WHERE I LIVE

LECKHAMPTON & CHARLTON KINGS

» Charlton Kings Parish Council Office at 29 Church Street, Charlton Kings is now open to members of the public following the COVID-19 lockdown. Members of the public can drop-in any time between 10am-2pm each weekday to speak to Parish Office staff.

» The legislation that permitted virtual meetings ended on May 7 so the parish council are now required to hold all in-person meetings for full council and all standing committees. Members of the public are permitted to attend these meeting subject to the following points.

The COVID-19 socially distanced capacity for the venue is assessed for each meeting, taking into account the number of Councillors and staff members who will attend the meeting. Access is given on a “first-come-firstserved” basis and once the stated limit has been reached no more people can be admitted.

Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting must form a socially-distanced queue at the main entrance to the Stanton Hall (by the Library) until they are given access to the building by a Councillor or member of staff immediately prior to the start of the meeting.

Members of the public must wear face masks at all times, unless exempt from doing so under current government legislation, and use the hand-sanitizer provided at the entrance. They will be asked to provide their name and contact details on entry.

Members of the public must proceed as directed to their seat at the meeting and remain in it until the end of the meeting.

A Councillor or member of staff will direct members of the public to leave, one-by-one, in a socially-distanced way at the end of the meeting.

Members of the public who feel unwell must not enter the building. You must return home and follow government guidance.

if you are in a vulnerable category, or over 70, you are advised that you enter this building at your own risk.

If members of the public do not feel comfortable attending a face-to-face meeting, they may submit any questions or comments in advance by noon on the day of the meeting to the key member of staff for that meeting.

The Parish council Planning committee meet at 7pm on Monday next in the Stanton Room. Members of the public are welcome to attend within the restrictions mentioned just above this notice.

» On April 26, Charlton Kings Parish Council received a petition signed by 127 residents stating that they oppose the proposed exercise path on Grange Field.

This is a a public response from the council because the names and contact details of the person(s) who organised the petition have not been provided so the council cannot respond to them directly.

It is felt that it might be helpful for the wider community to have sight of this communication.

» 1. The petition states that its signatories oppose the construction of the exercise path but does not include the reasons for this opposition. In order to engage actively in relation to the petition the council request those who signed it to let them know the reasons for their objections by contacting the Clerk (contact details below).

» 2. One of the Councillors has been holding small, informal face-to-face meetings (in line with current COVID-19 guidance) of up to 6 people to hear their concerns about the exercise path. If any residents would find it helpful to have such a meeting, they should contact the Clerk in the first instance (contact details below).

» 3. Through the council’s engagement with residents, it has become clear that there are some misconceptions about the proposed exercise path and the wider work of the Parish Council. There is a list of Frequently Asked Questions on the website which is intended to provide clarification on issues of importance to residents. This can be accessed at: charltonkingsparish council.gov.uk/grange-field-frequentlyasked-qu.html or a printout can be provided by the parish office for those who do not have access to the internet. It is intended to regularly update the FAQS in response to ongoing questions from local residents. If you have a question about the project, please contact the Clerk (contact details below).

» 4. A group of residents has provided some suggestions for an alternative design for the proposed exercise path. The council will be actively engaging with this group of residents to see if the existing path design might be improved.

» If you have any questions or comments in relation to the proposed exercise path on Grange Field, please contact the Clerk on clerk@ charltonkingsparish council.gov.uk or through the Parish Office on 01242 250087 or in person during its normal opening hours (10am2on each weekday)

» The Regency Probus Club has kept in touch with all members during the past year, with a weekly newsletter and also providing an invitation to a virtual Zoom presentation each week.

» They hope to restart meetings on Wednesday June 23 ( pandemic rules permitting) from 10am at Cheltenham Bowling Club.

The first meeting will be the Annual General Meeting followed by a program of talks arranged to the end of October.

» Some 10 years ago we rescued a small tortoise and gave him a home after many efforts to find his owner. Despite our garden being kept as secure as Fort Knox he managed to find a small weak spot and has been missing for a few days.

He has probably gone over to the grounds of St Edward’s school on the Cirencester Road or Sacred Hearts Church grounds.

If you see him wandering around please contact me at the number at the bottom of this page.

His name is Fred and he has a repair to his shell near his head and the number 67A in white on his back. We would be very grateful to have him home again. » Rose Ashton 01242 262042 ashton.r@btinternet.com

BISHOP’S CLEEVE

» Cleeve Common is the largest common in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The common is a conservation area and Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geology, habitats and botany and it contains a wealth of archaeological interest, including three Scheduled Monuments. It is looked after by Cleeve Common Trust, and this year the trust has joined the Giving Tuesday Movement, a means whereby supporters can give something back.

As a charity the Cleeve Common Trust does not receive any government funding or financial support, so if you feel you could help by joining the practical conservation team, contact conservation@cleevecommon.org.uk For information regarding other ways to support the trust and for future events on the common contact Parish Office, Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, 07471 687 877 – Ranger: 07756 828 458

» St Michael and All Angels is now closed for public worship until further notice. This decision was taken with sadness and reluctance. The church is still open for private prayer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 10am to 11am. For any information regarding St Michael’s and All Angels Church, contact admin.stmichael@ gmail.com

Biblewatch: www.facebook.com/ groups/stmichaelbishopscleeve/

Children’s Ministry: cafministry. stmichael@gmail.com. Or telephone 01242 673612

St Michael’s online services are continuing, reaching out to the community, especially the young. Sunday morning service 11.15am on St Michael’s Facebook page. Also now a list of events to include virtual pub nights, Urban Saints Zoom session for school years 4-8, home prayer sessions, as well as a Lenten Alpha course. For more information, contact Church Office, St Michael’s Centre, School Road, Bishop’s Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 8BA (telephone 01242 673612 or go online to the following addresses:

» www.facebook.com/groups/ stmichaelsbishopscleeve/

» www.stmichaelsbishopscleeve.co.uk

» www.achurchnearyou.com/ church/14402/

» You can take any foodbank donations to Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Office (next to Tesco’s car park) any Friday morning between 9am and noon. Thank you for your generosity supporting local people who don’t have the money and are really struggling to feed their families at this time. Please refer to the latest shopping list for further details of shortages on the donating food link at northcotswold.foodbank.org.uk and details for making monetary donations.

» Badham Pharmacy has a special collection point to tackle hygiene poverty in the UK.

Required donations include toiletries, female sanitary products, baby wipes, nappies and laundry products.

Tesco now has installed a foodbank drop-off station. The Co-op on the Green is also taking donations for the foodbank, and is now operating a system whereby you can donate monies to the foodbank charity.

Lidl Supermarket also has a foodbank collection point in store.

» There will be no table top sales at Denley Hall, Bishop’s Cleeve, until further notice.

» Bishop’s Cleeve Methodist Church Wednesday Fellowship – no meetings until further notice. For more information, call 01242 673612.

Your guide to everything that’s going on in your area

» Cleeve Ladies’ Probus Club – for any information about meetings in the current situation, contact 01242 529664.

» The Bishop’s Cleeve WI – for any information about meetings in the current situation, contact bishopscleevewi.org.uk or 01242 676647

» Gotherington, Woolstone and Oxenton WI – for any information about meetings in the current situation, contact 01242 317276 or go to gwowi. org.uk

» Bishop’s Cleeve Library – for any information, contact 01242 672217.

» Serious Scam warning. There is a gang operating in the area targeting the 50+ age group. They make contact by phone and pretend to be from ‘Safety Awareness in Cheltenham’ and connected to first responders. The service they purport to offer concerns safety alarm systems for your home and personal safety devices.

The matter has been reported to Gloucestershire police, who advise that you do not continue any conversation with them and do not invite them to your home, under any circumstances. Please contact the police 101 line or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report any incidents.

WOODMANCOTE

» Woodmancote Village Hall has been saved from closure. The chairman of the hall committee was delighted to announce that, due to a fantastic response to the public appeal for prospective committee members, the Woodmancote Village Hall executive committee has now been formed, with all four executive officer roles being filled. In due course the non-executive committee members will be co-opted and so the full committee will be formed. It will include deputy positions for each of the four executive officers and they will, if required, step into the executive roles, so succession is guaranteed.

So, our beloved village hall has been saved by you, the generous residents of this wonderful village. Thank you – Stephen Barnes, chairman at Woodmancote Village Hall Committee.

» Woodmancote Probus Club – all meetings cancelled due to the coronavirus until further notice.

» Woodmancote WI meetings cancelled due to coronavirus until further notice.

» Dog training classes, Woodmancote village hall – for information regarding this group in the present situation, contact 07830 247691.