Stonehouse News with Lesley Williams. Contact Lesley with your community news on 01453 822684 or email Lesley.williams@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Stonehouse Horticulture Show. Thank you to everyone who made the Show so successful again. If you were unable to attend have a look at all the pictures on the Stonehouse Facebook site and why not consider joining in next year.

Cotswold AONB Wardens’ Walks in and around Stroud. Join us to today Wednesday, August 15 for a 1 hour remote walk through pretty countryside to Rough Bank nature reserve and guided tour of the led by Jennifer Gilbert, butterfly conservationist. Thursday, August 16 meet at Chavenage to explore sites of anarchy and Civil War near Tetbury. 4hours – 7 miles and Friday, August 17 meet at Prema café Uley to walk and discover the attractive countryside around Uley. 3.5 hours, 5.5 miles. The Cotswold Lion has more details of walks on August 18 and 20. All walks return to the starting point. More information can be found on escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/walking/guided-walks/.

Savvy Seniors - Vue Cinema, tomorrow, Thursday, August 16 ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. American space western film based on the Star Wars character Han Solo. Use your bus pass to travel into Stroud, £3.99 pays to see the film and tea and biscuits.

’Share & Repair’ is a new community workshop in Stonehouse and is looking for people to be part of a team of volunteer repairers. So if you have the skills, mechanical, electrical, sewing or woodworking, and time come and join this exciting new venture, come and join us. Share your skills with people bringing items to be fixed, saving them money & keeping stuff out of landfill. Along the way repairers enjoy the banter and the satisfaction of having fixed where possible. And there is always a cuppa and cake! Where? In the Old Post Office Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. 9.30 – 3.30pm. More info? Contact Jeff Green 01453 825741 jg@phonecoop.coop.

Stonehouse Library is hosting ‘Free Kids Activities’ today, Wednesday, August 15, 10-11am - just turn up to join in making your own door hanger. The summer reading scheme celebrates the 80th anniversary of The Beano. Discover Dennis the Menace and all his friends. Pop into your local library (Elm Road) to discover the wide range of activities and services available.

Parkrun happens every Saturday promptly at 9am on the field on Oldends Lane. It is for everyone - experienced runners and beginners, old and young – just come along and join in. It is free for all. If you have ever wanted to take up a running this is for you. Come along and find out – you will be very welcome. And now every Sunday at 9am Junior Parkrun – for young people age 4 – 14. Slightly shorter distance – just 2k.

Stroud & Stonehouse Rotary Community Awards 2018. Grants of up to £500 are available to local community groups in support of the work they do. Closing date for applications is September 30 2018 and for more information and details of how to apply visit stroudrotary.org.uk or stonehouserotary.org.uk.

Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue are raising money to fight against cancer and from Friday, September 7 to Wednesday, September 12 will be undertaking ‘The Great Gloucestershire Bed Push Challenge’ and pushing a hospital bed around the county from one station to another over a period of 6 days. If you would like to support GFRS raise money and donate to this challenge visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/gloucestershire-hospitalscharity/GFRSagainstcancer or contact karen.organ@nhs.net.

Kings Stanley Sports Club – we are now open to all for coffee, tea, bacon rolls and delicious home baked cakes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9am – 2pm. Come along and take in one of the best panoramic views in the County whilst enjoying some light refreshment.

Needing a venue for a party? Magpies Social Club Stonehouse Hall can be hired for Adult and Children’s parties and all other events. For more information contact Rob 01453 827628 or 07944 532643.

Calling All Walkers. Did you know that there is a new handy waterproof walking map? This has been specially commissioned and shows all the available walks within a 3 mile radius around Stonehouse. At only £3.99 it is available from ‘Whole Hearted’ and ‘Hurns Hardware’. Dust those walking boots off and discover your local walks.

Bloomers Café and Table Top Sales are taking a summer break but will be back in the Autumn.

Hats for Seafarers. Thank you to everyone who continues to knit these much needed hats, I have recently dispatched another 38 to the Bristol Mission. This project continues all the year so if you are feeling a bit bored why not pick up those knitting needles and craft a hat? If anyone has any spare wool they would like to donate, please give me a ring, 822684, and I will pick it up. Many thanks.

The newly formed Rodborough Community Choir meet on Wednesdays from 7pm at Rodborough Church. No experience needed, wide range of music styles. For more information contact Catherine Jones: 07868028246 or find us on Facebook.

Stonehouse Food Bank is open in the Douglas Morley Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays each week from 10 – 11am. Call 01453 367077 for more.