Nailsworth News A free monthly community paper for the parish of Nailsworth Tel/Fax: 01453 832619 [email protected] Issue 54 www.nailsworthnews.co.uk August 2005 The Stroud District Local Plan This week the town has been buzzing with anger at the proposed modification of the Stroud District Local Plan which seeks to absorb Nailsworth into a ‘Stroud Urban Area’ with a view to centring regeneration on Stroud’s Town centre. The deadline for protest was set for 25th July and the Town Council and many individual citizens have managed to register their objections by that date. The difficulties presented by the very obscure website and the formidable forms provided for protest have not Is one of these the new Tiger Woods? reduced people’s anger. You never know! We think it is still possible to make your feelings known, Buy a Brick (This is not part of the protest!!!) by letter or email, to the Nailsworth Ward Councillors, Now that Forest Green Rovers have escaped relegation Stroud District Council, at Ebley Mill, GL5 4UB and the new football complex is well under way it’s time More information is available at the Town Hall. for us all to see how we can support our local team. One imaginative way is to buy a brick. Each one will form part of a wall and will show the donor’s name and message. We’ve got some nice pictures of You can have two lines of 14 characters as shown in the animals to illustrate our theme this picture. They’re £35 each. month - see pp. 16, 18-19 Phone 07795 487072 for more details. (Martin Stone, our photographer, has bought the first one and the Nailsworth News has decided to buy one, too!) OOOLDEN STONES GGG ARDENING Garden Maintenance and Soft Landscaping *Hedges *Patios *Paving *Decking *Turfing *Fencing No job too small For a free estimate contact: Chris Blackwell on 07939 101520 or 01453 835032 Co - op Community Dividend Scheme Nailsworth Garden Machinery Servicing & Repairs Undertaken A minimum of 1% of the Society’s profits are returned tel: 01453 834787 fax: 01453 836550 mob: 07966 149539 to benefit the local community through the Community Dividend Scheme. If you think a project you know of could qualify for a grant of up to £1,000, Call 01865 256235 for more information. Suppliers of a large range of domestic and commercial equipment Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Visit our new showroom: Unit 25 Nailsworth Mill Industrial Estate, Avening Road, Nailsworth GL6 OBS mayors there that in order to avoid The Mayor’s column - confusion Lesley Williams Allen Sue Reed writes: was given a nick-name ‘grand th mayor’. I am appreciative of In stark contrast to the celebrations on 6 July that London Lesley’s hard work and thank her was to host the 2012 Olympics was the bombing of th for helping with the transition. I am London Underground on the 7 July. How quickly very proud to represent such an celebration turn to shock for those injured or affected by active town and I can only do my the bombing. The emergency services; police, doctors, best to work with you. ambulance and fire responded magnificently and promptly. What became supremely evident from this Nailsworth is a dynamic town, its Mayor Sue Reed catastrophe was how global affairs affect us in Nailsworth. residents are hospitable, and We are not immune, many people here knew someone in wherever I go people in other towns say ‘what we want is London. We cannot forget that we are all just human to be like Nailsworth’. The problem with this model is beings sharing the same planet, and no matter how small a that many more people wish to live here than there are part we think we play we can actually do so many things places available, particularly affordable housing, and a to make changes. The quote ‘think locally and act successful town attracts developers and development. globally’ suits Nailsworth very well, people support local The challenge for the future is to maintain the initiatives and work toward increasing global networks independent identity of Nailsworth whilst encouraging whether through fair trade, concern for welfare at home vibrant growth to prevent its decline, to prevent and overseas, and extending the hand of friendship to our amalgamation and urbanisation, to support the friends and neighbours. development of the community, to avoid unwanted development, to Half way through the Town Council’s four year term there provide affordable places for have been changes. As your new Town Mayor, with the people to live and work locally new Deputy Mayor Norman Kay, I will enjoy working and to work with residents to with Norman because whilst I am good at having an achieve secure, safe and clean overall picture of Nailsworth and not so good at detail environment. Norman is excellent with detail and has a thorough knowledge of the District and County Councils. There are With this in mind there is much to also different members in the committees and in some be done over the next two years. cases new chairmen have been appointed. Eddie Maclean We must: Deputy Mayor Norman Kay is Chairman of Recreation and Amenities; Bill Affleck ♦ Rigorously oppose the Stroud Chairman of Planning; Lesley Williams-Allen District Local Plan which would designate Nailsworth Chairwoman of Property Management and John Nicholson as part of the Stroud Urban Area and thus be used to continues as Environment Chairman. These people have assist the regeneration of Stroud rather than lots of experience and knowledge and I know they will maintaining the distinct quality of Nailsworth as an continue to work hard for the community. Congratulations independent market town. also to our new County Councillor Stan Waddington and ♦ Share ideas for the development of Old Market, our MP David Drew. I look forward to working with them Friday 30th September 6.30 Mortimer Room. I over the next two years. should emphasis that whilst we have printed an initial report based on the 11th February consultation, this is My first official duty as Mayor was to travel to France to the start, nothing is set in stone, all views and ideas unveil the Nailsworth signpost which was installed in will be consider for the next report. This process will Place de Nailsworth, Leves to celebrate 10 years of take a long time, it is very important and it is an twinning between our towns. There were so many ex- ELECTRICIAN Dave Humphries MOB: 07971 979194 MOB: 07816 107989 TEL/FAX: 01453 836681 *Call outs *Domestic & Commercial *Showers *Mains Consumer Units *Immersion Heaters *Hot Tubs & Outdoor Lighting *Re-wires *Air Conditioning for Offices *Sockets & Lights & Conservatories 2 All work certificated on request Approved electrical contractor opportunity for all Nailsworth residents to suggest The Editor writes: how they would like to see the town develop rather than outside developers telling us what we should With no July issue to produce Bill and I have been have. enjoying a holiday which included the Twinning visit to ♦ Continue to discuss with Forest Green Residents France, slightly extended. We got our usual friendly and Association and community about the new village hall/ generous welcome from the people of Lèves. There were community centre for Forest Green, the first public about 80 of us on the visit, including the band, and the meeting will be Monday 10th October 7.00pm celebration of 10 years of our relationship went with a Nailsworth Primary School. swing. They were very impressed and pleased with the ♦ Develop the sport and social amenities at Forest Green. fingerpost, just like the one outside William’s, which we Congratulations to Forest Green Rovers Football Club gave them. for staying in the Conference, the organisation will be a There is still no sign of anyone leaping to take on the dynamic factor in the development of community Editorship of this paper. My involvement should cease facilities at Forest Green for Nailsworth. with the October issue. Is there nobody - perhaps a couple ♦ Generate ideas for the additional leisure space at King - who would like to take on this very rewarding and George V playing field. This will be an asset to the enjoyable task? O.K., it takes some time and some skills town. If you stand in the middle you are surrounded by but lots of people give time freely to one or other worthy an amphitheatre of trees. cause, as for instance the excellent band of volunteers ♦ We plan to make changes to the Mortimer Gardens to who man the Information Centre, and skills can be learnt. make them a more open, social meeting place for all We would really like some more people to join the ages. editorial team as well so that other parts of the process ♦ The Property Management Committee will be planning can be shared. improvements to the Mortimer Room and Town Hall We are just in the process of having Solar Heating for their users. installed for our hot water. We’ve looked at it many times ♦ The Committee of the Boys Club is developing a vision before but it has not, until now, seemed to be a viable and business plan for the centre and will be seeking project. So far it’s going very well - although we’ve yet to suggestions from the community including changing its clear the attic enough for the little bit of pipework to go name for the 21st century. through. We’ll keep you informed of how it goes because ♦ Norman Kay will continue to work with Steve it should be a real contribution to energy conservation if Robinson of The Junction Youth Club and Cllr Stan more people install it.