Tetbury news with Kevin Painter

The unsung hero this month from the town council has a slightly wider range of recipients as it goes to Sarah Bolt and Stu Maxwell and all our other local residents who came out and assisted drivers who were caught up in the disruption of the roadworks, which ranged from assisting a double-decker bus to navigate the very narrow West Street to directing many other drivers safely around the roadworks.

Tetbury Mayor Cllr Ann Pearce thanks all of you for showing our community spirit.

The heritage and regeneration committee are now proceeding with the Pride in your Town initiative which consists of the installation of new waste bins, cleaning, and revamping of seats, cleaning of signs, and refurbishment of bus stop shelters.

A suggestion has also been made to look at softening the area behind the Market House by having some trees and flora in planters.

It has also been suggested to carry on this theme by enhancing the large area in front of the post office that would match and continue the theme.

The council are now investigating and getting quotations.

Following the Government announcement regarding social distancing, Tetbury Town council have taken the decision to cancel the live September 28 full council meeting.

Instead, it will take place virtually via teams commencing at 7pm.

If you would like to listen or have any questions you can still do this via the virtual meeting.

To submit questions, or listen please contact Tara by email ceo@tetbury.gov.uk.

Tara said: “Due to the potential risk that we are still facing with Covid, could I please request that anyone who would wish to visit the offices make an appointment, this is to make sure that we are not putting yourselves or staff at risk. We will also be locking the backdoor. When you visit the offices please be prepared to be sprayed with a fine mist of our new sanitising equipment, this is to protect everyone.”

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

The very modest Jonny Williams very quietly gave the £500 check that he had managed to raise to say thank you to the staff of the local co-op.

Johnny said when he first started that: “We are eternally grateful for the extraordinary efforts of the NHS, emergency services, front line staff and key workers who are working tirelessly to combat this virus.

"From a very local perspective, I’m noticing more and more how the staff at the Co-op of Tetbury - my local shop - are facing these tough conditions head-on, keeping the shop open long hours over 7 days with the same positivity, cheer, and helpfulness that I’ve grown to love over the past four years I’ve lived in the town.

"Their efforts and commitment have shown no signs of slowing whilst they serve Tetbury and the surrounding area during these unprecedented times. So they can take this pot and go and have a meal and a glass on the people of Tetbury.”

Mark the manager said: “This act has touched all the staff, especially in light of how tight finances are at this current time.”

And he would like to thank all who gave, particularly Jonny for starting this lovely gesture.

The Weekly Benefice service of holy communion at 5pm held every Saturday at St Marys’ Tetbury can now confirm that the “rule of six” does not apply to places of worship, so they are pleased to continue to offer this quiet, reflective Benefice Service of Holy Communion.

They can accommodate 23 individuals or “households”, with spaces allocated in advance.

If you plan to attend, please contact our parish administrator Diana Sharp by email office@tetburychurch.co.uk or telephone 01666 503944.

Please note it is now mandatory to wear a face-covering in church buildings.

St Mary’s Church, this Sunday, at 10am, will be celebrating the traditional harvest festival worship on Zoom to mark the Season of Creation.

The new Curate, Pauline, will be leading the service with Joe and, as we can’t bring produce into the church, you are invited to make your donations differently this year!

So please can you pop into Tesco in Tetbury, or Waitrose in Cirencester... and fill a basket with donations for Cirencester Foodbank.

Urgently needed items are: long-life sponge pudding, instant mash/tinned potatoes, rice pudding, long-life juice, sanitary towels, jars of instant coffee; teabags (40s/80s), chocolate treats for children, and toiletries.

For more information or to take part please contact Diana on office@tetburychurch.co.uk.