THE SNJ takes a look back through the decades.

1967

INQUIRIES by the Stroud News and Journal revealed startling developments in local Labour ranks.

The Stonehouse branch of the party chose to reject the nomination of nine-year county councillor W J Stephens in favour of C D Fletcher of Brimscombe who had been defeated three times in Minchinhampton.

The news caused so much astonishment within the party that another meeting had to be held, with a spokesman informing the SNJ: “On reflection there might be a change round.”

Mr Stephens said he would stand again as an independent if he had to.

PLANS to build a new primary school in Painswick were met with objections from residents.

Three land owners submitted objections after Gloucestershire County Council announced the proposals The current building as “wholly inadequate in all respects”.

GCC planned to erect the new school on land off Edge Lane and made a compulsory purchase of 3.488 acres to build the primary school.

The new school would cater for 280 children and further plans for a nursey school were planned for the future.

1977

THE children at Minchinhampton Parochial Primary school had a day off as the local electorate went to the poll to vote for new parish and district councillors.

A total of 3,211 voters in the North, South and Brimscombe wards were able to choose new councillors.

Voting took place in the Parochial school and at Brimscombe Methodist Church, and in the Subscription Rooms to elect a new member for the Central and Rodborough ward..

THE keen eyes of a girl from Uplands spotted two birthday cards lying in Slad Road.

Her mother J Churchill have the cards to the Stroud News and Journal, she said: “I wondered if someone might have dropped them and they might be of some sentimental value, especially as many of the signatories on one of them would appear to be elderly.”

The cards were available collection at the editorial department.

1987

YOUNG people from Stroud were invited to parliament to meet Liberal leader David Steel.

Mr Steel and the Liberals organised a ‘youth day’ to give young people a chance to see round Westminster, hear how parliament works, question MPs and take part in seminars on issues affecting them.

KING Hussein of Jordan agreed to become patron of the biennial International Air Tattoo which took place in Fairford.

The King had supported the tattoo since 1981 and attended the last at RAF Fairford in 1985.

Tattoo director Paul Bowen said that the King’s involvement emphasised the truly international aspect and flavour of the event.

1997

THE jam ran out at Ebley Mill as the new Labour-controlled district council unveiled a harsh cut in the annual budget.

Charities, businesses and voluntary organisations around Stroud District were facing a £162,000 cut to grants.

Two years previous Labour had backed a plan called a “jam today and jam tomorrow” budget as they decided not to repay a loan and spend the money on more services in 1995 and 1996.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to covert an old airfield into a recycling centre were set to go ahead despite recommendations for refusal.

At a meeting of the Stroud District Council planning committee, planners decided to inspect the site themselves.

There were two applications for the area of Old Airfield, Moreton Valence – the first for a composting and recycling facility and the second for agricultural storage.

Both the Haresfield and Moreton Valence parish councils opposed the plans, arguing that the sites will add too much traffic to the already perilous A38.

2007

A HUGE knitted fruit and vegetable stall was set to appear at the market to promote knitting.

Around 40 members of Stroud Knitting Group were creating the stall, which featured larger-than-life cabbages, aubergines, watermelons and other goodies.

Its appearance was set to coincide with the start of the Stroudwater International Textile Festival.

STROUD’S popular and vibrant farmer’s market was crowned the best in the south west.

The town beat off competition from scores of other markets to claim the regional award from the National Farmers’ Retail and Market Association (FARMA).

This accolade was the latest triumph for the market which had seen a turnover of £950,000 the previous year.