Archive | Homepage - Stroud News and Journal

On this day: Stroud Archive

Stroud Archive

• Squirrels lead to garden treasure

  A MINCHINHAMPTON man has been digging up buried treasure in his back garden with the help of a gang of squirrels. David Griffiths of Ollney Road has been unearthing valuable truffles for the past six years since he spotted squirrels burrowing into his lawn. Initially he thought they were furry vandals until he investigated their excavations a little more closely. "I was going down to fill up a hole which a squirrel had dug but I could see there was something strange in the bottom," he said. "I couldn't understand what it was and dug round it thinking I had got some treasure." He took the object indoors, washed off the dirt and looked it up in a book. It was then he discovered he had struck lucky after all. The valuable fungi, The English summer truffle, is a rare delicacy sold for around £1,000 a kilo but it only grows in a tiny corner of the Minchinhampton garden. "I imported some soil years ago and we also have a beech hedge nearby which is supposed to be favourable too," said Mr Griffiths. "Every now and again the squirrels dig a hole where they've found a truffle. "I believe they can smell the scent like just like a pig or a dog would." The biggest truffles the fungus hunter and his animal helpers have sniffed out are about 6cm in diameter. They have a black, warty casing which contains the spores. Once Mr David Griffiths has peeled them he buries the skin back in the garden in the hope that it will grow more of the precious fungi. But he has never sought to profit from the natural bounty and has developed quite a taste for the truffles. "We use them for cooking, grated onto scrambled eggs or with potato cakes," he said. "The eggs soak up the flavour of the truffles. They have a very distinctive taste which is hard to describe but they are delicious." William Beeston, owner of William's Kitchen delicatessen in nearby Nailsworth, said that while truffles were not common there were probably more about than most people suspected. "There's no great tradition in this country for looking for wild mushrooms and truffles," he said. "Whereas in the pine and beech woods of Italy and France it's almost an institution. "Some are harvested locally, though. "We stock wild mushrooms collected by Italian itinerant workers who have settled around here and know where to look." read more

• Archery evening really hits the spot

  THE sight of a bunch of men running around in tights is really too good to miss - so when the staff from the Stroud News & Journal were invited to take part in an evening of archery, the answer, especially from the female staff, was a resounding yes. But after being put through our paces by the Bowmen of Minchinhampton we soon realised just how serious a sport archery is. It wasn't tights that left us quivering that night. Archery requires strength and stamina and a few of us went home with some pretty spectacular bruises. "OK, the first thing you need to know is this is not a toy," said Ian Johnson, tournament secretary and 2nd class bowman as he held up an arrow. "This," he said, running his fingers across the razor sharp steel tip of the arrow "will hit your body at 120 mph if you get in its way." We all immediately stood back behind the safety line awaiting our instructions. We were kitted out with suitable bows and arrows. Jokes about Robin Hood and merry men abounded. Senior reporter Sam Bond had even brought along a Robin Hood hat to add authenticity to the occasion. Then it was time for the moment of truth. Was anyone going to be able to hit the target? "No, no, no, don't aim at the bulls eye," said Ian despairingly. "But...er, isn't that the whole point?" I spluttered. "Yes, but in order to hit the target you need to point somewhere else - try down there by the stand," he explained. Uh, oh, this was going to be harder than I thought. My first three arrows were embarrassingly off target. "Fantastic," said Ian. "But its miles off target," I wailed. "Yes but look how close they all are together. Now we can work on moving that little group further into the centre." I was warming to this man. The invention of the bow and arrow, the discovery of fire and the invention of the wheel have all been fundamental in the civilisation of man. Cave man used the bow and arrow to obtain food and protect himself, therefore elevating himself above beast. From the crude bows and arrows of the dark ages, the English longbow became established as a military weapon for the English armies between the 13th and 16th centuries. But by the mid 18th century, archery was found to have a convalescent quality and it was promoted as a healthy exercise, encouraged greatly by the Prince Regent, George, Prince of Wales. In August the Bowmen of Minchinhampton celebrated their 30 anniversary. The 35 members currently meet every Tuesday and Thursday to practice for competitions which are held all over the country every Sunday. The SNJ was invited along to one of the taster evenings down in Woodchester as a thank you for launching an appeal earlier this year for one of their members, Christine Chandler, a diabetic who desperately needed an insulin pump. The regular taster evenings allow people to try out the sport to see if they like it. Parties and corporate events can also be arranged. As the evening progressed, photographer Mark Watkins and Sam Bond had hit a couple of bulls eyes and their competitive natures were being stretched. Editor Skip Walker determined not to be left behind rolled up her shirt sleeves and we knew she meant business. Fred Ashworth who has coached archery for Great Britain was well impressed by the skills of SNJ advertising manager Margaret Chandler. "She's such a natural. Look at how easily she connects with the target, he said. Right, time to take this a bit more seriously I thought. But as hard as I tried there was just something odd about pointing the arrow in completely the opposite direction to the bulls eye. While we waited our turn, Fred explained how he got hooked on the sport after going along to a meeting of the Bowmen of Minchinhampton in 1976. He started training as a coach in 1979. "It doesn't matter how often you shoot the target, you are always looking for that perfect shot," he said. Barry Liles the treasurer saw an ad in a shop window in 1983. He was self-employed and working from home. He was looking for a hobby to get him out of the house. "It was either archery or gliding and gliding looked a bit boring," he said. The sport is mentally challenging as well as physical and requires a huge commitment. "There's no time for any other sport if you do this," said Barry. He believes people are at their peak in archery at the age of 25 but sees no difference between men and women in the sport. "The people who shoot well do tend to be strong though." he said. Over in the corner, the competition was hotting up between Sam and Mark. They were almost neck and neck and each was determined to win. But they were being challenged by Margaret's fianc Paul Fincher. "If you do a bad shot you can't blame anyone but yourself," said Keith Parsons, a coach who first got interested in the sport after seeing a TV programme on archery. He went along to a session, loved it and has been committed ever since. Meanwhile Barry was worried about me. "You need a bit of sorting out. Your body and your hands need repositioning," he said. Frankly I couldn't see I was ever going to get the hang of it. But then all of a sudden - bingo. After a few pointers I was hitting bulls eyes but not enough to catch up. Mark took first place with a score of 308, Paul came second with 305 and Sam was in third place with 304. Skip who scored 284 putting her in fourth place pointed out she was the best of the women on the night and we all agreed - she is the editor after all. But nothing is without a price. Both Sam and Skip arrived in the office proudly displaying huge bruises on their arms the next morning muttering words along the lines of "all worth it...good fun, must go again." It was a good evening out. Sam is tempted to take it up as a sport. But me? I was relieved to have hit the target at all so I'll quit while I'm ahead. read more

• Festival showcases the best

  A PERMANENT cinema may yet be a little way off for Stroud but those yearning for a concentrated taste of the silver screen should make their way to the Subscription Rooms next weekend. The third Cotswold International Film Festival has again attracted entrants from all over the world and the pick of the best will be on show on Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14. The festival is publicised around the world and this year received 126 entries from 19 different countries. There will also be local talent on display, with Chalford animator Rupert Lewis Jones scooping a silver trophy award for The Failed Magician as well as work from a number of amateurs from Cheltenham and Gloucester. HTV newsreader Peter Rowell will be coming to the Saturday showing to present awards to the prize winners. The programme on Saturday will showcase the top award-winning films while Friday will see the best of the rest, as well as three of the top films. Festival organiser Lee Prescott, from Stonehouse, says the content of the films is a varied as their creators' addresses. Light hearted comedies will rub shoulders with serious documentaries and there is even an erotic movie, Passion Fruit, which substitutes food for sex. German drama Steins Abschied wins the award for best film overall and tells the story of a teacher. Nature documentary Pelicans of Guana takes the Jessops Award, cleverly setting this bird ballet to music. Another natural history film, Antarctic Viewpoints, has won the PSA Gold Medal for best Photography while British film Two Days in September, charting the reaction to and aftermath of the September 11 attacks, wins the award for best sound. Tickets for the Friday event cost £2.50 while Saturday's show cost £3.50 with concessions at £1.50 on both nights. Doors open at 7pm on both evenings. Tickets are available from the Stroud Tourist Information Centre on 01453 760900. read more

• Our pupils will be safe

  CHILDREN returning returning to school this week will be safe despite 260 outstanding criminal record checks on teachers and other staff, Gloucestershire County Council has assured parents. County Cllr Ruth Sheppard, portfolio holder for education for children and young people assured parents that the safety and protection of pupils was the council's most important priority. "The checks that the Criminal Records Bureau carry out are one of a number of important precautions that take place before any new staff start at our schools," she said. "Other steps include carrying out checks on employment references, confirmation of identity, qualifications and experience, medical fitness and asylum and immigration checks. "We believe these precautions will make sure that the new school year will begin in a positive manner and we have not been advised of any school that will have to close or send children home but schools will obviously advise parents if the situation changes," added Cllr Sheppard. And she had the following advice for head teachers: "Teaching staff moving to Gloucestershire from another local education authority should be allowed to begin teaching provided that all other checks have been completed. "Newly qualified staff or people who have had longer than a three month break from teaching, can begin work as long as head teachers can secure adequate supervision and there is no one-to-one contact with pupils. Viv Warren, head teacher of Archway School and chairman of Gloucestershire's Association of Secondary Head Teachers commented. "It is crucial that we take care of our children but it is important to get students into the classroom. We can, I believe, do both. " The county council's approach is sensible and pragmatic. It allows us to effectively manage staff whilst also taking sensible precautions to protect the safety of children." read more

• Eccentric property tycoon dies

  AN ECCENTRIC property tycoon who lived a life of relative poverty has died in Stroud. Ken Hooper owned an estimated £17 million worth of property in and around the town including a number of the shops in Gloucester Street and the High Street. Originally he made his money as a bookie and garage owner running the King and Hooper's betting shop at the bottom of Gloucester Street and a filling station just around the corner. But it was through shrewd investment in the property market that he made his fortune. Despite his widely acknowledged wealth, however, Mr Hooper pursued a thrifty lifestyle. "He was one of the last characters of Stroud," said Mike Williams, a district councillor who remembers him well. Although not short of a couple of bob, Mr Hooper often seemed uncomfortable about spending his money. "I remember him coming into the Conservative Club one night back in the '70s when a pint of beer has just gone up to a pound," said Cllr Williams. "He said, 'That'll be the last time you see me in here' and he completely stopped going to pubs because he wasn't prepared to pay a pound for a pint. "And before Tesco opened 24 hours you'd see him there just before it shut buying all the things that had money knocked off." He was, however, a good landlord and preferred to see his properties occupied than to charge a high rent. Mr Hooper died last Wednesday at the Southfield residential home where he had spent the last years of his life. read more

• Penalty and quality goal are just too much for Rovers

  Nationwide Conference Forest Green Rovers 0, Chester City 2 THIS match against one of the Conference's favourites was always going to be a tough task for Forest Green. Chester lined up with a very impressive strike duo of Michael Twiss and Mark Beesley and it was the latter that was the star with two first half goals. In his last game as boss, Nigel Spink employed a formation of 4-5-1 and this was against a team who had not conceded a goal yet this term. Neil Grayson was the lone man up-front and Alex Meechan was used in an attacking midfield role and he supported the former Cheltenham Town forward whenever he could. However Chester's defence, which included former Rovers star Wayne Hatswell, stood firm and soaked up everything in the first-half. Chester took the lead after half-an-hour when they were awarded a penalty-kick. A free-kick was awarded on the edge of the box after a push in the back by Lee Russell. City's influential captain Jimmy Kelly stepped and his driven shot was handled in the wall by Rovers' Martin Foster and the penalty was awarded. Mark Beesley stepped up and confidently rolled the ball into the net past Rovers keeper Steve Perrin. Four minutes later Grayson had Rovers' best chance of the first-half. A long ball was mis-judged by the City defence and Grayson found himself one-on-one with keeper Wayne Brown. But the ball would not drop quick enough and Grayson headed the ball into the hands of the impressive stopper. However, the match was over as a contest when Beesley hit his second goal a minute before half-time - and what a goal it was. The striker ran the ball down the right wing and kept going into the area. He played a superb one-two with strike partner Twiss and Beesley continued his run and swept a left-footed shot past Perrin. This was a goal of true quality and in all fairness to Rovers, not much could be done about it. The two strikers showed their class and the goal was a delight to watch. Kayode Odejayi, who has been signed on a non-contract basis, came on at half-time and the formation changed to 4-4-2 with Meechan now on the right. Odejayi made a difference with his strength and pace but he could not do anything to start a comeback. The second-half performance was much improved on the first but Chester City showed that they will be near the top-of-the-league at the end of the season if their strikers stay fit and they continue to play like that. read more

• Police stop mum on way to dying son

  A MOTHER rushing to the side of her dying son has complained that police prevented her from reaching him when he collapsed at home. Pensioner Shirley Eaton, from Painswick, was stopped, questioned and breathalysed as she drove through Stroud in the early hours of Monday, August 12. At 1.20am she had received a call from her daughter-in-law after her son, Jonathan, who had cancer of the larynx, started haemorrhaging seriously. Mrs Eaton was needed to take care of the couple's nine-year-old twin sons while their parents went to hospital. She set off for their Nailsworth house but as she left Stroud on the A46 a police car pulled her over. It was manned by a police constable and a WPC. Mrs Eaton said: "I jumped out of the car and said I was in a panic to get to Nailsworth. "I had to look after my grandsons who were distressed after seeing what happened to their father and could not be left on their own. "There was little time to spare because Jonathan had already lost two or three pints of blood. "The male police officer asked if I had been drinking. "I said I had taken a drink at about 11pm before I went to bed, without knowing I would be driving at 1.30am. "In no way was I drunk or behaving in a disorderly fashion. "I begged the officer to follow me to Nailsworth or take me in his car, but he showed little compassion for my situation. "He seemed determined to take all my details and breathalyse me at the side of the road though I asked him to do it after we got to Nailsworth." Mrs Eaton was allowed to continue her journey after a 15 to 20 minute delay. Her son died in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Thursday, August 15. "This incident has made me lose faith in the police force," she said. "Where do compassion and understanding come in? "I was later visited by Inspector McGarry, who told me the officer involved had said I was speeding. "I wasn't speeding because I was scared I would have an accident. It was so awful." Police spokesman Steve Partridge said police visited Mrs Eaton to offer condolences and explain their practices. She was stopped, he explained, because she had a faulty brake light and was believed to be speeding. She admitted she had been drinking so she was given a breath test. Mr Partridge said: "The first priority of the police in relation to motoring offences is the safety of road users. "Mrs Eaton was stopped for the minimum time necessary to carry out the testing process and satisfy themselves there was no danger in letting her continue. "Police will always try to take into account personal circumstances but have a duty to ensure road safety." read more

• Addison is new manager

  FOLLOWING negotiations over the past 48 hours, club chairman Trevor Horsley is pleased to announce Colin Addison as Forest Green Rovers' new first-team manager. The club has agreed a two-year contract with Addison and he will start his new post at The Lawn today. The Rovers board had several high quality candidates who expressed an interest in the position, but the board was unanimous in their decision to appoint the very experienced manager. The 62-year-old is experienced at all levels of football and this will provide Rovers with a big boost and will hold the club in good stead for the remainder of the campaign. Addison, who was a former boss of Hereford United and Yeovil Town, has recently been assistant manager at Newport County. Horsley said: "He is under no illusion of the task ahead and he will have the full support of everybody at the club. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Newport County for their assistance in bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion." The new man at the helm definitely possesses the qualities that Rovers need in a manager if they are to get out of their recent run of bad form. Addison started his managerial career as player-manager at Hereford United and had success in both league and cup campaign. He has also been manager of Athletico Madrid and Celta Vigo in Spain and returned to Britain to take charge at a number of clubs including Swansea City and Scarborough. For last night's game at Burton Albion, Nigel Spink's assistant Paul Birch was given the role of taken over first team affairs. read more

• New vicar arrives right on time

  THE new vicar of Nailsworth has heard all the jokes ever told about birds and worms. He is the Rev Stephen Earley, former lawyer and father of six, who was collated at a special ceremony in Nailsworth last Tuesday. He replaces the Rev David Strong who retired from the parish last October. Around 380 people, including the Bishop of Gloucester and the Archdeacon of Cheltenham, turned up to honour the new arrival at St George's Church. Mr Earley, 54, said: "The place was jam packed. The people of Nailsworth have been very welcoming." No stranger to the Five Valleys, Mr Early was a solicitor with Scott and Co, John Street in Stroud for 15 years and also knows Nailsworth fairly well. "It's a brilliant place. It seems to be thriving," he said. "It has lovely shops, a nice atmosphere and a wonderful church. "My family and I have strong links to the area and it's great to be back." Mr Earley's wife Helen works for the National Blood Service in Gloucester. They have six children aged between 17 and 33 and it was after the birth of their fourth child that Mr Earley decided to go into the church. "It was something I was called to do," he explained. Since he was ordained he has worked at Holy Trinity, Stroud and St Christopher's, Warden Hill in Cheltenham. He takes over the newly united benefice of All Saints', Shortwood and St George's, Nailsworth and also has responsibility for Horsley and Kingscote. Living up to his name, Mr Early will hold Sunday services in Nailsworth at 9.30am. read more

• McDonald's row is still rumbling on

  AN AMENDED proposal for a McDonald's in Stroud will be resisted by the town council. The council's planning committee objected to new restaurant plans at their meeting last Wednesday. It refused to support the firm's proposal for Rowcroft Retreat - currently a taxi feeder street - to be used by pedestrians heading down to the restaurant. Cllr Deborah Sutherland, committee chairman, said: "We don't give this proposal our blessing because we don't think it's safe." In February Stroud District Council granted McDonald's planning permission for an outlet at Merrywalks with a condition that Rowcroft Retreat should be closed to all vehicles. Last month taxi drivers won the right to continue using the street and McDonald's then submitted the amended application. The changed plan proposed that a 6ft-wide green strip for pedestrians should be painted on the road. The district council is due to consider the application at its planning meeting on Tuesday, September 10. Cllr Bernard Brown, who supports the idea of a McDonald's for Stroud, said: "I'm in favour of McDonald's but I'm not in favour of that strip. "It isn't a reasonable footpath." COUNCILLORS did not act illegally by voting for a McDonald's for Stroud, protestors have been told. Town residents called for a judicial review of the decision made by the district council in February. But lawyers advised campaigners Rowan Burrough and Steve Penny that the process was not unlawful. Mr Penny said: "Our argument was that the council ignored the Highways Authority, who condemned the development as unsafe without the provision of pedestrian access from the town centre. "Because pedestrian access is to be provided, the court is unlikely to find the Highways Authority was ignored." He added, however: "We are still against McDonald's on ethical and environmental grounds." *Anyone who wishes to comment on the amended planning application for a McDonald's restaurant at Merrywalks should write before September 9 to: John Langmuir, Planning Dept, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Stroud, Glos GL5 4UB, quoting reference S.01.1615/1616. read more

• Residents cam give views on Iraq attack

  A MEETING has been organised in Stroud next week to give people the chance to have their say on the possibility of an invasion of Iraq. The meeting will be held at The Space in Lansdown on Monday, September 9 at 7pm. "We hope to draw up a resolution which we can present to both our MP and the Prime Minister," said Alan Thornhill, one of the organisers. The event will be an open forum and everyone will be given a chance to speak up and air their views, whatever they may be. "It will cover questions of our own national interests and also local interest," said Mr Thornhill. "With Fairford air base so close we could make ourselves a prime target if we participate." He said he personally hoped the forum would agree that it did not want to see this country participate in an attack. "In the interests of humanity generally we don't want to see another war in the Middle East," he said. "At the moment the Prime Minister seems set against joining American president George Bush's campaign to topple Saddam Hussein. "Tony Blair needs to know that the country will not be behind him if he does go along with the attack, however reluctantly. "It seems he has helped to stay Bush's hand so far but now it's coming to the crunch," Mr Thornhill added. He said people might be surprised what small groups around the country could achieve simply by making a stand. "As democrats we've got to come out and make it clear where we stand as a population," he urged. "We have more power than we think when we come down to it." read more

• Five Valleys Walk anniversary celebration

  THE Five Valleys Walk celebrates its 15th anniversary this month and takes place slightly earlier in the year than in the past. The Meningitis Trust's fund raiser will be held on September 22 to tie in with the charity's awareness week. The circular route takes in all five of the Stroud Valleys and participants can tackle the whole 21 miles or more manageable sections, with Stagecoach running a free shuttle service back to Stroud from various points along the way. For the first time there will be a special fete where walkers can rest their weary feet. "As a thank you to all our supporters and to celebrate our 15th anniversary of this event we're holding a fete on Minchinhampton Common so that walkers can have some entertainment while enjoying a well-earned rest during the day," said the Meningitis Trust's Kate Walker. "For the first time this year we are also offering prizes to those individuals and groups that raise the most money." Meningitis is often seen as a disease that only affects children and the young but the Stroud-based charity is currently trying to get out the message that anyone can catch it. The special awareness week runs from September 22 to September 29. Over the last 14 years the walk has raised over £500,000 for the trust, with £45,000 brought in from last year's event alone. Entry forms for the walk are now available by calling 01453 768000 or by e-mailing paulaudritt@meningitis-trust.org Registration costs £3 for individuals or £8 for a family if paid in advance or £5 and £10 on the day. read more

• Spink sacked

  FOREST Green Rovers manager Nigel Spink has been sacked by the club after his side lost their fifth straight match of the new campaign. And former Hereford United boss Colin Addison has been appointed the new manager of the club. Spink's future looked bleak when Rovers went into Saturday's half-time interval two goals down and the possibility of a comeback was never really on the cards. Half an hour after the final whistle was blown, Rovers chairman Trevor Horsley announced the news, he said: "We just had a meeting with Nigel Spink and we explained the situation to him and the club has terminated his contract forthwith." Even though Rovers are yet to earn a league point, Horsley stated that the decision was also based on performances at the end of the last season. "He has been with us for two years and he did a reasonable job in his first year. "But over the last 15 games we have lost 11, drawn two and won two. That gives us eight points out of a possible 45 and that's relegation material." Despite the results, Horsley said: "Nigel was obviously very disappointed. He's been a good servant to the club. "He worked hard but a lot of the players he wanted this year and who we gave him permission to bring in, have let him down in certain terms this year. "We have worked tirelessly to get the club where we are and we thought that, to give somebody the opportunity to come in and rectify the situation, we have to give them some time." Horsley added: "We're a team with no confidence whatsoever. "It is desperate, but we'll be working hard to put it right. We've got a lot of good players at the club, on paper, probably the best Forest Green Rovers squad we've ever had." read more

• Walkers called to keep hold of cash

  AN ANIMAL lover from Stroud is calling on hikers planning to take part in the Five Valleys Walk to put on their boots but keep their cash. Every year the walk raises thousands of pounds for the Stroud-based Meningitis Trust but Ron Birch, who lives at the Top of Town, is urging people not to give the charity any more money until it changes its policy on animal experiments. He believes many people do not realise the Meningitis Trust still uses animals in its research. Every year the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NVAS) publishes a Good Charities Guide which lists medical charities that refuse to use animal experiments. The society points to a whole range of medical advances that have come without animal experiments, such as the link between smoking and cancer and the introduction of beta blockers to control blood pressure. "This year's guide lists almost a hundred illness-related charities which do not carry out experiments on animals," said Mr Birch. "These include well-known names like British Polio Fellowship, RNIB, RNID and the Stroke Association. "However, the guide also lists 49 charities which persist in using animals for research and the Meningitis Trust is one of them. "I know lots of people enjoy the Five Valleys Walk and I hope they continue to do it because it is fun and good exercise," he said. "But I also hope they refuse to give a penny to the Meningitis Trust until it publicly and permanently renounces the use of animals in its research. "People should also be aware that the Meningitis Trust is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities which lobbies for fewer safeguards for animals used in research." Philip Kirby, chief executive of the trust, told the News & Journal that less than ten per cent of its medical projects used animal experiments and only 20 per cent of its annual income was spent on research. "As an organisation involved in medical research we are subject to strict government guidelines concerning the use of animals in research," he said. The bulk of the Meningitis Trust's resources was, he said, spent on supporting people whose lives had been devastated by the disease. He said the trust supported the development of vaccines, which are the only effective way to prevent death and disability from meningitis. "It would be a great shame for the charity, the local area and all those participants who have selflessly been raising sponsorship for the Five Valleys Walk if this year's event was damaged by this adverse publicity," he said. "The Meningitis Trust has never withheld information from the public about its medical research practices, 90 per cent of which do not involve animals at all." read more

On this day: Stroud Archive