August News

The Feoffees and Thirteen of Tetbury 

Whilst we are slowly returning to a new kind of normal and by the time you read this article restrictions will have been eased further, the work in the town has continued and I am looking forward to being able to meet with our Thirteen colleagues in person at last.

I have a number of thankyous to give this month, firstly to Feoffee Will Cook and his able assistant Grayham Cleaver who have installed a memorial bench in Preston Park and secondly to Keith Leaver, the Tetbury Tailor, for his donation of £100, following the sale of 4 items in his Tetbury Tweed range.

June News

This last month has been a busy one and firstly I would like to thank all those members and volunteers who help us to maintain our open spaces and public areas for the whole community to enjoy. Particularly this month I would like to thank Tetbury Community Orchard volunteers – Ben Jackson, Eleanor Lines and Philip Langston – who have organised the production and installation of new tree identity signs, at no cost to the charity.

I am also delighted to let you know that the Feoffees have been working in partnership with Tetbury Town Council, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Greening Tetbury and Tetbury Footpath Group to develop 3 circular Wildlife Walks in and around Tetbury. Please watch out for the release of the downloadable maps which will highlight, green walking routes, wildlife and landmarks of interest.

Finally, over the last year or so, the Feoffees and Tetbury Town Council have been working with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the local community to enhance the watercourse along the old railway track and as part of the Cotswold Kingfisher Trail 2021, in partnership with Tetbury Town Council, we have sponsored a Kingfisher sculpture. This is due to be installed at the Goods Shed on 31st May and I do hope that over the summer you will be able to follow the Trail around the District.

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or if you would like volunteer to help us or wish to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick – Chairman

May News

As the latest lockdown has started to lift, it is lovely to see our town come back to life, with shops re-opening and people out enjoying the better weather, safely and socially distanced. The Railway Line and Preston Park have become even more important to us all during lockdown and it is wonderful that so many of our residents are taking the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and countryside, so good for our health & wellbeing. Could I please remind everyone who uses this community facility to clear up after their dogs and to take any litter home with them or use the bins provided, thank you.

We have received a lot of enquiries regarding the Ash trees which were removed on the piece of land behind the Royal Oak, at the start of Herd Lane and I want to confirm that whilst The Feoffees do own this land, it has been leased to the Town Council and is maintained by Cotswold District Council, as part of the Good Shed Car Park redevelopment.  This work was part of planned maintenance by the District Council and I wanted to re-assure you all that we are in contact with the District Council regarding the re-planting of this area.

Finally, I am pleased to advise that local retailer, the Tetbury Tailor is launching a new brand of Tetbury Tweed and for each item sold, a donation of £25 will be made to our charity. I would like to extend our thanks to Mr Keith Leaver for his support of our charity and the work that we do in the town.

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick – Chairman

April News

Spring has sprung, the snowdrops have been replaced by crocus and daffodils and the sound of birds getting busy making nests heralds a new season and with that, optimism that we are all moving slowly forward on the route out of lockdown.

Activities for our organisation at this time have mainly been focused on maintaining our public open spaces for the community and work will be starting soon on repair works to the stone walls at the allotments along Herd Lane. We have also maintained the availability of essential stalls, who are still attending under the Market House on a Wednesday and Saturday.

We have been approached by the Town Council regarding sponsoring jointly a 7ft Kingfisher Sculpture as part of the wider Cotswold Trail, which is due to take place from May – October, to be sited on the Millennium Green and we are pleased to be able to support this.  This will be in celebration of the partnership work which has taken place between the Feoffees, Tetbury Town Council and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust regarding the regeneration of the watercourse and natural habitat, as part of the Wild Towns Project.

Finally, we have been pleased to provide the Bowls Club with a grant to purchase sets of small woods to help them to develop their youth section.

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick – Chairman

March News

The Feoffees and Thirteen of Tetbury 

When I wrote this article in February 2020, I mentioned how the start of a new year and new decade was exciting, little did I know how our lives would change both here in our Market Town and around the World with the arrival of COVID-19 and the lockdowns which have endeavoured to keep us all safe and reduce transmission.

I would like to start this year by not only wishing you all a Happy New Year but to also thank the NHS staff, keyworkers, volunteers and local traders, who are providing essential services to us all during this difficult time.  News of the vaccination programme is welcomed and by the time that you read this, I hope that good progress is being made to help protect our residents and community.

One of the inspiring things which appears to have happened during this time is the support of local shops and businesses, with the shop local campaign.  The businesses have provided us with support over the last 12 months and in turn, by using their services we can support them.  Whist many shops may not be open, if you can, check them online, as many are offering click and collect services, this will support our local economy and jobs.

Many of you will have noticed that The Market Hall remains closed at this time, however, the outside Wednesday and Saturday markets continue, according to Government guidance – currently essential services only, although this is subject to change. I would like to once again thank those volunteers who, within Government guidance, managed to ensure that The Market Hall was decorated so beautifully for the Christmas period and it has been wonderful to see this beautiful building still adorned with lights throughout the winter evenings. I would also like to thank Thirteen member Darby Law and our Clerk Alison McKay for arranging to decorate the Feoffee Christmas Tree in the St Saviours Christmas Tree Festival and Thirteen member David Smith and his family for decorating the pair of Christmas Trees which flanked the Market Hall steps over the Christmas period.

Sadly, I have to report that someone has recently fly tipped wood chippings along Herd Lane, could I please ask residents to keep their eyes open when taking their daily exercise and should any fly tipping be witnessed to report accordingly – many thanks.

Finally, during this time we have supported the local Foodbank in their work to ensure that no one in our town goes hungry and if you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick – Chairman

December News

The Feoffees and Thirteen of Tetbury

These unusual times have called for some unusual measures and I am pleased to confirm that Feoffees Richard Cooper, Dave Hicks and Dave Norris, with the assistance of Thirteen members David Smith, Mark Elliott and John Latter managed to stay Covid secure and install the Christmas Lights on The Market Hall, just before the second lockdown began. Thank you to them all for arranging this with less than 24 hours notice and to Feoffee John Hugginson and Tetbury Plumbing & Heating for their additional support.  I also attended the socially distanced wreath laying ceremony at the Town War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, it is so very important that we continue to remember and to live our lives, looking after our community and neighbours as best we can in these difficult times.

The work of our group has continued and many of you may have noticed that at the Millennium Green that the dam boards at the pond have been removed.  This is to allow for remedial repair works to take place and I would like to thank Feoffees Richard Cooper and Will Cook, Thirteen member John Latter and local resident Ben Scrivens, for their hard work and support with this.

Grant applications have continued to be received and I am pleased to report that support has been given to the following organisations/individuals as follows:

• Support for a Community Pantomime at The Goods Shed

• Education Grant for a local young lady about to start a University Course

• Cirencester/Tetbury Foodbank – continued financial commitment to this vital work

We were also pleased to received letters of thanks from Tetbury Hospital for our support of a blood pressure machine and St Mary’s Primary School for the provision of an interactive whiteboards.

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

It just remains for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I hope that 2021 allows us to all return to some sort of normality.

Stay Safe!

Lance Vick – Chairman

November news

Sadly, as many of you know Thirteen Member John Price passed away last month.  John was a member of our group since 1986 and was instrumental in working with the Lowsley-Williams family each year to ensure that the Market Hall was flanked by 2 beautiful Christmas Trees.  A minute’s silence was held in his honour at our first ‘socially distanced/Covid 19 regulation’ Feoffee only meeting on 16th September.  In addition to this, the Feoffee Flag flew at half mast during the week of his death and on the day of his funeral. It was wonderful to see how our residents turned out to line Long Street and Church Street on John’s final journey past the Market Hall, behind which we all collected our mistletoe each Christmas, a true Tetbury man and character who will be missed by us all. 

The work of the Trustees continues and in Preston Park Gloucester Wildlife Trust has started to work on the lower part of the watercourse and John Latter and his team have been busy in the Community Orchard. General Maintenance has also been taking place throughout our Open Spaces and on the Market Hall.

In these unusual times we all need to find a way for occasions to be marked and Remembrance Day is no different.  There will be no Remembrance Day Service this year, however, I wanted to let you all know that a wreath will be laid by The Feoffee and Thirteen at the Town War Memorial and once again we will be having wreaths around the Market Hall on the pillars.  It is important for us all to remember those in our community and worldwide who gave their lives in the pursuance of peace.

Grant applications have continued to be received during this difficult time and I am pleased to report that support has been given to the following organisations/individuals as follows:

• St Mary’s School – 2 x interactive whiteboards

• Tetbury Hospital – Blood Pressure Monitor

• Tetbury Rail Lands Play Area – Path to the Play Area

• Tetbury Football Club

• Various Individuals for studies and tools

In addition, the following annual grants were made:

• Tetbury Area Youth and Community Trust - £3,000

• John Phillips Millennium Green - £1500

• Tetbury in Bloom - £1500

• Advowson - £70

• Reverend Hughes - £30

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Stay safe.

Lance Vick – Chairman

October News

Due to the new COVID  lockdown restrictions we will now have essential traders only on Wednesday and Saturday which will be Tim with the plants , Kerry vegetable supplies, and the fish man . Jo our bookings secretary will be monitoring  footfall before we decide if we need to make an allowance as we did in the last lockdown period.

I have now contacted John Hall on several occasions to carry out the repairs in the upstairs main hall and the meeting room.John keeps promising to ring me back with a date which has not  happened.I will contact him one more time if he does not respond with a date I will look for another contractor.

I have ordered two Union Jack flags and one St George flag as requested by Dave Smith.

At the last Feoffee meeting when checking the annual grants we were undecided with the grant for holiday at home, I have since spoken to Brian Cook the coordinator who said they did not require any donation for next year as they have £1400 pounds in the kitty but will contact if necessary in the future. 

September News

The Feoffees and Thirteen of Tetbury

As the lockdown has eased, it has been lovely to see our Town burst back into life and I have to say that the floral displays and gardens have once again been beautiful. Thanks to our amazing volunteers from Tetbury in Bloom and to Tetbury Plumbing and Heating for their assistance with maintenance and watering.

The Wednesday and Saturday Markets have returned to The Market Hall, with all COVID-19 guidelines being implemented and preparations are being made for when upstairs can be re-opened.

Sadly, as with many other local events, we have had to cancel both the annual Beating of the Bounds and the opening of The Market House for Heritage Weekend this year.

Grant applications have continued to be received during this time and I am pleased to report the following support has been given:

• £500 – Tetbury Hospital Covid-19 appeal

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Stay safe.

Lance Vick – Chairman

July August News

The Feoffees and Thirteen of Tetbury

When I wrote the last article for the April edition, I never imagined that that it would end up in an online version of the magazine and that our lives would have changed so much.

I hope that you and your families have stayed well during the lockdown and as we move to the next phase during the pandemic of re-opening our town and businesses, we are going to notice changes which will be with us for a while – not least Social Distancing and queuing outside premises at 2m distance from each other. The Market House will remain closed during this time, however, the market underneath will remain open on Wednesday and Saturday – it has been so good to see our stall holders returning during lockdown and providing valuable services to our town and residents.

During the lockdown period The Chipping Car Park had the car parking charges suspended, but as we start to get back to the ‘new normal’ these charges, along with the District Council Car Parks have restarted. Many of you may not be aware that, whilst this car park is managed by Cotswold District Council, this Car Park is owned by the Feoffee and all profits are put back into our community in the form of grants. We have been asked by many people about the CDC ‘Free after 3pm’ scheme and why we do not take part in this – the reason is that the loss of income would mean approx. £6k not being received by the Charity and therefore unable to be given out as grants

Sadly, prior to the Coronavirus crisis we were experiencing episodes of fly tipping along Herd Lane, can I respectfully request that you arrange to dispose of your rubbish responsibly and remove to the tip or arrange appropriate collection. Many of you will have also seen the reports that toddler den seats in Berkeley Wood were taken, however, following appeals these have been returned. On the Millennium Green the Bird Cherry Tree was damaged during heavy wind and rain, thanks to Richard Cooper, John Latter, John Hugginson, Danny Bristow and Mark Elliott who ensured that this area was made safe. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tetbury Heating and Plumbing for their assistance in putting the hanging baskets on The Market House and for ensuring that they will be watered over the summer months.

Whilst we have been unable to hold our Free Community BBQ on the Millennium Green this year, due to the restrictions of public gatherings, we have not yet cancelled the following planned events – we await further changes to restrictions and advice, but please note that these could be cancelled at short notice:

• 5th September – Beating of the Bounds – 9.30am under Bath Bridge

• 12th/13th September – Heritage Weekend – The Market House will be open to the public

Grants applications have continued to be received during this time and I am pleased to report the following support has been given:

• Support for a young father terminally ill and his family - £500

• Tetbury Foodbank - £2,000

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick – Chairman

June News

The Feoffees and Thirteen of Tetbury

When I wrote the last article for the April edition, I never imagined that that it would end up in an online version of the magazine and that our lives would have changed so much.

I hope that you and your families have stayed well during the lockdown and as we move to the next phase during the pandemic of re-opening our town and businesses, we are going to notice changes which will be with us for a while – not least Social Distancing and queuing outside premises at 2m distance from each other. The Market House will remain closed during this time, however, the market underneath will remain open on Wednesday and Saturday – it has been so good to see our stall holders returning during lockdown and providing valuable services to our town and residents.

During the lockdown period The Chipping Car Park had the car parking charges suspended, but as we start to get back to the ‘new normal’ these charges, along with the District Council Car Parks have restarted. Many of you may not be aware that, whilst this car park is managed by Cotswold District Council, this Car Park is owned by the Feoffee and all profits are put back into our community in the form of grants. We have been asked by many people about the CDC ‘Free after 3pm’ scheme and why we do not take part in this – the reason is that the loss of income would mean approx. £6k not being received by the Charity and therefore unable to be given out as grants.

Sadly, prior to the Coronavirus crisis we were experiencing episodes of fly tipping along Herd Lane, can I respectfully request that you arrange to dispose of your rubbish responsibly and remove to the tip or arrange appropriate collection. Many of you will have also seen the reports that toddler den seats in Berkeley Wood were taken, however, following appeals these have been returned. On the Millennium Green the Bird Cherry Tree was damaged during heavy wind and rain, thanks to Richard Cooper, John Latter, John Hugginson, Danny Bristow and Mark Elliott who ensured that this area was made safe. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tetbury Heating and Plumbing for their assistance in putting the hanging baskets on The Market House and for ensuring that they will be watered over the summer months.

Whilst we have been unable to hold our Free Community BBQ on the Millennium Green this year, due to the restrictions of public gatherings, we have not yet cancelled the following planned events – we await further changes to restrictions and advice, but please note that these could be cancelled at short notice:

• 5th September – Beating of the Bounds – 9.30am under Bath Bridge

• 12th/13th September – Heritage Weekend – The Market House will be open to the public

Grants applications have continued to be received during this time and I am pleased to report the following support has been given:

• Support for a young father terminally ill and his family - £500

• Tetbury Foodbank - £2,000

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick – Chairman

February News

The Feoffees and Thirteen of Tetbury

I would like to start by wishing you all a Happy New Year, I do hope that Christmas was a time for you to catch up with your families and friends and I would once again like to thank the Lowsley-Williams family, Feoffees, Thirteen, Tetbury Heating and Plumbing and Avis Electrical for helping to decorate our Market House so beautifully and for Creative Hairdressing for the provision of coffees to keep them all going.  In addition, to Thirteen member Darby Law, who represented our organisation on the planning group for the Christmas Light Switch On, where the Market House once again was the centre piece of the town.

The start of a new year and new decade is indeed exciting and I am pleased to confirm that a new member of the Thirteen has been elected, Mark Elliott, who many of you will know and we all look forward to working with him on our projects in the future.

Finally, following 40 years as a member of the Thirteen, Peter Witchell recently stood down and I would like to thank him for all his hard work for the town and our organisation over the years.

If you think we may be able to help you or your group with an education or training grant or would like to know more about the work we do in our town, please visit our website – www.thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk - or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick – Chairman