SNJ reporter Saul Cooke-Black looks back at news from across the decades.

1966

MESSAGES were recorded on a tape in Randwick and sent across the world to the village’s namesake in Australia.

An Australian fruit canning company organised the scheme to reinforce the close links between Randwick, Stroud and Randwick in New South Wales.

The chairman of Randwick parish council and the vicar, the Rev Morrison, explained their personal links with the Australian municipality on the recordings.

The recordings were to be sent to Australia and played at St Jude’s Church or at a meeting of the church council.

A PROPOSAL to re-open a petrol station in Lansdown, Stroud, was rejected by planning officers.

Supporters of the proposed station opposite the junction with Brickrow Road argued it would improve the amenities of the area and boost the town.

But planners said the erection of the petrol filling station would create traffic problems in the area.

1976

A SCHOOLBOY from Stroud won the Bledisloe British Empire Shield for his essay on ‘Kipling and Empire.’

Brian Morse, 17, of Marling School, was presented with the award at a special ceremony at Shire Hall in Gloucester.

Out of 14 award winners in the Gloucestershire Commonwealth Knowledge section, the Stroud area had three winners.

Christopher Watkins, of Archway School, received one of the prizes for an essay on Hong Kong.

Pauline Rainey, of the Manor School, Eastcombe, and Mary Ann Lavis, of Stonehouse Secondary Modern School, also received prizes.

A SERIOUS outbreak of a contagious eye disease struck cattle in the Stroud district.

Farmers were being warned to look out for symptoms of contagious conjunctivitis which particularly affected young cattle between three and 12 months.

Several cattle grazing on Minchinhampton Common had been affected by the eye disease, which could cause cattle to go blind.

The condition, also known as New Forest Disease, was not fatal but very distressing for the animals affected.

1986

PLANS to improve facilities in Stratford Park, Stroud, were given the go-ahead.

Tennis fans were to benefit as the deteriorating red shale tennis courts were set to be tarmacked at a cost of £17,000 to improve the surface.

Music lovers were also to benefit, as a roof was to be built over the bandstand in the park to give protection from the elements.

THE chairman of the League of Friends of Stroud Hospitals and Health Centre announced his retirement after decades of service.

Netlam Bigg announced his intention to retire at the age of 86 after serving the League for about 40 years.

The founder of Stroud Festival, Mr Bigg also had a long and distinguished scouting career and a happy association with the Stroud Choral Society.

Although stepping down as chairman, Mr Bigg continued to be involved with the League of Friends.

1996

A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to restore the Stroudwater Canal received the backing of district planners, despite fears about the impact of tourism on residents along the route.

The £14million scheme would see the canal restored from Saul Junction to Stroud, creating an estimated 190 jobs and bringing in £5million a year to the area.

Controversial plans to include a marina between Saul and Whitminster were included in the plans but left out after objections at the meeting.

2006

A POPULAR art shop was to close after more than 20 years of supplying customers including author Laurie Lee, Beano comic creator Leo Baxendale and England cricketer Jack Russell.

The Art Shop in Lansdown was established as a photographer’s studio in the 1950s, before being bought by Dickie Harrison Place and his wife Pat who were now retiring.

THE mayor of Stroud met with the mayor of Hiroshima in an effort to persuade the UK government to get rid of its nuclear weapons.

Dr Tadatoshi Akiba, mayor of Hiroshima and Kevin Cranston, Stroud mayor, were part of an international delegation who met at the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Research Establishment.

The movement, called Mayors for Peace, had more than 1,300 mayors from 116 countries signed up.