News

Keep up to date with the latest information relating to our local area – relevant links and advice from the council, wider government, local charities and organisations. 

Stroud’s next scheduled elections are taking place on Thursday 2 May 2024 and electors will now be required to present photo ID at the polling station before a ballot paper can be issued. Here’s all you need to know about Voter ID:
• The full list of the accepted forms of photo ID can be found on the Electoral Commissions website
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
• Only original copies of documents can be presented in the polling station.
• The photo ID can be expired as long as the photo still
resembles you.
• Postal voters will not need to present photo ID.
• If a proxy votes on your behalf at the polling station they will be asked to show their photo ID. Your proxy will not be asked to show any ID in your name.
• If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID, you can apply for a free of charge Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. Make sure you have applied by Wednesday 24 April 2024.
For more information on Voter ID, please go to Stroud District Councils’ website –  https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections
For enquiries, please email [email protected] or call
01453 766321.

Preparing for the inevitable – new group launched at Longfield

Facing the final chapter of life can feel daunting, and many of us might prefer not to think about it.

Longfield Community Hospice believes that no one should face this alone, so they’re launching a ten-week group session to guide people with life-limiting illnesses and their carers and families through any challenges. You’ll be able to think about what’s most important to you and gain reassurance that your wishes will be honoured.

Specialists will offer sessions on legal matters, such as will writing and Lasting Power of Attorney, as well as managing symptoms, funeral planning and dealing with grief. There’ll also be an opportunity to gather treasured objects and create a comforting memory box.

Sessions will be held from 17th January from 10.30 to 12.30pm, with an optional lunch.

To book a place, call the Wellbeing Team on 01453 733 706 or email [email protected] 

Lunch with Longfield

Join Longfield for lunch at Egypt Mill in Nailsworth on 22nd February. For £25pp, you’ll be greeted with bubbles on arrival, followed by a delicious two-course lunch and coffee. You’ll hear the latest news from Longfield and find out you can take part in fun fund raising opportunities. All proceeds to Longfield Community Hospice.

Book your place at www.longfield.org.uk/event/egypt-mill-lunch or call 01453 886868

Good afternoon, 

Please be aware that rouge traders have been operating in the local area. The traders are offering driveway cleaning and roof cleaning, they also offer to trim or cut down trees claiming this needs to be done to protect the driveway.  Minimal work is being carried out and exorbitant fees are requested often the price will increase without agreement.

Rogue traders are often pushy sales or trades people who offer cut price home improvement services or other products. They are always charming and very believable but are also very difficult to get rid of if they are lucky enough to get inside your home. They will commonly offer to tarmac your drive, cut down trees or hedges or offer cheap products such as double glazing or energy efficiency products. Inevitably these goods and services will end up costing you a small fortune. The longer, lighter days in Spring and Summer are especially attractive to rogue traders who will take the opportunity to call and tout for work. Most commonly during these months there tends to be a rise in offers from cold callers to cut trees, hedges or simply tidy gardens.

Don’t sign a contract or feel pressured to listen to a sales pitch, tell them politely to leave and shut the door. Be aware that some traders use scare tactics telling you it’s unsafe to leave the roof untreated etc. Also be wary of the word ‘free’ or ‘today only’ sales tactics.

It is not rude to say NO, when you do not want any work done, shut the door and if they become abusive or aggressive phone the Police on 999.

 

Please don’t hesitate to call the police if you witness suspicious activity and always dial 999 if you believe a crime is taking place. 

If you have any information regarding any of these crimes, please contact the police by calling 101. You can also report information online at http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about

You can also report any information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800555111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information     

For crime prevention advice please visit https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention

‘THERE’S ALWAYS TIME FOR A CUPPA AND A CHAT’

 

During January, local Samaritans volunteers ran ‘Brew Monday’ sessions at Gloucester and Stroud Railway Stations and at GL11 Community Hub in Cam. Free teabags were offered as a prompt for people to have a cuppa and a catch up with those whom they care about.

 

January may be gone but cold, frosty, wet and darker days persist, which can be difficult for many people, especially as it tends to limit human contacts. Our need to connect with others, to share stories, joys, concerns and feelings is fundamental to our wellbeing. A key message promoted by Samaritans is the importance of talking about our feelings, especially if feeling troubled or low in mood. Alongside of this is the importance of knowing how to be that person who can listen well, who can enable a troubled friend to share their concerns without feeling that they have to come up with their own solutions for their pal. Recognising the signs that someone is not coping well and knowing how to listen well are not difficult skills to learn but they are such precious skills to develop.

 

Gloucester & District Samaritans have a small YouTube channel where we have posted a few webinar videos that deal with these important messages; these were originally themed presentations to mark Mental Health Awareness week. Our volunteers are not professional speakers, so please excuse any fumbles, but they are very clear about the key messages that are important for us all to remember. Here is the YouTube link to our short videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYV8gCRwVAsHsapcavvtobQ

 

Let’s ensure nobody struggles alone, on Brew Monday or any other day, by remembering to check in on friends, family or colleagues. It doesn’t need to be a Monday or a cup of tea, it’s about connecting and really listening to each other.

 

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SAMARITANS – ‘We’re always here’
24 hour Freephone : 116 123
email : [email protected]
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