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This week we're highlighting important council decisions, progress on affordable housing, opportunities to support community projects and a special anniversary at the Museum in the Park.

There's plenty on the agenda at Thursday's Strategy and Resources Committee meeting. Councillors will consider an updated Medium Term Financial Plan and budget strategy, a proposed community asset transfer of Stroud's Old Town Hall to develop a Centre for Textile Arts, and proposals for how the council can help support a sustainable future for Woodchester Mansion and Park. Meeting papers are available on our website and the meeting can be watched in person or online.

In Cam, the first roofs are now in place at Glebelands, where we're building 23 energy-efficient affordable rent and shared ownership homes on a brownfield site that was previously home to a sheltered housing scheme which had reached the end of its life. The development includes homes designed for older residents and forms part of our wider affordable housing programme, helping provide high-quality, sustainable homes for local people across the district.

There's still time to support four community projects through Stroud Funding. Initiatives seeking support include wellbeing services for young people, improved wheelchair access at Stroud Rugby Club, new play opportunities in North Nibley and the installation of additional public defibrillators across the district. Since launching, Stroud Funding has helped 35 projects secure more than £600,000 for local improvements, with pledges starting from just £2. Read about them and make a pledge here: www.spacehive.com/programme/stroud

October also marks 10 years since the Museum in the Park's Walled Garden opened to the public. As World Mental Health Day approaches, it's a wonderful place to pause, reflect and enjoy nature. The museum is celebrating the anniversary with a programme of activities including plant sales, creative workshops, talks exploring the garden's transformation, exhibitions and free half-term family activities. More information can be found at www.museuminthepark.org.uk

Finally, don't forget to sign up for SDC email updates. You can choose the topics that interest you and receive the latest council news, events and service information direct to your inbox at www.stroud.gov.uk/emailalerts.

If you're looking for things to do in the Stroud district this October, there's plenty on offer. From live music, theatre, exhibitions and workshops to markets, walks and community events, there are activities taking place across the district throughout the month.

With school half term and Hallowe'en just around the corner, the list also includes family-friendly trails, craft activities, spooky events and seasonal days out. Many half term events are free or low cost, making it easy to enjoy everything the district has to offer for families. 

Regular events throughout October

• •           5k parkruns, Stroud, Stonehouse, Berkeley and Wotton (every Saturday morning)
• •           2k Junior parkruns, Stonehouse and Wotton (every Sunday)
• •           Shambles Market, Stroud (every Friday and Saturday)
• •           Stroud Farmers' Market, Stroud (every Saturday)
• •           Baptist Hall Craft Market, Baptist Hall (second and fourth Saturdays)
• •           Vintage Mary Market, The Shambles, Stroud (every Monday)
• •           Late Night Food, Five Valleys Shopping Centre (every Friday)
• •           Stroud Brewery Run Club, Stroud Brewery (Mondays)
• •           Brimscombe Mill Run Club, Brimscombe Mill (Thursdays)
• •           Woodchester Mansion open, (every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm)
• •           Wotton Town Hall Teas, Wotton Town Hall (every Sunday)
• •           Gigg Mill & Dunkirk Mill Open Days, Gigg Mill and Dunkirk Mill (Saturdays and Sundays)
• •           Free Family Explorer Trails, Museum in the Park (Tuesday-Sundays)
• •           Kids Stuff Supported Drop In, Brimscombe Mill (every Wednesday)
• •           Sayeed the Tailor, Brimscombe Mill (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays)
• •           Family Evening, The Long Table, Brimscombe Mill (every Thursday)
• •           Food & live music, The Long Table (Fridays)
• •           Kids Stuff Saturday Crafts, Brimscombe Mill (every Saturday)
• •           The Conversation Corner for Vintage VIPs, Stroud Brewery (every Monday)
• •           Weekly Community Walk, Stratford Park (every Thursday)

October events

• •           Musical Icons Exhibition, Sub Rooms (6 Oct)
• •           Stroud Film Society: Familiar Touch, Sub Rooms (6 Oct)
• •           Flowers and Fabric exhibition, Three Storeys, Nailsworth (6-18 Oct)
• •           Dursley Walking Festival, (7-11 Oct)
• •           The DODS A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Chantry Centre, Dursley (7-10 Oct)
• •           Silent Book Club, Cotswold Book Room (7 Oct)
• •           Live Comedy Sketch Show!, Sub Rooms (7 Oct)
• •           Woofchester Wednesday Dog Walks, Woodchester Park (7 Oct)
• •           Poetry Evening, Museum in the Park Walled Garden (7 Oct)
• •           Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Festival,  (8-10 Oct)
• •           Mary Coughlan, Sub Rooms (8 Oct)
• •           Watson: The Final Problem, Cotswold Playhouse (10 Oct)
• •           Japanese Woodblock Printing, Hawkwood (9 Oct)
• •           Play On Stroud: Last Dance Saloon, The Lansdown, Stroud (9 Oct)
• •           The Specials Ltd, Sub Rooms (9 Oct)
• •           Quiz Night, Cadbury Hall, Frampton-on-Severn (9 Oct)
• •           Autumn Forest Bathing, Hawkwood (10 Oct)
• •           Rodborough Tabernacle Harvest Eco Fair, (10 Oct)
• •           Harvest Festival, Hawkwood (10 Oct)
• •           Capriol Chamber Orchestra with Clare Hammond, Holy Trinity Church Stroud, (10 Oct)
• •           Coaley Recreation Action Group Quiz of Quizzes, Coaley Village Hall, (10 Oct)
• •           Judy Boom’s Look Busy, Stroud Brewery (10 Oct)
• •           Play On Stroud: Pinocchio, The Lansdown (10 Oct)
• •           Nubiyan Twist, Sub Rooms (10 Oct)
• •           The Misanthrope, National Theatre Live, Minchinhampton Market House (10 Oct)
• •           Bisley Autumn Market, Bisley WI Village Hall, (11 Oct)
• •           Under the Greenwood Tree, The Lansdown, Stroud (11 Oct)
• •           Exhibition on Screen: James McNeill Whistler, Sub Rooms (14 Oct)
• •           Totally Quackers Bingo, Sub Rooms (14 Oct)
• •           Guideposts Trust Choir fundraiser, Stroud Brewery (14 Oct)
• •           Years in the Making exhibition, Lansdown Gallery (15 Oct)
• •           Dobonni Poetry Festival, various venues (15-17 Oct)
• •           History of Chalford Railcar 1903-1964, Stroud History Society, St Laurence Church Hall (15 Oct)
• •           Elles Bailey, Sub Rooms (15 Oct)
• •           Free guided walk, Woodchester Park (15 Oct)
• •           ‘Ridiculous Monstrosities?’ Talk with Kirsty Hartsiotis, Museum in the Park (16 Oct)
• •           Minibeasties – Autumn Leaves, Stroud Valleys Project (16 Oct)
• •           Knit Happens Community Knitting Club, Sub Rooms (16 Oct)
• •           Chuckl. with Chris McCausland, Sub Rooms (16 Oct)
• •           An evening of classic ghost stories, Brimscombe Mill (16 Oct)
• •           Wear Next Gear Amnesty and Pop-Up Shop, Brimscombe Mill (17 Oct)
• •           Exedra Nursery Pop Up Plant Sale, Museum in the Park (17-18 Oct)
• •           Eco Printing Workshop with Ruth Illingworth, Museum in the Park Walled Garden, (17 Oct)
• •           Howard Donald DJ Set, Sub Rooms (17 Oct)
• •           Jay McGee, Cadbury Hall, Frampton-on-Severn (17 Oct)
• •           Minnies Wildlife Rescue & Hedgehog Hospital, Chalford Parish Centre, Bussage, (17 Oct)
• •           Stroud Arts Anthem: Jonathan Trim with the Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra, St Laurence Church (18 Oct)
• •           The Story of Stroud's Secret Garden: Afternoon Talk & Tea, Museum in the Park (18 Oct)
• •           Celebrating 10 Years of the Walled Garden afternoon slideshows, Museum in the Park, (20 - 24 Oct)
• •           Stroud Film Society: H Is for Hawk, Sub Rooms (20 Oct)
• •           Vonda Shepard, Sub Rooms (21 Oct)
• •           Wild Woolly Women, Stroud Brewery (21 Oct)
• •           Free Taster Dowsing Workshop, Tinkley Gate, Woodchester Park (22 Oct)
• •           Music from Seamus Fogarty, Brimscombe Mill (22 Oct)
• •           Textile Repair & Upcycling Community Café, Museum in the Park (23 Oct)
• •           People’s Emergency Briefing film, Oakridge Village Hall (23 Oct)
• •           Remembrance Concert, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton (23 Oct)
• •           Nerina Pallot, Sub Rooms (23 Oct)
• •           Aston Down Fireworks, Air Display & Bonfire (24 Oct)
• •           Garden Open Day, Stancombe Park (24 Oct)
• •           Autumn Wild Medicine Workshop, Hawkwood (24 Oct)
• •           Sleeping Beauty, Ballet Cymru, Cotswold Playhouse (24 Oct)
• •           Saul Junction Visitor Centre Open Day, (24 Oct)
• •           Poppy Proms by Dursley & Cam Royal British Legion, The Chantry Centre, Dursley (24 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Market, Leaf & Ground, Dursley (24 Oct)
• •           Stroud Half Marathon,  (25 Oct)
• •           Stroud Film Society: I Swear, Sub Rooms (27 Oct)
• •           Band It, Sub Rooms (29 Oct)
• •           Bad Girls of Country, Sub Rooms (30 Oct)
• •           Murder Mystery Dinner, Leaf & Ground, Dursley (30 Oct)
• •           Mr Scruff Halloween Party, Sub Rooms (31 Oct)
• •           Halloween Magician & Evening Dining, Leaf & Ground, Dursley (31 Oct)
• •           Vamps & Velvet, Stroud Brewery (31 Oct)

Half term and Hallowe’en children's activities

• •           Stranger Folk, Tinkley Gate, Woodchester Park (from 3 Oct)
• •           Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience, WWT Slimbridge (16 Oct-1 Nov)
• •           We're Going on a Bear Hunt family trail, Newark Park (daily throughout Oct)
• •           Make Your Own Bookmark half term activity, Newark Park (23 & 30 Oct)
• •           Spooky Cellars, Woodchester Mansion (23 Oct-1 Nov)
• •           Brilliant Bats half term activity, Woodchester Park (24 Oct-1 Nov)
• •           Halloween Market, Leaf & Ground, Dursley (24 Oct)
• •           Become an Apprentice Dragon Keeper free family trail, Dursley Library (24 Oct – 1 Nov)
• •           SUPER Natural October Half Term, WWT Slimbridge (24 Oct-1 Nov)
• •           Green Hallowe’en – Pumpkins in the Park free event for all, Museum in the Park, (25 Oct)
• •           Stratford Park Miniature Railway, last running of the year (25 Oct)
• •           Film Show: Room on the Broom, Museum in the Park (25 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en at Berkeley Castle (25-28 Oct)
• •           Kings Stanley Playgroup Hallowe’en Adventure Trail (25 Oct-1 Nov)
• •           Rotary Five Valleys Fireworks (AKA Ebley Fireworks) (26 Oct)
• •           Kids Stuff Craft Table, Brimscombe Mill (26-31 Oct)
• •           Fancy Dress Dressing Up Corner, Kids Stuff, (26-31 Oct)
• •           Bouncy Castle and Soft Play, Active Lifestyles Stroud (26 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en trail, Leaf & Ground, Dursley (26-31 Oct)
• •           Let’s Play Fun Days, Active Lifestyles Stroud (26-30 Oct)
• •           Kids Kitchen at the Long Table, Brimscombe Mill (27 & 29 Oct)
• •           The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill, free Museum I Spy Trail, Museum in the Park (27 Oct-8 Nov)
• •           Bat Box Making, Woodchester Park (26 & 28 Oct)
• •           Leaf Collage, Newark Park (26 Oct)
• •           K-Pop Demon Hunters dance workshop, Active Lifestyles Dursley (27 Oct)
• •           Activity Days, Active Lifestyles Dursley (27 & 29 Oct)
• •           Garden Stories, free creative drop-in activities, Museum in the Park (27-29 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Family Roller Skating, Active Lifestyles Stroud (28 Oct)
• •           K-Pop Demon Hunters dance workshop, Active Lifestyles Stroud (28 Oct)
• •           Hands on Reptile Experience (advance booking needed), Brimscombe Mill (28 Oct)
• •           Half Term Woolly Morning with Stroudwater Textile Trust, Museum in the Park (29 Oct)
• •           Crafternoon: Learn to Crochet, (booking needed), Brimscombe Mill (29 Oct)
• •           Fancy Dress family disco, Brimscombe Mill (29 Oct)
• •           Something Wicked This Way Comes! Woodchester Mansion (29 Oct)
• •           Family group sessions with crafts and games at Longfield (29 Oct)
• •           Silly Science Workshop, Active Lifestyles Stroud, (30 Oct)
• •           Scare Fair crafts, games, face painting and bouncy castle, Active Lifestyles Dursley (30 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Pumpkin Painting, Stroud Brewery (30 Oct)
• •           Swim Clinic, Active Lifestyles Dursley (30 Oct)
• •           Owl Pellet Exploration, Woodchester Park (30 Oct)
• •           Let’s Create drop-in session, The Sanctuary, Brimscombe Mill (30 Oct)
• •           Cotswold Canals Trust Hallowe’en boat trips (30-31 Oct)
• •           Children's Hallowe’en Disco, Chalford Sports & Social Club (30 Oct)
• •           Clay Sculpture Animals, Newark Park (28 Oct)
• •           A Pop-Up Medley of Spooky Songs & Dark Folk Tunes, Museum in the Park (31 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Hunt, Active Lifestyles Stroud, (31 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Pool Party, Active Lifestyles Dursley (31 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Trail, Leaf & Ground, Dursley (26-31 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Party, The Village Inn, Kings Stanley (31 Oct)
• •           Let’s Create drop in crafts, Stroud Brewery (31 Oct)
• •           Hallowe’en Pool Party, Active Lifestyles Stroud (1 Nov)

For more events and activities taking place across the district, see Visit Stroud, Good on Paper and venue websites.

Please check before travelling, as details may be subject to change.

Sign up here to receive news and events from Stroud District Council here:  https://stroud.gov.uk/emailalerts

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Construction of Stroud District Council's new affordable housing development at Glebelands in Cam has reached a significant milestone, with the first roofs now installed as the 23-home scheme continues to take shape.

The development forms part of the council's long running programme to increase the supply of high-quality affordable housing for local people across the district. Built on the site of a former independent living site, Glebelands will provide 23 new homes, including properties for affordable rent and shared ownership.

The scheme comprises eight one-bedroom flats, 10 two-bedroom houses and five three-bedroom houses. Four of the flats have been specifically designed for older residents. Homes are being designed with accessibility and flexibility in mind, making them easier to use and adapt as residents' needs change over time.

A major milestone was achieved this summer with the installation of the first roofs on the apartment buildings. Work is continuing at pace, with a third roof currently being completed as the development becomes increasingly visible on site.

Caroline Dumas, Stroud District Council’s Strategic Director of Resources, said:

"It's great to see Glebelands reaching this important stage, with the first roofs now in place and the development really starting to take shape.

"There is a significant shortage of affordable housing across the district, with thousands of people on our housing register, so every new home we deliver makes a difference. These 23 homes will provide high-quality, energy-efficient accommodation for local people and will help more residents access a secure and affordable home.

"The scheme also demonstrates our commitment to sustainability. By incorporating energy efficient features and high levels of insulation, these homes will be more affordable to run while supporting our ambition to reduce carbon emissions across the district."

Once complete, the homes will include a range of energy-efficient measures designed to help residents reduce household energy use and running costs. These include air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems in some units.

The development is being delivered on behalf of the council by contractor Speller Metcalfe and is expected to be completed next summer.

Mark Eaton, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe, said:

"We're pleased to see Glebelands reach this important milestone, with the first roofs now installed and the development taking shape. As a regional contractor with a long history of delivering high-quality homes across the Midlands and South West, we're proud to be working alongside Stroud District Council to provide energy-efficient homes that will make a lasting difference for local people."

The project received funding from the UK Government, through the Brownfield Land Release Fund. This supported upfront works to enable new homes to come forward. This is one of a pipeline of projects being delivered with this funding that will deliver nearly 50 new council homes across the area.

“Unlocking council land and delivering new homes is crucial across the country. What makes this development so special is that it will provide 100% affordable homes to help meet local demand,” said Paul Britton, South West Lead at One Public Estate.

Glebelands forms part of the council's wider affordable housing programme, which is delivering new homes across several sites in the district.

Construction is also progressing at Queens Drive in Cashes Green, where seven affordable homes are nearing completion.

The council has recently completed two further affordable housing schemes on former council-owned sites: eight affordable rent homes at Gloucester Street and Bradley Street in Wotton-under-Edge and thirteen social rent homes at Cambridge Avenue in Dursley.

Together, these developments are helping to increase the supply of affordable homes for local people while making best use of previously developed brownfield land and supporting the council's commitment to creating sustainable communities across the district.