views and news from rodborough · 2018-11-07 · snooker table cloth and tennis ball coverings. it...

COMMONERTHE

Views and News from RodboroughSpring 2011 • Issue 30

Let’s face the Music and Dance

Rodborough Fete takes place on Saturday

18th June from 1-5pm at the Butterrow West playing field and this year the theme is dance. There will be no procession this year but we are pleased to have local author, Katie Fforde to open the fete at one o’clock. As usual, there will be a variety of entertainment during the afternoon, this year provided by local dance troupes including Tap Attack, Street Elite, Jolly Stompers and Just Jive and music by Anomaly

and the Cotswold Music Makers. In addition there are a large range of stalls and side shows being run by local organisations and businesses, and due to its popularity at last year’s fete, the Human Table Football will be back! There are also a variety of refreshments available including a BBQ, teas and a beer tent.A new attraction for this year is the Produce Show which is being organised by The Glebe Allotments Association. The categories are:

1. Home made cake

2. Home made jam

3. Home made wine (not from kit)

4. 6 eggs

5. Vegetable box (minimum of 5 vegetables, one of each type)

6. Culinary herbs on a plate (names of herbs to be placed with exhibit)

7. New potatoes (6 any variety)

8. Carrots (6 any variety)

9. Peas (10 pods)

10. Misshaped vegetable

11. Children under 5 : potato character

12. Children under 10 : miniature garden of live flowers and foliage on a round plate

The entry fee is 50p per class for adults (children under 10 can enter for free). More details of the competition can be obtained from the parish office(01453 762686) or the parish website, http://www.rodborough.gov.uk/news.htm. Entries must be brought to the produce tent by 11am on the morning of the fete.Last year’s fete was blessed with sunshine and large crowds so keep your fingers crossed for good weather again and come along and join in the fun and games this year.

The following grants were given at the

Annual Parish Meeting on the 18th April:

£1000 The Old Endowed School towards renovations of the Endowed Schools as a community facility;

£200 St. Mary Magdalene Church towards the maintenance of the graveyard as a place for the public to enjoy;

£100 Rodborough Friendly Circle towards the cost of dial a ride transport for less mobile members to attend their meetings;

£100 Tabernacle Monday Lunch Club towards the cost of dial a ride transport for less mobile members to attend the Lunch Club;

£100 Rodborough Playgroup for home corner activity toys;

£70 Rodborough Cub Pack towards a telescope for studying the night sky;

£60 Rodborough Scout Troop towards trangia stoves for expeditions;

£50 Rodborough Toddler Group for toys for the group;

£50 Stroud Sea Cadets towards a gun cabinet.

Rodborough Parish Council Grants for

2011-2012

Friendly Circle receive a grant to help with transport costs for members

Rodborough

RantWhere do you park your car, or should I say where do you leave your car? I do not drive a car but can imagine the problems that car drivers are faced with. This does not excuse the atrocious behaviour which some people seem capable of when behind the wheel of their car, not just the driving but where to leave it when for a short time you no longer require it.Do you leave your car in spaces not meant for it? Such as on a yellow line at a bus stop. When questioned the driver will say “I’ll only be here for a couple of minutes” or “I’m only just going to post a letter”. It’s then that the bus arrives and because it can’t get into its allotted space it causes an enormous queue with everyone shouting at the bus driver. What about the cars, usually driven bywomen who park outside the schools who open their car doors to release their children into the traffic stream, or the young lady who sat in a 4 wheel drive opposite Church Place on a yellow line, waiting for her child to leave the endowed school, when asked about her misdemeanor she said she liked to be able to seewhen the children were leaving so that she could just pop over and collect her offspring.

THE RODBOROUGH COMMONER PAGE 2

COMMONERTHE

Published by Rodborough Parish Council

Editor Karen McKeown Distribution Jenny Wills

Advertising Joy Jackson Production Qwertyop.co.uk

Printers CBF 01242 237652. Printed on recycled paper

Contact The Commoner, Rodborough Community Hall,

Butterrow West, Rodborough, Stroud, Glos GL5 3TZ.

Tel: 762686, or phone Karen on 751313

or email: [email protected]

Deadline for next issue is: 8th July

August Theme: Music

If you would like to provide an article for this issue

please contact the Editor.

I was in a bus recently going up the road towards the Sub Rooms when the car in front stopped and a young woman got out leaving the engine running, “I shan’t be a moment” she said, and she promptly went to the cash machine at the nearby bank “I thought I’d use it while there was no one there”. Can you really believe it? The congestion she caused had to be seen to be believed. There are car parks and road space in Rodborough and Stroud so why don’t you use them? Maybe it costs money or you might even have to walk a few paces!! A Pedestrian

If your way has ever been

blocked by a green truck

with Tree Maintenance Ltd on

the side – well, you can blame

me. By 1980 Frankie and I

were living in Cheltenham and

made the inspired choice to

buy our first house in Stroud

(for £15k – well, it was small).

For nearly 25 years we have

lived in Kingscourt Lane, perfectly positioned on the side of

the hill, with the stunning common less than 10 brisk aerobic

minutes away and a second home for our son in his mountain

biking youth. For a while our long suffering neighbours endured

the rapidly-expanding business being based at home until I

regained my family life by moving the company to Brimscombe,

then for the last 6 years at the old airfield site at Aston Down,

which has proved to be perfect.

With my business partner Steve Cullis, born and bred in

Rodborough I should add, running our contracting for 10 years,

I have been free to develop the consultancy side. Arboricultural

consultants are not exactly thick on the ground - ok, perhaps

they do grow on trees - and so my work can take me all over

the southern half of the UK, but the majority, and the best, is

nearer to home. Most of my time is spent ensuring trees are

properly regarded during development as part of the planning

process, either commercial or private, but inspecting trees for

safety and condition is an important role, either regularly such

as at Wycliffe College, Beaudesert Park School and all the

hospital sites in the county, or a one-off in a private garden.

Wherever I go I recognise ‘client’ trees, or am intrigued by

others that I see, much to the detriment of my driving.

So, I have been lucky to have had one of the best jobs

imaginable; the added pleasure of criss-crossing the commons

on most days for the last 20 years, whatever the weather or

season, has never failed to delight. In fact, the only thing

missing around here is the sea, but perhaps that is just as well

- the whole world and his dog would want to live here then.

This year I have largely retired, and with Frankie also retired

from teaching, we have a bit more time on our hands for other

things. But we have no plans to move any time soon

from Rodborough...

Geoff March

Tree Maintenance


The Stroud area has a very rich and varied industrial heritage and we will be looking at part of it on a

guided walk led by Dr Ray Wilson, Secretary of the Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology.We will meet in the Cheapside car park and start with a look at Stroud Station and the Brunel Goods Shed. Two battles will be recalled, one almost a century ago to save the tree which still survives on the down platform and the much more recent battle to save the former Hill Paul Factory. On our walk we will look at two railways (the Swindon to Gloucester line (GWR) and the very expensive Midland Railway route into the town from Dudbridge. There will be two canals to see (The Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal). Hopefully the new bridge over the canal on the

A46 road at Merrywalks will be open to inspect. After passing the impressive former headquarters of the Stroudwater Navigation and a very early canal warehouse we will try and picture where the Stroudwater terminated in a large canal basin at Wallbridge. If you have ever wondered where the exact junction of the two canals lies, all will be revealed. Lodgemore Mill is happily still a working mill, producing snooker table cloth and tennis ball coverings. It is sometimes possible to get a glimpse of the brightly dyed cloth through a window. Moving on past the old stables and the delightful mill pond we will soon arrive at Fromehall Mill a former cloth mill now used by various small businesses. It will then be time to return by a different route which has a few more points of interest. Numbers are strictly limited.

Please book with Julie Mountain (01453) 752159 [email protected]

Meet after 6-45pm for a prompt start at 7-00pm at the Cheapside car park (next to the Hill Paul building). The length of the walk is 1.6 miles and is along roads and footpaths and generally flat apart from the return climb up to the Cheapside car park.

Ray Wilson

BOOKS BOUGHT

& SOLD

Cash paid for a wide variety

of secondhand books. If you

are clearing the shelves or

looking for an ideal gift

Ring Michael Biard on

01453 750853/0796 797 1850

HANDYMAN AND

MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Routine maintenance. Painting and

decorating. Flat pack installation. Windows,

gutters cleaned. Fences repaired. Smoke

alarms, shelves, curtain poles installed.

Gardening and vegetables. References and

insurance. CRB clearance.

Oak Leaf Services

Kevin Lea

01453 762735 • 077408 54170

[email protected]

www.oakleafservices.co.uk

Remembering Rodborough Project – We need your help

Industrial Heritage Walk Thursday 19 May 2011 7pm

The Remembering Rodborough Project is planning to hold an exhibition showing Rodborough in old photos. This exciting event is scheduled for September in The Old Endowed School. Refreshments will be proved by T.O.E.S. as a fundraising project for the renovation of this beautiful old building.Do you have any photos or documents that we could copy and display? Pictures of people, places and events in Rodborough, in the distant or recent past are welcomed. Even a single photo will be a useful contribution. We will treat your photos with great care and scan and quickly return the originals. If you wish, we can bring the scanner to your home. Our volunteers are CRB checked and will carry ID.If you can help, please call Julie Mountain on (01453) 752159 Or email [email protected]

Brian Fletcher would like to know if anyone can confirm a story he has told for years.Brian writes:My problem is that I have told the same story for at least 40 years and maybe I dreamt it and by telling the story so often I genuinely believed it.Sometime after the age of 7 we used to walk to Rodborough School. When we varied our route and went via the Golden Cross and along Bath Road there was a tank trap in the Bath Road, to stop or slow down invading German tanks. It consisted of about six capped slots in the road, on the Stroud side of the Golden Cross, with blocks of concrete probably five feet long, stacked on the side of the road. I assume that if an invasion had occurred the blocks could

Brian Fletcher’s Storybe lifted and lowered with a crane into the slots. Please can anyone confirm my story, I would hate to think it was all a figment of my imagination?What certainly is not in my imagination is that later in the war on leaving Rodborough School, we would often walk along Bath Road. It was our hope that an American convoy would roll up the Bath Road. If we were lucky and a convoy did come by we could guarantee to go home with a pocketful of gum and chocolate.I have so many memories of those early years, but the question is did I make up the story of the tank trap? If you would like to respond to Brian please contact the Parish Council and we will pass on any messages


PARISH BUDGET CORRECTION

In last quarters issue the Parish Budget should have read

Site maintenance £2602 in both columns and Earmarked

reserves 2011-2012 should read £52326

Rodborough Parish Council is working

with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to encourage more wildlife and greater knowledge of local nature around the area.Ellen Winter, Stroud Community Wildlife Officer is providing advice to help locals manage areas of community land around the parish with wildlife in mind.At Butterrow West the aim is to increase the whole food chain:• To create a ‘mosaic’ of sunny areas and thicker cover under the tree canopy to encourage more species;• To create ‘habitat piles’ on the ground from the cut trees, for invertebrates and small mammals;• To make and put up bird and bat boxes to encourage more predators;By reinstating hedgerows which will act as a wildlife corridors.Already 40 people turned up to the ‘Make a Difference Day’ at Butterrow in October to improve the strip of woodland downhill from the sports field. So far this year Rodborough Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and youth project members have

had fun making almost 30 bird and bat boxes with more to come. A local tree surgeon donated his time to get some of these put up around Butterrow West to encourage more species to nest and breed in the area.At Kingscourt one of the main problems is a lack of water on site, and so a tiny rain-fed pool has been created by Rodborough Scouts and nest boxes will be put up for the birds who take advantage of the thick hedge and undisturbed copse behind.Finally a tree nursery is being established in Rodborough to provide local saplings for filling in gaps in hedges around the parish. If you want to find out how you can get involved with the Improving Wildlife Project call the Parish

Council on 01453 762686

or Ellen Winter, Community

Wildlife Officer on 07739

297309.

In January and February this year,

Rodborough Scout Group had

workshops making wooden bird

boxes to put around the local area.

In our patrols, we were split into

groups of two or three, and set up

our work benches. We set about

marking the measurements on

our plank of wood, clamping the

wood onto our work tables and

attempted cutting it. It was much

harder than we expected – the saw

was very wobbly, and the wood

hard to cut into! There was a lot of wood to cut, and by the end of

it we were exhausted!

Finally, though, we managed it, and we started to piece the

blocks of wood together. To do this, we marked on the points

we would drill together with a pencil with a little cross, then we

lined up the top of one piece of wood, with the edge of another

piece, and then we made little holes, called pilot holes, in the

middle of the pencil marks. After that, we unscrewed the tip of

the drill, which we changed to another piece that we used to

drill in screws into the pilot holes and through the wood. Now

the two pieces were securely screwed together, we did this to

all the other pieces of wood until we had four sides and a base.

Although our front did have a crack in it, once we had screwed it

to the other pieces, it was fine and sturdy. However, for the roof

of the bird box, as we wanted to be able to open and close the lid

with ease, we didn’t just nail it to the box. Instead, we got a strip

of stretchy, rubber-like material and nailed one edge of it to the

top of the bird box, and the other edge to the lid, so it could be

opened and closed easily! Also, to stop cats and other animals

opening the lid and damaging the contents, we loosely nailed

the lid to the box, which could be easily

undone if somebody wanted to look

inside the bird box. FINISHED!

Altogether, I really enjoyed the activity.

I learnt a lot about DIY and woodwork,

and I found it fun and interesting.

I would definitely recommend this sort of

workshop to others, as it’s great fun and

you learn a lot!

By Isabelle, Rodborough Scout

Scout bird-box making

hard t t into! Th lo

Rodborough Improving Wildlife

Carpentry skills needed. So you have skills in carpentry?

Would you be willing to work with young people to make bird and bat boxes? Please contact

Theresa at the Parish Office if you are able to help


Computers Tack Marking Event

Your local friendly carpet man:

Call Saul 01453 833125

www.stroudcarpets.co.uk

Carpets, vinyls,

laminates, room

sized remnants

m

sservice

Free measuring service

The Mid Cotswold Tracks and Trails Group has organized a tack marking

event at Rodborough Community Hall on Saturday 21st May from 1-4pm.The mobile police unit will be sited in the car park and will carry out FREE marking of leather tack. Members of the group will be there to chat about what we do and listen to any bridleway issues you may have. We also need to know

about any problems you have had with “slippery roads” so that we can complete a survey for Highways. Refreshments will be on sale in the Hall as well as a fund-raising bring and buy stall. There will also be a free competition.Although we are predominantly horse riders ourselves, bridleways are for the use of walkers and cyclists as well and anyone is welcome to come along. For further information please contact [email protected] or ring Councillor Joanna Chapman on 01453 765461

Dyslexia is what I believe gives me my gift with

computers. My first memory of fixing a computer was at school in the late 80’s. I remember being in an English lesson and a teacher came into the room and asked for me. I was nervous, thinking I was in trouble, but once we were out of ear shot, she said she wanted me to fix the computer. I love how computers have allowed me to release my creativity, and it’s that love of using computers that lead me on to study IT, Media and Music Technology. I did various sound and media work, then a good friend offered me an apprenticeship opportunity as a computer technician. Following that, I set-up my own business and eight years on, I’m still enjoying fixing and advising on computer problems to customers all over the Five Valleys.My daily role varies from tuition, repairs, virus removal, to internet connection problems and more. What I love about my job is that I get to make a difference. At the end of the job, I can be happy

knowing I’ve beaten the virus, fixed the problem or taught a 93 year old how to email all of his family.

Hints and tipsIn 25 years of computing I’ve learnt that computers are not reliable. If I could pass on one piece of advice to other computer

users, it would be ‘keep your stuff backed up’. Easy to use backup software is free, and backup storage is very cheap, it’s not worth losing all of your stuff for the sake of £50.Recently I have seen an increase in scam software, like fake anti-virus or anti-spyware that arrives on the computer without prompt, and asks for money to cure the problems it apparently found. Be extremely suspicious of such software, as there are many free anti-virus programs available. Also be aware of scam telephone calls from companies claiming to be Microsoft Partners who say you have problems on your computer that they need to fix for a fee. They’ll be pushy but don’t be gullible, get an expert if you have problems.Computers have become an emotional attachment for their owners, as so much of modern life is conducted with them these days. They can be a love / hate relationship, but it’s rare that a computer problem can’t be solved.For more hints and tips, see my website www.pcprop.com

Matt Hughes

has meant that the Parish Council has been unable to find time to plan one itself, but if any group is interested in hosting a party of its own, it can find suggestions and recommendations by logging on to www.thegreatpoppypartyweekend.org.uk. If you do not have access to the internet, you can ring 01722 714937. The Legion is running a competition for the most unusual party location - with a prize of £1,000 for the winner. It’s a chance not just to thank the Legion for its wonderful caring work over nine decades but to acknowledge its value to communities and individuals alike.

Philip Blomberg

has meant that the Parish

Poppy Party

Councillor Joanna Ch

This year the Royal British

Legion is celebrating its 90th anniversary.Through its work as an Armed Forces charity and as a campaigning and membership organisation, The Royal British Legion touches the lives of much of the nation. This year the Legion has invited communities to join in the nationwide celebrations of the 90th anniversary of The Royal British Legion by hosting a Poppy Party on the weekend of June 10th- 12th 2011 with family and friends, or with neighbours and work colleagues. The proximity of the weekend to the Fete


Our numbers have boosted to a healthy membership at Rodborough WI thanks to you coming to visit

and joining us but we still have room for some more. So, again we invite you to come and visit us and see what we get up to, I am sure you will meet someone you will already know but if not you will meet Rodborough Members that will welcome you when you arrive. We have younger members, older members, inbetweeny! members, whatever your age you could join us.We have got a full programme ahead plus extra curriculum activities to enjoy such as theatre trips, a look round Denman College in Oxfordshire, walks and whatever else takes our fancy when the weather gets warmer and some of our husbands, partners, daughters

join us for some of the days or evenings too which is great. You also have a chance to have your say in these difficult times our country is experiencing and get your views heard. Lastly, we have a skittle team honing their skills at the skittle allies locally that you could participate in however good or not so good you are. So what are you waiting for? It will cost you 50p for a raffle ticket for the evening, you have nothing to lose and you might win the raffle prize.We meet at The Old Endowed School, Rodborough, on the 3rd Monday of each month from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. For further information call me on 01453 766421

Barbara WeldonRodborough WI President

Rodborough WI

Local Groups

‘For such a serious subject we had lots of fun today. Some

of the ladies here are members of Rodborough WI and we

recently completed a 2 hour course with Dr. Dave Freeman

from Heartstart. He demonstrated what we should do if

someone had collapsed and then we practiced, kneeling

on the floor resuscitating Anne our very clever mechanical

patient, ‘we huffed and puffed and blew that chest up’

Heart Start

Heartstart Stroud Valleys is a scheme from the British

Heart Foundation has been set up and is ready to provide organisations and individuals with instruction in basic life support skills. The course is 2 hours long and teaches you cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an essential first step in the chain of survival when someone has a heart attack. Often CPR isn’t performed but if it is started early it

can increase the chances of survival dramatically, providing a link until the paramedics arrive.The next free course is on Monday 23rd May 2011 7-9pm at Rodborough Community Hall.If interested or for further information contact Dr David Freeman on 07811 408785 or email [email protected] website http://community.stroud.gov.uk/heartstart.

Theatre Group

Following on from the last Commoner, Rodborough now has its very own Theatre Club! We already

have fourteen members and have had our first outing at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, having a great night out at Peter Pan on Ice.At our inaugural meeting we decided to cover eight theatres including the Hippodrome in Bristol and the Rose Theatre at Tewkesbury. Stroud Subscription Rooms and the Cotswold Playhouse are also on the list. We have come up with a very free and easy system of each of us having brochures from all our theatres and simply choosing what interests us. This means there is always someone wanting to see a particular show too, but it’s your choice how often you go. The other advantage of course, is that there is usually someone who drives for the members that don’t!!We are restricting numbers to around twenty so that it stays personal, but if you would like to know more, do phone or email me: Penny Tel: (01453) 763936 Email:[email protected]


learn and develop first aid, ambulance and other skills. The sessions have a high practical content which is based on realistic scenarios. The evening also provides the opportunity to meet and socialise with people who share a common interest. Adult member’s main purpose is to attend public events providing first aid cover thus enabling that event to run and being a service to the community. For more information about joining Stroud St John Ambulance Division please contact Daniel Higgs, Acting Divisional Superintendent via e-mail at [email protected] or contact our County Headquarters on 01452 858220, stating you are interested in joining St John Ambulance.

St John Ambulance has been in Stroud

for almost 75 years providing high quality first aid cover for local events like Gatcombe Park Horse Trials, Stroud Half Marathon and The Five Valleys Walk along with many other events, firework displays and country fairs. Some of our members have even provided first aid cover

further afield at events like The London Marathon.First aid is an essential life skill and we offer the chance for people aged from 5 upwards to learn these life skills in the Stroud area. There are three parts of Stroud St John Ambulance

Division, catering for the following ages: Badgers (5-10 years old), Cadets (10-18 years old) and Adult (16 years plus). Both Badgers and Cadets are designed for young people to have fun and make new friends, whilst learning first aid and other skills which benefit young people in day to day life and enabling them to gain badges towards

their Super Badger and Grand Prior Awards respectively. Both Badgers and Cadets meet weekly during term-time. There are also opportunities to spend weekends and a week away throughout the year learning more skills and doing adventurous activities along with meeting other people from across the county who enjoy doing the same activities. Cadets are also able to attend public duties and provide first aid under the supervision of our adult members. The Adult part of the division provides first aid and ambulance services in Stroud and the surrounding areas. The adults meet weekly on a Tuesday night between 7:30 and 9:00pm in Daniel’s Industrial Estate. The weekly sessions are designed for people to

St John Ambulance

Many people who live outside the county will not readily

associate Gloucestershire with industry. However, we

have an exceedingly rich and varied industrial heritage and

Rodborough residents will be familiar with the numerous

former woollen cloth mills of the area. Perhaps the main reason

for the diversity of our former industries lies with the varied

nature of the geology in the county, which is traditionally

divided into three areas. In the west we have the Forest of

Dean where the rich mineral reserves of coal, iron and stone

have been exploited for many centuries. In the central region

much of the fertile land in the Severn Vale has long been used

for agriculture, and various manufacturing industries have

flourished in urban areas like Gloucester, Tewkesbury and

Cheltenham. Finally in our own eastern part of the county we

have the Cotswolds where in medieval times the wool from

large flocks of sheep produced great wealth for their owners

and the nation alike. The manufacture of fine woollen cloth was

later developed in areas like Stroud where fast flowing streams

were available for water power to power the fulling mills that

were essential to the industry.

The study of the physical remains and history of our industries

has become known as industrial archaeology. It is a very broad

subject as it encompasses transport systems such as railways,

canals, docks and roads, as well as factories, mills, breweries,

quarries, mines and much more. Unquestionably it also

includes social history, in other words, the history of the people

who worked in the area.

The Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology (GSIA)

was formed in 1963 and is one of the oldest county industrial

archaeology societies. It welcomes anyone with an interest

in the subject at any level, including beginners. We have a

winter programme of talks and a summer programme of visits.

Members are encouraged to carry out fieldwork and research

which can be published in the well respected Annual Journal.

Full details of the society and its activities are given on our

website (www.gsia.org.uk) where complete articles from the

last 40 years of our Journal may be downloaded. Rodborough

residents may be interested in the history of Wallbridge Mill

demolished in 1964 and now virtually the only remains are the

buildings used by the Clock Veterinary Hospital.

Dr Ray Wilson GSIA Honorary Secretary

01453 860595 [email protected]

Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology

Local Groups


I Live HereLes Hands

Hello, my name is Leslie Hand and I live in

Rodborough. We moved here from Ebley in 1985,and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.Despite my boyish good looks I’m 60 years of age and have been married to Brenda for 39 years. It was our wedding anniversary on April 1st. Yes, I know it’s a strange day on which to get married-but I always remember it! In fact, people often ask me if it was meant as a joke getting married on that day. Joke? Thirty nine years of marriage! Do you think that’s funny? Don’t tell Brenda I said that - she rules me with a rod of iron. We’ve got three children who have all left home, and on January 1st we became grandparents when our eldest daughter, Amy, gave birth to Rupert Alfie Marsden.I enjoy living in Rodborough as I feel comfortable here. I’ve lived in Somerset, Liverpool, London and Cheltenham, and this is the place that feels right. There’s a certain kind

of community spirit, but without it being too forced or hyped. Whenever I go to an event in Rodborough, such as an evening in the Albert or the Fete I always feel part of it. The very fact that you’re reading this magazine shows that Rodborough has a strong identity, and people who are happy to give their time to support it. There’s a lot of people in Rodborough who were born here, and continue to live here, and there are people like myself who have chosen to live here,

and we all appreciate the area for what it gives us. I keep reminding myself how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place. People fly across the Atlantic just to see where we live. And we get to see it every day!I take our dog Molly-a miniature Schnauzer- on to the Common as often as I can. A walk up there does us both good, although I must admit that I sometimes drive up there and cycle round on the folding bike that I keep in the boot of the car. In my defence for this laziness I would point out that I’ve had one new knee fitted, and I’m waiting to have the other one done, so I’ve got an excuse. My son, Scott, who has a degree in Plant Biology, and works as a senior conservation officer for the Countryside Council of Wales, gives me a lecture every time he goes on the Common with me. Apparently it’s an important, unspoiled area with valuable lessons to be learned from

it. The problem is I can never quite remember why, so he has to give me the same lecture on a regular basis, and point out all the plants and grasses again! That’s a wonderful resource to have on our doorstep, and we must make sure that we preserve such areas for future generations.About twenty years ago I used to help to organise the Fete when it was in Rectory Gardens. My wife kindly volunteered me for the job but I really enjoyed doing it. It was at a time when there was some doubt about the Fete continuing, and it was a smaller affair but it’s great that it survived, and has grown to be such a good event.As far as work is concerned I’m a partner in a paper recycling business. We’re called Phoenix Paper Services, and we’re based in Thrupp. We shred confidential documents for local companies, and we also collect waste paper from printers and offices. All the paper that we collect is recycled. It goes to a paper mill in Ramsbottom, where it is used to produce Nouvelle toilet tissue. Our customers are often amused to find out what use their paperwork will eventually be put to! As a ton of waste paper is said to save fourteen trees, then in my working life in the business I must have saved thousands of the things. So, as a good Rodboroughite, I’ve got green credentials and without preaching about the matter it is becoming clearer, I hope, to more and more people that we must change the way in which we live. As a Stroudie, and in particular a Roddie, I think we all realise that.

Stroudco has been

formed and the concept

is that fresh local produce

will be available to local

areas around Stroud on a

weekly, a fortnightly or a

monthly basis.

The organisers of Stroudco

have offered a delivery in

Rodborough if I can get

enough local people willing

to join. The fee is £2.00 per

family per month and the

food is ordered and would

be delivered to a central

spot in Rodborough on

a Saturday morning with

members collecting it and

paying for it on the same

afternoon.

Nick Weir, who is the

organiser of Stroudco has

agreed to give new groups

setting up a six-month

period where no fee is paid,

saving each family £12.00

over that period.

I need a small committee

of four or five people who

will be on hand on Saturday

mornings to sort out the

orders and then later in

the afternoons to hand the

produce over and collect the

payments.

If you are interested, please

contact me either by

phoning me on 872446 or

by emailing me at oost@

btopenworld.com .

My postal address is

Copperfields, the Street,

Kingscourt, Stroud

GL5 5DL.

Brian Oosthuysen

Fresh Local Produce


‘Your Circle’ is your support network of trusted people, places and services, created by you.

We often build circles of support to help make our lives a little easier and we want to help you to develop an even stronger circle to help you live an independent life for as long as possible.To help you do this Gloucestershire County Council has developed a website www.yourcircle.org.uk which gives you access to a wide range of advice and support available in Gloucestershire. It brings together all those things that help you keep your independence, including local clubs, financial advice, volunteer opportunities, support groups, help in your own home and much more – ultimately helping you get more out of life.If you haven’t got access to the internet at home, you may want to visit an Information Point, for example in an internet café, community group or library. Or why not get a friend, family member or trusted contact to help you? Visit www.yourcircle.org.uk and start to explore the local support available.For a copy of our leaflet ‘Live life your way’, which explains the steps that you can take to build or enhance your circle of support, contact the Adult Social Care Helpdesk on 01452 426868 or download a copy from www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/yourcircleinfo. (Large print, Easy Read and audio versions also available).

Building ‘Your Circle’ – helping you to live

independently

We would like to remind people that

any instances of crime should be reported to the police on 0845 090 1234.Areas of recent concern in Rodborough include parking, particularly at Gastrells School where some parents have been causing obstruction by parking on the corner of Kitesnest Lane and Kingscourt Lane. Parking opposite the bus stop at the top of Kitesnest Lane should also be avoided.We have also had reports of car wing mirrors being damaged on Rodborough Hill. Drivers are advised

to leave their wing mirrors folded in to avoid potential damage.Another issue that should be reported is Fly Tipping – please contact Tracy Young, your Community Warden (see below for details).If you would like to discuss any issue with me in person, I will be available at Rodborough Community Hall once a month. Please see the parish notice boards or website for the next dates or call them on 762686.Alternatively you can contact me (for non-emergencies) on Email: [email protected] leave a message via 0845 090 1234 asking for Stroud Safer Community Team ext 3507 or feel free to approach me when I am on foot patrol in the area.I work in partnership with the local Stroud District Council Community Warden, Tracy Young who can be contacted on Tel 07753 725185 [email protected]

Your local PCSO – Tracy Garcia-Cote

W e have again had reports of lorries becoming stuck on some of our narrow lanes. A lot of this

is due to drivers ignoring width restriction signs and blindly following their SatNav, but some problems could be avoided if those who live where access is limited ensure that when arranging deliveries, they inform the company that larger lorries are not suitable. In certain locations, such as Butterrow Lane/Bagpath/Swellshill, it is also worth pointing out to drivers once the item has been delivered, that it is often not possible to continue down the increasingly narrow road, but that they should return the way they have come i.e. back up to Butterrow Hill.

Large Vehicles and Narrow Lanes

THE COMMONER

ADVERTISING RATES

Advert size One Advert Annual (4 issues)

Large £109.00 £416.009x13.5cm

Medium9 x 6.75cm £67.70 £208.00

Small4.5 x 6.75cm £36.45 £104.00 All prices exclude VAT

The Commoner is quarterly and is distributed free to all households in

Rodborough. Call 762686


Saturday 14th May 9am-12noon Chipping woody material Rectory Gardens Rodborough Parish Council

Thursday 19th May 7pm Historical Walk Cheapside Car Park Remembering Rodborough

Saturday 21st May 1-4pm Mid Cotswolds Track &

Trail Group Open Day

and FREE tack marking Rodborough Community Hall Mid-Glos Tracks and Trails Group

Monday 23rd May 7pm HeartStart First Aid Rodborough Community Hall Dr Freeman 07811 408785

Wednesday 25th May 2.30-4.00pm Annual Eco-market Rodborough School Rodborough School

Thursday 26th May 7.30pm Remembering

Rodborough Quiz Community Hall Remembering Rodborough

Friday 27th May 6.00pm Parish Walk: The other

side of the valley Meet Community Hall Rodborough Parish Council

Thursday 9th June 7.30pm Open Evening Old Endowed School Peggy Ludlow

Sunday 12th June 2-4pm Orchids and Butterflies Walk Rodborough Commons National Trust 01452 813597

Saturday 18th June 1-5pm Rodborough Community

Fete Butterrow West Rodborough Parish Council

Friday 24th June 6.00pm Parish Walk: Quiet Lanes Meet Community Hall Rodborough Parish Council

Friday 22nd July 6.00pm Parish Walk: Manor Woods

and Woodchester Meet Community Hall Rodborough Parish Council

Friday 26th August 6.00pm Parish Walk: Down

in the Valley Meet Community Hall Rodborough Parish Council

Tuesday 30th August 10am-12noon Dog Warden Surgery Community Hall Stroud District Council

Wednesday 14th Sept 7-10pm Volunteers Evening Community Hall Rodborough Parish Council

Friday 16th Sept 6.00pm Parish Walk: Rodborough

and Kingscourt revisited Meet Community Hall Rodborough Parish Council

Saturday 8th October 10am-1.00pm Make a Difference Day Meet Stroud Sea Cadets Rodborough Parish Council

Saturday 15th October 9am-12noon Chipping woody material Butterrow West Rodborough Parish Council

Saturday 19th Nov 9am-12noon Chipping woody material Kingscourt Play area Rodborough Parish Council

E V E N T S D I A R Y

RODBOROUGH TABERNACLE

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Sunday 10.30am Worship with children’s provision

1st Sunday Communion Service

2nd Sunday Morning worship

3rd Sunday Soul Café, contemporary informal worship

4th Sunday All Age worship

5th Sunday Morning worship

Thursdays 10.15am Mediation

Thursdays 11.00am Communion

Thursday 12.00 pm Relaxation

S E R V I C E S O F W O R S H I PSee events diary for special services

ST MARY MAGDALENE

Sunday 8am Holy Communion

(Book of Common Prayer)

Sunday 10am Holy Communion

2nd Sunday All age worship 10am

4th Sunday Informal Communion 10am

1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays Sunday School 9.45am

FRIENDS MEETING 3rd Sunday in the month 11am

at the Quick’s. Old Rectory, Old Rectory Close.

Do you want to learn to drive? Do you ever think of improving your driving?

I f you already have your license, how many of you can remember your lessons or even your test?

OK, how many of you have points on your licence, speed, struggle to park, or have been verbally abused whilst driving? Well, if you’ve answered no, well done, but you’re probably in the minority!Why is it that as soon as that licence is in some people’s hands, everything that was taught goes out the window? We all see speeding drivers, bad parking, aggressive driving, people on phones, putting on make-up, eating, drinking, changing CD’s etc, but no pupil of mine, will ever be allowed to do that on a lesson, and guess no other instructor would allow it either! So where do these “bad” habits come from?I have always driven for a living - whether delivering the mail, supplying shops with goods, driving coaches in and around Europe, or chauffeuring people all over the UK in my executive car hire. I clock up thousands of miles a year-in excess of 75k, and am appalled at the standard of driving

I encounter. It is because of this, that I became a driving instructor 5 years ago.When I take on a new pupil, I will always make it clear that I’m not giving them lessons just for their driving test, but a skill that hopefully can encourage them to become safer, more competent drivers for the remainder of their driving life! I hear so many times that “my friend or father” passed their test after just 10 lessons. I would love to know what they learnt in that short time! Lessons are seen as an expensive means to a licence, but used correctly, the licence should last in excess of 50 years! I wonder how long the first car lasts, and how much that costs to repair after a ‘bump’!! The lessons are the cheapest part of motoring, as most people discover when I let them fill my car up with petrol during a lesson.Want to learn to drive or improve your driving skills? Take the first step and find out what you need to do at www.firstgeardriving.co.uk. It all starts with a provisional license and the right instructor, the information here can aid you in making the right decision.


COMMUNITY GROUPS IN RODBOROUGHActivity and Organisation Name Contact Phone

1st Rodborough Guides Dee Davies 762816

Art Class (Endowed School) Cyril Corio 765649

Art Class (Community Hall) Steve Smith 752159

Astrology Classes Polly Wallace 753017

Body Conditioning (Rodborough School) Helen Crute 755804

Cappella Singers Geoff March 750200

Commoner - Parish Magazine Karen McKeown 751313

Community Hall - Bookings Joy Jackson 762686

Croc N Roll Stephanie 07957235413

Croquet Club Rosemary Danby 872456

Five Valleys Bridge Club Vesta Rock 886404

Friends of Gastrells School Angela Carus-Wilson 765959

Friends of Rodborough School Nicky Mayer 763159

Gastrells Primary School Governors Amanda Baker-Dibley 765959

Gastrells Primary School Headteacher Kate Merriman 765959

Glebe Allotment Association Bob Tiley 765842

Hayward for the Commons Mark Dawkins 762054

Jane Arnold Nursery School Jane Arnold 758950

Jolly Stompers Line Dancing (Gastrells) Julie Cole 752480

Kingscourt Educational Trust Bob Tiley 765842

Lightpill Allotment Association Ernie Majors 765815

Model Engineers (Secretary) W.P. Phillips

Mother’s Union (Endowed School) Joyce Brackpool 765187

National Trust (Common Ranger) Richard Evans 01452 810056

Old Endowed School - bookings Doreen Evans 753172

Parish Church Newsletter Pam Sparrow 759540

Parish Church Vicar Peggy Ludlow 752659

Remembering Rodborough [email protected]

Rodborough Beaver Scouts Mary Jones 766745

Rodborough and Bownham Commoners Bill Powell 885507

Rodborough Cub Scouts James Lynn 753864

Rodborough Fields Preservation Group Bob Tiley 765842

Rodborough Friendly Circle Olive Heskins 765379

Rodborough Playgroup Nicola Hurford 07759099360

Rodborough Poultry Club Kirsty Tallon 07751181076

Rodborough Primary School Mrs M Halsey 763159

Rodborough Scouts Theresa Mansbridge 762686

Rodborough Tabernacle News Brian Oosthuysen 872446

Rodborough Tabernacle URC Eric Massey 766389

Rodborough Youth Football Club Gavin Heavisides 751432

Activity and Organisation Name Contact Phone

Rodborough Youth Project Dawn Quest 07855426554

Rugby Rascals Toddler Group Sandra Ashenford 750124

South Cotswold Ramblers Richard Davis 762373

St.John’s Ambulance 01452 858220

Stroud Camera Club Andrea Goodman 750920

Stroud Ramblers George Lodge 765808

Stroud Rugby Club Roger Hughes 791345

Stroud Sea Cadets Paul White 755141

Tabernacle - Bookings Ron Cook 763026

Tabernacle Choir Di Davis 762373

Tabernacle Lunch Club Barbara Cook 763026

Toddler Group (Endowed School) Jane Ansell 750717

Upholstery Class (Community Hall) Daphne Hook 883404

Wednesday Fellowship (Tabernacle) Dorothy Ede 765978

Womens’ Institute (Rodborough) Barbara Weldon 766421

Yoga Class (Community Hall) Amanda Sultan-Black 755635

Yoga Class (Gastrells) Sally Deacon 751937

Yoga Class (Rodborough School) Helen Crute 755804


I have been

a member of RYP for 18 months. It’s amazing. You can do anything you want. It’s a great way to see people from primary school that moved to a different school to you as well as making new friends. It’s a social club where you can sit down and talk or join in activities like arts and crafts, karaoke and games.During the summer it’s fun because you can go out on the field but even in winter when it’s dark it’s fun. Just bring a torch because you can go out on the field and explore and it’s a great way to find people on the field.

We go on trips too and have done tubing, quad biking and water activities.There is only one thing wrong with it – it’s not on in the holidays and it’s too short. You have so many opportunities to do things. What else can I say – It’s amazing.

Thomas McKirdyIf you live in Rodborough or have been to either of the primary schools in Rodborough and you are aged 11 to 16 you are welcome to join us on a Friday evening in term time.Please contact Dawn Quest 07855426554 if you would like more information.

RodboroughYouth Project

Quiz night and inaugural meeting

of Remembering Rodborough

26th May 7.30pm

Rodborough Community Hall

Enjoy a Rodborough quiz night and supper

Tickets £6

A bar will also be available throughout the

evening. This evening will also include

the inaugural meeting of Remembering

Rodborough as an independent

group. To book a place or to find out more

about Remembering Rodborough

contact Julie Mountain on 752159

[email protected]

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