South Cerney

Mike Stuart

mikestuart@southcerney.com

  • WORK on constructing the new Youth and Community Centre on the Redrow site is now well under way with the piling completed and concrete foundations almost finished. The car park will be surfaced to provide a place for the various site offices and storage of equipment needed. The new facility should be completed by next winter and the parish council is interested in hearing from members of the community willing to be involved in a steering group to set up the management of the new centre. They are also inviting approaches from individuals and organisations which could be future users of or have suggestions for uses of the new building. Please contact Robert Cowley, the clerk to the council, on 07983 202015 or email him on clerk@southcerney.org.uk .
  • MEMBERS of 55 Squadron Royal Logistics Corps recently carried out a much needed litter pick of the hedgerow and verge along Northmoor Lane, a public highway. Many thanks to all concerned.
  • ON WEDNESDAY, May 25, the annual parish meeting will be held in the village hall starting at 7.30pm. Although this is organised by the parish council it is not a parish council meeting but a meeting of many of the organisations that exist in our parish. It is an opportunity for members of the public to meet these groups and to question them on what is being done for us all. There is no charge for attending. Please come and get involved.
  • THE parish council reminds all dog owners that they must keep their animals under close control when using footpaths across agricultural land, especially at this time of year when the lambing season in ongoing. The council has also noted the unacceptable amount of dog mess in parts of the village and appeal to the handful of irresponsible owners to pick up and bin all such mess.
  • THE South Cerney Trust meeting on Tuesday, May 3 will be held in All Hallows Church starting at 7.30pm. The subject of the evening will be a report on the ongoing four year investigations into the cavity in which the celebrated carved head and foot of the Christ were found at the start of the last century. These artefacts are now in the British Museum with replicas on display in the church. An extensive, almost forensic detailed search for more parts of the once hidden relic have been carried out and it will be very interesting to hear what, if anything, has been found.
  • WITH the street fair and duck race weekend approaching there will be several roads closed to all traffic and even more public roads will be affected by no parking restrictions on Monday, May 30. Roads being closed are Clarks Hay, Silver Street, School Lane, Church Lane and Bow Wow. Only emergency service vehicles will be permitted to use those roads between 8am-8pm. The parking restriction will come into force at midnight on Sunday, May 29 until 8pm on Monday, May 30. Please ensure that you have moved your vehicle from those roads before the restrictions come into force. 

Siddington

Alison Wagstaff

01285 655838

  • SIDDINGTON with Preston WI meets tonight, Thursday, at 7.30pm in the Elizabeth Way Community Room. Nicola Clark will be joining us for an evening of Camper Vans and Comedy Songs. Remember to bring along your colourful knitting, crocheting and pompoms for the yarn bombing of the village to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.
  • ALSO tonight, Siddington Sports FC first team has a home game against CHQ. A second match takes place on the playing field on Saturday 23, when Siddington Vets play Tetbury Town. Supporters are always welcome.
  • HOLY Communion takes place at St. Peter’s Church on Sunday, April 24, starting at 10am.
  • RESIDENTS will have received an envelope with this month’s village news and will have seen a request for donations towards the upkeep of St Peter’s, as a recent survey has revealed that work needs to be carried out on the electrics, exterior paintwork and windows. Please leave your donation at one of the addresses given in the village news if you feel that you can make a contribution towards the cost of this work.
  • FURTHER to the news about the poor state of Siddington Road last week, Gloucestershire Highways has now undertaken the task of inspecting the road surface every two weeks to ensure that the worst potholes are dealt with promptly. The Parish Council has also requested clearance of the drain at the railway bridge stanchions on Ashton Road to prevent regular flooding of the road in wet weather.

Down Ampney

Melanie Fouracre

dastandard44@gmail.com

  • ZONAL Pelargoniums are the subject of Mr J Ludlow’s talk this evening, Thursday, April 21 at the Gardening Club meeting. The competition is: a pressed flower.
  • IF YOU have an item for the May Down Ampney news, please make sure you get it to Marilyn by 6pm on, Friday, April 22. Contact details for Marilyn can be found on the back of the April edition.
  • PARISH Communion on Sunday, April 24, will be at Poulton at 10 am. This month’s coffee morning, will be on Wednesday, April 27 in the Dakota Room at Down Ampney Village Hall. The annual Parochial Church Meeting also takes place on April 27, at 7.30 pm in All Saints’ Church.
  • THE annual plant sale will be on Saturday, May 7 from 10.30-11.30am. Donations of seedlings, rooted cuttings or any plants from your garden that you may be lifting and dividing would be appreciated.
  • WHEN God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman is the book club’s read for May. New members always welcome. For more details of how to join, contact Marilyn.