SNJ REPORTER Saul Cooke-Black looks back at the news that was making the headlines from across the years.

1966

LAURIE Lee shared some of his memories of the past in Stroud in a television programme on BBC1.

They included a gramophone recital in the Sub Rooms and his life in Slad with his three sisters.

Lee had returned to Stroud after moving to London as a successful author.

It was in Stroud that Lee had his first job as a clerk – and where he had his first contact with literature.

THE population in Gloucestershire was increasing at the largest rate in the country, outside of London.

Over the past five years, the county’s population had risen by 12.2 per cent each year.

A PARAMEDIC who had been driving ambulances in the Stroud district for 37 years announced his retirement.

Albert Jarvis was presented with an engraved watch from drivers and staff in the ambulance service at a farewell evening at the Rose Inn, Paganhill.

Mr Jarvis joined the service in 1928 when there was only a voluntary service with one ex-army ambulance.

1976

HUNDREDS of staff at a Stonehouse factory went on strike after discussion between managers and unions broke down over redundancy terms.

The entire production workforce totalling 900 employees went on strike at the Stonehouse aerospace bearings division of Ransome Hoffman Pollard, making it one of the biggest strikes ever in the Stroud district.

Discussion between unions and management had been ongoing since January when around 50 redundancies were announced.

PLANS were revealed to demolish the 109-year-old Dominican convent at Beeches Green.

Surveyors Stanley, Alder and Price, submitted an application for listed building consent to redevelop the site which was for Dominican sisters.

The sisters said they could no longer afford to maintain the site.

1986

WORSHIPPERS from as far as Bristol and Wiltshire were expected to be among a large congregation on Minchinhampton Common to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the ordination of George Whitefield.

The great 18th century evangelist, born in Gloucester, would preach in front of crowds of 20,000 on the common.

Rodborough Tabernacle was founded as a direct result of one of these big meetings on July 1, 1739.

Thomas Adams, who attended the meeting, set up three societies which came together to erect a central preaching chapel which later became known as Rodborough Tabernacle.

The anniversary service was set to be held in June.

TAP water supplied to homes across the Stroud district was judged ‘excellent’ by a watchdog group.

The authority’s Water Quality Advisory panel said the bacteriological quality was first rate, although there had been an increase in complaints about ‘dirty water’.

The discolouration was usually caused by small and harmless particles which had flaked off the inside walls of corroded iron mains.

1996

COLLEAGUES whose parents weren’t even born when Raymond Lawrence joined their firm said a fond farewell to the popular engineer.

Mr Lawrence announced his retirement after 49 years working for the Stroud Metal Company in its various guises.

He joined electrical contractors RFS Howell in 1946 repairing and rewiring electrical motors.

After National Service in 1949 he returned to the newly formed Thermofire Engineering Division where he became a senior service engineer.

After 49 years in the job, he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife and two daughters.

A WOMAN who received treatment from the Cobalt charity when she was suffering from cancer returned the compliment – in the shape of a bumper donation.

Diane Wilson, from Rodborough, raised £365 for the Cheltenham-based charity by selling wrapping paper, Christmas cards and holding a raffle.

2006

A LECTURER from Chalford came out top of the class by winning the BBC quiz show the Weakest Link.

Alex Cowan beat eight contestants to win the £1,880 prize in the show hosted by Anne Robinson.

The money could not have come at a better time for Alex, whose wife Kim was expecting a baby.

STROUD Brewery was set to be re-launched after more than 35 years without serving a pint.

The company’s headquarters, on the corner of Rowcroft and Merrywalks, was a landmoark building in the town for centuries until it was demolished in the 1970s.

But ale fanatic Greg Pilley was brewing again under the traditional name and ready to relaunch the brewery.