The Movie: Kevin McCloud opens the Boardwalk!

Last night I reported here on the opening of the Hamwell Leaze Boardwalk in Cainscross Parish near Stroud - below is a quick video of the opening. It is only to give a flavour - I am no movie maker! Indeed this is only the second to be uploaded onto Youtube and was made in under 30 minutes! Click on the video title to take you to Youtube to watch or see below.

Kevin McCloud opens Boardwalk in Hamwell Leaze

I'm hoping a video of the opening will be uploaded soon but here are the photos from 6pm this evening - the opening of the new Boardwalk in Hamwell Leaze.

Photos: taken this evening

This boardwalk - made from recycled plastic - is a significant improvement to the area and opens up the marshy area to explore - it then loops back round. A collection of Cainscross Parish Councillors were there (Jenny Miles, Jo Elliot and Ron Smith) plus Stroud Valleys Project (Director Clare Mahdiyone and Ivi Szaboova-Baxendale who has been involved with many of the Hamwell Leaze biodiversity projects (see for example here) - various others were there - including me - partly with my role in the Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG) - it is the brook that the boards go over!

As regulars to this blog will know RBAG have long been tackling issues like the sewage in the brook and have tried (with some success) to get more work done in this and other areas upstream to reduce silting at The Lake at the Lawns.

Anyhow we started off with a couple of speaches - first Cainscross Parish Chair Barry Pierce (pictured with papers in photo and with Graham Barton and Kevin McCloud cutting the ivy ribbon) - he gave particular thanks to former chair Graham Barton for his involvement in getting the project to fruition - then came Kevin McCloud who is now involved with the Cashes Green Hospital site (Hopefully his speech on the video) - I did bend his ear on a few issues like more allotments please....

The press took several pics then we had the chance to explore the new boardwalks - the kids loved it! The next part of project I hope will be to open up a path under the railway arches and meet up with the road by the fire station.

It is great that this area is being opened up more - Cainscross Parish has the highest population and smallest amount of green spaces in the whole of Stroud District - also the more people use this site the less likely it is to face vandalism.

Anyway a nice evening - and well done indeed to Cainscross Parish Council for getting this project off the ground. The last photo if you are wondering is Ivi from Stroud valleys looking at the slow worms! Excuse the hurried blog but just a taster of the opening....

Update 24th August 2010: well I've added the link at top of this page to the movie of the opening and already had an email saying, where is Hamwell Leaze. Well go the end of Hyett Road (off Cashes Green Road just after the railway bridge coming from Tricorn House) and then around the corner to the Sheltered Accommodation and it is the large area of green behind that.

Spring Migrants at Hamwell Leaze

Stroud Valleys Project have one of their free events on Tuesday 27th April, 11am to 1pm at Hamwell Leaze (alongside the Ruscombe Brook).

Photo: one of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group walks along the brook - see here.

Here is what they say about the event: "The spring is definitely here! The leaves are unfurling and the trees will soon look lush and green…so how will you know whether it’s a song thrush or a chiffchaff singing their heart out when you can’t see them? Listen to their song, of course! Barbara Wood will teach you which invisible bird is responsible for which song. Please bring binoculars if possible. We’ll be walking over grassland so the event isn’t suitable for wheelchairs, prams or for people with severe mobility problems. Wear wellies so we can pop into the willow copse, which might still be flooded. Meet: Entrance to Hamwell Leaze wildlife site next door to Walter Preston Court, off Hyett Road, Cashes Green, Stroud. For more details and to book a place contact Ivi on 01453 753358 (07876 050878 on the morning of the birdwatch)."

See also other SVP events here. See here latest news on project work at Hamwell Leaze.

Parish, allotments, foraging and Easter break

OK well it was very nice to have some time off over Easter - this blog covers some bits and pieces over that time - the photo left is me as the Mad Marsh Hare in a treasure hunt for the local Woodcraft Folk group in Bisley Road Cemetery and around - various characters were lurking around with clues.

Photos: various including these homemade Hot Cross Buns - very delicious they were too!

It seems I am not alone in costumes this Easter - Steven Legge from Randwick, the assistant head of Gloucestershire Music, is pictured in this week's Stroud Life as a giant pink bunny at the Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestras' rehearsal - it seems he bet the students they could not get numbers up from 35 to 60 - well they did and he lost and ended up dressed as a pink bunny for several hours. Great stuff!

Allotments update

Allotments have also been moving ahead rapidly - when we started to clear the land I wondered if we would manage - we've already had four working parties on the site - see here our first one and pic left of another. Today we will be going again! We are still a couple of months of marking out the sites and starting to grow veg but we are getting ever closer.

We have also set up an Allotment Association - a good meeting in The Star in Whiteshill last week - over 15 of us and a constitution agreed...Have you been to The Star recently? Local beer and a hugely improved interior - Ken, the landlord, is really making it a local pub with plenty of stuff going on. See photo left and the 20 small plots have been allocated but no specific sites allocated. Hopefully more about The Star in a coming blog...

Anyway it seems there is huge interest in the allotments - I've had phone calls asking about them and a resident turned up to the Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish meeting this Thursday to ask how they were advertised as they had not heard anything about them...well the allotments have had a mention in pretty well every minutes of the Parish Council which are on their website and all noticeboards. It has also been in the Warbler newsletter to all households and on this blog regularly. I've also mentioned them several times at the Randwick Parish meetings.

I am hoping that all this interest can lead to further sites being found - the site we have is small and the plots are about a quarter of a full size allotment - please to contact your Parish Clerk as Parish Councils cannot act unless they have people on the waiting list - Randwick for a long time has had no one on their list despite a number of Parish councillors being very positive about looking at sites. Do get in touch with me for further info or how we can look for more sites...

More Whiteshill and Ruscombe Paris stuff

OK that should read Parish not Paris....there was a Parish meeting Thursday - I wont repeat here the meeting but a few bits of news...

- a new street lamp in the lane/footpath near Whiteshill School is being considered - plans to consult residents in the area but costs are high - an estimated £1,800 of which the County would pay half and the Parish the other. I suggested looking into a renewable and LED option as most of the costs are in getting electric supply to the site.

- Haresfield want our Parish 20 is Plenty signs! Well there are still on-going discussions with County re the '20 is Plenty in Whiteshill and Ruscombe' signs that they have asked us to take down. The Parish are organising a speed test before that but then might loan some of the signs to Haresfield who would cover over the part that says 'in Whiteshill and Ruscombe'! Great recycling!

- Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Plan - the Parish are embarking on their Parish Plan - they have a meeting planned for Saturday 15th May 10 to 1 at the Whiteshill hall to talk about what it will entail and allow folk to drop-in and share ideas. Randwick have already done there but are now embarking on a renewal - see more here.

- Parish Councillor elections have been postponed due to General Election so you still have 2 weeks to get nominations in for both Parish Councils - see more here.

- New Clerk for Parish - interviews are next week so we will be getting a new clerk - very sad to see Julie go as she has been excellent indeed.

Stroud Valley Project Events

The new list has just been published - see it here - it includes the Stonehouse Newt survey that I joined last year - great stuff - see that here - plus many other very local events like Spring migrants at Hamwell Leaze, a Bat Walk at Stratford Park and bluebells at Randwick woods. We are very fortunate to have so much nature stuff around here!!!

Birch Sap drink and Dandelion muffins

For various reasons I've not managed to go recently to the Farmers Market but have managed to go the last couple of weeks - and hey it is such a great atmosphere. I also found the stall in the Shambles Market - see photos - indeed had to try the birch sap drink with a dandelion muffin - I mean where else can you get that but Stroud? Of course interest in foraging and wild foods is growing rapidly and have to say I do enjoy - indeed regular blog readers will have seen some previous recipes - click here for all.

Birch Sap is widely drunk in Russia and the former Soviet states - see more here and here. I have to say it tasted very similar to water and the Emeperors' new clothes came to mind - but there was an interesting sweetness there and was very refreshing on the warm Spring day! The guy is also a mind of information about other plants and was selling all sorts of stuff freshly picked...

Stroud Pound film

Well I finally caught up with the Stroud Pound folks setting up their regular stall in Threadneedle Street on Saturday. I paid my demurrage and am ready to spend more Stroud Pounds- see here all about it. I was also delighted to see Reuters have made a short film that is spreading news of local currencies across the world - see here - amazingly Brixton is now up to £40,000 in circulation - Stroud is at £4,000 which is excellent in 6 months. May it continue to grow...

Election?

Oh yes the final touches to leaflets have been made, letters written and all the nomination papers submitted. In this ward there will be me, a Conservative and a Labour standing - no Lib Dem will stand this time. I will soon be out delivering leaflets and will also knock on every door in the next 3 weeks! Do please phone me if you have any queries or questions. If anyone has time for leaflet delivering do please get in touch!

And Bath...

Lastly to finish this ramble I will mention a great day in Bath yesterday - was visiting a family member who had a hospital appointment there and afterwards had a chance to walk around - do find it all a bit touristy but like the independent shops and cafes so was disappointed to see the new SouthGate shopping complex - the new Georgian-style buildings are fine (indeed impressive) but why more shops - and also it is all those big chains like a whole shop of Calvin Klein underwear....it is all a bit of a mystery to me....how can we possibly sustain even more shops and retailing....

....indeed as I've said before we are loosing the identity of our towns and cities - Stroud has changed but at least still retains an identity - but if we are not careful we will join the growing lists of towns that are identical - clone towns as they have been dubbed - in 2008 Stroud nearly became one - see here - and see here more from the new economics foundation about clone towns. In a recession, chain stores are the most likely to abandon the high street and close branches.

Walking back up the street I was in the Juice Moose cafe - not a chain but has three stores - and I ended up with their first ever Chocolate sundae thingy - well it doesn't have a name yet but I was the first customer to trial it...will have to return to see if they take on board my comments!

Sewage problems to be tackled, but when?

Don't read this article at meal times! This article below was sent to the Randwick Runner last week to update folk as we had a great meeting of the Stroud Valleys Water Forum where we were able to ask many questions of Severn Trent.

Photos: from RBAG meeting and Water Forum meeting with Severn Trent

The Ruscombe Brook Action Group also met the night before to pull together questions and issues (see photo). We are also looking at the next phase for Puckshole and plans for Hamwell Leaze and The Lawns - see previous blog on this.

Other issues I managed to raise with Severn Trent at that meeting include a request for:
- more info re planned works,
- issues around new developments in the area,
- Severn Trent to set up a Customer liaison panel like Wessex Water so that we can have input and feedback from the company,
- them to extend their tariffs to include an Assist tariff that is best for those in financial difficulties (they already have many measures incl their ST Trust Fund but this would be a step further).

Anyway to that article:

Many will know that about five years ago there were well over 20 incidents of raw sewage getting into the Ruscombe Brook including the Randwick tributary. This was mainly due to the sewers surcharging usually during heavy rain. Since then the Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG) have been meeting monthly and incidents have been reduced to a couple a year.

There have been many successes and actions along the way including improvements along key sites of the brook, clear-ups of rubbish and furniture in the brook, work with schools, sorting out misconnections where for example a washing machine had been discharging directly into the brook, a replacement of a pipe bridge, distributing several hundred fat traps to raise awareness about blockages, working to develop a flood catchment strategy for the whole Five Valleys and this December the fitting of a 13k new grill and culvert at Puckshole to reduce flooding. When we met with Severn Trent all that long ago they originally denied there was a problem. Since then we have come along way and they have now done extensive CCTV, flow monitoring, a manhole survey, developed a hydraulic model and much more along the sewer system.

Last week we met again with Severn Trent at Ebley Mill and the year old Stroud Valleys Water Forum. John O' Leary (pictured second from right) from Severn Trent gave us a comprehensive presentation of plans for the area including the huge works at Slad and Cashes Green. At those sites vast pipes will store 180 cubic meters of sewage during heavy rain then discharge slowly into the sewers when flows have reduced. This will hopefully stop the handful of properties in the area from getting sewage in their homes.

John was also very honest about the problems and challenges. Severn Trent now admit there are large sections of our sewer networks that are inadequate. In recent years the water company has, each year, cut tree roots that grow into the sewer pipes in the Ruscombe Valley and Randwick and down the sewers to The Lake at The Lawns opposite Tricorn House. These roots cause blockages which can lead to the surcharges and blown manhole covers...and plenty of not very pleasant stuff in our fields and gardens. Indeed on one occasion we picked up two buckets of sanitary ware alone!

Relining does not appear to be an option as the pipes are not large enough, so a proposal is being submitted for specialised 'pipe bursting' that will lead to replacement of sewer sections. However this is an expensive option as much of the sewer network is inaccessible to the 40 tonne truck they usually use. There are also hydraulic issues and other challenges. So we need to now wait to hear whether the plans are accepted and what level of priority the capital works will get.

While I am delighted the problems have been clearly accepted and documented I am concerned that we will now have to wait a long time. Severn Trent's recent determination by OFWAT means they will have to cut staff. This is not good, but we will have to see what this will mean in practice. We understand priority must be given to people that face raw sewage in their homes but equally we need to address this issue which leaves us open to sewage incidents.

RBAG have a number of projects that we are working on and will continue to push for improvements. We would welcome new members or anyone interested in learning more.

Cllr Philip Booth, Ruscombe Brook Action Group

Ruscombe Brook - update of projects along the brook

This blog entry comes with thanks for info from a variety of sources including Andy Reed of the Land Trust, Ivi Szaboova-Baxendale from SVP and Officers at Stroud District Council. This week I was also able to go and talk to Officers at Cainscross Parish Council and give them an update of work along the brook as well as see the plans for Hamwell Leaze - see below.

1. The Lake at the Lawns - Over £90k bid

Background: During 2006–07, the Stroud Community Land Trust signed a lease with Gloucestershire County Council to take over management of the Lake at the Lawns site, the second site in the Stroud area that it will actively manage. This site, next to Cainscross roundabout, is all that remains of a large country house that used to exist on the site until the 1960s. The lake, small area of woodland, and more formal lawn area is only one of three sites in Cainscross parish that residents have unrestricted access to for walking, picnicking, and generally relaxing and getting closer to wildlife. This gives the site particular importance given that the parish population is over 5,500 people.

British Waterways did carry out some work as part of plans re the canal - see some of the discussion here - the photo above is before the work was undertaken to dredge and improve the site. Considerable work was done although not quite as we had hoped - nevertheless an improvement.

After taking over the lease, Stroud Valleys Project helped the Land Trust to consult with local people about the roles that the site will play in community life, and how the site should be managed. They produced a comprehensive plan which led to a bid being submitted by the Land Trust before Christmas - a major bid for the Big Lottery Changing Spaces programme.

Andy Read, of the Land Trust (and currently Mayor of Stroud) report that they have already been shortlisted from a first stage process. They expect to hear in 10 weeks time. If successful it will be an 18-month project to do most of the repair and enhancement work identified in the management plan for the site. Some of this includes work to reduce the silting: I've requested further details on this as work we will do will hopefully support silt reduction. If not successful in the bid at least they still have everything fully planned and costed and can fundraise on individual items. The total application is just over`£90k - fingers crossed!

2. The Lake at the Lawns - Habitat work

As a result of the Ibstock Cory funding, Stroud Valleys Project were able to maintain and improve biodiversity at this site. This has allowed some on-going improvements to the site. Their work days are great fun and I well remember helping clear Hamwell Leaze and build a 'snake hotel' on one day (see photo) - recent work with volunteers includes:

- built a newt and toad hibernaculum during a habitat creation session for 10 Y9 students from Marling secondary school
- winter bird survey
- organised a training session for volunteers to help with a bat survey
- removed a laurel from the lakeside. This will help improve the water quality by reducing the amount of leaf litter in the water. The laurel will be replaced by a native hedge, which is more suitable for wildlife in terms of cover, nesting opportunities and provision of food.

3. Hamwell Leaze - Plan and Habitat work

Cainscross Parish Council have commissioned a plan to be drawn up for Hamwell Leaze: many months ago I spoke with the project coordinator and am pleased to see that the plan includes a board walk at the willow end. This plan pictured left is different from the 15 year old plan by Water 21 below.

Those visiting the site might have seen some trees marked with white paint. It seems those trees are likely to be removed - understandably those who know the site and have been working on bird and insect surveys are worried that the dead wood will be removed even though it's good habitat for insects. I have telephoned the Parish Clerk and asked that this issue is considered and understand quotes for tree cutting will be considered by the Parish Council next Monday.

There are plans of the project now on the wall at the Cainscross Parish Council building (open I think from 9.30 to 1.00 each day) - you can see them alot more clearly than my poor photo here. I understand these plans have been approved in principle by the Parish.

As a result of the same Ibstock Cory funding noted above the Stroud Valleys Project have been able to maintain and improve biodiversity for wildlife at this site. Recent habitat work at Hamwell Leaze has includes:
- gapped up the hedge and cleared bindweed/grass around the trees
- used the grass to re-stocked the area used for slow-worm hibernation
- cleared bindweed from oak saplings
- cut back overhanging vegetation near footpaths to make walking easier
- fixed chicken wire onto the bridge across the stream to make it safe
- cleared out bird boxes
- planted native bulbs to increase the biodiversity of the site
- organised a birdwatch session to help volunteers recognise garden birds ahead of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
- organised a training session for volunteers to help with a bat survey

4. Acre Place, Puckshole - new culvert and grill details

Photos: Culvert working and below the culvert collapsed

As reported the new culvert and grill are a great improvement over the previous arrangement (see photo and here). In the past heavy rain has led to houses being cut off by a knee deep river and cars being flooded. The new gulley took the place of the previous vertical pipe in the track: this allows flood water (and normal surface water from the track) to drain away following storms. Unfortunately, this may also occasionally act as a “pressure relief valve” if the downstream pipe is surcharged (full capacity exceeded) – just as the vertical pipe did before. For most of the time it should act as a benefit in draining the road.

The final works carried out at Acre Place included the replacement of 2No. vertical screens with a new 45 degree rake-able bar screen and new headwall (est. cost £13k). During the work, it was found that parts of the existing culvert under the track (formed by large stones with a slab stone over approx. size 0.6m x 0.4m) had collapsed, causing obstruction and a reduced capacity. A new twinwall 600mm diameter plastic pipe was therefore laid across the total width of the track so that the other works (screen, headwall) could be completed.

In addition jetting of the culvert downstream through the builder’s yard (made up of old oil cans surrounded in concrete) was also carried out after CCTV work (est. cost £1.5k).

Residents will now monitor the culvert when there is further heavy rain and RBAG will work on phase 2 of plans at the site.

Redwing in Ruscombe

I did mention earlier this last week advice from the RSPB about feeding the birds - see here -it is also in such harsh weather that we get unusual visitors - well this little fellow - a redwing is mostly seen in the winter and is the UK's smallest thrush.

Photos: pics from my garden

Apparently these fellows roam across the UK's countryside, feeding in fields and hedgerows, and rarely visit gardens, except in the coldest weather when snow covers the fields. Only a few pairs nest in the UK. Migrants arrive from September, with most in October and November. They leave again in March and April, although occasionally birds stay later.

Also saw those deer again - they are regular visitors but somehow they look even more magnificent in the snow.

Bird Watch at Hamwell Leaze

Tuesday 19th January, 11am to 1pm

A firm favourite amongst the seasoned twitchers as well as the complete novices. You can see kingfishers, dippers, jays, great spotted and green woodpeckers and song thrushes. The site includes a steep slope and a muddy, wet willow copse. Wellies recommended. No toilet facilities or refreshments on site. Free event, donations always appreciated. Meeting Point:Hamwell Leaze Greenspace. Turn right from Cashes Green Road into Hyett Road. At the end of Hyett Road, go straight into Walter Preston Court. The greenspace is at the end of the cul-de-sac. For details please contact Ivi on 753358.

Ruscombe Brook Action Group AGM

5The Ruscombe Brook Action Group AGM was on 15th Sept 7.30 at Randwick Village Hall - over 20 people turned up which wasn't bad considering we had 5 apologies and hadn't really advertised much - anyhow the photos here are a bit of a record of some of the two presentations by Water 21 and below there is als a summary of the AGM for local press.

We also had the Water for Life exhibition which has been touring the County - a Vision 21 project with Severn Trent Water.

The evening started by Zarin Hainsworth, our Chair (pictured here with her daughter) giving a brief review of work of RBAG - what has been achieved over the last year - including the setting up of the new water forum.

I said a few additional words the Treasurer gave a report and then we went staright to appointment of officers - Chair, Zarin Hainsworth, Secretary, Jo Botterill and me as Treasurer - I was delighted by this as I have been Secretary for over 4 years and with being so busy was doing a less good job - Jo has already been helping lots and will be great.

However that does mean I am now in charge of the dosh - I think we have all of £100 - anyway we then had the Water 21 student presentations followed by a preview of a new Aussie 'Land & Water Microbial' film - very exciting stuff that I mentioned briefly at one of our previous meetings - see here.

Report on Ruscombe Brook Action Group AGM for local press

The Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG) formed in January 2005 to end the flooding at Puckshole and the repeated incidents of sewage getting into the Ruscombe brook. Since then the group has met monthly and learnt lots about water, sewage, biodiversity and more. We've worked with various agencies and seen some significant improvements: sewage pipes replaced, roots cut from inside pipes and a plan for further work.

Photos: These next two photos are of Downton Road (Brigend) - a lidar of the flood area showing how the road increases flooding - the second slide is ofe some of the solutions being considered.

We've also organised three seminars and held other public meetings, met with agencies to see improvements at The Lawns and Hamwell Leaze, initiated projects with University students and school children to look at water quality, produced information leaflets and much more.

At our AGM in Randwick Village Hall, Chair, Zarin Hainsworth, outlined work this year. It included a walk along the 2 mile brook to identify problems, one day digging out silt from near a culvert and one day removing a vast amount of rubbish including two sofas, a tent, waste bins and of course a shopping trolley. Apart from work to improve the sewage system we are also delighted to have finally got agreement and funding for a grill and clearing out of the culvert at Puckshole. This initial measure will reduce flooding of the lane but there are further improvements planned for the site. We're also producing information on how to reduce our water use.

Photos: the next three are re Slad showing where attenuation ponds could be, using the map and lidar and then a picture showing attenuation capabilities increasing when heavier rainfall

Another exciting development this year is Stroud Valleys Water Forum that RBAG helped set up with the four other water action groups in the area. We are together seeking a water management strategy in the Stroud area that will give greater protection from floods and drought.

At the AGM after Officers reports and elections, we heard from Adam Broadhead and Julian Jones from Water 21. They talked about how Stroud Valleys’ complex hydrogeology has been disrupted by artificial modification, urbanisation and intensification of agriculture. Infiltration zones such as fields and woodlands have been covered with paved, impermeable surfaces.

We also heard about specific problems at Brigend and what solutions might be possible, the work in the Slad Valley and more. The evening concluded with a DVD preview of work in Australia around soils and water. We are now looking forward to another year of improvements along the brook.

Philip Booth, Ruscombe Brook Action Group

News: schools, lane closed, housing, convent, SVP and more

A quick round up of some bits and bobs of local interest:

Photos: Woodcraft Folk Willow Elfin group rafting in Chalford this evening and below Open Studios exhibitions closed on Tuesday - a truimph - well done to all who made it possible.

The Vine Tree pub fundraiser for Mesothelioma UK - well done to Naomi Hawkins and all who raised money for the charity by designing and selling calendars and more.

Stroud District's Land Availability Assessment - this evening after work I was off to make rafts with Woodcraft Folk - see photo - then arrived slightly late for the Policy Panel on land availability in Stroud - basically Stroud District Council have appointed consultants Roger Tym & Partners to undertake a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) for the District. The study should provide up-to-date information on the future housing potential in the district up to 2026 - and will form part of the evidence base on housing potential. It will also inform the emerging Local Development Framework and will contribute to how the housing provision figures in the South West Regional Spatial Strategy can be met. Lots of stuff then and important. It includes a list of sites, cross-referenced to maps showing locations and boundaries of specific sites plus an assessment of the deliverability/ developability of each identified site (i.e. in terms of its suitability, availability and achievability) to determine when an identified site is realistically expected to be developed. Plus the potential quantity of housing that could be delivered on each identified site or within each identified broad location (where necessary) or on windfall sites (where justified) and the constraints on the delivery of identified sites with recommendations on how these constraints could be overcome and when. Of course of most interest is where the housing is going - will for example Ruscombe fields be included? However this is only about availability not whether it will be developed - lots more needs to be considered but it is an important step that I will be following up....

The Lane closed in Randwick - Highways have alerted me this afternoon to the fact that they will be undertaking vegetation clearance/maintenance works at Randwick School Retaining Wall. This work is "to enable inspection work to be carried out on the wall and any required repairs to be undertaken thereby ensuring the future stability of the retaining structure, and therefore the safety of road users and residents. The works are programmed to start on the 27th July 2009, should last for approximately 3 days. There will be a no parking policy in the vicinity of the work while the works are being undertaken, though all access to local properties will be maintained. Prior to the vegetation clearance a contractor will be carrying out herbicide spraying during the week commencing 6th July 2009. This work will not require and any traffic management or road closure but we request that consideration be taken whilst driving along The Lane during this week to ensure the safety of the workforce."

Randwick Mayor to Visit Randwick - yes Mayor Bruce Notley-Smith of the City of Randwick in Oz is due in the village later this month - more details soon.

Belties at Risk - front page of the Runner had news that the Belted Galloways cattle, a traditional rare breed at the field at the top of Ash Lane have been put at risk by the litter and fires - cows are inquisitive and will seek out new things in their environment - this threatens their mouth and feet. The Runner asks us to either let those lighting the fires know about the impact of their actions or to please report fires to the National Trust warden on 01452 810052 or teh Community Police Officer on 0845 0901234 - these cattle are v important as they help ensure that our grasslands remain full of wild flowers and wildlife.

Whiteshill Primary School - Pupils will sing and dance in a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Cotswold Playhouse on the evenings of 7th July and 8th July. The children were inspired to put on the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic after seeing a performance of the musical at the Bristol Hippodrome earlier this year.

Randwick CofE Primary School - reports in local papers show that it has made a good impression on an Ofsted inspector who found pupils' academic and personal development was outstanding. Here is what Stroud Life had to say: The 84-pupil school was marked good in its overall effectiveness after a visit by Shirley Billington. She said: "This is a good school. Pupils do well academically and their personal development is outstanding. Pupils make a first rate contribution to the school and local community, showing a keen awareness of the part they need to play in the wider world." If that was not enough, Randwick school was then judged outstanding when a second inspector – Muriel Griffiths from the Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools – toured its classrooms a month later. "Randwick is an outstanding church school. Christian values underpin the whole life of the school and ensure that everyone feels cared for and valued," she reported. "There is a delightful family atmosphere that permeates the whole school. The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Randwick as a Church of England school are outstanding." Headteacher Fiona Montacute said everyone was delighted with the outcome of both inspections. "They help build a picture of Randwick as an outstanding church school," she said."Randwick is a small village school and special to everyone involved within it. It is great to have the opportunity to celebrate our achievements both within the school and the community."

More Hall Convent Open Day - I missed it this year but by all accounts it was great - the nuns even turned their talents to Morris dancing during the annual fete. Here is the local press report: "The Indian and Sri Lankan sisters from the Benedictine Order of Grace and Compassion twirled, jumped and hopped to the admiration of visitors to the fundraiser. The sisters also made spicy samosas to their own recipe that were served as tasty snacks to the crowd, said More Hall spokeswoman Joanna Boddington. More Hall, founded in 1968 in Cashes Green, is home to half a dozen nuns led by Sister Elsy and cares for 10 elderly men and women. The fete provides money for extras for residents. This year's event drummed up £1,000 and will be used to provide raised flower beds in the garden.

Stroud Valleys Project - who have just celebrated their 21st birthday have also just got a grant of £5,000 to run wildlife workshops and surveys at The Lawns and Hamwell Leaze (booth on the Ruscombe Brook) along with a couple of other sites.

Happy 21st Birthday Stroud Valleys Project

On Monday after work I was delighted to join Stroud Valley Project's 21st Birthday party at Slimbridge - it was for all the volunteers that are involved in their projects - some 70 joined the festivities that started with either a canoe paddle down some backwaters or a guided bird watch. A great afternoon which ended with food and birthday cake.

Photos from birthday celebrations incl Mayor Andy Reed taking the photo of us volunteers

SVP's "mission is to inspire the people of Stroud District to cherish, care for and repair their local environment for everyone’s benefit."

It is a community development charity which operates throughout the whole of the Stroud District - there is much they are involved in - see their website for details - most recently I joined them on their newt watch - some will have seen them on telly doing Springwatch at The Lawns - much has improved there - see here - indeed that was one of my first introductions to SVP when through the Ruscombe Brook Action Group we called all the relevant groups together to work on the improvements some four years ago - sadly we didn't get all we wanted but that was not due to SVP! It was British Waterways who weren't listening...but that is another story...

Indeed the support and expertise from Stroud Valleys Project to improve the biodiversity at both the Hamwell Leaze site and The Lake at the Lawns site (both of which are part of the Ruscombe brook) has been invaluable. These two sites have seen very significant improvements in wildlife and use by the community in the recent years and I am hoping that if recent grant applications are successful then their work will continue to improve those sites.

As I have noted before Cainscross ward is the highest concentration of housing in Stroud District and has the least amount of green spaces. Both The Lawns and Hamwell Leaze have been under-used by the public due to access and awareness of the sites. It is great that the work of SVP is engaging with individuals and community groups (like the brook group) to increase awareness and use of the sites.

It is also worth mentioning that on their public workdays and on visits to other sites their staff like Ivi Szaboova Baxendale and Nadine Smykatz-Kloss have all been excellent - their enthusiasm, knowledge and abilities to engage with a wide range of members of the public is first rate - indeed it would be hard to better.


Anyhow since those early days I have also been delighted to support several of their grant applications - it is tragic that organisations doing important work with many different people within our community, including many vulnerable folk, are facing funding cuts - they have been hit like arts funding locally - anyhow I must dash but should also mention this year they have also helped with planning the Eco-Renovation Open Homes project set for September - more of that another time - see here our website under construction for this year: http://www.stroudopenhomes.org.uk