Community News

Local charity Friends of the Cotswolds has launched a Heritage and Environment Fund.

Up to £2,000 is now available for projects that come under any of the following themes:

• heritage
• environment – both built and natural
• culture
• access
• social wellbeing

For any of the following organisations:

• Registered Charities
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
• Charitable Community Benefit Societies
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Parish and Town Councils

To find out more and to apply visit: https://friendsofthecotswolds.org/grant-application/

At its June meeting, the Town Council passed a motion supporting the 20’s Plenty for Gloucestershire Campaign.

The Town Council has written to Gloucestershire County Council calling upon them to provide a 20mph speed limits throughout Gloucestershire on streets where people live, work, shop, play or learn, with 30mph as the exception.

This follows a request by the Town Council to introduce a 20mph speed limit across the whole of Northleach. We understand that the request is now with the Gloucestershire Road Safety Team for review.

Separately the Town Council supported a request by residents to review the 40mph speed limit on the Fosse Way by the Old Prison. Unfortunately, the highways department has said there is “no justification” for a reduction in the speed limit in this location. We are making further enquiries to help understand the basis of this response.

On Thursday 6th June 2024, the people of Northleach came together to remember those who fought for our freedom on D-Day.

It was 80 years ago since the largest seaborne invasion in history took place. The battle for Normandy that followed would turn the tide of World War Two, and lead ultimately to the defeat of Germany and victory for the allies just under a year later, in May 1945.

The commemoration event at the War Memorial included the reading of the International Tribute by the Mayor and laying of a wreath by members of the Royal British Legion.

A local resident whose father had taken part in the Normandy landings lit the peace lantern. The lantern was then carried to the churchyard and used to light a beacon for Northleach, which had been kindly donated to the town by an anonymous benefactor.

We hope you enjoy the images below of this historic occasion.

Images below shared with kind permission of members of Northleach Photographic Group.

🌼 🦋 Northleach with Eastington Town Council is proud to be supporting No Mow May and Let it Bloom June again.

Following a successful trial last year, the Town Council is leaving certain highway verges unmown until the autumn again. By leaving verges to grow naturally, we can play our part in supporting nature and biodiversity.

Many flowering plants growing in road verges are cut before they can flower, set seed, and so their decline in numbers continues. Late mowing allows flowering plants to complete their reproductive life cycle. 

These areas may appear unkempt, but they provide important habitat for wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies. The humble dandelion, for example, is an abundant source of nectar in an environment where insect food sources are increasingly scarce.

But there is more than just dandelions in our local verges. In a survey carried out by volunteers last month, they found 30 different species of flower in bloom. A total 63 species of flowering plants have been recorded to date, 27 more than recorded last autumn. The list includes oxeye daisies, ladies bedstraw, and wild strawberry.

The verges have not been abandoned. They will be carefully managed and undesirable species such as thistle and common dock will be tackled if they get out of hand. There is also a possibility of sowing locally sourced wildflower seed later in the year to augment the native varieties still present in the soil, if it is agreed that nature needs a helping hand.

Additionally, it has been shown that wildflower verges encourage traffic to slow down. Flowers give important visual clues that motorists are entering a residential area, and create a visual narrowing of the road. Residents have told the council they are concerned about the speed of traffic in town, and this is a simple measure we can try which gives quick positive results.

A further benefit is the potentially reduced cost to us all as a community, paying for fewer un-necessary cutting operations and a consequent reduction in the fuel used and hence a reduced carbon footprint for the Town Council. A small part of the picture maybe but worth the saving we think.

‘Wildflower trial’ signs have been erected on the areas in the scheme, which include:

• West End opposite Jubilee Row
• Eastington Road
• East End from Short Hedges Close to Nostle Road
• East End adjacent to Potter Walk.

If there is a verge outside your property that is not currently in the scheme, but you would like to put it forward then please let us know.

For information on the No Mow May campaign please visit the Plantlife website.

Got any other questions or feedback? Please contact us.