand, now believe that we aiming to draw inspiration from its natural life. The exhibition includes stunning glass sculptures, an interac- are close to satisfying tive “tree of wishes” (with the chance to have your own wish inscribed on a glass “leaf”, photographs that the various require- capture the heart of the valley, and valley “soundscapes”. See www.amandalawrenceglass.com for more ments and hope to information. have it up and run- Cider with Laurie. The story of Laure Lee’s life told through his own writings – reading live music and ning later this year. some liquid lubrication. Black Book Café in Stroud, 13th July, 4pm The support from the A Slad century in poetry and music – Museum in the Park, 12th June, 8pm – information on www. Parish Council for museuminthepark.org.uk this venture has been Edge of Day – tribute concert to Laurie Lee by Johnny Coppin. 28th June 8pm Stroud Subscription very welcome and rooms – call 01453 760960. helpful”. Cider Festival and Flamenco Fiesta at the Woolpack - 28th June 12 noon till late. Fun for all the family, with face painting, flamenco classes, homemade cider competition and then music, tapas and dancing in the evening. New Open Gardens and Valley Views – Sunday 22nd June and Saturday 28th June 1.30 to 4.30 pm. Head Your chance to enjoy unrivalled views of Slad Valley and/or glorious horticulture from 20 or more gardens in Slad, The Vatch and Elcombe. £1 gets you entry to all. Cream teas and refreshments will be available in Teacher some gardens. Just come to the village and look for the signs. named Laurie Lee Way Walk – Tuesday 24th June run by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. See www.glouces- tershirewildlifetrust.co.uk for details The Beacon has been Slad Valley Walk App - the Slad Society hopes to launch this app for Android in time for the Festival informed that the new week. It will enable you to follow a route around the village connecting Laurie Lee-related viewpoints head teacher of The with photos, historical notes and snippets of Laurie Lee himself reading from 'Cider with Rosie'. See www. Croft School is to sladsociety.org.uk for more details. be Mr Kevin Howie. We hope there’s something on for everyone – and what an opportunity to mark and celebrate the prolific He will take up his life of one of Gloucestershire’s favourite sons…. appointment in Sep- Andy Dickinson 07770476962 tember. 1 PARISH COUNCIL NEWS 21st May by Mike Kerton Reports upon meetings of the Parish Council cannot help but be selective, if only because of space constraints. We try to highlight points of widest public interest, based upon what we see and hear. The full minutes of Council and committee meetings are available for scrutiny at the Council's office. PLANNING COMMITTEE With the administration of the Coun- plete the Annual Governance Statement cil completed Chairman Martin Slinger for the year ended 31st March 2014. This Matters requiring decision moved the Agenda forward. was a Statuary requirement. The Council unanimously agreed the proposed word- It was agreed to support the applica- Matters Arising ing of the Statement. tions at Halecroft, Stamages Lane and at Cllr Ian James, on behalf of the Coun- Holcombe Farm. The members agreed Painswick Youth Club Project: Cllr cil, thanked the Clerk, Roy Balbogin, and to support the application at Uplands, Caroline White reported to the meeting Assistant Clerk, Irena Litton, for their Cheltenham Road but expressed concern that apart from one or two minor mat- hard work to ensure that both the Audited that “the proposals will lead to a lack of ters the project was complete and within Accounts and Annual Government State- privacy for the neighbouring property, budget. The Official Opening Ceremony ment had been efficiently completed. Highcroft”. It was agreed to continue to of the Painswick Youth and Community recommend refusal of the application at Pavilion is to be held on the 14th June at Ward Reports The Bull, Wick Street following an ap- 3.00pm. All are welcome! The Steering plication to amend the condition relating Committee are seeking volunteers from Cllr Ann Daniels reported that pedestrians to access as the Committee believed that the Community to assist with the running were experiencing difficulties in walking the proposed entrance would be “danger- of the Pavilion. Further information can down Bisley Street due to overgrown ous for vehicles entering and exciting this be obtained from Roy Balbogin, Clerk to shrubs overhanging the pavement. It access”. the Council. was particularly difficult for parents with Business Focus Group: Cllr Ben young children in buggies. The Clerk will PARISH COUNCIL Nicholls advised the meeting that fol- contact the householders involved. lowing the resignations of Caroline Cllr Caroline White reported that a grit This was the Annual Meeting of the Parish Crawford and Chris Mercer, due to other bin, that had been destroyed by a falling Council. At this meeting the Chairman commitments, the working group now tree in March at Upper Vatch Mill, had still and Vice Chairman of the Council are consisted entirely of Parish Councillors. not been replaced. The Clerk confirmed elected by Councillors together with the Representatives from the local business that the bin would be replaced by the Chairs of the various Committees. The community would be brought into the Parish Council. Clerk, Roy Balgobin, opened the meeting group for specific initiatives. A “hands-on Cllr Rob Lewis recommended that the and sought nominations for the positions novices surgery” is being held on the 5th Council consider providing a defibrillator of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the June. Invitations will be e-mailed to local for the village. The Clerk suggested that Council. Cllr Rob Lewis proposed and businesses. The meeting will explain how there was a need to identify a suitable Cllr Jason Bullingham seconded Cllr Mar- the plan on Developing Social Media for position that could supply power. The tin Slinger be nominated for Chairman. Painswick will operate. Clerk also suggested that the St Johns There was a unanimous vote in support. Ambulance be contacted and invited to Cllr Rob Lewis then proposed and Cllr Responsible Financial Officers report make a presentation to the Council on Ian James seconded Caroline White be how a defibrillator worked, what training nominated for Vice Chairman. Again there Clerk, Roy Balgobin, confirmed that a was required and where it should be sited. was unanimous support for the proposal. request had been received from Edge PCC This was agreed by the Council. Cllr Martin Slinger then assumed the for funding to assist with the upkeep of Cllr Lewis also advised the Council role of Chairman and sought nominations the Churchyard. As an amount had been that during July the BBC would be filming for Chairs of the various Committees. The included in the current Precept it was in Painswick. This was for a forthcoming following were unanimously elected: agreed to forward a cheque to Edge PCC. programme. Cllr Caroline White presented a request PLANNING – Cllr Rob Lewis, Cllr from the Pavilion User Group for a grant Jason Bullingham Vice Chairman of £400 towards the costs of the Opening FINANCE and GENERAL PUR- Event.