MAYOR’S INTRODUCTIONAs I sit to write my last Mayor’s Introduction, I look back on what has seemed like a very quick two years of my life. It has certainly been an honour to have served as Fairford Town Mayor, even during turbulent times. I look back with pride in remembering being introduced to Her Majesty the Queen and in welcoming her as part of the Royal Air Force’s 90th anniversary celebrations in 2008. I also remember the horrendous rain that appeared as the Queen left the parade, a downpour which contributed to the cancellation of the Air Tattoo.
The terrible rain from last summer brought back the fear and memories of the flooding of 2007, which happened only a few weeks after I took on the role of Mayor. The community response to the flood was tremendous but lacked co-ordination. To that end, the Fairford Emergency Action Group was formed and over the last 18 months or so the volunteers have trained and are preparing to react to similar emergencies. Their first live test was carried out last month, testing the suitability of the Community Centre as a place of refuge. I must thank all those involved for their support and contributions.
I would also like to pass on my thanks to those volunteers who continue to contribute to the Town Council, the Community Centre, Fairford Festival, the Palmer Hall, Fairford Playing Fields Ltd and to all of the other groups whose efforts make Fairford the fantastic place it is to live and work. Finally I would like to pass on my heartfelt thanks to the Town Council office staff, Vanessa, Penny and Alison, for the tremendous support and guidance I have received over the last two years. To my successor, I send my very best wishes.
As my term of office comes to an end, it coincides with an overseas posting with the RAF, which means that I must also reluctantly resign from Fairford Town Council. My wife Carol and our son Jack will be accompanying me in a move to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for three years. We will be back!
Cllr John Morgan (01285 711321) Fairford Town Mayor COUNCIL NEWSGENERAL
Next Town Council Meeting
The next Full Town Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 April at 7pm in the Barker Room at Fairford Community Centre, High Street, Fairford. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Annual Town Meeting
The 2009 Annual Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 April at 7pm in the Community Centre. The Fairford Citizen of the Year and the Geoff Chick Award will be announced as well as a review of the past 12 months. All members of the public are welcome to attend. Retirement of Admin Assistant
Alison Hobson retired from her role as Administration Assistant at the end of February. She had been working for the Town Council for six years and will be sadly missed. She has promised to keep in touch and will still be busy with her many other roles within Fairford such as the Fairford Emergency Action Group and secretary to Fairford History Society and Fairford Preservation Trust, Fairford Theatregoers and Watershed Riding for the Disabled. Fairford Emergency Action Group
The Fairford Emergency Action Group agreed to buy a small quantity of plastic flood bags that could be filled with flood water to protect homes under immediate threat of flooding. Where the threat is less imminent, sand and shovels would be available for residents to fill conventional sandbags themselves. It must be stressed that the responsibility for protecting homes is down to each individual resident. Please be ready in the event of another flooding emergency by buying in a stock of your own sandbags or flood alleviation boards that can be fitted to your doors. Calor Village of the Year 2009
The judges of the national Calor Village of the Year competition will be coming to Fairford Community Centre on Wednesday 1 April. Members of the community and Town Council will be making a presentation in a bid to be the overall winner in the competition. We will be judged alongside regional winners from Avonside, Cornwall, Devon, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. The competition has a first prize of £7000, £2000 for regional finalists and £500 each for the winners of the individual categories. Councillor Vacancies
Following the resignation of Cllrs. Morgan and Fessey, there are two vacancies on Fairford Town Council. For more information please contact the Clerk on 01285 713326. FACILITIES
Fairford Town Council is actively seeking land for allotments. We have received a number of requests for these and are keen to provide this facility as it promotes sustainability. If any landowner has a spare plot of land they are willing to lease/give to the Town Council or if anyone has any suggestions for a suitable location for allotments, please contact the Town Clerk. The Facilities committee is currently overseeing the production of a new Town Leaflet with a detailed map for visitors and an overview of what the town offers. Local businesses can advertise in this leaflet which is free to residents and visitors. It will shortly be available in the Tourist/Information Room in the Community Centre. There are a number of ongoing projects including timed lighting for the skate ramp and improved CCTV. The Council is working closely with the police in identifying the most suitable areas for cameras to be sited. The winning design of last year's Flag Festival competition has been made into a real flag and will be officially raised at the start of this year's flag festival. Fairford Town Council will be organising a Festival Market again this year. It will be part of the main Festival weekend activities and is to be held in the Walnut Tree Field on Saturday 6th June. Please contact the Council Office for more information and a booking form.
Cllr S Jones, Chair of Facilities Tel 01285 712003 Fairford Healthcheck
The review of Fairford’s Healthcheck document is continuing apace. Following the circulation of a questionnaire with the February magazine, a number of people wrote to us with ideas and comments on the future of Fairford.
Mostly, the replies supported the Council’s view, but a few threw up surprising results, which will all be considered in the next stage of the project.
The Town Council has called a halt to responses to the questionnaire, and now the results will be analysed and presented to each of the Council committees for their further input.
We hope people will come with further ideas to the annual Town Meeting, after which a five-year plan will be drawn up to incorporate as many of the public’s desires as possible.
We really are grateful to everyone who has taken part in the consultation exercise.
Cllr Martin Harwood, Project Co-ordinator, Tel 01285 712597 HIGHWAYS
Fairford Town Council (FTC) appreciates the possible danger and has requested that GCC Highways installs a pavement to extend from The Garretts to Coronation Street. The initial reply is that an investigation/survey will be carried out. The Council would be grateful to receive any letters of support, or otherwise, for this project. FTC is negotiating the possibility of re-siting the collecting bins from Fairford Town Car Park to alleviate the considerable expense, to the taxpayer, that is being incurred by over weight bin lorries destroying the surface of the car park. An alternative location is being sought within Fairford. FTC has now employed Beds and Baskets, who cut and keep our grass verges in order, to mow the grass areas the Town Council is responsible for in St Mary's Churchyard and the New Burial Ground. The remaining grass within the Churchyard is the responsibility of St Mary’s PCC. It is now the time of the year to clear vegetation that overhangs all public rights of way and pavements. Initially FTC will contact persons if necessary, to request vegetation is cut back. Failure to comply with this request will mean we are obliged to inform GCC Highways who can remove the vegetation and then invoice those responsible for the cost.
Your complete co-operation will be greatly appreciated. Spring and Summer is close at hand which brings added problems of rubbish being deposited around the town. Your assistance in trying to alleviate this would be appreciated. Care for our town must be a shared commitment it is not the sole responsibility of the Town Council.
Cllr R Winney Chair of Highways Tel 01285 712452 Potholes: If you spot a pothole, Gloucestershire County Council wants to hear from you.
It’s no secret that the recent bad weather has caused problems on the county’s roads. The most severe winter in decades has hit the county hard and a special inspection of roads is being carried out to establish the extent of the damage.
Repairing this damage is now a top priority for Gloucestershire County Council - and we want you to tell us about any damage you find. A programme of repairs will be put together as soon as possible and if people let us know about any problems, that will help. If you spot a pothole you can report online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/pothole or you can call the Gloucestershire Highways helpline on 08000 514 514. Volunteers needed for River Coln and River Walk Maintenance and Management
There have recently been meetings with representatives from the Environment Agency, Public Rights of Way, riparian owners, Ernest Cook Trust (ECT) and other interested members of the public about maintenance and management of the River Coln.
There are currently concerns about erosion of the river bank near the Broad Boards where water has been flooding into the recently cleared Court Brook ditch. Temporary repairs will need to be done to stop the deterioration of this area. The installation of the new bridge at the Broad Boards has had to be postponed due to the flooding here. Other work has been identified for the ditches at the rear of the houses in Milton Street where a programme of clearance work will be undertaken by volunteers in consultation with ECT.
Volunteer manpower will also be needed to help with work from the Town Bridge to the Broad Boards to prevent further flooding by planting reed beds and shoring up eroded banks with natural materials and reflectors to deflect the flow of the river away from vulnerable river edges. It has also become apparent that the River Walk has deteriorated into a bad and embarrassing state of repair and all residents will appreciate and understand the importance of the River Walk and its environs to locals and visitors alike. The Town Council is working closely with Gloucestershire County Council Rights of Way officers, riparian owners, the Environment Agency and the Ernest Cook Trust (ECT) to undertake urgently needed improvements. A meeting was held on 19th March with the Environment Agency and Glos Public Rights of Way to agree a way forward. All parties agreed that urgent action is needed but it may need to be delayed until after the bird nesting season. At the meeting, a response was also sought to the request for a barrier of sorts to be installed at Dilly’s Bridge where an elderly man accidentally entered the river on his mobility scooter. This matter is being looked into by Public Rights of Way
As maintenance and management of both areas is likely to be an ongoing project, the Council has decided to establish a project team to take responsibility for the protection, management and enhancement of this outstanding area of natural beauty. To this end, the Council is seeking volunteers from the public to serve on the Coln River Management Project Team. This is your chance to make a significant contribution to this vital project. If you are interested in helping, please contact the Clerk on 01285 713326 or Trevor Hing on 01285 711122 or Chris Roberts on 01285 712150 FAIRFORD COMMUNITY CENTRE
The Project team has now been formally wound up having completed its assignment. Thanks to astute financial management by Margaret Bishop, Cllr Martin Harwood and the town clerk, Vanessa Lawrence, the £1.1m project has been completed on budget. The final contribution figures are: Heritage Lottery Fund: £699,500, Rural Renaissance: £80,306, Fairford Town Council: £127,000, St Mary’s PCC: £85,000, Summerfield Trust: £15,000, Local donations: £22,000, Cotswold District Council: £15,000, Fairford History Society: £3,885.
Trevor J Hing, Project Leader Book a Room at Fairford Community Centre
Fairford Community Centre is run as a registered charity and has 6 rooms to let, catering for various sizes from small groups to more than 100, plus large office space suitable for business meetings. Rooms can be booked by the hour, the day or for longer. Rates vary and there are also concessions for regular bookings. All rooms have refreshment facilities as well as a modern purpose-built kitchen. The building is fully licensed and has free parking outside and at a nearby free car park. For more details, phone 01285 712344 or email
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or call in and have a look around. Donation of Obelisks
Two obelisks have been kindly donated to the Community Centre by John F.F. Downes-Hall from Lechlade. They have been located in the courtyard. COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Council Tax: Cotswold District Council voted recently to increase its share of the Council Tax for 2009/2010 by only 2.9% in line with Gloucestershire County Council’s increase, which is lower than the predicted average rise in England of 3.5%. The increase is lower than the rate of inflation and the rise in State pensions.
Garden Waste Collections: The £30 charge for garden waste collections has been frozen for this coming financial year. The 50% discount is also still applicable for people in receipt of benefits.
Smartwater Property Marking: CDC’s Safer Cotswold Partnership has secured Government funding to provide local household’s with a FREE Smartwater Property Marking Kit and battery operated shed alarms for those who had to replace small portable items of household equipment or tools and garden machinery following the July 07 floods. There are specified dates for members of the public to obtain the kits. If anyone wants to know more, please contact Cllr Chris Roberts.
Information for People Facing Redundancy: The Cotswold Local Strategic Partnership, facilitated by CDC, has prepared an information leaflet for residents worried about redundancy. The leaflet gives some basic advice, and signposts readers to organisations that may be able to help in the event of job loss. CDC will be distributing copies throughout the District, through a variety of locations. The link to view the leaflet is http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=9854.
Cllr Chris Roberts, Cotswold District Councillor 01285 712150 LOCAL NEWS
The Displaced Persons Camp at Fairford Park 1949-59
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Polish Resettlement Camp at Fairford Park. This camp housed Polish families displaced during World War II. The Ernest Cook Trust is kindly erecting a plaque, which was funded by the Polish Ex-Combatants Association (SPK) at the former entrance on Leafield Road (at the start of the footpath to the Cascades). Previously there was nothing to mark the place where over 1,200 Polish people lived before moving elsewhere.
Mr Czeslaw Maryszczak, the Chairman of the SPK, will formally unveil the plaque at 11 am on 30th May 2009, and there will be a display and refreshments provided by Fairford History Society at the Community Centre afterwards. Alicja Swiatek Christofides, who was born at the Camp, is organising the event and is keen to get in touch with people or relatives of the people who lived there. Please contact Alicja on 01737 246894 or email
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or Alison on 711768 or
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Fairford & Lechlade Business Club (FLBC)
Fairford businesses proved their mettle at the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club Awards Ceremony held at the end of January. Winner of the Business of the Year was Fairford Roof Tiles, Business Person of the Year was Shelley Moulden of Fairford Therapy Centre and New Business of the Year was Classic Concierge. Cirencester firm, Alison Fielden Solicitors, walked away with the Innovative Business award and Outstanding Business Student of the Year was Finn Smith with her idea for Fast Fruit. More details can be found on www.flbizclub.co.uk. Fairford and Lechlade Business Club meetings are usually held on the 4th Thursday of the month at Farmor’s Business Centre, Fairford. The April meeting will be on Thursday 23 April at 7.30pm when guest speaker will be Mark Coote, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham, who will be speaking about his Action for Cheltenham campaign and the plans to save and support small shops and businesses. On Thursday 28 May, young students from Farmor’s School Youth Energy Project will give a presentation about energy saving supported by the Severn Wye Energy Agency. Alison Hobson, who has helped with the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club, since it first started, has now retired. The Club would like to thank her for her support and wish her a very happy retirement. If you are interested in learning more about the Club, please call Chris Roberts on 01285 712150 or email
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. Fairford C of E Primary School News
Year 4 , 5 and 6 pupils participated in the area Cross Country Running Event recently, one of 3 events held to qualify for the County event in Newent. We were very successful in having a number of children qualifying this year. The staff and pupils are really looking forward to the imminent arrival of some chickens. A chicken coop is already installed and with the kind help of Anne Newman and Steve Bolton the fencing has been erected. We plan to have 4 rescue hens to start with. We recently had a visit from some teachers from Sweden and Greece as part of our Comenius Project linking with other European schools. We are delighted to announce that Jonathan Porritt is coming to put up our eco-flag on the flag pole on the 27th March. He will also talk to the children and look around the school. If you have any time to spare to help with some knitting, sewing or gardening please contact the school office on 01285 712543. We would love to hear from you. Fairford Dial A Ride/Community Bus All our usual trips will be running in April. We shall also be including Stroud on the 7th April, Banbury on the 21st April, Asda Walmart on the 22nd April and Moreton in Marsh on the 28th April. All of these trips are very popular and get booked up quite quickly so if you want to go please get in touch on 01285 713852 or call at the office. GOOD NEWS on our Charity shop. It is to be known as COTSWOLD CVS CHARITY SHOP and will be opening on Wednesday 8 April. We will be taking donations from 31 March at the shop from 9.00am-4.30pm or into the office in the Community Centre. If donations are brought to the office, please ensure that they are delivered to the CCVS office on the 1st Floor and not left elsewhere in the building. Ann or Derek are in the office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 9.00am till 12.30pm. We can arrange to collect your goods if you can’t manage to get them here any other way, just phone 01285 713852. The shop shall be selling clothes, shoes, books, toys, household linens, china, gifts, Primary School uniform, etc. No furniture or electrical goods please. If you would like to help in any way please contact Ann at the office. Please support this exiting new venture for Fairford, we need you to make it work. Donations should NOT be left on the pavement if the shop is closed.
Ann Nicholls Tel 01285 713852, Mobile 07528 969181 Fairford Festival
Events in the Festival Marquee will take place from 5th-7th June 2009 inclusive. Events include the Annual Town Ball, Festival Parade, Dog Show, Classic Car Club Display, Children’s Party, Festival Market, 10k Road Race and 3k Fun Run. A tea dance is also planned for the afternoon of 7th June. The full programme of events will be delivered to all households in Fairford by early April. If anyone still wishes to organise an event as part of the Festival please contact Kevin Smart on 01285 711842. Hopefully, you will find that there is something for everyone to enjoy so please support us as much as you can. For further details please see our new website at www.fairfordfestival.co.uk Unfortunately, there will not be a Battle of the Bands competition this year. As the Festival week does not fall within half term and the usual organisers, Farmor’s School PTA, are rightly concerned that some students have exams that week. However, the Festival Committee is looking at making alternative arrangements for the youth of the town. Any ideas or volunteers to help would be most welcome.
Tickets for the annual Town Ball are now on sale at £48.50, which includes a welcome drink. The theme this year is a Masked Ball. For tickets and further information, please call Annabelle on 08442 492814.
Trevor J Hing, Chairman Tel 01285 711122 LOCAL EVENTS
· Forthcoming meetings for Fairford Art Society are Thursday 2 April, Thursday 7 May and Thursday 4 June all at Fairford Library. New members welcome. Please contact the secretary, Pam Hicks on 01285 851220.
· Farmor’s School in Fairford has joined forces with schools in Chipping Campden and Tewkesbury to form a new community collaboration to promote “Cotswold Women in Business”. Together, they are providing funding for high quality courses and workshops to support local enterprising women with ideas. A free 2-hour workshop on “Creating an Effective Home Workspace” will take place on Monday 27 April; a 2-hour workshop on “Presentation Skills” on Monday 18 May; a 1-hour workshop on Wednesday 1 June costing £8 to include lunch and a 3-hour workshop on “Doing Your Own Tax Self-Assessment” on Monday 15 June. For more information, please contact Sarah-Jane Menato on 01386 701868 or email
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. · Fairford’s Sharron Davies is backing the Cotswold Midnight Walk campaign, which takes place on the streets of Cheltenham on Saturday 9 May on behalf of Sue Ryder Care. Any woman, who would like to take part in the moonlight walk, should ring Sian Harris on 01242 246293 or visit www.suerydercare.org/midnightwalks. Cost to enter is £12 per person. · Young Gloucestershire is planning to run an Achieve Team from Monday 4 May for 6 weeks. The course aims to improve personal and social development for young people aged 16-19 who are not in education, employment or training and is free to attend. It provides a follow-up afterwards to help the youngsters into employment or training and they get the chance to go on a residential, plan and run a fundraising event and gain an NOCN (National Open College Network) Level 1 qualification in Written Information. In order for the Achieve Team to be successful, as many young people as possible are needed, so please contact Emily Hallett on 01452 501008 or 07974 077149 or email
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. · Fairford Gardeners’ Club is holding a Bring and Buy Plant Sale during the morning of Saturday 25 April in the Palmer Hall. For more information, contact 01285 850280. · The Palmer Hall AGM will be held on Monday 20 April at 7pm in the Palmer Hall. Everyone welcome. · Auction of Promises at the Palmer Hall on Saturday 25 April at 7.30pm. A fund raising event for ‘Oliver’s Room’. Further details from Rachel Jarman 01453 767987 or email
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· Messy Space is being held on Saturday 18 April from 2pm till 4pm at Fairford Community Centre. Crafts and coffee shop for families. £2 per child (max £5 per family). A project of Churches Together Around Fairford. Contact Maureen Partington on 01285 712480 for more information. · The Fairford and District Choral Society will perform Haydn’s “The Creation” on Saturday 4 April at St Mary’s Church, Fairford starting at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought at Blenheim Antiques in the Market Square, Fairford and on the door on the night. If you would like to join the Fairford and District Choral Society, please contact Jane Read on 01285 713681 or visit www.fairford.org/choralsociety for an application form and a chance to hear the “Hallelujah Chorus” sung by the choir. · The Fairford Preservation Trust AGM will take place on Friday 3 April 2009 at 7.30pm in the FAIRFORD COMMUNITY CENTRE. Coffee will be served from 7.00pm. After the business meeting Mr Ed Stanford, Head of Landscape & Countryside Planning at Swindon Council will give a talk entitled: The wider countryside – a growing interest. Non-members very welcome. Enquiries to Alison 01285 711768 · The Fairford Fury Basketball Club has junior and adult teams for fixtures locally as well as regular games on Friday evenings at 7pm at Fairford Sports Centre. All abilities welcomed as coaching is provided by two qualified coaches. Any adult or child over 12 years old who is interested in learning, playing or competing, should contact Roger West on 01285 810483 or email
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. · Coln House School May Fayre – Sunday 17 May from 2pm – 4pm. Our major fund raising event of the year features something different again in 2009 as we welcome the Cotswold Falconry Centre from Batsford Arboretum. Visitors will be able to experience a variety of birds of prey at close hand and talk to the experts who handle and train the birds. There will also be a flying display to demonstrate their amazing abilities. As well as all the usual family stalls, there will be tractor rides, a barbecue, cream teas, and masses of summer bedding plants on sale for all your containers, borders and hanging baskets. · Coln House School Summer Sizzler – Friday 3 July 2009. The Friends of Coln House School invite you to come and enjoy a fun evening with candle–lit gazebos, pig roast supper, a licensed bar and entertainment by Frank Abrahams. Tickets £15 either individually or in tables of eight. To book, please phone Gail on 01285 712308.
GET TO KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGER
Sadie Fletcher
I was born in Oxford in 1977 and lived in West Oxfordshire until I went to University in Wales, Swansea. After graduating I lived in Stroud for a
short time before moving to Fairford with my fiancé, James, in 1999.
When we first moved here we knew little about the town. We were, however, quickly taken with the friendly and approachable nature of the community here and have never regretted the choice of Fairford as our
home. We hope to be around for many years to come. Since moving to Fairford, we have become parents to two girls: Madeleine (3 years) and Isabelle (20 months). Following the birth of our eldest daughter, I joined one of the town’s Toddler Group committees and made many good friends among the people I met there. I have recently become a member of the Fairford Pre-school Committee. Before commencing my current role at the Community Centre, I was the office manager for a telecommunications firm based in Abingdon. I wanted to play more of an active part in my local community and am now really enjoying being involved in such an excellent Community Centre - one that I believe can be of substantial benefit to Fairford. If you are not familiar with the Community Centre, please feel free to
come along and see us. I would be more than happy to give you a tour and show you the facilities that are available. Alternatively you can email me on
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or call on 01285 711571.
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