COMMONERTHE

VIEWS AND NEWS FROM RODBOROUGH

MAY 2017 • ISSUE 54

Published by Rodborough Parish Council, funded by advertising and the Parish Council and delivered free by volunteers to every home in the parish.

www.rodborough.gov.uk

‘Like us on Facebook’– search for Rodborough Parish Council

This Marking Day event is organised by The National Trust at the Old Lodge (postcode GL6 9AQ)

on Minchinhampton Common to celebrate the traditional releasing of the cows onto the common. Marking Day was the day that local farmers would release their cattle to exercise their ancient grazing rights, to mark or register ownership of their cows.

Our ranger Richard Evans says 'It is important to recognize the tradition of Marking Day and the important contribution our grazing community bring to Minchinhampton and Rodborough.'

To see the cows graze the grassland owned and protected forever for everyone by the National Trust is of international importance. Matthew Oates Nature & Wildlife National Specialist for the National Trust will be there to talk about the land and its link with butterflies and nature.

Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership and the Cows on the Common group will be giving out information and speaking to visitors on Marking Day about road safety in the area, with special attention to communicating the need for everyone to slow down as cattle graze the area near roads.

Historic photos of the Commons will be available to view and road safety and other information about the Commons will be given out on the day. Mark Dawkins,

Marking Day EventSaturday May 13th, 11-3pm

Hayward for the Commons who looks after the cows when they are out on the commons will be on hand to educate the public about what the Hayward does.Come along and meet some of the team at National Trust including Ranger Richard Evans who takes care of the commons and Carol Denn, Visitor Experience Manager for the Cotswolds. Information will be available about other Gloucestershire National Trust sites. Ruskin Mill will also be on hand to speak about traditional grazing and the benefit to flora and fauna in the community and their inclusive work with people with disabilities.

Historic photography groups, including Remembering Rodborough, will be exhibiting photos and other media about the Commons. Butterfly Conservation will be on hand with their expert knowledge and will have moths for you to see up close. Stroud Valleys Project will be there on the day with information and leaflets about the Commons.

Alick MiskinWritten with the kind help and advice of Ranger Richard Evans and Carol Denn, Visitor Experience Manager for the Cotswolds National Trust

2017 Guided Parish WalksWe hope you are looking forward to rejoining the

parish and the South Cotswold Ramblers for the first of this year’s Guided Parish walks.

The dates are in the events listing on the back page and on page 11. There is no need to book – just meet at 6.30pm outside the Community Hall (GL5 3TZ). These are always popular events and those attending are very friendly so do come along for the joint benefits of some exercise and pleasant company.

© Ia

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To ADVERTISE hERE fRoM jUST

£36.67 (ex VAT)

contact Rodborough Parish

Council on 762686 or clerk@rodborough.gov.uk

HANDYMAN AND MAINTENANCE

SERVICESRoutine maintenance. Painting and decorating. Flat pack installation.

Windows, gutters cleaned. Fences repaired. Smoke alarms, shelves, curtain poles installed.

Gardening and vegetables. References and insurance.

CRB clearance.

Oak Leaf ServicesKevin Lea

01453 762735 • 077408 54170kevin@lightpill.co.uk

www.oakleafservices.co.uk

ALPHA AUTO SERVICESAt Kingscourt Garage

Your Local Garage.

SERVICINGREPAIRS

MOT PREPARATIONCLUTCHES

All Makes and Models welcome.

Tel Maurice 01453 766197

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COMMONERTHE

Published by Rodborough Parish Council

Editors Kim Richardson and Huw Oliver

Distribution Rodborough Parish Council

Advertising Joy Jackson Compilation Qwertyop.co.uk

Printer CBF Printed on recycled paper

Contact The Commoner, Rodborough Community Hall, Butterrow West, Rodborough, Stroud, Glos GL5 3TZ

Tel: 01453 762686 Email: clerk@rodborough.gov.uk

Deadline for next issue is: 1st July 2017

No article necessarily represents the views of the editor or the parish council unless this is specifically stated.

If you would like to provide an article for The Commoner, please send it to the address above or email to

clerk@rodborough.gov.uk by the deadline.Advertising in The Commoner starts from as little as

£36.67+VAT and we can offer discounts for repeat bookings. Contact us for more details.

Do you enjoy reading the Commoner? Do you think it could improved? Would you like to help us do it?

The Commoner Editorial Group is currently looking for new, non-councillor members. You wouldn't need any

experience, just a willingness to help plan future editions, edit contributions and maybe write occasional articles.At the moment the Editorial Group meets once every three months during the day, but this is flexible.

If you would like any more information, please contact us at clerk@rodborough.gov.uk or phone on 762686.

The Council would like to thank Kim Richardson for all the work he has put into helping edit the Commoner over the last few years. His expertise and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.

Rodborough Parish Council has awarded the following grants to local organisations for the 2017-18 financial

year. If any organisations would like to apply for a grant for the 2018-19 financial year, applications will open in the autumn and more information will be available in the August Commoner.

Grants awarded 2017-18

GRANTS AWARDED foR 2017

Rodborough Youth Project

Staff cost contribution £200

Sea Cadets Buoyancy aids £100

Guides Tents £300

Book club community book share

Improve ex-BT phone Kiosk

£200

Beavers Flag £100

Sing and share Sheet music £100

Scouts Cameras £150

Remembering Rodbor-ough

Website £100

Friendly Circle Transport £200

Monday Lunch Transport £200

Citizens Advice Bureau Running Costs £500

Rodborough Playgroup Road Works Set to practice Road Safety

£200

£2,350

IN-kIND SUPPoRT WITh fREE EVENT/hAll hIRE To:

APPRox VAlUE

Remembering Rodborough

Hall Hire - meetings and events

£107

Rodborough Youth Project

Hall Hire for Youth Club (3hrs term time evening)

£1,200

Summer Social Use of hall and pitch for event

£96

Summer Sizzle Use of hall and pitch for event

£87

£1,490

I never expected to end up where I am now. I grew up in London and very much loved the city – culture, music

and I wasn’t sure I could imagine living anywhere else. After completing degrees in business and technology at Portsmouth I was back in London to work. I helped businesses use technology to change the way they worked and after a brief stint at Guinness and Coca-Cola I ended up working in banking.

During this time I had a profound experience of God, which led to a renewed faith and some serious questions about what I should do with my life. After some serious soul searching I felt called to stay where I was and to live out my faith – not by what I did, but by how I did it.

Although I was working in London, I was commuting from Sussex every day, having married Coral there (who I had met at university, while she was studying German). I thought that I would be bored living out of the city, but really enjoyed walking on the rolling hills of Sussex. Our children Joshua and Ruth were born in Haywards Heath and we were not expecting to leave Sussex.

I live here - Peter francisAfter 10 years in my business career I had a very surprising week when seven people (including a nun I had never met before) all said that they felt that I should be a vicar in the Church of England. My initial response was disbelief, but I came around to the idea that someone might have been trying to tell me something. Two years later I had resigned from my job and was studying theology in Oxford, to prepare for ordained ministry. Oxford is a beautiful city but was far too flat!

I was ordained at Chichester Cathedral and surprised to find myself back in Sussex, but this time working for the Church of England, based at the large town centre church in Horsham. After a four years as a trainee vicar, it was time to find my own parish. My boss at the time found a job advert in The Church Times, which he thought was ideal for me, as he knew this area and the churches here, and thought we would be a good match. Given there were jobs advertised right across the globe I wasn’t sure where to go and felt a little anxious. But on the way home from the interview day at Woodchester and Brimscombe I felt a real sense of peace and knew that this was where we were supposed to be.

We moved to Brimscombe in March 2013 and then in September 2016 we moved into The Rectory, Walkley Hill, when I became Priest in Charge of Rodborough (in addition to Woodchester and Brimscombe).

Coral and I enjoy walking, cooking, watching films and playing board games. Actually she prefers baking and I enjoy cooking with chillies. I love the sense of awe and wonder as you look out from the Common at the views across the Stroud Valleys and I find the views near Rodborough Fort breathtaking. I do find the outdoors, and particularly high places, a most natural place to talk to God, so if you do bump into me whilst I’m out walking I may appear to be engaged in conversation with someone you can’t see – but do say hello anyway.

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BOOKS BOUGHT & SOLD

Cash paid for a wide

variety of secondhand

books. If you are clearing

the shelves or looking

for an ideal gift

Ring Michael Biard on

01453 7508530796 797 1850

yourbooksoon@gmail.com

The Rev Peter Francis with the Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek

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Good practice reminders for the Commons

Here are just a few reminders about how to look after the commons and the animals that graze there.

Letting your dogs into the water troughs is not good, as dogs are normally treated with insecticide for fleas, which taints the water. We have also seen people bathe their dog in the drinking water . . . even using shampoo! Which obviously is not good for any animals to consume.

When eaten by a cow in calf, dog poo can cause a miscarriage as it may contain Neospora. Always pick up after your dog and take it with you. Picking it up and leaving it in a bag doesn’t count, it makes the common look a mess, and the plastic can get stuck in cow’s guts. There are plenty of poo bins by the car parks and also new ones at Bearpool (by the parish council notice board) and at Winstones, so please use them! Really, any rubbish can be a hazard, especially glass bottles and grass

clippings which cause colic in horses and possibly bloating in cows, so please take your rubbish home

Also overhanging yew hedges are highly poisonous to both cows and horses, and please don’t use weed killer and chemicals such as Roundup to kill the grass and weeds outside your gardens if you live by the common. Sycamore seedlings are also poisonous to horses.

Please be respectful towards other users of the common. If you are a dog walker and allow your dog off lead make sure it is friendly to other people and dogs and has good recall, and that you keep an eye on its whereabouts. Horses, cows, runners, children and cyclists don’t appreciate being chased. Horses are flight animals and will bolt if they think they are being pursued by a predator, which could result in the rider becoming unseated and suffer significant injury. Cyclists please call out or use a bell if you are approaching horses from behind, if you come up unawares the horse may spook. Similarly horse riders should be aware of other users of the common and not canter too close to groups of people.

Just a final note… the graziers have noticed that the cows are not that keen to graze in amongst lots of dog poo, hence when turned out on Rodborough, very quickly make their way onto and stay on Minchinhampton common for the rest of the season. Topping* is not a viable ongoing option for a number of environmental and practical reasons, hence the grass is becoming more rank and biodiversity is suffering as a result.

The Commons are owned by the National Trust which is a conservation charity. Jane Ansell, Jo Bird and Katrina Thacker *Topping is the act of mechanically trimming grassland to a height of 5-7 centimetres.

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Rodborough Summer Sizzle Returns!!Sunday 2nd july 1–4 pm at the Rodborough Community hall and pitch, Butterrow West Gl5 3TZ

Rhianne Banyard and Laura Stewart are

proud to announce that Rodborough Summer Sizzle is back by popular demand. It’s going to be even bigger and better in 2017.

The much loved Bow Wows fun dog show, a licensed bar, fantastic food and many more of your favourite attractions will make the event a fun day for all the family.

Once again our spectacular day will be raising funds for Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue and The Old Endowed School (TOES), the home of Dance Pointe.

If you, your community group or business is able to offer any support to the event in the way of sponsorship, organisation or volunteering on the day we would love to hear from you.If you would like to hold a stall, perform in the arena or support the Sizzle in another way, please get in touch via email, rodboroughsizzle@yahoo.co.uk, as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Rodborough Manor and its Lord

The celebrations following Marking Day in May 1919 are reported at length in the Stroud Journal. They

were presided over by Charles Apperly, son of the late Sir Alfred of Rodborough Court and chair of the Commons Committee. In a jolly gathering, Charles entertained the committee and one or two friends at The Bear.

Interestingly, this is noted as his first appearance as ‘Lord of the Manor’, he apparently being the first Rodborough man to hold the title. This he came by, in purchasing the

burnt-out shell of Rodborough Manor on Bear Hill in 1917. The house had been destroyed by fire in 1906, when in the ownership of Samuel Marling.

In jest, his manorial rights were discussed: In theory, he was entitled to all minerals below the common, but as he required to abide by common law, he wasn’t permitted to disturb the turf! Likewise, he owned all the timber but he must not forget that the brushwood was the property of the poor.

He proposed to revive the ancient tradition of the Court Leet; the jurisdictional rights of the Lord of the Manor to deal with infringements of the Common Rights.

Charles is described by some sources as ‘the wastrel son’ and Rodborough Manor, in its poor state was repossessed by the bank in 1922. Following the closure of Apperly & Curtis, cloth manufacturers, in 1933, Charles left England for the South of France where he spent the remainder of his life. Rodborough Manor was rebuilt and bought in 1924 by Mr G.B Philpin of Rodborough Fort. The manorial

rights ended when Thomas Bainbridge Fletcher, who bought Rodborough Fort, gave Rodborough Common to the National Trust in 1937.©

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Rodborough Manor during the fire in 1906

Rodborough Manor ruin

In Rodborough and the environs we are raising money to help preserve and improve our local church, the centre of our community. It’s easy to take this building for granted as we can

see its spire from far and near, but unless we can make some major renovations this important building will fall into disrepair. Most urgent is finding money for the new boiler. Last year our Nativity children all had to dress in woolly coats, even the angels! We all need to pull together on this one.A “Just Giving” page has been set up so if you wish to donate or help spread the word, go to www.justgiving.com and search for “marymagdalene”Jane Tubbs - Rodborough parish church

News from the St Mary Magdalene Parish Church

A few issues ago, we had an article on our Kingscourt Playground (postcode GL5 5DS if you’re not

sure where it is). As well as Kingscourt, we also have children’s playgrounds at Rectory Gardens (off Walkley Hill GL5 3UR) and along side the Community Hall at Butterrow West (GL5 3TZ). One of our younger readers has written a report on the Butterrow West site:

Butterrow WestButterrow West is a communal area that includes a fantastic park, Rodborough Community Hall, a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and a field commonly used for football practice and matches and walking dogs but you could do whatever you want on the field. And if you don’t like dogs there is a child friendly park where dogs are not allowed.

The park is convenient for older children and younger children: there are two baby swings and two normal swings. As well as a climbing frame that has a slide, monkey bars, a fireman’s pole and easy ways to access it. There are also two springy rocking things; a bunny and a bicycle. Furthermore, the park is easy to access it just a swinging gate that can be easily shut but still accessible.

A recent addition to the park, is a new modern MUGA where you can practise riding your bike or play ball games.

We have a community hall which is sometimes booked for parties and celebrations. The community hall is a pretty spacious area with chairs and tables already there and ready for use. As well as that, there is a kitchen including a kettle, hatch, cupboards and toilets are also available in the hall. Parking is available on site.By Alex Ansell (aged 11)

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Playgrounds in Rodborough

Are you someone who would like to get a bit more exercise, but for whom the idea of joining a gym feels

daunting (not to mention expensive)? Or would you prefer to get active outside in a more sociable environment? Or perhaps you’re a parent or grandparent looking for something fun to do yourself while the kids play on the swings?

If so, you may be interested in one of the council’s latest projects: we’re looking at getting some outdoor gym equipment close to the Community Hall at Butterrow West. Outdoor gyms consist of cardio stations like exercise bikes and steppers combined with strengthening equipment for the upper and lower body and can be suitable for all levels of fitness. There is also the possibility of pieces suitable for those with disabilities. It’s easy, safe and fun to use for everyone from teenagers up, and could be a real aid in helping people stay healthy and active.

A group of councillors recently ventured over to Chalford’s play area to see their set-up, and we were really impressed by what we saw. We think something similar could be a really valuable addition to Rodborough. At the moment, we’re going through the process of getting some quotes from different companies to see who can give us the best deal. We’d also be really keen to hear the views of residents, so please get in touch if you have any comments.Cllr Kiera Jones, on behalf of the Play Area Working Group

Outdoor exercise for everyone?

The outdoor gym at Chalford play area

Butterrow West play area

Please support our advertisers - they support us!

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The parish is lucky to have the Community Hall on its doorstep. It is available to hire for one- off events (it

is particularly popular for children’s parties) or for regular bookings.

ChildrenAt present the hall hosts “Croc N Roll” classes for pre-school children on Monday mornings (contact Stephanie on 07957 235413). These are great fun and the children love singing and playing musical instruments.

Monday morning also sees the NCT’s Baby Massage classes in the hall. If you are interested in finding out more about these, contact the NCT on 020 8752 2494

fitnessThe hall is home to several Yoga and Pilates courses: we currently have Pilates on Monday afternoon (Contact Karen on 07957 539634) and a choice of daytime or evening yoga with Amanda on Wednesday mornings

Who uses the Rodborough Community hall?

Rodborough Community Hall in use at a Remembering Rodborough Exhibition

(01453 755635) or Elles on Thursday evenings (07815 552952). A private dance therapy class has a great time dancing to popular classics on Wednesday afternoons and the NHS are about to commence a series of Pulmonary Rehabilitation classes in the hall.

other InterestsWe also attract the arty types with a private art group on Tuesdays and an art class open to the public on Friday mornings (contact Steve on 01453 752159)The Five Valleys Bridge Club meets every Tuesday evening and the Rodborough Youth Project use the hall on Fridays during term time (Contact Sue 07875 133220). Other evenings see council meetings held in the hall or occasional users like the Stroud Society of Model Engineers, Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology and a local Woodcraft Folk group meet over the winter (see p11 for contact details).

one-off BookingsWeekends are a lot quieter and this is an ideal time to book your child’s birthday party, a wedding or a family gathering. The hall is also used for such varied things as exhibitions, music practice or can be booked for a photo shoots etc.

The hall has an accessible WC and wheelchair access is possible from the two disabled parking spaces in the car park. Hall hire includes use of the kitchen. Should you need them, we also have changing rooms as the building was originally built as a football pavilion.

So yes, although the hall is well used, we may be able to slot another regular group or two in and I’m sure we can find space for most one-off bookings. If you would like to make use of YOUR Community Hall, give Joy a call in the council office (762686) or email clerk@rodborough.gov.uk.

What’s a MUGA, I hear you ask?

A MUGA is a Multi Use Games Area or a partially enclosed court providing an attractive and functional space for children and adults to play a variety of sports.

Rodborough’s new MUGAOur brand new MUGA replaces the old basketball court at Butterrow West and has already proved popular with local families. There are football goals at either end together with basketball hoops but it can also be used, for example, to practise riding your bike or to learn to roller skate. Although there is no central net, there’s no reason why you couldn’t practice your tennis shots there too. The MUGA is permanently open and is free for all to use.

The MUGA was largely funded through grants from Gloucestershire County Council’s Active Together scheme and from The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust with the parish council topping up the final sum.

If you haven’t visited the Butterrow West site before, why not come down over the holidays and give it a try.

BEFORE

AFTER

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Please point out perilous paths and pitches in the parish

We are all encouraged to take more exercise: to walk the children to school; to bike down to the shops; to

run up onto the Common. Increasing people’s mobility is key to preventing longer-term problems like obesity and type 2 diabetes. But how easy is it? And how safe? The Parish Council has been looking at its roads, pitches and paths with this in mind. Some pavements are excessively narrow, like the one through the Butts or on the Bath Road by the old railway bridge; here vehicles can endanger walkers’ lives as they squeeze past or even mount the pavement. Other roads have no pavements at all, like much of Butterrow Hill and Rodborough Hill above the Butts; these are truly lethal as traffic hurtles past, often well over the speed limit.

Looking at footpaths, several are in awful conditions; Ham Mill pitch has huge gullies and rocks caused by years of weathering and little maintenance. Others are so wet and muddy that, like the path from Butterrow Hill towards Waitrose, they are unusable without walking boots, especially when, unprotected by now defunct ditches, they flood with the run-off from adjacent fields.

Working with Gloucestershire Highways, we’re looking at how we can improve this situation. At our request, Highways are already looking at the steps that links Stringers Close and Eros Close and they have put Ham Mill improvements into their 2017/18 budget. But given their financial constraints, we recognise we too may have to contribute to such initiatives if we ever want them to happen.

There are simple, but not always cheap, solutions: raising the height of pavements so it’s impossible for vehicles to mount them; reinstating steps that have been worn away; ensuring a maximum speed of 20 mph wherever there are built-up areas with no pavements. We want your help to identify roads, paths and pitches that you feel are especially dangerous or inaccessible; and ideas as to how far we should go to improve matters and how best this might be done. Let us know, please. Alick Miskin

Rodborough Summer Social is a recipe for a great night out!

For starters, the bar is provided by Lotte from The Prince Albert Pub. For the main, there is live entertainment

by the fantastic covers band Casual Six with our very own Karen Saunders plus DJ El Rewind plus special guests. To top it off, there are delicious Pizzas. This memorable event will be captured by our very own local photographer Caitlin Buckley and an exhibition will shortly follow.

It’s our 2nd year and the first in 2015 was a sell-out, so with a bigger marquee, provided by Miles from Stroud Marquees and even more tickets on sale please come along (for all those over 18) on the 17th June 2017 7.00pm-midnight. Tickets are available from our website www.rodboroughfete.co.uk and from our main sponsor The Prince Albert Pub.

In 2015 we raised over £3K which was distributed to 28 non-profit organisations within the Rodborough Parish, decided by the ticket buyer. If you are a local business and would like to donate towards this event where you can receive an advertisement on our website, through social media and displayed on the night, please contact Sue Hesp 07875133220 or info@rodboroughfete.co.uk

So please make a space in your diaries and come and join us for what is going to be a fantastic evening!

Community Groups in Rodborough

Do you need more members?Do you have a big event coming up

that needs publicity?Or would you just like to tell the world (or at

least Rodborough) what you do?

If you are involved in a community group in Rodborough and would like some extra publicity, we would welcome an article for the next edition of the Commoner.Articles should be no more than 300 words long and be accompanied by a picture.The deadline for receiving articles is 1st July.

New for 2017 — An exhibition of sculpture in Rectory Gardens created by children in workshops at local primary schools, free daily drop-in sculpture workshops for children, book signings by local author Katie Fforde and talks by Stroud Valleys Project on wildlife habitats for gardens.There will be a range of stalls in Church Place selling local produce and plants with delicious refreshments served in The Old Endowed School. The Prince Albert is hosting a Garden Party on Saturday evening. Monies raised are donated to our nominated charities.

We look forward to welcoming you to this community event.

Tickets are £5 per adult and free entry for children. Available in advance from Stroud Valleys Project Shop, The Prince Albert, or on the day from The Old Endowed School, GL5 3NF. Unfortunately, access is unsuitable for those with mobility issues. Parking is available at Stroud Rugby Football Club, Dudbridge Hill, GL5 3HS.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Rodborough-Real-Gardens-and-Sculpture-Trail-1781230842110241/ Website is: www.rodboroughrealgardens.comAngela Dyer

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Hidden Gardens and Sculpture of RodboroughSaturday 10th june - Sunday 11th june 2017, 11am – 5pm

Rodborough’s third Hidden Gardens and Sculpture trail promises to be a visual extravaganza, and is an

exciting addition to Stroud’s calendar of key cultural events. Over the weekend of 10th & 11th June 2017, gardeners will be throwing open their gates to welcome garden enthusiasts and art lovers. These beautiful, hidden gardens in and around Church Place, Rodborough, range from the smaller more intimate cottage style to more substantial landscaped gardens reflecting the individual characters of the owners. These include the fascinating ‘secret garden’ surrounding Rodborough Court, now owned by our sponsors Omnitrack.

The event showcases fifteen sculptors, many of whom will be there to talk about their work. We are delighted to welcome back Helen Lomberg, Amanda Moriarty, and Marion Mitchell, among others and look forward to exhibiting the work of new contributors Adrian Bates, Dan Rawlings and Sebastien David.

All over the UK, our old familiar red phone boxes are starting to disappear. Now that most people have

mobiles, these boxes have become redundant. Some have had no calls made from them for years. So BT is removing them.

But not all of them: some will stay because they are still needed and others will become community kiosks with no phone but another use. So far, 3,500 have been adopted by local communities and turned into micro-libraries, locations for defibrillators (installed by the Community Heartbeat

Trust), cafes, mini-shops, galleries and even shoe-shine stands. In Box, near Minchinhampton, as well as a book exchange, the old kiosk has a map showing the names and locations of all the local houses – especially useful for delivery drivers in a village where there are no house numbers.

And Rodborough has adopted two boxes, both the classic 1935 K6 models, with the Parish Council acting as go-between. The first is in Butterow, near the junction of Rodborough Lane and Butterow Hill. And the second is at the

junction of Kingscourt Lane and Kites Nest Lane. In both cases the plan is to turn them into mini local libraries, but the first step will be to restore them externally to something like their original glory. Rust and flaking paint will be removed and a new coat of ‘Post Office red’, the colour that was specially produced for the K6, applied, with the royal crown highlighted in gold. More details on both restorations will follow.Alick Miskin

Adopting – and adapting – Rodborough’s old phone kiosks

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Up on the Common

Our son Alex and his friends used to spend half their youth on mountain bikes, most often on the humps

and dumps near the Fort. While they were still quite young I gained some serious (albeit short-lived) kudos by being the first to brave the scariest one of all, nicknamed 'the bomb hole'. These disturbances are of course old shallow stone quarries; the long straight incline leading up from the cattle grid above The Albert was made for the wagons that brought the cargo down.

It is hard to imagine now, but there was another source of

stone very close by that was filled with municipal rubbish and covered over, possibly post-war. This was below the Fort, alongside the main road and before the very first car park, and has now been rapidly colonised by trees, the age of which ties in. Old bottles and other fragments can be seen where they are turned up by burrowing animals.

Whisper it, but it seems our stone is of lesser quality than that underlying Minchinhampton Common. Consequently, as far as I am aware, we have no stone mines (the likely nearest are off Culver Hill and Brimscombe Hill, both just outside Rodborough parish). I have been down two local mines, the authorised visit (!) being to the remarkable one at Ball's Green up above The Weighbridge inn. Many abandoned blocks of sawn stone are still there, as well as pencilled tallies and names on the walls, and even a heavy-wheeled skip that was trapped by a large rock fall and so couldn't be salvaged for scrap.

If you have memories of our quarries or rubbish tips, perhaps you could write to usGeoff March

Taking action on litter

The disused railway lines around Stroud are great places to walk your dog, cycle in a safe environment and enjoy

listening to the birds away from the busy and noisy roads. It appears, however, that some people think it's fine to throw cans, bottles, filled bags of dog excrement, and large bags of rubbish on and around this green space.

I enjoy walking my dog along these tracks and regularly pick up various items of litter, but after my dog devoured the rotting remnants of a takeaway from a refuse bag that had been thrown down I decided it was time to try and tackle this problem. After speaking to neighbours, discussing the problem with the Neighbourhood Warden and asking for

help on the 'Nextdoor' website, a day and time was set to clear this area.

Ten people met at the bottom of the steps along the Dudbridge road at 10 a.m. on a dull but thankfully dry Monday morning. Armed with litter-pickers, large refuse bags, lots of enthusiasm and energy, we set about the task in hand. Some of the team climbed over fences, clambered up the banks, breaking two litter-pickers in the process, but after 90 minutes we had collected at least 15 bags of rubbish along with a corrugated sheet and various large containers.

Items found in the clear up had evidence of a person living in the parish. The details have been passed to the Stroud District Council Public Space team, who may consider taking further action. Anyone found guilty of fly tipping faces a £75 fine.

Many thanks to everyone who turned out on that Monday. Patricia Fordyce

The former quarry was to the left of the fort, beyond Fort Cottage. One of many old postcards at the excellent www.rodboroughfort.co.uk and used with thanks to Angus Townley.

An old bottle found at the former tip

Rodborough Old Boys FC Stuart Thompson 07800589173Rodborough Playgroup Nicola Hurford 756141Rodborough Poultry Club Kirsty Tallon 07751181076 Rodborough Scout Troop Theresa Mansbridge 07793286534Rodborough Tabernacle - Bookings John Rohrbeck 01452 812934Rodborough Tabernacle Choir Di Davis 762373Rodborough Tabernacle Lunch Club Barbara Cook 763026 Rodborough Tabernacle URC Minister Eric Massey 766389Rodborough Toddlers (TOES) Ellen Edwards 07958134873Rodborough Youth Football Club Darren Vasey 07742 971974Rodborough Youth Project Sue 07875 133220Rugby Rascals Toddler Group Sharon Ashenford 750124Scrabble Club Kim Richardson 07833 336843Sing and Share Community Choir Kate Dryer 07874 216559South Cotswold Ramblers Richard Davis 762373Spanish with Little Ones Beth Stapleton 07811 923863Stroud & Rodborough Educational Charity Shani Baker 860379Stroud Music & Dance Academy Charles Dyson 07861699198Stroud Rambling Club Ann Copeland 752654Stroud Rugby Club Gordon McDowell 07766763476Stroud Sea Cadets Paul White 755141The Old Endowed School (TOES)- bookings Louise Ratcliffe 752265Village Agent for Rodborough Angela King 07776 245791Wednesday Fellowship (Tabernacle) Dorothy Ede 765978Woodcraft Folk Cyril Laffort 764698Yoga Class (Community Hall) Amanda Sultan-Black 755635Yin Yoga (Community Hall) Elles Theulan 07815 552952

ThE RoDBoRoUGh CoMMoNER PAGE 11

CoMMUNITY GRoUPS IN RoDBoRoUGhActivity and Organisation Name Contact Phone

1st Rodborough Guides 1strodboroughguides@gmail.com3rd Rodborough Brownies 3rdrodboroughbrownies@gmail.com Art Class (Community Hall) Steve Smith 752159Baby Massage NCT 020 8752 2494Cappella Singers Ken Lawrence 759634Coffee Pot Jane Tubbs 767557 Community Hall - Bookings Joy Jackson 762686Croc N Roll Stephanie 07957235413Dance Pointe Rhianne Banyard 07854298847Fitness Class (Rodborough School) Julie McNally 07964 412475Five Valleys Bridge Club Vesta Rock 886404Glebe Allotment Association Sarah Zodiates 759422Hayward for the Commons Mark Dawkins 07973 326772Jolly Stompers Line Dancing (Gastrells) Julie Cole 752480Kingscourt Educational Trust Jenny Wills 763984Lightpill Allotment Association Doreen 872733Mid-Cotswold Tracks and Trails Group Pat Harris 823841Model Engineers (Secretary) W.P. Phillips 883438 National Trust (Common Ranger) Richard Evans 01452 810056 Parish Church Vicar Rev Peter Francis 759680Pilates Karen Brown 07957 539634Pilates (Rodborough School) Lucy Barnes 07790 865716Rainbows Debbie Wood 07810 455774Remembering Rodborough rememberingrodborough@gmail.comRodborough Beaver Scouts Mary Jones 766745Rodborough Cub Scouts James Lynn 753864Rodborough Friendly Circle Olive Heskins 765379Rodborough Lionessess Ben Spencer 07960712609

Activity and Organisation Name Contact Phone

RODBOROUGH PARISH WALKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOUTH COTSWOLD

RAMBLERS 2017

Thursday 4th May at 6.30pmThursday 25th May at 6.30pmThursday 29th june at 6.30pmThursday 27th july at 6.30pm

Thursday 24th August at 6.30pm Thursday 14th june at 5.30pm

All walks will start from Rodborough Community hall, Butterrow West at 6.30 pm

Children are always welcome on walks accompanied by adults although the walks not suitable for very young children.

Most walks will be over reasonable tracks and quiet lanes but the nature of the area is such that there will usually be at least one steep climb.

There may be pub stops on some walks If you have any queries please ring Richard Davis on 01453 762373.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) has joined other services around the country to urge residents to stop using white goods that have been recalled.

GFRS attends more than two incidents every month involving defective white goods and, as part of their Safe and Well campaign, carry out free checks of all white goods in the home.

Trained teams will visit, free of charge, and carry a full safety check for residents. You can book a visit by calling free on 0800 180 41 40 or visiting www.glosfire.gov.uk.

White goods fire safety tips:• Be sure to register your appliances so you can be

contacted if a safety repair is ever needed. It's easier than you think! Visit www.registermyappliance.org.uk/

• You can also use the free "self service" model checker on the following websites or call 0800 151 0905 to confirm if your appliance is affected and for details on the next steps should your model require corrective action.

• For Hotpoint, Creda or Proline – http://safety.hotpoint.eu• For Indesit –http://safety.indesit.eu• For Swan –http://safety-swan.eu• Don't leave appliances such as dishwashers, washing

machines and tumble dryers running overnight or when the house is empty.

• Good housekeeping can reduce the risk of fire – dusty vents on fridges should be cleaned and lint filters cleaned regularly.

• If your tumble dryer is taking longer to dry your clothes, the vent hose may need cleaning out.

• Research reveals that 32% of people would continue to use white goods even if they started making strange noises. It's never wise to ignore strange appliance noises – turn the appliance off and call an electrician.

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan.

Visit www.glosfire.gov.uk for more tips and advice about electrical safety.

White goods warning from county's fire service

Sat 29th April 19:00 The Forgotten Tales Rodborough Tabernacle Carole Oosthuysen 872446

Thurs 4th May 18:30 Guided Parish Walk Starts Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Sun 7th May 09:00 Stroud Trail Marathon and half Marathon Stroud/Rodborough area Cotswold Allrunners

Sat 13th May 09:00 Business Brunch (pre book) Rodborough Community Hall Laura 07900 215139

Sat 13th May 11:00 Marking Day Event Minchinhampton Common National Trust 01452 814213

Sun 14th May 19:30 'Inhuman Traffic' a play by John Bassett about slavery Rodborough Tabernacle Rev. Eric Massey 766389

Mon 15th May 19.00 Rodborough Parish Council Annual Meeting Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Wed 17th May 10:00 Remembering Rodborough exhibition @ The Coffee Pot Endowed School, Walkley Hill rememberingrodborough@gmail.com

Mon 22nd May 19:30 Road Safety Working Group Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Wed 24th May 19:00 Volunteers Thank you event Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Thurs 25th May 18:30 Guided Parish Walk Starts Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Sun 4th June 10:30 Pentecost all-age service, shared lunch & games/socialising Rodborough Community Hall Rev Eric Massey 766389

Sat 10th June 09:00 Business Brunch (pre book) Rodborough Community Hall Laura 07900 215139

Sat 10th June 11:00 Hidden Gardens and Sculpture of Rodborough Walkley Hill area Sarah 07584 046083

Sun 11th June 11:00 Hidden Gardens and Sculpture of Rodborough Walkley Hill area Sarah 07584 046083

Sun 11th June 15:00 Sunday Social (Inspired by Jo Cox) – watch notice boards for more information Rodborough Community Hall

Sat 17th June 19:00 Summer Social Butterrow West info@rodboroughfete.co.uk

Sat 24th June 19:00 Jamming on the Manse Lawn + picnic Rodborough Tabernacle Carole Oosthuysen 872446

Thurs 29th June 18:30 Guided Parish Walk Starts Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Sun 2nd July 13:00 Summer Sizzle/Community Fete Butterrow West rodboroughsizzle@yahoo.co.uk

Sun 9th July 15:00 Sunday Social (Inspired by Jo Cox)– watch notice boards for more information Rodborough Community Hall

Mon 24th July 19:30 Road Safety Working Group Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Thurs 27th July 18:30 Guided Parish Walk Starts Rodborough Community Hall Parish Council 762686

Sat 12th August 15:00 Cream Teas Rodborough Tabernacle Carole Oosthuysen 872446

Sat 26th Aug 13:00 Mikron Theatre Butterrow West Stephen Moore 758138

ThE RoDBoRoUGh CoMMoNER PAGE 12

E V E N T S D I A R YDate Time Event Venue Contact

Cllr Philip Blomberg (Chair) 151 Bath Road, Stroud, GL5 3LL 07767834248 WCllr joanna Bird (Vice-Chair) 68A Kingscourt Lane, Rodborough GL5 3PX 765461 WCllr jane Ansell Please contact the Parish Office 07847391172 WCllr Charles Pedrick 2-3 High View Cottages, Rodborough Lane, GL5 2LH 07879428000 BCllr Alick Miskin Laurel House, Butterrow Lane, GL5 2LX 753024 BCllr Simon Walker Bramble Cottage, Rodborough Hill GL5 3SS 767904 NCllr Steve Ponting Morningside, Swellshill, Stroud, GL5 2SW 885689 WCllr Roy Derbyshire 42 Chandos Road, Rodborough Stroud Glos GL5 3QZ 750377 WCllr kiera jones 12 Woodhouse Drive, Stroud GL5 3SG 07799 412676 NCllr Paul Gibson Five Gables Bowl Hill Kingscourt Stroud Glos GL5 5DS 07508 084076 SCllr huw oliver Greystones, Butterrow Lane, Stroud GL5 2LU 790620 NCllr john Pycroft Trem Hyfryd, 60 Kingscourt Lane, Rodborough GL5 3PX 766101 N

STRoUD DISTRICT CoUNCIlloRSCllr Martin Whiteside, Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, GL6 7LU 757874 Cllr Nigel Prenter, 2 Church Place, Rodborough GL5 3NF 752757Cllr Karen McKeown, Elland, Rodborough Hill, GL5 3RY 751313

www.rodborough.gov.uk | Contact the Clerk: clerk@rodborough.gov.uk or 01453 762686

C o U N C I l l o R S

W = West Ward – 5 CouncillorsN = North Ward – 4 CouncillorsS = South Ward – 1 CouncillorB = Butterow Ward – 2 Councillors

PARISH COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETINGSFull Council - Usually the third Monday of the month 7pm. Meetings in August and December subject to confirmation. Contact the clerk.

Planning, Transport and Amenities Committee - Usually the first Monday of the month at 6.30pm.

Finance and Staffing Committee - meets roughly once a quarter or as required.

Road Safety Working Group – meetings are held roughly every 8 weeks.

Please contact the office if you are interested in attending.The public are welcome to attend all parish council meetings.

All meetings are subject to change. For a full list of meeting dates please see our website www.rodborough.gov.uk and click on ‘Parish Council/Meeting Information’.

Elections for Gloucestershire County Council take place on 4th May