WEEKLY column of Fairford and Lechlade news by Chris Roberts MBE.

1. Invite to drop-in at new Fairford financial business 

An experienced financial adviser, Chris Homer, has been helping people and businesses with their financial planning for nearly 13 years and has now opened an office in Fairford. JPA Financial Planning, formerly based in Faringdon, is at 27a London Street, Fairford GL7 4AQ – just a couple of doors away from Budgens.

JPA Financial Planning is a real local family business run by husband-and-wife team, Chris and Gemma Homer, and is even named after their three children – JPA: Josh, Poppy and Ariella! The other staff members comprise Gemma’s son, her aunt, a cousin and very close friends of them both.

All 11 friends and family members of staff at JPA Financial Planning would like to invite residents and businesses in and around Fairford to an Open Day on Friday June 21. Open from 10am-1pm, no appointment is necessary, and people can just pop in for a cup of tea/coffee, enjoy a range of cakes, biscuits and sweets from local businesses and take the opportunity to say hello and ask questions.

Currently with clients all over the Cotswolds, London and in Cornwall, Coventry and Southampton, Chris is looking to expand further into the Cotswolds building a business that has between 10 and 20 advisers that will work as a team and provide an excellent service to all their clients.

JPA focusses on helping to generate financial freedom and focus on what the client wants to achieve in their lifetime. “Goal-Based Planning is crucial and is what we do,” said Chris. “We like to make finances simple and easy to understand for our customers. We don’t want to put off anyone who may be wanting or needing advice.”

For example, JPA can help people who have just started their first job and are looking to build up their savings for the future, or to get on the property ladder for the first time.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, JPA can also support people who have extra income, or an estate liable for Inheritance Tax, and can help them pass this on to their beneficiaries in the most tax-efficient way.

Then there is everyone in the middle, who have different objectives depending on their lifestyle. The majority of these are probably planning for the future and ensuring that they have sufficient income for retirement.

Normal opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm, but some evening appointments are available and the very occasional Saturday mornings if needed.

For more information, please drop in to the Open Day on Friday June 21 or phone 01285 440310 or visit https://www.jpafinancialplanning.co.uk.

2. Historic holiday home for girl guides 

Following extensive fundraising, the Glos East Division of the Guides raised over £38,000 towards external renovations and cladding for Camp Wood House in Macaroni Woods.

They contributed a further £20,000 from savings that had accrued from previous fundraising.

At the Open Day last week, Gloucestershire East Division President and Secretary of the Camp Wood House (Macaroni) Management Committee, Sue Holton, welcomed visitors for lunch and a tour of the renovated Girlguiding holiday home.

Camp Wood House was originally a part of the military camp associated with former RAF Southrop – a former World War II military airfield, now disused.

The old, prefabricated Laing hut exterior of Camp Wood House has now been beautifully clad and insulated with wood and is kept doubly warm with new heating components.

The beautifully restored Camp Wood House is used for weekends away and holidays for Girl Guides and features a warm and welcoming lounge/dining area, dormitories with bunk beds, kitchen, toilets, bathrooms and a peaceful outdoor space in the woods with picnic area and firepit for barbecues and camp-fire activities.

To find out more about girlguiding, contact Philippa Griffin or Julie Thorn on east@girlguidingglos.org.uk.

3. Public meeting hosted by Conservative candidate 

 Please come along to the Public Meeting hosted by James Gray – Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the South Cotswolds.

Come and meet James and ask your questions on Thursday June 27 at 6.30pm in Fairford Community Centre GL7 4AF.

4. Worship night was well attended 

The Worship Night at the Palmer Hall on Saturday May 11 was well attended by around 60 people. A worship band played a range of Christian songs and people enjoyed singing together. The next Saturday Night Worship is on Saturday July 13.

If you would like any further information, please email saturdaynightworship@gmail.com. Love to see you there!

5. Coach trip to Stratford 

The Friends of Fairford & Lechlade Communities are organizing a coach trip to Stratford on Tuesday June 25. Cost is £20 per person, leaving Fairford Community Centre at 10am. For more information, contact Agneta: 01285 707300, admin@friendsoffairford.org.uk.

6. Club open to all males 

The Probus Club of Lechlade and District is open to all males up to any age. Meeting in Lechlade Memorial Hall on the first and third Fridays of every month (except public holidays) at 10am for 10.30am.

Talks last up to an hour and the meeting is followed by a few drinks at the bar run by our own members.

The next meeting is on Friday June 21 and the talk is ‘The Life of a Galley Salve’ with George North. The next meeting of Lechlade WI will be a Coffee Morning on Saturday June 22 at 10.30am at The Riverside pub.

7. Beautiful garden not to be missed 

Another beautiful garden not to be missed in the Open Garden events in 2024. Langford Downs (near Lechlade) Open Gardens, part of the National Gardens Scheme, on Sunday June 23.

Both are open from 2pm-6pm, £7 entry and hot drinks with delicious homemade cakes will be available. For more information, contact Agneta: 01285 707300, admin@friendsoffairford.org.uk.