Editorial

A letter from Eastington News

I was born 150 editions ago! Actually, I’m a re-incarnation of the original ‘Eastington News’ that enjoyed a long life in the last century but one, mentored by the local Temperance Society - but I digress...

I was born, as I say, in 1989, the 'issue' of a humble Parish Council Newsletter and a great need in the community at that time. The parish of Eastington was under the threat of development of 1000 houses and feelings were strong, so ‘weapons’ were needed! So I embodied the super-power of communication, which helped people to unite in their quest, and as a result the threat was vanquished.

My life as a newsletter has had it's ups and downs since then, but I have always been available as a focus for the voice of the community - a voice raised both in celebration and in defence. I’m still delivered to every household in the village and hamlets by my faithful volunteers, and I aim to keep us all informed of what is going on. I also provide a place to talk about what we value most in our parish life and how best to protect and maintain it - not always by resisting change, but by directing change towards what most of us would wish, most of the time.

A quick trawl through the memory banks of the 50 editions, since my last big birthday, highlights some recurring concerns; some celebrations of good times; and much inspiration.

Here, with all due apologies to those I fail to mention, is a quick round up:-

Some Perennial Concerns

Planning issues - always a concern. Some wins (e.g. Stroud Rugby Football Club); some disappointments (e.g. Swallowcroft extension); some good compromises (Millend Mill); lots acronyms (KER, DSS, SPA SDC, EIP, NDP, OAHN, ONS, CLT, etc etc) and the continuing highs and lows of the story of 'West of Stonehouse' (WoS). Together we are hoping to gain more control over all new developments via the Local and Neighbourhood Plans, and the new Community Land Trust - and your voice, especially in all the surveys that have taken place, will count, so I keep speaking up on this issue.

Traffic and parking - another difficult one, but some improvements have been made including speed limits; the build out at Bath Road and other projects to make life safer including the recent ‘Eastington Approaches to Reducing traffic Speed (EARS) group. Work continues, so keep on talking about it!

Flooding - many improvements made, largely based on our good communications.

Litter, fly tipping and dog dirt – it’s shameful how often the latter crops up. The Youth Group's litter picking exercises have helped a lot, and we must just keep on communicating our disapproval to those who would spoil our environment.

Regular celebrations of village life in the last 50 editions

Parish and District Councillors’ letters and information. Thanks to Ken Stephens, Muriel Bullock and all the councillors who have contributed.

The Spring and Autumn flower and vegetable shows - always a success. Thanks to Queenie Jones, all the team, those remembered in the trophies, and all the contestants.

Nature - thanks to 'Birder', Val Taylor, Val Hicken and all who have contributed in this area from time to time. We are lucky to have such richness and abundance around us.

Footpaths - thanks to Bill Edwards for keeping us aware of these tremendous assets.

Canal restoration - thanks to Ken Burgin for his regular updates on this exciting project, now about to transform our leisure facilities.

History - thanks to Steve Mills (and A E Keyes) for insights into our colourful history.

Faith - thanks to our two church leaders, Richard Amys and Ken Burgin for all their community work and inspirational words to their followers. We wish Richard well in his retirement.

Royal British Legion - sadly now no longer based in Eastington.

Eastington Primary school - thanks to Malcolm Strang, teachers, and pupils past and present.

Activities - thanks to all our regular contributors including Eastington Playgroup, Slimming World Jolly Joggers, Brownies, Bluebells, Severn Vale Rotary, Stroud Valleys/Severn Vale biodiversity projects and many others who have contributed at different times over the years.

And our annual village events - including the The Eastington Hose show - famous now for over 70 years , our May Day celebrations, the School Duck Race and many other seasonal celebrations.

I hope to continue to provide a forum for our parish for at least another 50 editions, both via the printed word and now through my evolving ‘self’ - Tweet and Follow me…..

Twitter https://www.twitter.com/eastingtonnews

@eastingtonnews

article deadlines, delivery dates, special events and more….

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/eastingtoncommunitynews

help us build a portrait of our village and hamlets

Sincerely yours,

Eastington Community News

Special celebrations in the last 50 editions

OHMG Community Centre - what a fantastic and hard won achievement by so many dedicated volunteers who still work hard to promote and manage it.

Snakey Lane Play Park - another great landmark achieved by determined volunteers.

The Allotments (TEAS) - what a long wait…what a huge success…and we have a pond!

The Community Orchard project (ECO group) and the new path through the Coneygree orchard. Have you tried the apple juice yet?

Our glorious Jubilee celebrations, and school pupils 'Cooking for the Queen'

New facilities for the School; the Village Hall; William Morris House; Orchard Lea - and the fish at Churchend Weir; and a proper village pub with the arrival of the Old Badger.

And, of course…’Vibrant Village of the Year’ Award in 2010.