Leader's Blog - 17 August
Published: Wednesday, 17 August, 2022
Responding to a changing climate
As the Met Office reminds us, our changing climate will mean that the UK experiences hotter, drier summers, warmer, wetter winters, and more frequent and intense weather extremes. There is clearly a need for more national investment to upgrade infrastructure – as well as investment in the public services which work to keep communities safe during extreme weather.
In the last few weeks, we’ve certainly felt the impacts of the stronger summer heat, which has led to fires across farmland and at Woodchester Park. The Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service continues to do a sterling job to keep people safe and prevent fires spreading. With the grass so dry, people have been advised to “stay wildfire aware” by having a picnic out instead of a barbecue, taking litter home (especially glass bottles), ensuring cigarettes are extinguished and immediately calling 999 if they spot a fire. We’ve been sharing these “wildfire aware” messages widely, particularly given the risks for the commons and other sites.
Whatever the weather, there are plenty of activities locally for the rest of the school summer holidays. As part of the council-co-ordinated Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) there are still a few spaces available for free-of-charge holiday activities and days out. Many are for children who receive benefits related free school meals, but there are plenty for all children to enjoy. Details can be found on the “HAF Stroud District Council” Facebook and Instagram pages – with a full list on the website: https://strouddistrictcouncil.coordinate.cloud/list.
For primary school age children, there are also Go Outdoors maps to explore – for Berkeley, Wotton-under-Edge, Chalford, Dursley, Stonehouse and Cainscross. These are short walks to discover local points of interest with puzzles and games, based around a primary school: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/community-health-and-wellbeing/go-outside-walks
Cllr Catherine Braun
Leader, Stroud District Council