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 Thursday18th 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