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.

Parish News

Good morning

Two Villages Festival Market Day
The Two Villages Festival (Ruscombe & Whiteshill) are having a Market Day on Sunday, 21st September in the Whiteshill playing field car park from noon until 4pm. There will be craft stalls and cream teas in the Guide Hut. Please come along and support our community. We are keeping our fingers firmly crossed for better weather!
For further information please email: 2vfest@gmail.com

Please note the car park will be closed from Saturday midday and throughout Sunday. Please ensure your cars are moved out by Saturday morning. Thank you for your co-operation

Parish Council Grants
Every year the Parish Council has a small pot of money to give away to local groups for projects within the parish. Information can be found on the website, with the deadline for applications to be received being 26th September 2025, to be considered at the October Parish Council meeting.

Road Closures
Gloucestershire County Council, as traffic authority, has made an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) to temporarily close part of the Ruscombe Road from its junction with Zion Hill to its junction with “The Throat” for a distance of approximately 100 metres. The reason for the said closure is for works on behalf of BT Openreach. The said road is expected to be closed between 09:30hrs and 14:30hrs on 18th September 2025 only or until the said works have been completed. 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 road, and emergency access, will be maintained.

Parish News 4th September 2025

Good afternoon

Play area
The Parish Council now have a further meeting with Play Company Sovereign next week with regards t installation issues on the new play equipment. We will continue to keep you updated once we have more information.

Grants and Donations
Every year the Parish Council have a small pot of money they are able to give out to local community groups carrying out projects or activities. If you would like to apply please complete the forms available on the website, with the deadline of Friday 26th September. Donations and Grants – Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council
The applications will be considered at the October Parish Council meeting.

Road works and closures for September
Please be advised of the following closure: Highfield Road, Whiteshill
This road will be closed (as per the attached plan) from 11/09/2025 to 12/09/2025 to allow for boundary box installation work by Severn Trent Water.
Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained.
If you should require further information please email streetworks@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Closure map

TEMPORARY CLOSURE RUSCOMBE ROAD
Gloucestershire County Council, as traffic authority, intends to make an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) to temporarily close part of the C213 Ruscombe Road from its junction with Zion Hill to its junction with “The Throat” for a distance of approximately 100 metres. The reason for the said closure is for works on behalf of BT Openreach The said road is expected to be closed between 09:30hrs and 14:30hrs on 18th September 2025 only or until the said works have been completed. 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 road, and emergency access, will be maintained.
Closure map

Parish News

Good afternoon

Play area
The Parish Council are disappointed to still be waiting to open the play area. There have been some issues with the installation and we are now waiting for a further site meeting with Sovereign. I will update everyone as we have more information.

St Pauls working party
It’s coming round to that time of year when we need to think about the annual clear-up of the churchyard. The new part on the south side is looking good this year thanks to the Community Payback and our trusty volunteers. The dry weather has slowed down growth as well which has helped!
We do need help with the “Space for Nature” on the north side (nearest the bus stop). There is a churchyard plan now (displayed in the porch of the church). All areas on that side of the church are left to nature until August at the earliest, but preferably September. My problem with organizing a working party is that I can’t do the first three weeks of August and then there is a Bank Holiday and the Five Valleys Walk in late August. I can’t do anything in September. I’m going to call a working party on 30^th August but if it is wet we’ll have to delay until the start of October.
You may see a bit of activity by individuals before that and if you would like to be involved do please get in touch. Otherwise if you are free to help on 30^th August it would be great.
Heather Bayly
heather@bayly.org

Biodiversity Action
The group have successfully applied for a grant to carry out a swift project which will involve 12 swift boxes and callers being installed around the parish. Look out for more information on this as the project progresses.

Road works and closures for September
TEMPORARY CLOSURE RUSCOMBE ROAD
Gloucestershire County Council, as traffic authority, intends to make an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) to temporarily close part of the C213 Ruscombe Road from its junction with Zion Hill to its junction with “The Throat” for a distance of approximately 100 metres. The reason for the said closure is for works on behalf of BT Openreach The said road is expected to be closed between 09:30hrs and 14:30hrs on 18th September 2025 only or until the said works have been completed. 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 road, and emergency access, will be maintained.
Closure map

Please be advised of the following closure: Highfield Road, Whiteshill
This road will be closed (as per the attached plan) from 11/09/2025 to 12/09/2025 to allow for boundary box installation work by Severn Trent Water.
Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained.
If you should require further information please email streetworks@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Closure map

Parish News

Parish News

Good afternoon all,

Play equipment installation updates
Thank you for your patience so far for those who have been using the car park with the play equipment works going on. We have further deliveries expected tomorrow and so have put barriers up on another couple of spaces. Works will continue next week, when we hope it will be completed. Some photos of the works so far.  Please keep out of the area for the next week and we will soon announce when you can go and play. We will get some table tennis bats and balls and they will be available in the shop to borrow, otherwise please do bring your own down and have a game.

Other news:
A Councillor was informed by a resident that their dog had been bitten by an adder in the orchard. Please do take care in the area, but also do look at this link about adders for information: Adder | The Wildlife Trusts

Changes to the way Gloucestershire Councils are organised – information from Stroud District Council:

Dear Resident,
The government plans to change the way local councils in England work. Currently in Gloucestershire there is one County Council which is responsible for things like education, social care and our roads, and six district, borough and city councils, including Stroud District Council. We look after your bins, recycling and planning and we work with communities on proactive schemes like the restoration of the canals and our Healthy Lifestyle scheme including Choose2Move and Mummy & Me.
The government plans would see fewer, larger councils that look after all services. These are called unitary authorities, and they already exist in places like Cornwall and Somerset.
Your Gloucestershire councils are working on a series of proposals to create one, two or even three unitary authorities to cover our county. These must be submitted to government by the end of the year. The government will then have the final decision on what happens next.
As part of that submission, we want to include the thoughts, opinions and voices of our communities. We believe you are best placed to tell us what services you value most and why. This week, we have launched a survey giving you the chance to make your voice heard, and it’s important you do, as we are building a future Gloucestershire through this work. The survey doesn’t take too long and can be completed by clicking on the button below.
Please take the time to let us know your thoughts and together we can build a bright future for Stroud district and for Gloucestershire.
Best wishes
Kathy O’Leary
Chief Executive, Stroud District Council
County-wide local government reorganisation survey | Have Your Say Gloucestershire

Parish News

Good morning all,

It was an amazing Party in the Park last weekend with lots of fun and activities going on. A big thanks to Cllr Nickie Webster and the team of volunteers for organising a great day.

Play area works
The new play equipment for the play area and field is due to be installed over the next two weeks. The play area will therefore be closed off after this weekend. Signs will go up, but please do stay out of the area whilst the works takes place. Car parking will also be restricted, so please don’t park in the areas barriered off from this Sunday. The summer holidays will then be full of new activities for everyone to take part in. I will send out progress as it is happening.

Daisy Day – 12th July
We’re going Daisy Crazy at St Paul’s on Saturday 12^th July. It’s fun, it’s different and it’s going to look amazing.
So what is Daisy Day all about?
For one day only there will be decorated paper plates, now transformed into colourful daisies, hanging from a chain going all around the church. To achieve the number of daisies needed, has been a fantastic community effort with over 500 paper plates distributed between local schools, village groups, clubs, organisations and many more taking part.
To give everyone a chance to decorate a daisy and hang it onto the chain there will be a FREE daisy-decorating workshop in the church that morning between 10.30am to 12.00. All materials will be provided and if you need help, Carol with all her creative skills, will be there to give you some ideas.
During the day from 2.00pm – 4.30pm St Paul’s is holding an Information Afternoon. This is an opportunity to hear about the future plans for the church including ideas to open up the nave for the community once the pews have been removed. The first step towards improving the church will be the upgrading of the Lady Chapel to install heating which should make it more attractive as a small space for meetings and similar …more about that on the 12^th. Yes, there’s a lot going on at St Paul’s behind the scenes so do come along to find out more. Your ideas and questions regarding the proposed plans are important to us.
Teas will be served throughout the afternoon and there’s a Family Quiz Trail where clues can be found inside the church and in the churchyard.
Please join us at St Pauls’ on Saturday 12^th July and if you have decorated a daisy, maybe you will be able to find it on the enormous daisy chain.
Maggie Booth.

Police report
A resident has reported the following to the police on the 1st July: It has been reported that there was a man with a bike who had dark brown skin, short Afro style hair at about 1615 today. He followed one of the children in the village down the hill towards her house. She got very spooked by it and ran home. If there is any information on this please report direct to the police with Incident no 508 of 1st July 2025

WaRbler deadline
We are currently looking for stimulating articles, appetizing recipes, impactful photographs, and advertising placements, for the Autumn Edition.
Deadline date Friday 25th July 2025
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 via BACS made payable to Whiteshill & Ruscombe Parish Council.
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.

Party in the Park and Parish News

Good afternoon all,

Party in the Park
It looks like the weather is going to hold out for the Party in the Park at the weekend. There is so much going on including Chariot racing, Children’s colour run, various local community stalls with hook a duck, coconut shy to name a few.
If you are going to the event and think you could spare half an hour to also help out anywhere, you could sign up here: https://signup.com/go/tQaqssv or contact Cllr Nickie Webster to let her know (cllr.nickie.webster@whiteshillandruscombe-pc.gov.uk)
If entering the chariot race, the following disclaimer needs completing and returning to take part: Chariot Race waiver
And for all those children who enjoyed the colour run last year, we also need the attached form completed: Colour Run waiver
PLEASE REMEMBER THERE IS NO PARKING AT THIS EVENT. PLEASE EITHER WALK OR CATCH THE BUS. There is parking at Archway School where you can walk up from too.

New playing field benches
You may now have seen a couple of new benches in the playing field – one just below the shop which is dedicated in memory to Peter Hood who served the community on the Parish Council for 40years, and the second is a replacement in the orchard. We are due one more to arrive in the playing field soon to replace one just below the play area. Please do enjoy sitting on them and the views across the valley.

New play equipment in the play area and on the playing field
We are due to have the new playing equipment installed the week of 7th July lasting approx. 2 weeks. There will be some disruption during this time and the play area will be closed off. In the play area we are due to have a new roundabout and swings with pathways to access these. And on the playing field there is due a table tennis table and the basketball hoop will be relocated with a new surface.
We will need to cordon off 4 spaces on the car park for the contractors and one morning it is likely that the car park will be closed for a short period whilst the roundabout is delivered and lifted over the fence. Please bare with us and watch out for the signs of dates and times there may be closures etc. We are hoping this will all be in place for the summer holidays for everyone to enjoy.

Kind regards
Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk
07941 171805