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

1966

A CAMPAIGNER wrote a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to withdraw support for American policy in Vietnam.

David Stayt, a former member of the Stroud Labout Party from Upton-St Leonards, wrote the letter on behalf of the Gloucester group of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

In the letter Mr Stayt said he was glad the Prime Minister had dissociated himself and the government from the American bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong but continued: “We ask that the British government should now withdraw all support for American policy in Vietnam.

“The aggression and atrocities being carried out in the name of freedom by the United States are comparable to those of Hitler’s Reich.”

ONE of Stroud’s biggest planning inquiries was set to take place.

An inspector of the Ministry of Housing and Local was set to hear the pros and cons of the planned development of around 56 acres of land, part of Red House Farm, Westrip.

The inquiry was being held after building contractors HW Tily and Son appealed to the Minister against the refusal of the county council to allow the building of homes, a shopping centre, schools and the construction of a new road and pedestrian access.

1976

SOARING temperatures meant workers at Stroud factories were starting work two hours earlier than normal.

Around 130 workers at the two RA Lister factories in Thrupp were starting work at 6am rather than 8am due to the heat, finishing at 2.30pm.

VISITORS at Gatcombe Park were trying to get a glimpse of the new home of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.

A steady stream of visitors had been trying to catch sight of the new home after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen had bought the home for the couple.

The main gate to the park had to be padlocked to keep out people trying to view the house, which could not be seen from the road or from footpaths crossing the estate.

1986

A STUDENT from Stroud was one of four to receive special recognition from a Judge for helping a police officer who was being attacked.

David Pooler, of Park Road, Stroud, went to help a uniformed officer who was being attacked by two men.

The officer had been stabbed in the right shoulder and was being kicked and bruised.

The student- all final year undergraduates on Kingston Polytechnic’s Chemistry with German degree course – disarmed the two men and detained them until more police arrived.

Each of the students was awarded £50 and were recognised for their bravery at a special ceremony held by the High Sheriff in London.

1996

VANDALS left a trail of destruction and a bill for more than £10,000 after smashing windows in Old Market, Nailsworth.

The police station and Bruton’s hardware store were attacked with a steel pole.

Eleven plate glass windows were smashed at Bruton’s and two front windows of nearby Nailsworth police station were also attacked.

A PLUCKY teenager who was paralysed when he fell out of a tree was awarded a Certificate of Courage.

SNJ readers raised more than £7,000 to buy a wheelchair which could climb stairs for teenager Rob Blanch, enabling him to go back to school at Maidenhill in Stonehouse.

But Rob’s family suffered another heartbreak when they discovered the company they had ordered the chair from had gone bankrupt.

The family hoped, however, to use the money for Rob to attend physiotherapy courses at the Sportability centre at Standish Hospital.

Rob was to be presented with his certificate at a special ceremony in Gloucester, having been nominated for the award by Cainscross Parish Council.

2006

AN EMERGENCY meeting was held in the hope of finding a way to save the annual Stroud Goodwill evening.

There were fears the event would have to be cancelled after the town council said it would not be organising it.

Stroud Chamber of Commerce called the emergency meeting to discuss whether they could organise the event and what resources could be committed.