Road closures, Village Green, local events and more

Here's some of the local events planned and an update on a few local issues:

Village Green

Photo: Whiteshill Village Green

The Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council Chair and Clerk met Highways today to see how best to improve the Village Green - that area of concrete outside the Woodcutters Arms. The land is apparently owned by Highways so any work need checking with them - the Parish are seeking to make more of this area - local school children have been involved with plans which they presented to some of us last year. I missed the first bit of the meeting as I was talking too long with several neighbours but we are slowly moving forward - I have another meeting possibly next week with Highways re their plans for outside the school.

Ruscombe Road closed

It is still due to reopen on 31st March - some have said how much quieter the road is while others have complained of more traffic.

20 mph is Plenty

Having had a 20 mph zone ruled out for the moment plans are afoot to consider '20 is Plenty' zones. Both Whiteshill and Ruscombe and Randwick Parish are looking at this route. Here is basically what they will need to do:

1. Survey the current traffic speeds (they will loan/hire us the necessary equipment) 2. Consult with residents about our plans and gain their support (public meeting) 3. Inform Police, Highways, Press. 4. Introduce the features of the campaign - posters, signage, flyers, etc. 5. Re-survey the traffic speeds to confirm effectiveness of campaign. 6. Feedback to residents (via newsletter?)

My suggestion is that we need a local Residents for Slower traffic group - any offers to help - please call me on 755451.

Randwick Campsite

This will be at last up for discussion at the next Randwick Parish meeting on 19th April (see my blog for 22nd December).

Abolition of slavery match

Photo: Citizen's pic of march

200 people gathered at the Paganhill Arch on Sunday - see Citizen report here. See my blog on 6th March for more info.

Carbon Rationing Action Group

This is a sub-group of the new and exciting Transition Towns Stroud project (TTS) - there will be a meeting for those interested in learning more about a CRAG (carbon rationing action group) on Thursday 29th March at 7.30 at the Town Council offices in London Road, Stroud. Vey Straker from the Hereford CRAG group is coming to talk about how they set up their group, and to answer any questions we may have.

Coffee morning

Randwick Church on 7th April - Easter Saturday - I hope to be there if anyone wants to catch me in person rather than phoning or arranging a meeting.

Next local Stroud Valleys events

Pond survey in Cainscross – come and get your free A3 pond poster from SVP
Garden ponds are very important places for aquatic wildlife to thrive – it’s estimated that 1 in 10 gardens in Britain have ponds, which adds up to a staggering 2 million ponds. Over 1,200 species of animals and a third of the UK’s plantlife depend on ponds for their survival. Ponds play a vital role in the water cycle but in the past century the numbers have declined by 75%. The aim of the survey is to get a better picture of the network of ponds in the parish where wetland wildlife can flourish. If you’d like a copy of the pond survey and a free A3 pond poster, please contact SVP on 01453 753358 or pop into the SVP office (8 Threadneedle Street, Stroud).

Circular Walk from Humphreys Close - Saturday 12th May, 10am – 12noon. Stroud Valleys Project would like to help the local communities appreciate our beautiful landscapes, and get healthier by organising regular walks. The Government guidelines say we should be exercising 5 times a week for 30 minutes, but a lot of people are put off the idea of going to the gym. Regular walking could be the answer – it’s a very good form of exercise, it’s free and anybody can do it. This is another 2-hour circular walk from Humphrey’s Close to the nearby woods. Bring walking boots/trainers and waterproofs. The walk will involve going over some stiles.

Wildlife Planting at Hamwell Leaze - Saturday 19th May, 10am – 1pm. The spring bulbs we planted last autumn are flourishing, so this time we will plant wildlfower plugs to increase the diversity of the site. Please bring your own trowel if you have one.