Alderton Newsletter - October 2025

Alderton Newsletter - October 2025

1. ALDERTON PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

FLOOD PREVENTION 
Work has started on the flood prevention measures on the hill, set out in the last newsletter. This will involve limited road closure on Beckford Road, probably on 27th/28th October, and temporary footpath diversions north of Beckford Road. The Gloucestershire Flood Prevention Officer has confirmed that this work will reduce the volume of surface water entering the village’s drainage system during periods of heavy and/or sustained rainfall. It is not a silver bullet, but it will reduce the severity and likelihood of impacts.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
A village resident reported that he was investigating the possibility of reintroducing Neighbourhood Watch into the village.

PLANNING UPDATES

Proposed Development – Land south of Beckford Road [now 32 houses] 24/00393/OUT
No further news, but there are still outstanding Highways issues, and residents and the Parish Council continue to express concerns.

Proposed Development – Land Behind 52-74 Willow Bank Road [48 houses] 2400801/FUL
No further news but the Parish Council understands there are enforcement issues associated with premature site work.

25/00626/FUL - The Walnuts, Gretton Fields
Ground Floor rear extension and roof conversion.

> read october newsletter

TRAFFIC SPEED 
A meeting is being arranged with Gloucestershire Highways to review traffic safety measures. 

DIRECTORY
The Parish Council has drawn up a Directory of local clubs, groups, and volunteering opportunities to ensure that residents are aware of local community activities. This will shortly be on the Parish Council website. Please contact the Parish Clerk if you’d like your organisation to be included. We will ensure this is part of the Welcome Pack provided to new residents when new houses are sold.

BUSES TO CHELTENHAM AND CHIPPING CAMDEN 
The Parish Council has received no official notification but the number of 606 bus services appears to have doubled, funded by Gloucestershire County Council. Full details are on the Pulhams website at https://www.pulhams.co.uk/busservices/timetables/service606/. 

WILLOW BANK ROAD CLOSURE
Will be closed from 10th to 14th November. More details are on the Parish Council website.

GRETTON FIELDS ROAD CLOSURE
Will be closed on the 18th November 2025.

ANNUAL ALLOTMENT TIDY UP 27th SEPTEMBER 2025

CAMBRIDGE SQUARE DEFIBRILLATOR
Due to electricity connection issues, this may need to be moved to the Village Hall. Further details will be published when available. There is a further defibrillator at the Playing Field. If you need to use one, just take your mobile phone; all instructions are on the site.

IMPROVING MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE
An organisation called Atlas are investigating a possible site for a tower to improve mobile coverage for the main operator networks. 

Information about the Parish Council can be viewed on www.aldertonparishcouncil.org.uk.

DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: at 7pm Tuesday 21 October 2025 in the Village Hall.
​
GIGACLEAR - FIBRE BROADBAND
Work will soon begin in Alderton as part of a government-funded broadband upgrade through the BDUK (Building Digital UK) programme. This project will bring faster, more reliable internet to homes and businesses across the village. Further updates, including expected timescales and roadwork information, will be shared as the project progresses.  Please look out for letters that will be landing to invite you to an in-person community meeting.

To check if your property is included, visit gigaclear.com and enter your postcode.

Welcome to new residents
This newsletter is published monthly. You can sign up to receive the newsletter by email here: www.aldertonvillage.co.uk/newsletter-signup  We’re online at www.aldertonvillage.co.uk where you’ll find details of village services and clubs and organisations. 

We're on social media at www.facebook.com/aldertonglos and www.instagram.com/alderton_glos. We also have WhatsApp groups ‘Alderton residents’ and ‘For Sale/Free’, for everything you need to know about the village and to buy/sell. To join message Mark on 07973 963539 or  [email protected].

​​2. ALDERTON BUSINESSES & SERVICES

THE GARDENERS ARMS
www.gardenersarms.biz / 01242 620257

BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS
Book your Christmas Parties and Christmas Day celebrations at The Gardeners Arms! We have dedicated menus for both occasions, and we guarantee festive fun.

To make a booking, please call 01242 620257 or email [email protected]

DON'T FORGET... 50% OFF your 2nd main when enjoying two courses - available every Saturday and Sunday until the end of the year. This offer INCLUDES our famous Sunday roasts too! 

Weekday Special Offers

• Tuesday & Wednesday: enjoy 25% off adults mains when you have two-courses
  
• Thursday: our irresistible burgers are 30% off every Thursday.
  
• Friday: classic fish and chips for just £12.95 every Friday (+£1 for gluten free). 

Open ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, including Mondays!

Everyday Enjoyment

• We open every day at 9:30am for breakfast, start your day right!
  
• And for a perfect pick-me-up, Coffee & Cake (or swap it for a bacon butty!) for only £7.95.
  
• Dog friendly! Check out our doggy menu, which includes your four-legged friends favourites!

Takeaway Service Available – please contact us to pre-order, and takeaways are for collection only.

​Please call us on 01242 620257 to make a booking or online at https://www.gardenersarms.biz/book-a-table-3/
​
ALDERTON VILLAGE HALL 
www.aldertonvillagehall.co.uk
[email protected] / [email protected]

ALDERTON VILLAGE HALL – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM will be held on Tuesday 28 October at 7.30pm at the Village Hall, and is open to everyone to come along. We are always looking for fresh ideas for maintaining and improving the facilities offered at the hall, so that it is well-used by the community. So it would be great to see you there! 

Thank you to everyone who responded to the recent survey regarding the potential re-development of the hall. Progress is ongoing, and we will keep you informed. Thank you too to those who offered to help with the project, we will be in touch soon!  

If you have any comments or suggestions, we'd love to hear from you – either at the AGM or by email to [email protected]

JIGSAW SWAP & COFFEE MORNING , SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1ST, VILLAGE HALL
Have you finished with a jigsaw and would like a new one to challenge you over the dark winter nights? Then come along to our jigsaw swap and see what you can find. There will be a communal jigsaw for everyone to help complete during the morning.

CHRISTMAS CAFE, SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER, 10AM TO 12PM

A morning of fun with refreshments, delicious homemade cakes, and a Christmas raffle along with a sprinkling of lots of Christmas cheer. Community carol singing led by the choir and a performance by our very own village handbell ringing group, the Alderton Belles.

ST MARGARET’S CHURCH

GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHRISTIAN BIKERS, SUN OCTOBER 12TH, ST MARGARET'S CHURCHA Church service with a difference: the Gloucestershire Christian Bikers are coming to Alderton on Sunday October 12th at 10.30am and they are taking the service! Please come and join us and experience something different!

OAK HILL SCHOOL
https://www.oakhill.gloucs.sch.uk/

We spent time together in collective worship in our first week back to remind ourselves of school expectations, our school vision. We discussed how we can live out our school vision, in love, we learn, grow and flourish and what that could look like. School ambassadors and members of the School Council have been selected and are organising their ideas for the school's progress in their areas. We welcomed all our families into school last week so they could see how we operate and what we are offering each of the children.

We are continuing with enrichment clubs for the children and look forward to seeing their contributions. We also have several events already on the calendar, including November residentials for Years 5 and 6 and for Year 4, Young Voices in January and trips and visits to enhance our learning throughout the year. Our Harvest Festival service has already been held and what a joyous experience that was.

We have two opportunities for you to become an active member of our school community: 

At Oak Hill, we are seeking a committed and community-minded individual to join our Local Board of Advisors. This voluntary role offers a unique opportunity to support the school’s vision, uphold its Christian ethos, and help shape the educational experience of our pupils. Advisors play a vital part in providing strategic guidance, ensuring accountability, and fostering strong links between the school, church, and wider community. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who share our values and are passionate about helping children thrive. Whether you bring experience in education, safeguarding, or simply a heart for service, your contribution will be valued and impactful. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
We are also seeking a SEND Teaching Assistant, Mid-Day Supervisor and After School Club Leader- 27 hours 25 minutes. This term-time-only role offers some flexibility in hours. Please email [email protected] for more information. 
We look forward to another jam-packed year at Oak Hill!

3. CLUBS & SOCIETIES

GARDENING CLUB NEWS
www.aldertonvillage.co.uk/alderton-gardening-club 
Phil Kitson/Tom Cullimore

​Alderton Gardening Club's next meeting will be on Thursday 9th October. Our speaker is Marion Stainton who will be talking about The Winter Garden. Doors open 6.45 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start. Members £3, Non-Members £6 – all welcome!

SECRET GARDEN YOGA CLUB
Yoga classes have moved to the village hall for the winter and it’s amazing how zen that space can become with the addition of hundreds of battery-powered candles! Join us for Sunday night restorative yoga at 7pm on Sunday the 12th October and end your week the right way.

Vinyasa flow classes also have space at 7pm on Thursday the 16th and 23rd.

Book here: https://secretgardenyogaclub.as.me/schedule/fa819cd4

4. GREAT WASHBOURNE NEWS

HARVEST, SUNDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 
The service at 12pm will be followed by a bring and share lunch in church (or outside if the weather is kind) at 1 pm. All are welcome.

AFTERNOON TEA, SAT 25th OCTOBER, 2PM 
In aid of MacMillan Cancer Support (60%) and St Mary’s Church (40%). Tickets are for sale in October. £10 for afternoon tea, £12.50 for afternoon tea including a glass of Prosecco. Please contact Karen (07887 597792) or Ann (07964 409771) to pre-book your tickets.

GREAT WASHBOURNE FAMILY QUIZ, SAT 1ST NOVEMBER
The annual family fun quiz will be held in St Mary’s Church on Saturday, 1st November, 6.30-10 pm. It is suitable for all ages - bring your own team of 4-5 or join one on the night. Tickets: £12 adult (£6 u12s). This will include a two-course hot supper, and there will be a bar. Tickets are available from Karen (07887 597792) or Jane (07711 623017). All funds raised will go to the upkeep of our church. We hope to see you there.

5. EVENTS

ALDERTON MARRIED V SINGLES CHARITY FOOTBALL

SAT DEC 27TH 2025 – ALDERTON PLAYING FIELD, KICK OFF 13:00
Once again, the brave, big-hearted Married people of Alderton will take to the field of play against the Single people of Alderton. The quality of the football isn’t great, but the fundraising is – over the years, the matches have raised over £25,000 for local and national charities. The match kicks off at 1pm, with refreshments available, and festivities to follow after the match in the Gardeners Arms. 

Amazing football skills aren’t required, and both male and female players over 16 are welcome. If you’d like to play, let Rupert know at [email protected].

ALDERTON 5K RUN RAISED £4,225
Many thanks to everyone who volunteered, sponsored, supported or ran the Alderton 5k Run. We raised an amazing £4,225 for Alderton Acorns Pre School.