Kingsway Villagers

Whilst out walking my dogs this morning in the big field next to the farmhouse, 3 youths approx 18-20 yrs old appeared from the path between the orchard and the moat, and then walked down the track a couple of metres and started a fire! The 3 chaps then walked off from the way they came.

I jogged back across the field to try and catch up with them and to maybe attempt to stamp the fire out. By the time I got there the flames were 4ft high and a large sleeper-like piece of wood was on fire.

The fire brigade were called, and arrived shortly to extinguish the fire.

I assume that they used petrol or similiar to get the wood to burn so quickly.

I wonder if these group of lads had been out all night as not many youths I know would be up at 6am in the morning.

Did anyone else see these 3 lads walking around this morning?

What will they set fire to next?

As many of you may have seen, Tesco in the local centre is opening this week on the 26th. I hope this is the beginning of more community oriented things to come.

Badhams Chemist is moving in on the 30th, and there is also a Coffee Shop, a Vets and a Hairdressers. Peter Badham and potentially some of the other tenants will be coming to the Residents Meeting tomorrow night to address any questions.

If you have any questions, but can’t make the meeting, then email me at barry@barrykirby.co.uk, and I will do my best to get an answer.

Cheers

Barry

This evening (10th August) I was out walking my dogs at approx 9PM.  I saw the travellers who are there now entering the land where they have been several times before (I’m sure you’ll see them in the morning)!

What has left me speechless is that I saw a police car follow approx’ 5 of them into the estate, pull up to where the mound of earth is and then basically watch them enter (including watching them move a concrete barrier even further out the way) and then when they were all nicely in  – drove off!

Words fail me!

There is a new community radio station that has gone on air, or to be precise, on the web, and is directly focused at the South Gloucester area. It is called Severn FM and aims to serve the local area of Hardwicke, Quedgeley and Kingsway, as well as Epney, Longney, Elmore, Whaddon, Brookthorpe and Haresfield.

This is a community project and is ‘not for profit’ and whilst the primary aim is to entertain the local residents, it also strives to bring together many parts of the community.

The station started broadcasting last month, and is on air 24 bours a day, 7 days a week though the internet at www.severnfm.com and has a wide range of music from 50’s to today. However this is only the start and as the project develops, listeners will see the programming mature. There are ambitions to have local news and traffic reports, as well as items of local interest and whats on as well as beinga ble to pass on information in emergencies, such as we saw in the floods, snow, or when the A38 shuts and we are trapped.

In the background of the broadcast itself, the aim is to make this a community resource, working with local schools to encourage the pupils to get involved in programmes, production and all the other aspects of radio. But it isn’t just restricted to the kids, anyone in the community who would like to take part, be it on the technical side, perhaps a bit of presenting or trying your hand at producing a show is encouraged to get in touch and get involved.

Severn FM is a ‘not for profit’ venture, but it doesn’t come for free, so there will be applications for grants to enable it to develop. There are plans for a broadcasing studio as well as a production area, not to mention a “mobile” studio so there could be broadcasts from events such as the the Kingsway Big Lunch next year and Carol Concerts around Christmas. In future years it is hoped that it will be self sustaining through local advertising. Local companies are encouraged to think about placing an advert to be broadcast, the huge advantage being that you know it is going to local people, and the money is going to a worthwhile community project.

So go on, support your new local Radio Station, Severn FM, at www.severnfm.com

If you want to know more, then please do drop me an email at barry.kirby@severnfm.com

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

We are delighted to be holding our second fun day for Kingsway residents on Thursday August 11th, 11-4pm.

The event is free although there will be a small charge for the quad bikes and refreshments will be charged at retail rates.

Lots of fun activities for everyone and a chance to meet the faces behind the services you can access.

Come along and meet your neighbours and have a good family day out.

If you want to find out more information please call me.

Catherine Hewer
Community Investment Officer
Gloucester Housing Association
Tel: 01452 529 255