Nailsworth's Poet Laureate
Pip Heywood has been crowned Nailsworth’s second Poet Laureate after wowing Nailsworth Town Council’s judges with his work.
The Poet Laureate competition encouraged local people to express themselves through poetry while showcasing their talents. The culmination of this competition was to find a local poet to hold the honorary title of Nailsworth Poet Laureate for two years. Throughout the term the Poet Laureate will work alongside Nailsworth Town Council and within the community to develop opportunities to help make poetry part of the life of the town.
Pip Heywood impressed the judges with his exceptional writing skills and ability to convey powerful emotions and local history through poetry. You can read the winning entry here.
The competition provided a wonderful opportunity for poets to express their views creatively. Budding and established poets were equally welcomed to enter. Nailsworth Town Council would like to thank everyone for taking part this year.
Pip will succeed Mark Corcoran, who in 2022 was appointed the first Poet Laureate at Nailsworth Festival of Words.
Precept for 2024 – 2025
Nailsworth Town Council has an expected annual expenditure of £483,626 for 2024-2025 of which the precept makes up £434,776. The rest of the income comes from community room hire charges. In 2023-2024 NTC also successfully applied for just over £32,000 in grant funding.
In 2023-2024, NTC faced two challenges; the cost of living crisis and uncertainty over high rises in the utilities charges, services, materials and supplies. With unpredictable rising costs, NTC took the decision to keep the precept lower for residents by using £18,500 from reserves to support Homestart (family support at the Arkell Centre), a Community Development Worker and essential tree work. Without this, the precept would have been £380,135.
The challenges for 2024-2025 are similar, with building repair and maintenance costs rising further. NTC’s buildings are very well used by community groups and small businesses, and to keep them safe, the council needs to increase their maintenance. An additional role – part time Project Officer – means that this work can be done more quickly.
Extra funds have been requested for structural work to the Town Hall, and to remove the old wooden pavilion at KGV playing field. This will be replaced with a purpose-built grounds maintenance store. NTC will also apply for grant funding and use earmarked reserves for this work.
Nailsworth Town Council continues to spend around 18% of the annual budget to support the community through services such as the Youth Club, library, family support and community development.
What is the precept?
The precept is the council tax that Stroud District Council collects on behalf of Nailsworth Town Council. Unlike county and district Councils, town and parish councils do not receive any direct funding from central government. The precept is a very important part of the town councils income. Nailsworth also gets income from grants and hiring out community rooms.
Road works and closures in Nailsworth
One network's website provides an up to date map of all road works locally. From their live map you can find specific information regarding closures and diversions, details of traffic management and contact details of the responsible contractor.
Visit https://one.network/
If you are unable to find the information you require about the road closures and works planned locally further information can be gathered from GCC highways.
Please email highways(at)gloucestershire.gov.uk or call 08000 514 514.
Forest Green Rovers Stadium: A New Chapter for Nailsworth
Stroud District Council’s Development Control Committee have agreed Forest Green Rovers’ outline planning application for 95 houses on the current New Lawn stadium site.
The outline planning permission comes with conditions, including that stadium demolition cannot occur until the new Eastington stadium is operational. This provides us time to engage in meaningful negotiations with the club.
While acknowledging the club's long-standing history in Nailsworth, NTC has expressed significant concerns about the proposed development. Key issues include potential traffic congestion, strain on local services, flood risks, and the loss of community amenities.
NTC are committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for our community and will now be proactively seeking sustainable solutions that honour FGR's legacy. NTC supports;
· Reducing the housing density (SDC’s Local Plan identifies 80 houses for this site)
· Implementing a sustainable transport plan
· Involving the Nailsworth Community Land Trust in affordable housing management
· Ensuring the local community benefits through realistic Section 106 contributions
NTC remains committed to working with FGR to create a development that respects Nailsworth's character, supports our community, and reflects the club's environmental principles.
NTC will continue to advocate for our community throughout the reserved matters stage and beyond.
Upcoming Meetings
Current and Recent Agendas
Slow down for a smile!
The Town Council has had two Speed Indicator Device Signs installed. One of these is near Egypt Mill, on the A46 and one on Nympsfield Road towards the Youth Club. NTC has been working with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Gloucestershire County Council to obtain and fit the SIDS.
The signs give you a happy smile if you are driving with the speed limit, and frown if you are not. The signs also store data, so that speed statistics can be analysed over time.
Showcasing Nailsworth
The award winning Silver band provided the sound track to Nailsworth Town Council’s Annual Town Meeting which took place on the 20th April 2024, with nearly thirty groups and clubs represented in the Town Square (bus station). Nailsworth's Mayor, Cllr Mike Kelly, presented community awards to a host of 'Nailsworth Heroes - people who have gone and above and beyond for the community. As well as being a chance to meet and talk to people across the town, this annual meeting is a chance to meet the Mayor, Cllr Mike Kelly, and other councillors and find out how your town council has been working for you. On the day, a new Poet Laureate was also crowned, Pip Haywood for his poem called "Days Mill".
The 2024 award winners: The Festival Arts Award - Louis Nicholas. The Chamberlain Sporting Award - Harry Ash. Youth Award - Ruby Ward. Platinum Jubilee Shield - Community Cafe Volunteers.
A special award was presented to a group of volunteers who keep our town litter free. Nailsworth is very fortunate to have a volunteer team of litter pickers, or as we like to think of them ‘Wombles’, keeping all areas of our beautiful town clean and tidy. We wish to acknowledge our gratitude to these people who work so hard for the town and the community.
Their leader John Williams received the Town Award last year, and this year we are proud to give a new Community award to the following members of his Wombling team:
Caron Oatley, Lawrence Duybery, Diane Cafon, Catherine Mitchell and David Perrett.
Photo below shows Deputy Mayor, Shelley Rider, award winner Louis Nicolas, Mayor Mike Kelly with his guide dog Nicky, and award winner Ruby Ward.