COMMUNITY NEWS
Chris Roberts
0794 1201243
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 On Thursday March 31, Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum, which is an apolitical group, will be visiting Fairford.  On the agenda for discussion is Fairford’s new cctv system and the future of Youth Services within Gloucestershire.  There will be a question and answer session with a panel comprising Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of GCC; Mark Parker, GCC Officer for The Big Community; Assistant Chief Constable Ivor Twydell of Glos Constabulary and Cllr Bill Whelan of Churchdown Parish Council.  Anyone interested in coming along is more than welcome.

 The Fairford Preservation Trust Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday April 1 at 7.30pm in the Palmer Hall.  Coffee will be served from 7pm and new members and visitors will be most welcome.  After the business meeting, Jon Stokes, National Director of Rural Programmes for the Tree Council, will talk on the subject of “Why Trees Matter!”  Jon Stokes started the national network of tree wardens and has written books on trees, two of which are “Great British Trees” and “Trees and How to Grow Them”.  Enquiries to Alison on 01285 711768 or visit the new website at www.fairfordpreservationtrust.org.uk.

 Olympic champion sailor, Pippa Wilson, will be hosting a unique family fun day on Saturday April 2 at Bowmoor Sailing Club.  The event, which is sponsored by The Lakes by yoo and is open to the public, is free and will start at 12 noon with Pippa demonstrating her skills on the water.  There will be a Q&A session followed by a talk at 3pm.  There will be a bouncy castle and refreshments available.  The sailing club will also provide taster sailing sessions.  To register your interest in a taster session, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  For information and directions, visit www.bowmoor.co.uk. 

 Fairford Pre-School are having an Easter Fun Afternoon on Monday April 4 from 2pm till 3.45pm at the Pre-School, Leafield Road.  There will be free art and craft activities, an Easter hunt and a bonnet parade at 2.30pm.  There will also be a raffle and refreshments.  Everyone welcome.  For details, call Donna on 07754 898422.

 On Tuesday April 5, the Community Bus will run a trip to Swindon Orbital Retail Park departing Fairford at 10am and returning at 2.30pm.  Cost £4.  The trip on Wednesday April 6 is to Blunsdon Market departing Fairford at 10am and returning at 12.15pm.  Cost £3.50.  To book a seat or for more information, call at the Volunteer Bureau office in the Community Centre or ring on 01285 713852.

 Ray Theodoulou and Chris Roberts will be holding another Surgery on Wednesday April 6 between 10am and 11am in Fairford Community Centre.  Please drop in without an appointment if there are any council-related issues you wish to discuss.

 Fairford WI’s next meeting is on Wednesday April 6 at 7.30pm in the Palmer Hall.  Anne Ellis will be talking about “The Life of an Edwardian Lady”.  The competition is “An Item from the Edwardian Era”.  Visitors welcome.  For details, contact 01285 711373.

 Fairford WI will meet on Wednesday April 6 at 7.30pm in the Palmer Hall.  Visitors welcome.  Contact 01285 711373 for details.

 The Palmer Hall AGM will take place on Thursday April 7 at 7pm in the Palmer Hall.  Everyone welcome.

 Over £5,000 worth of play equipment was officially handed over to Fairford Primary School and Fairford Pre-School last Friday at a ceremony at the school witnessed by children from the school and the pre-school, the Headteacher of Fairford Primary School and representatives from the Playing Fields Committee, the Ernest Cook Trust, School Governors, Fairford Town Council and the Pre-School.  Jo Williams, former chair of the Playing Fields Association, told the invited guests that the Charity Commission had agreed that the remaining funds from the Association could be used to purchase playground equipment for the school and pre-school.  As well as Eye Chimes, a Woodland Bench, a Little Tikes’ Adjustable Playground, a Story Teller’s chair, the funds paid for a large wooden play boat, which Jo had pleasure in naming “The Jolly Jo”.  Jane Sparling, Head of the Primary School, said: “The children are thrilled with the equipment, which is already very popular and very well used.”

 Concern has been raised by residents about the speed of some vehicles driving through Fairford and Leafield Road in particular.  The local police are willing to carry out a training session for interested residents on how to use the speed gun, which was partly funded by Fairford Town Council.  If you would be interested in receiving training, please contact the Town Council on 01285 712344 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 Are you a local business that would like to hold an in-house event as part of the Food & Drink Festival?  In return, your business will be advertised in the programme and on the website – www.fairford-lechladefoodanddrink.co.uk.  In-house events will be held between Sunday May 1, which is the date of the Lechlade Food & Drink Festival, and Sunday June 5, the date of the Fairford Food & Drink Festival.  To find out more, phone Chris on 01285 712150 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .