Stow timeS Issue 68 • September 2009 An independent paper delivered to homes & businesses in Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadwell, Adlestrop, Oddington, Bledington, Icomb, Church Westcote, Nether Westcote, Wyck & Little Rissington, Maugersbury, Nether Swell, Lower & Upper Swell, Naunton, Donnington, Condicote, Longborough and Temple Guiting Copies go into the Information Centres in Burford and Bourton on the Water. Extra copies are generally available in the Cotswold Festival Office (formerly the VIC) and Stow Library. 2 Stow timeS From the Editor Inside the September edition The excitement of a big event happening in town is FEATURES & PHOTOS almost tangible, particularly if you’re small - 4 THE COTSWOLD FESTIVAL – It’s here! although it seems to me that it’s contagious whatever Read all about it! From Festival Chairman, Brian Honess age you are! The streets are closed to traffic and 5 Will you be in fashion? For 1645 that is! instead of cars there are interesting stalls and side- shows, with amazing things to see and do and buy – From Jean Oxley. and for Stow’s big event, there’ll be costumes and 10 Being safe on our roads fancy dress too! By Alana Powell 26 Mad Men in Sheds – by Ben Eddolls This month we have the low-down on The Cotswold 28 A Vision for Stow - A Proposal from Roma Diviani Festival, what’s going on, where and when, and what to wear if you are getting into the full spirit of the REGULARS event. We hope that Stow’s streets will be full of 6 North Cotswold Rotary – Duck Racing and Old Computers people, and that we will all be bumping into friends From Brian Honess and neighbours dressed (or disguised!) as cavaliers and roundheads, villagers and squires. Whatever 8,9 Local Schools news & reports you enjoy - from a farmers market to an antiques 13-16 Community News, Home Security & the Community roadshow, from a full battle to country dancing, and Payback Scheme weaving to flame-eaters, Stow is hosting one of The 17 Local Authorities, meetings and information Events of the Year, and we expect that people will be 18 Church Services talking about it for ages! Don’t miss it, even if you only come for half an hour – and by the way, there’s 19 Village Halls & Rural Cinemas no entry fee. 20, 21 LOCAL EVENTS 22 EVENTS DIARY for September So come and enjoy yourself in your own market 23 Local Walks – with the Cotswold Wardens & the North town, the way our ancestors would have done three Cotswold Ramblers hundred years ago. 27 Community News & updates. 29,30 Your Letters & Emails – on cemeteries, SMAG and ‘that Best wishes, Photo Competition’ Jenni Turner, Editor 35 Book Previews from Cotswold Bookstore 36 Supporting Local Charities Our copy date for the October editions is September 16th. 37 Moreton Rangers Football Club – a young star in the making? 38 North Cotswold U13s Cricket – our heroes of the future? 39 Stow Cricket Club – August’s match reviews from Ashley Andrews Telephone Stow Times on 40 News from local clubs and fund-raisers 41 Local Directory of Clubs, Societies & Associations 07789 175 002 42 Local BUSINESS Directory (The phone will take your messages too – leave Thank you to all our contributors and writers, to Diana Murphy who your name & contact number and we will return researches and edits local information, and to all our sources of your call.) information and our deliverers. They are all volunteers , and we email STOW TIMES on appreciate their time and commitment. [email protected] Our design team this month was Eagle Design Ltd. www.eagledesign.net www.stowtimes.co.uk Extra copies of Stow Times are generally available at Hollis House P O Box 6, Sheep Street, (formerly the VIC) in Stow Square, and Stow Library. Copies are carried Stow on the Wold, GL54 1WD on The Villager Bus. 3 It’s Here! After months of planning we have finally arrived and on the concert during the 900th Celebrations two years ago will weekend of Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th remember the fun everyone had at the concert that the partnership September, Stow-on-the-Wold will be transformed! Clearance gave. We are lucky to have a return visit of this unique has been given to close the town Square to traffic during the presentation of English music on traditional musical instruments day on Saturday and Sunday (except for emergency access) (particularly the “Hurdy-Gurdy”) – with much audience and The Square will be filled with revellers of all kinds. participation. The early start will allow young people to attend this event. Tickets at £5.00 for adults and £2.50 for children can be obtained from The Visitor Information Centre or on the door. A full PROGRAMME & SOUVENIR BROCHURE covering Sunday evening (6.00pm), St Edward’s Church the event will be available at £1.00 each, from the beginning of an ecumenical “Songs of Praise” September and further details can be obtained from the Visitor led, we hope, by a visiting gospel choir. This Information Centre in Stow – but here are some of the major will be part congregational and part “concert” with some items points which everyone needs to know:- being performed by the visitors. DANCING IN THE SQUARE: COSTUMES – a separate item is included in this edition, but we As is now traditional at these want as many people as possible to come along dressed-up in Civil “town events” on Saturday night starting at 7.30pm there will be War or similar costumes, for the occasion. Details of dancing in the Square led by the local and popular “Stiff Upper hire/purchase arrangements are given – so PLEASE make an effort Lip” band. Should be good fun – please come by! and join in the festivities on Saturday and Sunday IN COSTUME. HORTICULTURAL SHOW: Planned by Spring Gardens ATTRACTIONS in the SQUARE – stalls of various kinds will Allotment Association – this is a new venture for the town. The be in the Square. There will be many from the monthly Farmers’ show will be held at the British Legion and exhibits must be in Market, plus other local stalls from the town, who have no direct place by 10.30am on Saturday morning, 25th September. access onto The Square. There will be Craft Stalls and other stalls Schedules can be obtained through the Visitor Information Centre of real interest. There will be street entertainers and, of course, in the Town or direct from Chris Small (tel. 01451 831010). The demonstrations from Col Pickering’s foot soldiers (a section of the Show is only open to residents of Stow – but if you have a garden Sealed Knot) and who, with their families, will be setting up a (and/or an allotment) there will be a class for you. You may not “living history” encampment on The Green for, as you may know, win a fortune, but it will be fun – so PLEASE enter.. the final battle of the Civil War took place just outside of Stow and Royalist prisoners were locked into St Edward’s Church. SKITTLES; The Royal British Legion in Stow is organising a There will also be Morris Dancers and dancers from Stow Primary “Knock Out” Skittles competition as part of the Cotswold Festival. School. We hope the “fun of the fayre” will be portrayed in the This will be held at The British Legion on Monday 21st and event – PLEASE come and join in. Tuesday 22nd September. Details can be obtained from The Legion or from the Visitor Information Centre in Stow or by phoning 01451 831550. Teams of 6 are required – so if you are ATTRACTIONS in St. EDWARD’S HALL – it is planned to interested PLEASE register – “first come, first in” as team have a number of “stalls” in the hall, partly with an educational numbers are limited. There will be a small charge for entry and flavour. There will be a display of the many artefacts that Stow has refreshments will be available on the two evenings of the from the Civil War era. This display will be complimented with competition. A trophy will be awarded to the winners on the antique specialists showing off some of their work in restoration, afternoon of Sunday 27th in the Town Square. and repair of items. We hope to have clock workers, furniture restorers, upholsterers, lace makers, etc.. Come along and learn something! 2010 CALENDAR: By the time this edition of the Stow/Morton Times is printed the winning photographs for the Calendar will have been chosen, (by an independent judge) and the Calendars ANTIQUES DAY & ANTIQUES TRAIL:- On Friday a special “in-print”. These will be on sale shortly – watch out for them they luncheon has been organised in St. Edward’s Hall at which Henry should be worthy of buying to enjoy “month-by-month” next year Sandon of BBC “Antiques Roadshow” fame will be speaking. and an ideal gift for friends abroad. We plan to display all photos Tickets are £25.00 and can be obtained through the Visitor submitted over the Festival. Information Office in Stow Square. Associated with this luncheon will be the launching of an GRAND DRAW: ANTIQUES TRAIL competition around the town, which will tickets are now on sale at £1.00 – for a range of operate over the weekend, closing at midday on Sunday, so that a prizes, of which the 1st Prize is £500 cash. A full list of prizes can winner can be duly rewarded on Sunday afternoon. This should be be seen at the Visitor Information Centre where you can purchase fun and will be a chance for townsfolk and visitors to “get around” tickets or, they are also available from numerous outlets the participating antique shops of the town, as well as testing their throughout the town.