Coronavirus - COVID-19
Need help or support? There are many in the village who have offered their services and are more than happy to help. Please see "What's On" or contact us now for further details, including contact names and phone numbers. You may also have had a leaflet posted through your door or seen a poster with more details. Please do get in touch.
"What's On" is now once again available through your letter box on paper! It will also remain available online and is available here now, please do sign up now to get your copy delivered to your email inbox.
The rules and advice are changing daily, please keep up with the latest via national and local news outlets.
Many if not all events in the village have unfortunately been cancelled as a result of the outbreak and subsequent social distancing measures. Find the very latest information on the calendar here.
Monster Mast - Object Now!
Two weeks ago the residents of Far Oakridge became aware that the network provider EE has submitted an application to Stroud District Council for the installation of a 20m telegraph pole communications mast, antennas and associated ground-based apparatus on agricultural land north of Far Oakridge.
In their application, EE state that “this has been brought forward as part of the Home Office program for the renewal of the emergency services network (ESN) – moving from the current Airwave service (which cannot provide data services), to a 4G service provided by EE. A commercial 4G service will also be provided by the proposal benefitting local residents, business and visitors to the area”.
There are many people in the Far Oakridge community who oppose this installation on the grounds of the devastating impact this will have on the views and wildlife in this area of our AONB, and who call on the wider community to come together to protect our beautiful countryside. Their concerns are that “this is not an appropriate site for such a structure due to the proximity to registered ancient woodland and the protected wildlife within it: this is an unspoilt part of our rural AONB that we need to protect. The appearance of the proposed mast is also unacceptable due to its prominent height above the treeline and the extensive and unsightly ground equipment. Contrary to the application statement, it will be visible from much of the village and neighbouring villages, fatally changing the panoramic and unspoilt views”.
If you feel moved to join the 40+ letters of objection to this unwelcome mast and associated equipment, there are suggestions for points to include in a letter to Stroud District Council on pages 4 and 5 of this special What’s On. Objections should be sent to the Council by 7th September, quoting the reference S.20/1627/TEL.
You can add your objection via the Stroud planning portal here, or email planning@stroud.gov.uk
You can find more detail with maps and possible objections in a special editions of What's On.
In their application, EE state that “this has been brought forward as part of the Home Office program for the renewal of the emergency services network (ESN) – moving from the current Airwave service (which cannot provide data services), to a 4G service provided by EE. A commercial 4G service will also be provided by the proposal benefitting local residents, business and visitors to the area”.
There are many people in the Far Oakridge community who oppose this installation on the grounds of the devastating impact this will have on the views and wildlife in this area of our AONB, and who call on the wider community to come together to protect our beautiful countryside. Their concerns are that “this is not an appropriate site for such a structure due to the proximity to registered ancient woodland and the protected wildlife within it: this is an unspoilt part of our rural AONB that we need to protect. The appearance of the proposed mast is also unacceptable due to its prominent height above the treeline and the extensive and unsightly ground equipment. Contrary to the application statement, it will be visible from much of the village and neighbouring villages, fatally changing the panoramic and unspoilt views”.
If you feel moved to join the 40+ letters of objection to this unwelcome mast and associated equipment, there are suggestions for points to include in a letter to Stroud District Council on pages 4 and 5 of this special What’s On. Objections should be sent to the Council by 7th September, quoting the reference S.20/1627/TEL.
You can add your objection via the Stroud planning portal here, or email planning@stroud.gov.uk
You can find more detail with maps and possible objections in a special editions of What's On.
Ollie's Shop & P.O.
|
Visit the newly launched "Cotswold Room" at Ollie's Shop for a fantastic range of lovingly made local products and unique gifts from the Cotswolds such as scrumptious smoked fish from reknown Severn and Wye smokery, award winning jams and sauces, curious meats and Cotswold chorizos, Stroud handmade candles and Cotswold lavender lotions and much, much more!"
|
Oakridge Village Shop and Post Office carries an extensive range of products from household essentials to award-winning organic foods and the very best local delicacies from all over the Cotswolds. Off road parking and a weekly order service and delivery are also available. Open 7 days a week.
|
|
For more details click here
Email : olliesoakridge@gmail.com Tel : 01285 760239 Facebook : Ollie'sShop@OakridgeLynch Instagram: @ollies.oakridge |
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 1pm Sunday: 9am - 12 Noon Change of hours notice: In order to deal with an increasing number of orders, pick ups and deliveries efficiently, we will now be closed weekdays as from 3pm. Weekend hours remain the same. |
Oakridge Community Website
The Oakridge Community consists of five villages with a combined population of about five hundred and is situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, overlooking the magnificent Golden Valley; six miles from Stroud and seven miles from Cirencester.
The five villages form the ecclesiastical parish of Oakridge, within the Civic Parish of Bisley-with-Lipyatt. The Oakridge Parish Church, part of the Bisley Benefice, is dedicated to St Bartholomew and was built in 1837 with funds raised by Thomas Keble, the then vicar of Bisley.
Oakridge is a thriving and very active community with many groups and societies and extensive amenities, including a Village Shop & Post Office, Primary School, Pub, Recreation / Cricket Ground, Tennis Court, Allotments, Childrens Playground and Village Hall.
A Flower and Vegetable Show is held in July and a Village Show on the first Saturday in September. The School holds an annual May Revels on the village green.
Do You Offer Services to Oakridge Residents?
Do you live locally and offer services to Oakridge Residents - such as Plumbing, Decorating, Gardening, Odd Jobs, Dog Walking, Photography, Electrician, Walling, Bookkeeping etc. etc.
If you do we have added a new page 'Local Services' where you can advertise for free! Just contact me via the Contact Page with details of what you offer and how to contact you.
Latest!
For more detailed information on many of these items and much more, download the current edition of What's On
|
Oakridge Show Goes Online!
Sadly the Village Show committee have decided that there will be no Show this year due to the uncertainties brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, we would like to offer you the opportunity to have your best Craft, Flower, Fruit and Vegetable exhibits on display online via 10 the Oakridge Community website! Entries will not be judged in the usual way, rather act as a way to record the efforts being made on allotments, gardens and craft tables during the year. Please send photos, clearly marked with the entry category, to oakridgewhatson@gmail.com, to arrive by the original Show date of 5th September. The display will be available on the village website www.oakridgevillage.org shortly afterwards. Categories: 1. Flowers and Flower Arrangements 2. Fruit and Vegetables 3. Baking 4. Handicrafts 5. Photography 6. Children’s Exhibits age 4 and under 7. Children’s Exhibits Infants age 5, 6 and 7 8. Children’s Exhibits Juniors age 8-11 9. Children’s Exhibits Secondary age 12-16 10. Special category – “Lockdown” – anything that represents this unusual time for you eg a poem or picture Without a Village Show we are not able to raise funds that are needed for village projects. The What’s On kitty is low so any donations will be very welcome (cheques payable to What’s On can be delivered to either Gill Davis at Hungerfords in Oakridge Lynch, or Victoria Beard at Applecroft in Far Oakridge. Butchers Arms Reopens!
It's been lovely to see so many of you in your village pub again! Our new menu has been received well and we are now offering food all day from Monday - Saturday and from noon - 4pm on Sundays. Traditional roasts will be back on the menu in September. Monday night is Pizza night, takeaway or eat in.
Delicious cream teas are available Mon-Sat afternoons - bookings essential on 01285 760390. Our self-catering cottage is now finished, boasting a new bathroom and kitchen and is available as a holiday let with immediate effect. Quiz night has been popular with you all, and the next is on Sunday 2nd of August followed by the 5th of September (8pm start). Thanks go to Andy and Kevin (well done Leeds!) for all their hard work in putting it all together for us. Our first mini beer festival will hopefully be held on the first weekend of September, more details will be available nearer the time. Keep well everyone Greg & Bev Call 01285 760 390 to book a table! Weekly Specials! Please see our facebook page, new website, or call for the latest menu 
Local Author Publishes Children's Book
Midnight at Lucas Bay I’ve spent many hours during lockdown getting a book ready for publication as an ebook. It’s an adventure story for children aged between about 9 and 14, set in the Gower Peninsula. It will be available from Amazon in early August. The brilliant illustrations are by Sarah Wimperis.
Michael was dared by his sister Kate to go down to Lucas Bay at midnight. What he saw there changed an ordinary summer into a world of gun runners, secret agents and dangerous adventures for six friends. I will be giving £1.00 for every book sold for at least the next 3 months to The Family Holiday Association, a charity which gives disadvantaged families a break so its work is very necessary at this time. They have an excellent website. It’s a win/win situation: You buy the book and make me happy; you enjoy reading the book which makes you happy and me even happier; and we all help a good cause. I’m publishing it under the name of Lee Pennell www.leepennell.co.uk. 
|
Impact of Coronavirus on School Life
Friday 20th March was a very strange day. Following the announcement by the Government for all schools to close, we put together folders of work for children to take home and wondered when we would be able to see them again and resume the normality that we were used to.
Lockdown came the following week. The children responded well to the work staff had provided for them; this was put on the school website with regular updates from teachers to ensure activities were engaging. Parents were also keen to support and had a lot to contend with, some with a number of children to ‘home school’ as well as having to balance the demands of working from home. With a more flexible approach to learning (and the reassurance by teachers not to worry about using, dare I say, older techniques and strategies) families rose to the challenge. Throughout the period, teachers maintained contact with families, either through email or phone calls to see how children were getting on, and this was well received. It was a challenge but the home learning produced some very creative responses which was a joy to see. We were then able to welcome back some of the younger children and those at the top of the school, who would soon be moving onto secondary education. It was important to send these children onto the next phase of their lives with a good transition, enabling them to say farewell to their primary school in a positive way. We were also conscious of those who remained at home for such a long period of time and were very pleased to bring children of other ages back for a few days before the end of the school year. Staff and Governors all worked hard to ensure the school was safe for everyone to return. The school is looking quite different with social distancing measures along with various restrictions, which will continue into the autumn term. Lots of things are in place to ensure both the children and their families are confident and I am extremely grateful for the dedication of everyone that ensured this happened. We are all keen to get back to the time when we can welcome each and every child to school every day. We very much hope that a return to something close to normal will arrive soon and look forward to taking up this challenge in September. Jonathan Preston Executive Headteacher Grants Available for Students
The John Taylor Foundation is a charity that helps young people that are going to college/university/starting apprenticeships with the cost of books, equipment, tools etc.
If you are interested, under 25, haven't previously applied, and live in the ancient parish of Bisley, please apply in writing to Mrs P Bashford, Eskdale, Vander Breen St, Bisley, GL67BN, before September 5th, stating name, age, college/university/employer/course. From The Ground
Oakridge Parochial School Allotment Project
Read The February/March
Update Here ... OAT (Oakridge Allotment Team) Tel: 07983 65414 Email: info@fromtheground.co.uk Bisley-With-Lypiatt Parish Council
Please see the Parish Council website for Ward information and minutes of Council meetings. www.bisley-with-lypiatt.gov.uk.
The Parish Council (PC) is busy with the project to develop a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) as an addition to Stroud District Council’s Local Plan to plan how the area will progress over the next 10 years. Consultations are under way with Village Hall meetings in the 3 constituent Wards to canvas opinion with ALL residents – so any ideas you have on the way YOU want YOUR area to develop would be happily received. Feel free to contact us if you want to share ideas about our future in Oakridge Ward. Ward Councillors - Tony Martin (brx44@ymail.com – 07710 800290), Mike Bell, Roger Budgeon, Dennis Robbins Clerk - Debbie Meredith 01452 771089 admin@bisley-withlypiatt.gov.uk A lot is happening - find out more from 'What's On'! |
|
Did You Know? Siccaridge Wood
Siccaridge Wood is one of the few places in the Cotswolds in which the hazel dormouse makes its home, numbers of which are closely monitored as part of a national scheme, while wood ant nests can be found on the ground and silver washed fritillary and comma butterflies flit around the open rides. The Arts and Crafts Movement Oakridge was a hub of the Arts and Crafts Movement and famous painters, furniture makers, poets and other interesting people have lived here. Find out more at our Oakridge History Archive. Daneway Banks Just beyond Siccaridge Wood lies Daneway Banks, where the steep sides have almost lunar like bumps made by generations of yellow meadow ants. A classic example of limestone grassland, it is also home to the large blue butterfly which has been recently re-introduced after being extinct in the UK for several decades. |
Hire Our Village Hall Why not hire our Village hall?
Garden Club - Local Links Download the Gloucestershire Federation of Gardening Societies Spring Newsletter.
Visit the Generous Gardener Website for news of Gardening Lecture Days, Masterclasses and Specialist Plant Sales at The Coach House Garden, Ampney Crucis. Find out about the new Cafe and what's on at Miserden Nursery. |
|
Oakridge Events Diary If you would you like us to add an event - please get in touch through the Contact Us page. Full calendar and "What's On" available here. |
"What's On" Newsletter We protect your information and privacy strictly in accordance with all legal requirements and we do not share your personal information with any third party.
What's On Editors: Victoria Beard Tel: 01285 760339 Email: vbeard51@gmail.com and Gill Davis Tel: 01285 760354 Email: gillaquarius@aol.com
Regulars
Out and About Chalford Sports & Social Club
From time to time events and courses at the Chalford Sports & Social Club are included in 'Whats On' which you can download above or visit their website at chalford-ssc.co.uk Bisley "Well Dressing"
Bisley's famous "Well Dressing" custom, dating from 1863, is held every Ascention day - Find out more. Useful Links |
|
Artists and Artisans In Residence Find out about the Artists and Artisans who live and work in Oakridge, Including:
|
Country and Wildlife |
From the Archive
|
Delve into the Archive at oakridgearchives.omeka.net
|
And buy the Book! 
You can buy this beautiful 175 page fully illustrated hardback 'Oakridge a History' for just £12 from Ollie's Shop or by mail from John Loosely, Email :
johnloosley40@gmail.com |
Copyright © 2019 Oakridge Community - All Rights Reserved
No material from this site may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright owners
While every effort has been made to maintain accuracy, no responsibility is accepted for any errors in content.
If you notice any content that needs to be corrected then please get in touch through the Contact Us page.
No material from this site may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright owners
While every effort has been made to maintain accuracy, no responsibility is accepted for any errors in content.
If you notice any content that needs to be corrected then please get in touch through the Contact Us page.
