COLUMN by Stroud District Council deputy leader Natalie Bennett 

ON Sunday I attended the Remembrance Day commemoration in Nailsworth and laid a wreath on behalf of SDC.

I would like to pay tribute to everyone who worked hard to organise the parade and service.

It was a moving and well attended event where we honoured the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, and remembered the devastation that war brings and the continuing struggles to build peace.

I’m looking forward to Nailsworth’s Goodwill Evening being held from 5pm on Friday 24th November.

There will be lots of fun activities, Father Christmas will be there too and all children will receive a free visit and gift from him.

If you are able, please give a donation to the foodbank provision for Nailsworth and the Forest Green Community Café, donations can be taken to Santa’s Grotto.

I would like to thank everyone involved with the preparations for the event; it promises to be a fabulous way to start the festive season, so make sure you save the date.

Strategy and resources committee is meeting on the 23rd November and we are expecting to consider proposals including empowering our communities, supporting our market towns, additional car parking for Berkeley and to discuss SDC’s new procurement strategy, and the lease for Kingshill House.

SDC has been awarded £100,000 for 2023-24 and £300,000 for 2024-25 by the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF ) and applications are now open for eligible organisations to apply for a grant of £3,000 - £20,000.

Further information on the Rural Grants Programme can be found on the SDC website.