Defibrillators installed on lamp posts in Fairford and Lechlade

New defibrillators 

Two new defibrillators have been installed on lamp post stumps by Gloucestershire County Council – one in Perrinsfield, Lechlade and the other in Jacob’s Piece, Fairford.

The defibrillator installations are unique being the first to be strategically placed on lamp post stumps.

Defibrillators need to be less than 400 metres from where they’re needed, have access to power and be accessible to the public 24/7.

This means many houses, particularly on new estates, are not covered if there are no communal buildings nearby.

The new defibrillator on the edge of Perrinsfield next to the A361 will also serve the Old Railway Close estate and nearby Horseshoe Lake.

The defibrillator at Jacob’s Piece, Fairford also has a dual range as it’s sited next to the Milking Path leading to Betterton’s Close, where many elderly residents live.

The defibrillator project has been led by a team of Community First Responders (CFR) and Lechlade & District Lions; and is fully supported by South West Ambulance Service, Fairford and Lechlade Town Councils and Gloucestershire County Council.

County Cllr for Fairford and Lechlade, Dom Morris said: “I’m delighted that Gloucestershire has been leading the way to save lives in Fairford and Lechlade.

"This is an amazing example of community organisations coming together to make a difference!”

Stephen Andrews and Lechlade Lion, Mike Read are both CFRs each with over 10 years’ service. Stephen said: “I believe this is the first time street lighting power has been used for the installation of defibrillators in Gloucestershire.”

Mike Read continued: “These lamp post stumps had to be specially engineered and are the first two made for defibrillators.

"We believe that this will now set a landmark for defibrillation throughout the whole of the UK.”

The Working 4 Wellbeing Warm Welcome Room

The Working 4 Wellbeing Warm Welcome Room is back! Open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am-2pm starting on Friday November 1 in the Heritage Room of Fairford Community Centre. Everyone is welcome and invited to go along and celebrate the Opening Day for soup and bread rolls that are being served from 12 noon-2pm.

As it is half-term, the Farmor’s Room will also be open for Family Fun Activities including crafts, games, Lego and pizza for the kids.

Booking is advised for catering purposes.

Everyone is invited to go along and enjoy a warm and friendly atmosphere with community lunches, quizzes, board games, a place where you can read a book in a nice warm space, do your work from the Warm Room instead of at home or organize a meet up with friends you’d like to catch up with. The Warm Welcome Room will run from November to March.

Admission is free, but donations would be welcome.

To find out more or how to connect with your community, meet the W4W team and explore their services, contact Mary Ann on 07555 738138 for more information about dates of special events.

Prayer & Praise

Prayer & Praise is on Sunday November 3 from 6pm-7pm.

This is a contemporary-style service at St Mary’s Church, Fairford and an opportunity to invite family and friends to church, especially those who’ve never been to church, those who haven’t been for years or those who have never found a church that feels ‘just right’.

For details, contact carolinesymcox@googlemail.com or pa.wilkins@hotmail.co.uk.

Remembering Service 

The Remembering Service is a simple, quiet service remembering loved ones who have passed away. The next one is on Sunday November 3 at 3pm in St Mary’s Church, Fairford.

During the service, the names of those from this Parish who have died during the past year will be read out. All are welcome to attend.

If you would like to add names to this list of loved ones who have died, please contact Rev’d Denise on 01285 713285 or denisehyde15@gmail.com.

End-of-life care

The Friends of Fairford & Lechlade Communities (FFLC) provide end-of-life care to patients wishing to die at home.

The service is available to anyone who is a patient of either the Fairford or Lechlade GPs’ practices, and where the District Nurse feels the patient needs help.

To access the service, a referral from your District Nurse or GP is required, who will then contact the team.

FFLC are able to provide care at home for up to eight weeks.

Volunteers needed for lunch club 

Caring, thoughtful volunteers are needed to help out at the Edna Dawes Lunch Club that takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays for three hours each day.

Volunteer drivers or minibus drivers are also needed to help people get to the EDLC or to their medical appointments.

If any additional medicals are required, the cost will be reimbursed.

Volunteer driving could be weekly or monthly – whatever suits you. Please contact Katie Bull: 07713 607106 or edlc@friendsoffairford.org.uk or Val Harvey: 07540 798226 or transport@friendsffairford.org.uk.

Probus Club 

The next meeting of the Probus Club of Lechlade is on Friday November 1 at 10am for 10.30am in Lechlade Memorial Hall.

The speaker is Colin Hearn talking about A Collection of Military Projects.

Talks last for up to an hour and the meeting is followed by a chat with colleagues at the bar run by members.

The Probus Club is open to all males and is held on the first and third Fridays of every month.

Lechlade WI annual meeting 

The next meeting of Lechlade WI is the Annual Meeting, talk and tasting with Alex Sheen from Sheppy’s Cider.

Takes place on Tuesday November 5 at 7pm in Lechlade Memorial Hall.

School open morning 

St Lawrence CE Primary School, Lechlade will be holding an Open Morning on Wednesday November 6 from 9.15am-11.45am for parents and children who are due to start school in September 2025.

This will give prospective parents an opportunity to have a tour around the school, meet staff and Governors and talk with existing pupils.

Lechlade Pumpkin Trail

The Lechlade Pumpkin Trail (Light on a Dark Night) is on Thursday October 31 from 4pm-7pm.

From 5.30pm-7pm, St Lawrence Church will be open to welcome visitors with free hot chocolate, popcorn and goody bags for primary and pre-school children.

Join with friends and family to hunt for decorated pumpkins on this family-friendly trail around the streets of Lechlade.

A Googlemap with pumpkin locations is available on St Lawrence Facebook page and on www.stlawrencelechlade.org.uk.

If you would like to host a fun (not horror!) pumpkin suitable for young children, please contact Kate Cinnamond on info@stlawrencelechlde.org.uk.