By Saul Cooke-Black

SNJ reporter Saul Cooke-Black delves into the archives.

1965

SHORTWOOD Baptist Church celebrated its 250th anniversary with a look back into the past.

Books and old prints showing the original place of worship at Shortwood were on display, as the history of the church was documented.

AN UNLIKELY accident occurred near Stonehouse when a branch of an elm tree crashed on to a three wheel vehicle being driven along Oxlynch Lane.

A three year-old girl inside the car suffered a fractured skull and was taken to Gloucester Hospital.

Her father was not hurt but her mother suffered a cut over the eye and the car was damaged significantly.

A NEW wishing well was installed at the Union Inn, Stroud.

Well wishers could throw in their coins which would contribute towards a fund to train a guide dog for a blind person.

1975

LEARNER drivers could get themselves a lesson for as little as £2.10.

The West Midland Driving School also offered a free pick up service for residents from Stroud district.

CHILDREN and staff at Whiteshill County Primary School said goodbye to their caretaker and supervisor, Mrs Doris Watkins.

Mrs Watkins, who had been with the school for over 20 years was presented with a mantel clock and money from staff, pupils and friends as well as five bouquets of flowers.

 

1985

PUPILS from the Manor School in Eastcombe took part in a week of activities to learn about how the police force and law work.

Police officers from Stroud Police Community Services department came to the school as youngsters took part in a mock magistrates’ court exercise.

 

A TEDDY bear from Stroud was making preparations to go on the run.

Winston was one of many bears from across the country taking part in Mecca Leisure’s Great British Bearbreak.

Wearing the bear costume was Mecca assistant manager Andy Riley.

All money raised went towards Mecca’s Kinds in Need appeal.

THE sun came out as crowds flocked to the annual Woodchester Priory summer fete.

 Strawberries and cream were the order of the day while crowds were entertained by the Nailsworth and Horsley Morris Dancers.

More than £1,000 was raised from the event.

 

1995

CHILDREN from Wycliffe College left behind their books for a morning to join the circus.

The Junior School pupils learnt all the tricks of the trade from the Rainbow Circus, including how to unicycle, juggle and walk the tightrope.

CONTRACTORS were called to kill pavement weeds which had grown up to 18 inches high in Paganhill.

The weeds had caused fury amongst pedestrians who had signed a petition urging action to be taken.

 

FIREMEN donned breathing apparatus and full uniform to walk more than three miles to raise money for 19-month-old Luke Eales who had hemiplegia – a condition which weakens one side of the body.

The eight firefighters walked from their base at Painswick Fire Station to Stroud Fire Station in Paganhill.

The walk was organised by firefighter George Hodder, a family friend to Luke.

 

2005

Stroud district councillor Robert Sinfield was preparing to cycle from Paris to London in support of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

Cllr Sinfield was getting set for the four day bike ride in which he would cover between 95 to 125 kilometres per day.

TWO Volkswagen fanatics from Stroud were getting ready to take their Camper to Rockingham Raceway, Northamptonshire, to help form the largest ever gathering of VW vans.

Hundreds of like-minded VW fans were trying to break the world record which was set by a group of Canadians who gathered 489 vans in 1999.

 

FIVE Valley’s Scouts joined thousands of others from across the globe at an international scouting meeting in Essex.

Sixteen Gloucestershire scouts joined what was one of the biggest scouting events in the UK for the last 50 years.

Around 5,000 youngsters from 57 countries including Ghana, America, Iraq Korea and Nigeria took part in the gathering.