STROUD District Council leader Steve Lydon keeps you up to date with council matters

Pete Reed

Along with rest of the district and beyond I was glued to my TV set when Nailsworth’s Pete Reed rowed to Olympic gold in the men’s eight. I’m pleased to say that we are working closely with Nailsworth Town Council to ensure we celebrate his incredible achievement, just as we did four years ago.

Anyone who is inspired by Pete’s success might like to take to the water and enter the revived Stroud Raft Race. Participants build a raft and race it along a recently opened stretch of the Thames & Severn Canal between Wallbridge and Capels Mill. The race will be on Sunday 2nd October, with full details on the website stroudraftrace.org

Garden Sneak Peek

I had a tour of the Museum in the Park’s Secret Garden.  Although it’s not officially open to the public yet the museum are opening the garden on Sundays in August between 2pm and 4pm;well worth it as many of the borders are now established, and it looks stunning already.

Age Friendly Health & Housing Group meeting

In 20 years time Stroud is likely to have the oldest population in Gloucestershire so Monday’s meeting looked at how we make our district an age-friendly place to live and work in. We agreed a range of health and housing priorities, including decreasing social loneliness and isolation, and helping residents to reduce fuel poverty .

Farewell to Hazel Smith

This week is the last at the council for Hazel Smith, the long serving PA to the Chief Executive. Hazel has worked with several chief executives and even more leaders over her four decades of service  – and has been a great support to us all. We all wish her a long and happy retirement.