Stroud
Blog
The Stroud Blog
is a collection of diary entries, news, gossip and other Stroud
related information.
Staff give green travel the thumbs up
With all the recent reports in the press about rising fuel costs and the current fuel strikes there has never been a better time to consider travelling to work in an alternative and green way.
Last week Stroud District Council staff took part in five days of environmentally friendly travel activities as part of Green Transport Week (14th - 22nd June). Its workforce, which is close to 600, is endeavouring to cut its carbon footprint. Many opted to car-share, walk or cycle on their daily commute.
Senior ICT officer Aidan Browning led the way with his daily commute to and from Bristol. For two days during this week Aidan braved the 50 mile round trip on his bicycle and for the rest of the week he car shared with colleagues. In fact Aidan owes his very existence to car sharing as his parents met as a result of sharing a lift to work!
Car sharing was a popular alternative. Staff living in Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucester all made the effort to co-ordinate working times and take turns to drive into work.
Participation was high for Green Transport Week. The number of cars on site at the council offices fell by 25% and the number of bikes had doubled. Additionally, the council's catering contractor, Catering Academy, put up a prize of a new bicycle to encourage people to take part. The prize was won by Pete Haines, duty officer for the council's Ebley Mill offices.
Chief Executive of Stroud District Council, David Hagg, also set a great example to the workforce throughout the week by car sharing, walking and using public transport to travel to and from work. David also managed to travel to a number of meetings in the district by bus.
Councillor Elisabeth Bird, Cabinet Member for the Environment, added:
"We are delighted that council staff have embraced green travel and have made a real effort to find an alternative way to get to work. We are becoming more and more aware of the impact transport has on the environment and we want to send a clear message that there are alternatives out there that are not only better for the environment but will also save money."
Posted
: 27/06/2008 17:41:44
Council takes further step to cut carbon footprint
With climate change recognised as a very real environmental threat, Stroud District Council is set to further cut its carbon footprint and reduce its energy bills by joining phase six of the Carbon Trust's Local Authorities Carbon Management (LACM) programme.
Stroud District Council is one of 74 local authorities from across England, Scotland and Wales to participate in the latest phase of the programme. Participants are expected to reduce energy bills by up to 20 per cent and collectively cut their carbon footprints by a 518,000 tonnes, which will in turn will see energy cost saving of a staggering £50 million per year.
Working in partnership with the Carbon Trust, a plan for reducing CO2 emissions will be created and implemented to benefit the environment by being more energy efficient. As well as producing financial savings for the council, it will save council taxpayers' money.
The council is committed to improving its environmental performance and is one of only 60 organisations in the UK to have achieved the prestigious international environmental management standard known as the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) together with ISO14001. Participation in this programme builds on some of the many measures the council has already put in place to reduce the district's carbon footprint. Just a few of these include:
- ground source heat pumps installed in Coaley
- energy saving light bulbs
- air to air heat pumps installed in Wotton-Under-Edge, Uley and Dursley
- movement-activated lighting in the council offices
- energy efficiency measures installed in council housing
- a review of all major council contracts in order to minimise waste and their impact on climate change
Part of the council's continued commitment to improve its environmental performance has involved speaking to the local community. Consultation with the district has revealed that climate change dominates the concerns of local people. In 2007 68% of local people thought that the environment was important and 83% of businesses surveyed felt the same way.
Commenting on the collaboration, Councillor Barbara Tait, Cabinet Member for Planning and Climate Change, said:
"We've listened to the concerns of local people and are delighted to take the lead for the district by joining this programme to tackle climate change. Implementing an energy strategy and identifying a set of practical actions will help us to save cash and carbon. We are committed to taking action on carbon emissions and as a result make savings on our energy costs and ultimately reduce our impact on climate change."
Posted
: 16/06/2008 13:09:52
Check before you pet!
"Don't run up to a dog and stroke it" is Stroud District Council's advice to children this summer. In light of some very tragic incidents of dogs attacking, maiming and sometimes killing children, the Council's Animal Welfare team is targeting 6 to 8 year olds with their 'Check Before You Pet' Campaign. The aim is to educate children on how to react if they are under threat from a dog but also advise them against simply running up to a dog and petting it, as children naturally tend to do!
The team will be touring schools around the district throughout June and July before the children break for the summer. Alex Davies, the Council's Animal Welfare Officer said "We felt a real need to get this message across, so we decided to run the promotional event. So many bite incidents involving children and adults can be avoided through proper education. Luckily there are few serious cases locally, but nationally figures are rising and these obviously get highlighted in the press. We wanted to take a positive approach and educate children on how to be safe around dogs but still experience the joy that they can bring us".
Whilst the Council is actively approaching many schools to take part in the promotion, any school that would like a visit should call Alex Davies or Natasha Anderson on 01453 754492 or email alex.davies@stroud.gov.uk
Posted
: 05/06/2008 18:42:41
New art with ancient echoes at Museum in the Park
The Museum in the Park is delighted to welcome artist Rosalind Sharples to show an exhibition of her paintings this June. Her work combines the ancient and the modern and is created using the centuries old art of egg tempera painting, but in a totally new and expressive way.
As part of the site08 visual arts festival, 'Semi-permeable: An exhibition of Egg Tempera Paintings' runs from 1st to 29th June 2008. The delightful and uplifting images on display are full of beautiful subtle colours and promise a refreshing, colourful and inspiring experience.
A poet as well as a painter, Rosalind turned to tempera after suddenly developing a severe allergic reaction to oil paints. "It took a year of making mud and trying to use the medium as an oil painter would, before I found my way in to this delightful paint" said the artist. "As I chose to explore the medium in a new way rather than to accept the rules of the technique, there were some disastrous results along the way .... once just before an exhibition, the whole image started to crack and fall off!"
Based in Wales, Rosalind's work is strongly influenced by the Welsh landscape, by the erosion of the wind and the sea on the coast and the fickle weather.
To complement the exhibition, Rosalind is offering a special day workshop for adults on 5th June 2008. Participants can prepare their own paints and create their own small tempera painting. Cost £45.00 - call 01453 763394 to book.
Exhibition opening times will vary, call 01453 763394 for details. The Museum is open Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 5pm and admission is free.
Posted
: 23/05/2008 21:53:42
Town Centre Plans To Go On Show
Blueprints for the future of Stroud Town Centre go on show to the public next week.
The Stroud Public Realm Strategy will guide future investment in any space between buildings, such as roads, pavements, squares etc. It can include the paving and road surfaces, benches, cycle racks, lighting, public art, bollards and railings. The plans on view will cover key areas of the town centre and revised traffic flows.
The plans can be seen on Thursday 8th May (4.30pm - 8pm) in the Ball Room at the Subscription Rooms. This will be the public's first chance to see the plans, ask questions and make comments.
"Public involvement in this whole process is absolutely essential," says Caroline White, Stroud District Council's Development Surveyor. "The town centre belongs to them. The plans on show are proposals - it's up to the public to tell us whether we've got it right and if not, what we need to change. There will be more consultation before anything happens on the ground."
The Public Realm Strategy project is led by the Stroud Concordat, a body comprising representatives of Stroud District and Town Councils, Gloucestershire County Council, Stroud Chamber of Trade & Commerce and Project Stroud.
The Concordat has commissioned Dorset-based NEW Masterplanning to draw up the Strategy. The company has a long history of working in Gloucestershire. Support will be provided by Hamilton Baillie traffic and shared space specialists. Before starting work, the firm examined the town in detail, collating key information to understand the town as it currently works, including pedestrian, cycle and vehicle traffic; development opportunities and plans for restoring the Cotswold Canals.
The project will be funded by Stroud District Council with some additional funding From Stroud Town Council.
Posted
: 29/04/2008 11:05:38
Building for the future at Archway School
Gloucestershire County Council has approved further funding of £1.5 million to improve facilities at Archway School in Stroud.
In 2005 Gloucestershire County Council and Archway School were successful in securing £5m from central government for a project to rebuild and refurbish parts of the school. The first phase of this redevelopment was completed in 2007, providing the school with a new technology block providing a suite of six teaching rooms for design technology and three for ICT, a new student entrance area to the main building and a biomass boiler.
An additional £1.5m has been approved by the county council's Cabinet to enable the second phase of the school's accommodation to be completed. This phase of work will provide new accommodation for the school's Learning Support Department and Inclusion Centre, further new teaching spaces and increased provision for music, office and administration space. The funding will also enable the completion of hard and soft landscaping works and the removal of all the temporary classrooms from the site.
Lead cabinet member Cllr Jackie Hall said: "The school is in desperate need of further improvements to its teaching accommodation. We have managed to raise the additional cash and it makes good sense to complete the scheme while we have builders on site already who are completing the first phase of the project."
Headteacher, Colin Belford said: "We are absolutely delighted and very grateful for this further investment in our site. Students are already benefiting from state of the art facilities provided in phase 1 and we are looking forward to phase 2 have a further impact on their learning."
Posted
: 24/04/2008 20:47:25
Police Called In As Chemical Discovered At School
Police in Stroud were called to assist after an unsafe chemical was discovered at a school on Cainscross Road yesterday afternoon (Tuesday April 22nd).
A small quantity of the chemical, which is believed to have been held in storage at the school, was discovered during a routine inspection by a member of staff at around 3.20pm.
After a risk assessment by police and fire crews it was decided that the substance should be removed and disposed of.
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was called in, removed the substance and took it to Aston Down airfield, where they carried out a controlled explosion at about 7.30pm.
All of the emergency services would like to thank the staff at the school for their cooperation and staff and members at Aston Down airfield who provided the location for the safe and controlled disposal of the chemical.
Posted
: 23/04/2008 17:18:48
No Money To Save The Environment
Just as world leaders and all our political parties are finally facing up to global warning, funding to the groups delivering on green issues on the ground is drying up. That is why the Stroud Valleys Project, a registered charity which has been doing just that with public and private funding and the help of local volunteers for almost 20 years, is this week launching an appeal for £75,000 in order to stay alive.
Government rhetoric is saying one thing. But from the department in charge of the environment to its agencies to the national lottery, it seems the money is no longer there to save and nurture green spaces, wildlife or a sustainable countryside. Recent work in the Severn Vale neatly illustrates the contradictions between government words and action. SVP is working with 18 farmers there in a ground-breaking new project which is helping farmers, schools, parish councils and communities in twelve parishes to protect wildlife and its habitats. It is a direct contribution to the Environment Department policy to subsidise farmers who create wildlife-rich areas on their land.
Nature works slowly so it needs to be a ten-year project, but after four years the funding from environment agency, Natural England, has come to an end with no indication as to whether or not the grant fund will continue. Defra (Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), which has seen its own cash-flow drained by floods, bird flu and a Euro farm subsidy mix-up, has cut Natural England's funding so that it is having to make brutal cuts to its own staff - and to funding for environmental groups.
Just a couple of years ago there was a funding gap for six months while relevant Agencies were rethought, merged and their staffs reorganised; the funding rules keep changing; and then there is the question of whether National Lottery and other funds are being redirected towards the 2012 Olympics. And meanwhile all funders insist that they only want to fund the projects, not the core staff who are indispensable to any well-run charity. Funders also don't want to fund existing projects, no matter how successful, preferring to fund new and 'innovative' ones.
Yet Stroud Valleys Project has been consistently delivering successful projects which regularly over-achieve on their targets, getting more and more people involved in saving the environment and turning more and more of the Stroud district environmentally-friendly.
With the help of Stroud Valleys Project:
• Volunteers are turning an area of land equivalent to 4 football pitches in size into refuges for wildlife
• nearly 1000 adults and children learnt about and helped the local environment during 2006 and 2007
• local people planted or restored 4 miles of hedgerow during 2006 and 2007
• local people planted over 1,500 trees during 2006 and 2007
• volunteers have discovered rare habitats and places where rare species are living that are unknown to conservationists
• 18 farmers in the Severn Vale are creating special wildlife places on their land as part of our ground breaking new project which is helping farmers, schools, parish councils and communities in 12 parishes to protect wildlife
• In 1999, Clare Gerbrands set up the Stroud Farmers Market
• the community radio station Cam FM was set up, which still broadcasting programmes every October to residents of Cam, Dursley and the surrounding parishes getting them involved in their local community and with helping the environment
• In 1997, we helped a group of local people to set up Energy 21, a charity which is now a national one campaigning for better use of renewable energy to combat climate change
• Students with learning disabilities, people recovering from mental health problems and visually impaired people have all been able to take an active part in learning about, and helping, the environment thanks to special schemes organised by Stroud Valleys Project.
Stroud Valleys Project wants to continue and expand on its successful work of 20 years, begun in a time when environmental concerns were low on most people's agenda. But the organisation is now facing the paradox of closure at the very time when calls to save the environment are at their loudest. If the money isn't raised, then the organisation will have to close at the end of the summer at the very time when its experience can help local people make a real difference.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Caroline Aistrop
Telephone: 01453 753358 or 07894-663436
Fax: 01453 755641
Email: caistrop@stroudvalleysproject.org
Website: www.StroudValleysProject.org
Posted
: 17/04/2008 16:20:46
Council keen to press ahead with new canal bridge
People in Stroud are being asked for their views on a possible new canal bridge at Wallbridge.
Gloucestershire County Council is proposing to build the bridge over the A46 at the Merrywalks double mini roundabout junction as part of the restoration project for the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal.
It will follow the line of the old canal and will also include widening Bath Road to accommodate any future improvements to the Merrywalks junction, such as a major roundabout.
An exhibition is being held at the Stroud Subscription Rooms on 22nd April to enable the public to discuss the proposals and although British Waterways has recently withdrawn from the restoration project, the other members of the Partnership remain committed to it. Restoration of this section of canal is intended to act as a key 'gateway' site between the canal and Stroud town centre.
Cllr Stan Waddington, Cabinet Member for Environment said: "Gloucestershire County Council is fully committed to the canal restoration project, and the Wallbridge improvements are part of this overall scheme.
"The work is of course dependent on continued financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and under the British Waterways programme would have been carried out between September this year and March next year. Unfortunately the withdrawal of British Waterways may mean that the construction is delayed - but we cannot confirm this until continued external funding is secured and a new project management team is in place.
"We want to reassure local people that we remain supportive of the canal regeneration project."
Work is underway to clear the site with the aim of starting the project in September. The total cost of the bridge and associated road works is likely to be in the region of £2 million.
Lawrence Elcocks, who is responsible for major projects at the county council, said, "We are still hopeful of a September start date and will continue to work towards this, but the withdrawal of British Waterways funding has led to some uncertainty. In the meantime, we will consult the Stroud Concordat and the public about our plans and will continue to work with the media to keep local people informed."
The original canal at Merrywalks was infilled in the late 1960's as part of a major realignment of the A46 /A419 junction at the point where the Slad Brook flowed into the canal next to the old Stroud brewery.
Plans will be on display showing the various options being considered for the overall appearance of the bridge. The temporary traffic management arrangements required to deal with the re-routing of traffic during the construction works will also be on display.
Posted
: 15/04/2008 19:33:55
Primary School Football Tournament
Over the past two months, 520 primary school children from across the Stroud District have taken part in the Millennium Football Tournament. The tournament organised by Stroud District Council started in the year 2000 as a celebration of the new millennium. Since then the event has become increasingly popular, with this year seeing the introduction of a separate girl's contest.
For the boys' event 42 teams played some great football with only eight teams claiming their place in the grand final. The eight finalists will face each other in a knock out format, with each winning team going through to the next round.
The introduction of girls to the event has been a great success and the standard of football has been extremely high. 23 schools entered a girl's team which was great for the first year! Four girls' teams will take place in the final and will be aiming for the top spot of the first ever girls Millennium Trophy Winners.
Nicola Beattie, Sport Development Officer says "the football tournament has been great this year. Each and every participating team played some fantastic football and helped to create a memorable tournament. We are pleased with how many schools have wanted to take part and we hope we can encourage players to maintain their interest in football by joining a local sports club"
The Millennium Football Tournament Finals will take place at Stratford Park Leisure Centre on Friday 25th April, with kick off at 6.00pm and the presentations at 8.15pm.
BOYS FINALISTS:
Kings Stanley C of E Junior School
Leonard Stanley C of E Primary School
Park Junior School, Stonehouse
Gastrells Community Primary School, Stroud
The British School, Wotton under Edge
Callowell Primary School, Farmhill
Blue Coat C of E Primary, Wotton under Edge
St Dominic's Catholic Primary School, Inchbrook
GIRLS FINALISTS:
Bussage Primary School
Berkeley Primary School
Foxmoor Primary School, Ebley
Cashes Green Primary School
Posted
: 08/04/2008 21:07:46
Police and Community Meeting - Stroud
Residents of Stroud and Surround Areas Invited to Police and Community Meeting
The next Police and Community Consultative Meeting for the Stroud Inspector Neighbourhood Area (INA) is being held on Wednesday April 16th.
The meeting, at the All Saints Centre, in Uplands, starts at 7.30pm.
The Stroud INA covers Minchinhampton, Chalford, Thrupp, Rodborough, Cainscross, Trinity, Slade, Valley, Central, Uplands, Farmhill and Paganhill, Over Stroud, Bisley, and Painswick, as well as the part of Upton St. Leonards ward excluding Brookthorpe with Whaddon, and the part of Amberley and Woodchester ward as far west as the Nailsworth Stream.
All residents in those areas are invited to attend to discuss issues of concern and get an update on crime and disorder in the area.
One particular topic up for discussion at this meeting will be speeding on Bisley Road, and there is always an opportunity to ask questions of local police officers and Police Authority representatives.
Posted
: 02/04/2008 14:44:13
Parking Charges Change
Parking charges in Stroud District Council operated car parks are set to change from 1st April. Some will be slightly increased, but others will stay the same or even be reduced. Following a study of Stroud's night time trade, the Church Street car park will be free from 4pm each day to promote the night time trade that the town centre has to offer.
"We looked at ways to get people back into town in the early evening, particularly families, said Councillor Nigel Studdert-Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Tourism. "Perhaps people will be going for something to eat then go on to the cinema. It's an experiment and we'll see how traders such as caf owners respond. We hope that traders will also encourage people during this part of the day and the public will respond favourably."
These changes have taken place following discussions with representatives of Stroud Town Council and the Chamber of Trade. At the same time, small increases have been made in order to meet rising costs. "Stroud District Council car parking charges remain some of the lowest across the county," concluded Cllr Studdert-Kennedy.
Posted
: 28/02/2008 12:01:59
Parking machines to be tweaked for simplicity
Stroud District Council will be modifying its car park ticket machines on 17th February to make them simpler to use. In October last year, new, state of the art machines, equipped with GSM (satellite) technology replaced outdated, unreliable machines.
Councillor Nigel Studdert-Kennedy, Stroud District Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration said:
"All people will have to do is put their money in, push the green button and get the ticket. This draws a line under the problems we had with the keypads - we hope this change will be welcome. When introduced, the new machines required people to type in their vehicle registration number before a ticket was issued."
The machines will be modified by the manufacturer at no cost to the council. The controversial keypad will be replaced by a blank panel. "The council is in discussion with the manufacturer regarding possible design modifications which could make the machines easier to use," he added.
Posted
: 06/02/2008 23:40:41
Wanted - Forty homes to save energy
Wanted - forty homeowners with a passion for saving energy and a willingness to work in a team. In an exciting new initiative, Stroud District Council is aiming to show that existing homes CAN achieve a massive 60% reduction in CO2 emissions.
Under the scheme - named Target 2050 - the forty homes will be subjected to an in-depth energy usage survey, after which an individual action plan for reducing emissions will be drawn up. Owners will get expert advice to support them in carrying out their action plan, including free energy saving gadgets.
The scheme takes its name from the government target to reduce the UK's CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. The forty homeowners taking part in Target 2050 will be selected on the basis of ensuring a representative mix of housing types, location and number/age of inhabitants.
To start with, Target 2050 will run for three years. Twenty of these households will be invited to have an Ecometer fitted, to monitor their energy use in detail and in particular, how changing habits can help to maximise energy savings. These households will also be expected to become case studies, with a willingness to work with others to show what can be achieved and inspire other householders to take action.
"This is a big challenge," says Cllr Elisabeth Bird, the Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment. "We are looking for people who are serious about reducing their carbon footprint - serious enough to change their behaviour and invest in home improvements - with some help from us."
Target 2050 is the only scheme of its type to be running in Gloucestershire. Stroud District Council is committed to investing £400,000 over the next three years to improve home energy efficiency. This was one of the pledges contained in the Council's Environment Strategy, launched last year. The project is managed by Severn Wye Energy Agency.
There is no restriction on the types of property which will be considered for Target 2050 - even listed buildings are eligible. The emphasis is on getting a range of different property types that reflect the profile of the district's housing.
Anyone interested in joining Target 2050 should call Gloucestershire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 (eeac@swea.co.uk) as soon as possible for more information and an application form. Successful applicants will be notified by 7th January.
Posted
: 26/11/2007 16:21:08
Cotswolds-based CTDM - Press Release
Cotswolds-based management consultancy CTDM Ltd re-homes Housing Trust
Following the formation of the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust in June 2006, the search for new premises for the newly formed charity began in ernest as the option to continue to rent office space from their landlord was strictly limited.
With office space and land suitable for redevelopment being increasingly difficult to resource, VAHT had the additional challenge of being situated within a location undergoing significant structural redevelopment as much of the available commercial property had already been secured to provide for extensive redevelopment of the town centre. With the clock ticking relentlessly, VAHT were able to secure suitable office space, However, this was within a building that required significant renovation before they could occupy it.
Because VAHT was effectively a new company, albeit one that had inherrited many of the existing Council employee's, this would be more that simply an office renovation and move as much of their infrastructure continued to be provided by their Public Sector landlords. It was at this point that the management Consultants, CTDM Limited of Chalford in Gloucestershire were appointed to project manage the migration
“Because our landlords provided so much of what most businesses take for granted, such as telephony, internal mail, security, utilities, car parking and so on, we realised that our Trust needed to evolve as well as migrate”, said Matthew Applegate, Chief Executive, Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, “and it was therefore essential that our Project Manager understood our business and it’s future requirements in order to deliver our expectations”
The Housing Trust had been located in three separate locations within Aylesbury which in itself had been a barrier to effective communication and the Chief Executive's vision of a one-team philosophy. “The new location was built in the early 80’s and had been vacant for many years before the Trust took it over and therefore while the refurbishment internally looked to be mainly cosmetic” said Rupert Ellis of CTDM Limited, “significant works were required to the roof and throughout the building, especially in terms of Health and Safety and DDA compliance.”
CTDM managed the tender process to establish preferred suppliers for the migration, providing alternatives in terms of office furniture solutions and internal décor while providing valuable input into the new systems, working policies and practises that would be required in their new home. “In CTDM we found a concientious and dependable one-stop-shop for our office move”, said Matthew Applegate, “and with Rupert Ellis taking overall charge of the project, providing a single point of contact and more importantly, continuity throughout the planning and execution, I was confident that we would move on-time and within budget”.
CTDM developed strategies and put in place contingencies for each eventuality that may have threatened to derail the move and continued to appraise VAHT of potential problems while proposing solutions and taking affirmative action. In addition, their background in recruitment, business management, health and safety and being veterans of previous corporate migrations, CTDM were able to provide quality advice and real-world solutions in order to assist the Trust evolve into their new premises without significant disruption to their tennants.
“Rupert certainly lived up to their companies motto of being 'the consultants that deliver more' as CTDM delivered not just on the migration project, but also contributed greatly to our company in terms of advice and support including the induction of our newly appointed Facilities Manager” said Matthew Applegate.
The Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust moved into Fairfax House on time and within budget with Rupert Ellis of CTDM handing over the key’s to the building to the Chief Executive, Matthew Applegate. A photo diary of the migration project is available online at www.relocation.ctdm.co.uk
Posted
: 20/11/2007 17:34:33
Appeal For Information After Stroud Cafe Break-In
Police are appealing for information after a café near Stroud was broken into and items stolen.
The incident happened between 3pm on Friday October 26th and 6.30am on Monday October 29th at the café in Frampton Mansell.
During the incident a quantity of soft drinks were stolen from a fridge as well as a digital radio and wall clock.
Anybody with any information on this incident is asked to call 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident 39 of October 29th.
Posted
: 30/10/2007 21:54:59
Appeal After £11,000 Worth Of Fireworks Stolen
Police are appealing for information after more than £11,000 worth of fireworks were stolen near Stroud.
The incident happened at Fireworks Factors International trading unit in Aston Down sometime between 10pm on Friday October 19 and 7.30am Saturday October 20th.
The fireworks, worth £11,482, were stacked on 147 pallets on the back of a curtain sided lorry when they were taken.
Anybody who has any information on this incident or is offered to buy fireworks in suspicious circumstances from this company is asked to contact police immediately on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident 135 of October 20.
Posted
: 22/10/2007 11:55:30
Delays Likely Due to Stroud Half Marathon
Motorists are being advised to avoid making trips into Stroud this Sunday morning (October 21st) due to delays likely to be caused by the Stroud Half Marathon.
The current closure of the A46 may exacerbate the traffic problems, so police are advising drivers to avoid the area if at all possible from around 9.30am until 1.30pm.
Inspector Nick Holmes, of Stroud Inspector Neighbourhood Area, said: "The half marathon will require certain road closures to be put in place to safeguard those participating in this annual event.
"As the A46 is also closed at the moment the delays may be greater than usual this year, so we would ask people to stay away from the area unless they have essential visits to make.
"If they do this they will be saving themselves, and us and the marathon organisers, a great deal of problems."
The marathon will mean that temporary road closures will be in place on the following routes:- A419 Cainscross Road between Cainscross Roundabout and the Gannicox Lane junction with Cainscross Road between 9.30 am-1.30 pm;
- B4008 Standish Lane between Standish Church and the junction of the A38 from 10.20 am-11.45 am;
- The Nupend (Grove) Lane running from the A38 at Whitminster to the entrance to the Little Chef at the island on the A419 near Chipmans Platt from 10.30 am-12 noon;
- Paganhill Lane in both directions from top to bottom between 10.50 am-12.30 pm, as in the past the emergency services will be given priority and access made available for the bus service.
- Oldends Lane junction with Bristol Road.
- Oldends Lane junction with Midland Road, STONEHOUSE. Access will be given to industrial unit traffic/residents only.
Posted
: 17/10/2007 10:28:05
Police Team Up With Local Youth Project
Police Team Up With Local Youth Project To Kick Off New Initative In Stroud
Officers from the Cotswold and Stroud Division are kicking off a new initiative to strengthen relationships with young people in the area.
A group of ten officers will swap their uniforms for football kits tomorrow evening, Wednesday September 26, in aid of a special football tournament with members of The Door Youth Project in Stroud.
Community Liaison Officer PC Mike Stanley explained more: "We want to engage more with young people and let them know that we are approachable and we will listen to them. We hope that by holding this tournament we can build a few bridges and build up a relationship with these young people based on trust and respect."
All officers have volunteered to take part in event during in their own time and the tournament will take place at Stratford Park Leisure Centre between 6pm and 8pm.
There will be two five-a-side teams from The Door which caters for young people between the ages of 11 and 20-years-of age.
PC Stanley added: "We hope this will be a success and taken in good spirit. If this goes well then we will aim to organise more events with a view to trying out different sports."
Posted
: 25/09/2007 18:40:22
Motocross - Judge Back Council
A District Judge has upheld Stroud District Council's limit on motorcycle racing at Arlingham.
Sitting at Cheltenham Magistrates Court, Judge Mathews heard that the Council had imposed an annual four-day limit after receiving a dozen complaints. The complaints, from both sides of the River Severn, came after 40 motorcycles at a time sped around the Arlingham Raceway circuit on 8 successive Sundays. The motocross sessions were organised by Thornbury-based company LA Sporting Ltd.
The Council's Environmental Protection Officers thoroughly investigated the complaints, visiting the area during several sessions and formally assessing the extent of the noise disturbance. Their conclusion was that the sessions were too loud to justify use of the circuit on anything other than a very occasional basis. The circuit was situated on elevated land within 300 metres of houses in a normally peaceful area - one of the quietest in the Stroud District.
In March 2006, the Council served an Abatement Notice on the company after it rejected advice to reduce events to 4 days per year. The company then appealed against the Notice. Judge Mathews confirmed Stroud District Council's view and awarded costs of £500 against LA Sporting Ltd. Breaching an Abatement Notice is a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of £20,000.
Cllr Elisabeth Bird, Stroud District Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment and Rural Affairs expressed her satisfaction with the outcome: "We strongly believe that the tranquil, rural area around Arlingham is an unsuitable venue for anything but very occasional motocross events. We certainly don't want to unnecessarily deprive motocross riders of the enjoyment of their hobby, but event sites must be chosen carefully to provide a balance between that enjoyment and the rights of local residents to enjoy peace and quiet at home."
Posted
: 12/09/2007 13:48:30
Museum Clock Restored
One of Stroud District Museum's time-keeping treasures has been restored to working order and returned to permanent display at the Museum in the Park, Stroud.
The clock was made in Bristol in about 1820 for the new building at Dunkirk Mill, Nailsworth. It then tolled the long working hours for generations of spinners, weavers, dyers and other local cloth workers. The clock was given by the Mill’s owner to Stroud District Museum in 1988. In 2001 the Museum moved from Lansdown to Stratford Park, since when it has been on display in the entrance.
The restoration included repairs to worn parts, replacement of some missing pieces, a new stand and installation of automatic winding gear. The face and hands are from the famous Nailsworth church clock, known locally as the clock on stilts’ because of the unusual wooden turret that served as a clock tower until it was demolished in the 1930s. The clock has three bells. Two chime on the quarter hours and one strikes on the hour.
The restoration works were done by the Cumbria Clock Company, which has restored and maintains many nationally important church and public clocks.
David Mullin, Museum Collections Officer, said "We are delighted that visitors can now see and hear this beautiful piece of local heritage in action."
Restoration has been carried out in commemoration of Dr Kenneth Southgate (1927-2001), Treasurer of the Museum Friends, whose enthusiasm and hard work helped to make the Museum in the Park possible.
For more information and photographs contact Abigail Large, Museum Administrator, Tel: 01453 763394
Posted
: 15/08/2007 14:54:49
Now you can recycle beverages cartons
Beverage cartons can now be recycled at five sites across the Stroud District - further adding to the range of items which can be recycled locally.
Recycling bosses countywide are launching the new banks in conjunction with Tetra Pak Ltd and the carton industry body ACE UK (Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment) to enable residents to recycle even more of their household rubbish.
Each year, UK manufacturers produce approximately 55,000 tonnes of paper-based cartons for milk, juice, sauces and other liquid foods/drinks which could be recycled instead of being thrown in the rubbish bin.
In response, Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire County Council are working with the carton industry to set up collection points for residents to take their empty cartons to be recycled.
Even though cartons cannot be placed into household recycling boxes, the new project means that used cartons can now be taken to special collection banks at existing recycling sites:
Cam - Tesco Car Park
Nailsworth - Old Market
Stonehouse - High Street Car Park
Stroud - London Road Car Park
Stroud - Tesco Car Park
They will then be recycled into products ranging from plasterboard liner to high-strength paper bags. Carton recycling should also soon be introduced at Pyke Quarry, Horsley.
Councillor Elisabeth Bird, Stroud District Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "We're delighted that Tetra Pak and the carton industry is supporting us to help recycle cartons in the Stroud District. If successful, we'd like to see the project rolled out further to help increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill."
Richard Hands, Environment Manager at Tetra Pak Ltd and Chairman of ACE UK, added: "Whilst cartons have been successfully recycled in large volumes for many years throughout Europe, the UK has a long way to go. It's therefore fantastic news that Stroud is taking a lead by adding cartons to the list of materials collected for recycling and we very much hope that the initiative is successful.
"We and our industry partners are committed to increasing the level of carton recycling in the UK with the aim of reaching a national network of carton collection by the end of 2008. Our work with Stroud takes us and households in the area one step closer to achieving that."
Since April last year, the UK carton industry has made £1.5million available to help local authorities interested in starting up carton collection schemes in their area. There are already approximately 100 local authorities collecting cartons, which will result in a national network of coverage during the next 18 months.
Posted
: 06/08/2007 06:36:45
Stroud D.C. supports local Farmers' Markets
Farmers' Markets in Dursley, Nailsworth and Wotton-under-Edge are celebrating this week, thanks to Stroud District Council.
The council has now confirmed support of £6500 for the Markets, which encourage the public to buy fresh local food.
The funding will meet start-up costs for a website, which will provide information about the host towns, including details of places to visit and things to do, history, shopping and what's on, as well as information about the Farmers’ Markets themselves. In addition, leaflets will also be produced to encourage people from outside the District to shop locally; these will be available from Tourist Information Centres and other Farmers' Markets. Dursley and Nailsworth are also due to get financial support for publicising the event around the towns, such as A-boards, signs and banners, whilst Nailsworth's funding will also be used to improve the Farmers' Market's electricity supply.
The original funding bid was a joint initiative by the groups that run the Farmers' Markets - Nailsworth Chamber of Trade, Wotton-under-Edge Town Council and Dursley Town Trust. The money will be in time for the anticipated increase in visitors during the summer. These three Farmers' Markets are run as community ventures, and plough any profits generated back into the market towns.
Councillor Nigel Studdert-Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Tourism, welcomed the move, saying: "Stroud District Council is fully behind the Farmers' Markets, and views them as a great resource for the local community.
They provide an excellent contribution to the local economy and are a great complement to produce already available to consumers on the high street. The Markets may even encourage customers of all ages to gain more enjoyment from the experience of food shopping, preparation and eating."
Judy King, who submitted the bid and is also the organiser for Dursley Farmers' Market, said: "As our Farmers' Markets put profits back into the local communities, we are very grateful that Stroud District Council has helped us with this very generous funding, which will draw in more visitors and help us to support local food producers. This will enable us to make an even bigger contribution to our local towns."
Posted
: 26/07/2007 20:35:51
Photographers invited to snap up Arts Award 2007
Stroud District Council is inviting submissions from photographers in the Five Valleys for this year's Stroud District Arts Award for a chance to win a significant prize. Now in its third successful year, the award will celebrate and showcase photography to coincide with the first PhotoStroud Festival in October.
The winning photographer will be awarded a £2,000 commission to produce a body of new, exciting and original work, which will be exhibited and toured in the area and featured in a dedicated e-gallery. The best black-and-white image in the competition will be reproduced as a high-quality platinum print by Horsley-based and internationally renowned printmakers, 31 Studio.
In addition, Five Valleys Photography is generously offering a 10% discount on black-and-white processing and printing for entries to the Arts Award.
"There are no restrictions on what is photographed - we're simply looking for originality, outstanding imagery and a critical eye," said Councillor John Jeffreys. "We're anticipating enormous interest from all sections of the community."
The award is open to professional and amateur photographers living or working predominantly in Stroud District, and the shortlisted entries will be exhibited at the Museum-in-the-Park during the two-week festival. "The Award will attract national, as well as local interest in Stroud’s established and emerging photographic talent, and further help to put the area on the UK map for creative and innovative arts." said festival co-director, Carlos Ordonez.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 7th September and an artists' brief, giving details of the award, is available from Anne Boakes, Cultural Services, Stroud District Council, tel: 01453 754334 or by emailing arts.award@stroud.gov.uk. A copy can also be downloaded from:www.stroud.gov.uk/artsaward
Posted
: 17/07/2007 18:47:17
Rain fails to stop play at Museum in the Park
Torrential downpours and stormy skies did not stop nearly 900 people from visiting Stratford Park on Sunday 24th June to take part in an Edwardian-style Midsummer Garden Party. The Museum in the Park event was opened by Cllr John Hudson and was a great success, umbrellas and all.
Visitors were greeted by elegant Edwardian ladies and gents, the former attired in exquisite long dresses and elaborate hats, the latter in fashionable summer suits and jaunty boaters. Many guests looked the part too, picnic hampers and champagne bottles in hand, although umbrellas proved more useful than parasols to begin with.
In the spirit of the great garden parties of the Edwardian era, a variety of entertainments were on offer throughout the day. Guests enjoyed watching tennis matches, browsing the cake stall and plant stall, trying their luck at the raffle, taking part in popular games of the era and meeting special guest Mr Pedersen, inventor of the world-famous Dursley Pedersen cycle, who enthused about the pleasures of cycling in 1907.
The sky cleared in the afternoon in time for visitors to flock to the bandstand to sip tea and listen to fashionable tunes of the day played by Tewkesbury Town Band.
The event was a great success’, said Ann Taylor from the Museum. Thanks to all our supporters and everyone who took part despite the rainy start to the day! The garden party was inspired by a photograph of Stroud Choral Society taken in July 1907, when the Society performed an open-air concert in Stratford Park, and posed for the photo in their Edwardian finery. We re-created the photo at the end of the day and Stroud Choral Society performed a short piece of music to mark the occasion.
Posted
: 02/07/2007 21:46:37
Medication Lost In Stroud
Police are urging members of the public to get in touch if they find a number of items of medication lost in Stroud during the afternoon of Friday June 22nd.
The items - liquid methadone, methadone ampoules and Zopiclone tablets - were in a handbag lost in Bank Gardens, Stroud, at around 2pm.
The public are warned that the lost medication could be harmful if taken.
Anyone who finds the missing items is asked to hand them in to their nearest police station or contact officers on 0845 090 1234.
Posted
: 24/06/2007 10:55:38
Stroud Constable Set For Mexican Mercy Mission
A Stroud constable will be travelling to Mexico later this summer to work on environmental projects and help some of the country's underprivileged and orphaned children.
PC Mary Allright, a community intelligence officer, will be swapping the streets of Stroud for the heat of the Central American country in July.
Travelling with Global Vision International, a worldwide volunteer organisation, Mary will take part in a variety of activities during her five-week stay; from working with street children in Tijuana to helping a marine conservation project in Pez Maya.
"After my own children fled the nest I decided there were many children in the world to whom I could offer love, support and practical help," said Mary.
"When I get to Mexico I'll be spending some of the trip distributing supplies to disadvantaged areas and helping orphans, principally through teaching them English and IT skills and recreational activities.
"I'll also get an opportunity to work in a community centre in Tijuana that rehabilitates young people who live on the streets. The centre receives up to five new children each day who, along with food and housing, receive medical care and psychological treatment."
Mary, who lives near Dursley, will spend the rest of her time in Mexico on the Mayan Riviera - though she'll have little opportunity to relax!
"I'll be joining an extensive research project that is under way in Pez Maya," she said.
"The coral reef at this location is important for fishing and the tourist trade which, while economically valuable, are activities that represent a high environmental risk.
"I will be assisting in a range of community led environmental research and awareness projects, including the collection of data to help form a comprehensive picture of the ecological health of part of the reef.
"I want to make sure I'm going to be useful to the project, so I've been spending my spare time reading up about coral reefs and tropical fish and I'm doing my best to learn Spanish."
Mary is having to raise nearly £3,000 to take part in her Mexican mercy mission.
Anyone who would like to sponsor her trip is asked to contact Mary via her e-mail address, mary.allright@gloucestershire.police.uk
Posted
: 12/06/2007 11:50:48
Warning Over Bogus Callers
Warning Over Bogus Callers In Stroud and Wotton-under-Edge
Police are once again urging members of the public, in particular the elderly and vulnerable, to be aware of bogus callers.
The warning comes after Gloucestershire Police received two reports of distraction burglaries in the same day.
The first incident happened at around midday yesterday afternoon (Monday June 4) when a 71-year-old man from Wotton-under-Edge had more than £200 in cash stolen from his home.
Two men knocked on the victim's door at around midday yesterday (Monday June 4th) asking is they could go into his garden at his property in Wortley.
The offenders claimed they were doing work for a neighbour and they needed access to the victim's back garden to access a fence.
The pensioner escorted one of the men down to the bottom of his garden leaving the second man by his back door.
Shortly after the second man joined his friend and the pensioner returned to hi home leaving them alone.
He then saw the pair running very quickly from the garden and out into the front of the house where they jumped into a white car and sped off.
The elderly man then realised that £240 in cash as well as a brown leather wallet containing bankcards and a driving license as well as pension cards had been taken from the house.
Police are now keen to trace the two men and they are described as white with Irish accents. One was around 20-years-old around five-foot-nine-inches with an athletic build and short tidy brown hair. He was wearing blue and white stripy shirt and dark trousers.
The second incident involving a bogus caller happened at around 12.30pm yesterday at a property in Stroud.
An unknown offender posing as men from the water board approached a 90-year-old woman at her home in Belmont ROAD.
He told her he needed to turn off her water, as there had been a leak further up the road.
He then escorted the pensioner to her upstairs bathroom to check on the taps there and when they returned downstairs the woman noticed that her front door was wide open.
After the offender left the elderly woman noticed that drawers in her upstairs rooms had been searched as well as other room downstairs.
It is not known as yet what was taken from the house.
The man is described as white with a medium build and around five-foot-three inches tall and around 40 years old.
He had short light coloured hair, which was receding at the front and wearing a blue long sleeved waist length waterproof jacket and dark coloured
trousers.
Chief Superintendent Dean Walker said: "Conmen are operating in the area and we would urge all members if the public, in particular the elderly and vulnerable, to be wary of anybody calling unannounced at their door. Always ask for identification and call whichever company they claim to be representing to check they are in the area.
If you are in any doubt refuse to let them into your home or call 999 immediately."
Anybody with any information is asked to call 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incidents 256 and 331 respectively of June 4th.
Posted
: 05/06/2007 18:16:09
Vandals Hit Shops In Stroud
Police in Stroud are appealing for information after shops in the town had windows smashed between the evening of Saturday May 26 and the early hours of Sunday May 27th.
The three premises targeted by offenders were Taylors Estate Agents in the High Street, and Savers and Card Fair in King Street.
All the damage was caused between around 11pm on Saturday May 26 and 7am the following morning.
Anyone with information about any of the damage is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 158 of May 27th.
Posted
: 31/05/2007 22:46:36
Security Warning After Thefts In Stroud
Police are warning residents in the Stroud area to be vigilant after thefts in the area.
One incident happened between 7.30pm on Tuesday 15 and 6am on Wednesday 16 May at home on The Brush in Stroud.
Someone has entered an unlocked garage and stolen various food items from the freezer valued at a total of around £100. They have also attempted to steal some other food items from a separate freezer, which were left to defrost at the scene totalling £50.
Another incident happened between 9.45pm on Tuesday 15 May and 6.50am on Wednesday 16 May at a home on The Bridle in Stroud.
Someone has entered an unlocked shed in the garden and opened a tool box, removed the top layer which was then left at the scene. Nothing was stolen.
Officers are reminding people to ensure their garages and sheds are secured at all times.
If anyone has any information about these incidents they should call police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident 83 or 183 of 16 May or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Posted
: 17/05/2007 01:01:18
Witness Appeal on Suspicious Incident in Stroud
At shortly after 9.30pm on Friday May 11th a 14-year-old boy was walking along Folly Lane, in Stroud.
When he reached the junction with Lovedays Mead he noticed that a white car with a male driver had slowed down alongside him, and the driver spoke to him and offered him a lift.
The boy refused and carried on walking, but the driver pulled over a short distance ahead and got out of the car and approached the boy on foot.
He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and again offered him a lift. The boy, feeling very alarmed, hit the man with a snooker cue he was carrying, before running home and telling his parents what had happened.
The man was described as being white, between 35 and 40 years of age, five foot 10 inches tall and of slim build. He had dark brown hair and a low pitched voice. He was wearing a dark jacket, grey trousers and black shoes.
His car was a white saloon which possibly had alloy wheels.
Anyone with information is asked to ring police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting incident number 578 of May 11th.
Posted
: 14/05/2007 18:15:16
Satisfaction with council goes up
Stroud District Council's overall satisfaction among its residents has risen from 56% to 61% - an increase of 5% from three years ago. The results are taken from the government’s Best Value Satisfaction Survey, which is conducted by every council in the country to assess resident satisfaction. As such they are viewed as the definitive guide to a council’s satisfaction ratings. Stroud's 5% increase is the biggest of six district councils of Gloucestershire.
Cllr Chas Fellows, Leader of Stroud District Council, said:
"We're focused on delivering what our residents want so we're absolutely delighted with these results. We always try to engage people so that we can deliver the best level of service that we can and its great that this national survey shows that they are happy with the way we do things."
Over 7,100 people in the district were surveyed for their views on a whole range of council services including recycling, refuse collection, museums, parks, planning, housing services, sports and leisure, and customer services.
Highlights of the survey included a dramatic 13% satisfaction boost for planning services to 83% and satisfaction with the benefits service hit 84%. Satisfaction in sports and leisure also increased to 60%.
Stroud's satisfaction level with waste collection remained at 87% and the score for recycling facilities was the highest in the county at 75% but all councils saw satisfaction decrease in this category.
On this, Cllr Fellows added:
"Not surprisingly, as public awareness on environmental issues has grown and more people have embraced the concept of recycling, all of the districts suffered a drop in satisfaction in this critical area - but we believe that we're ahead of the game. This survey took place just before we analysed the hundreds of responses to our Environment Green Paper consultation, which gave us important feedback on people's concerns and their suggestions on how to improve recycling. We're already in the process of implementing many new initiatives and addressing the areas of concern."
Satisfaction for parks and public spaces went up to 76% and people were also more satisfied with the cleanliness of their streets and living environments. This score rose from 67% to 71%. The overall satisfaction figures were calculated from 23 categories surveyed. 19 of the district's ratings improved or stayed the same, with only four of them going down.
Posted
: 11/05/2007 02:27:23
Instruments Stolen From Stroud Bands
Police are appealing to the public for help in tracing offenders responsible for stealing musical instruments belonging to two bands in Stroud.
The instruments, which belong to the bands 'Blue and Green' and 'Happy Hour', were taken from the garage of an address in Station Road, Woodchester, between 4am and 11.30am on Saturday May 5th.
Offenders stole a white Stratocaster guitar, worth £200, a brown Tanglewood Warrior 3 guitar, worth £300, and a guitar effects pedal worth £60.
Anyone with information about the burglary, or who knows the whereabouts of the missing instruments, is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 436 of May 5th.
Posted
: 11/05/2007 01:51:12
Annual Sportsability Festival on Tuesday 8th May
Young people with disabilities from Stroud schools will have the opportunity to participate in the Stroud Annual Sportsability Festival at Stratford Park Leisure Centre. The festival provides the opportunity for the young people to compete at a grassroots level as a member of a team and takes place on Tuesday 8th May 2007 from 10.00am-12.00pm
Stroud District Council’s community disability development officer, Hannah McLeod, added:
"The festival is all about fun. It allows children with disabilities to take part in sport and physical activity with an emphasis on enjoyment rather than competition"
Last year 40 young disabled people from The Shrubberies School (Stonehouse) and St Roses School (Stroud) took part in the district's first Sportsability event. This year pupils from Thomas Keble School will also be at the festival.
Each young person has been placed in a team which they will compete in during the festival this will be identified by team t-shirts, which have been donated by O2 - sponsors of the event.
The children will participate in activities including table cricket, polybat, boccia, new age kurling and parachute games. The festival is organised in partnership with Gloscat students as part of their BTEC National Certificate in Sport (Development and Fitness).
To find out more about the festival please contact Hannah McLeod, community disability development officer on 07921 250092 or turn up and see what is happening.
Posted
: 28/04/2007 14:45:33
'A Centenary of Scouting' Exhibition
Discover 100 Years of Scouting in the Stroud and Tetbury District!
On 1 August 1907 Robert Baden-Powell started the Scout Association with a small experimental camp on Brownsea Island in Dorset. Two boys from Gloucestershire attended that camp, and by May 1908 the Stroud and Tetbury area already had two Scout Troops, and the number soon grew rapidly. Today there are over 900 members of Scouting in Stroud and Tetbury District. Over the last century many of the milestones in Scouting have come to Gloucestershire via the Stroud and Tetbury District. Now they are not only celebrating their past but also looking to a vibrant and dynamic future.
If you would like to find out about Scouting then and now or if you have played any part in Scouting during the past 100 years, either as a member of the movement, or as a parent of someone who was, then come along to a drop in reception at The Museum in the Park in Stroud.
Drop in to the Museum on Saturday 21 April between 11am - 4pm:
-See a display charting the history of Scouting in the Stroud Area spanning the past 100 years, and relive and share your memories.
-Meet people involved in Scouting today
-See if you can spot yourself in any of the photos.
-Enjoy a chat and share your memories
Whether you were in Scouting 1 years ago or 100 years ago - or if you would like to be part of Scouting today we look forward to seeing you there!
Museum and exhibition admission FREE. Open weekdays (except Monday) 10am - 5pm, open Saturday and Sunday 11am - 5pm. Closed on Monday.
Posted
: 22/04/2007 16:16:21
Test Purchase Operation - Staff Are On The Ball
Test Purchase Operation Shows Stroud Staff Are On The Ball
Staff working in on- and off-license premises in Stroud are heeding the law preventing the sale of alcohol to under 18s, according to the results of a recent test purchasing operation.
On Friday April 13 plain-clothes officers accompanied a young person under legal drinking age to eight off-licences and bars in Stroud, Ebley, Bussage and Stonehouse.
At each location the youngster made attempts to buy alcohol, but on each occasion staff refused the sale and demanded to see proof-of-age identification.
PC John Breakwell, licensing officer for Stroud police, said he had been pleased with the positive response.
"The results of this operation are clearly good news as it shows off-licence and bar staff are stringently applying the drinking laws," he said.
"It indicates that the majority of those in the alcohol sales trade are conscious of attempts by young people to purchase alcohol."
Despite the success of the recent operation PC Breakwell said police would continue to scrutinise the drinks trade in Stroud.
"There is a well-established link between the consumption of alcohol and anti-social behaviour and violent crime," he said.
"Where the consumption of alcohol is by young people the problems in relation to anti-social behaviour can be exacerbated as they frequently drink in residential areas or public places such as precincts, parks and alleyways.
"Because of these problems police will continue to carry out both overt checks and test-purchase operations on premises selling alcohol in the Stroud area."
Posted
: 18/04/2007 17:06:29
£3 Million Unclaimed!
A whopping £3 million in Council Tax Benefit could go unclaimed every year in the Stroud District, according to Government estimates.
Most people would be shocked to find out that more than 40% of pensioners who are entitled to help with their Council Tax are unaware of it. More importantly it's thought that half of those "missing out" are in the poorest fifth of the population.
"We are concerned about this," says David Wride, Stroud District Council's Cabinet Member for Resources. "People on a low income don't have to struggle financially. Help is on offer and they are entitled to claim it." The Council is keen that people should check if they might be entitled by calling its benefit team on 01453 754054, or visiting the special on-line benefit calculator at www.stroud.gov.uk/howmuch
As many as three million people across the UK are not claiming what is rightfully theirs. Benefits Minister James Plaskitt said: "We encourage people to tell their friends and family about Council tax benefit and urge them to contact their local authority to find out what they are entitled to. We are determined to raise awareness that many people could see their Council Tax bill reduced or even paid in full."
Posted
: 03/04/2007 23:18:10
Stroud DC a Beacon - For The Third Time
Stroud District Council has been awarded the coveted Beacon status for a third time. The award is again independent proof that the Council is one of the best in the country.
The Department for Communities and Local Government made the award to Gloucestershire's seven councils in recognition of the way they plan for major emergencies. Gloucestershire County Council led the bid.
The Beacon scheme recognises excellence and innovation in local government and is run by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA). Each year, ministers set ten themes relevant to issues faced by authorities every day. Beacon Councils are expected to set up ways of passing on their experience to other councils and receive a Government grant to help them do so.
Local Government Minister Angela Smith said: "I would like to congratulate all the authorities that have been awarded Beacon status this year. You really are our local champions who have demonstrated service excellence, innovation and determination to share your expertise and act as a catalyst for improvements in other authorities too. The real prize of the Beacon scheme is the improvements to public services that everyone relies on day-by-day."
Stroud District Council previously earned Beacon status in 2002 for its work to reduce crime in rural areas and again in 2004 for its services to older people.
Councillor Chas Fellows, Leader of Stroud District Council, a Member of Gloucestershire County Council and Chairman of the Bid Panel, [M1] said: "This is fantastic news for Gloucestershire. The county is now recognised as a centre of excellence when it comes to civil protection and a model of best practice for other councils. We can all be very proud of the hard work carried out by the county council and the district councils in Gloucestershire. The community can rest assured that we are in safe hands."
Factors in the successful bid were partnership working and community involvement. County and district council representatives meet regularly to share information and carry out planning exercises. Gloucestershire also has a well-established unique volunteers accreditation scheme The scheme ensures that suitably trained volunteers are able to assist the local authorities in caring for those affected by a major emergency at any time and place within the county.
The judges were particularly impressed with the active involvement of councillors and officers in emergency planning and the way the authorities work closely with outside partner agencies.
Posted
: 28/03/2007 00:59:08
Man Glassed At Stroud Snooker Club
Police in Stroud are appealing for witnesses after a man had a glass pushed into his face at the Matchplay Snooker Club.
The victim, a 29 year-old man from Stroud, had been at a party at the club, on the Salmon Springs Trading Estate off Cheltenham Road, during the evening of Saturday March 24.
Between 11.45pm and just after midnight he became aware of a fight taking place between some of the guests and he stepped in to intervene.
It was at this point that the victim had a glass pushed into his face, causing a two inch long cut beneath his left eye that required hospital treatment.
Two men, a 32 year-old and a 39 year-old, both from Stroud, have been arrested in connection with the attack. Both have been bailed pending further enquiries until May 2.
Despite the arrests officers remain keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack or who has information about it.
Anyone with information is asked to call Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 707 of March 24.
Posted
: 27/03/2007 12:17:55
Woman Struck With Bottle In Stroud
Police in Stroud are appealing for information after a woman was hit in the head with a plastic bottle as she walked through the town during the afternoon of Saturday March 10.
The victim, a 46 year-old woman from Badminton, had been walking in Rowcroft Retreat at around 2.45pm when she was struck in the head by a plastic drinks bottle that was three-quarters full.
The bottle is believed to have been deliberately thrown from the nearby Merrywalks Multi-Storey car park.
As a result of the attack the victim suffered bruising to the left hand side of her head.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information about it, is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 546 of March 10.
Posted
: 15/03/2007 17:47:59
Four Vehicles Vandalised In Stroud
Police are appealing to the public for help in tracing those responsible for spraying graffiti on four vehicles in Stroud over the weekend.
All four were damaged between approximately 4pm on Friday March 9 and 10.30am on Saturday March 10.
Three of the vehicles, a white VW Golf, a blue Audi TT and a white VW van, were targeted after they were left parked in the Coppice Hill area of Chalford.
The fourth vehicle, a red Peugeot 207, was in Randalls Green, Chalford Hill, when it was attacked.
In each case offenders had used spray paint in various colours to daub graffiti 'tags' on the vehicles.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 171 of March 10th.
Posted
: 12/03/2007 16:25:12
Woman, 19, Assaulted In Stroud
Police in Stroud are appealing for witnesses after a 19 year-old woman was assaulted in the town during the evening of Friday February 16.
The woman, who comes from Stroud, and a friend, had approached a group of teenagers in Lansdown, Stroud, between 9.50pm and 10.20pm, to ask if they had a cigarette.
One of the youths attacked the victim punching her several times to the head.
Following the attack the victim attended hospital for treatment to bruising and swelling to her face and a suspected broken nose.
The offender was a white female, around 5ft 3ins tall with a proportionate build and very long, straight, blond hair.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 614 of February 16th.
Posted
: 19/02/2007 18:14:08
Window Of House Smashed In Stroud
Police in Stroud are appealing to the public for help in tracing those responsible for smashing the window of a house in Chapel Street.
The front window was smashed by unknown offenders at around 12.10am on Thursday February 15.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 6 of February 15.
Posted
: 17/02/2007 18:41:31
Man Assaulted Outside Stroud Nightclub
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted as he queued to get into a nightclub in Stroud during the night of Saturday February 10th.
The 29 year-old man, who comes from Stroud, had been in the queue for The Warehouse nightclub in Russell Street when he was attacked between 10.30pm and 11pm.
The victim was approached by an unknown white male who punched him once in the face before running away from the scene.
The victim sustained a black eye as a result of the attack.
Anyone who witnessed the assault is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 255 of February 11.
Posted
: 13/02/2007 10:12:04
Calling Postal Voters - Stroud Area
Around 4000 people could lose their postal votes unless they reply to a request from Stroud District Council.
Last month, the Council wrote to 9500 electors who currently vote by post or proxy, asking for their date of birth and a specimen signature. The move, being repeated nationwide, is a Government requirement for greater security, following postal vote fraud elsewhere in the country.
Electoral Manager Lynne Burns and her team have so far received replies from around 60%. "The deadline is 21st February," she explained. "After that date, anyone who hasn't replied will lose their automatic postal vote and have to reapply. It would be much easier for all concerned if people respond now."
The deadline for postal vote applications for the District and Parish elections being held on 3rd May is 5pm on Wednesday, 18th April. The proxy vote deadline is one week later on 25th April.
Posted
: 06/02/2007 08:13:08
TV Stolen From Shop In Stroud
Police are appealing to the public for information after a TV was stolen from a branch of Curry's in Stroud on Wednesday January 31st.
The 15inch LG LCD TV, worth £170, was stolen from a display in the middle of the shop in the High Street between 4.30pm and 4.45pm.
A white male and female were seen inside the shop during these times.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the offence, or anyone who may have been offered a TV of the type stolen for a discount price.
Members of the public with information are asked to call Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 345 of January 31st.
Posted
: 01/02/2007 13:56:55
Pop-up urinal to address town centre problems
Stroud is to be the first town in Gloucestershire and only the eighth in the UK to install a pop-up urinal in an attempt to combat the nuisance of urinating in shop doorways.
Councillor Nigel Cooper, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Environment, Rural Affairs and Licensing explained: "Urinating in shop doorways is a recognised problem throughout the country. Whilst it is an offence to urinate in public, it still happens. It is quite disgusting and very upsetting for businesses in the town who have to clean up the mess every weekend. Up until now, we as a council, have been unable to do anything about it."
Urinating in public is predominantly a male phenomenon. The Urilift is a stainless steel structure housing three urinals, which, during the daytime, is hidden underground, but in the evening it is raised up by remote control so that it can be used by night-time revellers. It has its own water supply and waste pipe so that it can be kept hygienic with regular, automatic flushing. It is sited on King's Parade - close to the taxi rank where people have a tendency to congregate at night and in the early hours of the morning.
Karen Sands, manager of M&Co (formerly Mackays) added: "Initially I was a little concerned about it being right outside our shop display - but that really won't be an issue as it is underground during the day. We regularly have people urinating in our doorway and even through our letterbox, so this will be a welcome feature in addressing the problem. Traders in Stroud have had to suffer for much too long. I look forward to not having to deal with the mess in the future."
The town of Colchester unveiled its first Urilift just a couple of months ago and has found that it is regularly used and has been well received by the public.
Councillor Cooper added: "I'm aware that people are already criticising the Urilift even before it has been opened, but they need to be aware that we are not encouraging people to urinate in public - we are in fact, discouraging them from urinating in people's doorways. I suggest that the critics wait, and we all see how this solution has an impact on anti-social behaviour. If it addresses the problem as well as we think it will, we may see another one, including a variant for females - the Urigienic."
Unlike many councils who are closing public conveniences, Stroud District Council is committed to improving its toilet facilities, winning British toilet awards over the last two years for its fully refurbished, state of the art toilets in Berkeley, Stonehouse and Painswick. The council is committed to refurbishing its other toilets to the same standard.
Background Information
There are eleven Urilifts installed in the UK (Reading has two, Westminster has two, Colchester, Taunton, Newquay has three, Durham, and Belfast), however a Urigienic has yet to be installed.
Stroud will be the first town in Gloucestershire, and only the second market town to install a Urilift (the first being Colchester).
The installation of the Urilift has followed a 2-year consultation process with Stroud District Council, HSBC, M&Co (formerly Mackays), Stroud Chamber of Trade, Stroud Town Council, Stroud Concordat, the Civic Society and Gloucestershire County Council.
Stroud town centre, like the majority of towns, does not currently have 24hr toilet facilities as problems with vandalism often mean that they become unusable. Repairs following vandalism also mean that the toilets need to be closed for repairs. Stroud District Council is currently working with partners to find an alternative location to the current facilities at Bedford Street with a view to providing a 24hr disability compliant public convenience.
The Urilift and associated installation costs amount to £45,000 (broken down as £27,000 for the product and £18,000 for installation). As the structure is made of stainless steel and is very robust its lifetime should be 15-20 years - equating to a cost of only £2,000-3,000 per annum in addressing this serious problem. Maintenance costs are estimated at only £2,000 per annum.
An equivalent public convenience with just a single toilet would cost approximately £100,000 with annual maintenance costs of £10,000.
Posted
: 31/01/2007 11:09:29
Between 18 and 30? Club together to buy a house
Stroud District Council will be hosting an event on Tuesday 6th February to help young people on to the housing ladder. The event, which has been organised as a joint venture between the council and Stroud District Youth Council, is being targeted at 18 to 30-year olds, but is open to people of all ages. It will promote a service called "Share to Buy" which helps people buy joint shares in properties when buying alone may be just out of their reach. Anyone who may be interested is invited to attend.
Ashley Skuse, Youth Council cabinet member for housing explained: "The issue of affordable housing is not going to go away and that's why we feel that the Youth Council should get involved now. In the years ahead many of us, and those we represent, will need our own homes hence we’re keen to see what we can do now. This innovative initiative is available now and we hope that as many people from the district will attend to see how they may be able to benefit."
The presentation of the Share to Buy scheme will be delivered by the Graduate Network, but Councillor John Jeffreys, Stroud District Council's cabinet member with responsibility for housing was keen to point out that the scheme was open to everyone, and not just those with a degree qualification. He said: "The Share to Buy scheme started off with graduates but is now open to everyone. It's a specialist scheme that allows up to four people to pool their incomes to buy a property. Traditional lenders only take into account the first two incomes when joint mortgage applications are made. By promoting this service friends and families will be able to get together and benefit from owning their own homes."
As well as allowing more than two people to buy shares in a property the Share to Buy scheme also simplifies the contractual arrangement between buyers by drawing up joint ownership legal agreements free of charge.
Councillor Jeffreys added: "We're also encouraging employers to attend as the scheme may be of great value to helping their staff access affordable housing."
The event takes place at 7pm on Tuesday 6th February in the Council Chamber at Stroud District Council's Ebley Mill offices.
Posted
: 31/01/2007 11:02:39
£20,000 sculpture commission winner announced
Following the judging of the Stroud District Council/Stroud College Arts Award on Monday, the panel has announced the winner of the commission to make a sculpture to celebrate the opening of the new Stroud College in Gloucestershire building.
The winning artist is Phil Thompson who will be awarded £20,000 to cover fee and materials for the commissioned piece. The work will be unveiled in June 2007, at the opening of the new building.
Phil is a young artist from Gloucester who discovered his passion for sculpture on an Art Access course at Stroud College. He commented: "My proposed sculpture for the new Stroud College is an abstract form to represent the coming together of people and ideas, the intertwining of cultural diversity and creativity which are at the heart of Stroud’s long tradition of radicalism and freedom of expression."
The Chairman of the panel, Cllr Elisabeth Bird, commented: "Phil's piece has a wonderful energy and dynamism and will be an exciting new addition to public art in Stroud."
Posted
: 31/01/2007 10:59:47
Public Invited To Stroud Police/Community Meeting
Stroud residents can attend the next Police Community Consultative Meeting (PCCM) for their area on Thursday February 8th.
The latest PCCM will be held at 7.30pm at The Falcon Inn in Painswick.
Organised by Gloucestershire Police Authority, PCCMs give the public a chance to discuss any policing issues they may have with a member of the Authority and with officers working in their community.
The feedback obtained during the meetings is used by police to assess their progress, plan future operations and help determine local policing priorities.
"If you have concerns about crime and disorder in your area come along and tell us about it," said Insp Nick Holmes, of Stroud police.
"For the PCCM to be effective it is important that a wide variety of views are expressed on local policing issues, and everyone involved within the community is invited to attend."
Posted
: 24/01/2007 16:37:20
Stroud Police Launch Clampdown On Drugs
Stroud Police Seek To Recruit Public In New Push Against Drugs
Police have launched a new campaign to get more members of the public calling Crimestoppers with information about drug dealers in Stroud.
Officers want residents to pass on information using the anonymity offered by the free phone line (0800 555 111), so they can target those individuals responsible for dealing in the town more effectively.
Starting this month Police Community Support Officers will be encouraging local people to call Crimestoppers by posting anti-drugs advice leaflets to homes throughout Stroud.
The leaflets, entitled 'Drug Dealers Don't Care - Do You?', will be posted in those areas where police have previously received information from the public regarding drug dealing.
PC Tim Griffiths, who organised the new campaign, said police needed to hear from as many different people as possible.
"On average we need four to five 'pieces' of intelligence from the public to secure a warrant to search a suspect's address," he said.
"One piece of intelligence normally isn't enough, so the message to local residents is clear: don't rely on someone else ringing in with information, if you know something ring Crimestoppers yourself!
"Where we have received information from a member of the public regarding drugs we will be going into those communities, posting leaflets and asking residents if they, too, have information that could be of use to us.
"This approach should have the duel effect of reducing the amount of drug dealing taking place in the area while giving us names and addresses to target in the future."
PC Griffiths said the visits and leaflet drops would continue until local people got the message that police are serious about tackling the drugs problem in Stroud.
"We all have a duty to help in the fight against illegal drugs because of the harm they can do to our communities," he said.
"Homeowners often have their suspicions about who is dealing drugs in their local area - they may have noticed people calling at an address at all hours of the day and night, for example - and it is these people we want to hear from.
"It is no use knowing who is committing this kind of crime and not telling the police about it - that is not going to change the situation.
"In the past some people have argued against giving police information for fear of reprisals from dealers or because they 'don't want to get involved'.
"With Crimestoppers there is no excuse. Homeowners and local residents can call the phone line and leave information completely anonymously, without giving their name, address or any personal details.
"We need people to contact Crimestoppers with what they know, not only about drugs, but about people who are handling stolen property, as this is often a key part of the drugs trade."
Posted
: 19/01/2007 09:49:02
Man Hurt In Road Collision In Stroud
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was hit by a vehicle in Stroud during the night of Thursday January 4th.
The 19 year-old man, who comes from Stroud, sustained a broken wrist when he was struck by the white Vauxhall Corsa van in Cashes Green Road at around 9.30pm.
The van failed to stop at the scene and drove off in the direction of Cainscross.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 198 of January 8th.
Posted
: 17/01/2007 14:39:46
Stroud Couple Fall Victim To Distraction Burglary
Police in Stroud are appealing for witnesses after an offender posed as a water board official to steal money from an elderly couple living in the town.
Between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday January 10 a man called at the address of the couple, who are in their 80s, in Bisley Old Road.
He told the occupants he was from the water board and dodged a request to see some identification before asking to come inside the property to check taps.
Once inside he distracted the couple sufficiently to allow an accomplice to enter the house via a rear door and steal £160 cash.
The offender then left the property.
He is described as white, between 40 and 50 years old, around 5ft 8ins tall with a 'chubby' build.
He had straight, dark brown hair, stubble on his face and he was wearing a dark blue one-piece overall in a dirty and rough condition.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 175 of January 12th.
Posted
: 15/01/2007 13:20:53
Appeal After Attempted Robbery In Stroud
Police in Stroud are appealing to the public for help in tracing two offenders who tried to rob a woman in the town during the morning of Friday January 12.
The 48 year-old woman, who comes from Stroud, had been walking near the public toilets in Fawkes Place between 10.40am and 10.45am when she was pushed to the floor from behind.
Two men then attempted to grab the woman's handbag but she was able to hang on to it, and the pair ran off towards the town centre.
The woman did not suffer any injuries as a result of the attack.
The two men have been described as white and both were wearing dark trousers and coats. One had a medium build.
Anyone who witnessed the attempted robbery, or who has information about it, is urged to call Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 326 of January 12.
Posted
: 15/01/2007 12:17:00
Store Raided In Stroud
Police in Stroud are appealing for witnesses after unknown offenders burgled a supermarket in the town during the early hours of Friday January 5.
Between 1.45am and 2.05am offenders gained entry to the Mid-counties Co-op supermarket in Cashes Green Road by ramming a security shutter with a red Vauxhall Astra.
Once inside the store they stole cigarettes valued at around £1,000 before making their escape in a second vehicle.
The Vauxhall Astra was recovered at the scene by officers.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 25 of January 5.
Posted
: 09/01/2007 09:23:19
Five Arrested In Stroud For Badger Act Offences
Police in Stroud have arrested two men and three male youths under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
A 19 year-old, an 18 year-old, two 16 year-olds and a 15 year-old, all from Mountain Ash in South Wales, were arrested in the Dudbridge area of Stroud on Wednesday January 3 on suspicion of digging into a badger's sett.
Officers also seized an air rifle at the scene.
The five have since been released on bail pending further enquiries until Tuesday January 30.
Posted
: 04/01/2007 10:00:57
Post Office Raid in Stroud
Police are appealing to the public for help after offenders broke into a post office in Stroud over the weekend.
Unknown offenders broke into the Maypole Hall community centre in Stratford Road, Stroud, between 7.15pm on Sunday December 17 and 8.30am on Monday December 18.
Once inside they created a hole in a wall joining the community centre to the Paganhill Post Office.
Though entry to the Post Office was gained nothing was stolen from the premises.
Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to contact Gloucestershire police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 84 of December 18.
Posted
: 18/12/2006 17:07:40
Cash Stolen From Elderly Woman In Stroud
Police are appealing for witnesses after two men stole cash from the home of an elderly woman in Stroud during the evening of Wednesday December 6th.
The 80 year-old woman had been in a bedroom of her home in Moseley Road at around 7.30pm when she became aware of a male standing in the doorway.
The man claimed he was from Neighbourhood Watch and engaged the woman in conversation while a second male went through her handbag.
Both men left a short time later with approximately £800 in cash.
The first man was white, tall and with a medium build. He was smartly dressed and was wearing a baseball cap.
The second male was also white, smaller than his accomplice and smartly dressed.
Police are linking the theft to an incident that occurred in Central Road, Stroud, at around 7pm the same evening.
A male called at the home of a 77 year-old man and tried to get him to come into the garden of the property to look at some damage he claimed had been caused.
The homeowner refused to go outside and shut the door on the male who is described as white, between 30 and 40 years old, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall with a stocky build.
He was wearing a cap, which he had on backwards.
Anyone with information about either of these incidents is asked to call Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 437 of December 6th.
Residents are reminded to keep their doors and windows closed and locked at all times and to turn away any strangers who come to their door.
Posted
: 07/12/2006 10:19:49
Stroud Police Issue E-Fit After Sex Attack
Stroud Police have issued an E-fit of a man they want to speak to in relation to a serious sexual assault that took place in the town during the early hours of Saturday November 25.
For the full story and to view the e-fit CLICK HERE
Posted
: 28/11/2006 17:38:13
Stroud School To Adopt SmartWater
A Stroud school is set to introduce SmartWater, the invisible 'forensic fingerprint', to better protect its premises from burglars and thieves.
Whiteshill Junior School has teamed up with Gloucestershire police to introduce the hi-tech deterrent, which will be delivered on Wednesday November 29.
The SmartWater system works through the use of a synthetic solution, a 'forensic fingerprint', designed to be unique to a single address.
When applied to items of property, such as computers, DVD players and TVs, the liquid remains active for years and is virtually impossible to remove. Undetectable to the naked eye it shows up vividly when viewed with specialist equipment - a telltale sign when officers are examining suspected stolen property.
Police across the country support the use of SmartWater because of its proven track record in helping to deter crime and detect offenders.
PC Jenny Kadodia, of the Schools Unit of Gloucestershire police, has been instrumental in helping Whiteshill to obtain and install SmartWater.
"On the day I deliver the SmartWater I will be taking part in a school assembly to tell pupils and staff what the system is and how it works," she said.
"The aim is to send the message to the wider community through the children that Whiteshill Junior School is protected by some of the best theft and burglary protection available today.
"To reinforce the message SmartWater signs and property stickers will be put up in obvious places around the school to act as a deterrent to criminals."
Posted
: 28/11/2006 17:35:15
Appeal After Woman, 24, Raped In Stroud
Police are appealing to the public for help in tracing a man who raped a woman in Stroud during the early hours of Saturday November 25 th.
The victim, a 24 year-old woman from Stroud, had been walking along Bisley Old Road at around 4am when she was approached by an unknown male who offered to walk her home.
As they walked up the road the man grabbed the woman and forced her into a residential garden before raping her.
The offender then left the scene on foot.
He is described as being between 25 and 29 years old, 5ft 8ins tall with a medium build and tanned or olive skin.
He spoke with a foreign accent and had short, tidy black hair that was gelled into spikes. He had brown eyes and was wearing a white top.
Anyone who recognises the description, or who has information about this incident, is asked to contact Stroud police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 127 of November 25.
Posted
: 27/11/2006 12:16:45
Weighty fines for heavy lorries
Stroud Magistrates Court heard this week (Wednesday 23rd November) how overloaded vehicles were still to be found on Gloucestershire Roads.
Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Service identified a number of overloaded vehicles, during routine weight checks. In the worst case the county has ever known, a truck used by Direct Scaffolding (Bristol) Limited, carrying scaffolding at Moreton Vallence was dangerously loaded at 73% over the permitted design weight for the vehicle. The company was fined £7000 and ordered to pay £125 costs.
In another case, the company Wiltshire Stone was found to be transporting flag stones from Cirencester to Gloucester with an overload of 43% over the maximum permitted design weight. Both the owner and the driver received 3 penalty points on their driving licences, the owner of the business was fined £750 with £150 costs while the driver was fined £400.
A third case involved a lorry carrying soil from a landscaping project. It was stopped at Cirencester and found to be dangerously overloaded at 42% above the maximum permitted weight. Again the owner of the lorry, Phillip Dickenson, and the driver, William Hiscock, were both given 3 points on their licence. In addition Mr Dickensen was fined £900 and ordered to pay £250 costs while Mr Hiscock was fined £450.
In the final case Timothy Woodward of Dursley was found guilty of driving a dangerously overloaded lorry containing soil at Moreton Vallence. He received 3 penalty points on his driving licence, a £150 fine and was ordered to contribute £50 towards costs.
Roger Marles, Head of Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Service, commented: "It is disappointing that although vehicles are all marked with a maximum permitted weight for travelling along the highway, we are still finding so many overloaded vehicles. In these case the lorries were built with a standard braking and steering system similar to that fitted to a car, therefore such a large overload could potentially make driving the vehicle difficult and under some conditions dangerous. Not only would this lorry have an environmental impact on Gloucestershire roads and buildings but could also place innocent road users and pedestrians at risk. This Service, alongside the county council's Environment Department will continue to monitor traffic on our roads and to prosecute those responsible for over loading their vehicles."
Posted
: 25/11/2006 05:17:47
Invitation To Stroud Police Community Meeting
Stroud residents are invited to discuss policing issues with officers at their local Police Community Consultative Meeting (PCCM) later this month.
The Stroud Inspector Neighbourhood Area has four PCCMs annually - the latest of which takes place at 7pm on Monday November 27 at Minchinhampton School in School Road, Minchinhampton.
Organised by Gloucestershire Police Authority, PCCMs give the public a chance to discuss any policing issues they may have with a member of the Authority and with officers working in their community.
The feedback obtained during the meetings is used by police to assess their progress, plan future operations and help determine local policing priorities.
The guest speaker at Monday's meeting will be Chief inspector Peter Barrett who will be talking about the National Quality of Service Commitment.
"If you have concerns about crime and disorder in your area come along and tell us about it," said Insp Nick Holmes, of Stroud police.
"For the PCCM to be effective it is important that a wide variety of views are expressed on local policing issues, and everyone involved within the community is invited to attend."
Posted
: 20/11/2006 12:36:12
Cotswolds And Stroud Police Issue Seasonal Warning
Police in the Cotswolds and Stroud Division are taking an early opportunity to urge the public to help them reduce the opportunities for crime created by the Christmas season.
Criminals are quick to exploit any slackening of security, so officers are calling on homeowners, proprietors of commercial properties, party goers and vehicle owners to keep their guard up.
APS Mark Godsland, Crime Reduction Officer for the Cotswolds, urged the public to take a few simple precautions to protect their personal property during the festive season, and prevent homes, businesses and cars from being broken into.
"Although Christmas is the holiday season for many of us, it's important for people to remember that thieves do not take time off," he said.
"At home people should ensure doors and windows are kept locked, and that presents aren't put out under the tree until the last minute. Leaving gifts out for several days may look pretty, but they could prove tempting to a burglar who happens to look through the window.
"When out celebrating Christmas the public should remember to take greater ca |
