Kingsway Villagers

Following many recent remarks, complaints and questions about the Naas Lane to Woodvale link road, I recently received a copy of a letter written by a local resident (and previous Residents Association Committee member) and sent to Robert Hitchins, along with the reply – which came from Andy Smith (QUVL):

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing regarding the Naas Lane entrance/exit road for Kingsway. It is currently blocked off at both ends by concrete barriers, silt and rubble to prevent cars from using the road. At several residents’ association meetings QUVL have said that when they have been in talks with Robert Hitchins about the road, that it is due to be opened in September 2011. This date has been and gone, yet the road is more blocked than ever! However, my complaint is more about pedestrian access to this road. As you may be aware, there are several businesses on this small stretch of road (a nursery, a community centre etc.) and I take my 2 year old toddler to the BarBar Nursery there. It is getting increasingly more difficult to get to the nursery, as there is so much rubble to climb over or around, not to mention all the mud and deep puddles forming either sides of the barriers which make it impossible to walk through or push a buggy over. It’s getting very dangerous to help my toddler around/over all these blocks and I’m deeply unhappy about it. As users of the businesses situated on that stretch of road, we have the right to expect a safe passage to walk to the said businesses.

Please kindly either open the road, or at least organise a safe and clear walkway from the Kingsway roundabout end of Naas Lane through to the nursery. It is currently an accident and/or lawsuit waiting to happen.

Please also kindly respond to my e-mail with confirmation of its receipt, and what Robert Hitchins intend to do about the problem.

Thanks and regards,
Kimberley

Dear Kimberley,

Thank you for your email regarding the road between Naas Lane and Woodvale.

On behalf of QUVL we continue to work with County Highways to prepare this road for adoption. We have recently made great progress with the City Council in agreeing in principle the adoption of the balancing pond which drains the area around this road.

Our next step is to obtain adoption of the drainage network, following which Highways will agree to adopt the road once final surfacing and other remedial works have been completed.

We have now engaged a contractor to complete the surfacing of this road and the works are programmed for the first quarter of 2012.

In the meantime, we are reviewing the use of the stone bund at the North end of the road to prevent traffic accessing this road, and will shortly be replacing these with an alternative measure, which will ensure that the footway width is left clear. We have this year encountered issues with travellers gaining access to the area around the balancing pond, and the current measures enable this risk to be minimised, to the benefit of ourselves and local residents and businesses.

I hope the above provides a useful update and assure you of our best attention.

Regards
Andrew Smith

After dozens of ‘phone calls, folks stopping me in the street and much speculation and anticipation, I can confirm that Kingsway’s Pub’ The Barn Owl will open it’s doors to the public on Monday 30th January. (The expected opening time is around 11:30am, ‘though the exact time is subject to confirmation).

Manager Gary Millard invited Residents Association Committee members to meet him and take a sneak preview of the building earlier this evening (sadly the beer isn’t online yet, so we had to make do with a coffee) and I must say that I was very impressed. The renovation has been beautifully done. Internally the building is stunning and the facilities are excellent and the patio and external areas are quite extensive.
Gary revealed that no internal photographs have been released as the owners wish to “wow the public” on arrival, (thus I will not describe anything in detail, except to say that the Bats really have been looked after!!) and I must say that – in my honest opinion – he will not be disappointed.

Gary – previously manager of the Weavers Arms (now the Haywain) in Quedgeley until around 5 years ago – has since been running the Bristol-based Huntsman (also a Marston’s Pub’) until he and his wife (and co-manager) Kirsty and children moved back to the area to live at The Barn Owl in Kingsway.

Gary said that – of the 40 staff recently appointed – 37 are Kingsway Residents, and both Chefs have come with excellent CV’s (one of them was previously Head Chef at Wentworth Golf Club and the other at The George in Stroud).

The Pub’ website is here, complete with menus and information plus a link to their Facebook Page and a link to register and receive your free drinks voucher (registered customers will receive special offers and information).

Just so I’m not accused of being biased, I will say that in my opinion the one negative aspect is that Marston’s intend that this will be a restaurant rather than a Local Pub’, so – although it will doubtless be the prettiest restaurant in the area – I won’t be getting the band back together for a gig at the local!

And finally, the restaurant will in fact be opened to invited guests only on 27th, and to pre-booked customers only on 28th and 29th. (I believe Gary said that some leaflets are being distributed locally by the staff, so if you receive one, book early to avoid disappointment…
and don’t sue me if I’m mistaken here, the tour took an hour and I wasn’t making notes)!
 

Have a quick question or a comment about Kingsway Village?

If you don’t wish to publish a complete article (post) about the subject but would like to get some information about future developments/facilities, or would simply like to comment about the Village in general (and you can’t find a more suitable place)… please post it here. (If a more suitable spot exists I’ll move it).

Editors Note: General Questions and Comments: 2008-2011 are here

As seems to have become traditional at Kingsway, the goblins and ghoulies were once again out in force for this year’s All Hallows Eve’, rampaging around the village in search of sweets and treats.

Once again the Residents Association organised a small stall at the little park in Valley Gardens, surrounded by pumpkins and filled with chocolates to satisfy the appetities of the horde of little monsters, and give parents (and local Police) a spot to stop for a 5 minute chat and a rest!

Hundreds of children took advantage of the free goodies and – as usual – the streets were more crowded than at any other time of year!

Despite the difficulty of photographing in the dark, I did manage to snap a few successful pictures and created a gallery with those that were clear enough to see!

One local resident donated two – extremely impressive – carved pumpkins, although sadly my camera battery had finally given up the ghost by then (pun intended), so I was unable to snap them for the gallery… ‘though it did make me wonder about the possibility of asking local folks to help create a “pumpkin parade” next year, and/or holding a pumpkin-carving competition.

Apparently the whole thing proved a little too stressful for me; having held off a nasty virus for several days leading up to Halloween, and despite the fact that the weather was pretty warm for the time of year, I came down with a horrible throat infection the following day, and have only recovered fully in the last few days… hence the delay in adding this post!

See all this year’s pictures in our 2011 halloween gallery
 

Severn Vale School Adult Education Courses

Do you need an English qualification?
Take a FREE 11 week brush–up course and gain a GCSE equivalent certificate in English

Adult Education in Gloucestershire offers FREE courses which give learners the opportunity to boost their essential English skills and gain qualifications equivalent to a GCSE grade A*- C. We offer small, friendly classes at various times, daytime and evenings, at venues throughout Gloucestershire.

Topics Covered: Reading techniques, communication skills (verbal and written), spelling, grammar, punctuation, proof reading and writing techniques.

Our courses help learners from a wide range of backgrounds:
# Returners to work – to gain qualifications and skills needed for career progression
# Admin, management & finance staff – to boost essential skills for work
# Teaching assistants – to support pupils within classroom
# Parents / carers – to assist children with homework
# Returners to education – qualifications needed for entry to, college courses or pre-requisite for QCFs & Access courses

An 11 week course starts on Wednesday 14th September 2011 and runs from 6:00 – 8pm at Severn Vale School, School Lane, Quedgeley.

Do you need a maths qualification?
Take a FREE 12 week brush–up course and gain a GCSE equivalent certificate in maths

Are you:
# Wanting to develop your confidence?
# A parent wanting to support children with homework?
# Wanting to refresh your skills or update your CV?
Then our MATHS ESSENTIALS course is for you!

Learn how to:
# Use numbers quickly and accurately
# Handle data (converting it into meaningful information)
# Use formulae
# Fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios
# Use and convert to metric units of measure
# Work with scale, shape and space

The 12 week course starts on Wednesday 14th September 2011 and runs from 6:00 – 8:30pm at Severn Vale School, School Lane, Quedgeley.

To express an interest or for more information please contact: Keith Slade 01452 583828 / keith.slade@gloucestershire.gov.uk

ETS are hosting a Summer Soccer Camp at Severnvale School from August 1st to 26th.

Click the image to see the full document (PDF = 1.74MB)

"Education Through Sport (ETS) offers dynamic and vibrant football
coaching courses for children aged 7-14. Our coaching staff will
support each child to develop and enhance their football skills in a
safe, fun and friendly environment.
ETS Soccer Camps are delivered by qualified and experienced
FA football coaches who have an enhanced CRB disclosure and
are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for every
child attending. The Summer Soccer Camp will provide the perfect
environment for children to develop their football skills and enjoy a
fun-filled week of football coaching.
We offer flexible coaching options to fit in with parents’ busy
schedules and you can choose from our full weekly courses, daily
workshops or even half day sessions. The choice is yours."