Weekly column by Chris Roberts MBE in the Standard

Fairford donations going to Ukraine

On June 21, members of St Mary’s Church in Fairford took another car full of donated items to the Ukrainian Church in Gloucester for delivery in the Ukraine.

Just five days later (on June 26), these items were on the way to various destinations in Ukraine.

The organisers and people in the Ukraine were especially grateful for the candles. So many of the power stations in Ukraine have been damaged that people now have only candle power in their homes.

As well as candles (whole or part-used), these items are also required: First aid items, medical items, incontinence products, catheters, OTC pain killers and cold and flu products, hay-fever products, mosquito repellent, batteries, USB, handwarmers (disposable, reusable and rechargeable), power banks, solar chargers, generators, new socks, new underwear, new thermal base-layers, water purification tablets and filters, lifestraws, toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrushes and nappies.

If you have items to donate, please call the Fairford Parish Office on 01285 712611 to arrange for delivery or collection.

The items sent from Fairford go mainly to nursing homes, rehabilitation centres and orphanages to help the sick, those recuperating from injuries and children who have lost their parents.

New farmyard 

Communities change, agriculture develops and a farmyard that once worked just fine can, over time, become completely inappropriate.

That was the case for Tom Paton’s farmyard at Waiten Hill, Fairford – situated down a narrow lane on the edge of the town and close to buildings owned by The Ernest Cook Trust (ECT).

Add in the fact that ever-larger farm delivery vehicles had to cross to the wrong side of a busy road to access the narrow lane and that, on a couple of occasions, a Cotswold dry stone wall suffered damage, and it became clear something had to change.

ECT and Tom agreed a solution between them – the creation of a new farmyard with grain storage and room to house livestock off Welsh Way on the site of a disused farm building and already served by a farm track.

Tom said the change provided the right solution for his arable crops and his beef herd.

“Moving the yard works for both me and the Trust,” he said.

“They have a site in the village that is free from the muck and dust generated by a farm, and I have a more easily accessible place to work.”

Claire McIntosh, Managing Agent with ECT, said: “For many years, Tom had the challenge of having a yard located in the semi-urban location at Waiten Hill.

"Locating his new yard out of town frees up the old yard for different opportunities.

"This solution also future-proofs the farm enabling space for expansion in the future should it be required and is the right solution for both the Trust and tenant.”

St Mary’s Church looking for volunteers

St Mary’s Church stewards, who work in shifts to welcome visitors to the church, do a fantastic job and, once again, St Mary’s is looking for more volunteers.

Do you have a spare hour a week to take a shift as a steward Rev’d Caroline takes two shifts in a week and finds it to be very rewarding.

Sometimes all is quiet, and she gets the benefit of the peace and beauty of the church.

Sometimes she gets to welcome a wide range of visitors, and has the benefit of hearing their stories, where they come from, what brings them to Fairford, and the joy of sharing the richness of the church’s history.

You don’t need to have a lot of knowledge. You just need to be friendly and welcoming!

Please speak to the Parish Office on 01285 712611 if you are interested.

Summer youth events at Fairford Community Centre

As part of the Summer Youth Events, there will be Teen Sports on Monday August 12 from 5pm-6.30pm. Also, a Teens’ Felting Workshop on Tuesday August 13 from 1.30pm-4pm.

Both events take place in Fairford Community Centre.

New youth club launched 

The Door, a local charity working closely with young people to run youth club sessions and other events, runs a Youth Club in Fairford on Monday evenings from 6.30pm-8pm in Fairford Community Centre.

The Door has most recently launched Lechlade Youth Club, which is held on Friday evening from 6.30pm-8.30pm in the Pavilion, next to the Memorial Hall.

Young people from 11-17 are welcome and it’s completely free.

There’s no need to book, just come along and join in.

This is a safe place, and you can play games such as table tennis and pool, listen to music, and even learn to cook.

Find out more at www.thedoor.org.uk.

Mother’s Union meeting in Lechlade 

The next meeting of the Mother’s Union is on Wednesday August 14 at 2pm in Lechlade Memorial Hall. Church Embroidery by Suellen Pedley from Oxford.

Swallows, swifts and martins event organised by Lechlade Gardening Club 

Have you heard the swifts screaming overhead recently?

Or did you wonder what birds they were?

Can you tell the difference between a swallow and a house martin?

If you would like the answer to these questions, come along to the August meeting of Lechlade Gardening Club on Wednesday August 14 when D J Cramp will be talking about ‘Swallows, Swifts and Martins’.

Meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in Lechlade Memorial Hall where there is ample parking.

Membership is £5 per person per annum, after which it is £2 to attend each meeting or £3 for visitors. For more information, please contact 01367 253309 or 01367 252286.

Children’s library challenge

The free Children’s Library Challenge is on now until mid-September.

Children aged between 4-11 years are welcome to sign up whenever they come in to borrow books from Lechlade Library or are passing by.

Choose and read or share the books you want, complete some simple, fun tasks and collect rewards.

It’s fun and helps to fill the summer holidays – you can even do it while you are away on holiday. If you are not already a library member, you can still join in the fun.

It’s free to join the library.

Zumba fitness classes in Fairford 

Zumba fitness classes are held at the Palmer Hall, Fairford every Monday evening at 6.30pm. Zumba combines Latin and international music with a fun and effective workout system. Anyone can join the party! No booking or membership needed.