Dear all,
We were all set to send out a newsletter last Saturday, alerting you all to the various events planned for November, but just before sending it out news came of the second lockdown.
We have therefore ended up deleting much of what we were going to say, and have tried to incorporate what may be more relevant to the community.
Coronavirus Helpers Initiative
Once again with the new lockdown rules, we’re aware there are people struggling within our community. If you would like to volunteer your services to help your neighbours who are unable to get out and about, please click on the “I AM VOLUNTEERING” button on Minchlife website. Your data will be stored only until this service ends, and once it is deemed by the Government that the outbreak is over, will be deleted. If your circumstances change going forward, please email info@minchlife.com and ask for your data to be removed from the volunteers list.
If you need assistance from a volunteer at any time, please click on the “I NEED HELP” button on the website. Your data will be treated with the same confidentiality as above.
When we receive a request for help, we inform individually by email the nearest 10 volunteers geographically. The first to respond will be passed the contact details of the person in need.
Please note, this is the total extent of our involvement in this transaction. We will put a person in need in touch with the nearest volunteer that can help. We are in no way responsible for the behaviour of a volunteer.
Please note the phone line will be open daily Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 1 pm. Answerphone other times.
07307 155119 MCRG Mobile
01453 889004 – Anglican Church Office
Baptist Church 01453 886997
Email – minchcrg@gmail.com
More work is being done on the MinchLife website – Virtual Gardens and Made in Minch – so do take a look and tell your friends about the site. We welcome anyone putting or sending us News items.
COMMUNITY NEWS:
Horsfall House
Sadly many of you will have heard that Horsfall House has a number of patients and staff who have tested positive for Covid 19. Everybody is working very hard to maintain as normal a service as possible and more information will be posted on the websites when it becomes available. A recent update has been put on our website today.
Remembrance 2020:
Prior to lockdown being announced, we were sent the following message from the Parish Council/Royal British Legion. We are unsure whether the ceremony will still go ahead. Please check our website for confirmation.
On Remembrance day Wednesday, 11th November at 11.00 am, nominated officers will gather at the Memorial Cross in a “Bubble” of 6 for a short service and act of Remembrance. Representatives of Local Organisations who traditionally lay poppy wreaths during the act are invited to lay their wreaths on completion of the short service. They must gather behind and socially distanced from the official party. Members of the general public are at liberty (Covid 19 rules at the time permitting) to gather behind the Local Organisations wreath layers.
Everyone present at the Act of Remembrance on Wednesday, 11th November must wear masks and maintain the socially distancing rules current at that time.
The High Street will not be closed to traffic and attendees should proceed with due caution.
The Long Table / Community Freezer “Keith” in Minchinhampton
The Long Table is a community food hall based at Unit 1, Brimscombe Port supporting community food hubs and local supply chains around Gloucestershire. As a team they are helping food return to the centre of the community – their website is well worth looking at to find out more. https://www.thelongtableonline.com/ If you’re able to help with food donations, no matter how big or small, you can email Long Table at hello@thelongtableonline.com
The Long Table is building a network of Pay As You Feel freezers across our county. They have 16 new locations up and running or in the pipeline – one of which is “Keith the community freezer” at the Hub in Tobacconist Road where you can obtain a delicious range of take away meals. You can read more about this on the Minchlife website here but Keith will be open on Wednesday mornings between 9.30 and 10.30 am at the Hub.
Due to lockdown there is also a “Keith on wheels” option for those who can’t make it to Keith but need some meals. Each meal costs £3.80 to produce but this is on a pay what you can basis – they are for everyone in the community. Telephone 07748 620474 for further details. Meals change weekly and are for one person – meals such as vegetable curry, sausage and mash, pork hotpot etc.
Minchinhampton Community Library:
Minchinhampton Community Library is now closed for the duration of the second lockdown. A decision will then be made by the trustees on when it will reopen, guided by government advice. To check the situation please refer to the library website – https://mclt.org.uk – or go and look at the notice on the library door.
In the meantime, no fines will be charged for overdue books, but you can return them by putting them through the door.
Minchinhampton Market House:
Lockdown over the past few months has provided the Trustees of Minchinhampton Market House the opportunity to undertake a major refurbishment both outside and inside of the Grade2* listed building. The work has included new guttering, repairs to the roof and coving and windows repaired and decorated. This work could not have been carried out without the support of the residents of Minchinhampton who responded to a local appeal, and donated over £15,000 towards the costs. The Trustees wish to acknowledge their generosity and thank them by listing their names on boards which will be displayed in the entrance hall. Inside the Hall there has been a total refurbishment of the entrance hall and stairs. The main hall sprung floor has been stripped and re-polished. Wi-fi is now available both in the Hall and the Undercroft.
There is always work to be carried out on a building of 1698, so what is next? The Trustees wish to improve the Undercroft by levelling and replacing damaged flagstones providing more lighting and power, to ensure that the space is as welcoming as the rest of the Market House. So fund-raising continues.
LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS:
Please remember these days are very difficult for everyone and our local businesses need your support now more than ever.
M & B Stores, Market Square
Open as now and offering deliveries. The staff are glad to help those self-isolating. Contact Brian with your requirements by emailing mbstoresminch@gmail.com or phoning 883265.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7.30 am – 6.00 pm
Saturday: 7.30 am – 5.00 pm
Sunday: 8.00 am – 3.30 pm
The Crown, High Street
Closing from Thursday with heavy hearts. More information will be published on website. Just been listed in the Good Beer Guide!
Henrys, Market Square
In the midst of planning to ensure that they can continue to serve the community.
It is likely that they will return to a time collection time slot arrangement as in previous lockdown.
The Kitchen, High Street
Will be open 8 am – 4 pm Monday to Saturday. Takeaways on door. Menu will be produced.
L Taylor & Sons, West End
Open with sales from the door as present. Christmas orders can be sent by email to:
taylorsxmas@outlook.com
Do include any questions in your emails, they are hopeful this new system will save people the trouble of trying to get through on the phone.
Stafford Cottage Boutique, High Street
Will be closed during lockdown but plan to open Tuesday and Wednesday this week as normal. It is planned to put more accessories and gifts on to their website with free delivery within the Minchinhampton area (check terms and conditions. www.staffordcottage.co.uk. Email.staffordcottage@hotmail.co.uk
The Weighbridge, Longfords
Bake at home pies will continue through lockdown as before and a few tables left for Wednesday the last day before lockdown. Tel: 01453 832520.
STROUD DISTRICT NEWS:
Christmas gifts for children:
Every year hundreds of families in the Stroud District are supported by providing new free Christmas gifts for children. This year they are expecting the need to be greater than ever and are joining forces with Stroud District Foodbank to provide gifts and vouchers alongside food hampers to 500 children. To be able to do this they need your support, if you would like to help please see the different ways you can do this on the website: https://www.strouddistrictkidsstuff.org.uk/christmas-appeal
Westonbirt Fair:
For the many people that usually support Westonbirt Fair every year do visit their Virtual Fair at https://westonbirtfair.org/ between Saturday 24th October and Sunday 29th November. All the exhibitors will be featuring their unique ware and there will be lots of Christmas gift ideas. When ordering items from the exhibitors please remember to add WSF beside your name so that charities such as Home-start Gloucester and Stroud benefit. In this way the exhibitor knows that you are a supporter and will donate 10% of the order to the Charities. This does not affect the price you pay in any way.
Local Plan:
In August 2020, the Government published a consultation document which proposed changes to the way the Government calculates the minimum housing requirement for each local authority area in the country. This revised standard method has proposed increasing the requirement for Stroud District from the level set out in the 2019 Draft Local Plan of 638 homes per annum, to 786 homes per annum. If this new revised method is confirmed, a revised Draft Local Plan may have to identify further land within the District for housing. Current monitoring indicates that we may have to find land for an additional 1,050 – 2,400 homes between now and 2040. Stroud District Council is therefore consulting on additional housing options and sites, which could be brought into the emerging Local Plan, if required. The Council would also like your views on whether and how a reserve housing supply should be identified, in case any of the Local Plan’s site allocations were to fall short on delivering the numbers of homes expected.
Due to the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, this consultation will be based primarily online using an online questionnaire. Below you will find links to the consultation document, background documents, and an audio-visual presentation. Please note the consultation will close on Wednesday 16 December 2020.
https://www.stroud.gov.uk/environment/planning-and-building-control/planning-strategy/stroud-district-local-plan-review
LOCAL CLUB NEWS:
Stuart Singers:
The Stuart Singers have produced the following video. They also plan to do three more videos before Christmas as they continue to remain unable to sing together for the foreseeable future.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jc7Bc6NdxLriJ00WeIxOKkzQu0DXSfGv/view?usp=sharing
LOCAL EVENT NEWS:
Joe Buckley has been doing a lot of work on the Minch Life website. There is now a new section under the Events’ Calendar for Weekly Events by the day as well as the usual other events’ Calendar (which includes one-off specials as well as regular group events that are held less frequently than every week). At the moment the weekly events consist chiefly of exercise classes, the market, Horsfall House charity shop and the library – but due to the second lockdown these events obviously are no longer taking place.
Tai Chi – postponed classes
We have received a message from Joe May. He will be starting up again as soon as lockdown lifts. He will also be contacting everyone who had booked places on the two slots of 7 am and 10 am Fridays. Two full groups. He will be offering them all an online version.
Wednesday, 4 November 2020. 6.30 pm or 8.15 pm. Fireworks’ Party at Burleigh Court Hotel. £15 per person. Bookings 01453 883804.
Monday, 9 November 2020. 7.00-9.00 pm. Parish Council Planning Meeting (Virtual). Members of the public wishing to watch the meeting should email the Parish Clerk to request joining details.
Wednesday, 11 November 2020. 11.00 am Remembrance Service, Memorial Cross. (awaiting confirmation)
Monday, 30 November 2020. 7.00 – 9.00 pm Full Parish Council Meeting (Virtual). Members of the public wishing to watch the meeting should email the Parish Clerk to request joining details.
After Lockdown:
Saturday, 5 December 2020. 9.30 am -12.30 pm Makers Craft Market, Market House, High Street
Saturday, 5 December 2020. 11.00-11.50 am. Coffee Time concert at Holy Trinity Church. Booking essential. This concert is now fully booked, but you can reserve tickets for a second sitting at 12.15 here https://buytickets.at/musicatminch/430853
The Artisan Pop Up Market at the Undercroft which was due to be held in November may or may not be rescheduled before Christmas. Please check our events diary after lockdown.
In the meantime please do look up these talented local makers as they have some unique gifts to offer you this Christmas:
Hughug
Starlingpots
Galina Gardiner Artist
Soap folk
Fern_cottage_studio (Carol Honess)
Stephen Baxter Art
Sarah Hardaker (Textiles & Design)
Nicki Schmiegelow Knitted Textiles
Do get in touch if you would like us to add anything to our Newsletters or if you see any omissions or alterations. Please remember to use our new email address, info@minch.life.com as the old one no longer exists.
Janet Chamberlain/Anne Parry
info@minchlife.com
