South Cerney
Mike Stuart
mikeannestuart@tiscali.co.uk
01285 860439

  • AS A follow up to the strong objection lodged by South Cerney parish council to the proposed development of new houses on the land to the rear of Berkeley Close, a public protest meeting was held last Friday evening in the Scout headquarters. Anyone can lodge their own comments on this scheme by going to the CDC website cotswold.gov.uk and finding the application page reference number 16/02598/OUT. There is also a Facebook page headed facebook.com/protectsouthcerney. The application is due to be considered by the CDC Planning committee on Monday, October 10.
  • IN AN attempt to reduce the antisocial behaviour of a minority of dog owners in this village, the parish council is installing three dog poop bag dispensers at the entrances to the Upper Up playing field. These will be on the same posts as the new signs showing the bye laws governing that field. If you own a dog, it is your responsibility to clear up after it.
  • AS REPORTED a few weeks ago the new Youth and Community Centre being built on the Redrow site will be named in memory of the late Raymond Fenton in recognition of his huge contribution to the community life of our village during his life time. The official name will be The Raymond Fenton Centre, but Fenton’s will be the every day name.
  • FOLLOWING donations of £500 from both parish council and the Duck Race committee, together with support from the Spar shop, the school crossing patrol in Broadway Lane looks set to be reinstated soon. 
  • A MAJOR problem in our village is the number of HGVs using the village centre as a shortcut to the industrial estate. Several have already been reported to the police who sent warning letters to the vehicles’ owners. A second sighting should result in a prosecution. Everyone can assist by taking details of any vehicles ignoring the weight limit. These should include registration number, name of the firm, date, time, location and direction of travel. If possible take a photo and send to the clerk of the parish council at clerk@southcerney.org.uk and he will pass them on to the police.
  • THE mobile library will be parked in Silver Street outside Atkyns Manor on Wednesday, September 28. This is a free service for all residents.
  • THIS coming Sunday a family Communion service is being held at 10am in All Hallows Church. This is a simple celebration of Holy Communion for all the family in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Siddington
Alison Wagstaff
awsiddington@yahoo.co.uk

  • AT THE parish council meeting on September 13 councillors received a report on plans for fibre-optic broadband to be installed in Siddington as part of a government initiative to provide superfast broadband to 90 per cent of the UK. Complete Utilities will be working in conjunction with Gigaclear to install cable to all households in the village. The installation will only be carried out where BT fibre-optic isn’t available, therefore the project doesn’t cover north Siddington. It’s expected that work will begin at the end of September and will take approximately three months, during which time cables will be laid underground. Complete Utilities will employ a small team to undertake this work so disruption should be localised to a small section in any street. Traffic lights may be required at certain locations when cable is laid under a road. The parish council is liaising with the contractors, initially to identify any properties that have been missed from the plans and then to act as a point of contact for updates. Information will be posted on the parish notice boards and the parish council website at siddingtonparishcouncil.org.uk.
  • HOLY Communion takes place at St Peter's Church on Sunday, September 25, starting at 10am.
  • WELL done to Jonathan Painter, who visited 34 churches as part of the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust 'Ride and Stride' fundraising initiative earlier this month (see picture, above left). He raised £300, which will be split equally between the Trust and St Peter’s.
  • SIDDINGTON Sports FC is playing South Cerney away at the South Cerney ground on Saturday, September 24. 

Down Ampney
Melanie Fouracre
dastandard44@gmail.com

  • THIRTY-EIGHT scarecrows were exhibited around the village last weekend for the enjoyment of those who took the trail. They included Captain Hook, the Gruffalo, Admiral Nelson, Batman and Robin, Mo Farah, Willy Wonka, Noah, St Nicholas, Robin Hood and too many more to mention.
  • PARISH Communion for Harvest will be at Poulton on Sunday, September 25 at 10am.
  • THERE will be a Macmillan coffee morning at the village hall on Thursday, September 29 from 9.20am-12pm. In addition to delicious cakes, there will also be a stall and raffle.
  • A DOWN Ampney resident is looking for a lock up garage to rent, preferably within Down Ampney, if you are able to help please contact Colin on 01793 751311. 
  • THE Book Club's book for October is A Whole Life by Robert Seethaler. New members are welcome, see the September Down Ampney News for contact details.
  • WI MEMBERS are reminded that the next meeting is on Tuesday, October 4 at 7.30pm in the Dakota Room in the village hall.
  • GLOUCESTER Cathedral choir will sing evensong with music by Ralph Vaughan Williams at 6pm on Sunday, October 16 at All Saints' Church. Please book tickets in advance from Rev John Swanton, john@swanton.plus.com.