Fairford news by Chris Roberts

LAST Saturday. August 1, Lechlade Community Library opened for the first time in five and a half months.

It is believed that this is one of the first libraries to open and this is due to the hard work of the directors and volunteers who will ensure the safety of the public visiting the library.

The library team have had exceptional help from the Friends of Fairford and Lechlade Communities, the Lechlade and District Lions and LR Engineering (Fairford) who erected a safety screen on the premises.

The staff would request all visitors to the library to please sanitise their hands on entry and exit to the library, wear masks where possible and agree to restricted entry as required.

The library is open from 10am-1pm on Mondays and Saturdays and from 1pm-4pm on Wednesdays.

A lot of new books have been added, and members of Lechlade Photographers Club have produced a number of photos marking events and sights around Lechlade during lockdown.

Also in the library, there will be a book for you to write down your experiences during lockdown and the book will be kept as a historical document with the photographs for future generations.

More volunteers are needed to help out at the library.

You should be computer-aware, be willing to be trained in library procedures and be available to give just three hours a fortnight.

If you are interested, please contact Anne Goymer: annegoymer@hotmail.com.

THE Friends of Fairford & Lechlade Communities’ Charity Shop in Lechlade re-opened to the public last Wednesday, July 29.

Due to Covid-19, there will be different opening hours and donations will have to be taken by appointment only.

These changes will help the staff operate in a Covid-safe environment.

The new opening hours are Wednesdays to Friday from 10am till 3.45pm and Saturday from 9am till 1.30pm.

On Mondays, the shop will be closed to customers, but staff will accept donations strictly by appointment.

The shop will also be closed on Tuesdays, when staff will be sorting and cleaning.

To make an appointment to deliver donations, please phone the manager during opening hours on 01367 252189.

THE Fairford Patients Participation Group (PPG) at Hilary Cottage Surgery has lots of useful information to help you.

For example, are you, or do you know, a carer?

The PPG says that The Gloucestershire Carers Hub has lots of useful information and support online: gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk.

The Summer News Letter is available: online.flippingbook.com/view/685544/ and also at the bottom of the events tab, What’s on August – is a link to free carer skills training and development and coffee mornings and more, done via Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

There are also some that can be dialled into, for those who do not have access to a computer.

THERE will be some surface dressing road-works of the A417 London Road, Whelford on Sunday, August 9, for one day.

Signs will be erected on the road prior to the works informing you of the intended start date, which will be completed within 36 hours of commencement.

In the majority of cases, to ensure the safety of road users and workforce, the road will be closed while the works take place.

Pedestrian access will be maintained and short diversions will be in place.

Can you please ensure that your vehicles are removed from the road between the hours of 7am and 7pm to avoid disruption?

If you are going away, can you please arrange with your neighbours that your vehicle can be moved at short notice to prevent any unnecessary delay and cost?

If you are currently shielding and unable to remove vehicles, please let Glos Highways know.

Every effort will be made to minimise any inconvenience.

Should you have any queries, please email highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk. For updates, please visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/surfacedressing.