Leader's blog - 18 January 2023
Published: Wednesday, 18 January, 2023
"Play is one of the main ways in which children learn and develop, and outdoor play areas help children to keep active, stay well and be happy. Across our district, neighbourhood play areas are a vital resource for families, and this summer we’ll be investing £300,000 to improve five of them. We’ve assessed all the district council-owned play areas through consultation to decide on the top priority sites for investment, which are Archway Gardens in Paganhill, Mason Road in Stroud, Wharfdale Way in Stonehouse and two sites in Dursley, at Cambridge Avenue and Acacia Drive.
From an initial survey last summer, we know that the most popular play equipment items are swings, slides and climbing apparatus. The next stage is to speak to children and their families at local consultation events this month about what improvements they’d like to see. The local community will then be asked to vote for their preferred design, with the new equipment then installed this summer.
For anyone looking to get a new job this year, the Interview Clothes Rail may be of interest. It’s a new scheme, inspired by Gloucestershire Recycles ‘Wear Not Waste’ campaign, and it aims to help people look smart at job interviews and get into employment. The Clothes Rail contains high-quality second-hand clothes which are available to anyone who has a job interview coming up but can’t afford to buy a smart outfit. After a successful pilot in Stroud Library before Christmas, the Interview Clothes Rail is now in Nailsworth Library for the next few weeks and will be accessible during library opening hours.
Finally, there’s still time for any cycling enthusiasts to consider putting in an application for the new role of Stroud District Bicycle Mayor. They’ll even receive their own bike `chain of office'!"
The Leader's blog was written by Cllr Catherine Braun
Leader, Stroud District Council