Stroud District Council update - w/c 10 August 2026

August is packed with opportunities to get out and enjoy everything our district has to offer, with lots of free and low-cost events taking place throughout the summer. If you're looking for inspiration, take a look at the news page on our website, where you'll find activities for all ages across the district.

There is also exciting news for swimmers, with the Stratford Park lido reopening on Saturday 15 August. The much-loved outdoor pool is ready to welcome visitors back, and sessions can be booked online through the Active Lifestyles website. Families can also enjoy free activities at Stratford Park every Friday throughout August from 10am to 4pm. The Big Summer Picnics and Play in the Park events include sports, games, crafts, museum activities, live entertainment and plenty of family-friendly fun. Overflow parking will be available at the college next to the park and at Stratford Road Tesco when the main car parks are full.

While making the most of the outdoors, please take extra care during the current dry weather. We have received continued reports of fires in public places, including at Selsley Common and Standish Wood. Even a small fire can quickly spread and cause significant damage to wildlife and habitats. Please leave barbecues and campfires at home and bring a picnic instead.

There are also a couple of important recycling updates. Household Waste and Recycling Centres are currently unable to accept fridges, freezers and other cooling appliances due to a national processing issue. At present, our bulky waste service can still collect these items, and we will keep residents updated if the situation changes.

Finally, Hempsted Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Gloucester will close from 13 August for essential repairs and is expected to reopen in mid-November. This may increase demand at other sites, so please remember to book your visit in plenty of time.

If you'd like to keep up to date with council news, events, service updates and other local information, why not sign up for our weekly email bulletin? It lands in subscribers' inboxes every Friday and is a simple way to stay informed about what's happening across the district. Sign up here.