Mayor's Column

2024 has certainly been a year of change. We have had elections at a local level and national level, changeable weather that has blighted us all year long, and regime changes and conflicts abroad which (despite the distance) are not at all far from our thoughts.

One thing that remains constant is our community spirit in Stroud; a strong foundation that supports us all. Our community hubs have been busier... Read More »

Let me start with the Goodwill Festival! Thank you to everyone who came, despite the threat of awful weather, and enjoyed a brilliant evening on Friday. The bad weather largely held off and it was a bustling evening across the town. Saturday saw some events postponed or moved, but much of the entertainment was able to go ahead. A huge thanks to the many who made the festivities happen - the volunteers... Read More »

At the time of writing, our Stroud Goodwill Festival is almost upon us and I am hoping that we get our umbrellas out (if needed) and make the event a huge success!

The week started brilliantly with a lovely letter from a gentleman who had visited Stroud for the first time in quite a while. He shared his account of the visit and how impressed he was. He particularly highlighted the fact that Stroud is... Read More »

This week I'm going to talk about many things festive; a nice break from the less exciting (but important) updates about Council business and budgets.

Firstly, I had the honour of speaking at the Christmas Tree Festival launch on Thursday evening at St Laurence's Church (next to The Shambles). The display is amazing! The theme this year is "Our World" and the different interpretations are both fascinating... Read More »

As elected councillors we need to make decisions of behalf of our Ward Members, when a Consultation isn't appropriate. Some times these are big topics to cover (such as a recent consultation from the Cotswolds Natural Landscape) and sometimes smaller (but no less important) local matters such as reviewing Licensing applications.

At our last Consultations and Highways meeting we reviewed the application... Read More »

On Sunday I had the honour of attending the Remembrance Sunday Memorial Service in Park Gardens, where the Mayor is the Sovereign's representative (in the absence of the Lord Lieutenant). We remember those who fought in the two World Wars and conflicts since, where the dominant message is a wish for peace.Park Gardens was well attended and the organisers and those in the parade did an excellent job.On... Read More »

Having missed a week (thanks to Helen, our CEO, who gave an update last week) I have updates from a fortnight to share…I had the honour of cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Coach House at the Stroud Valley Scout Group at the end of October. This space had been in a state of some disrepair for a little while and the refurbishment is amazing. It is clear how useful this space will now be,... Read More »

It was a pleasure to open the new Ducklings Toy Shop store on Saturday. Ducklings has relocated to a bigger store within the Five Valleys Shopping Centre from Union Street, where they were based when they first came to Stroud four years ago. Many towns have lost their toy shops, so we are very fortunate to have a strong, independent toy shop within our town; a business loved by young ones and adults... Read More »

"No two weeks are the same" is true of this week too.

Monday was the monthly Consultations & Highways Committee, where we not only reviewed current planning applications, but also were visited by two officers from the District Council who helped us understand how they process planning applications and more key elements to consider when reviewing them. The Town Council is consulted on many planning... Read More »

This week started with a meeting of the different organisations and groups who are working together to bring you Stroud Goodwill 2024.

There'll be old favourites and new things this year, with the Lantern Parade theme of One World, window displays (with a competition to vote for the best) that is Christmas themed, the fun fair is planned for Friday and Saturday, and a host of attractions being scheduled... Read More »