IT has been another busy year for Painswick Parish Council, which is again up to a full compliment of councillors who bring with them a variety of strengths and experience.

This is my second year as chairman and I wish to thank the two clerks who assist myself and the council and provide the necessary guidance.

The council is looking to overhaul the toilets in St Mary’s Street, which will see a unisex suitable for disabled use and include baby changing facilities.

Thanks to Carole Fuller we can now boast a large number of volunteer snow clearing wardens.

Following the closure of the Post Office, it now looks like we are near finding a solution, with the trustees of the Painswick Centre expressing an interest in setting up a Community Post Office. Neil Carmichael MP has visited Painswick and has promised that he will work with Post Office Ltd to provide replacements.

The pavilion on the recreation ground is being completely refurbished and the community library has now been open a year and is a great success. The opening was made official from a visit by HRH the Duke of Gloucester.

We welcomed the Rev Mike Holloway, who was inducted at a service in St Mary’s Church, as the new vicar of the Beacon Benefice.

In Sheepscombe they been busy fundraising and with the aid of a grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board, they’ve bought the Laurie Lee Field for Sheepscombe Cricket Club.

The Tourist Information Centre is moving into the Grave Diggers Hut, which when the works are completed should provide them with a permanent new home.

We have seen the setting up of a community market, which is hopeful of some grants to provide new stalls and expand.

I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in helping to keep this village so vibrant.