Parish News

The WaRbler Magazine
We are currently looking for stimulating articles, appetizing recipes, impactful photographs, and advertising placements, for the Autumn Edition. Deadline date Friday 24th July
Where possible, please email your submission (or advertising order) in advance of the deadline date. This will greatly assist the editor.
Articles: Please email your article (max 450 words) or recipe, and accompanying photo if available, to Dilys Warren, Editor of The WaRbler: editwarbler@aol.com and Helen Dunn clerk@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk
Photographs: High Resolution photographs wanted. Please email an attached jpg or pdf image and send to above addresses
Advertising: Please email details of your order to: Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk – clerk@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk and attach a jpg or pdf layout of your artwork as per our specification size 65mm W X 85 mm H. Remember to include details of your “invoice address”. An invoice will then be sent to you detailing the charges that apply, together with information concerning payment made payable to Whiteshill & Ruscombe Parish Council via BACS.
Single Advert: 1/4 page size – (65mm W x 85 mm H) @ £25.00
2 X individual placements (65mm x 85 mm) block-booked and pre-paid @ £42.50
3 X individual placements (65mm x 85 mm) block-booked and pre-paid @ £60.00
4 X individual placements (65mm x 85 mm) block-booked and pre-paid @ £75.00

Many thanks for your continued support.

Whiteshill Playgroup – Trustees wanted
A message from Whiteshill Playgroup committee
We are looking for new trustees to join the Whiteshill Playgroup committee, and are particularly keen to recruit some local residents to join us.
It’s an extremely rewarding role, but it’s often difficult to recruit trustees from the parent cohort, due to family/work commitments and the short time that people’s children are enrolled at the setting before moving on to school. As such, we believe the support of some local residents joining the committee would significantly strengthen the playgroup’s prospects.
We are particularly keen to hear from people with some accounting or financial experience who could help us with our treasurer and vice-treasurer roles, which includes general bookkeeping, budget planning and management, and ensuring the committee meets regulatory obligations. However, we would welcome applications from anyone with some spare time and a willingness to get involved.
The playgroup has gone from strength to strength in the last few years under Play Leader Anna Morgan’s leadership. It continues to attract new starters from Whiteshill and beyond, due to its growing reputation as a quality childcare setting, and the children in our care are happy, flourishing, and very well looked after.
If you’re able to help and would like to find out more, please speak to Anna at the playgroup or email Tom Irwin at chair@whiteshillplaygroup.co.uk

Animal proof food recycle bins
A resident has advised that Stroud District Council now has animal proof food recycling bins available. It has been suggested that they would prevent the sort of mess that can occur when animals get in the containers. It was reported that a fox has been a problem for quite some time in the Upper Kitesnest area. Some residents put rocks on top of their bins – which does not always work as the fox is clever and just tips the bin over. Some residents have bins that don’t even have a handle.

Stroud croquet club
This may be of interest to some of you:

Parish News

Good morning,

Party in the Park plans are in full swing with all the wonderful volunteers getting everything organised. The party starts on Saturday 20th June from 2-6pm and continues after at The Star Inn. There is lots going on with numerous community stalls, reptiles, bubbles and raffle. And the famous Whiteshill V Ruscombe Tug of War! The Parish Council will have a Biodiversity stall with lots of information on butterflies and a quiz, you can also sign up to the colour run from here, and (providing they arrive in time) collect a 20mph sticker for your wheelie bin. The bike ramp users are fundraising for the rebuild of the ramps – please go and see their amazing bike display and support their inflatable axe throwing activity to raise valuable funds. The weather is looking good, so have a fabulous day.

Parish News

St Pauls Church
Just letting parishioners know that the conservation charity Caring for God’s Acre is organizing a “Love your burial ground week” from Saturday 6^th – 14^th June. As part of this the biodiversity group will be doing a bat and moth count one evening. St Paul’s churchyard is looking particularly lovely at the moment after its month of rest from mowing. The orchids are out in abundance. Do try and pop in some time. It is a lovely safe area for little ones to explore and play in the outdoors with a huge variety of wild flowers and bugs of various sorts. My two youngest grandchildren had a great morning playing there on Monday, just making nests with the grass cuttings, looking for insects and filling in holes with rubble from the pile by the village hall and it would be lovely to see other families in there. Please just beware that children do not climb on the graves or the wall (particularly to the left of the entrance gate) as they are quite unstable and are on the list to be repaired as soon as we can find someone to do the work. Our churchyard was described this week by Rev James Turk, the team rector, as one of the most beautiful in the area and it belongs to you, the parishioners of Whiteshill and Ruscombe so please enjoy it.
Also on the subject of the church, when it is hot outside, the church always remains cool. It is unlocked by volunteers but it should be open between about 9 am- 5pm so do feel free to sit in there if you need to cool off. Cold drinks are provided at the back of the church and there is a toilet with nappy changing facilities available”
Heather Bayly, PCC member

Party in the Playing Field
everything is going to plan for the event, with a number of stalls on site and a variety of activities. It all starts at 2pm, finishing at 6pm on Saturday 20th June. Please walk to the event if you can as there is no parking on the playing field car park that day. And don’t forget if you can spare an hour or two to help out at any point, do drop Cllr Nickie Webster a message cllr.nickie.webster@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk

Parish Council news
At the May Annual Council meeting, Cllr Rebecca Charley was voted back in as Chairman and Cllr Chris Brian remains as Vice Chair. We are now waiting to hear back from two grants we have applied for to do the works on the bike ramps. Hanging baskets have been put up at the bus stop by the church, thanks to Cllr Karon Vizor-Beard.

Parish News and WaRbler deadline

Good afternoon

The WaRbler Magazine
We are currently looking for stimulating articles, appetizing recipes, impactful photographs, and advertising placements, for the Summer Edition. Deadline date Friday 24th April. Where possible, please email your submission (or advertising order) in advance of the deadline date. This will greatly assist the editor.

Articles: Please email your article (max 450 words) or recipe, and accompanying photo if available, to Dilys Warren, Editor of The WaRbler: editwarbler@aol.com and Helen Dunn clerk@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk Photographs: High Resolution photographs wanted. Please email an attached jpg or pdf image and send to above addresses

Advertising: Please email details of your order to: Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk – clerk@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk and attach a jpg or pdf layout of your artwork as per our specification size 65mm W X 85 mm H. Remember to include details of your “invoice address”. An invoice will then be sent to you detailing the charges that apply, together with information concerning payment options, either via cheque made payable to Whiteshill & Ruscombe Parish Council, or BACS.

Single Advert: 1/4 page size – (65mm W x 85 mm H) @ £25.00
2 X individual placements (65mm x 85 mm) block-booked and pre-paid @ £42.50
3 X individual placements (65mm x 85 mm) block-booked and pre-paid @ £60.00
4 X individual placements (65mm x 85 mm) block-booked and pre-paid @ £75.00

Many thanks for your continued support.

St Paul’s AGM
Please do try to attend this. This is an important stage for St Paul’s. We have been working hard to make a warm space in the church for those who meet there regularly and to investigate the restoration of the interesting wall paintings in the chancel but now we need to appeal to the community for support to create a useful space in the main part of the church for everyone to benefit from.

Road works
Highways have been updating their information regarding the Road Closure signs coming up Paganhill and Farmhill. The parish Council have been advised that this is not a closure but the works due at the end of the month will be managed by traffic lights. Hope this helps any confusion.

Parish Council News
Party in the Playing Field – after much deliberation, the Council have resolved to go ahead with the party in the playing field on Saturday 20th June, but it will be on a scaled down version this year due to limited volunteers. We will have the tug of war, a BBQ, and hopefully the colour run too. If anyone wishes to play some music, then please get in touch to do this but we are not arranging bands this year and won’t be able to have numerous activities. We still aim for it to be a community event and time to be with family and friends enjoying these traditions. Look out for more information in the coming weeks. The table tennis table and basketball relocation is due to take place at the end of April, and then we will continue with the works on the bike ramps and slope by the shop to make it a bit safer. The war memorial also requires some works to the names and cleaning them up, so we are also going to apply for funding to help this too. Our maintenance person will also be revamping the red telephone box in Ruscombe which is in need for some care and attention. A new memorial bench has also been installed at the top of Zion Hill steps and has some lovely views from this location – thanks to the working party who have got this up in this location.
As a reminder to everyone who uses the playing field for whatever activity, please do use the litter bins provided or take your litter home with you. Thank you
The swift boxes have all gone up and now we wait to see if they are successful in attracting more swifts to the area. The Biodiversity Group’s next plans could be around hedgehogs in the parish, so watch out for further information on this.

Parish News

Bike marking by Gloucestershire Police – PCSO Amy Webb
On the 10th of April 2026 Stroud NPT  will be at Whiteshill Bike Ramps  between 14:00-15:00 holding a free bike marking event and registering on the Bike register .
If you’re unable to join us, you can find plenty of crime prevention advice on our website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/For more information about what’s happening in your area, enter your postcode here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/

Community Events
Nickie Webster has written a heart-felt plea on Facebook asking for help with the Party in the Park. She has said that anyone who can offer help will make a difference. Without the support needed for an event of this size it will either be scaled down or cancelled. Please pass the word round as it would be such a shame if this popular annual community event isn’t able to go ahead because of lack of helpers. cllr.nickie.webster@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk

Angie Mason is also looking for people to come forward and take part in the Open Garden’s weekend event. This was a huge success last time but lots of gardens are needed to make up a varied trail down to Farmhill and round to Ruscombe Farm. warniemason@hotmail.com

Heather Bayly is also looking for support. The church has bought a CD listing grant-givers and their particular areas of interest. She hopes there is someone locally who would take on the role of checking through these details to identify possible funders and if possible apply to appropriate grant-making trusts. heather@bayly.org

Road closures
Ruscombe Road, Ruscombe
This road will be closed (as per the attached plan) from 30/04/2026 to 01/05/2026 to allow for kerbing works by Gloucestershire Highways.
Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained.
If you should require further information please email streetworks@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Closure map

Parish News

Good morning all,

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Village Hall AGM
Thursday 19th March, 6pm at the Village Hall, all welcome

Party in the Playing Field – Volunteers Needed
The date has been set for Saturday 20th June, but it can only go ahead with all the wonderful volunteers that help make it happen, without you it just can’t go ahead. Cllr Nickie Webster would love to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours helping with any part of the event over the weekend. Please contact Nickie direct on cllr.nickie.webster@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk

Playing field Table Tennis Table. 
With the recent damage that occurred, the Parish Council are now having to go through the insurance to get a new table as the current one is beyond repair. This is a shame that this has happened and now causing more expense to the Parish Council. the works will hopefully be done at the end of April along with the basketball relocation too.

Parish News

Good afternoon

Local Government Reorganisation
The government has launched a consultation on how councils in the county could be organised in future, asking for your views on three options, including one countywide unitary council or two new councils covering different areas.
This is a significant opportunity for residents, businesses and community groups to shape how services are run across Gloucestershire for years to come.
You can take part by heading to the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-gloucestershire
To learn more about the three proposals submitted to government late last year and for full background information, visit the Future Gloucestershire website: https://futuregloucestershire.org.uk/

Ruscombe and Whiteshill Village Shop AGM

Road works
TEMPORARY CLOSURE  FIELD ROAD
Gloucestershire County Council, as traffic authority, has made an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) to temporarily close part of Field Road from its junction with Main Road to outside the property known as ‘Hendras’ for a distance of approximately 130 metres.
The reason for the said closure is for works on behalf of Severn Trent Water
The said road is expected to be closed on from 08:00hrs on 28th February 2026 until 16:00hrs on 1st March 2026 only.
However, if the said works are not completed by this date the Order may remain in force for up to eighteen months or until the said works have been completed, whichever is sooner.
For further information, please contact Gloucestershire Highways on 08000 514 514 or visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Alternative Route – as signed on site. Pedestrian access to premises on or next to the said road, and emergency access, will be maintained.

Good afternoon.

WaRbler deadline
Just a reminder for the WaRbler deadline this Friday if you are sending in anything.

Community Events update 
This month’s Lunch Club in the Chapel Schoolroom is Thursday 5th February at 12.30. Curry is the order of the day followed by Apple Crumble, sounds delicious. On the following Thursdays there’s the weekly Coffee Morning from 10.00am – Noon.
The Two Villages Festival will be running a Bunny Trail starting Saturday 28th March until Sunday 5th April.
St Paul’s will once again be serving afternoon teas over a weekend to celebrate the Primroses which by March, if not before, will be making a stunning display in the churchyard.  The date for the Primrose Teas will be advertised when the primroses look their best.
Complimentary food is available at The Star on Saturdays for the Six Nations Rugby matches. 1st round starts – Thursday 5th February. Please support our village pub whether it’s to watch rugby or simply enjoy a drink and good company.

Upcoming roadworks
Please be advised of the following closure:
•           Field Road, Whiteshill
This road will be closed (as per the attached plan) from 28/02/2026 to 01/03/2026 to allow for boundary box and meter installation by Severn Trent Water.
Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained.
Closure Plan
If you should require further information please email streetworks@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Parish News

Police alert
We’re appealing for information/CCTV following a report of a theft in your area .
Police have received a report  of theft of a stepladder from a property on the Main Road , Whiteshill Stroud at approx 12:30 on the 2nd of December 2025 .The Unknown persons have left in a white estate vehicle .
If you have any further information about this incident, we’d like to hear from you. Please complete the following online form quoting incident 300 of the 2nd of December 2025: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/Alternatively, you can give information anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or reporting online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
You can find plenty of crime prevention advice on our website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

St Laurence Tree Festival
For the rest of this week the Tree festival is at St Laurence Church where you can see Whiteshill and Ruscombe Biodiversity tree with many others. If you have time, please do go down to take a look

Santa’s Grotto

Santa will be visiting this weekend on Sunday 7th December at Whiteshill Guide hut from 10am – 2pm. There will be lots of activities and refreshments for all.

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Choir event
Please note the venue advertised in the WaRbler is now incorrect due to requiring a change. Please see details in the poster below for the event on Sunday 14th December at Ruscombe Chapel

Carols Across the Valley
Monday 15th December, Village shop opens at 5.00pm, 6.00pm – 7.00pm – Carol Singing
The  annual get-together to sing carols across the valley from the village car park will, as usual be led by Revd. Simon Howell. Leon Mustoe, with help from John Nicolle plan to light the whole top area with a myriad of festive lights and the village shop will be serving mince pies, a range of cold drinks and of course mulled wine, from 5.00pm.
Musical accompaniment will be provided by members of the Stroud Area Wind Orchestra and no doubt between the carols there will be the usual banter from the two comperes. Please bring some change or notes for the bucket collection in support of Longfield Hospice or make a donation using the QR code displayed at each of the volunteer’s tables.
If the weather isn’t on our side we will sing in the Guide Hut so don’t be put off if it’s raining or if the Whiteshill wind is whipping round, we will still go ahead.
Carols Across the Valley launches a busy week of Festive Activities across the Parish, please support as many of the events as you can.
NB: The Village Car Park will be closed to cars from 4.15 apart from blue-badge holders and re-open at 7.30pm. See you there.

Festival of Light
The Festival of Light at St Paul’s Church – Bigger, Brighter, and more spectacular – it’s going to be our best yet!
Join us on Thursday18^th December.
To set the scene, Leon, our village lighting expert, will transform the church into a rainbow of colours, inside and out with a stunning technicolour display.
Revd. Simon Howell will host the Festival and Becca, our organist for the evening will keep us all in tune.
At 6:00pm, the lights in the Nave will be dimmed as the Festival begins with an opening carol, ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ and a candlelit procession by children from Whiteshill Primary School.
The programme will feature:

• Solo performers
• Children from Whiteshill Primary School
• Whiteshill and Ruscombe Community Choir.
• Carol Singing for everyone
• Announcement of the winner of the Light Trail.

And of course, a few surprises before the Grand Finale — it’s going to be amazing!
Donations to support the church are very welcome via QR code, card reader, or cash.
Please note: the church will be chilly, so wrap up warm …gloves a blanket and a woolly hat.
Come early — the Church is sure to be full to bursting!

Hopefully you can attend some or all of the above events

Kind regards
Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk
07941 171805

Parish News

House burglaries in Ruscombe
These are the incidents that have happened in your area from 0800 hours on the 19th November 2025 to 0800 hours on the 21st November 2025. If you wish to update us on an incident or to tell us about an existing case visit https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

• A burglary was reported at a house in Ruscombe, It is not known what has been stolen. Entry to the house was via the side door. It is believed to have occurred between 0930 hours and 1852 hours on the 19th November. Anyone with any information please quote Incident number
  242 19/11/25-
• On Wednesday 19th of November 2025  Police were contacted after a report that a property  on Upper Kitesnest in Whiteshill had been found with a rear door smashed, suspects have conducted a messy search and jewellery has been stolen. The incident is believed to have taken place between 18:00 hrs & 20:30 hrs on the 19th of November 2025. If you have any further information about these incident, we’d like to hear from you. Please complete the following online form quoting incident 460 of the 19th of November 2025

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. 
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

Driving Safely in Winter – Highways Special
Message from Nigel Lloyd-Jones, Lead Older Driver Workstream, Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership
After a mild autumn the Met Office December forecast for Gloucestershire reports average daytime temperatures dropping to 7C with night-time temperatures between 1 to 2C. For drivers this makes it even more important to check weather reports and road conditions.
At 10am on 29 November the Older Drivers Forum offer a free webinar with advice for drivers on how to sharpen driving skills, prepare their car and plan journeys for winter driving. 
This will include reviews of information available on Highways website and the recent Transport Research Laboratories report to the Department for Transport on ‘Glare from Vehicle Lighting on UK Roads’.
To register for this event, click on this link https://tinyurl.com/j4fdbaxp

Warm Homes Local Grant
The Warm Homes Local Grant scheme, run by Severn Wye’s Warm and Well service. This scheme helps low-income households in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire access free energy-efficiency home upgrades to reduce energy bills over winter.
We are working on behalf of the Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire local authorities and have £5.25 million in government funding available. It is open to residents who:

• Own or privately rent a property with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G
• Have a total household income of under £36,000 per year

Households in your area could qualify for fully-funded energy-saving home improvements which is why I’m getting in touch so that you can share this with your community.
We’ve received great feedback from those already benefiting from the scheme – “I’m very grateful to have received the grant and I hope others will take advantage’’.
Find out more and apply here: severnwye.org.uk/upgrade
Please find attached a flyer, and social media materials to help share this opportunity, so that we can reach as many residents as possible that will qualify for this opportunity to take the first step to a warmer, more energy-efficient home.
If you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.