Fairford news with Chris Roberts

JOHN Hitchcox, founder of The Lakes by yoo luxury home development between Fairford and Lechlade is reaching out to local schools to invite them to take part in an exciting eco-project and camp out.

St Joseph’s School, Carterton is the first school to sign up for the experience of a lifetime closely followed by Aston & Cote C of E Primary School, Bampton.

Activities on the day for the Year 6 students will include a nature walk through the woods to the Bushcraft Area; as well as a fire lighting session; orienteering and a treasure hunt while heading to Honey Bee Lake, where the children will enjoy pond dipping; a cook out at the Bird Hide and then back to school to set up camp ready to enjoy camp fire activities later.

Angus Campbell, angling guide & activity manager, said: “I will lead the activities throughout the day with the assistance of the school teachers.”

Angus confirmed that other schools from the local area will also be invited to enjoy these outdoor activities.

He said: “It’s not just about catching fish, but being part of nature and breathing in the fresh country air.”

THE Cotswold Challenge team has more exciting news to share.

TV personality and Trigger Happy celebrity, Dom Joly has agreed to be a judge in the creative writing category along with other expert creative writers.

He will be joined by TV presenter and celebrity farmer, Adam Henson, who is heading up the team of expert judges in the innovation and entrepreneurial thinking category and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, best known for his Changing Rooms programme, will head up the art & design category alongside professional and outstanding artists and designers.

A truly formidable selection of judges.

DURING the development works, the footpath around Lake 104 is closed on three sides and through to Whelford Road.

There is partial access from the town on both the northern and southern paths, but these are dead ends; so walkers will need to turn around when they meet the barrier and walk back the way they have come.

Fairford Town Council, along with Kempsford Parish Council, is in contact with Coln Residential, (the developer) to explore ways of opening the path – at least in part – whenever and wherever possible during the building works.

It may be that some access can be arranged on a temporary basis from time to time and the council will notify residents about this if and when it becomes available.

TIM and Jo Lafford, who live in Fairford, have adopted a young rhea that they have named Rita.

Rheas are large flightless birds distantly related to the ostrich and emu and live for up to 15 years in the wild, but up to 40 years in captivity!

When visiting a local farmers’ market to buy some chickens, Tim and Jo discovered Rita looking sad and lonely in a cage.

Tim and Jo, who have been married for three years, did a bit of research about rheas’ diets and decided to rescue her and bring her home to roost for the short time that they thought Rita had left. That was four years ago and Rita is now full of health, loving life and has just started to lay eggs!

“Rhea eggs are pretty much giant-sized chicken eggs” said Tim. “You can use them exactly the same as chicken eggs and each rhea egg is roughly the equivalent of 10 chicken eggs.”

Tim is probably best known as Fairford’s fun-loving postie, dressing up in various costumes during the first lockdown to amuse Fairford residents on his post round.

He is hoping that Rita will lay an egg every other day soon, especially as there is a waiting list of people wanting to buy Rita’s eggs.

“I am hoping to sell Rita’s eggs to help cover the cost of feeding Rita the proper rhea diet, although she also loves a little bit of tender-stem broccoli!”

Tim hopes that Rita will lay a lot of eggs for the people of Fairford to enjoy.

He thinks that she should lay about 60 eggs overall and he will be selling them for £10 each.

If anyone is interested in buying one of Rita’s giant rhea eggs, contact Tim via his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tim.lafford or on WhatsApp: 07738 444313.

FAIRFORD’S Bowling Club at East End is opening its doors to new members.

As you come out of lockdown, are you looking for a new hobby or sport?

Why not come and have a go at Lawn Bowls – the sport for all ages and all abilities.

Fairford Bowling Club offers all year round sport (indoors and outdoors), a friendly atmosphere and a great social life.

You can play in friendly games, club competitions, county competitions and various leagues.

There is a vibrant social scene with live music, Sunday lunches, quiz nights, race nights and other events.

So, if you are looking for something new, then come along on May Bank Holiday, Monday, May 3, between 11am - 3.30pm and have a go for free.

This will be a Covid-safe event with social distancing, sanitisers and all equipment disinfected.

There will also be a BBQ, tea and coffee and a licensed bar.