MAYOR'S INTRODUCTION

After the public meeting regarding the Lakes planning application, a number of residents were asking who I was, so I thought it would be best to introduce myself with the aid of a picture and mention my personal background in Fairford. I am 41 years old and since my arrival in Fairford 16 years ago, I have been lucky in having 3 boys with my wife Sandy.

Whilst being involved on the Council, I have always maintained that we are here to serve the community and improve on the local
facilities and services.  We are currently updating the health check and I would like to thank all the residents who kindly sent back the questionnaire that was sent out in the February newsletter.

The Flag Festival has been another success and I would like to thank Robin Thompson for the work that he has put into this event. Fairford Festival was also another success and a big thank you should go out to Trevor Hing, who has never given up on the running of the Festival, even after his illness over Christmas. Thanks also to the rest of the committee members for their hard work. Looking forward, August will see the “Steam Rally” coming to Fairford. In the previous two years, the Rally has had to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Hopefully the weather will be kind for 2009.

The Town Council has been in discussion with Farmor’s School to try and find a way of preventing the amount of litter that is being generated within the Walnut Tree playing fields. We are looking into providing more bins in the field, hoping that this will be a greater incentive for people to use them. If you do have any ideas, please share them with us.
Cllr Joe Cusack 01285 713638 Fairford Town Mayor

COUNCIL NEWS

GENERAL
Next Town Council Meeting
The next Full Town Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th August at 7pm in the Barker Room at Fairford Community Centre, High Street, Fairford. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Calor Village of the Year
Fairford was successful in the national Calor Village of the Year competition in the West Region Business category.  Thanks to the positive and promotional activities of the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club, Fairford beat other entries from Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.  A cheque for £500 was awarded at a County Presentation Event in July.

At the July Full Town Council meeting, it was agreed that this prize money should be donated to the Business Club for the purpose of developing a scheme to encourage entrepreneurial skills for the young in Fairford, and also for supporting local businesses, especially new businesses, which would benefit Fairford.

PLANNING
Officers from Cotswold District Council Planning department recently carried out in-house training to Fairford Town Council. CDC has introduced this service to local Parish and Town Councils to update on relevant Planning Policies and allow discussion on the Planning process.

There has been no decision to date from Cotswold District Council regarding the application for tourism and recreational development at Lakes 103, 103A, 104 and Milestone House. Fairford Town Council resolved to support the applications but with 22 conditions attached.

These included items such as:
- No three storey units to be built
- Fairford residents to be allowed controlled access to Lake 104
- No construction traffic to travel through Fairford
- Effort should be made to employ local people where possible
- Assurance is required that there will be no adverse effects on sewage and flooding in Fairford as a result of the development
- Leisure facilities must be made available to Fairford residents and set to municipal rates
- A roundabout at the Whelford Road junction should be in place before any work starts on site
- The surface of the footpath around Lake 104 must be improved
- No retail development on site
Full details can be found on the Town Council website under Minutes of the Extra-Ordinary Town Council meeting held on 2nd June 2009.
Cllr H Dowler, Chair of Planning

FACILITIES
We hope that everyone is enjoying the splash of colour which the Flag Festival brings to the town.  The new Fairford Flag designed by James Landa-Font and the Town Council Flag are gracing the Community Centre. The Town Council is looking at ways to brighten up more areas of the town next year.

The Festival Market organised by the Town Council on behalf of Fairford Festival was held in the marquee this year and raised £100 for the Festival Charity - more than previous years.

The ‘Welcome to Fairford’ leaflet has now been updated and is in circulation around the town. Do call into the Information Room in the Community Centre and pick up a free copy.

The major project the Town Council is working on at the moment is upgrading the current CCTV system and grants have been applied for.  We have already been successful in obtaining funding to help provide timer controlled lighting for the skate ramp.

Three councillors met with the headteacher of Farmor’s School recently to discuss litter in the Walnut Tree field and progress is being made in this area. We are also in discussion wit the Ernest Cook trust to improve the entrances to the Walnut Tree Field.

The Lakes By Yoo have opened up a new permissive footpath around the new Bowmoor Sailing Lake between Fairford and Lechlade as the start of a provision of a new Country Park with free access.  The path is open between 9.00am and 6.00pm in the summer and 10.00am and 4.00pm in the winter months.
Cllr S Jones, Chair of Facilities Tel 01285 712003

HIGHWAYS
When the bird nesting season has finished in August, it is planned to carry out some major cutting back of the laurel hedge that separates Park Close and St Mary’s Open Space. The hedge has not been cut back for some time and has become very overgrown. The hedge may look rather bare at first but will grow back and will hopefully be easier to manage.

3 London Street, Fairford
Fairford Town Council would like to receive any offers in the region of £170,000 for a small business property, comprising ground floor and first floor accommodation (A2 class) at 3 London Street, Fairford. Any interested parties should contact the Town Clerk on 01285 713326 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 1st September 2009.

Green waste collections
A reminder that contents of the small green food waste bins can also be emptied into the large green wheelie bins for collections, if this is more convenient.

East Cotswold Strategic Partnership (ECSP)
The East Cotswold Strategic Partnership is a group of local Parish and Town Councils that are working together for mutual benefit. Members include Lechlade, Fairford, Kempsford and Quenington.

The Partnership is currently working on issues such as the proposed Fairford to Lechlade cycle path project, the proposed Country Park at Thornhill and local public transport.

The Lechlade Footpaths committee is working with the ECSP with respect to the proposed Fairford to Lechlade cycle path project. It is intended that a member of the Fairford Highways committee joins the committee as a Fairford representative. All land ownership has been established along the proposed route and investigations carried out for funding to carry out a feasibility study.

FAIRFORD COMMUNITY CENTRE

Fairford Community Centre Ltd is pleased to announce that Eric Graham has joined the team as Community Centre Assistant. He works with Community Centre Manager Sadie Fletcher to deal with room bookings and general management of the building. Their office is located in the Information Room at the front of the Community Centre and is open at the following times:

Monday  9am – 1pm
Tuesday   10am-12noon
Wednesday 9am – 1pm
Thursday  9am – 1pm
Friday  9am – 12noon

Bookings/enquiries can also be made by telephone on 01285 711571 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (bookings) and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (general enquiries)

COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL

Keep the Cotswolds Clean
As part of the Keep the Cotswolds Clean campaign, CDC is focussing on reducing the number of fly-tipping incidents.  Some incidents are, however, difficult to deal with as CDC is not responsible for dealing with fly-tipping on private land.

Summer Off The Streets
As part of the CDC Summer Off The Streets programme, there will be an artist and materials provided for a “customised clothing and hats” session for 8-16 year olds.  Taking place on Thursday 13thAugust from 3-5pm in the Keble Room, Fairford Community Centre, the session is free of charge.  To find out more, please contact Claire Dowan at CDC on 01285 623568 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

External Funding for Projects and Community Activities
Cotswold District Council has signed up to the GRANTnet service, which is a free-to-use internet service from GRANTfinder. It allows community and voluntary groups, sports and other clubs, schools, social enterprises and small businesses to search across a huge range of local, regional and national funding sources. 

To access this service, please go to http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=10863 and follow the link. 
Chris Roberts – 01285 712150 Cotswold District Councillor

LOCAL NEWS

River Coln Project Team
Following the July 2007 flooding and the success of the Court Brook clearance by volunteers last October, Fairford Town Council decided to set up a working party to assess the state of the River Coln, its tributaries and the River Walk.  The aim is to make sure that all the watercourses are clear of weeds and blockages, so as not to be a serious flood threat to residents and to monitor and maintain the river walks to keep them attractive to local walkers and visitors.  Several volunteers have put their names forward to help with regular annual river management in conjunction with the Environment Agency and the Public Rights of Way Department. 

There was a public meeting held last month in the Community Centre when Dr Phoebe Carter of the Cotswold Water Park Wildlife Management team advised the volunteers about the correct way to manage the watercourses taking into account wildlife, wildfowl, ecology and riparian owners’ rights.  If you would like to find out more about this, please call Chris Roberts on 01285 712150 or Trevor Hing on 01285 711122.

Gloucestershire Public Rights of Way is also waiting for the nesting season to finish to carry out clearance work along the River Walk, near the ford. This work will allow the public right of way to follow the correct alignment, which is on higher ground to the current route and hopefully it will not become as waterlogged in the winter months.
Cllr R Winney, Chair of Highways Tel 01285 712452

Fairford Police News
Residents are reminded to consider home security during warmer weather. Do not leave ground floor windows open and remember to lock front and rear doors if you are in the garden and consider securing patio furniture. Theft of gardening equipment increases during summer months. Ensure that sheds and garages are locked at all times.

After several complaints from local residents about an increase in young persons on mopeds in the area, and the standard of their riding, the Fairford Safer Community Team are planning an educational display at Fairford Police Station on Saturday 8th August at 6pm. The aim is to educate young riders about the dangers of careless riding and help them learn more about maintaining their bikes to a legal level. Riders are encouraged to attend. Further information can be sought from PCSO Pooley or PC Crawford.

Recent reports suggest that underage teens are continuing to obtain alcohol by getting over 18's to purchase it for them. Please be reminded that shop staff will alert police if they suspect that a person is attempting to buy alcohol to pass it onto anyone under the age of 18. The purchase will be declined and the CCTV from the shop will be passed to Police in an attempt to trace that person. The fine for such proxy-purchasing can be up to £1000 and may result in a criminal conviction.

A ring found on the Walnut Tree Field during the Fairford Festival has been handed in to the local police. Anybody wishing to claim it should contact the station.
For any further information on policing in your area, consult our web address at www.gloucestershire.police.uk.
Your Police team at Fairford can be contacted on 0845 090 1234.
 
Summer Day Camps at Fairford Sports Centre
Throughout the summer holidays a whole programme of activities has been planned for children aged 4 – 14 years. The Day Camps are Ofsted registered and are held every day throughout the school holidays from 8.30am - 4.30pm.  The cost per day is £15.60. 

The activities include go-karting, martial arts, cookery, cheerleading, sports days, messy days and more. There are also trips to the Barn Owl Centre and to the Activity Centre at Slimbridge. For a full programme and prices please contact the Sports Centre on 01285 713786, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.cotswold.gov.uk

We would also like to hear from the parents in the local community to find out what holiday activities they would like to see on offer for children throughout the year. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please email the Centre Manager at the above email address.

St Mary’s Church Tomb Trail
The St Mary’s Church Tomb Trail is a leaflet that provides a brief guide to 25 tombs in the church and churchyard that are of either architectural or historical importance from John Tame to Tiddles the cat!  The leaflet costs 60p and provides an entertaining accompaniment to a short walk around the churchyard.  For more information, contact Fairford History Society on 01285 711768 or 712053.

Fairford Town Football Club
The Football Club was founded in 1891 and plays at Cinder Lane in the Premier Division of the Hellenic League. This is classed as Step 5 in the Football Pyramid i.e. one below the likes of Cirencester Town and four away from the Conference and Forest Green.

The Club finished mid-table last season with a side consisting of a majority of local young players. Training has re-commenced and anyone interested should be down at the ground on a Tuesday or Thursday evening.

A commitment has been made to progress as a Community Club and the strategic alliance made with Real Fairford and the making available of facilities for youth football has in the last year, furthered this aim. The encouragement of youth into football is one of the Clubs' major aims and a clear conduit upwards from the earliest age groups of youth football should be in place for the benefit of all local players who wish to progress.

Facilities are up with the best in the League and off-field, the bar and function rooms are well used. The latter providing the venue for wedding receptions, skittles, dances etc. and also is home to the Farrell School of Irish Dancing who gave such an excellent performance recently at the Festival.

Like all Clubs, volunteers to help and finance to move the Club forward is a must.

Financial support from local businesses by way of sponsorship and advertising would be most welcome as would anyone wishing to be involved. Please contact myself or any Committee Member.  The Clubs' pre-season has seen a full list of pre-season friendlies and the season starts on the 11th August, fixtures for which can be found on the Clubs' website: www.fairfordtownfc.co.uk

So come on down and watch real grass roots football and provide support for your local Club.
Mike Tanner President

Fairford & Lechlade Business Club
Fairford and Lechlade Business Club (FLBC) continues to win awards for supporting and promoting local business.  The latest success is first prize in the West Region Business category of the Calor Village of the Year competition beating other entries from Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.  A cheque for £500 and a framed certificate was awarded to representatives from the Business Club and Fairford Town Council at a County Presentation Event on Friday July 17 at Campden House, Chipping Campden. 

The next FLBC event will be the annual Summer Barbecue on Friday August 21 at 7.30pm at Lechlade Trout Fisheries.  There will be a pig roast, licensed bar, grand raffle, an opportunity to try fly-fishing free of charge and any expert fishermen can buy a Two Fish Ticket for £15 instead of the usual £22.  Non-members are welcome and tickets cost £15 to include food. 

The September FLBC meeting will be a breakfast meeting on Thursday September 24 at 8am at the Riverside pub in Lechlade.

For tickets to the barbecue or if you would like more information about the Club or would like to join, please contact Chris Roberts on 01285 712150 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fairford History Society
At the AGM in June members were treated to a splendid selection of photographs of Fairford from the collection of Edwin Cuss. As a result of the meeting FHS is delighted to welcome two new members to the Committee, Rob Winney and Don Cobbett.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 17th September at 7.30pm in the Farmor Room of the Community Centre. Alicja Świątek Christofides will be talking about the ‘Polish Hostel in Fairford’. This follows on from the Polish plaque event in May this year. Much has been found out about life in the Hostel that was not known before and this talk will bring it all together. Due to popular demand, most of the exhibition that accompanied the event will be on display for anyone to view from 2 pm in the Heritage Room on 17th September, refreshments will be available.

For local history enquiries, FHS publications, and event enquiries please contact the Secretary Alison Hobson 711768 or the Chairman Geoff Hawkes 712053 or visit the Archive Room Monday afternoons, 2-4pm.

Coln House School
Thank you to everyone who supported the May Fayre which despite the poor weather raised almost £2,000 for school funds.  Plants raised by students in their Horticulture lessons proved particularly popular and have also been used to plant up the Town Council’s colourful tubs in Fairford Market Place. 

Students have been hard at work under the supervision of James Eastwood to renovate a 1958 Rover 105, which was acquired locally.  The engine, interior and paintwork have all been tackled over the last few weeks in what has proved to be a most enjoyable and rewarding project.

In June, the school was involved in a Gloucestershire Special School’s art exhibition in conjunction with the Brewery Arts in Cirencester, and on June 29th, member of staff, Ann Saunders, attended a ceremony with two pupils to receive the Arts Council England Artsmark Gold award. It is the second time the school has been recognised for demonstrating its commitment to developing arts provision – from drama to music, design to literature, dance to sculpture.

Coln House Porch Appeal
The splendid Classical doorway just before the road junction of Milton Street and Horcott Road is seriously in need of attention. The columns have been eroded by spray from vehicles and the pediment is sagging. Listed Building Consent is being sought, with work to stabilise and improve the safety and appearance of the original doorway and is due to take place in the summer holidays.

The school needs to fund 50% of the cost of this work and Fairford History Society and Fairford Preservation Trust have kindly responded to an appeal for donations for this restoration work. It has been suggested that others in the community might wish to contribute to the restoration of one of Fairford’s most elegant and historically important buildings.

If you wish to contribute, you can send donations marked Coln House Porch Appeal to Heather Paterson, The Bursar, Coln House School, Horcott Road, Fairford GL7 4DB. Cheques should be made out to Coln House School.

RAF Fairford
The RAF's Deployed Operations Training exercise originally planned for September / October of this year, has been cancelled. Plans for 2010 have still to be confirmed.

New Children’s Centre at Fairford Library
Plans are under way to have a Children's Centre at Fairford Library. This is a partnership arrangement between libraries and Childrens Centre staff to establish community hubs for young mothers and their children to access easily. The CC staff will have their own room within the library and will be based there for part of the time, but will mostly be working out in the community visiting people in their homes etc. The type of service they offer is very varied and includes Health visitor, midwife, speech therapists, child protection, returning to work, psychologists etc - indeed anything that helps provide welfare to parents and their children.

There are going to be some alterations to the library to allow this to happen and the children’s library will be out of use during the building period. A selection of children books will be made available in the adult library as a temporary measure. It will not be possible to take bookings for community use until the work is completed. However, when possible groups may use the adult library.

The work is scheduled to begin in the middle of September 2009. A small builder’s compound may be required in the car park - this shouldn't take up more than 3/4 parking spaces and will be kept to the side to allow Orchard residents access to the garages.

The addition of a Children’s Centre at the library is a positive step as it will give the library a stronger position in the community as a dual use building. There should be some improvements to the children’s library with some new equipment and redecoration. The library will not lose any shelving space for books or be adversely affected by these changes.

Community/Dial A Ride Bus News
Hooray for the summer!  We have a variety of trips planned for the summer as well as the usual shopping trips. In July, we are going to Banbury and Stratford Upon Avon, and in August, Gloucester Quays and Burford and on to Bourton on the Water, dates to be confirmed.  Don’t forget we are always open to ideas, do come and talk to me.

We would like to thank everyone for the support we have received in the Charity Shop, I am pleased to say that it is being used on a regular basis and donations of goods has exceeded expectation. Please DO NOT leave anything outside on the pavement. If you do bring things and the shop is not open, you can take it in to Ann at the Volunteer Office in the Community Centre - we are there between 9.00am-12.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.  We would also like some more volunteer helpers, so if you have a few hours to spare…….
Ann Nicholls 01285 713852

LOCAL EVENTS

• The second of the Fairford Bowling Club Open Days is on Sunday 2nd August from 2pm till 6pm.  If you have always felt that you would like to try bowling, please come along.  If you cannot make either of these days, please phone one of the coaches, who will be delighted to help you.  Phone Brian Morley on 01285 712374 or Neil Biles on 01793 764173.

• The Fairford Steam Rally and Show in aid of the County Air Ambulance Trust, Cotswold District Scout Funds and local charities will be held in Fairford over the weekend of Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August.  Around 30 steam engines, miniature steam engines, oil engines, commercial vehicles, tractors, around 120 veteran and vintage cars, bicycles and motorcycles.  Funfair, model tent, craft tent, horticultural show and trade stands.  Gates open at 9am.  Admission is adults £6, concessions £4, family (2 adults and 3 children) £20.  Free parking.  For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.fairfordsteamrally.com.

• Children’s Posh Frocks Sale: Why give away your good quality children's clothes when you can sell them and make money? Down Ampney Dots (Toddler Group) are running a Posh Frocks Sale on 17th September and we need Sellers!  You will need to register with a sellers pack which includes all the information that you need.  Just call Sam Murray on 07966888047 or Emily Bird on 07810658599 to request a pack.

• The next Fairford History Society Meeting will be held on Thursday 17th September at 7.30pm in the Community Centre – further details under Local News

• Fairford Pre-School will be hosting the next Fairford Ladies Evening on Friday 13th November from 7.30-10.00pm at Fairford Community Centre.  We have had lots of interest from sellers, but still have a few tables left.  If you would like to have a table please contact Donna Bull on 07812 643993.  The last two events of this type have been very successful.  Tickets go on sale soon – so please get the table reservations in as soon as possible.

• Advanced notice that the popular Fairford Festive Market is to be held on Friday 4th December 2009 from 6.30pm in the Market Place, Fairford. Booking forms will be sent out in September to previous stall holders but if you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Penny in the Council Office on 01285 712344 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . It has been agreed that the Fairford Festive Market will always be held on the first Friday in December  - keep a note in your diary!

GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNCILLORS

Cllr Sarah Roberts

I was born in Swindon in 1983, and have spent almost all of my life in the Cotswolds, with the last 15 years being in Fairford. I grew up here, attending Fairford Primary School and Farmor’s School as well as local clubs such as Karate and Army Cadets in my youth.
 
Having spent some time traveling - last year in South Africa and the previous year in America, I have now rooted myself firmly back on Fairford ground. I currently work in construction, generating new business and increasing sales.
 
I joined the Council after witnessing all the hard work and positive changes my mother, Councillor Chris Roberts MBE has brought about. Her passion for the community inspired me to take on a more active role within Fairford. Although I have learnt a great deal from my mother, I would like to stress that I am my own person and I have my own views. I believe and hope that I can bring a young and fresh approach to the Town Council.
 
I am passionate about Fairford and feel very lucky to live in such a friendly, vibrant town that has so much to offer. An issue of particular importance to me is affordable housing to enable local people to stay in our lovely town.

Cllr Sarah Roberts, Tel 01285 712150