Stroud events

Here’s the current list of things we know about that are happening in the near future.  Where relevant, we’re also listing events a bit further afield that you might be interested in, too. These are local events that are (unless it says otherwise in the listing) run by assorted local groups – these are all independent of the Green Party.

If you are aware of other talks, events, workshops or other community activities in the coming week or so, please do mention them in the comments. If there’s an event you would like our support in promoting, please email the details to brynnethnimue (at) gmail (dot) com.

We came across these free courses across Glos (incl Stroud) about how to develop more inclusive and welcoming communities' – find out more here. http://yourewelcome.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=47b99467fcb8e6e744a31cd15&id=e47f9787cd&e=53288c959b

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Songs of Change – meets on Tuesday nights at Paganhill Maypole Village Hall. We are led by Sophie Sterckx (formerly “Greatorex”). This is an open group drawing on songs from about peace, the earth, equality, etc. 

Horsley Orchard Project, Community Apple Pressing

Turn your own apples into delicious juice SAT 27 Sept, 10 – 1 outside Nailsworth Co-op ( opposite the Library )Bring washed apples & clean bottles, donation of 50p per bottle please  (Sterilised cartons for freezing juice available)

For further information contact Liz Green: Tel: 01453 836910 (lg@phonecoop.coop) or Heather Slater: 01453 833699 (fevslater@gmail.com)

28^th- Five Valley’s walk

How (and why) to build your own Wind Turbine

Wednesday 1^st October

Time: 7.30 to 9. 30 pm; Venue: Nailsworth

Tutor: Pete Nelson

Cost: £5

We will be carving wooden wind turbine blades based on Hugh Piggott's intermediate technology wind turbine designs.  These can be built anywhere in the world, as they use tools and materials that are readily available.

The workshop will also involve a discussion about 'participatory renewables', or 'what role can you play in the renewable energy revolution?' Pete believes that a renewable energy revolution can only progress if there is greater participation.  Do come and participate

If you'd like to read the designs before the workshop, they're available at Hugh Piggott's website: www.scoraigwind.co.uk . 

If there is enough interest after this short workshop we could organise a longer course building a complete wind turbine from scratch

Pete is a philosophy graduate who segued into engineering, working for a number of years with Hugh Piggott's wind turbine designs and more recently installing mainstream renewables on domestic and industrial sites.
To book:  e mail:

erik.w@virgin.net  or ring 07725 900666

4^th October Green Party jumble sale, 2 to 3.30 pm, Maypole hall, Pagan hill. Also an opportunity to meet general election candidates Chris Jockel and Penny Burgess. 20p on the door.

Active Hope Day

 Sunday 19^th October

 Time: 11 am to 4 pm; Venue: Stroud

Tutor:  Fiona Ellis

Cost: Sliding scale: £20 to £10;   

Faced with challenges of climate change, an unstable political world and the tension of living within an increasingly stressed world, it's good to have space to reflect and explore feelings about all this. Joanna Macy’s work over many years has shown this workshop process strengthens people in their choices and resolve about how they live their life or do their work.

Active hope is about the kind of hope you need to carry on, when you do not have certainty about how things will be in the future for you and the next generation.

An opportunity will be made available to discuss the interest in the group meeting regularly

Fiona trained with Joanna Macey in the 1990s and recently again with Chris Johnstone , co authors of “Active hope” and “Great turning time”, and in her professional work is a facilitator and training consultant working with groups for over 30 years. She has lived in Stroud for 20 years.

To book:  e mail:

erik.w@virgin.net  or ring 07725 900666

Stroud community wind project

Alvington Wind Turbine Update and St Briavels Wind Turbine Open Day This Sunday 28^th September  between 12 – 4pm , Great Dunkilns Farm  GL15 6QY

A very big THANK YOU for your support for the Alvington Wind Turbine and our recent Appeal win. No challenge was lodged in the statutory 6 week period, and we are delighted to share the news that the project can begin to proceed – at last!  The Planning Inspector formally recognised our Community Model and the significant public benefits (environmental, economic and social) that will result.  A high level of local support was evidenced and both ourselves and the Rogers family really appreciate your input and kind words throughout.

Drop in to experience a Wind Turbine at close quarters and meet the local team behind the Resilient Energy approach - winner of the Best Community Initiative at the Regen SW Green Energy Awards www.theresiliencecentre.co.uk

To showcase other local action for community renewables and energy efficiency, there will also be representatives from Dean Community Energy Group http://deancommunityenergygroup.wordpress.com and Severn Wye Energy Agency http://www.severnwye.org.uk.

We hope you can make it so we can thank you in person for your support and update you on the next steps for Alvington and our other community wind and solar projects locally.  We are in the process of producing a newsletter to add to our regular updates on Twitter @Resilient Energy https://twitter.com/ResilientEnergy and will keep you informed of developments regarding the community investment opportunities for Alvington and our two consented Stroud community wind turbine projects over the coming months. 

Stroud in September

Here’s the current list of things we know about that are happening in the near future.  Where relevant, we’re also listing events a bit further afield that you might be interested in, too. These are local events that are (unless it says otherwise in the listing) run by assorted local groups – these are all independent of the Green Party.

If you are aware of other talks, events, workshops or other community activities in the coming week or so, please do mention them in the comments. If there’s an event you would like our support in promoting, please email the details to brynnethnimue (at) gmail (dot) com.

We came across these free courses across Glos (incl Stroud) about how to develop more inclusive and welcoming communities' – find out more here. 

The Peregrine Falcons of Gloucestershire By Steve Watson Friday 5th September 7.30pm - approx 9.30pm Cost: £5/adult & £3/child We are very lucky to have Peregrine falcons living close by in the wilds of Symonds Yat over in the Forest of Dean. Few of us may have been lucky enough to see, in real life, one of the fastest animals on the planet.  On 5th September Stroud Valley’s Project is offering you the chance to see this illustrated talk.  ‘The Peregrine Falcons of Gloucestershire’ is a fascinating presentation by Steve Watson, who has been studying the Symonds Yat peregrines for 30 years. This talk will cover the biology, ecology, hunting strategies, UK population dynamics and the pesticide story of the peerless peregrine falcon. Steve will also discuss the Symonds Yat breeding performance and convey some personal anecdotes. The talk will include high quality photographs and video clips. We hope you will be able to join us for this unique and interesting evening. Refreshments will be available.                                                                                                                                        Cost: £5/adult & £3/child.  Booking and paying in advance is essential as places are limited. Please call Stroud Valleys Project on 01453 753358 to book or find out more P.S. Please feel free to pass this email on to other groups and organisations who may be interested. Sumptuous Syrian Supper - a fundraising evening for Syrian Refugees on Saturday 6th September at Star Anise, Stroud from 7.30pm - a night of fantastic food, fun and laughter - there will be an auction and other Middle Eastern inspired fun! Tickets £17.50 from Clare Skivington clareskivington@gmail.com 0788 4021067.  In Aid of Hand in Hand for Syria Registered charity in England and Wales (no. 1145862) Help mobilize a law of Ecocide  a day of local & global direct action planning Date: 6 September 2014 Place: Lansdown Hall, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, GL5 1BB Time: UK 10 am – 3.30pm Polly Higgins has recently moved to Stroud and is organising this event. She says: "For me New Law - Ecocide law - sits at the heart of how we choose to govern our world. It's our choice: sit back and let the wheels of destruction continue, or stand up, speak out and say 'enough, no more'. It's a choice-point where each of us can choose. Which is why I choose to speak out. I choose to host a Day of Action on the 6th of September (see below), to mobilise local and global action for a law of Ecocide. I'd love you to join me - either in person on online for the livestream. The guys at Facing Crossroads shall be there to film it all, and shall be helping message out this one story that looks set to become truly a global story in the making. Come help me as we step into the next chapter!" The event is free. Email support@eradicatingecocide.com to let them know you can attend, or join the livestream on the day at eradicatingecocide.com + facingcrossroads.org People from across the world shall be joining us, both online and in person. Everyone is a participant. HELP US MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS: ·         Do you live locally? Can you offer a bed to any of the participants? If so, please email support@eradicatingecocide.com ·         Please share this event on twitter, facebook, your local cafes and noticeboards (as it will be livestreamed, people can be involved from all over the world - not just in Stroud!). Copy and paste the above or download the poster here: Earth In Our Hands Day of Action ·         Do you have an idea as to how to take Ecocide law forward? Please come and share your plans. There will be break-out sessions and round-table mobilization. You can input online too. Sunday 7th - Peaceful Community Action Training Day facilitated by "Seeds for Change": https://www.facebook.com/events/1475740445997837/?fref=ts link for location for this one: http://www.maypolehall.co.uk/index.htm This event will cover making peaceful community events happen (like the Balcombe protests last year) as well as engaging the wider community. These skills will be transferable to many situations. 12th September  Kings Stanley market, held in the Village Hall between 3pm and 6.30pm. There is a mix of local produce, including Popes sausages, Godsells cheese, Days cider, Stroud brewery, bread, cakes, honey, plants etc, also a variety of craft stalls, books, bric-a-brac, memorabilia and collectables. There is also a community table where anyone can sell plants, fruit and veg with no upfront fees. The playgroup organise a cafe with drinks, cakes and ice-creams. This is the second year we have been organising the market and it has been very popular. We usually have about 28 stalls and it is generally well attended. . 'Economics & Transition' The third meeting of the Transition Stroud Book Group will be Saturday 13th of September at 4pm at Black Book Cafe. We hope to see you there! (if you can't make it, please email us and comments on/reviews of any of the books and let us know what time would suit you in future: admin@transition.org). Books under discussion are:  The Bioregional Economy by Molly Scott Cato (the South West Green MEP based in Stroud) Prosperity Without Growth by Tim Jackson. Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein. A copy of each of these books is available from the Transition Stroud Library at the Black Book Cafe.

HubStroud

Where hubstroud.org.uk What is it? A hub, for information in Stroud. At present, mainly a really easy way to get an overview of upcoming events around the Stroud District - but we've got big plans for the future too. When   Any time you can access the internet - you can view hubStroud on your smartphone or tablet as well as from a desktop or laptop computer. Why not check it on Sunday night or Monday morning to see what is happening in the week ahead or on Friday afternoon to see what's happening over the weekend? Or you could make the site your homepage so you'll be reminded of what's happening in Stroud every time you log onto the internet?

Transition Stroud is all about using the power of strong local communities to develop practical responses to climate change and resource depletion. Transition Stroud is hoping hubStroud will become the website people use to find out what is happening in the local area, and can become a hub to connect communities and help us to share information and resources. If you're organising a workshop, exhibition, gig, film screening or - well - anything in the Stroud District - get in touch about listing it on the site via hubstroud@gmail.com, or by sending a tweet to @hubstroud (if you're on twitter, follow us for regular reminders about upcoming events and to help share local information. If you're not on twitter, but are interested in using it, or have only just started using it, we can offer introductory training).

Green candidates

There are 18 Stroud District council seats being contested on the 22^nd of May, and we have candidates in all the seats. Not all wards are being contested, so to see if your ward is and who might represent you, hop over here – http://stroud.greenparty.org.uk/elections/

When you’re looking at candidates for your ward, it’s easy not to get a sense of the party as a whole, so I just wanted to share something of the breadth of experience we have between the Green candidates. The Green Party is diverse, coming from all kinds of backgrounds with a good mix of age, gender, affluence and life experience, different educational backgrounds, different lifestyles.

Amongst our candidates we have working experience as a lecturer, teachers, landscape gardener, Bikeability cycle instructor, journalism, trades unions, lawyer, experience in medical aid work overseas, sports development, fundraiser, social work, field ecology, charity work and in renewable energy development, parish councillors, organic farming, information technology, running art galleries, homeopathy, political research, a broad spectrum of small business experience, town councillor, research fellow, environment agency. Many of those areas of work have obvious connections to being Green, many require you to be independent, self-motivated and passionate about what you do. Green candidates bring high levels of dedication.

Then we can look at the hobbies and wider interests, where we have a number of keen cyclists and walkers, members of Cotswold Canal Trust and Transition Stroud, supporters of Stroud Against the Cuts, Glosvain campaigners against the incinerator, NHS campaigners, Farmer’s market supporters, a community stores founder, PTA supporters, cricket coach, chorister, Community Orchards interests, Stroud Valleys Car Club, gardeners, participants in Edible Open Gardens and Eco Open Homes, protecting Greenfield sites, local history enthusiasts, and allotments gardeners. Again, there are obvious Green issues at work here, along with a passion for community, and a great deal of investment in the life of Stroud District.

An inspiring set of credentials.

Community RePaint

Could we have one of these in Stroud?

Community RePaint is a network of schemes that collect unwanted, surplus and leftover paint from Paint Manufacturers, DIY Retailers, Painters & Decorators, Waste Contractors and Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC), and re-distribute it to individuals, families, communities and charities in need, to improve the wellbeing of people and the appearance of places across the UK.

Decorating and personalising a home or community space can make a huge difference to the quality of life of the people who live there. The 70+ paint re-use schemes that make up the Community RePaint Network not only prevent perfectly usable paint from being wasted, but they also make it available at a price that means those least able to afford to decorate, have the opportunity to improve their surroundings.

Community RePaint schemes are run by a whole variety of organisations, from not-for-profit organisations that want to assist families on a low income and protect the environment, to local authorities wanting to reduce waste disposal costs whilst helping the local community. Operational for over 20 years, Community RePaint is continuing to grow, aiming to ensure that people can access a local Community RePaint scheme wherever they live in the UK.

If you are part of a community group, environmental organization, charity or local authority and would like to run a Community RePaint scheme, or if you are already collecting paint for re-use and would like to become part of the national network, then check out the website or contact repaint@resourcefutures.co.uk

Stroud Events

Here’s the current list of things we know about that are happening in the near future.  Where relevant, we’re also listing events a bit further afield that you might be interested in, too.

If you are aware of other talks, events, workshops or other community activities in the coming week or so, please do mention them in the comments. If there’s an event you would like our support in promoting, please email the details to brynnethnimue (at) gmail (dot) com.

TODAY! STAND (Severnside Development Against Nuclear Development) – www.nuclearsevernside.co.uk – is specifically campaigning against the proposed nuke at Oldbury.  Wrong place, wrong technology etc., there is every chance that it can be seen off, but, of course, we have to keep the door firmly shut. The STAND roadshow on 1^st February is the follow-on to a similar event that brought Stroud Calling Forest-side. There will be 5 speakers each speaking for 10-15 mins – health, flooding, latest developments regarding Horizon, alternatives etc. etc. – and then some music.  And stands and more information on Fukushima Day on March 11^th.  And I hope a really good opportunity for people from both sides of the Severn to meet and catch-up. I hope that you will all be able to come – please let all your friends, family, groups and connections know.  Everyone welcome.

TODAY! 1st February, 10.00 – 4.00, Merrywalks Centre, Stroud
Once again Transition Stroud and Down to Earth will be organising their annual Stroud Potato Day.

Amanda Godber from Down to Earth said, “this is such an exciting time of year with the promise of many a happy hour getting your seed packets sorted and ready to sow. Now you can buy your selection of seed potatoes to plant and have a delicious variety on your table throughout the summer.”

Come and join us at the Merrywalks shopping centre between 10.00 and 4.00 and you might even be able to taste a delicious lemon drizzle cake made with mashed potato.

You don't need a big garden or allotment to grow potatoes, you can grow them in containers even on a patio or by your back door!
Varieties available will include:

1st Earlies:  SWIFT, INTERNATIONAL KIDNEY, CASABLANCA,  ROCKET, ARAN PILOT, COLLEEN

2nd Earlies: CHARLOTTE, KESTREL, NADINA, MARFONA, VIVALDI, NOVELLA, ORLA

Main:  KING EDWARD, DESIREE, PINK FIR APPLE, SARPO MIRA, ROBINTA

You can read some interesting stories about potatoes as well as pick up some lovely recipe ideas on the Stroud Potato Day blog.

Your Green Future is being held on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 February at Stratford Park Leisure Centre in Stroud. This event will see industry thinkers and experts offer advice and inspiration to over 400 secondary school students from across Gloucestershire on developing a low carbon, sustainable future.

Any businesses wishing to find out more or schools who may also wish to attend should call  01452 835076 or email cecilye@severnwye.org.uk Further information is available at www.yourgreenfuture.org.uk

Monday evening the 17th February 7.15 for 7 30pm at Open House-Next to "Star Anise" at the bottom of Gloucester St.  Stroud There will be a Public Meeting entitled, "The increasing power of Corporations , implications for democracy and what can be done about It"   Speakers will be Nick Dearden -World Development  Movement- Gloucestershire Molly Scott Cato  Stroud District Green Party. This is a crucial issue for the World

Sunday 23rd February, Cake and Conservation, Westley Farm, Chalford 10am-3pm
Enjoy being outside? Want to learn new skills, have fun and meet like-minded people? Then come along to our conservation taster day to see the kind of conservation work we do. We’ll be cutting and burning scrub to recreate links between two wildflower-rich areas, to encourage more butterflies and surveying for marsh fritillary caterpillars. Westley Farm will be providing a delicious home-cooked lunch. May not be suitable for young children under 8 due to nature of the work, parental discretion advised.

Ellen Winter (Stroud Community Wildlife Officer) writes: "I really hope you'll be able to join me, and please do pass this on to your friends and family, the more the merrier! If you'd like to book on any of these events, simply contact the office on info@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk or 01452 383333.  Full details and directions are sent to everyone booked shortly before the event."

Thur 27 Feb Subscription Rooms Stroud How to Occupy an oil Rig,  How to blend in on a march. How to crash a boardroom meeting. How to avoid becoming romantically attached to an undercover police officer. That sort of thing. In this playful and provocative show about protest, you'll learn how to do all of this and more. Funny, surprising, and not a little sad, How to Occupy an Oil Rig is for everyone who ever wanted to change anything. And that's everyone. You get to play with plasticine too. Written by Daniel Bye and the company

New Stroud Green Site

We have a new main site for Stroud District Green Party - http://www.stroud.greenparty.org.uk/ it’s part of the main Green Party site now, so you’ll see some feeds from Green Party central, alongside local feeds. We’ll be sharing press releases, letters to the press, local Green Party News, and local policy statements on the main site.

Here on the blog you can expect more opinion pieces, we’ll keep you up to date with local events, and include more Stroud community orientated content. We’re keen to bring you a wider range of voices and experiences (get in touch if there’s an issue you’d like to talk about).  

You can follow us on Twitter - @GlosGreens, and we also recommend following our local EU candidate Molly Scott Cato, too - @Molly4Europe.

Currently we’re more active on Facebook that other social networking sites, you can ‘like’ our page here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stroud-District-Green-Party/178834628826252?id=178834628826252&sk=info and if you tag Stroud District Green Party or put things of interest on the wall, we will usually share them along.

December events and action





David Le Page

Saturday 30^th November, And Sunday 1^st December, Gillian Keightley and Grizelda Holderness, Paintings, Pastel Drawings, Prints, Photos  &  cards for Christmas, Unit 3, Tanhouse Farm, FRAMPTON-ON-SEVERN,  Between St Mary’s Church and Splatt  Bridge, Sat & Sun  11am to 5pm               

1^st December

More Hall Residential Home Winter Fair. The residents, staff and friends of More Hall are holding their annual Winter Fair on Sunday, 1^st December from 2 pm. Following last year’s success, there will be an International Cake stall selling unusual specialities from all over the world including the renowned More Hall samosas. Of course, Father Christmas, accompanied by his Elf, will be there to distribute presents for younger children.

During the afternoon tea, cakes and Mince Pies will be served and, in the residents’ lounge, there will be seasonal music from local artists and a choir.

Hand made Christmas decorations, soft toys, gifts and preserves will be for sale and there will be the customary raffle for a Christmas Hamper and other prizes.

More Hall, Townsend, is at the top of Randwick Road and the Fair will be open from 2 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, 1^stDecember.

For further information please call 01453 764486

Wednesday 4^th DECEMBER: Make Cakes out of Vegetables! Time: 7.00 to 9.00pm. Venue: TBC, in Stroud Tutor: Helen Patrick Cost: £5 or 4 Stroud Pounds
Carrot cake is everywhere - but did you know that there are lots of other vegetables that can produce delicious and nutritious cakes – and without the usual heavy calorie burden! In this workshop we can explore how to use a wide variety of vegetables in baking and will together bake something to take home. So... don't keep all those glorious vegetables just for dinner.
To book a place: e-mail Erik or phone 07725 900666.

 

7^th December The Ignition/Door Youth Project concert : St Matthews Church, Cainscross, Stroud, GL5 4JE/.  The amazing, internationally-acclaimed Mary-Jess (https://www.facebook.com/MaryJessMusic) will be performing. Venue. Mary-Jess will be joined by a Stroud ensemble conducted by Jonathan Trim and some amazing young people from the Door will also be performing. You will also have a chance to sing your favourite Christmas Carols. All proceeds to The Door. A great event to bring your family and friends too. Tickets only £4 in advance (£3 concession & Family ticket £12) available from the Tranzform Charity Shop at the top of the High Street or on-line from http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-presence-tickets-8240137473 — in Stroud.

12^th December  Fight the Gagging Laws! The Old Town Hall, The Shambles, High Street, Stroud, Glos. GL5 1AP  7:15pm
Neil Carmichael has the power to put pressure on the government to make big changes to the gagging law. He’s failed to vote against it so far, but the gagging law just keeps coming under criticism. Last week the government actually conceded a 6 week pause to the law, so now is the perfect time to ramp up the campaign on our MPs. The law is already being heavily criticised by the Lords who could fix it, or even scrap it completely. Neil Carmichael could play a crucial role in pressuring the government to make changes to the law in the Lords. Everyone is welcome to come along, so please bring your friends and family. Even if you don’t want to ask a question, it will be interesting to hear what Neil Carmichael, the speakers and the rest of your community have to say on the gagging law.

Visit our facebook event page and let us know if you can come, we need to show that as many people are planning to attend as possible, so please RSVP - and invite your friends too:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/Neil-Carmichael-Public-Meeting If you don’t have facebook, you can email emailtheteam@38degrees.org.uk or RSVP on our blog:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/come-to-a-meeting-with-neil-carmichael

19^th December “CHRISTMAS MUSIC!” “Your Musical Memories” concert at Stroud’s Subscription Rooms at 2.30 pm on December 19th is offering traditional Christmas musical fare; joyous carols and songs which always touch the heart at this time of year. Wynstones’ Phoenix Choir will be returning again this year to sing carols old and new, some of which they will have sung at the Wynstones’ Carol Concert in Gloucester Cathedral earlier in the month which has become one of the musical highlights at the Cathedral. They will be joined again this year by the Gannicox Ensemble, Stroud’s own bell ringing troupe, who will also share some of their favourite Christmas songs and Christopher Hudson will play a fantasia on the favourite carol “Away in a Manger” composed for violin and piano. So come and enjoy your Christmas and a mince pie or two at the Stroud Subscription Rooms at 2.30 pm on December 19th. Tickets are only £5.00 (which includes refreshments) and can be booked at the Subscription Rooms’ Box Office, telephone number 01453 760900. (When booking, please mention if you use a wheelchair as the number of wheelchairs allowed in the Ballroom are restricted due to fire regulations.)

         “Enjoy your music live!”

23^rd December A Winter's Tale

The popular Le Page Ensemble (featuring Yehudi Menuhin protege David Le Page on violin and Stroud born cellist Christopher Allan) return to St Laurence Church in Stroud on Monday 23rd December at 7.30 pm. This classical music ensemble bring a rich and exciting blend of music
and word: collaborating with vibrant young folk duo Jack Mcniell (guitar and voice) and Charlie Heys (fiddle), as well as local actor Trevor T Smith, they present "A Winter's Tale", featuring music from
JS Bach, Palestrina, Jeff Buckley, Mozart, Arcangelo Corelli and Astor Piazzolla, and folk carols from around the world, as well as seasonal poems.

Tickets (£13, under 18's free of charge) are available from the Stroud Tourist Information box office (01453 760900), the Star Anise Arts Cafe or on the door.

"Our Christmas concert has become something of an event for us, and also for the audience. This year Stroud's very own Trevor T Smith will once again recite poems in his wonderful way, and I am particularly looking forward to working with the folk duo Jack Mcniell and Charlie Heys who are names to watch.

Meanwhile David Le Page (who is unquestionably one of the UK's most talented and interesting violinists) and the ensemble will play music from around the world. Come and let us serenade you into Christmas!"



Pumpkin fun....

Here are two posters about Pumpkin fun in Whiteshill and Ruscombe...click to enlarge.

Drama, Community, Action

Friday 25^th October  'An Evening with Dementia' A play written and performed by Trevor T. Smith at 8.00 pm at the Cotswold Playhouse. Discover the highs and lows of living with dementia - from the sufferers point of view. This play gives a portrait of an ageing actor living in a care home who 'accepts' rather than 'suffers' from his condition. The wryly intelligent text allows the audience to empathise with the state of being called dementia. When it was played in London Trevor T. Smith was nominated as the Best Male Performance in the The Off West End Theatre Awards and the British Medical Journal stated, "The play enlightens, inspires and, most importantly, teaches what the individual with advanced dementia might want others to understand if he could be the teacher." The Daily Express called it, "A love-letter to a life well-lived.....Insightful and undercut with a surprisingly upbeat sense of humour"

Tickets £10 For more information visit www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk  (Check before you go, this may well sell out)

 

Sunday 27th October – Stratford Park, Stroud - free Pumpkins and Apples in the Park – run by Stroud Five Valleys Project

Another opportunity to try apple pressing to make your own juice. There will be workshops from 11-12.30pm and between 2-3pm. Apple cake and warm apple juice will also be on sale.

Join the Pumpkin Lantern Trail. Get busy at home carving your home grown pumpkins – there will be carving). Entries should be dropped off in the museum courtyard no later than 3.30pm on Sunday 27th October. From 5.30 the twilight Pumpkin Lantern Trail starts and this is when judging will take place.

Good luck everyone.

 

Tuesday 29^th October

Making Morsbags at Fresh Ground, Cainscross (opposite Tricorn House), starting at about 6.30 and going on till 9pm. These are fabric shopping bags, as part of Stroud’s move away from disposable plastic bags. There will be a charge of £2.00 for tea/coffee.

Anyone who can bring suitable fabric (fairly heavy cotton is best) which is clean and ironed is encouraged to do so.  Also, anyone who can bring dressmaking scissors, thread, pins... There will be three sewing machines and a couple of irons and ironing boards - a few extra would be welcome but obviously if everyone brings them we'll have too many, so common sense would suggest people make contact beforehand to arrange details, on 077 066 19295.

 

4th November 9.30–12, 11th November 9.30-2.30 How to Make A Wildlife Garden Adult Education Course Severnview School, Bisley Old Road

Would you like to know how to make your garden more wildlife friendly?  Subsidised cost £25 (total)

Concessions are available. The course will be very practical and we will hold your hand in each step of this process. It will cover:- Wildflowers. Planting three different seed mixes that are suitable for this area and how to care for them afterwards. Ponds and safe water in a garden How to measure for a pond liner and exploring options for safe water in a garden. Compost (if time allows).  Do feel free to pass this information on to your contacts.

To register to take part, contact Julie at Stroud Valleys Project on 01453 753358 or email julie@stroudvalleysproject.org.

 

Your Musical Memories

One of Stroud’s under-celebrated delights is the monthly concert/gathering, Your Musical Memories. Aimed at an older audience, it nonetheless attracts widely, and with good reason!

Unlike the majority of live music events, Your Musical Memories takes place in the afternoon. It means that if you depend on public transport, you can get to it, and get home again afterwards. Many of us can’t handle late nights – parents of young children, those who are unwell and those who just don’t do so well after dark can all struggle to get to evening events. It’s also important to remember that we don’t all work the same shifts, and that late shifts and early morning shifts alike can radically impair your scope for a social life. There aren’t many events on in the day, which can be socially alienating.

Finally, there’s the issue of cost. Live entertainment tends to be expensive, prohibitively so for people of restricted incomes. With tickets at £5, Your Musical Memories is a good deal more affordable, and therefore accessible.

But it doesn’t stop there…

This is also an event that regularly showcases music from local performers. This is of great importance to musicians and singers. It’s not easy going from being an amateur enthusiast to being a professional performer. It is essential to have spaces that enable people who really are good enough to get out and perform, to have a go at that. Your Musical Memories is a safe space for musicians, showcasing local talent and enabling up-and-coming people to test themselves in front of a sizeable, friendly audience. In terms of having a culture of live music, I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to have spaces where new acts can showcase.

The final noteworthy thing, is the glorious eclecticism. You can find all manner of music in the same space at a Your Musical Memories gatherings. Expect real instruments and no amplification, but beyond that, it draws widely. The piece below about next week’s concert will give you some sense of diversity, but you could equally find jazz, classical, folk, show tunes, and more. It’s an opportunity to hear things you might not normally encounter.

I’m not aware of anything else quite like this in the Stroud area. Please let me know if there are other such events – affordable, accessible, diverse, inclusive and promoting local talent.  I would like to support local community events through this blog, so if you’re involved with anything that’s about local people sharing creativity and inspiration, step forwards! Genuine community is something the Green Party cares about. By that we don’t mean people who happen to live in the same place, but active engagement, real human contact and things people can get involved with.

 

Thursday October 17^th This month’s “Your Musical Memories” concert taking place at Stroud's Subscription Rooms at 2.30 pm shows just how much musical talent there is living around Stroud.

James Watson is our local and renowned classical guitarist, a dazzling virtuoso player who always delights his audiences not just by the music he plays but by his extraordinary and formidable technique. He will be playing music not just by such great composers as Bach and Scarlatti but also music in the spirited Flamenco style.

Also taking part will be a new group of a cappella singers who have christened themselves “The Chordials”. The fifties and sixties were a rich era for harmony singing and the Chordials often draw from Motown, gospel music and the Beatles for their repertoire. For the 17^th, they have selected a series of songs, all ‘with soul’, that stretch a full 60 years from the 1930s to the 1990.

Tickets are only £5.00 (which includes refreshments) and can be booked at the Subscription Rooms’ Box Office, telephone number 01453 760900. (When booking, please mention if you use a wheelchair as the number of wheelchairs allowed in the Ballroom are restricted due to fire regulations.) 

Burning issues

What happens to your waste? In an ideal world, it would be good to reuse and recycle or compost everything that goes into the bins. It’s cleaner than landfill, and more sustainable. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that reclaiming materials from waste saves resources, and as we have finite resources and just the one planet, it seems a good idea to recycle as much as we can. That should be a no-brainer.

We all know that burning things releases carbon dioxide. More often than not, it also puts other unwanted chemicals into the atmosphere, too.

 

So with that in mind, you’d probably think that no sane person would suggest burning rubbish as a solution to household waste. It’s so 19^th century, and we’re so much wiser than that, right?

 

Sadly  not.

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and Urbaser Balfour Beatty want to build a huge waste incinerator in the Severn Vale. It’s already been turned down by planning permission, so they’re fighting it.

To quote from the petition site, “It would burn recyclable materials and discourage recycling, produce persistent organic pollutants in its residues and cost local taxpayers c.£500 million over 25 years. We prefer cheaper, safer, less visually intrusive, environmentally friendly alternatives such as small MBT and AD plants. The Cotswold Conservation Board, CPRE, Natural England, Stroud District Council and thousands of local residents object to this proposal.”

You can sign the petition here: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43257

In a recent press release, Cllr Sarah Lunnon said, “GCC’s fascination with burning our natural resources is political – the new Tory administration in 2005 cancelled the Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) waste project that was being developed. It could not then be seen to choose the Lib/Lab solution again during the replacement tendering process. In fact that MBT solution would be operable by now, saving considerable amounts of landfill and landfill tax.”

Building an incinerator is not about science, or saving money. It’s not about safe and sustainable solutions to waste, or the good of the community. It’s about the Tories refusing to back good ideas from other parties. It is not the job of politicians to try and score points in this way.

However, it’s not all bad news. These insane, polluting monsters can be stopped, as campaigners in London have recently proved.

LONDON Green Euro-MP Jean Lambert has welcomed the decision to scrap plans for a massive rubbish treatment plant in north London, in the face of opposition from community, environmental and human rights groups. Ms Lambert, the capital’s Green Party MEP, said: “I am delighted that the North London Waste Authority has decided to ditch the proposals for Pinkham Way treatment plant. It’s a massive victory for local campaigners. Now the North London Waste Authority should think about using existing sites more effectively, working to reduce household waste levels, and building smaller sites, closer to where the waste is being produced, where these prove absolutely necessary rather than developing systems that rely on on-going waste production.”

Green Events and local politics

Here’s the current list of things we know about that are happening in the near future. Where relevant, we’re also listing events a bit further afield that you might be interested in, too.

If you are aware of other talks, events, workshops or other community activities in the coming week or so, please do mention them in the comments. If there’s an event you would like our support in promoting, please email the details to brynnethnimue (at) gmail (dot) com.


Friday 4th October 7.15pm, Open House, British School (near Star Anise) Stroud, members of campaigning group 38 Degrees have arranged to speak with Neil Carmichael regarding concerns over the proposed gagging laws.



Monday, October 7th public meeting to discuss banning plastic bags from Stroud.
Deputy mayor John Marjoram and Town councillor Eva Ward and have set up the Stroud Town Opposed to Plastic bags (STOP) initiative in an attempt to raise awareness about the issue and build public support for their fight. All are welcome to the meeting at 7.30pm at the town council offices in London Road.



Thursday October 10th 7.30 pm at the Grove Suite, the Winter Gardens, Weston, hosted by North Somerset Greens, 'Breadline Britain- why foodbanks are growing faster than supermarkets'. A talk by Green leader Natalie Bennett. Natalie is an interesting and compelling speaker, and the issues underpinning the recent rise in foodbanks need exposing so that we can tackle them.