Kempsford & Whelford
Allan Morriss
morrissmajors@btinternet.com

  • PLEASE note that there will be no meeting of the football and youth club on March 29 due to other commitments by the youth leaders.
  • THE League of Friends of Fairford Hospital are still seeking additional volunteers in the Poulton, Fairford, Kempsford and Marston Meysey areas, particularly to help with their annual fundraising event from March 27 to April 10. If you could spare a few hours to help this deserving cause call 01285 851022 or email fairford.lof@hotmail.co.uk
  • THERE is a weekly Post Office at Kempsford village hall between 12-2pm every Thursday.
  • CHURCH service for Mothering Sunday (March 26) is a family service at St Mary’s at 10am led by Rob Mitchell and Rev Lynn Hayler.
  • LENTEN lunches continue, and on Tuesday, March 28 will be hosted by Mark & Julie Wittering from 12.30pm.

Fairford
Chris Roberts
0744 350 0744
chris@cotswoldwireless.co.uk

  •  DON’T forget to put your clocks forward on March 26, this is the start of British summer time.
  • A FULL application for conversion of the former Lloyds Bank premises to retail and residential comprising one retail unit, one town house and flats has been lodged with Cotswold District Council, planning application ref: 17/00867/FUL. To view the application documents and make your comments go to cotswold.gov.uk
  • THE Bull Hotel in Fairford’s Market Place will reopen on Monday, March 27 after six months’ work on all the bars, kitchen and rooms. The 15th century 21-bedroom hotel also has a new landlord, Sebastian Snow and his team already enjoy great success running two other Cotswold pubs, The Five Alls at Filkins and The Plough at Kelmscott but are ready now to breathe new life into this Fairford hostelry. The hotel has stunning new interiors created by a talented team of designers. The new 80-seater private dining room in the hotel’s original stable block at the back of the building has spectacular art across its ceiling. Outside there is a pretty rear garden courtyard. The Bull will remain an authentic country hotel, but has been brought up to the 21st Century.
  • FAIRFORD library will be closed for refurbishment from Monday, March 27 until Monday, April 3.
  • FAIRFORD WI had a wonderful evening at the beginning of March when local butcher, Andrew Butler, came to the meeting to teach members how to make sausages. Andrew demonstrated the technique on a batch of 10kg of sausage meat and made it look so easy as he fed the meat into the two to three metre lengths of pig’s intestine. Three WI volunteers then had a go and proved that it wasn’t quite as easy as it looked, although Angie Taylor made an excellent attempt and came away with the winner’s crown for best apprentice. The regular members were delighted to be joined by a number of visitors, as well as new members, to share a beautiful 100th birthday cake made by Beth Dennis. The actual 100th birthday for the WI was on Tuesday , March 21 and there were are plans to yarn bomb a few special sites around Fairford. The next WI meeting is on Wednesday, April 5 at 7.30pm in the Palmer Hall. This will be the official centenary celebration with guest speaker Diz White talking about her book: Cotswold Memoirs. This meeting is by invitation only. Contact Jean Moulden on 01285 713308 for more information.
  • THE League of Friends house-to-house fundraising event for 2017 will take place from March 27 to April 10. With the extra housing in both Fairford and Lechlade, the league urgently needs more volunteer collectors. If you can spare some time to deliver and collect the envelopes, get in touch with the league administrator, Christine Barker on 07767 408409 or email fairford.lof@hotmail.co.uk
  • THE first annual general meeting of Fairford community voice will take place on Thursday, March 30 at 7.30pm in the Farmor Room, Fairford community centre. After the short business meeting, an update will be given on the Fairford Neighbourhood Plan following its submission to Cotswold District Council and final consultation before submission for examination. All welcome from 7pm, for more information, contact Malcolm Cutler on 01285 712173 or Alison Hobson on 01285 711768. 
  • ‘FOR One Night Only!’ is a great evening of fun with music, song, dance and recitals on Saturday, April 1 at 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm, at St Mary’s Church, Fairford. There will be an amazing array of talent such as A Splash of Red, Fairford School Dancers led by Carol Williams, Deltastreet Sax Quartet from Swindon, Vital Recital, Devon Guest Choir. All proceeds for the evening going to Fairford Primary School and St Mary’s Church. Advanced tickets £5 adults, £1 children under 12 from Linda on 01285 713709, The Coffee Post or School Reception, tickets on the door £7 adults, £2 children under 12.
  • A NEW fruit and vegetable stall has set up in the Wednesday weekly outdoor market in Fairford’s Market Place. This replaces the fruit and veg stall that has been there for many years. The stall is run by JJB Fruit & Veg and their produce is from their own or freshly bought in. Telephone orders over £5 can be placed by phoning Steve on 07792 233354, they will also take card payments.

Lechlade
Margaret Hing
mzh@stickonsigns.co.uk

  • THE annual clearance of the Downington ditch will take place this Saturday, March 25. This has been taken on by volunteers for the past years with Sue Coakley as the driving force, organising and taking part. The town has agreed to do the spring clearance and this is followed by another by the district council in the autumn. It is a very worthwhile exercise and done under strict guidelines to preserve flora and fauna. All equipment including waders, gloves etc will be provided and while it is fairly hard work, there are a range of tasks to suit all abilities. For further information, contact Sue on 01367 253306.
  • LECHLADE town twinning association will be holding an April fool’s call my bluff wine tasting on Saturday, April 1 at 7.30 for 8pm in the pavilion. All welcome to join in an evening of fun trying different wines and matching them to food. Cost is £12.50 to include some delicious nibbles. Tickets are available from Jane Sullivan on 01367 252458.
  • THE trustees of the New Memorial Hall will hold the annual general meeting on Monday, April 3 at 7.30pm in the pavilion, all welcome.