K i n g s w o o d G r a p e v i n e

Issue No. 142 FEBRUARY 2010

Editors: Diane White (843783) & Gill Hemming (842734)

D a t e s F o r Y o u r D i a r y

Sat 13^th Feb Charity Disco Canons Court Golf Club

Mon 15^th “ Mobile Police Station Chipping 10.15am-11.45am

MARCH ISSUE DEADLINE: FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19^th FEBRUARY

Sun 21^st Feb Mobile Police Station Chipping 10.15am-11.45am

Thurs 25^th “ R.N.L.I Talk Cotswold Edge Golf Club 7.00pm for 7.30pm

Tues 2^nd March Village Association A.G.M Village Hall 8.00pm

Tues 23^rd “ Tubbs Turf A.G.M Village Hall 7.30pm

Sat 27^th “ Toddlers and Playgroup – Spring Crafts

Talk by BBC Wildlife Cameraman – Wotton & District Branch R.N.L.I

James Brickell, an award winning BBC Wildlife Cameraman will give a talk on his work, in aid of the RNLI, at the Cotswold Edge Golf Club on Thursday 25th February 2010.  Start time 7.00 for 7.30pm.   Tickets are £10.00 each and are available from Cotswold Edge Golf Club and Westward Travel in Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge or from Andrew Harper, the Wotton-under-Edge Branch Treasurer, on 01453 843529 or andrewharper@uwclub.net. 

Do you have a spare bedroom?

Gloucestershire Nightstop are recruiting hosts for Supported Lodgings for young people aged 16-19

One young person’s view after a Nightstop: “They (the hosts) were very nice people and made me feel very welcome. I was grateful of their hospitality. If Nightstop wasn’t there, I would be walking the streets, cold and hungry”.

Do you have a spare room so you could make this sort of difference for a homeless young person? We are looking for people that have an empathy with young people and are able to offer a room and support for up to six weeks at a time. In return you will receive training, support and payment of up to £160.00 a week. If you are interested in helping a local charity assist local young people please call for more details on 01452-331330

KINGSWOOD TODDLERS AND PLAYGROUP

We would like to thank the following people and organisations that have very kindly given us financial support and help in other ways.  We are extremely touched by the village rallying round to keep our community playgroup running.  We would like to express our sincere thanks to:  The Parish Council, Kingswood Village Association (Senior Citizens' lunch), Rio Pools, Digital Frames (Rob Austen) and the WI.

We have lots of events planned for this year.  After the success of the Christmas Crafts afternoon, we will be holding a Spring Crafts afternoon on Saturday 27 March.  There will be lots of fun craft activities for the whole family to enjoy as well as stalls, tombola, cakes and so on.  Further details to follow.  Thank you for all your support.

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION (Sheila Alexander 843398 sheilaplume@googlemail.com ) will be holding the Annual General Meeting at 8pm on Tuesday March 2nd in the Lounge Bar of the village hall. You are invited to come along for a glass of wine and nibbles and hear about our activities, past and future. You may already know all about them, but we are keen to involve some new people on our committee, so we can continue to provide fun and funds for the young and not-so-young in Kingswood.  

Have you ever wondered how Showday comes together, who sorts out the Gadabout entries, what is involved in the Boules Tournament, who cooks the New Year's Eve lunches and how do we find so many willing volunteers to help with our varied activities? There is a secret to it - come and find out and enjoy a social evening amongst friends and neighbours.

A WAKE-UP CALL TO LAZY DOG OWNERS FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WARDEN

Dog owners of Kingswood please wake up to your responsibilities, we know the majority are responsible, but a few are spoiling things for many people in the community. Yet again we remind you that Stroud District Council have adopted the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. This makes it an offence if dog owners do not clean up after their dogs when they foul anywhere to which the public has access. This includes roads surrounding the school, pavements and playing fields.

OFFENDING OWNERS RISK PROSECUTION WITH A MAXIMUM FINE OF £1,000

Remember you are being watched; we are stepping up patrols in the Kingswood area and irresponsible dog owners will be caught and prosecuted. We urge everyone to be responsible at all times and always clean up after their dog; fouling is both unpleasant and a health risk, particularly to children. Please always carry a poop scoop and be prepared to use it!

If you have any dog related queries we are both happy to give advice or if you have information regarding offending owners please contact us. We need your help to solve this problem.

Peter Wilson, Neighbourhood Warden 07779347113 Alex Davies, Animal Welfare Officer – 01453 754497

Natasha Anderson, Dog Warden – 01453 754491

TUBBS TURF

There has been great activity at Tubbs Turf over the last few months. The wall restoration is ongoing (by the Parish Council) and once completed (in order to keep it in this condition) can we remind all users to obey the signs and not climb on the walls in order to help keep them in good condition. We are also installing some bicycle stands so users of the facility can store their bicycles safely. For those members who relish a bit of competition can we encourage you to add your name to the tennis boxes (ladders) and don’t just wait until Finals Day to compete. For those of us who may need a bit of coaching prior to competing, “Ace Jase” is offering courses and individual tuition –please contact him on 07816 232747 or email jtboon@hotmail.com for more information. Or join in with Ladies Coaching with Gillie Evans (gillie.evans@googlemail.com)

Finally remember that Tubbs Turf is not only for tennis but also has a multisport court for football, netball etc, has a table tennis table, and is a place where residents of Kingswood can come and relax. We welcome suggestions on additional usage. So please come and find out more about Tubbs Turf and how it runs at our AGM at Kingswood Village Hall, Tuesday 23^rd March 2010 at 7:30pm.

KINGSWOOD VILLAGE CRICKET CLUB

Winter Indoor Cricket Nets have begun at Wotton Sports Centre. Come along on Sundays, Noon to 1pm, if you would like to join us.

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDER

My name is Andrew Harper and I have just qualified as a Community First Responder.  My role will be to provide 'first aid' to any adult that has the misfortune to dial 999 for certain problems (heart attack, chest pains, difficulty in breathing, asthma, diabetic attacks and a few others).  Being local and knowing the area means I will be able to get to a callers address quickly and provide help and reassurance whilst waiting for the ambulance.  I don't have any set hours of duty but will sign on whenever I can, even overnight on occasions.    

Charity Valentines Disco

Valentines Disco on Saturday 13th February at Canons Court Golf Club, Bradley Green (W-U-E) in aid of charity.

Everyone welcome, the more the merrier!  Ticket only entry. Tickets are £4 each and you can get yours by calling Karen Harvey on 07791749675 or Roger Foden on 07548329348.

Friends of St. Mary’s: Forthcoming Events 2010 (in St. Mary’s Room/ Church unless otherwise stated)

Coffee Break - Wednesdays 8.45 to 10.30am during term time. Drop in for coffee & chat.

Lent Lunches - Thursdays from February 18^th until March 25^th - 12.00 noon -2.00pm.

Light Lunches - Last Thursday of each month from January 28^th - 12.00 noon -2.00pm.

24^th and 25^th April - Sarah Farwell Exhibition and sale.
May 1^st - 10am - The Chipping: Spring Produce Sale Plants & homemade cakes; tombola with super prizes.
June 5^th – 2pm – 5pm - St. Mary’s Church Fête at Amercombe, High St., Kingswood; by kind permission of Mr.& Mrs. Rockey.
June 19^th - 7.30pm - A Taste of … International Wine & Food Tasting.

June 11^th July 18^th - Moroccan Day at Amercombe, High St, Kingswood.

September 4^th – 2pm – 5pm - Show Day at Kingswood Village Hall. St. Mary’s cards & gifts for sale.
October 16^th - 7.30pm - Supper Quiz. November 13^th - 7.30pm - Historical Evening.

KINGSWOOD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

We were blessed by a sermon and songs by Opera singer Craig Downs in December. Craig has kindly agreed to give a Concert for us on Saturday, 13th February at 7.30pm. It is a rare thing for an opera singer to give a concert in Kingswood and we invite you to come along and listen to this wonderful voice.

Our speakers for February are:

  7th   10.30am  Adrian Wyatt                    6.00pm.         Open Hour

14th                 Adrian Wyatt                                        Mike Spratt & Worship Team

21st                 Jill Stephens (Family Service)                TBA

28th                  Trevor Bain                                           Norman Page.

A warm welcome awaits you.  God Bless.

ST MARY'S PARISH CHURCH

After a busy Christmas spell we find ourselves rapidly (again) approaching Lent. That means that the Simple Lent lunches will happen each Thursday from 18th February, ending with the Supper on Maundy Thursday. The money raised will go to our chosen Charities...Water Aid and this year, the appeal for the Hydro-therapy Pool needed at the Special School in Stroud. There will be information about Lent Study courses in church if you wish to see what's on offer either in Kingswood, Wotton or Gloucester Cathedral.

We are looking to do some work on the Roof. Tiles to be replaced and then a big drive towards re-decorating the inside. FoSM are constantly planning things to raise the much-needed funds and we thank them, and you, for your efforts and contributions.

The concert at St Mary's is a sell out and promises to be fantastic music to raise valuable funds ... thanks to David Hatton.

You will always find a copy of Church Matters inside St Mary's so should you wish to know about services etc. please pick one up...or contact any of the people named on the notice board.  With best wishes to you all, Viv K...(01454 261751)

Core Strategy Consultation: Alternative Strategies for shaping the future of Stroud District.

Between Monday 8^th February and Monday 22^nd March, we all have a chance to comment on the future growth and development of Stroud District.

As part of a new planning framework, which will eventually replace the district’s Local Plan, the District Council is producing a document called the Core Strategy. This will be a plan that sets out how much new development should take place across the district over the next 20 years and, in very general terms, what should go where. The consultation on “Alternative Strategies” sets out seven ‘options’ for the distribution of housing, employment and other forms of development across the District, up to 2026. These options are wide-ranging, from a very concentrated strategy where 2000 homes would be located within just one or two large developments, to the idea of dispersing development around many smaller settlements with the aim of boosting rural communities. Although some parishes are more likely to be affected by the proposals than others, virtually every parish is touched by at least one of the seven alternative strategies. The Council isn’t yet committed to any one strategy, although some are more realistic than others, and they want to get the views of as many people and as many communities as possible.

Find more information on the Council’s website (www.stroud.gov.uk/core) or phone the Planning Strategy Team (01453) 754143. The consultation documents are available online or at public libraries throughout the District, as well as town and parish council offices that open to the public (Wotton-u-Edge, Dursley, Cam and Berkeley are most local). Council officers will also be manning an exhibition at Wotton farmers market on Saturday 6th March (10am-1pm). The exhibition will be touring the District during the consultation period.

PARISH COUNCIL

Core Strategy - Please can The Parish Council add its plea for you to get involved in this important consultation. The outcome really does have the potential of affecting you and Kingswood. One strand of this consultation the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment identifies land for development. Two areas in Kingswood have been put forward for consideration as part of this. One development alone has been identified as having potential for 59 houses. It is important that you have your say now before this document is adopted and the plan becomes reality. Please follow the links to the Stroud website to find out more. Alternatively see copies of the documents, which will be available for viewing in the shop, the pub and the coffee area of the gym.  Please email or post your views to me, or your Parish Councillors, so that The Parish Council can fully represent you and act on your behalf.

Mary Leonard kingswood.parish@btconnect.com

Allotments - We are still awaiting confirmation but hope to have this by the end of February. So watch this space….. 

The Village Diary can be viewed on the Grapevine website. For an entry please email Grapevine or telephone Gill on 842734.