Volunteer for the National Trust in 2025

Posted on By Town Clerk

Message from the National Trust about the volunteer open afternoon:

As a rural location, the Cotswold Countryside Portfolio rely on a large number of skilled volunteers to make our places safe and accessible for all. We have a brilliant team of volunteers and we’re always keen to hear from more people who want to get involved.

If you’d like to help look after nature, for everyone, forever, and inspire millions more people to take action on climate issues, why not start in 2025?

We have an opportunity for budding volunteers to join us at a volunteer drop-in session on:

Sunday 9th March, 1pm – 3pm: Lodge Park, Sherborne Estate, GL54 3PP

We are recruiting indoor and outdoor guides, events volunteers, and marketing and communications volunteers – we’re also keen to hear from you if you would like to get involved in our work in any other way.

Find out more about volunteering and how to join our team at Lodge Park. You will have the opportunity to speak to our volunteers and members of staff to find out about the wide and varied range of roles you can volunteer for in the Cotswolds.

Come along and speak to us! We are actively looking for volunteers for this season at Lodge Park and we look forward to welcoming you there on 9th March.

Find out more

Notice of Co-option (One Vacancy)

Posted on By Town Clerk

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there is currently one vacancy in the Office of Councillor for Northleach with Eastington Town Council.

The Town Council is able to fill the vacancy by co-option, rather than a formal election process.

If you are interested in serving as a Town Councillor, you will need to complete and submit an application by 5pm on Monday 17 February 2025.  Supporting statements are encouraged, on no more than one side of A4, detailing why you would be interested in becoming a Town Councillor.

The application form is available from the Town Clerk. Completed forms should be submitted by email to the Town Clerk at clerk@northleach.gov.uk or by hand to The Westwoods Centre, Bassett Road, Northleach GL54 3QJ.

Candidates are reminded that, to be eligible for co-option on to the Town Council, they must satisfy the standard election qualification criteria.  Please contact Cotswold District Council’s Elections Team if you need any guidance on this aspect (phone 01285 623000 or e-mail elections@cotswold.gov.uk).

It is hoped that the co-option will be dealt with at the Town Council’s next meeting, on Wednesday 19 February 2025, 7pm at The Westwoods Centre.

Co-option Notice – February 2025

Northleach Casual Vacancy Application

Who are we and what do we do?

The Town Council is the level of local government closest to the community. As a statutory body, it exists to represent and support the local area. Our councillors are elected representatives who dedicate their time to addressing the issues that matter most to residents.

Northleach with Eastington Town Council has responsibility for many of the towns local facilities including allotments, burial grounds, bus shelters, defibrillators, playing field, and our community centre.

We also work with local community groups and liaise with the district and county councils on key matters such as road safety and planning applications.

For background information on becoming a councillor, please see the website of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).

Why join the Town Council?

Becoming a councillor is a fantastic opportunity to:

  • Represent the views of your neighbours.
  • Help maintain and enhance our town.
  • Influence decisions that impact our community.

No prior experience is needed, just enthusiasm and a commitment to doing your best in the interests of the local community. You’ll work as part of a team and receive support to fulfill your role.

Find out more

Please feel free to get in touch with any councillor for an informal chat about the work of the council. Councillor contact details are published on local noticeboards.

Residents are always welcome to see how the council works by coming to a meeting, which usually take place at 7pm on the third Wednesday of the month in the Westwoods Centre.

For assistance with the application process or any other questions, please contact clerk@northleach-pc.gov.uk.

Cricket Pitch Available – Opportunity for a New Team!

Posted on By Town Clerk

Northleach is seeking a 🏏 cricket team to bring life back to its cricket square. Following the cancellation of Minety & Northleach CC’s fixtures, the pitch is now available for use and offers a great opportunity for a new or established team to call it home.

What’s on offer?

  • A well-located cricket square with potential for matches or training sessions.
  • Free grounds fees for the first year as an incentive to get started.
  • Support from the local council and community to help revive cricket in Northleach.

What’s required?

  • Teams must provide their own equipment to maintain the square.
  • Commitment to keeping the pitch in use and building a local cricket presence.

This is a fantastic chance for a new club to form or an existing team to expand. There’s also the possibility of developing a junior team, with many local youngsters keen on the sport.

To learn more or express interest, please contact flam.wellman@northleach.gov.uk.

Let’s keep the cricketing spirit alive in Northleach!

Act quickly – if no interest is shown by June, alternative plans will be considered.

Image courtesy of Steve Dore.

Northleach Playgroup Appeal

Posted on By Town Clerk

We are sharing the following open letter on behalf of Northleach Playgroup:

Dear Northleach,

First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter. As you may have heard, our beloved Northleach Playgroup is facing a serious financial challenge. Due to rising costs and limited government funding, the Playgroup is at risk of closing its doors this Spring—unless we can raise a significant amount of money in a very short time.

The Northleach Playgroup is a vital part of our community, providing the only early years education for 2- and 3-year-olds in the area. It is a charity run by a dedicated team of five local staff members who are committed to providing the best care and education for our youngest residents at the most accessible prices for stretched working parents. Losing this invaluable service would have a devastating impact: many children would be left without access to early years education, working parents who are already finding it hard to make ends meet would have to give up jobs, and five highly qualified early years practitioners would lose their jobs.

It is no longer possible to provide this service on the meagre funding given by the government, as nurseries and playgroups across the country are experiencing.  We are asking parents to contribute more if they can, but we want to remain affordable to all Northleach parents.

To keep the Playgroup open for the remainder of the academic year – and to start to stabilize its finances for the long term – we urgently need to raise several thousand pounds. The committee is working tirelessly to reduce costs, organise fundraising efforts, and apply for grants to secure the Playgroup’s long-term future. But we cannot do this alone.  We would be so grateful of your support.

So, you may be wondering—what can you do to help?

  1. Make a Financial Contribution Any donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. Your support could be the key to keeping the Playgroup open. Here is a link to our funding page:- https://gofund.me/dcb442cb If you are able to contribute a larger donation (above £500) please use the bank details at the top of this letter. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could drop us an email to let us know about your donation.
  2. Help with Fundraising or Grant Applications If you have experience in fundraising or grant writing, your expertise would be invaluable to us. The committee is made up of parents with limited experience in these areas, so any support you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Please reach out via email if you are able to help.
  3. Spread the Word Even if you are unable to contribute financially, sharing our fundraising efforts with others in the community can have a big impact. Every bit of exposure helps us reach potential donors.

In addition, we will be holding an Emergency General Meeting on Thursday, 16th January at 7:30 PM in The Barn at The Wine Bar. Please join us to discuss how we can work together to save the Playgroup.

Thank you so much for your time, support, and generosity. Together, we can help ensure that Northleach Playgroup continues to be a nurturing and educational environment for our youngest community members.

Warm regards,
Northleach Playgroup Committee

Northleach Playgroup Open Letter – JAN 2025

Farewell to Geoff from Northleach Charter Market 🥕🧺

Posted on By Town Clerk

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Geoff Geen, marking the end of an era for JR Produce at Northleach. After more than 15 years of dedicated service to our community, Geoff’s family has decided to cease trading in Northleach and their last visits will be on Wednesday 15th and Wednesday 21st January.

On behalf of the Town Council and the residents of Northleach, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Julian and Robert during this difficult time. We are deeply grateful to Geoff and his family for their many years of hard work and commitment to the town. JR Produce has been an integral part of our market, and they will be much missed.

Help Us Trace the Stories Behind Our Memorial Benches

Posted on By Town Clerk

Over the years, Northleach’s cemetery and churchyard have become home to a wonderful collection of memorial benches. These benches offer a place for reflection, rest, and the enjoyment of our beautiful surroundings.

Each bench has a story to tell, holding the memory of loved ones or marking special moments in time. However, as time has passed, records of some of these benches and their donors have been lost. This means we no longer know who generously gifted many of these items to our community.

We are calling on residents and visitors alike to help us reconnect with the histories behind these benches. If you or someone you know donated a bench, or if you have information about who might have, we’d love to hear from you.

This is not just about restoring our records; it’s about honouring the memories and intentions behind each bench and ensuring their stories remain part of our shared heritage.

Knowing the stories behind the benches also allows us to contact families when a bench reaches the end of its life. While we will care and maintain the bench for as long as possible, time and weather inevitably take their toll. In these cases, we want to ensure donors and their families are informed and involved in any decisions about replacement or removal.

Please get in touch with us by emailing us on admin@northleach.gov.uk. Even the smallest bit of information might help us piece together the puzzle.

Thank  you very much for your help!