----------------------------------------------------- Page 1 ----------------------------------------------------- APRIL2022 NO. 220 A free monthly community paper for the parish of Nailsworth, available in colour on our website www.nailsworthnews.org.uk Stand For Ukraine! Watching news coverage of the atrocities in Ukraine is heart-breaking. Conversely, taking part in one of the many fund-raising projects to help the brave people of Ukraine to resist and survive the invasion of their country, can be truly up-lifting. A suggestion for a way of supporting Ukraine can be found on page two. Welcome On a lighter note, the NN welcomes Jenny Vowles, who has joined our small team as Advertising Manager. Jenny, already one of our distributors, takes over from Mike Hewlett, who has been a valued member of our team for many years. Jubilee Celebrations Tree planting on King George V playing field marked the commencement of our town ’s platinum jubilee celebrations. We look forward to many more events in the coming weeks. In this issue … Town Council Page 3 A Word from the Mayor Nailsworth Festival Page 8 More acts and speakers Rotary News Page 9 Peat Free Gardening & Eyesight tests Amberley Cow Hunt Page 10 30th April - 1st May Longfield Hospice Page 11 Spring Walk Sunday 15th May Writers ’ Competition Page 12 Theme this year is Voices Barn Theatre Awards Page 14 New Michael Morpurgo Play Stuart Singers Page 15 Concert 9th April Fund Raising for Charities School Nailsworth & Horsley What ’s On Sports News £19. Pure Brilliant 99 White Matt Emulsion 7Ltr Page 17-18 Page 22-23 Page 24 ...you r local store ...you r local store £21. Bee Happy 99 Set of 3 Round Cake Tins SAVE OVER £8 COMPUTER PROBLEMS? 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 £21. 99 £19. 99 Pure Brilliant White from Matt Emulsion 7Ltr Beehive Recycled Grey. 32cm £2.49 , 40cm £3.49 48cm £5.49 or 66cm £13.99 Firefly Opal LED Lantern 22cm x 17cm. from £2.4 9 from £49. 99 Beehive Recycled Nordic Collection Grey. 32cm £2.49 , 40cm £3.49 2 Slice Toaster £49.99 48cm £5.49 or 66cm £13.99 4 Slice Toaster £74.99 Chevron 32 Electric Firefly Opal LED Lantern Lawnmower and 22cm x 17cm. from £49. 99 Nordic Collection Kettle 3kw 1.7Ltr £54.99 2 Slice Toaster £49.99 4 Slice Toaster £74.99 Chevron 32 Electric Lawnmower and Mini Trim Set ideas for your HOME & your GA RDEN in store Grass seed with coco coir. GA www.ho mehardw RDEN are.co.u k £7.9 9 RESERVE COLLECT Old Market, Nailsworth GL6 0DD www.ho Tel: mehardw 01453 are.co.u 832826 NEW rrp £30.49 rrp £30.49 Bee Happy Set of 3 Round Cake Tins SAVE OVER £8 £2.4 9 Round Planter , £14. 99 . £109 rrp £99.99 Round Planter Kettle 3kw 1.7Ltr £54.99 rrp £129 rrp £69.99 , £14. 99 rrp £99.99 . Mini Set Trim £109 SAVE SAVE UP TO rrp £99.99 £20 £45 rrp £129 rrp £69.99 rrp £99.99 £20 SAVE UP TO SAVE £45 ideas for your Pick up HOME & FREE £7.9 9 SHOP CLICK PHONE AND AND ONLINE copy COLLECT RESERVE Patch Fix Plus 800g SHOP CLICK PHONE AND AND ONLINE Patch Fix Plus 800g k • Grass seed with coco coir. ----------------------------------------------------- Page 2 ----------------------------------------------------- L O C A L A F F A I R 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, Nicky Howe & Peter Griffin What ’s On , Brian Harding whatson@nailsworthnews.org.uk 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 £10 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, George Street. Advertising rates : Our advertising rates are very reasonable. Please contact our Advertising Manager, Mike Hewlett (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. THERE IS NO PAPER PUBLISHED FOR JANUARY OR AUGUST John Quinn Plumbing & Heating “Complete Bathroom Specialist ” Over 30 years experience No VAT charges Tel: 01453 836118 Mobile: 07807 882757 2 Cross Stitch For Ukraine DMC are offering a free cross stitch motif to download from the internet, with the option of buying the skeins of blue and yellow stranded embroidery threads to work it from them online, or to use those you may already have buried deep and entangled in your stash! If you purchase the threads from DMC online, they will donate one pound, for every skein or embroidery hoop purchased, to the Red Cross for Ukraine aid. There ’s a choice of two really nice, simple designs, both suitable for beginners and worked on Aida 14 to the inch fabric: one of sunflowers, Ukraine ’s national flower and the other a circlet of blue and yellow flowers, the centre of which might show someone ’s initials perhaps. Either motif, when completed could be displayed in a window to show your support, applied to a tote bag or cushion, or simply worked as a labour of love, whilst remembering the plight of the Ukrainian people, unwittingly caught up, once again, in a conflict they didn ’t begin or want. There are many people who feel compelled to do something to help. If you are a cross stitch enthusiast, this might be your chance to Stand for Ukraine. Both designs are suitable for beginners, so why not give it a try. I have a close friend, Mareka, who has friends in Kyiv and family close to the Polish border and whilst I work my cross stitch, with threads delivered by post this morning, I can reflect on what she must going through and when finished, I will be place it in my window to demonstrate my own and my family ’s support for the people of Ukraine and for Mareka ’s Mother country. To download your free design and order embroidery threads to complete it, go to www.dmc.com and click on free cross stitch designs. Happy stitching! Heather Nicholls NN Editorial Team T H E G E O R G E I N N i n N E W M A R K E T T H E B E S T K E P T S E C R E T I N N A I L S W O R T H N o w o p e n i n g s e v e n d a y s a w e e k f r o m 4 p m ( S a t u r d a y a n d S u n d a y s f r o m 1 2 p m ) P I Z Z A D ’ G E O R G I O P I Z Z A S C O O K E D F R E S H T O O R D E R D U R I N G O P E N I N G H O U R S E A T I N O R T A K E A W A Y A n n a M a r i e a n d h e r t e a m s e r v i n g e x c e l l e n t b e e r s – o n l y p u b i n N a i l s w o r t h f e a t u r e d i n t h e 2 0 2 1 G o o d B e e r G u i d e , a s w e l l a s a e x c e l l e n t w i n e s e l e c t i o n . H i g h e r N e w m a r k e t R o a d G L 6 0 R F T E L E P H O N E : 0 1 4 5 3 8 3 3 2 2 8 K E E P U P T O D A T E W I T H E V E N T S O N O U R F A C E B O O K P A G E ----------------------------------------------------- Page 3 ----------------------------------------------------- TOWN C OUN C IL A Word From The Mayor Solidarity with Ukraine We ’re all appalled at the shocking events happening in Ukraine and with the harrowing stories and suffering. It ’s heartening to know that, as usual, our community is pulling together to do what it can to show solidarity with the people there and to help do what we can. Many shops are decorated in the Ukrainian flag colours, as is the Clock Tower and Civic Centre window, while the Rotary has collection buckets around town and many people are contacting the various local and national aid organisations. The Queen ’s Green Canopy March 11th saw the official start of celebrations for the Queen ’s Platinum Jubilee. Thousands of councils, schools and community groups throughout the country planted trees to commemorate this unique and historic occasion. I was privileged to plant an English oak tree in KGV on behalf of the town. We had a very good turnout for the occasion despite the freezing drizzle and I ’d like to thank year 5 pupils from Nailsworth Primary School for helping me with the digging. Annual Town Meeting Nailsworth Town Council ’s Annual Town Meeting returns to its usual month of April this year, with the market style meeting on Saturday 23rd April, 10.30am – 1pm, in the Town Square (bus station). If you want to find out what your Council is doing and would like to meet us, please come along. There will be the usual stalls from some of our town ’s many groups and clubs, and I ’ll be presenting the prized Town Awards. I ’m pleased that the Nailsworth Silver Band will be joining us for the event. Contacting the Council I can ’t use social media easily and, with so many different ways of getting information nowadays, it can be very difficult to know where to find accurate and truthful information. If you want to ask anything about the council or comment on what we ’re doing, please get in touch with the office in the first instance 01453 833592 or email clerk@ nailsworthtowncouncil.gov.uk or me. You can find contact details for all your councillors on the Council ’s website (www.nailsworthtowncouncil.gov.uk) where you can also find the agenda, minutes and full background reports for Council ’s decisions. Visit to FGR As I can ’t see what action is happening on the pitch due to my disability, I sometimes listen to local radio commentaries of FGR ’s matches; this is fine, but it completely lacks any atmosphere, an important part of the whole experience of enjoying a game. I was really delighted to go to a home match last month for the first time and sat immediately in front of the commentary box, wearing a pair of headphones. It was absolutely ideal, as I could clearly hear the commentary, share the crowd ’s excitement and enjoy the savoury smells of veggie curry all at the same time! It was a great experience, if only slightly marred by the fact that FGR ’s run of 19 successive wins came to a sudden halt. Thanks very much to staff at the stadium and to BBC Radio Gloucestershire ’s sports ’ team for making it happen and for making me feel so welcome. Mike Kelly 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 3 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 4 ----------------------------------------------------- L O C A L A F F A I R S Platinum Jubilee and Civic Tree Planting Jubilee celebrations in Nailsworth commenced with a commemorative tree planting at King George V playing fields on 11th March as part of the Queen ’s green canopy initiative. An oak tree was planted by Nailsworth ’s Mayor, Cllr Mike Kelly with the help of Nailsworth Primary school year 5 students Bella, Michael and Rhys. A commemorative plaque, produced by the Royal British Legion Industries ‘Britain ’s Bravest Manufacturing Company ’ has been installed in front of the tree. The Jubilee weekend community events calendar is filling up, please visit the new Nailsworth Jubilee website – https://nailsworth-jubilee.org.uk to see the full list. The website will be updated regularly and if you wish to have an event added to the website, please complete the downloadable form on the website and hand it in to the Civic Centre before Friday 25th March. Issued by Nailsworth Town Council, 01453 833592 Kirstie Trueman, Deputy Town Clerk clerk@nailsworthtowncouncil.gov.uk Help Keep Our Town Litter-free John Williams of Spring Hill is one of volunteers to help keep Nailsworth the people in Nailsworth who voluntarily and its surrounding roads clear of litter take it upon themselves to clear litter on an ongoing basis: perhaps looking from specific areas of the town and after a small area once a week. If there is concerned at the amount of litter is sufficient interest, he could set up a he ’s finding in some areas. John feels meeting with volunteers to discuss the there should be a combined effort to way forward. address the problem and is asking for If any of our readers are interested and would like to help, John asks them to contact him by ‘phone or email as follows: Tel: 01453 832831 Email: jwilliamsmob@gmail.com NN Editorial Team Gloucestershire County Councillor ’s Report GCC Budget the Covid Bus Recovery Fund from traffic disruption. Residents will know from their March 2022 until October 2022. There On-street Parking Restrictions Council Tax Bill that GCC has increased was concern that bus companies could During early April the Traffic the precept by 2.99%, which includes cut services even more. Following Regulation Officers will visit Nailsworth 1% for Adult Social Care. The total alterations to the No. 63 service, which to discuss sites where residents have budget for the County will now be no longer goes via Dudbridge, and asked for double yellow lines. They £521m. Each political group is given concerns from residents, I am currently will also look at extending the area of the opportunity to amend the budget by talking with the County Council to the drop-down signs used on match days £500,000. The Labour Group asked for see if the No. 40 service could serve by FGR. More enforcement has been £300,000 to support rural bus services Dudbridge, enabling residents to shop at promised. and also for £40,000 to set up a Climate Sainsbury ’s. 20mph Scheme Change Jury for Gloucestershire. Work on the Mini Roundabout There haven ’t been any objections from Both were unsuccessful. The Liberal Last month contractors were marking the Statutory Consultees e.g., Emergency Democrat Group asked for funds for out the underground services in the Services. The scheme will now go out to more rural charging points, but this was centre of town in readiness for the public consultation. also unsuccessful. improvements and the flood alleviation Steve Robinson Bus Services scheme. This work, due to start in the The Government has now postponed coming months will inevitably cause Tea - time concerts Christ Church, Newmarket Road, Nailsworth Sunday 15 May at 3pm Gershwin Concerto in F Mozart Piano Concerto No.11 in F, K413 The virtuoso pianist Viv McLean joins Bristol Ensemble to perform Gershwin ’s jazzy and optimistic Concerto in F, together with Mozart ’s elegant and delicate Piano Concerto No.11. Tickets £10 on the door FRENCH TUTOR O ffering one —to one sessions For all abili es and all levels up to GCSE First lesson free ! Tel: 01453 834620 Mobile: 07985 457731 4 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 5 ----------------------------------------------------- L O C A L AF F AIRS District Councillors ’ Report The Budget SDC ’s budget for 22/23 was passed at full council on 17th February with a Council Tax increase of £5 for the year (2.3%) for services provided by (SDC). The Council Tax set is not impacted by the recent Central Government announcement of a £150 payment for those in bands A-D. This will be administered as a separate payment to residents by the Revenues and Benefits team. Each year the council has to decide how it will administer council tax support and develop a scheme for working age people. The pandemic has reinforced the need to support the most vulnerable residents in the district and despite many councils doing so it has not felt appropriate to reduce the support we provide, particularly at this time. SDC will continue to provide up to a maximum of 100% support to those residents least able to pay. There will be some changes to how the scheme is administered, to simplify the process for the claimant, reduce processing and the authority ’s administration. The council has committed around £11m of additional funding to the key priorities in the council plan: funding for climate change, biodiversity, electrification of the Ubico fleet, economic development, culture and leisure, reducing homelessness, play parks, council homes retrofit and the levelling up bid. There was some discussion in the media and at council regarding increased charges for four SDC car parks in Stroud Town, (£0.90 for 1 hour - 10p increase) and £2.00 for 3 hours - 20p increase) and Rose Unwin Reflexology MAR Traditional reflexology Pregnancy reflexology Fertility reflexology Indian head massage 07791 508061 Nailsworth GL6 0AH roseunwinreflexology@gmail.com www.roseunwinreflexology.co.uk the increases will go ahead. Car parking fees are used for a variety of things, to the benefit of local residents, such as to maintain commons & woodlands, Stratford Park, amenity areas around the district, and keeping streets clean. Ringfield Close The end of the new build project at Ringfield Close is approaching and we currently expect handover of the 15 new homes for Affordable Rent on 24th May. Tenant services will advertise the properties on Homeseeker Plus prior to this date to ensure the homes are occupied as soon as possible after hand- over. The five new Shared Ownership homes are currently expected to be handed over on 30th March. There have been many challenges for the construction industry over the last two years, significantly impacting on availability of materials and labour across the sector and this has resulted in the construction phase of this project taking longer than originally anticipated. We are pleased that this much needed affordable housing is now nearing completion. We have been assured that SDC will be liaising with Beard (contractors) and Gloucestershire Highways to ensure that the roadway and footpath are improved as necessary, once the superstructures are complete and the amount of heavy construction traffic on the site reduces. Nailsworth Dental Practice Exciting New Opportunities We have the following vacancies Dental Nurse Trainee (or qualified NEBDN Diploma: training will be given ) Dental Receptionist Hours negotiable for both roles To Apply send your CV, or contact Jackie Gazzard — Practice Manager Telephone: 01453 703307 Email: Nailsworthdentalreception@gmail.com 1 Fountain Street, Nailsworth, GL6 0BL Lawnside We have had a successful outcome working with a group of elderly residents in Lawnside who felt forgotten as they were waiting for windows to be fitted and repairs to be carried out. We followed this up with SDC and the work has now commenced to the delight of residents. We have also managed to ensure that insulation work was carried out on Lawnside Stores, as with the 64 homes in Lawnside. SDC land at the bottom of Spring Hill We have had confirmation that the new fencing along the back of the SDC land at the bottom of Spring Hill will go week commencing 7th March and the British Legion bench, together with two new wooden benches, will then be installed on the concrete bases. Once that is completed the Nailsworth in Bloom group can help to choose /donate plants, so that area should be looking good by April. If you have any concerns regarding services provided by Stroud District Council, please contact one of your District Councillors. Natalie Bennett – cllr.natalie.bennett@ stroud.gov.uk 07769 847049 Norman Kay – cllr.norman.kay@ stroud.gov.uk 01453 833458 Steve Robinson – cllr.steve.robinson@ stroud.gov.uk 01453 834270 IGNITE YOUR PR You have your business up and running and now it needs the attention it deserves... Let us help you with our small business services: Press coverage Social media management Business wording ADMIRE PR tel: 07887997922 email: andrea@admire-pr.com 5 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 6 ----------------------------------------------------- CHUR C H & F A I T H Church Letter April begins with April Fool ’s Day and sometimes brings April showers! For Christians, most importantly, April brings the conclusion of the season of Lent as we focus again on Holy Week and Easter. On Good Friday, we remember Jesus willingly gave us his life for us. It is over 2000 years since Jesus ’ time on earth. However, the circumstances in which he lived – in a time of conflict and enemy occupation still feel very resonant with the challenges and brokenness of our world. Jesus prioritised spending time with others, especially sharing meals with those who valued his friendship. The past two years have been challenging for all age groups. At Christ Church we recognise the importance of connection and support for one another, whatever your age or faith. On Monday and Wednesday mornings, our Christ Church rooms are open for Renew Wellbeing Meeting Place – a space to come and connect over a cup of tea or coffee with jigsaws and crafts available. On Friday afternoons, our craft group ‘Bee Creative ’ is open to anyone who likes to knit, crochet or bring along other crafts to do. It is free to attend any of these sessions so please drop in for a visit. You ’ll find a warm welcome. To support children, young people and their families we ’ve now employed a part-time Families Worker. Charley Trykush began her role in January. Charley has many years of youthwork experience and will be working in collaboration with the school, Sportily, the town youth club as well as the church to support children and families. Charley helps run the monthly ‘Churches Together ’ Messy Church and will be in the Mortimer Gardens on Good Friday morning (10-12 noon) where the local churches will be providing craft and activities for children and families as well as Hot Cross Buns. Please come and meet Charley and find out more about her role. On Easter Sunday, Christians across the world will be celebrating the resurrection. You are welcome to join our Nailsworth churches at any of our Easter services. The details are listed below. Esther Mason, Christchurch Charley Trykush St George ’s Events On Saturday 23rd April at 12 o ’clock at St George ’s Church, William Reddaway will be presenting his one-hour talk and slideshow “A Ride Round England: one man, one horse, 2,700 miles and 30 cathedrals ”. Isobel Hie Churches Together Good Friday: Join us in the Mortimer baskets 8.30pm Easter vigil No booking required. Gardens anytime from 10am-12 noon. Easter Sunday Mass 9am Stonehouse, Further details available from Easter Craft & Prayer Activities, Hot 11am Woodchester. Oliver Müller, 01453 832396, Cross Buns. We ’ll also be launching Quakers: Sunday 10am Quaker Meeting nailsworthwarden@gmail.com our ‘Jubilee 70 Acts of Service. ’ Come for Worship (with Children ’s Meeting along and find out how you can mark the and blended with a zoom meeting). Queen ’s Platinum Jubilee through your own act of serving the local community. Easter Services: St George ’s: Maundy Thursday 7.30pm - Holy Communion followed by the stripping of the Altar and watch. Good Friday 2.00pm - Reflection on the 9 OCEAN CRUISES - with a chauffeur service * 9 RIVER CRUISES - with VIP door-to-door service Christ Church: Good Friday 7.30pm A 9 ESCORTED TOURS - with chauffeur service Quiet Service: ‘The Darkest Day ’ 9 HOTEL HOLIDAYS and long stays Easter Communion Service 6 ’6 9 SOLO TRAVELLER holidays Ask us about 2023 Ocean and River Cruises On sale during April 2022 - Early booking recommended Book your Saga holiday with the Saga Holiday Specialists watching until midnight. Good Friday: 3pm Passion of the Lord Holy Saturday: 1.45pm Blessing of The Old Stamp Office, www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk George Street, GL6 0AG 6 final hour of the cross Easter Sunday 11.00am Easter Celebration Service - Holy Communion + Easter Sunday 10.30am ‘Christ is Risen ’ The Priory: (All services at St Joseph ’s, Stonehouse except for Easter Sunday Mass) Maundy Thursday: 7.30pm Mass of the Lord ’s Supper followed by Phone lines open until 10pm 01453 836186 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 7 ----------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENT NAILSWORTH CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK We ’re a local community group for people who want to take positive action on climate change. We know Nailsworth CAN make a difference, come and join us. GET IN TOUCH Email: Nailsworthcan@gmail.com Web: www.nailsworthcan.org Instagram: @nailsworthclimateactionnetwork FB: Nailsworth Climate Action Network Our great green high street. From the chef who switched to compostable takeaway boxes to the computer shop that fixes and recycles, there are lots of people in Nailsworth trying to change the way we live, work and shop. Our Green Directory celebrates local businesses that are making great efforts to be planet- friendly. Coco are champions of vegan sweets who believe that ‘it ’s not impossible to cut out animal products and still enjoy sweet, traditional treats. ’ They are mindful about reusing packaging and use compostable bags where possible. Hobbs House Bakery use local suppliers and pay particular attention to reducing their waste, ensuring that most of their packaging is compostable. They are a leader in sustainable business within Nailsworth and have passed rigorous testing to be certified B Corp. Marrows supply wholesale fruit and vegetables mostly without plastic packaging. They offer a home delivery service across Nailsworth and surrounding area. They are passionate about making loose, good quality produce accessible to everyone. The Natural Cookery School is a vegan and vegetarian cookery school using foods that have been minimally processed. Erin is passionate about sharing her knowledge of plant-based cookery and the packaging used for takeaway food is compostable. Ruskin Mill Farm Shop stocks a broad range of organic products, while the vegetable stand outside offers organic and biodynamic produce grown on Gables Farm by Ruskin Mill College students and staff. Shiny Goodness is a health food shop providing a range of refill services, including dried goods, cleaning products and local dairy milk. There are also a range of natural remedies, locally sourced produce and ‘free-from ’ alternatives. Betty & Beattie ’s is a treasure trove of second-hand furniture that ’s been given a new lease on life. Helen transforms pieces using planet-friendly materials and is always happy to give restoration advice. They also offer art and accessories from local makers. Junglist are a botanical atelier who are striving to minimise their use of single- use plastic in every way possible, from favouring suppliers who wrap their plants in paper to sourcing planters made from recycled plastic. Pulp have been working hard to become as sustainable as possible. They run a paperless till, offer refillable pen products, a large range of eco tapes, ‘naked ’ greetings cards and they have replaced all gift wrap with recyclable wrap. At Soap Folk sustainable and ethical credentials are at the top of the agenda, you won ’t find any palm oil or plastic soap packaging here. They have an All Kinds Soap Subscription that uses up soap offcuts and they offer Bike Drop delivery locally. The Beeswax Wrap Co. uses locally sourced beeswax and organic cotton to create their wraps, an alternative to plastic food wrap. They offset the carbon involved in making their packaging and transportation of materials to their workshop. They have passed rigorous testing to be certified B Corp. The Nailsworth Computer Shop offers repairs to help people to extend the life of their machines alongside selling reserviced machines. The shop is also a recycling hub for printer cartridges and computers that are beyond repair. Nailsworth Tailoring can make repairs and alterations to most items of clothing including denim jeans. Suraj uses second-hand jeans donated from customers to repair torn or worn out areas in denim items. Edemo sell Riese & Muller electric bikes. They are always happy to share their extensive knowledge about electric bikes and have demo bikes available to book for test rides. Five Valley Cycles is a bicycle repair shop offering general and full services as well as repairs. Customers can drop off their bike at the shop anytime during opening hours for an assessment. They also offer a pick-up and drop-off service. The Cat ’s Pyjamas is a flexible coworking space, providing a productive, friendly workspace that allows you to cut the commute and work closer to home to reduce carbon- based transport. They offer secure bicycle storage to promote active travel. Austin Design Works are a local architecture and landscape architecture design practice that hold sustainability at the core. They have signed up to the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, are working towards becoming a B Corp and offer in-house Passivhaus design capabilities. Learn more about all these brilliant businesses on our website www. nailsworthcan.org. If you ’d like to join the Green Directory contact us at nailsworthcan@gmail.com or come and have a chat with us at the upcoming town meeting on 23rd April. Find us at our stall at the bus station from 10.30am-1pm. See you there! 7 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 8 ----------------------------------------------------- F E S T I V A L 2 0 2 2 More Acts and Speakers For Nailsworth Festival 2022 Last month we announced some of the main acts for the Festival. We are now able to confirm the rest of the programme. While we have internationally famous acts at this year ’s Festival, we also include acts with local connections. Baritone Ralph McDonald, now living near Nailsworth will be giving a concert on Thursday 26th May. Ralph has performed in many top venues in the UK and internationally in Kuala Rob Harbron Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Brunei. Jonny Fluffypunk from Stroud, is a stand-up poet and lo-fi theatre maker and will be appearing at the Three Storeys on Friday 27th May. Nailsworth resident Tim Hughes, who presented his show “120 Years of the Blues ” at the 2021 Nailsworth Festival, will be playing some blues in duo G&T Blues in support of Ken Wood and the Mixers on Saturday 21st May. We have a talk from David Bullock, who chairs Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, on conservation around the River Severn and the Forest of Dean. Television news presenter Simon McCoy will be in Ralph Sam Sweeney conversation with Katie Jarvis. There will be stories from the ever-popular Chloë; comedy with Paul Kerensa, organised by Churches Together and finally, Ruskin Mill will present Rob Harbron, Miranda Rutter and Sam Sweeney in the Richard Valentine Memorial folk Concert. These are three locally based musicians with international reputations. A full programme of activities will be published in future editions of Nailsworth News and on the Festival website www.nailsworthfestival.org. uk. You can also follow the Festival on Facebook and Twitter. Tim Hughes Publicity Miranda Rutter Bristol Ensemble On Sunday 15th May at 3pm the virtuoso pianist Viv McLean returns to Christ Church, Newmarket Road Nailsworth with the Bristol Ensemble to perform Gershwin ’s Piano Concerto in F, a jazzy, optimistic, richly-textured work packed full of fabulous tunes and toe-tapping rhythms. By contrast, Mozart ’s Piano Concerto No.11 in F is as delicate, elegant and heartrendingly beautiful as you ’d expect. Tickets £10 on the door. Judith Ogden Bristol Ensemble N e w l k n e w pr e m i s e s THE COMPLETE DECORATING SERVICE Painting & decorating undertaken by a dedicated team Advice on colours and soft furnishings Suppliers of fabrics, flooring & accessories Inside Out offers practical & affordable interior solutions Your local health food store N o w at George St, Nailsworth. Tel: 01453 832986 www.shinygoodness.co.uk Contact Fiona 01249 783636 or 07909 542990 www.inside-outdecorating.co.uk 8 I O NSIDE UT : ----------------------------------------------------- Page 9 ----------------------------------------------------- R O T A R Y Rotary In Nailsworth Give Peat a Chance! For the past five years Nailsworth Rotary has provided a continuous display of flowers in its four troughs in Nailsworth. Now aware that peat, as a compost, is not sustainable, we discovered Melcourt, with a Tetbury manufacturing base, had been supplying the horticultural industry since 2001 with peat-free product, SYLVAGROW. Since making contact, Melcourt, have donated their product to us in our efforts to supplement the excellent work of our Nailsworth in Bloom friends, to brighten up the town. The need for a switch to peat-free growing media is obvious and vital: Peatbogs cover only 3% of the surface of the planet, but hold more carbon than all other terrestrial plants, worldwide. When the surface of the bog is disturbed to remove the peat, large amounts of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, increases the temperature, leading to global warming. Having used peat as a compost for many years, I was sceptical about switching to peat-free having heard of friends ’ poor results in the early days. It is therefore pleasing that as a result of extensive research and development by manufacturers, it is now possible to achieve as good or better results as peat alone, as demonstrated in Nailsworth (see photo), and by ‘Which Gardening ’ and the Royal Horticultural Society; SYLVAGROW has actually been awarded a Royal warrant for its high standard. The RHS, at the forefront of research into peat alternatives, is now so convinced of the high standard of peat- free alternatives, that they now use and sell all their plants in peat-free composts. The UK Government, in line with other European Countries will, subject to consultation, be banning the use of peat for amateur use in 2024, and for commercial usage by 2030. The significance of the need for change has been noted by our own Blue Diamond garden centres, the second largest in UK. It is particularly pleasing that this year, Nailsworth Blue Diamond has been selected by the group as first to go peat-free. Please spread the word about the significance of using alternatives to peat, as a legacy for generations to come. Flowers can lift our spirits in these troubled times. Nailsworth Rotary is also working with other Rotary UK and Rotary International, to provide as much support as possible to the people of Ukraine. Please look out for our local initiatives. Thorold Cox, Nailsworth Rotary Rotary - Eyesight For Driving Older Drivers Forum for Gloucestershire offering this: April ’s link: https://olderdriversforum. is Nailsworth Rotary ’s commitment to • Specsavers Cheltenham 01242 com/they-highway-code/ to exactly bring awareness around older drivers 224314 @ 206 High Street what has changed. The next Older and vulnerable road users ’ safety. This • Specsavers Cirencester 01285 Drivers Zoom will be on 9th April apply month ’s tip: 648610 @ 30 Cricklade Street odfglos@gmail.com its free. Have regular eyesight test - failing (Cirencester Update: Staff in training to Next month we explore renewing your eyesight is one of the main reasons offer service in near future). Licence at 70. drivers retire from driving. If you are Others may have the kit but there is no over 60, take up your free bi-annual eye data base to say who does. test and when you renew your driving Update on the new Highway Code, the licence at 70, you need to confirm this print version will be in the shops on 16th test. Older Driver Task Force Report, currently with the DfT, recommends that THE WHITE PRACTICE OSTEOPATHY & WELLBEING As one ages, even before you are 60, your peripheral vision starts to decline. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU Symptoms suitable for Osteopathic treatment include:- driving on rural roads. It ’s what your • Back pain/neck pain eye might just catch as a motorbike • Leg pain/sciatica comes around a bend when you are • Headache/migraine relief turning right onto a main road. That • Frozen shoulder flicker of movement that will stop you completing the manoeuvre thus avoiding a collision. Not all opticians can carry out the binocular ‘Esterman ’ visual field Early morning and evening appointments available 14 Market Street, Nailsworth, Glos, GL6 0BX Online booking www.thewhitepractice.co.uk 01453 832515 9 this becomes mandatory. Peripheral vision is essential for safe • Sporting injuries • Osteopathy for Mother and Baby Open Monday to Saturday test, unless you ask. There are only two Specsavers ’ branches in the county ----------------------------------------------------- Page 10 ----------------------------------------------------- C H A R I T Y ‘Moovellous ’ Amberley Cow Hunt Is Back! On Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2022 between 1pm – 5pm, the village of Amberley and parts of the surrounding National Trust Common will see the first stampede of cows as the ‘moo-vellous ’ Amberley Parochial School Cow Hunt returns. As well as spotting all the ‘amoosingly ’ named and wonderfully dressed wooden cows, there will be the now infamous vintage tea tent on the school green complete with a sumptuous array of homemade cakes and refreshments. Face painting and other children ’s activities will also be on offer along with the fabulous Cow Hunt quiz. Funds raised go to help the school, as well as Bath-based charity ‘Send a Cow ’ which works across Africa to provide poor smallholder farmers with training, tools, seeds and livestock to produce their own food, earn an income and lift themselves out of poverty. Quiz sheets and maps will be available from the start of the trail outside the school (Tickets: £2 per adult & £1 per child). So join us once again in our quintessentially country village for a truly wonderful afternoon of British eccentricity. Please also do not forget to visit the Cow Hunt Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/AmberleyCowHunt/ Kate Wilkins Friends of Amberley School (PTA) T h e Steppes R esidential Care H ome Est 1981 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 Your local tree experts for over 25 years Surgery, Felling & Stump Removal Pruning and Hedge Trimming Debris Recycling Full Consultancy Service, Free Quotations Tel: 01285 760466 Aston Down, Stroud GL6 8GA 10 Sarah Purkis Soft Furnishings & Interior Design Hand made curtains and blinds Custom made loose covers Upholstery Full range of fabrics, wallpapers poles, tracks and trimmings Fitting services Tel: 01453 835778 - Mobile: 07721 536536 e-mail: sarahpurkis3@gmail.com Free in house consultation ----------------------------------------------------- Page 11 ----------------------------------------------------- C H ARITY Remember A Loved One Take part in this year ’s Walk for Longfield. Longfield Community Hospice will be hosting a spring walk at 10.30am on Sunday 15th May and encourages locals to sign up for the perfect family day out. The ‘Walk for Longfield ’ will offer a choice of 5 or 10K routes, setting off from Longfield ’s beautiful hospice grounds in Minchinhampton and crossing Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons. Having taken in the stunning views, a cuppa and home-baked cakes will await you on your return. This is a great family event, which caters for adults, children and pets - dogs are welcome too! All walkers will have the chance to hang a message in memory of their loved ones in Longfield ’s picturesque grounds. A Covid-friendly event, with lots of fresh countryside air and outdoor space, the perfect opportunity to boost your physical and mental wellbeing. Claire Ellis, from Longfield, will be organising the event. She said: “Do join us on our Walk for Longfield. It ’s a great way of remembering your loved ones and spending quality time with friends and family in the local countryside. This has been a popular event in the past so we ’d urge you to register your interest now on our website so you can be the first to know when registrations are open. ” All money raised will help fund Longfield ’s vital work providing care for adults in Gloucestershire with life- limiting conditions and support for their families and carers. Register your interest at longfield.org. uk/event/walk-for-longfield. Jo Fairburn Media and Communications Officer Longfield Community Hospice Read For Good - BBC Radio 4 Appeal From the bottom of our hearts, to the funders National Book Tokens and The people of Nailsworth, thank you. You Booksellers Association. The impact of made our recent BBC Radio 4 Appeal your support is already being felt. more than we could ever have imagined. In perfect time for World Book Day Whether you donated or shared this month, we sent over 120 brand-new William ’s story, your kindness and books to each of 30 children ’s hospitals generosity have helped us to raise an across the country. Many more will amazing £50,488 so far, including follow, and our brilliant storytellers have the incredible support of our match been in action too. Importantly, thank THERAPY ZONE AROMATHERAPY DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE HOLISTIC THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE REFLEXOLOGY SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY Nuela 07958 157747 nuelamathew@hotmail.com you so much to Hannah for courageously presenting our appeal and mostly to William for sharing his story with Read for Good. Holly, Jonathan and the Read for Good team. 11 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 12 ----------------------------------------------------- ARTS Calling All Nailsworth poets! Would you like to become Nailsworth ’s Poet Laureate? Nailsworth Town Council is holding a competition to write a poem themed on Nailsworth or the surrounding area. This will be part of a new Festival of Words , taking place at Three Storeys Arts Venue in Nailsworth from 5th to 10th July. Entries will be judged and successful applicants crowned with laurel wreaths on Saturday 9th July at 4pm. The new Poet Laureate will have the opportunity to write poems for the town over the next year. There will be a chance to read out your poem, if you would like to. We will also be delighted to receive poems, paintings or drawings from children, between ages 7 and 12 on any theme, with a chance to win a book token. Please submit your entries by Friday 17th June either online to Emily adminassistant@nailsworthtowncouncil. gov.uk or drop them into the Town Information Centre in the library. Following the awards ceremony, there will be a Poetry Café at 5pm featuring local poets reading their work. The café and bar at Three Storeys will be open and all are welcome. If you would like to read your work, please contact Pip Heywood at pipheywood@icloud.com who will be compèring this event. The Festival of Words hopes to encourage appreciation and enjoyment of words in all their contexts and forms, and will include story telling for adults and children with Fiona Eadie at Miles Marling Field on Sunday 10th July and the launch of a new, true story evening on Friday 8th July. Also featured will be an exhibition of the work of the Concrete Poets, who from the 1960 ’s and ‘70 ’s celebrated the intrigue and fun of words by displaying them in unique ways. They were closely connected to Nailsworth, with John Furnival, Ken Cox and Tom Clark all living locally. Liz Collini, a text and language artist, will be creating an installation and giving a talk about her work at Three Storeys on Wednesday 6th July. Further information will follow. If you would like to be involved in any way in the Festival of Words please contact Ros Mulhall ros. mulhall@nailsworthtowncouncil. gov.uk or Katherine Kearns clerk@ nailsworthtowncouncil.gov.uk Nailsworth Town Council 01453 833592 www.nailsworthtowncouncil.gov.uk S T I V A L W O RDS N A I L S W O R T H Gloucestershire Writers ’ Network Competition 2022 “That ’s one small step for man, ” have gone. Then there are our inner Closing date midnight 31st May 2022. “Sweet dreams are made of this ” conversations and those other people Details on our website www.gloswriters. “Like a bridge over troubled water ” cannot hear, the impression created from org.uk It is almost impossible to read these dialects and accents, the list goes on and lines without hearing the voices on. commonly associated with them: Neil The theme of our writing competition Armstrong, Annie Lennox, Simon and this year is VOICES. We hope that it Garfunkel. They add emphasis, fear, gives you the inspiration to create and joy and allow the words to have a much then enter a poem or short story. Winners greater impact than would be suggested will share their work with an audience from just reading them. It is perhaps at The Cheltenham Literature Festival in the voices, how they made us feel, the autumn. that we remember long after the words It could be you! Good luck. Bookkeeping & Account Services Sage QuickBooks Xero VAT Returns Self-Assessment – Self-Employed Virtual Assistant Over 28 years of experience 07970 742727 Nuela 07958 157747 12 E O F F ----------------------------------------------------- Page 13 ----------------------------------------------------- A R T S World Book Day At Beaudesert Park Beaudesert Park School in displayed in such style. ” Friday 18th March. Parents can call Minchinhampton celebrated World Beaudesert Park School is a boarding 01453 832072 to arrange a visit at Book Day with another year of creative and day school for boys and girls aged another time or visit https://beaudesert. costumes. Children and staff at the 3-13 years old in Gloucestershire. gloucs.sch.uk/ independent prep school dressed as The school ’s next open morning is on Sophie Lodge – Beaudesert Park School their favourite literary characters for the day and shared favourite stories with their peers. Headmaster, Chris Searson, said, “World Book Day is always a fun and exciting occasion for the Pupil Kasper dressed as The Robinson family Pupils Clover, Ruby and the day as Fawkes the dressed as Mr Strong, Poppy dressed as farmers enthusiasm for reading Phoenix from Harry Potter Little Miss Sunshine Boggis, Bunce and Bean and Little Miss Birthday. from Fantastic Mr Fox. Dunkirk Mill Summer Activities The new season of the opening of new faces and our regular visitors. Dunkirk Mill We are returning to the arrangement Museum and the of tours prior to the pandemic. The mills Weaving Shed at will open on the first and third weekends, Gigg Mill begins on Bank Holiday Mondays and the last the weekend 23rd, Wednesday in the month until the end 24th April and the of September, except for the Platinum Stroudwater Textile Jubilee Weekend. Booked tours at the Trust looks forward Weaving Shed are at 10 and 11am on to welcoming both Saturdays, and at 2 and 3pm at Dunkirk Town Twinning At The Town Meeting Nailsworth is twinned with the town of next to Lèves? Lèves, as you can read on the town signs 3. How many inhabitants does Lèves and Town Council website. What do you have? know about our twin town? Can you 4. How long has Lèves been twinned answer these questions? with Nailsworth? 1. In which region and department of 5. Where in Nailsworth is Lèves France is Lèves? Corner? 2. Which famous city is situated right Come with your answers to our stall at all the other openings. At Dunkirk there is parking only for the disabled; please walk along the Cycle Trail, allowing about 20 or 25 minutes. Visitors are encouraged to pre- book their places by visiting www. stroudtextiletrust.org.uk . They will also be able to pay online. Ian Mckintosh Stroud Textiles Trust the Town Meeting on 23rd April between 10.30 and 13.00 and collect your prize. Isobel Hie Nailsworth Town Twinning Association NAILSWORTH ACCOUNTANCY Town Hall 01453 835050 WE BELIEVE IN VALUE FOR MONEY FOR OUR CLIENTS SO PLEASE CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY REQUIREMENTS Michael Jefferies FMAAT FFA FAIA FCPA Emma Mills ACPA ICPA 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 13 Pupil Georgia spent children and it is wonderful to see their Worzel Gummidge Car Servicing Specialists ----------------------------------------------------- Page 14 ----------------------------------------------------- MUSIC & ARTS Barn Theatre Awards And The Mozart Question The Barn Theatre in Cirencester were the recipients of two awards at the 2022 “Off West End ” Awards ceremony on 20 February for two of their digital productions. Since opening in 2018, the Cirencester-based theatre has gained national recognition: produced over 20 Built by Barn shows and awarded T he Stage Awards ’ Best Fringe Theatre of the Year Award 2019. Barn Theatre has become world- renowned for digital theatrical innovation, seen by audiences of over 330,000, and received two New York Times Critic Picks for digital productions directed by Tamara Harvey: What a Carve Up! (with Lawrence Batley Theatre & New Wolsey Theatre) and The Picture of Dorian Gray (with Lawrence Batley Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre, Oxford Playhouse & Theatre Clwyd). What a Carve Up! won the inaugural OnComm Innovative Work Award at the 2021 Off West End Awards, and was named one of the best productions of 2020 by The Telegraph and The Guardian. At the 2022 Off West End Awards the theatre won the OnComm Award for “Recorded Shows (Edited – Significant Edits) ” for The Picture of Dorian Gray (with Lawrence Batley Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre, Oxford Playhouse & Theatr Clwyd) and the OnComm Award for “Theatre For Young People / Families / Those With Special Needs ” for Private Peaceful (with BoxLess Theatre). The theatre also received a 2021 BroadwayWorld UK Awards “Best New Production Created for Streaming ” nomination for What a Carve Up! (produced with Lawrence Batley Theatre & New Wolsey Theatre). The theatre ’s current production, is Vicki Berwick ’s stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo ’s The Mozart Question , a world premiere from 21 March, with a. special evening event with Michael Morpurg o on Friday 25th March, to raise money for Michael and Clare Morpugo ’s charity Farms For City Children , a charity enabling children from disadvantaged communities to experience working together on their farms in the heart of the British countryside. Since opening in 1976 more than 100,000 children have been to one of the charity ’s farms – Nethercott House in Devon, Lower Treginnis in Pembrokeshire, and Wick Court in Gloucestershire The Mozart Question follows acclaimed violinist Paolo Levi as he recounts, to a young reporter, his family ’s connection to the Holocaust and the power of music in the hardest of times. The new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo ’s haunting tale of love, secrets and survival will be directed by Jessica Daniels (The Butterfly Lion, Girl From The North Country) and comprise of an actor-musician ensemble with composition, arrangements and musical supervision by Rudy Percival. Michael Morpurgo said of his story and the new stage adaptation, “...It is the most important story I have ever written, about the best and most beautiful and most heavenly that is in us, and the worst and most wicked and most hellish too. I have no doubt the Barn are creating a play worthy of the immensity of the tragedy, a play that reflects the power of music to heal, to bring reconciliation and peace in a troubled world. ” Tickets available at www.barntheatre. org.uk The Benefits of Live Theatre We make no apologies for the number of articles published about the Barn theatre in Cirencester. The theatre, an already highly- acclaimed live venue, right on our doorstep, is a welcome addition to local arts within the locality and one we feel is worthy of promotion. Live theatre is an important part of many people ’s lives. The lack of drama classes in our school curriculums, rising costs of fuel to travel to provincial theatres and more recently the effects of the pandemic, have all taken their toll. NN Editorial Team 14 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 15 ----------------------------------------------------- M U S I C & A R T S Stuart Singers ’ Spring Concert The Stuart Singers of Minchinhampton will celebrate the arrival of spring with a special concert at 7.30pm on April 9th at St George ’s Church in Nailsworth. Guests on this occasion will be the Wyndham Singers, a choir of around twenty men from Kentisbeare, who some say are one of Devon ’s finest exports! This will be the fourth concert with the two choirs singing, alternating between Gloucestershire and Devon. All the singers are eagerly anticipating their reunion after an enforced two-year delay due to Covid. There will be a varied programme of arrangements of popular songs by composers such as Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Elton John and Richard Carpenter, as well as the ever-popular Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré and Panis Angelicus by Franck. With the excellent acoustic of St George ’s, it should be a very pleasant and entertaining evening. The concert will begin a period of special celebration for the Stuart Singers as 2022 is their 30th anniversary year. As well as thirty years of making music, they have raised over £250,000 for local charities and good causes. With local support, they look forward to continuing for many more years to come. Tickets are £12 from Lynn Bevis 01453 882440 or www.stuartsingers. com where further information is available, or on the door. Under 16s go free. Janet Brown Concert Secretary Stuart Singers Stuart Singers in Holland – Armistice Day 2019 15 EST ----------------------------------------------------- Page 16 ----------------------------------------------------- AR T S & CHARI T Y The Thames Head Singers Spring Concert Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Saturday 9th April 2022 at 7.30pm Directed by Andrew Hopwood When daffodils begin to peer …. Songs and sonnets for spring Join us for a host of songs to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. The evening will include George Shearing ’s Songs and Sonnets and two pieces from Ralph Vaughan Williams - all with words by William Shakespeare. We ’ll also remember our friends in Europe with a variety of traditional pieces sung in German, Italian, Catalan and French. Tickets £12 in advance, £13 on the door, Under 16s free. Book online at bit.ly/ ThamesHeadSpring Box office: 0333 666 3366. Further information: www.thsingers.org.uk Jane Gandy, The Thames Head Singers Stroud and Cotswold Citizens advice... “We are still Here ” As we try to recover from the effects hub services. US - EVERY PENNY COUNTS! of The Pandemic here are 5 important • Our main areas of enquiry at Regular standing orders or one -off points about your local Citizens Advice: this time are: Employment, Energy donations. Remembering us in your • We are a local Charity, totally issues, Welfare Benefits and Debt Wil, becoming a volunteer or supporting independent of government, providing issues. Since December 2021 we have our events. Our next planned event is free confidential, impartial advice given information and support to 705 an Evening Concert of Classical Music to everyone in Stroud District areas, members of our local community. We featuring the internationally acclaimed including Dursley, Stonehouse, are extremely grateful for our core pianist Clare Hammond on Saturday, Nailsworth, Wotton-Under-Edge and funding from The District, Town and 21st May 2022 at Holy Trinity Church Berkeley. The same service is available Parish Councils, but we still need to Stroud. to everyone in Cotswold District, raise an additional £25,000 every year to IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP including Cirencester, Tetbury and maintain the Service. US, OR NEED ADVICE, PLEASE Moreton-in-Marsh. The delivery of • Citizens Advice in Stroud has a very CONTACT US ON:- freephone: our Service relies on the dedication of active PR and Fundraising Committee 0808 800 510 or on our website at: our fully trained volunteers supported who continue to organise fundraising citizensadvice-stroudandcotswold. by a small team of paid staff. We have events to help finance training and org.uk where you can find further provided a Service in Stroud since 1958, improved technology, as well as information on donating, volunteering then known as the CAB. improved premises. We are extremely and advice. • We continued to operate a limited grateful for all donations, especially Sheila Orson, Citizens Advice Stroud service during the Pandemic with from our donors who provide us with PR & Fundraising Committee volunteer members of staff working from annual standing orders, one off donations home. Now we are working very hard to and legacies. This source of funding is manage face to face interviews again, so vital to the continuation of our Service. vital to many people and making every • WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN HELP effort to reopen outreach and community Lock Problems? UPVC-cylinder and MPL repairs and replacement. High security cylinders and handles. Door realignment      For all your lock problems call your local expert Clive on 07859763362 f a mily tree funeral company Simple, beautiful, personal funerals, professionally arranged since 2005 Individual end-of-life and funeral planning • Pre-paid funeral plans offered No.1 Middle Street • Stroud • Gloucester shire GL5 1DZ 0 14 5 3 7 6 7 7 6 9 w w w . f a m i ly t r e e f u n e r a l s . c o . u k 16 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 17 ----------------------------------------------------- S C HO O LS Nailsworth C of E Primary School Spring has sprung at Nailsworth Primary School! Our beautiful grounds are awash with emerging bulbs and budding trees. As the children point out, the blossom at the front of school looks “beautiful ”. We are so lucky to have so much outside space and this term we will utilise it in so many creative ways. In our ever-popular gardening club children have been working with Nailsworth in Bloom, preparing our vegetable garden for the Spring and planting seeds and seedlings. Forest School also continues as Year 1 and 2 embark on making their own plant fertiliser from rotting nettles! In February, Reception class were delighted to host a Winter Art exhibition in St George ’s church. Parents were invited to view three different styles of art; charcoal drawings, wax resist and painting on silver foil on on a wintery theme. We were very kindly supported by members of the church community who served drinks and biscuits and Reverand Caroline was there to welcome us all to the church. The pictures were displayed for a week so that other members of the church and the children ’s family had the opportunity to appreciate our hard work. On Monday the 7th of March, every class worked together during a combined R.E. and Geography day, when we compared Nailsworth to Vumilia in Tanzania. Rod Harris, our Bishop ’s Visitor, had visited the African village as an ambassador for the church and money had been raised to help provide clean water, educational equipment and crops for the residents. Our pupils certainly learned a lot about cultural similarities and contrasts and enjoyed our discussion around the need to look after our world and all of the people in it. The photos on this page illustrate the difference between Nailsworth and Vumilia. Please also see page 19 of this issue for volunteering opportunities at the school. Clare Tyler-Sell, Deputy Head Nailsworth C of E Primary School Nailsworth Vumilia MOBILE PAINT & POLISH UNIT E2 INCHBROOK TRADING ESTATE, BATH ROAD, NAILSWORTH GL5 5EY – ESTABLISHED 2011 MINOR CAR BODY REPAIRS OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE CAR BODY REPAIR TRADE FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION, PLEASE CALL RICHARD Your local Garden Maintenance & Landscape specialists 01453 834 355 or 07976 779 130 ALL WORK FULLY INSURED & GUARANTEED FREE VEHICLE COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE NO VAT For a free estimate contact Chris Blackwell on m: 07939 101520 t: 01453 835032 www.goldenstonesgardening.co.uk 17 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 18 ----------------------------------------------------- S C H O O L S Horsely C of E Primary School We are proud to announce Horsley Primary School ’s recognition as a ‘Music Mark ’ school. We ’ve been blowing our own trumpet as well as many other musical instruments. The accreditation is evidence of the school ’s commitment to high quality music-making and vision for music education. On a related ‘note ’: we hosted a somewhat pared-down version of our annual Chamber Concert last month. This was a smaller event than in previous years but, nevertheless, gave our talented young instrumentalists an opportunity to perform to an audience and showcase their learning in school music lessons. Owls Class, years 5 and 6, have been fundraising and with a generous donation from Dyson, took part in ‘The Living Eggs ’ project. An incubator, embryo eggs and a brooder box arrived in school and two days later we had 10 fluffy yellow chicks. During the 10-day programme, every child had the chance to get involved, either observing, playing with, cleaning out or feeding the chicks. When the time came for us to say goodbye to our guests, they were ethically re-homed by the project, on a free-range farm. The aim of this project was to promote well-being amongst the children, while feeding into our science curriculum. World Book Day in March saw Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth GL6 0LA All days and times subject to change Gallery Open Thursday to Sunday 10am - 4pm Nordic Citrus - Painting and potato printing by Simon Packard closes Sunday 3 April Tree - Drawing and photography by Sue Rae and Mustafa Sami Thursday 7 April - Sunday 8 May gables farm shop Ruskin Mill College Farm Shop, Gables Farm, Hay Lane GL6 0QE Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm Organic and biodynamic produce and trout 18 staff and children dressed as their favourite book character or author. As always Harry Potter and Where ’s Wally were well represented along with an array of animal, human and mythical creatures. The children spent the day reading and sharing a variety of literature and every child received a token which they can exchange for a free World Book Day book. We have lots of exciting educational trips and activities and fundraising events planned for the rest of this term so there ’s always something fun and special to look forward to at Horsley School. Gary Price www.rmt.org/ruskinmillcollege/events events@rmc.rmt.org 01453 837537 Café 10am - 4pm (closed Mondays) music in may Rob Harbron, Miranda Rutter, Sam Sweeney Tuesday 24 May 7.30pm £18 / £15 concessions (under 25s) Craft Workshop Make a willow berry picking basket with tutor Grace Rosamund Sunday 24 April 9.45am - 6pm £80 Book direct with Grace on 07732 302240 NAILSWORTH AERIAL SERVICES (TIME SERVED ENGINEER WITH 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE) FOR FAST & EFFICIENT SERVICE Digital Freeview BBC Freesat Telephone Extensions Extra TV Points Fitted Storm Damage 7 Day Service Sky Faults OAP Discount CONTACT JON: 0775 9144979 or 01453 833293 FREE ESTIMATES ----------------------------------------------------- Page 19 ----------------------------------------------------- L O C A L N E W S Volunteering Opportunity at Nailsworth School The Governing body of Nailsworth Primary school is looking for a new, co- opted member to join the board. We are especially keen for anyone who has some experience/interest in school funding and value for money and a desire to get involved in school life. Governors meet at regular intervals over the year as a full board, and we have two committees which focus on different aspects of the school. Resources, which mainly looks at finance, estate management and health and safety. The Standards committee looks at the quality of teaching and pupil progress, as well as Ofsted preparation. We meet on Tuesdays at 5pm. We would love to hear from any interested person who feel they have something to contribute to our great and thriving school. Additionally, the current Chair of Governors, having served for six years, is looking to stand down after the next Ofsted inspection which will likely be in a year to 18 months. Anyone who is keen to get involved, please get in touch in the first instance, with Gill Saville, Chair of Governors. chair@nailsworth.gloucs.sch.uk Easter Activities For Young People 11th 12th 13th April Forest Green Rovers Soccer Camps 14th April Forest Green Rovers Easter family fun day Visit www.fgrcommunity.eventbrite.com or contact community@fgr.co.uk for more information. 20th April Play Rangers at Lawnside Park 10am – 4pm Turn up and join in. 22nd April Nailsworth Youth Club @ Lawnside Park 1pm – 3pm Turn Up and join in. Tracy Nailsworth Community Youth Worker The highest quality of dementia care Newly opened Holly Oak , provides the ultimate in state-of-the-art accommodation. Spacious, beautifully designed rooms and living areas along with pretty gardens provide residents with a high quality of living. A dedicated team of nurses and carers ensure a thorough person-centred care. We welcome immediate and planned admissions. For tours or further information: Call 01453 541400 , email info@thehollies.co.uk or visit thehollies.co.uk Drake Lane, Dursley GL11 5HA 19 Established since 1988 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 20 ----------------------------------------------------- E N V I R O N M E N T Save Our Gloucestershire Stone Stiles Our March 2021 issue carried a special feature on Conserving our Stone Stiles by Professor Peter Wilson, who now updates us on the progress made. NN Editorial Team With enormous help from well over 100 enthusiastic countryside walkers, we have recorded 90-95% of the county ’s stone stiles, an historic part of our Cotswold landscape. Of late project contributors are reporting that stone stiles are being removed and replaced with noisy metal kissing gates or just removed leaving gaps to ease the passage of ramblers. it seems our efforts to photograph all our stone stiles may just have been in time before many vanish. We have an enormous amount of work to do indexing them but the evidence has been assembled. In April 2021 a new Countryside Code was launched and the wording of this may be encouraging the wanton destruction of stiles. The guidance includes making rights of way more accessible for visitors and goes on to suggest to land managers that they should ease access ‘for visitors with different abilities and needs. Create gaps or put up accessible self-closing gates instead of stiles where there is public access, if possible. ’ British Standard BS 5709 also suggests for gaps gates and stiles replacement with self-closing gates There is nothing wrong in easing access but does not mean destroying ancient stiles, often 300 or more years old and an integral part of the countryside. They should not be destroyed. It is perfectly reasonable to treasure them by placing alongside each a more rambler friendly access. Why not fund this through from ELMS – public money for public good. ELMS* funds stone walls, for their landscape value, so why not stone stiles as well and for their additional historic value.. Peter T Wilson Woodchester Valley Village CARPENTER AND JOINER NO JOB TOO SMALL M 60mm x60mm Advert.pdf 1 12/08/2020 12:26 SIX CLIVE SYMCOX Y CM MY CY LOCKSMITH SERVICES GUTTER VACUUM & REPAIRS DOMESTIC PLUMBING CMY THE OLD COACH HOUSE, COW LANE, INCHBROOK, NAILSWORTH GL5 5HN 01453 836818 20 w w w. fu t u r e s i x . co m 07933 629849 / 07973 326351 e n q u i r i e s @ fu t u r e s i x . co m C K o n ur ou r ai w bl e fe te rs C re nt a v of la eb si ----------------------------------------------------- Page 21 ----------------------------------------------------- A R T S Introducing Barnabas Painters Visitors to Nailsworth library on Wednesday afternoons may have noticed in passing, a group of artists occupying the Mortimer Room. We are the Barnabas Painters , a very informal and friendly group, of all levels of artistic ability. We may work on a theme or individually, in various media including watercolour, pencil, ink, colour pencil, collage, oils, and others. Twice a year we hold a one-day exhibition, and in summer we may meet at agreed venues for outdoor sketching and painting.... our next one day exhibition is on Saturday 14th May in the Mortimer Room, do come in and enjoy! Sally Birch – Barnabas Painters NN Editorial Team: we highly recommend viewing this page on our colour version, available on our website. The images on this page are just a selection of the work of Barnabas Painters. Bring your greetings cards and stamps into the Town Information Centre for Thank you to everyone who has brought cards in for recycling to the Town Information Centre. Christmas cards are accepted during the first 2 weeks of January, but other greetings cards and stamps can be dropped off all year round. You might be interested to know what happens to your cards: There are 10 teams of 8 volunteers who gather once a week to process the donations; the cards are sorted into type (Christmas, birthday etc), the picture trimmed off, pasted onto a new card, pressed for a week, trimmed again and matched with an envelope. Some card makers have been upcycling cards for Cobalt for over 30 years, and between them card makers have over 1,000 years of experience! (Printwaste, which specialises in shredding and recycling, ensures that any waste including trimmings is recycled.) Proceeds from the sale of the upcycled cards raises over £30,000 a year for the charity to help with its vital work in supporting local people with cancer, dementia and other conditions and providing funding for research. Nailsworth TIC raised just short of £180 from the sale of cards for Christmas 2021! Kirsty from Cobalt adds - We have an interesting events programme for this year including two lovely Open Gardens & Rare Plant Fairs at Quenington near Cirencester on 10 April and at Highnam on 24 July. We are also going to run another photography competition, so there ’s lots going on. More information on our website: https://www.cobalthealth.co.uk/support-us/events/ You can buy upcycled Cobalt cards for all occasions in the TIC, so please come and see and of course, continue to bring in your cards and stamps, so that we can continue to support this charity. Nailsworth Town Information Centre in the Library tic@nailsworthtowncouncil.gov.uk 01453 839222 21 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 22 ----------------------------------------------------- W H AT ’ S ON What ’s On April To get an entry into our May issue please provide information by 15th April to whatson@nailsworthnews. org.uk Accessible Yoga Sawyer Hall, Christchurch. Wednesday evenings, online classes, and also one to one tuition too. Contact Sally Deacon 01453 751937 or philandsally30@yahoo.co.uk VRKSYOGA (formerly YOGA FOR MEN) In Christ Church rooms, on Mondays 19.00 till 20.30. Brendan 07970 626374. Looking for strength, flexibility, and longevity. YOGA - Hatha Yoga Flow. Wednesday - Nutshell Studio-Nailsworth, 6-7 pm and 7.15-8.15pm Limited Spaces available. Block Booking 7 sessions- £63 Thursday- Nutshell Studio-Nailsworth, 6-7 pm -Limited Spaces available. Block Booking 7 sessions- £63 / £9 drop-in. Friday-Horsley Village Hall, 9.15-10.15am. 7 weeks - £52.50 or £9 drop-in. Saturday- Warrior and Wild, 9.15-10.15 5 week class pss £50 or £12 drop-in. Contact ginny.burbidge@yahoo.com 07876 280359, instagram@ ginnyburbidgeyoga Yoga For All Sawyer Hall, Christ Church, on Tuesday evenings 6.00pm - 7.30pm. Please book in advance. Contact: Christine on 07815 181361 or email: chrishewettyoga@hotmail.com New Fun and Creative Yoga Class in Nailsworth. SLOW + STRONG Every Monday 19.15-20.15 at Warrior and Wild Yoga Studio. This class is all about building strength and stability in both the body and the mind and having a few giggles along the way! Booking: momoyoga.com/peacefulmeyoga Contact: lisa@peacefulmeyoga.co.uk Instagram: peaceful_me_yoga Meditative Day Contemplative and meditative day on Saturday May 21st, Sawyer Hall, Nailsworth with Sally and Tom Deacon. Working towards opening to the wider world and connecting to that and within ourselves. No experience needed. Contact Sally 01453 751937 or philandsally30@yahoo.co.uk The “Dojo ” at the Nutshell Studios The space dedicated to martial arts, yoga, 22 dance is available as “A room of one ’s own ”, lending itself to short or long residencies or working sessions for individuals and small teams. Info: Viviana 07970 648126 or info@ nutshellstudios.uk Kinomichi (all) Mondays 6pm-7.15pm, (7 + yrs) Mondays 4pm-4.45pm and 5pm -5.45pm, The Nutshell Studios. Joyful, dynamic martial art based on Aikido. FREE taster session. Info: Viviana 07970 648126 or info@nutshellstudios.uk Mat-Work Pilates Pilates on Tuesday mornings in the Youth Club at 09.15 –10.15 (all levels) and 10.30 - 11.30 which is suited to those with Pilates experience and who want to be more challenged. Classes run in courses of 6-8 weeks during term time and are pre-booked only. For more information visit www.pilatesinstroud.com or contact Elizabeth on 07732 697991 Charleston Fitness classes At Nailsworth Subscription Rooms Monday 9.30am to 10.30am. Booking essential on www.swingbytesdance.com . Price £6.00 per class. Everyone welcome. Contact Nicky on swingbytesdance@gmail.com. Monday fitness classes at Sawyer Hall 9am Zumba, 10am Aerobics, leg bums and tums, 11am Pilates. Contact Helen on 07799 620117, email befit@live.co.uk www.befitlocal.co.uk Dance in a Nutshell Every other Thursday, 4pm-5.30pm, The Nutshell Studios. Dance improvisation and movement research group exploring the connection with others, music, and silence. Suggested donation £2. Info: Viviana 07970 648126 or info@nutshellstudios.uk Croc n Roll children ’s music classes Fun packed weekly children ’s music classes including guitar-led action songs, rhymes, prop box, stories, percussion instruments & bubbles. Mondays,Thursdays and Fridays in Nailsworth. For prices and to book please see the Croc n Roll Facebook page or email stephanie@ crocnroll.co.uk. Fay Reynolds School of Dancing Dance classes for children in Tap, Modern Theatre/Jazz. Held at Nailsworth Town Hall. Saturday – Primary Age Thursday – Secondary Age Wednesday – Adult Tap at Nympsfield For further information or to arrange a free trial please contact Fay on 07535 237412 or FB message ‘Fay Reynolds School of Dancing ’ Ballet Classes Ballet classes for adults of all levels at the Nutshell Studios in Nailsworth. Tuesday morning 11-12. Contact Jennifer on: 07818 293999. Baby Bounce and Rhyme Nailsworth Library every Monday at 11.30. Free session but please book on the Gloucestershire Libraries site or through the Library. Children ’s story time Nailsworth Library every Wednesday during term time an informal fun drop-in session at 10.30. Free for children and accompanying adults. Squash Coaching Junior squash coaching with Stroud Squash Club. Sunday mornings at Wycliffe College. All standards – beginners particularly welcome. Contact: ewen.denning@hotmail.com Table Tennis Nailsworth Subscription Rooms. All standards and ages welcome and 1st session free. Saturday mornings 9am to 12noon. For information contact; Andy Hammond 07777 642378 Coaching at Nailsworth Tennis Club Sessions: Mondays 3.45 – 8.30 and Fridays 3.45 – 6.45 for all ages from 5 to Adults. For further information and pricing, please contact Joe Waters by email, joewaters07@outlook. com or phone 07497 618240. For membership of Nailsworth Tennis Club, please contact Sally Phillips on sally.phillips1966@ gmail.com M E Support Group Meetings are the first Monday of each month at Egypt Mill, 11.00am. Contact Richard on 07814 223567 for more details. Meeting Place (Renew Wellbeing) Drop in at the Christ Church Rooms to the Meeting Place (Renew Wellbeing). A safe place to be or just to chat. Some hobbies available or bring your own. Mondays 10.00am-1200noon. Wed 10.00am till 1.30pm with a light lunch. Inside or outside seating. Info 01453 834996 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 23 ----------------------------------------------------- W H A T ’ S O N What ’s On April Five Valley Sounds Five Valley Sounds is Stroud ’s Talking Newspaper. If you, or someone you know, is registered blind and would like to keep in touch with their local community through our weekly recordings please contact us via 07882 672647; email 5valleysounds@gmail.com Nailsworth Death Café Our next Death Cafe will take place at the Canteen on Weds 25th May from 7.30-9.15pm. For more information, please contact Jane Diamond on 07989 931913 or jane.e.diamond@ hotmail.com. School of Larks Nailsworth Subscription rooms, £20 per 2 hr session. Book online at schooloflarks.com, contact schooloflarks@gmail.com. Various ages, see website for details. Christ Church Events Bee Creative Christ Church Rooms Fridays 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Knit, draw, colour, write etc. Do your own or join in with the group project. Christ Church is open Wed mornings 10.00am - 12.00. Come and listen to the music on the piano or organ. St George ’s Church St G ’s Bee ’s Knees Toddlers Tuesday mornings, 9.30-11.30am. St George ’s Dragons Children ’s drama group (years 2-6) Wednesday evenings, 5.15-6.15pm. Coffee Morning and entertainment at midday. Saturday April 23rd 10.30am –12.30pm. St G ’s Stitchers. First Saturday of every month 10am –midday. Exploring Poetry. First Thursday of every month, 7pm. For further information please visit www.thenailsworthbenefice.co.uk Climate Change Climate Corner Nailsworth Library 10.30-12.30 first Friday of the month. Come along with your questions for a one to one chat with Dr Richard Erskine. All welcome, both adults and chlldren with any queries at all related to Climate Change. Cotswold Warden Guided Walks Cotswold Warden Guided Walks: see www. cotswoldsaonb.org.uk (look for “guided walks ”) for the walks planned, mostly you can just turn up on the day (though pls book if so indicated). Jumble sale Saturday 23rd April refreshments, free admission, 10-1 Mortimer rooms, Nailsworth Nailsworth Friday Market Every Friday in the Mortimer rooms from 8.45am until 12noon. Nailsworth Subscription Rooms We rent out a hall and an upstairs room at the Sub Rooms. Among the groups currently using the space are - Table tennis, Thai Ci, Charleston Fitness, Nailsworth Voices Choir and Circus Skills. See our website for contact details and more information - nailsworthsubrooms.org.uk Nailsworth Community Workshop We run various groups teaching wood and silverwork. Our groups include a Men ’s Shed, Home Education groups and Production Workshops making Guitars and kitchen goods. All groups are held in Nailsworth Subscription Rooms. Please see our website - practicalintelligence.org.uk - or call Pam on 07971 737626 Flea Market and Collectables sale 1st Saturday of every month, Mortimer rooms 9am-1pm Community Orchard Nortonwood Meets the first Sunday of the month at 2 pm. The next one is April 3rd. Come to the Northfield Road entrance to Nortonwood and find us there. All ages welcome. Wear strong shoes or wellies especially if there has been a lot of rain beforehand. More details from Richard Keating on keatree@globalnet.co.uk Nailsworth & District Flower Club April 6th at 7.30pm Demonstration by Ruth Milton Jones (Area) at Nailsworth Town Hall - Visitors Welcome. Tickets will be on sale for All Day Event being held at Wycliffe College on 13th April. For information Contact: 01453 758496 Nailsworth Film Club Date: Friday 8th April 2022: ‘Judy & Punch ’. Venue: The Arkell Centre, Forest Green, Nailsworth. Time: doors open 7.00pm, film starts 7.30pm. Please note earlier start-time - pre-booking no longer required - for further details go to www.nailsworthfilmclub.co.uk Nailsworth Rotary Nailsworth Rotary 1st & 3rd Thursdays, an all-inclusive Community and International Service Organization, meet at Egypt Mill 7pm. Speaker of Community Interest will be on 21st April, Catherine Dawson Technical Director of Melcourt, the forerunners in the development of Peat Free Compost. www.nailsworthrotaryclub. co.uk 07490 220773 nailsworthrotaryclub@ gmail.com Nailsworth Valley Probus Club For retired professional/businessmen every 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings (9.45am - 12 noon) in the Mortimer Room. Info: Les Haines 833547. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about Probus Club at our stand at the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday 23rd April at The Town Square. Nailsworth WI April meeting, held in the Mortimer room, ‘Paper Cutting ’ an interactive demonstration with Jessica Parker. 7.30pm April 11th. Come and join us. For information contact Christine Holmes 01453 836291 Royal British Legion The next meeting of the Nailsworth & Forest Green Royal British Legion will be on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm in the Social Club, Brewery Lane. Nailsworth Society Scheduled meetings for April in Sawyer Hall at 7.30pm: 4th Arts/Crafts/Music “Sue Bateman, Textile Artist ” 11th Society AGM and “Nailsworth – Vumilia Link ” start 7.30pm, open 7pm for light refreshments 18th Bank holiday, no meeting 25th Local Studies “Marvellous Moths ” 28th Ramblers meet 9.30 at Library. Meeting details in Library foyer or on www.thenailsworthsociety.co.uk, Dave Partington, 832034. Nailsworth Society Performing Arts “Midsummer Night ’s Dream ” Horsfall House, Minchinhampton Friday 17th June 2022 7pm The Festival Players Tickets £13 over 60 ’s, £14.50 others, 40% of proceeds to Horsfall House Outdoor performance, please bring seating and a picnic. Contact Susan Staniforth susans taniforth@hotmail.co.uk or 07891 436917 for full details of this and other events. 23 ----------------------------------------------------- Page 24 ----------------------------------------------------- SPORTS NEW S FGR News Forest Green ’s manager, Rob Edwards, did warn that there was bound to be a point in the season when the team went through a rocky patch. Rovers last seven games have proved him right: three defeats and four draws have started to make their fans just a little nervous! But Rovers are still on top of League 2, and they still have a six point lead as teams below them have also been faltering a little. Since last month ’s NN, Crawley Town beat Rovers 2-1 at the People ’s Pension Stadium – remarkably, FGR ’s first away loss of the season. This was followed by good away draws at Newport and Salford, before a 2-0 home loss against Bradford City and a 1-1 home draw against Leyton Orient. On Monday 21st March, the team beat Colchester away 1-0, a much needed win to keep their place at the top of the league. Many teams in the division reinforced their squads during the January transfer window, to try to improve their promotion chances. In Bradford City ’s case they appointed a new high-profile manager, Mark Hughes - a member of football royalty! As a striker, he played for Manchester Utd, Barcelona and Bayern Munich (among others). As a manager, he has been in charge of both Manchester City and the Welsh national side, among others. Visiting Nailsworth must have been a very different experience for him! Mark was gracious enough to be photographed alongside Wilf. There are five home games in April, the last home games of the season. So come and encourage your local side! The top three sides in the league are assured of promotion from League 2 to League 1 (confusingly these are the 4th and 3rd tiers of English football). If Rovers can hang on to their advantage, then the little club on the hill might be playing against football giants like Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Sunderland next season. Did you know the grass pitch at Forest Green is cut by a solar-powered robotic mower called the ‘mowbot ’? Phil & Wilf Doble, FGR Supporters Bridge Club If you are a bridge player, you may be interested to know that Rodborough Bridge Club welcomes new members. They are a sociable club with various standards of play and meet on Monday evenings at 6.30pm for 6.45pm at Minchinhampton Golf Club. You may try before you join at £3 per evening. Contact sec@rodboroughbridgeclub.co.uk for more information. Anne Antrobus, Rodborough Bridge Club Secretary ANGELA BROWN HYPNOTHERAPY Do you experience anxiety, sleep issues, panic attacks, exam nerves, issues around food, anger, confidence, IBS or phobias such as spiders, flying, A great place to work ... Shops, offices, factory units sometimes available Give us a call on 01453 832754 email: ja sper @eachamberlain.co.uk www.eachamberlain.co.uk Nailsworth Mills Estate dentists, the dark? Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help 07795 547 070 angela@angelabrownhypnotherapy.com        e: mjwebbroofing@gmail.com  24 Day Centre & Social Club • Home cooked lunch plus teas/coffees • Group activities, craft sessions and A purpose-built Nursing Home, Day Centre, Social companionship Club & Home Care Services. Home Care Services At Horsfall House we can provide free respite care • Help with Personal & Domestic tasks partnered with The Stroud Hospitals League of • Sitting Service Friends. Eligibility is not based on means, but upon • Meals on Wheels locally clinical need and being registered with one of the 11 local GP practices covering the Stroud area. Enquiries are welcome please call us on 01453 • Registered Nurses on duty 24 hrs a day 731 227 for an Information Pack or go to: • Pre-arranged Respite Care available all year www.horsfallhouse.co.uk round Patron: HRH The Princess Royal, Minchinhampton Centre for the Elderly, Registered Charity No: 287479 Nursing Home • General & Specialist Dementia Nursing