----------------------------------------------------- Page 1 ----------------------------------------------------- MAY 2020 NO. 201 A free monthly community paper for the parish of Nailsworth, available in colour on our website www.nailsworthnews.org.uk Cash, PPE Fabric and Elastic Desperately Needed! Nailsworth Chamber of Trade is appealing for help in its work delivering free meals and making PPE in the current Covid-19 crisis. “We are busy delivering free meals to our NHS and emergency services and the very vulnerable in our community, and we ’ve teamed up with others to make full- face visors, ” said Sarah Martin of the Chamber. Chairman John Pettitt has already delivered visors to care homes, including Aaron House, The Steppes and Willow House, plus 40 to Price ’s Mill Surgery. The Chamber has also supplied Five Valleys Care, a Nailsworth-based care agency, which gave a very generous donation to buy more materials. “Above all we need donations of money; but we ’d also be really grateful for any acetate, good green or blue material – preferably but not essentially waterproof; elastic is also impossible to fi nd and we ’d really love any you have, ” Sarah said. “Please go through all your boxes and see what you have. ” Donations can be made through: Lloyds Bank; Sort Code: 30-98-29; Account no: 01947248; Ref: Donation Account name: Nailsworth Chamber of Trade Materials can be given directly to Sarah outside Nailsworth Library from 8.15am- 10am on Saturday mornings or by contacting her on nailsworthchamberoftrade@ gmail.com or call 07841 922639 . For more information see www.nailsworthonline. co.uk , and article on page 12 of this issue. In this issue… Nailsworth Town Council Page 3 News of the lockdown in France & USA Horsley Colourful Flags Page 5 Display of homemade fl ags Wildlife in Nailsworth Page 8-9 Update What ’s Open Page 10 Directory of what local business is providing Business & Charities Page 11-13 Stories of shops and food outlets in the lockdown Playcircle Page 15 Children in the lockdown NN Audio version Page16 Help for visually handicapped readers Fund Raising Appeal Page 18 Bike Ride for Alzheimers Society The Door Page 19 Youth Charity appeals for donations Thank You Nailsworth Thanks to encouragement from loyal readers and the sheer determination of everyone on the NN team, we are resolved to ‘Keep Calm and Carry on ’! We owe it to this wonderful town and its tight-knit community of equally wonderful people. The Chamber of Trade appeal for donations is a shining example of Nailsworth ’s selfl ess efforts to rise to the challenge this pandemic presents. The NN team thanks everyone for their ongoing support, in whatever form, in this current crisis. Helpline Heros Update on the NTC helpline Page 20 Nailsworth Mills Estate Avening Road Nailsworth Gloucestershire GL6 0BS Tel: 01453 836996 Mob: 07800 932098 keith@amosjoinery.co.uk www.amosjoinery.co.uk Bespoke designs and craftsmanship including:- • Doors • Furniture • Stairs • Windows • Garden Furniture and Gates View at brutons.co.uk or on our Facebook Page ----------------------------------------------------- Page 2 ----------------------------------------------------- L O CAL N E W S Free monthly newspaper for Nailsworth Parish Editorial Team; Editor in Chief , David Cox Assistant Editor, Heather Nicholls Contact, editor@nailsworthnews.org.uk Central Voicemail 0303 040 1150 Design & Layout, Peter Griffin, Frank Paxton & Nicky Howe What ’s On , Brian Harding whatson@nailsworthnews.org.uk Business Editor, Annie Franklin Printing, Leopard Press Distribution, Joe Brooks and Keith Mansell distribution@nailsworthnews.org.uk Treasurer, David Cox 836119, treasurer@nailsworthnews.org.uk IT, Jonathan Duckworth Postal subscriptions £8 per year - Veronica Luke 832812 Accounts, Bill Bryant accounts@nailsworthnews.org.uk Advertising, Mike Hewlett adverts@nailsworthnews.org.uk Payment & hard copy correspondence , c/o Shiny Goodness, Fountain St. Advertising rates : Our advertising rates are very reasonable. Please contact our Advertising Manager, Helen Harding (details above) or see our website for more information www.nailsworthnews.org.uk/advertising Deadline for advertising and payment : 10th of the month Deadline for articles : mid-day 15th of the month Copyright notice: photographs in this paper are submitted by residents, businesses, Nailsworth Archives (including documents, by permission), and team members. The person who took the photograph retains all rights in it. If you would like a copy of one, please contact the editorial team who will put you in touch with the appropriate person; it is their decision whether (and how much) to charge. Stoicism We British are renowned for our stoicism and the current pandemic has served to reaffirm this image of who we are and what we stand for. Two World Wars have demonstrated the ‘stiff upper lip ’ attitude associated with our nation and Captain Tom Moore, a WW2 hero, is a perfect example of British stoicism. Approaching his 100th birthday, on 30th April, Captain Tom, as he ’s affectionately known, was gamely completing laps around his considerable sized garden, on his walking frame, to raise funds for NHS charities. At the time of writing, this wonderful man had raised £27 million for the charity and he was still walking! His modesty in interviews is humbling and he is genuinely amazed by the response received to his Just Giving page. Clapping for the NHS has truly been an uplifting experience here in Horsley. The village has always had a great community spirit and residents and their families have produced over 181 banners for the ‘Hearts for Horsley ’ project, displayed proudly around the village. They ’ve clapped, banged cheered and whistled each Thursday evening at the appointed hour, bringing residents together to recognise the incredible work of our NHS staff all over the country. Horsley Community Shop has also played its part. Remaining open and well-stocked, the staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly. Open for business each morning and taking telephone orders, packing and delivering to those self-isolating and vulnerable residents in the afternoons, the shop is a shining example of willing volunteers working selflessly alongside staff, for the benefit of their community. Since the lock-down began, severely curtailing activities and social lives, social media has come into its own. FaceTime, Zoom, e-mail and messaging, have been invaluable to those able to access the internet. Apart from its business use, families and friends can be re-united over the air waves to chat and reassure one another. I ’ve been particularly grateful to be able to FaceTime with my month old granddaughter, Lola in London, though I have yet to give her an actual cuddle! Throughout this crisis, people have simply been so nice! Whether looking out for vulnerable neighbours, volunteering for the cause, or just taking great care to comply with Government directives to give others space. Perhaps, when this nightmare is over and I know we will get through this crisis, we will emerge on the other side as more thoughtful and compassionate human beings. Many of our local businesses have also continued to serve their community and you can read more about these stalwarts in the centre pages. Meanwhile, on behalf of the entire NN team – stay safe and well. We look forward to continuing to bring you news, views and useful information regarding our town and its community for the foreseeable future. Heather Nicholls – Editorial Team THERE IS NO PAPER PUBLISHED FOR JANUARY OR AUGUST Nailsworth News intends to publish a further issue in June which will be available for collection from Nailsworth Supermarkets & Lawnside Stores on Friday 5th June. NN Editorial Team Churches Together in Nailsworth MAIN SUNDAY SERVICES 11.00 am St George, Church St 10.30 am Christ Church, Newmarket Road 10.00 am Quakers ’ Meeting House, Chestnut Hill 11.00 am Priory Church, Inchbrook Everyone welcome. Children ’s activities included at all these services. 2 p iz 0 z a a % nd p a O st a t akeaw FF ay The Italian Restaurant Mon - Tues 5-10pm Wed - Sun 12-3pm & 5-11pm 01453 350432 hello@amalfi-nailsworth.com Market Street, 16 The Old Crown, Nailsworth. GL6 0BX 2 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 3 ----------------------------------------------------- L O C A L N E W S A Word from the Mayor The Coronavirus Lockdown How great is Nailsworth?! The community has come together in an extraordinary way during the crisis, with friends and family, neighbours, shops and organisations all doing what they can for the vulnerable and those in need. There are so many people helping out and contributing, it would be impossible to name them all. What I will say is Thank you. Thank you from myself, the Town Council, and from our town. You are amazing: everyone must know someone working in or connected with the Emergency Services, or an equivalent care situation. I ’m sure everyone will join me in expressing how grateful we are for their selflessness. Democracy On Tuesday 21st April we held our first meeting of the Emergency Committee. We consider it important that we continue to have democracy, even in these difficult times. We are still meeting and will continue to make decisions. Our coronavirus Helpline is working well, see page 20, and we are starting to think about the future, after the lockdown. Twin Towns Earlier in the lockdown I wrote to our Twin Town in France, Leves, and to our Friendship Town in New York State. Rémi Martial, Mayor of Lèves wrote “Just as in Nailsworth, the municipal offices are closed, and we are doing our best to keep essential services going for the population. Most of the shops are closed, economic activity in slowdown and council projects on hold. We wonder when we ’ll be able to envisage resuming our respective activities and are anxious about the scale of the crisis in the months and years to come. In the meantime, all we can do is pay tribute to the time and energy devoted by health service professionals. At Lèves, the situation is relatively good, the inhabitants rallying spontaneously to help their neighbours and the elderly. ” Rick Hauser, Mayor of Perry wrote “ I ’ve been thinking of how Nailsworth is faring during this crisis, New York City (6 hours away by car) has been the country ’s epicenter here and as a result, the entire state is “On Pause ” as the governor put it, since around March 19th. At that time our rural area was not seeing the effects, so it may have been fortuitous timing. The Village has our staff on rotation - at any given time, about half our 24 village employees are staying home, so there is always a healthy “back-up ” crew to man the water or sewer plant, front offices, and general public works. We are starting in the past few days to see our first confirmed cases in Perry. Like you, our shops and restaurants are mostly shut, though some are continuing with phone order and curbside pick-up. ” On Monday 20th April I took part in Perry ’s council meeting, swapping stories about the lockdown and listening to how they are responding to the pressures on their community. Stay Home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives. Jonathan Duckworth We need your Articles and Stories for June Please send us your articles and stories for the June issue as we will definitely publish on Friday 5th June, and hopefully we will be able to provide printed copies, one again distributed through the same Supermarkets and Lawnside Stores. We received a massive response this month from the community, once we made it clear that we were going ahead. We also need to thank Mike Hewlett for coming back as our Advertising Manager at this difficult time. NN Editorial Team NMC Nailsworth MOT Centre TYRES . EXHAUSTS . BATTERIES . SERVICING . ALL MOT MAKES . ALL MAKES Tel: 01453 836816 Unit 6, Inchbrook Trading Estate, Bath Road, Woodchester, Stroud GL5 5EY www.motstroud.co.uk 3 Car Servicing Specialists ----------------------------------------------------- Page 4 ----------------------------------------------------- L O C AL NEWS On the First Day of May - En Ce Premier Jour de Mai Lily of the valley comes from Japan. In France on 1st May, posies are offered for good luck, following a tradition started by Charles IX. In 1560, Charles and his mother Catherine de Médicis visited le Dauphiné (a former province in south eastern France) where the chevalier Louis de Girard de Maisonforte offered the young king a bunch of lily of the valley picked from his garden. The king was charmed and started the tradition of offering bunches of lilies to each of the court ladies. This tradition quickly spread across the country and still continues today. Carole Delacroix Translation: On this fi rst day of May, I bid you receive this sprig of lily of the valley. May it lighten up your heart and bring you happiness. District Councillors ’ Report The pandemic has descended without any issues or concerns that need to be warning and, like you, we are trying raised do please contact us and we ’ll do to adjust. District Council and Ebley our best to resolve them. We continue Mill services continue, such as waste to work closely with Parish Councils, collection, but virtually all staff are Social carers and local businesses. working from home so please be Meanwhile, Councillors have dealt patient with delays. with many businesses regarding grants. Because Council meetings and SDC distributed £10m within three committees have stopped, we don ’t days, but have been delayed as BACS have access to the usual means of payments used by authorities take information and intervention. But we three days to process. are still keen to help and if you have We are keen that the current crisis does not detract from the urgent need to act on climate emergency. Fewer road journeys and air traffi c has dramatically improved air quality and helped with carbon emissions. Please become involved with Nailsworth CAN activities – see their website. Norman Kay (833458); Steve Robinson (834270); Sue Reed (833472) Community Orchard How things can change in a month. Early each year, volunteers at the Nortonwood/ Jovial Foresters community orchard, prune and weed around the fruit trees. We have kept the wire guards round the trees to prevent damage by deer or dogs unleashed. It was March before we organised ourselves this year but luckily our fi nal session was on 22nd March, the last day before lockdown. 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Richard Blackwell the groundsman from NTC kindly deposited a pile of well rotted sheddings to use as a mulch. We have also coppiced the walnut and hazels which were restricting the light to the fruit trees. The hazel sticks have been prepared and pruned and put in a pile for Richard to create the fence to the right of the footpath. Since the end of March the blossom has come out on the trees and providing there is no heavy frost we should have a good crop of fruit in autumn. Marilyn Miles Bookkeeping | Self-Assessment Payroll | Credit Control | VAT • Reduce your stress • Make more time for your business                  07740 167318 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 5 ----------------------------------------------------- L O C A L NE W S Horsley ’s Colourful Hearts help to Beat the Lockdown Blues In Horsley, the community spirit is plain to see; as villagers buoy each other up with a vibrant display of homemade fl ags. Rosa Verge started the movement on the 24th March, hoisting her pink and rainbow fl ag for everyone to enjoy, with the community Facebook message, “with love from me to you all. Xxx ”. Neighbour Sharon Wells followed suit, prompting Rosa to suggest others join in. Join in they certainly have; almost half of Horsley houses are now decorated with their own creations: well over 150 in total. Colourful fl ags shine in the sunshine on walls, windows and makeshift fl agpoles all around the village. Amazing creativity is on show, with unique creations made of whatever was at hand: recycled odd bits of cloth; silk fl owers, wood, buttons and lego. Most feature hearts and some include messages to the NHS. Others depict butterfl ies, horses, even a Big Red Bus! The fl ags are a reminder that no one need feel alone in this. Villagers are enjoying “spotting ” them from their windows, on daily walks or via the community Facebook page. Now the love is spreading, to Nailsworth, Stroud; even Bristol. Jenny Baddeley Supermarket Shuffl e! Those of us lucky enough to be going out for the occasional shop will be accustomed to the new shopping dance, a dance at a distance. You can ’t help but laugh sometimes as we dodge and slide around each other in car parks and aisles trying to respect each other ’s space, whilst still buying everything on the list and getting where we need to be. It may be a little anxiety inducing at times but everyone seems to be dealing with it in their own way, gloves, mask, a laugh or smile and knowing nod. We do this every now and then, but the staff are there for long hours, day after day making sure we stay fed and supplied with essentials. The shelf stackers, fl oor cleaners, checkout staff, security personnel, bakers, post offi ce and pharmacy workers not to mention the delivery and bus drivers and countless more behind the scenes and front of house staff. All suddenly fi nding themselves on the front line working, continuing to do their job whilst trying to keep themselves and us safe. We clap on Thursdays for the incredible work that the NHS and the caring community do but today a thank you to those staff who keep our bellies full, medicines in the cupboard and send post to our loved ones. THANK YOU. Clare Savage COMPUTER PROBLEMS? E P E A T MICROSOFT & APPLE SERVICED & REPAIRED ONSITE HARD DRIVES REPLACED : NEW SCREENS FITTED MEMORY UPGRADES & VIRUS REMOVAL BRAND NEW & USED WINDOWS 10 LAPTOPS & PC ’S ALSO IMACS & MACBOOKS ALL READY TO GO WITH NO HIDDEN EXTRAS NAILSWORTH COMPUTER SALES & REPAIR SHOP 01453 832151 Your small, local nursery for home-grown hardy perennials, cottage garden plants, herbs, alpines and roses • The nursery is based on our farm in the South Cotswolds with walled kitchen garden and mixed herbaceous borders • Non-contact collection or delivery or delivery service available. Please phone for details • Telephone: 07799 738710 Walnut Farm, Bagpath, Tetbury GL8 8YQ @ Walnut Farm Tetbury 5 R E E F W E ’ R ----------------------------------------------------- Page 6 ----------------------------------------------------- CHU R CH & F AITH Church Letter Our church buildings remain closed, but church is alive and active because church is the people wherever we are and coming together as church has continued in a very different way. Technology has come into its own and we are learning much more about what it is like to live in a world where technology brings the joy of being connected with our friends and family. In the early church Jesus ’ disciples, his friends, met in homes because of fear of persecution, today we meet from our own homes in fear of Coronavirus. This time has meant a steep learning curve and the churches have been recording audio and video in sharing messages, songs and prayers with the community. Many people from the church congregations are helping others, through the Town Council, who are doing such a wonderful task of coordinating where help is needed and also in keeping in contact with people by ‘phone and social media. We are very conscious that not everyone has a computer and the phone is a great blessing! We are learning what it is to be a close community, helping and supporting each other more than ever before. How wonderful to hear the support for key workers each Thursday evening. The church is also praying for all who are giving so much. We are praying for you, for our community, for all communities, for our country and the wider world. Please remember that the church is here to support you. If you would like to have a chat to Rev Caroline or Rev Stuart, please call or send an email, we are here to have a conversation with you. Please also look at our websites for further information. Rev Caroline St George ’s Church, 01453 836536 Rev.carolinebland@gmail.com www.thenailsworthbene fi ce.co.uk/ Christ Church, 07956 657759 revstuartradford@yahoo.co.uk www.nailsworthchristchurch.org.uk/ Nailsworth Quaker Meeting for Worship During Lock down Normally in a Quaker meeting for programmes – Zoom. Having a practice Friend put worship, people are welcomed at session fi rst has really helped! We it: “It ’s the door of the Meeting House and meet at 10.00am every Sunday for half odd, you individuals gather together in the an hour followed by a chat time. Our wouldn ’t main meeting room. In the stillness Meeting on the 19th April will be our think silent we listen, opening our hearts and lives fi fth meeting. “Attendance ” has grown. worship to new insights and guidance. After Last Sunday, 32 friends participated. online the meeting people often stay on for Some Quakers do not join the Online would fellowship, a chat and a cuppa. The meeting but sit silently at home at work but it does. I fi nd them very good, Meeting house is now closed until the the time of the Meeting. Those of us the feeling of gathering together is still end of Lock down.However, Nailsworth who join the Online meeting welcome powerful. ” Others are fi nding the spirit Meeting, in common with other seeing and hearing each other. moving when “connected while not Gloucestershire Quaker Meetings, have So in this crisis, Quakers all over connected ”. established our own online worship, Britain are trying new and imaginative Colin Gerard - Clerk, Nailsworth with a simple video-conferencing ways to ‘keep the meeting ’. As one Quaker Meeting MOBILE PAINT & POLISH UNIT E2 INCHBROOK TRADING ESTATE, BATH ROAD, NAILSWORTH GL5 5EY – ESTABLISHED 2011 FOR ALL YOUR CAR BODY REPAIRS OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE CAR BODY REPAIR TRADE FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION, CALL RICHARD ON 01453 834 355 or 07976 779 130 INSURANCE WORK UNDERTAKEN - ALL WORK FULLY INSURED & GUARANTEED FREE VEHICLE COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE NO VAT A great place to work ... Shops, offices, factory units sometimes available Give us a call on 01453 832754 email: james@eachamberlain.co.uk www.eachamberlain.co.uk 6 Nailsworth Mills Estate ----------------------------------------------------- Page 7 ----------------------------------------------------- FE S T I V A L S & A R T S Nailsworth Art Fest 2020 It will come as no surprise that this year ’s Festival has had to be postponed. We cannot be sure what life will be like in October and bringing together all the various threads may be somewhat diffi cult this time! Rest assured, we will return in October 2021 so keep your brushes clean, sewing needles threaded, 3D works ready in the studio - and we will have a bumper exhibition to support Stroud Women ’s Refuge next year! Performance Arts Nailsworth Society It had all been going so well! Nailsworth Centre in Cardiff to see ‘Cabaret ’ and a Theatregoers had a new name, shopping trip was cancelled. Performance Arts, chosen to refl ect the At the time of writing I am still new diversity I wanted to inject into waiting to hear from The Everyman the group and before Christmas 2019, I that ‘Balletboyz ’ will be cancelled. The had a host of new events either in place theatre group due to perform ‘Henry V ’ or pencilled in. It was going to be a at Horsfall House will be performing it good year. next year. However, I still have six places We did get to see the opening night for a tour and one hour lecture at The of Shirley Valentine in February and Everyman in Cheltenham with fl exible twelve of us saw Claire Sweeney give an dates and hopefully can postpone it excellent performance in the title role, until later in the year. The cost is a £50 despite badly cutting her hand with a donation which could be split between prop knife in the opening minutes of the attendees. I have eight £19 tickets left play. Then coronavirus arrived and like for ‘I ’m Sorry Prime Minister, ’ 16th July everything else, nobody is too sure what at 2.00pm at The Everyman; ten £33 happens next. A trip to The Millennium tickets for ‘Groan Ups ’ 21st November Nailsworth Festival 2.00pm and 12 £30.50 tickets for ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe ’ at The Millennium Centre in Cardiff plus shopping trip. In all cases, coach or taxi travel can be arranged at extra cost or you are free to make your own way. I also want to record my thanks to both Rover coaches and to taxi driver Nigel Cooke for their outstanding support regarding travel arrangements for the group.Your help has been much appreciated. Stay safe everyone. Lisa Parker, Group Leader Performance Arts 07985968764 lisaparker@btinternet.com All at Nailsworth Festival would like to offer our sad and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tim Brooke-Taylor, whose death from Covid 19 was announced on 12th April. We were thrilled to have booked Tim, as the star of the 2020 Festival and we had been so looking forward to his appearance. All our interactions with Tim showed him to be Sarah Purkis Soft Furnishings the most lovely, entertaining and helpful of people. He will be desperately missed. As previously reported we have had to cancel the 2020 Hand made curtains and blinds Festival because of the pandemic, but we will be back stronger Full range of fabrics, wallpapers Tim Hughes - Publicity Nailsworth Festival Fitting services We are still here to help you… Through ‘Telehealth ’ we can:- Tel: 01453 835778 - Mobile: 07721 536536 e-mail: sarahpurkis3@gmail.com Free in house consultation OSTEOPATHY Telehealth online video calls now available. These are video consultations which will be conducted online. “We wish you the best of health ” • Conduct a full case history • Form an accurate diagnosis • Formulate a treatment plan • Set goals and monitor progress Recent studies into Telehealth have recorded high pa4ent sa4sfac4on. Whilst we recognise this is a temporary restric4on we are pleased to be able to maintain our services to pa4ents. 14 Market Street, Nailsworth, Glos, GL6 0BX online booking www.thewhitepractice.co.uk 01453 832515 7 & Interior Design Custom made loose covers Upholstery than ever in May 2021. poles, tracks and trimmings ----------------------------------------------------- Page 8 ----------------------------------------------------- N A TURE Nailsworth Wildlife - Reflections Often termed “the miracle of migration ”, that ’s exactly what it is! The annual migration of birds, certain species of butterfly and even some land animals has enthralled man for centuries. We ’re unlikely to see herds of Wildebeest thundering through Nailsworth High Street, but look around you at this time of year, you ’ll see evidence of our feathered friends on the move, while some will have arrived back at their traditional nesting places. Isolation may have restricted our movements but, for most people, it has created opportunities for doing things we never had time to do before. Whilst for some, it ’s given us more time for doing what we ’ve always enjoyed! So why not try a little birding? It ’s interesting, absorbing, entertaining... and it ’s free.Nailsworth is blessed with its wildlife and in the first three weeks of lockdown, I recorded over 60 species of birds.The systematic list of birds ever seen within three miles of the town centre stands at 178 – a very impressive number! The joy of birding is that you don ’t have to be an expert. If you can ’t put a name to it as it flies by, don ’t worry, just enjoy what you see. So what have I logged during my confinement? Well, even early in April my list included some of our summer visitors from Africa or other warmer climes. Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin, Chiffchaff and Blackcap (different to the continental Blackcaps which have started coming to spend the winter with us). So far, at least 8 different species of Birds of prey including several Red Kite, Peregrine Falcon, a Merlin (rarely seen here, and no doubt on its way back to nest on some northern moorland). Of course we cannot leave out the Buzzards. Most of us cannot help but see them soaring around on the thermals. Why so many? Many have been passing through on migration, having wintered further south, or even on the continent. On some days at least 30 have been flying by on their way further north. Other birds have included a couple of gaudy Mandarin duck, a Mediterranean Gull, and a Little Egret. It ’s amazing what you can see when you take the time to look. Even some of the Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Starlings and Robins which have been spending winter at local bird tables have been flying home to Scandinavia. There ’s no isolation for them! Migration will still be under way in May. Swifts will be back, screaming around their old haunts, Whitethroats and Willow Warblers will be singing from hedgerows. Those of you who venture out for a health walk on the Common may still catch a glimpse of the white rump of a tardy Wheatear on its way to some northern nesting ground, Or you may even hear the call of a Cuckoo if you are fortunate. So, whether you are catching up with a bit of gardening or painting the shed. Just stop a moment and look around you at the marvels of creation around you. Not your cup of tea? Well, just enjoy the beautiful birdsong that makes Nailsworth such a pleasant place to live. Terry Grant ANGELA BROWN HYPNOTHE R A P Y Do you experience anxiety, sleep issues, panic attacks, exam nerves, issues around food, anger, confidence, IBS or phobias such as spiders, flying, dentists, the dark? Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help 07795 547 070 angela@angelabrownhypnotherapy.com Home Care Services Help with Personal & Domestic tasks Sitting Service Meals on Wheels (locally) Day Centre & Social Club Home Cooked lunch plus teas/coffees A purpose-built Nursing Home, Entertainment, Activities and Day Trips Day Centre & Social Club, and Home Care Provider General & Specialist Dementia Nursing www.horsfallhouse.co.uk FREE Respite Care (when available) Patron: HRH The Princess Royal, Minchinhampton Centre for the Elderly, Registered Charity No: 287479 despite all that is going on we can safely keep the presses rolling. banners, posters, leaflets... and indeed this Nailswor th News! home deliver y, collection or direct mail L E O PA R D P R E S S L E T T E R P R E S S • L I T H O • D I G I TA L s t r o u d @ l e o p a r d p r e s s . c o m 8 Bathing, Chiropody & Hairdressing Nursing Home 01453 731 227 Registered Nurses on duty 24 hours a day ----------------------------------------------------- Page 9 ----------------------------------------------------- N A T U R E They ’re Coming! The Swifts are coming! Heading north from Africa, Swifts navigate 1000s of miles through hazardous skies to reach the UK in early May. Last year they reached Nailsworth around 9th May, showing impeccable taste by turning up in time for the Nailsworth Festival. House Martins and Swallows make a similar journey, but Swifts hold a special allure for members of the Stroud Valley Swift Group. The group was set up a couple of years ago to record Swift sightings, protect nests and spread the word about these superheroes of the skies. Swifts are dull coloured birds and their distinctive crescent shape makes them easy to tell apart from the smaller Swallow and House Martin. Their behaviour borders on the incredible. When they hatch they get ready to leave the nest by doing press-ups on their wing tips – their feet aren ’t much good for walking. After taking their first swoop from the nest they spend three years in the sky, never stopping to land until they ’re old enough to breed. They build their nests from bits and pieces they catch in the air - feathers, twigs, leaves - glued together with their saliva. Stroud Valley Swift Group volunteers record nest sites and Swift behaviour including ‘screaming parties ’; excited groups of rocket-fast Swifts calling loudly to each other, meaning they are breeding nearby. The volunteers have discovered that Nailsworth is a Swift hotspot. In the centre of town there are nests in the Town Hall and St George ’s Church, with more in Forest Green and other parts of the town. Three Storeys (formerly the Comrades Club) recently installed special Swift nesting boxes when the roof was replaced, providing more homes for these summer visitors. As with many creatures, Swifts are under threat, but it ’s good to know that Nailsworth is a welcoming place for them. If you ’d like to help keep track of our Swifts, you can join the Swift Awareness Facebook page and you can record Swift sightings using the Swift Mapper app. (27th June – 5th July is the third Swift Awareness Week) Katherine Kearns Nailsworth Walking Festival Every two years the Nailsworth Health cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Partnership runs its unique walking Our plan is to start the festival with a festival over two weeks and 2020 walk run jointly with the Nailsworth was to be no exception. But 2020 is festival on Sunday 30th May. We are an exceptional year and on the 9th of planning up to 20 walks – favourites May the small committee preparing like birdwatching, sketching, for the festival decided it would be geocaching, local history but some new best to postpone the event until 2021. ones too: a pushchair crawl from Miles Little did we know that within two Marling to king george V playing fields weeks the whole of the country would for youngsters (picking up litter on the be in lockdown and many other events way and with rewards of ice cream at the end) and Smellsworthy - a walk savouring the aromas of the town. This will be led by Mike Kelly who has no sight and Marilyn Miles who has no sense of smell. Save the new dates and put them into your 2021 dairy Marilyn Miles 9 Established since 1988 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 10 ----------------------------------------------------- What ’s Open In Nailsworth LOCAL HELP SERVICES Lawnside Stores: See Article page 11 Nailsworth Town Council Helpline: Leonard Walker Butchers: 01453 835385 01453 367399 Leave a message and Open usual hours. they will get back to you. Large team of Marrows Fruit and veg: Telephone volunteers available to sort out a range of 07748618946 for home delivery. problems. marrowsfruitandveg.co.uk Foodbank: 01453 367077: Call for info Papas Pizzas: call 01453 835503. on how to get help. See article page 13. Priory Inn Tetbury: 01666 502251 food Contact them if you are struggling to boxes, bread, cakes, meat, veg, fruit, afford food. wine & ales. Collect or home delivery. The Bell at Avening: takeaway FOOD SHOPS & TAKEWAY telephone 01453 836453 and www. Morrisons: online www.morrisons. littleindiainthebell.co.uk com. For elderly & vulnerable people The Long Table: Online , home call 0345 611 6111 and pick option 5 for delivery, www.thelongtableonline.com. basic food items delivered free. Parking See article page 13. time limit extended to 4hrs. Thistledown: Offering groceries boxes, Tesco Express: Opening normally. pre-booked, for collection (please email Co-Op: 01453 835502: Priority cafe@thistledown.org.uk). Shopping for Emergency Services & Walkers Bakery: 01453 832495 Open Vulnerable people. mornings only. Amalfi Italian: Open for take away Walkers Fish & Chips: 01453 836037 5-9pm Order over the phone Call 01453 call for information. 350432 to place an order Pay by card. Balti Nailsworth: Open for takeaways : Call 07943 132058. HEALTH SERVICES Burleigh Court Hotel: takeaway Doctors ’ Surgery, Prices Mill: 01453 veggie boxes and afternoon teas: 832424 www.pricesmill.co.uk - Email your order to reservations@ telephone triage system. burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk | or Lloyds pharmacy: Mon-Fri: 9.30am telephone us on 01453 883 804. to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm. Sat: 10am Champion Sausage Company: call to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm. Telephone: 07980 878655 for bundle of meat for £20 01453 832051: call for info on getting CoCo confectionary: Online, home prescription drugs delivered. delivery call 07950 894304 or www. Nailsworth Natural Health Centre: cococonfectionery.uk: Order online or 01453 836066 : call for information. phone. Collect from shop on Mondays & CLOTHING Country Quality Meat: 01453 835058 Delivery within 5 mile radius call 01453 836835 or www.daisyjaneclothing.co.uk James Lear: free local delivery or click & collect: 01453 835941 or online takeaways : 07772 305636 Thursday to Russell dry cleaning: open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.00am and Halls Bakery: www.hallsqualitybakers. co.uk or 01453 833321: Telephone to order take away 8.00am - 3.00pm. Hobbs Bakery: pre-order by phoning 01453 839396 before 12.30pm to place your order and then collect the next day. Horsley Community Shop: open mornings 01453 836662. Just Pets Market Street: 01435 832267:open 9.00am - 3.00pm : home delivery for self isolating. 10 OTHER RETAIL & SERVICES Nailsworth Diamond garden centre: www.bluediamond.gg/garden-centre/ nailsworth-garden-centre or telephone 01453 833989 for home delivery. Shortwood Green Phone Box Library: to borrow or swop books and DVDs. Yellow Lighted BookShop: 01453 832555 or https://www.yellow- lightedbookshop.co.uk. Open from 9.30am - varying hours. Woodcock & Cavendish: Home Furnishings etc: 07543 665223 or online. Home delivery, or free postage. Brutons: Call 01453 832826 between 9.00am and 1.00pm to order and pay by card over the phone, and collect from the door. Also order online at new website www.brutons.co.uk EDEMO Bike Shop: Online only edemo.bike , we will beat any online or quoted price by £150, plus we we will include free delivery and set-up. KnG Newsagents: 01453 832655: open 7 days 7.00am - 1.00pm. Nailsworth Computer shop: online www.nailsworthcomputers.com and phone 01453 832151(only from 9am until 3pm Mon-Fri) . We can offer advice on sales and do remote assess. Post Office: Mon-Fri: 9am to 5.30pm. Sat: 9am to12.30pm. Pulp Stationary & Copying: Pulp are online www.pulpstationery.co.uk and we take orders by email for items not on the website! We deliver locally for free Nailsworthpulp@gmail.com This Directory has been compiled by members of the NN Team and Nailsworth Town Information. We have attempted to make this as accurate as possible and to support the efforts of local Business to “keep calm and carry on ” in these difficult times. Please let us know if anything is incorrect or missing, by contacting the Editor – contact details on page 2. NN Editorial Team Thursdays. Daisy Jane: products online, free open Mon-Sat: 8am to 1pm. Dominos pizzas: dominos.co.uk online order only. Guiseppe at Nailsworth: Open for www.jameslearofarundel.com Saturday 5.00pm - 8.00pm : Sundays 12noon - 3.00pm. 2.00pm. www.russellsdrycleaning.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------- Page 11 ----------------------------------------------------- Business As (Un) Usual Nailsworth is, always has been, and will continue to be, a thriving market town. We are a robust community with a history of supporting our local services during austerity cuts, fighting when attempts are made to impose unjust charges on our facilities and coming together to improve our environment and entertain each other. And it is that undauntable spirit and positive collective approach which will see us through this current, unprecedented period of social isolating and community lockdown, caused by the pandemic. This article is being written with the specific aim of letting you know which shops and services are currently open, in some form or another, to sell their goods. We have done as much research as is possible, but things change daily and our advice would be to check local internet boards, look at notices in shop windows, or ask your neighbours if there is something specific you need which is not covered in our list. We are lucky to have three supermarkets in town which it is possible to get to without needing to use cars or public transport, if you are mobile. They do have slightly altered hours and of course, restrictions on their use, with certain times reserved for NHS, key workers or the vulnerable. The Government advice is still to try and do one shop a week for all your essential food needs and limit trips to town wherever possible. We would like to add the following: All the shops which are open for you to actually enter or arrive at to collect goods are staffed by people. People like you. They do not have access to PPE, nor have they been trained to deal with the risks they are now experiencing. Please could we all try and remember the following behaviours will be much appreciated. Patience. Waiting is the new game in town. No one is getting special treatment. Read a book. Chat. Practice mindfulness. Look at the view. Just be patient. Understanding. If something is not available or has to be pre ordered, it is because supplies have changed. The staff are doing their best. It is not their fault. Courtesy. Please. Thank you. I am very grateful for everything you are doing. Don ’t forget to use these phrases. Everyone I have spoken to in shops say they really appreciate the gratitude and kindness they are getting. Keep it up. And finally, remember to ask if you need help. The town council has a number you can call, local communities have set up WhatsApp and Facebook groups, neighbours have been popping their phone numbers through each other ’s doors, and the NHS volunteer scheme has a huge number of local people available. We have always been a friendly town and as is often the case in times of extreme hardship, we are getting friendlier by the day. Rainbows in windows, clapping on Thursdays: let ’s add smiling at strangers. Afterall, we are all in this together. Annie Franklin – NN Business Editor Lawnside Stores, Forest Green As some of you may know, we are known as the little shop on top of the hill- Forest Green. We have been running the shop for nearly two decades, bringing up both our children in this area. I think we can all agree that these past few weeks have been scary and uncertain times for our community, the nation and the world. This has taken a huge toll on us as a family and as a business. Due to the virus and essential items flying off the shelf faster than usual, we have had to make extra trips to the wholesalers. This has not been easy as wholesalers have had to limit how many of each item we can pick up. However wholesalers are are now gradually relaxing restrictions on essential items. We would like the community to know that we will continue to do free deliveries for the vulnerable and elderly. If you would like to order- then either get in contact via our Facebook page ‘Lawnside Stores ’ or by phoning 01453832686. As there has been a high demand for newspaper deliveries, we are taking on new customers for daily newspapers to be delivered by our lovely paper lady every morning. All of us here at Lawnside Stores would like to thank the community in Forest Green and also Nailsworth for their continued support and we hope that you all stay safe and continue to follow the government guidelines. Bob & Suki at a family wedding before coronavirus Tribute to Morrisons ’ Staff Hi just to say I ’m so impressed with Morrison ’s staff. One employee in particular Zoe Shepherd, who has gone above and beyond to help customers. I was looking for flowers one day to leave on the door step for my son in-law, who ’s nan passed away that day and there were none on the shelf. Zoe found me a few bunches. There have been several other things I couldn ’t find on occasions and Zoe has helped. Little things go such a long way. II am truly blessed and grateful to live in such an amazing community. Thank you. Theresa Rosser 11 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 12 ----------------------------------------------------- BUSI N E S S N E W S Missing your Favourite Restaurants and Farmers ’ Market? Don ’t despair! We can ’t replace your usual wonderful outlets, but – thanks to Nailsworth Chamber of Trade – we can help a little. Firstly, the chamber has got together a talented team of chefs – Ben Sibbald from Tetbury catering company Ben ’s Kitchen, and Richard Davies and his chefs from Calcot Manor – who are cooking up a range of frozen dishes, delivered straight to customers ’ doors. The meals cost £25 for seven; and all profits will be used to provide the same range for free to key workers, as well as to vulnerable residents who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Nailsworth Farmers ’ Market is also offering an order-and-collect service of tempting fresh produce during the current lockdown, coordinated by Nailsworth Chamber of Trade. Groceries, bread, cakes and meat from regular stall-holders will be available to order, and to collect from outside Nailsworth Library each Saturday morning. For those in isolation, the chamber is offering a free delivery service in Nailsworth. All volunteers are police- checked. For full details of frozen meals, and of the farmers ’ market ordering service, visit nailsworthonline. co.uk/chamber-of-trade, email nailsworthchamberoftrade@gmail.com or call Sarah Martin on 07841 922639 Sarah & Ben ready to cook Why Businesses should pivot during lockdown If you ’re self employed in business, now time! (You can find a whole year ’s ideas rocks (don ’t hide until after lockdown) is a super tough time and many would for £10 at www.magicbeanmedia.com - a and help to promote be forgiven for shutting up shop because Stroud based business!) 5. Gift vouchers - do you have or can the business is a face to face business! 2. Find a way to be in front of your you set up gift vouchers or payment You know that ’s NOT your only option... customers/potential customers, video schemes for people to buy now and get Right? You may or may not have heard tutorials, newsletters, ask for testimonials services/goods later? the word ‘pivot ’ during this totally 3. What value can you offer the Whatever you do, DO NOT DO unprecedented time. Well you need to community? Are you fit and well? NOTHING! find a way to stay visible to your current Offer your labour to deliver emergency customers and potential ones! packages, collect medication etc Kirstie Preece - Gloucestershire County Top 5 TIPS 4. Get involved in a community Coordinator Single Mums in Business 1. Get on social media! If you don ’t initiative: Horsley Heart Flags, Rainbow and Group Director Omni Local use it, now is almost certainly the right pictures, food box provision, painting Networking Gloucester North Mark Kelly Plumbing & Bathrooms design and installation General Plumbing call 07834318459 Bathroom & kitchen refits or 01453 836096 Tiling more than 10 years in Nailsworth No job too small Helping Hands Home Care is now open! Providing care across Stroud and the surrounding area With over 30 years ’ experience in caring for people within their own homes, and a commitment to using only directly employed carers, we have the expertise to provide the best care possible from 30 minutes to full-time, live-in care. Helping Hands Caring since 1989 Windows, Doors Conservatories Bi-fold doors Stairs Unit 3, Wallbridge Industrial Estate Stroud, Glos. GL5 3JU Tel: 01453 755007 For more information, or to arrange a meeting with our Stroud team please call: 01453 557 400 12 info@gkjoinery.com www.gkjoinery.com ----------------------------------------------------- Page 13 ----------------------------------------------------- C H ARI T Y The Long Table Adapts to Coronavirus The Long Table, set up by Tom Herbert from Horsley two years ago was a mission to change society ’s attitudes towards food. It aims to fight food poverty, end social isolation and tackle food waste – one bite at a time! Over the past two years it has brought the community together, serving lunches and dinners, hosting events and providing training. All from converted shipping containers at the Stroud District Furniture Bank in Brimscombe. When Covid-19 hit The Long Table asked themselves how they could continue fighting food poverty, social isolation and food waste. The answer was simple - they switched to providing takeaway meals, focusing on the most needy in our community. In a matter of days, they turned their kitchen into a catering facility capable of cooking, freezing and delivering healthy and Food Bank Update Foodbank has been busier than ever since the Covid-19 lockdown began. We took an early decision to close our drop-in centres and shift to a delivery only method of distributing crisis food parcels. Sadly no more cups of tea and chat, but it is a very effective method of getting food to those most in need. As all referrers are now remote working and vouchers are issued by telephone to further reduce the risk of infection.. When schools closed we were ready to distribute the 170 food parcels that would have gone out for the Easter delicious ready meals within Stroud District, to the most vulnerable. Together with partner community kitchens, The Long Table have been delivering ready meals all over the county. Meals can be ordered online and delivered to your door - 7 meals for £25. Every meal purchased helps to fund free meals given to those in most need across Gloucestershire. Fully stocked freezers have also provided meals for key workers and NHS staff in Gloucester and Cheltenham hospitals - thanks to support from the Diocese of Gloucester. The Long Table have provided almost 10,000 meals in just four weeks - many without charge. The Long Table ’s Tom Herbert said: “We ’ve been holidays, taking the pressure off families from 14 schools. In all we fed nearly 800 people in March, double the number of the year before and we are already looking likely to match that in April, requiring much more food than our normal operations. Thanks to supermarkets, we have extra food direct from Morrison ’s, Waitrose, Co-op and Tesco to bridge the gap and we are also receiving financial gifts in lieu of food and can purchase food to fill any gaps.. The difficulty is predicting how long we will be operating like this and whether Your local tree experts for over 25 years overwhelmed by people ’s generosity in helping us to feed our community. The fact that we have provided almost 10,000 meals already is mind boggling and we ’re only just getting started. Thanks to the support of hero community kitchens across the county that have joined us we have been able to provide meals for people all over Gloucestershire. We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped ”. To order meals contact: meals@thelongtableonline.com or telephone 01453 367499 demand will continue. Our hearts break for everyone finding life difficult just now. We are always amazed at the generosity of everyone, we are so overwhelmed by your support. Food donations offers of help, volunteer hours. It really is brilliant and very heart warming. If you find you are facing financial difficulties and are not making ends meet please visit our website for links to where to get help. Paul Driscoll Food Bank Volunteer Surgery, Felling & Stump Removal Pruning and Hedge Trimming Debris Recycling Full Consultancy Service, Free Quotations Tel: 01285 760466 Aston Down, Stroud GL6 8GA 13 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 14 ----------------------------------------------------- H E A LTH Living with Dementia and Coping with Social Distancing With church groups; luncheon clubs; the Dementia friendly walks; the Alzheimer Café and all other social gatherings closed because of the corona virus, life is especially difficult for people living with dementia. I phoned a lovely couple who normally attend our Alzheimer Café. ‘We are managing ’ she said. ‘Our daughter does our shopping and at least the weather has been fine so we can sit in the garden- but everything has stopped that makes life worth living! We miss the friends that usually visit us and all the different groups we used to go to during the week. ’ For others the closing down of day care and of residential respite care is causing a huge strain. I spoke to another couple, where the husband ’s dementia has become quite severe and his wife is daily coping with the burden of incontinence, confusion, and having little meaningful conversation.For those who have relatives in residential care, now closed to visitors, it is heart breaking to be unable to maintain personal contact. They wonder how it feels for their loved ones who may not be able to remember explanations, though they know that staff are doing their utmost. Though telephone calls and brief conversations over the garden wall may seem a poor substitute, many families are feeling upheld by the goodwill of their neighbours and the community resolve in Nailsworth. When these strange times come to an end we look forward to a big party! Jo Smith, Alzheimer Café co-ordinator Keep Active - Connect with Zoom Before the lockdown I ran classes in Mortimer rooms, Youth club and Parish rooms St George ’s church, giving various forms of exercise to people late 50 ’s to 90 ’s. Aware of the need for participants to stay in and with their encouragement, I have been giving FREE daily classes on Zoom. All of my participants have embraced the challenge of the technology and are able to enjoy the shortened versions of the classes, telling friends how good it is to be able to chat before and after class and have a laugh; It gives a structure to their day. Any readers interested in these classes can contact me for more information I want to reach out to people feeling the lack of social interaction as well as needing a little bit of movement! Denise Whyte denisewhyte@hotmail.co.uk Tai Chi You ’ve probably seen photos or videos of this martial art on TV or the internet or even seen people practising outdoors. Craig Robinson took classes at The Sub Rooms in Nailsworth and The Landsdown Clinic in Stroud until Covid 19 made this impossible. He is currently offering online classes for a donation. I am one of his students and find Tai Chi helpful for both physical and mental health. He can accommodate both beginners and more advanced practitioners. Craig can be contacted on 07942 240034 Lisa Parker John Quinn Plumbing & Heating “Complete Bathroom Specialist ” Over 30 years experience No VAT charges Tel: 01453 836118 Mobile: 07807 882757 14 NAILSWORTH ACCOUNTANCY Town Hall 01453 835050 WE BELIEVE IN VALUE FOR MONEY FOR OUR CLIENTS AND OFFER A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS Michael Jefferies FMAAT FCPA Emma Mills ICPA Your local Garden Maintenance & Landscape specialists For a free estimate contact Chris Blackwell on m: 07939 101520 t: 01453 835032 www.goldenstonesgardening.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------- Page 15 ----------------------------------------------------- F AMILY Playcircle News . Peter Rushton LA N D SCAPES In mid March Playcircle had to close all of our sessions due to the Covid-19 outbreak. It was a sudden and upsetting decision for us to make and we felt huge disappointment and sadness having to end our work so abruptly. We have had to abandon many plans we had for future projects including a new musical story performance for the Nailsworth Festival as well as our work improving the lower room of the Town Hall. But most upsetting was not being able to end our term properly and say goodbye to the children, parents and carers who visit us each week. Everything we do at Playcircle is about interaction and connection, building community and strengthening relationships. Playcircle is a creative and special place with an ever growing, wonderful group of families who learn, discover, sing and play alongside one another, supporting each other through our parenting journeys. We are determined to find ways to stay connected and nurture these friendships. Our immediate response back in March was to keep communication open to our families, posting videos on our Facebook page and on YouTube. We have shared songs and poems that follow on from the play we were leading in our physical sessions and have posted lots of activities and craft ideas too. We have also invited it to be a space where experiences and stories can be shared openly and safely. The feedback from these posts has been humbling, touching and inspiring. We could not have imagined how valuable they are proving during this time of lockdown. We have received pictures and videos of the children joining in from home and generous words of gratitude we ’re so grateful to receive. We passionately believe that now, more than ever, the children and families with whom we work each week need familiar rhythms, friendly faces and a sense of belonging. Not isolation. We will continue to reach out and be present during this time of uncertainty, and hope we can send a bit of love, playfulness and Playcircle magic into each home. Stay safe everyone, we will see you all again soon. Please do get in touch or join our Facebook page if you wish to get involved with our group, everyone is welcome. www.playcircle.co.uk EST 1980 Peter Rushton Landscapes Ltd are professional landscapers specialising in hard and soft landscaping services across Gloucestershire. Since 1980 we have been creating beautiful, functional and individual outdoor spaces for domestic gardens and public spaces. Email: peterarushton@btinternet.com Telephone: 01453 832 576 Mobile: 07887 841076 www.landscaper-nailsworth.co.uk 15 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 16 ----------------------------------------------------- L OCAL NEWS Five Valley Sounds Our News Goes Contactless Stroud News and Journal and Five Valley Sounds (5VS) have been working together since 1982 to bring an audio version of the newspaper to blind and partially sighted listeners in the Stroud district. Every week on Wednesday evening, a team of volunteers reads and records an edited version of the paper. This recording is then duplicated and distributed by post to listeners unable to read text because of a disability. Some have described this talking newspaper as their lifeline – their only means of staying up to date with local news, views and events. The service is entirely free of charge. Five Valley Sounds is a registered charity and relies entirely on volunteers and donations to continue their work. Over the years the medium has evolved through cassettes, CDs and now USB keys. Sadly, this service had to be stopped due to health concerns surrounding coronavirus. Jonathan Bowen-Davies, the 5VS chairman said “We work in a small room in Minchinhampton as a studio and we could not meet social distancing rules to record. Furthermore, our USB keys and plastic pouches could have been a possible source of infection. For everyone ’s safety we had to stop ” Clive Hook, one of the 5VS editors added “We had to fi nd a way to keep our readers and listeners safe - and luckily technology has come to the rescue. We realised we had to fi nd a way to go contactless. Our volunteer readers record remotely, and our technician collates the recorded tracks and uploads them to our online service ”. Five Valley Sounds has adapted their service thanks to the British Wireless for the Blind Fund ’s new talking news application which makes their programme freely available to all who can connect to the internet. “We are so proud of our team ’s work and delighted that our current and new listeners can still get their beloved Stroud News and Journal. This also means we can open up the service to people who are isolated from everyday life, either because of the current crisis or through disability and personal circumstances. I know our listeners in care homes around Stroud look forward to their weekly dose of what ’s going on. Now we want to extend our reach to those who can ’t read the paper or the SNJ online version ” continued editor Clive Hook. If you know someone who would benefi t from this entirely free service follow the link https://bit.ly/5VSWebLink, visit their Facebook page 5valleysounds, web page 5vs.co.uk or telephone 07882 672647 Nailsworth News can be read to you If you are visually impaired, you can access every issue of the paper in a text only version that can be read to you. The text can be downloaded and using special software the text will be read to you by your computer. Any readers who know any person who could benefi t from this service should contact the Editorial Team, and we will provide further information. T elephone our Voicemail service on 0303 040 1150 (standard call charges) or email editor@nailsworthnews.org.uk Heritage Open Day 2020? Many people helped to make last year ’s Heritage Open Day was a great success and brought hundreds of people into the town to see displays, exhibitions, hear music, go on guided walks and tours around our most interesting and historic buildings. We started to make plans early in the year for a similar event this September and hoped that it would be even bigger, brighter and better this time around. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus lockdown has made it impossible for us to continue with existing plans, but we hope to celebrate our fantastic heritage in some other way this year. The national Heritage Open Day team is currently looking at alternative ways for holding the event and, once we get an idea about any possible easing of restrictions and our freedom of movement, we ’ll start the planning again. The event might have to take place later in the year or be in a different format but, once we are clearer about the way ahead, we ’ll be publishing details in the Nailsworth News and elsewhere locally. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K SIX 07933 629849 07973 326351 gutters@futuresix.com plumbing@futuresix.com www.futuresix.com CARPENTER AND JOINER NO JOB TOO SMALL CLIVE SYMCOX THE OLD COACH HOUSE, COW LANE, INCHBROOK, NAILSWORTH GL5 5HN 01453 836818 07970 742727 16 60x60mm advert.pdf 1 06/08/2019 11:19 FUTURE ----------------------------------------------------- Page 17 ----------------------------------------------------- S C H O O L S Local School Copes with Coronvirus Nailsworth School has a wonderful school community. Never has this been more obvious than in these strange times. Children are working on a range of activities, whether at school or at home and sharing examples of wonderful work through our school webpage. School begins with a morning wake up! Children and staff join in with a Joe Wicks work out in school. We have been impressed that so many of our children and parents have done the same at home! Once suitably energised, the children continuing with Reading, Writing and Maths and work is sent home to pupils so that they can do the same. At lunchtime, school meals continue daily, thanks to our amazing chefs at Colourful Catering. Those children entitled to lunch, but not in school, have been collecting their food in lunchboxes from the kitchen window. Activities have included a talent show, making pottery models, baking and Forest School. Palko took some amazing pictures of the supermoon visible earlier in the month: known as the ‘Pink moon ’, as it coincided with spring fl ower blossoms. Earlier this month, we held an Easter Egg competition. Children at home and at school were challenged to decorate a hard-boiled egg (or an egg-shaped stone) as a historical fi gure. The winner of the competition was Eloise who created a stunning Statue of Liberty. Runners up were Chloe with an inspired take on Donald Trump and Eilidh with a great depiction of Cleopatra. Nailsworth School would like to say a big thank you to all key workers, especially our Teachers, our TAs, our Offi ce Staff, our Cleaners and wrap around care staff and our chefs - Colourful Catering. Liz Geller - Head Teacher Thanks from Departing Co-Head Teacher A huge thank you to all for such a lovely farewell, gifts and kind messages. Nailsworth School is such an amazing place with so many big hearts, crazy ideas and people willing to work hard in all they do. It has been a real pleasure being part of an incredible journey and walking it with so many amazing children, supportive parents, brilliant staff and generous Nailsworth community. It ’s not often someone gets a chance to make a dream come true and have so many people trust in that dream - I feel hugely privileged and humbled, almost speechless! School has been my dream, a result of a 20-year journey when I retrained to be a teacher. I wouldn ’t have changed any of it. What extraordinary times we live in. Could anyone ever have imagined what we are all facing. I think of you all and hope you are fi nding creative and fun ways to enjoy this diffi cult time. Please take care of yourselves, of each other and I hope you all have a safe return back to school and your normal modes of life when it is allowed again. Together, inspired by the challenge has never been so important... keep fi nding ways to be better today than yesterday... Having the pleasure of living in Nailsworth over the past few months, I so enjoy joining in and hearing the fabulous applause on a Thursday echoing around the valley... I love whooping and love how the whoops pass around! Nailsworth is an awesome place, has awesome people living here and has contributed hugely to an awesome eleven years of my life. Take care, stay safe and keep showing how successful you are at learning and dealing with the challenges ahead. Vince Southcott Formerly Co Head Teacher – Nailsworth Primary School educe the need for single-use plastics! Simply bring in your empty detergent bottles and have T h e Steppes R esidential Care H ome Est 1981 them refilled. Or for loose foods such as muesli or rice, bring in any container from home. We now sell semi-skimmed Woefuldane Organic Milk so bring in your own bottles to fill, or buy new glass ones. Your Local Health Food Shop 11 Fountain Street, Nailsworth 01453 832986 www.shinygoodness.co.uk A small, warm and friendly care home for the elderly, in a peaceful corner of Cossack Square. With trained care staff giving around the clock personal care, we endeavour to meet our residents ’ needs and ensure their happiness. For a bro ch ure or to arrange a v isit , please telep h one Mrs J o Smit h 0 1 45 3 8 32 40 6 17 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 18 ----------------------------------------------------- LOCAL NEW S Home-Start Response to Covid 19 As the coronavirus pandemic has taken hold, we remain as committed as ever to supporting parents in homes and communities, in the critical early years of childhood. Our work builds parental confi dence and resilience, enhances attachment, and reduces community isolation; transforming children ’s health, wellbeing, emotional, social and educational development. Social distancing and isolation places enormous strain on families. We have moved essential support services on-line to stay connected with families and our network of locally based staff and volunteers play an important part, delivering supplies and linking families with local resources: Foodbanks, meals, and public health services. Craft and play kits for children for positive learning have been set up and the Charity has developed a range of group support sessions for parents in virtual groups. We know social problems will escalate during the COVID-19 crisis, due to the stress facing families and in the coming weeks and months we will work harder than ever to fi nd ways to ensure families have the support they need. The practical and emotional demands of parenthood are challenging in normal times but the current pandemic adds additional anxiety, uncertainty and isolation. The next few months will change our communities for years to come and as we emerge from the crisis, Home-Start volunteers will play a key part in the wider effort needed to bring families and communities back together. For further info please contact our main offi ce on 01453 297473 or to register your interest in our virtual groups telephone 01453 821805 Alex Corgier – Scheme Manager Home-Start Stroud and Gloucester Fund Raising for Alzheimers Mark Sweeting from Burleigh is set to raise £5000 for the Alzheimer ’s Society by cycling a staggering 500 miles in May ! Mark aged 50 is raising funds through sponsorship both from individuals and local businesses. Mark said: “I have decided to take part in this challenge for Alzheimer ’s Society because there are so many people living in total isolation at the moment particularly those with Dementia. I ’m a Youth Support Worker in a local school and a Care Home Entertainer delivering the magic of music and light therapy through Silent Discos which is on hold at the moment with the issues Covid 19. ” Mark also helps with the Alzheimer Care in Nailsworth. Alzheimer ’s Society, Community Fundraiser Alan from the South West region welcomed Mark Sweeting decision to help raise money for the charity. This is causing so many issues of isolotion for many and wanted to use my time in a positive way to continue making a real difference to support those with dementia their families cares and loved ones. To sponsor Mark please call 07412066876 or visit http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-sweeting6 Thank You Mike Since lockdown, when open spaces have been less available, my dog and I have pounded the pavements around Nailsworth and been introduced to many more war heroes who gave their lives in two World Wars, commemorated by blue or green plaques outside the houses where they lived. It ’s been a sad experience, though interesting to compare ages, ranks and places of burial. Our country now fi ghts another war, this time against disease. We are generating more modern heroes who risk and give their lives to help others. I am, in my own way, trying to praise and thank everyone who has contributed to making our lives manageable; not only war heroes, but NHS workers, postmen and women, refuse collectors, shop assistants, lorry drivers and many many more. My personal thanks go to Mike Harvey who has drawn our attention to the young 40 HIGH STREET, STONEHOUSE, heroes of the armed forces (who are still Telephone Number: 01453 791461 playing their part). Thank you, Mike, for e-mail: tleeper@leeperprosser.co.uk (Home Visiting Practice) raising my awareness and making my dog website: www.leeperprosser.co.uk walks more interesting . Residential Conveyancing Jenny Barnett Commercial Property full range of chiropody Trusts and Inheritance Tax treatments Powers of Attorney Civil Litigation and Advocacy Services Opening Times Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm Jeanette Symcox M.Inst.Ch.,D.S.Ch Contact: 01453 836818 18 CHIROPODIST GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL10 2NA For Professional Foot Care 25 years experience in a Wills Probate ----------------------------------------------------- Page 19 ----------------------------------------------------- YOUTH Stroud Charity Launches 100K in May Initiative YOUTH CHARITY THE DOOR CALLS ON SUPPORTERS TO #KeepTheDoorOpen BY TAKING ON ITS 100km CHALLENGE. A Gloucestershire charity that supports vulnerable young people and their families is urging people to put their best foot forward to help raise vital funds during lockdown. Whilst The Door Youth Project has closed its outside doors, its services for vulnerable young people and their families remain open and to keep it that way, £30,000 must be raised by the end of June. Stroud-based The Door wants supporters to run, walk or cycle 100km during May as part of its 100K In May initiative. Money raised will ensure the charity is able to continue to provide vital mental health support. Registrations for the challenge opened on Wednesday, April 22, with people from across the county being urged to #KeepTheDoorOpen. Anne Townsend, operations and events coordinator at The Door, is leading the campaign and is one of eight staff members who have already signed up to do the 100km challenge. Anne said: “By joining The Door ’s 100K In May challenge you ’ll be making an amazing difference to the lives of the families we support. You ’ll also be ensuring you stay fi t and health, too, so C M Y CM MY CY CMY K it ’s good for you and it ’s good for the vulnerable young people and their people in society who need The Door ’s families during this particularly support the most. ” challenging period. It is so important to The Door is seeing demand for its reduce the effects of social isolation by services grow during lockdown but connecting and supporting individuals is losing £500 every working day in and families using various online income, with its youth centres and platforms. ” charity shop physically shut. Tom You can register to take part by Howard, chair of trustees of The visiting the Facebook page that The Door, added: “I ’d urge everyone, from Door has set up: https://www.facebook. seasoned marathon runners to those who com/groups/TheDoor100KinMay/. have never done a physical challenge More information about 100K in May before, to visit the Facebook group is available at: https://www.thedoor.org. we ’ve set up and fi nd out more . “Each uk/100kinmay/ penny that ’s raised will help us carry on our work with Anne Townsend Kathleen Hanbury CH_120x90_AD1_COLOUR_FINAL.pdf 1 30/05/2019 11:40 19 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 20 ----------------------------------------------------- TOWN COUNC I L Helpline Heroes When Nailsworth Town Council set up the Covid-19 Community Helpline in March it couldn ’t have happened without you, the people of Nailsworth. Nailsworth people did what they ’ve always done and showed the warmth, care and friendship which makes our town so special. Within days there were over 100 volunteers on our list. To those volunteers who haven ’t yet been called on, as weeks go by and situations change, your time will come. We haven ’t forgotten you. By mid-April the Helpline has dealt with nearly 300 calls, mainly from people needing prescriptions, but also from those without friends, neighbours or family nearby to call on for help with shopping, or people who can ’t get deliveries. Nailsworth ’s businesses have been amazing, changing the way they operate to continue helping the town. In a time of uncertainty, Nailsworth ’s strong sense of community prevails. We hear about our frontline heroes, like NHS workers, yet the quiet heroes, our prescription and shopping volunteers, rarely get acknowledged, but they are as important in getting through a crisis. Nailsworth is full of heroes. Everyone staying home and keeping distance from others is a hero. Thank you. It is lovely to hear all the positives and the grateful responses from residents ‘phoning the Helpline, especially family members living away and worried about their relatives. Kirstie (Deputy Clerk) and Sara (Customer Services), usually in the Civic Centre office, now run the Helpline from their homes. Here are some of Kirstie ’s experiences of the Helpline; I ’m linking volunteers with someone who needs help. The response we ’ve had from 130 willing volunteers says a lot about the town. I have had many comments about our wonderful town: volunteers thanks us for all we do, recognising our work and saying they really loving being involved. Some volunteers have emailed following their first assignment to ask to help more people! A gentleman from the far north of Scotland got in touch ( my mobile phone said the call was coming from Norway!) He needed someone to walk his mother ’s young puppy, called Jess. I teamed her up with an 18-year-old also called Jess. Both he and his mum were very grateful for our help and Jess, the volunteer, has visited every day to walk her namesake.. I ’ve been impressed with volunteers going above and beyond: - printing off refuse collection times for people confused by the changes - helping the person they were assigned to, but also other members of that person ’s family too - a young lady driving to Stroud weekly to scour the health food shops for various dietary requirements for the gentleman she has volunteered to help - organising additional support, such as arranging for Long Table meals to be delivered A lady from Inchbrook had her Co-op shopping delivered by a volunteer. She unpacked the delivery and found a bunch of flowers and an Easter egg in with her shopping. She was very touched by the unexpected gift. A lady who phoned for help then managed to get food deliveries from Tesco, texted the Helpline to say; ‘Thank you for setting up this scheme. It ’s great that Nailsworth has such community spirit. ’ Jonathan Duckworth Helpline 01453 367399 Contact us to arrange a visit or quote Call: 07904058866 Email: sales@myvillagehandymanstroud.com Web: www.myvillagehandymanstroud.com NAILSWORTH AERIAL SERVICES (TIME SERVED ENGINEER WITH 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE) FOR FAST & EFFICIENT SERVICE Digital Freeview BBC Freesat Brutons Home Hardware Due to the current situation we are offering closed door service only. We are offering free delivery for orders over £40, but there is a £5 charge unless you are over 70, or vulnerable and housebound. Please telephone 01453 832826 between 9am -1pm Monday - Saturday to request a collection or delivery. Collections must be made within this time to allow home deliveries to commence. All payments must be made by card, and payment will be taken when you place your order. We regret that we cannot accept cash in any circumstances. You can also order on line “Click & Collect ” on our new website www.brutons.co.uk Telephone Extensions Extra TV Points Fitted Storm Damage 7 Day Service Sky Faults OAP Discount CONTACT JON: 0775 9144979 or 01453 833293 Market leaders in SALES & LETTINGS 01453 763542 www.parkersproperties.co.uk 20 FREE ESTIMATES