Lady Chapel, All Saints Church, Newland

The picturesque village of Newland lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the western fringe of the Forest of Dean and adjoining the Wye Valley. It is home to All Saints Church, known locally as “The Cathedral of the Forest” because of its proportions, history and setting. The Church dates from the 13th century and is famous for its unique Miner’s Brass showing a miner with a pick axe in his hand and a candle in his mouth.

The Church was established by Robert de Wakening (1215-1237). Edward I added a small chapel to the building in 1305 and although the church ceased to be a working church in 2003, it is now used for concerts and is maintained by Friends of All Saints Church, Newland. In 2006, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust donated £20,000 to the Friends of the Cathedral of the Forest on behalf of the Parish Council Committee of Newland with Redbrook, towards the repair of the Lady Chapel roof.

The Lady Chapel roof repair was the first of three phases of repair work to the fabric of the church to allow the church to be used as a multipurpose centre for the residents of Newland and beyond. Since the work has been completed the Friends of the Cathedral have employed Laura Stevens to redecorate the interior of the Lady Chapel. This further work is due for completion in autumn 2008, when the Friends of the Cathedral of the Forest intend to hold a service of commemoration.

Once all three phases of work to the fabric of the building have been completed, the Church’s trustees intend to commence the re-ordering of the interior of the church with improved meeting and display areas and the provision of toilets and catering facilities.

Alison Bassett, Treasurer, Friends of the Cathedral of the Forest, said: “The Friends of the Cathedral of the Forest are enormously grateful for the support that they have received from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust in helping to restore the church to reflect its proud history and enabling the church to continue to be a significant asset to the village of Newland.” Back to top

Brewery Arts Redevelopment Project, Cirencester

The Brewery Arts Redevelopment Project was undertaken to provide access to quality artistic experiences to as many people as possible in Cirencester and beyond. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust donated £32,000 to the project towards the installation of a lift to make the centre more accessible to all.

Based in a former brewery in the middle of Cirencester, Brewery Arts had been a multidisciplinary arts centre since 1989 but was constrained by its buildings. The old brewery had a blind frontage with no windows and sole access was up an external staircase. The three buildings making up the centre were also badly interconnected and had a rabbit warren of rooms and staircases that were in drastic need of repair.

The lift installation was part of a wider £2.8 million project to redesign the centre to remedy the structural problems and increase accessibility in order to attract more visitors and generate more revenue from the centre’s cafe and shop. Any profits made will be reinvested to fund an expansion of the in-house and outreach exhibition and education programmes, to encourage more people throughout the county to participate in high quality arts experiences.

The redesign was developed to incorporate the creation of a ground floor space and the installation of a lift, along with aerial walkways and ramps, to enable access to all three floors of all three buildings for the first time. These improvements have enabled those with reduced mobility and parents with pushchairs to take part in classes and workshops, experience exhibitions and attend productions that the centre has to offer. The improved layout and new ground floor entrance has also encouraged more passersby to come in and view the resident makers as they work, spend a relaxing afternoon in the centre’s cafe or simply browse in the gallery shop.

Sam Wilkinson, Chair of Trustees, New Brewery Arts said: “I have been a trustee of Brewery Arts throughout years of planning and fundraising for redevelopment. It has been a long, hard, and at times, seemingly impossible struggle to secure funding and realise our dream of a truly accessible, vibrant centre of art and contemporary craft for the whole community.

“The day of the reopening, it was wonderful to see the public come flooding in to see the fantastically refurbished centre. Indeed, it was extremely moving to assist one visitor into the lift in her wheelchair. She said she had never before been able to come in and see any of the exhibitions and activities on offer. That one comment made all the hard work worthwhile. The grant for the lift from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust was instrumental in securing the whole project.” Back to top

Keynes Country Park,
Cotswold Community Footpath Improvements

In November 2005, the Cotswold Water Park Society began planning for a project to undertake capital works to improve and enhance footpaths and interpretation around Keynes Country Park. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed over £11,000 to the £45,000 project to make the entire circular route around Lake 31, or “top lake” as it is known, accessible to all park users.

The initial stages of the project involved the creation of 50 metres of new footpath to complete the circuit of the lake. Further work was also undertaken to remodel and landscape the existing path to remedy erosion problems, provide better access for anglers, and to enhance a notoriously narrow section of the footpath around the lake by reforming access points to create much gentler gradients and provide an access ramp suitable for wheelchairs.

The works have radically improved the path’s surface making access easier for all, including wheelchair users, and parents with buggies. In addition, a new series of themed interpretation boards were designed as part of a themed way-marked route around the lake. The boards tell the story of the creation of the gravel deposits that lie within the Cotswold Water Park, the history of the area, mineral extraction and the creation of the country park for people and wildlife.

The re-landscaping of the lake’s shoreline, with the addition of native wetland plants has also stabilised the shore edge, improving the views and greatly benefiting the huge variety of wildlife including fish and dragonflies which inhabit the lake edge.

Matthew Millett, Project Director, Cotswold Water Park Society, said: “This project has allowed the Society to make a significant difference to the walks around Keynes Country Park, one of Gloucestershire’s top visitor attractions. Not only was the old footpath in danger of disappearing into the lake, but it offered little for our visitors and resident wildlife. I’m pleased to say that two years following completion, this project has addressed all these problems and is providing a welcome enhancement to the Park.” Back to top

Severnside Project, Stroud District

The Severn Vale Biodiversity Project is a partnership project to create a thriving natural environment that meets the needs of wildlife, communities and the local economy across the Severn Vale. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided over £30,000 to the project which is the first integrated, holistic approach to wildlife conservation within the Stroud district, and indeed the county.

The project is a partnership between the Severnside Project, Stroud Valleys Project, landowners, farmers, environmental organisations, local communities, parish and district council, schools and businesses, to create a network of wildlife rich corridors throughout the project area from Gloucestershire, along the River Severn, to Slimbridge.

Since the project began in April 2007, almost 1500 metres of new species rich hedge has been planted. Other work has included the restoration and replanting of two orchards, the creation of 2 hectares of new woodland and an otter holt, the restoration of three ponds and the creation of five new ponds and a scrape. The project has also included the provision of wildlife management advice for farmers, community and volunteer training in new skills such as land use mapping, tree identification, hedge laying, pond restoration and wildlife identification, as well as, woodland management.

Jane Wilmott, Project Officer for the Severnside Project, said: “The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust’s support has allowed this unique project to pursue its vision to create a healthy farmland mosaic in the Severn Vale. The replanting and restoration work being undertaken will ensure that wildlife can thrive and species rich and ancient hedgerows are retained. Old wetlands will be restored and new ones created, woodlands will be well managed and the importance of old orchards will be highlighted. All this will be supported by the creation of Parish Biodiversity Action Plans and communities who understand the value of biodiversity and are skilled to take action to preserve it.” Back to top

Stony Furlong and Lower Chedworth Trail

Stony Furlong, located in the Cotswolds Hills Geopark, is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in the Chedworth Valley. For years the area has been a special area of study for geologists who have provided a unique insight into the former land of dinosaurs while working to conserve the area’s beautiful landscape.

In 2007, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust donated over £7,500 to the Gloucestershire Geology Trust that looks after the Geopark, towards a project to carry out conservation work on the SSSI at Stony Furlong railway cutting. A Gloucestershire Uncovered Trail Guide for the geology in the cutting and the landscape of the Chedworth valley was also produced, as well as display panels for the trails and information on the park for visitors.

The conservation work on Stony Furlong SSSI consisted of improving access to the site. This was achieved by cutting through part of the railway embankment opposite Denfurlong farm and creating a ramp down onto the old railway line. The work was coordinated to complement earlier conservation work that had been carried out by Natural England and the landowner, who had cleared the old quarry adjacent to the railway cutting providing an excellent exposure of the features of interest.

The improved access has provided a safe and easy means of accessing the site which has been included in a geological and landscape guide for Stony Furlong and Lower Chedworth. The trail guide describes a route into the cutting, interpreting the geological features and their formation, as well as a circular walk through Chedworth Valley which is a misfit stream and a characteristic feature of the Cotswold landscape formed at the end of the last Ice Age.

David Owen, Gloucester Geology Trust, said: “This project has opened up an important geodiversity site for the public and for further scientific study. Together with other important sites in the area and other geology and landscape trails, it is making a significant contribution towards increasing awareness of geodiversity, while furthering the aims of the Cotswold Hills Geopark and the Gloucestershire Local Geodiversity Action Plan.” Back to top

Hartpury Historic Land and Buildings Trust – Cohort

William of Malmesbury, a 12th Century English historian, commented on the traditional wood pasture landscape of Hartpury as far back as 1100. Today, the Hartpury Historic Land and Buildings Trust is working to restore the area to its traditional marshy wood pasture landscape and to reinstate the area’s perry making heritage.

The £500,000 Cohort project is to extend the National Collection of Perry Pears in Hartpury and restore 25 acres of former arable land between Severn and Malvern Hills. To date, £20,000 of Gloucestershire Environmental Trust funding has been used to restore an area of over five hectares that was once water meadow, as duck marsh and reed bed.

As part of the project, an environmentally sustainable visitor centre will also be developed to provide displays and leaflets to guide visitors around the restored land and a new orchard which will contain 100 varieties of Gloucestershire apple, a similar number of perry pear varieties and a few Gloucestershire varieties of plums. Visitors to the centre will also be encouraged to view the wetlands and the unique habitat it provides for native wildlife species. The centre has been designed in a traditional build oak design with PV cells to generate electricity, water harvesting facilities and a reed bed, greywater treatment area to complement its surroundings. The Hartpury Historic Land and Building Trust hopes to use the centre to reinstate the area’s traditional perry making heritage and conserve the traditional orchard by offering courses on orchard management and cider and perry production.

Perry pears are almost totally confined to Gloucestershire and the adjacent parts of Herefordshire and Worchestershire. For over 400 years, up until the early 20th Century, perry making was one of the traditional crafts of the Western Midlands and played an important part in the rural community. Today, however, the practice has declined drastically and perry pears are nearing extinction apart from those in the National Collection. The conservation work is therefore particularly important to safeguard this native species and its associated wildlife.

Jim Chapman, Trustee, Hartpury Historic Land and Buildings Trust, said: “The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust’s help was invaluable in enabling the wetland conservation work to be undertaken. Lapwings are already regularly to be seen and there are signs that otters have explored the lakes. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the area as it is restored to its former glory.” Back to top

Poole Keynes Village Hall Expansion and Development

Poole Keynes is a small rural community with fewer than 150 people on its electoral role. It is situated in an isolated part of Gloucestershire with no bus service, poor road access and without a shop, school or public house. In September 2006, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust donated £20,000 towards a project to expand and develop the Village Hall to provide a much needed community facility and focal point.

The need for expansion and development of the hall was identified in the Poole Keynes Parish Plan, with over eighty percent of households expressing their support for the project. Results from the Parish Plan and Interests Survey also identified several groups willing to hire out the hall’s upstairs room once it had been redeveloped. Such groups included the Parish Council, Sunday School and Saturday Morning Club, as well as numerous other health and social clubs in the area.

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust funding contributed towards the conversion of the upstairs store room of the former Victorian schoolhouse into a meeting room. The work was undertaken as part of a £80,000 project to rectify poor workmanship carried out in the 1980s and to stabilise the building’s structure to make it a more welcoming environment through damp-proofing and the installation of heating, insulation, ventilation and new guttering. The work also complemented work carried out in 2003, to ensure that the building was accessible to those with disabilities or reduced mobility, by rebuilding the outside wall of the disabled toilet and supplying improved lighting both inside and outside the hall.

Twenty five percent of Poole Keynes’ residents are aged 18 and under and the Village Hall Management Committee also wanted to introduce more hall-based activities for these young people. Before the works took place, several young people had expressed an interest in becoming more involved in local issues and events. Following renovation works, they have set up a regular Youth Forum in the newly developed upstairs room and will serve to safeguard the hall for future generations.

Jenny Cunningham, Trustee and Chairman of the Poole Keynes Village Hall Committee, said: “ We are grateful to the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust for its support in the renovation of the village hall. These improvements have served not only to safeguard the structure of the building itself, but also to make it a more tempting prospect for hiring both inside and outside the village. This will help ensure that Poole Keynes has a viable Village Hall for generations to come.” Back to top

Stow on the Wold Youth Club Refurbishment

In November 2005, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust donated £11,000 to the Stow on the Wold Youth Club refurbishment project providing invaluable early backing for the £100,000 project and enabling the club to be transformed into a pleasant modern facility.

The Stow on the Wold Youth Club refurbishment project took over two years to complete and was successfully completed in January 2007. The initial project to which the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed, involved renovating the youth club hall to provide improved access to an upstairs room which has been turned into an internet cafe for local youth and the community.

Further grants from other trusts and donations have seen the complete transformation of the space with new access to the computer room via a Victorian cast iron spiral staircase. Extensive work has also been undertaken to install acoustic panels on the hall ceiling and new double glazed windows to eradicate traffic noise and reverberations caused by poor acoustics. Other improvements have included a new energy efficient boiler and heating system, a new kitchen and servery, new flooring and carpeting throughout, and the installation of a disabled entrance and disabled toilets to provide improved amenities for all.

The refurbishment of the club has breathed new life into the centre leading to increased attendance and registration, with over 70 young people registering as members in the first few weeks following the club’s reopening and up to 25 members regularly attending the junior and senior club activity evenings. Local police have also gone on record stating that the club is making a real difference to anti-social behaviour in the town.

The Youth Club has continued to build on its early success by securing further state of the art IT and screening equipment and has even recruited a new salaried youth worker to take the club forward and ensure that the new facility is used by the widest range of young people and community groups possible.

Robert Barnett, Secretary of Stow Youth Club, 2005-2007, said: “Looking back, the key thing was that the support from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust was given during the early stages of the project to create a thriving youth centre in this rural area. The grant was crucial in enabling us to create a modern welcoming space by removing the traffic noise, dealing with the appalling acoustics and inadequate insulation and completely renewing the heating system to modern environmental standards. This transformation then played a major part in making it possible to secure further grants and funding from other sources, in the end totalling over £320,000. The positive decision by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trustees was definitely one of the key moments in the whole project.” Back to top

Stroud Cricket Club Pavilion

Following the destruction of Stroud Cricket Club’s old Victorian pavilion by an arson attack in September 2006, the cricket club members began the “Phoenix Campaign” to raise funds to replace the old structure. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed £30,000 towards the £220,000 project to re-build the building which took over a year to complete.

Stroud Cricket Club’s old pavilion dated back to circa. 1850 and was one of only two of its kind left in the country before it was destroyed. While the damage caused by the fire was beyond repair, the structure has now been replaced by a unique log cabin structure that was imported especially from Estonia with improved disabled access facilities.

Although the club was devastated by the loss of the old pavilion, fortunately most of the club’s important historical memorabilia was not destroyed as the contents had been removed for planned restoration works. Past and current members have also rallied to raise the necessary funds to replace the building and maintain Stroud’s strong cricketing tradition.

The club currently has three senior teams with the 1st eleven playing in the South West Premier League. Stroud Cricket Club also has a strong youth set up with expert coaching and several teams at different age groups who use the new facilities for home games and to entertain visitors.

Former Gloucestershire and England cricketer and artist, Jack Russell, who painted a picture to be auctioned to raise fund towards the new building said he had fond memories of the old pavilion:

"The ghosts will still be here and the memories won't go away," said Mr Russell who started his career in Stroud.

Tony Elliott-Cannon, Chairman of Stroud Cricket Club, said: “Stroud Cricket Club is most grateful for the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust grant. Although Stroud Cricket Club has also had to take out significant loans to complete the project, it is doubtful if the loans would have been forthcoming on their own. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust grant was therefore especially important as it enabled us to secure further funding.” Back to top

Tetbury Skatepark

In the Summer of 2007, Tetbury skatepark held its official opening following over ten years of concerted planning, community consultation and fundraising to provide a much sought after skatepark for the youth of Tetbury.

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed £10,000 to the £25,500 project to build a moulded concrete park with jumps and ramps for BMX, skateboard, rollerblade and other wheeled sport enthusiasts to hone their skills. The project was led by the ‘Provision for Young People in Tetbury’ (P4YPT) group in partnership with Tetbury Town Council and was also supported by the Dolphin Recreation Committee who provided land for the new park to be built on. The project was also keenly supported by local youth groups who raised £1,500 by car washing to kick start the project and to demonstrate their commitment.

The official launch of the new skatepark was attended by the Major of Tetbury, Stephen Hirst, Councillor Peter Martin, the Town Council’s project leader and Town Crier, Derek Jackson who joined forces with the Extended Schools Cluster group in Tetbury to provide a free safety helmet and pads for all those who wished to use the facility. Decimal Skateshop also joined in the celebrations by providing a demonstration and prizes for all those in attendance.

The new skatepark is located on the town’s recreation ground and has a youth shelter, some relocated climbing equipment and benches.

The park has been designed to offer the quietest, most hard wearing and best value for money option, while providing a safe place for young people to practice their jumps. The area has also been landscaped to create an earth bund around the site to provide wildflower seed and grass areas to increase biodiversity and benefit wildlife.

Luke Murphy, Chair of P4YPT, who is now 19 and has been involved in the project since he was 8 years old said: “I know what it is like for young people to live in Tetbury; if they don’t have transport and their parents can’t take them out of the town they are stuck. When I wanted to skate we used to skate all over the place, wherever we could. It’s really great now we have a skate park. It’s been a long time coming but it’s been well worth the wait.”

Mayor of Tetbury, Stephen Hirst, said: “The skatepark has proved so popular, when it gets dark in the winter the young people are still trying to skate by torch light. We are really pleased with the facility.” Back to top

Yorkley Star Cricket Club Pavilion Restoration

The Yorkley Star Cricket pavilion was opened in 1937 by Sir Stanley W. Tubbs, chairman of the Playing Fields Association and had been largely built by club volunteers at a cost of £137-10s. By 2006, the pavilion was showing signs of deterioration, and although a new building was considered, it was overwhelmingly agreed that the existing pavilion, which is a classic type of its period, should be retained and restored to reflect this.

In October 2006, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided £15,000 towards the £22,500 renovation of the pavilion to restore it to its former glory.

The restoration work was completed in July 2007 and has already had an impact on the local community by contributing to an increase in the number of young boys and girls playing cricket regularly and benefiting from the pavilion facilities. This increase in membership has encouraged the England and Wales Cricket Board to provide extra much needed equipment for the club. The grant also enabled the installation of both water and electricity which has made the pavilion suitable for a variety of local organisation and school recreational purposes.

Yorkley Cricket Club is a member of the West Gloucestershire Cricket Federation and is an active member of the K.W. Bell “The Forest League.” Since 2006, the club has also added almost 25 youngsters locally enabling a successful youth team to be established.

Alec Kear, Project Manager, Yorkley Star Cricket Pavilion restoration, said: “There is no doubt that the restoration project has instilled pride not only in the members of Yorkley Star Cricket Club but in the whole community. The building adds much to the cultural and visual character of the area and has become a focal point on the Forest of Dean Tourist trail.” Back to top

Roof Repair, All Saints Church, Pittville

All Saints Church, Pittville was established in 1868 by a group of local people who were keen to promote a style of worship not generally found in Cheltenham, using the rich liturgy and colour of the 19th Century Oxford movement. The parish has now become part of the Team Ministry of Prestbury and All Saints but continues to retain its Anglo-Catholic heritage as well as providing an important community resource.

In 2006, the Church undertook a series of works to restore the fabric of the church building that was in much need of repair. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust in Britain donated £20,000 to the £385,000 project to facilitate extensive roof repairs. The Church restoration work also included the repair of high-level stonework and carving around the west door to restore the Grade 1 listed building to its former splendour.

The newly restored church now hosts regular coffee mornings, choir evenings, scout groups, Sunday clubs, Sunday worship and other activities for the local community. The Friends of All Saints group also works to further establish the Church’s role in the community by promoting the musical history of All Saints and encouraging links with those who have been connected with the parish in the past.

David Gray, Hon. Treasurer, All Saints Church, said: “The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust funding contributed towards important restoration works to the Church. Following the first phases of building work we have also had the Church organ restored and hope to further strengthen our links with the musical community in Cheltenham and beyond. Thanks to all the support we have received, the Church now offers an ideal venue with fine architecture for good fellowship, thoughtful discussion and beautiful music in the local area.” Back to top

Tewkesbury Abbey –
Restoration campaign project

A major project to restore Tewkesbury Abbey began in 2006. As part of this, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided £20,000 towards the North Path project, providing a new pathway leading to the Abbey entrance.

The Abbey has provided a place of Christian worship for over nine hundred years and is an outstandingly important heritage site. The congregation is helping to raise the £2 million needed for the main part of the restoration project, which will be used to restore the Abbey’s central tower, tower walls, and the north and south transepts, as well as providing disabled access to the choir.

New paving was needed to provide a safe walking surface from the road to the abbey entrance, and to prevent pools of water from collecting and damaging the stonework. The balance of the £50,000 needed for this part of the project was raised through donations and events, such as a concert, headlined by BBC radio presenter and Welsh singer Aled Jones, accompanied by one hundred local children.

The newly renovated pathway to the main entrance has ramp access, and a ramp has also been installed at St. Nicholas’s Gate, providing access for disabled visitors and bringing the Abbey up-to-date with modern facilities.

David Lees, Tewkesbury Abbey Steward, said: “The new path has brought great benefits to the Abbey’s congregation and to the 200,000 visitors we receive each year. The greatly improved surface has meant that all visitors, especially anyone with restricted mobility, can now visit the Abbey with ease, and experience the splendour and tranquillity that the Abbey offers.” Back to top

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Forest of Dean –
Scowles Project

Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided funding to the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to investigate wildlife of the Scowles and to discover the hidden interest in this geological feature, unique to the Forest of Dean.

The Scowles are manmade or natural fissures, pits and caves in the limestone rocks which run around the perimeter of the forest. They have long been exploited by humans for the iron ore contained in the rocks.

The Scowles are found within two main habitats – woodlands and grasslands – and in each they reflect the vegetation of the surrounding habitat. Where the scowles are shaded, darker and damper, they are especially rich in mosses and invertebrates. The survey carried out with Gloucestershire Environmental Trust funding revealed a number of new species records for the county amongst these groups. The survey also showed that the Scowles are important for bats as they provide a link between the forest habitat and its underground cave system.

Colin Studholme, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “The project taught us a lot about the wildlife of the Scowles and we were able to hold several events to introduce local people to these amazing features which sit on their doorstep. The Bug Hunt day was particularly well attended and was a great opportunity for youngsters to discover the minibeasts lurking in the shadows.

“All the data collected by the Project have been lodged with the Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records and is being used to inform the management of the Scowles. In the past they have been used unsympathetically, even filled in with refuse, but now that they have been mapped and interpreted, this little known aspect of local heritage should have a safer future.” Back to top

Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham –
Swimming pool refurbishment

Following surveys undertaken in 1994, the Sandford Parks Lido was not expected to survive beyond 2004. The lido was desperately in need of refurbishment, as the structure was on unstable ground leading to subsidence on one side and cracks throughout, causing leakage in the summer months and preventing pre-season maintenance.

After many years of preparation and fundraising, work finally began to restore the Lido to its former glory in September 2006. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided £50,000 towards the project, which also received a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund helping to meet the target £697,000.

The first task for the building team was to stabilise the existing structure with over 100 piles driven through the floor of the pool. These were then connected via reinforcement to the existing walls and a new cement floor was laid over the grid, creating a solid structure.

New surface skimming channels were then installed to both ends of the pool. While the shallow end channels had originally run off to waste, new pipework was installed connecting them to the filtration system and preventing water loss. The original walls were also resin injected and waterproofed to conserve water. To complete the project, all the finishes, tilings and slabs were painstakingly restored to the 1930’s design.

As part of the project, as well as providing recreational facilities for up to 150,000 people per year, the Lido now offers educational opportunities for both children and adults. Heritage tours and mobile talks are available and workshops are run to celebrate the Lido’s past and future.

Julie Sargent, Chief Executive, Sandford Parks Lido, said: “It has taken our charity many years to fully investigate and start to build up the funds required to ensure that this project and facility was a success. The support given by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust was of paramount importance to the success of this project, enabling us to prevent significant water loss and deterioration of the facility, now recognised as being nationally important and the most complete lido of its kind.” Back to top

RSPB Highnam Woods –
A helping hand for native species

Highnam Woods, two miles west of Gloucester, is of great importance as part of the largest remaining block of ancient woodland in the Severn Vale. Since 2004 the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust has been funding biodiversity projects and improvements to the woodland habitats in conjunction with the RSPB.

Highnam has over forty ancient woodland indicator species, a nationally important population of upright spurge and a profusion of spring bluebells, dog’s mercury and wood anemones. It is also an important site for nightingales, forming part of the Westernmost extent of its breeding range in Britain. Other important woodland birds breeding on the reserve include bullfinch, lesser spotted woodpecker, marsh tit, song thrush and spotted flycatcher.

Throughout its history however, the woodland has been heavily modified by human activity, especially through the planting of non-native tree species. Through trust funding, the Highnam project aims to restore the area to a native woodland site with particular emphasis on preserving upright spurge and nightingales.

In 2004, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided nearly £20,000 towards a woodland management scheme to maintain variety and allow native species to mature and benefit their associated flora and fauna. In 2006, this project was extended to include a programme of active management to restore the area’s ancient native woodland character, by removal of non-native trees and development of a more natural woodland community. The project has already been a success, the number of singing nightingale males has doubled and a nest of the area’s rarest lesser spotted woodpeckers has been discovered by the warden.

Barry Embling, Forest of Dean Manager for RSPB said: “The continued support and grant aid we receive from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust enabled us to improve woodland habitat across Highnam for the benefit of nightingales, upright spurge and many varieties of insects and birds. We are seeing real differences to woodland bird populations on the ground and a return of the nightingale – which is so important in our national culture. Recreating this ideal woodland haven means that families across the county can enjoy scarce and breathtaking displays of this musical master’s art.” Back to top

Phoenix Project,
St. Michael's Square, Gloucester

In November 2006, St Michael’s Square residents decided to turn a piece of derelict land into a communal garden, providing a relaxing, recreational area for inner city residents living in flats and houses without gardens. After extensive consultation and many public meetings, it was decided to incorporate public art into the project, which received £25,000 from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust.

To facilitate and manage the project, the community decided to appoint an internationally acclaimed urban design company to oversee the work. As project manager, the company negotiated with the local authority to gain permission for the necessary work and delivered the project in a swift three months – on time and on budget. As a result of the community’s hard work and dedication, and the urban design company’s efficiency, a lovely garden has been created out of what was previously the communal fly tip.

From a community’s simple vision, the Phoenix Project has served to regenerate the neighbourhood, install pride in the community and has encouraged residents to look after their own properties, which in turn has encouraged new businesses to locate in the area.

The new communal garden has already won a Home Office National Award for community regeneration and the scheme has been nominated for the Best Community Regeneration Project Gloucester in the 2008 Civic Awards.

Marilyn Champion, Grants Officer and Trustee, St. Michael’s Square Community Group, said: “The grant awarded to us by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust kick started our project; it gave our project credibility and attracted other funding so we were able to realise the community’s dream.” Back to top

The Orchard Trust Multi-Purpose Resource Centre, Stowfield

Established in 1989, the Orchard Trust provides a wide range of integrated services to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. In 1999, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust awarded the Orchard Trust £50,000 towards the cost of a new multi-purpose resource centre at its site in Stowfield.

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust grant was made towards the cost of constructing and fitting out the interior of the Multi-Purpose Resource Centre (now re-named The Learning Centre or The Barn to its students). This grant was absolutely critical in bringing about the realisation of the project by providing sufficient infrastructure to cater for students and visitors on a daily basis.

The Learning Centre today provides accredited educational programmes to 60 students with disabilities, as well as providing a venue for the delivery of different training courses to in-house care staff and other organisations.

The Orchard Trust has become, as a result, an accredited training centre with City & Guilds, as well as providing NVQ qualifications in Health and Social Care and many forms of mandatory training.

Most of the centre’s educational programmes are land-based and environmental in nature, benefiting from the centre’s beautiful rural location in the Forest of Dean. The Learning Centre has extended wheelchair access to nearby woodland and has constructed a sensory garden and wheelchair accessible horticulture and animal care facilities. The resource centre provides employment for up to 12 full and part-time staff.

Christopher Wiltshire, a student at the Learning Centre, said: “I enjoy doing everything at The Barn. I like doing the projects in art. I like working with the animals and gardening and using the computers.”

George Gordon-Smith, CEO, The Orchard Trust, said: “We are now exploring further opportunities to develop the work we do at Stowfield, and the Learning Centre is instrumental to these plans, which would not have been possible without the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust’s timely and generous support.” Back to top

James Hopkins Trust Sensory Garden and Garden of Memories, Barnwood

In 2004, the James Hopkins Trust consulted with staff and families at their Kite’s Corner Respite Centre, to come up with a design for a new sensory garden and a garden of memories for the disabled children and their families who are cared for by the Trust. The project was awarded a generous grant of £35,000 by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust. The remaining funds necessary for the project were generated through fundraising and other donations.

The James Hopkins sensory garden was built through the summer of 2004 and opened on the Trust’s 15th Anniversary on 17th September 2004 by Hannah Stewart-Jones of Central News. The garden is designed to give children in wheelchairs, or those who have limited responses, a chance to play in a safe and secure environment. From a wall with sensors which make sounds, to a mock pelican crossing, it is designed with disabled children in mind with many interactive elements including water, sound, light and smells. The garden also includes a wheelchair swing and a wheelchair roundabout.

The Trust also constructed a Garden of Memories where stones with a child’s name engraved on it are contained in the stream or water feature. The garden is in a secluded location where parents can remember their child in quiet contemplation, in the fragrant atmosphere of the many surrounding flowers and shrubs.

At any one time, the garden is open to around 70 families and at least 45 families have placed memorial stones in the stream to commemorate a lost loved one. Each year new families benefit from the garden’s unique sensory environment. The garden has also been designed in such a way that it can be used to host small fundraising events and family parties, and has provided a venue for enjoyable days out for friends and family of those involved in the Trust.

In 2005, the James Hopkin’s Trust garden was judged as part of the Gloucester entry in the Heart of England in Bloom Competition and was awarded the Judges’ Personal Award.

Vance Hopkins, James Hopkins Trust Manager, said: “The Sensory Garden at Kite’s Corner has proved to be of real benefit to the severely disabled, life limited and life threatened young children of Gloucestershire that the James Hopkins Trust looks after. Just imagine taking such a child in a wheelchair to a local park, there is very little that that child can do there. In our garden there is specialist equipment and many stimulating and interactive opportunities for all our children. So on behalf of those children and their families, a very big thank you to the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust for their generous donation towards the cost of building this facility.” Back to top

Jacob’s House and Heritage Centre, Dursley –
Preserving our history

Established in 1896, Dursley Town Trust has safeguarded the heritage of the picturesque town for over a century. In 2001, following a road widening scheme, Dursley Town Trustees saw an opportunity to regenerate the town by restoring an historic building to its former glory and building a local heritage centre.

The 18th Century ‘Weaver’s House’ as it was formerly known, had been lying derelict for many years and had fallen into a state of disrepair. Aware of its potential and important historical interest, the Dursley Town Trustees purchased the 1715 building from Stroud District Council and raised funds for its restoration. At the same time, they purchased an adjacent empty plot upon which to build a new heritage centre.

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided £20,000 towards the cost of the project which took over four years to complete. Since its completion in 2005, the Heritage Centre has assembled an interesting and important collection of historical items of specific interest to Dursley. The restored ‘Weaver’s House’, renamed ‘Jacob’s House’ after the weaver, is now used as the attractive offices of the Dursley Town Council.

The town council agreed to take out a long lease on the old house to provide an income to support the Heritage Centre while gaining an impressive office location. The new light, airy heritage centre has over 1500 visitors per year and is proving a popular tourist attraction for people from around the country and beyond.

Cath Pierce, Chairman of Dursley Heritage Centre Committee, said: “Dursley’s Jacob House and Heritage Centre project has brightened the town centre and provided a centre of local interest and pride. The town is now attracting more visitors than ever, thanks to the support of the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust.” Back to top

Gloucester Docks to Maisemore Riverside Path

In October 2005, work began on a project to link the village of Maisemore and Gloucester Docks via a riverside path. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed £19,500 towards the £100,000 cost of the path, built by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, with support from Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucester City Council and Maisemore Parish Council.

The project involved building a new 1.8km cycle and pedestrian path running through meadowland near the River Severn. Its construction provided a number of engineering challenges with the design involving a ramped link up to Telford Bridge near Highnam and a timber framed bridge and decking in the narrow space between the A417 and the River Severn near Maisemore.

The new path was opened in August 2006 and provides a safe and traffic free route into Gloucester from the villages to the West. It’s also popular with Gloucester residents who are now able to use the path to access the countryside on foot or bicycle.

The new cycle path is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN Route 45) linking Gloucester with Tewkesbury, Evesham and other cycling and walking networks, such as those being developed in the Forest of Dean.

Mark Jarman, Sustrans’ Area Manager, said: “This superb route creates a valuable link for the local community and creates a new way for people to travel between Gloucester and Maisemore.

“Gloucester residents can enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside without having to tackle the busy roads to get there, while local residents and schoolchildren from the surrounding villages can use the path to travel into town for shopping, commuting or the school run.”

When opening the new National Cycle Network link, the Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Sue Blakely, said: “I am delighted to open this new route between Gloucester and Maisemore which has enabled people to walk and cycle in safety. Many congratulations to all those who have been involved in bringing this project to fruition.” Back to top

The Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham –
Additional electrical work & fittings

For 14 years, volunteers from various art groups in Cheltenham had been searching for suitable premises for local artists to display their work. Eventually the opportunity came when Cheltenham Borough Council secured a Heritage Lottery grant to refurbish the Montpellier Gardens and restore its allied buildings, one of which, the Proscenium Building, would provide an ideal exhibition space. The project to which the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed, involved creating a community art gallery in the restored Proscenium Building.

In the Summer of 2006 a consortium of six volunteers commenced fund raising for the capital required to convert the interior of the Proscenium Building into a gallery and to cover the start-up expenses. A Community Interest Company was set up to manage the business which involved leasing the building from the Borough Council and hiring out the gallery to local artists. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust agreed to a grant of just over £4,000, for additional electrical work to provide adequate illumination for the artwork. Other grants, donations and ‘benefits in kind’ enabled the gallery to be fitted with a hanging system, additional display screens, table and chairs and the production of signage, publicity brochures and fliers and a website (www.gardensgallery.co.uk).

The Gardens Gallery launched its first exhibition on 9 June 2007 which was visited by over 2,500 people during the first 2 weeks. Twenty exhibitions, by either solo or groups of artists, have been booked between June and December 2007.

The Gardens Gallery fills a gap in Cheltenham’s cultural facilities by providing a permanent display space for the vast number of local artists to exhibit their work since. It also enables the public to view, for free, the diverse range of artistic talent within the community. Bob Freeman, a spokesman for The Gardens Gallery Community Interest Company, said:

“We have been absolutely delighted with the support of our benefactors in setting up the gallery. In addition to this help, the voluntary effort behind the gallery enables us to keep costs low and therefore we are able to hire out the exhibition space to local artists at an affordable weekly rate. As a result of this, the response of artists to hiring the space has exceeded our expectations, and the reaction of the public to both the display space and the exhibitions has been most heartening. This experience, based on the first seven months, is really very encouraging”. Back to top

Cotswold Model Car Racing Track, Kemble Airfield

In 2004, the Cotswold Model Car Club began fundraising to build a model car racing track that would be to an international standard. The project was seen as a way to attract visitors to the area and increase local economic activity. Recognising the potential for the project to boost revenue in the locality and create local employment, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided over a third of the £46,000 necessary to complete the track.

The project was implemented by gaining a licence to use a piece of land beside Kemble Airfield for a period of 10 years and to construct a facility using local labour and resources. This approach fed over £20,000 back into the local economy by employing local contractors to undertake track preparation and tarmac laying, and using a local fencing firm to provide the necessary safety fencing. It also brought purpose to a piece of disused land.

In its first full year of operation, 2006, the club had already become an established national venue, hosting five rounds of National Competitions and providing racing most weekends for club members. In fact, the track proved so popular that hotel rooms were regularly filled and custom rose in local restaurants leading to an estimated income of £12,500 added to the local economy. In 2007, the club has gone from strength to strength, hosting seven national championship rounds and boosting the additional projected income by £17,500 for the local area.

The benefits are not just monetary. The club and track also provide a social activity for members, many of whom are father and son (and daughter) combinations. Model car racing is an activity that can be enjoyed from four years old onwards. Many fathers, even grandfathers, either race against the younger ones or support them with technical and moral assistance. Future plans for the club include encouraging local businesses to sponsor a fleet of cars to allow disadvantaged groups access to the track and a chance to try out the sport with no initial expense.

Doug Tanner, one of the Club’s founding members, said: “As a club we have always been keen to be as inclusive as possible; we’re committed to involving young people particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By seeing the potential in the project, the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust has helped us to develop a track that has become one of the best in the country, generating a considerable number of visitors to the area and increased revenue for local businesses.”

Reaffirming the track’s stature as in international venue, Andy Moore, current World Champion at 1/10 scale electric model car racing, said: “The Cotswold Track and package of facilities must be one of the best in the UK.” Back to top

Cinderford Music Space – Grants for the arts

For many years, young people and adults in the Forest of Dean have been asking for somewhere for bands to practice without getting complaints from neighbours. After three years of planning and fundraising, and with the help of Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, enough funds were finally raised by the Forest of Dean Music Makers to convert an unused caretaker’s bungalow into a high quality, specialist music rehearsal and recording space for out of hours and holiday use by young people.

Building work on the new centre began in January 2007. Prior to this, over 40 young people were consulted about the choice of location and design priorities for the building. Music Makers also has a young people’s participation group who are kept informed of the development of the project and asked about various issues as they arise. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed £35,000 to the project, enabling building work to get started. Other fundraising initiatives have been coordinated by over 30 young people who have organised gigs and submitted successful grant applications to Coalfields Regeneration funding and the Youth Capital Fund, raising over £300,000.

The building will provide for training activities, after school clubs, holiday and weekend workshops, individual and small group lessons in vocals, guitars, drums and other instruments and specialist equipment so that young people with physical disabilities can join in on an equal basis. Young people are currently working on phase two of the building, helping to decorate and fit out the premises.

Through their level of involvement throughout the process, young people already have a strong ownership of the project which will greatly benefit its long term operation. They will continue to be consulted on the management of the building, appointment of staff and the future development of the Music Makers project, which is set to benefit over 500 young people each year.

Mark Bick, Forest of Dean Music Makers, said: “Music is a huge motivator for young people. Music Makers reaches children and young people who don’t get involved in other activities, including those who struggle at school, have disabilities, or have low levels of confidence and self esteem. The new centre will help young people stay safe, enjoy themselves and develop their creative potential while offering the opportunity to gain accredited skills and progress to paid self employment in the creative industries.”

Cinderford Music Space is a flagship project made possible through a grant from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust and the continued enthusiasm, hard work and dedicated fundraising of local youth and Forest of Dean Music Makers’ team. The finished building will provide a model for other similar potential developments in line with the aspirations of the DfES Music Manifesto and the plans of the national Live Music Forum. Back to top

Cheltenham Hindu Community Centre – Refurbishment

In June 2005, Gloucestershire Environmental Trust recognised the importance of helping the local Hindu population to continue the development of their culture, by funding the necessary restoration and refurbishment works on the Cheltenham Hindu Community Centre.

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust donated almost half the £60,000 necessary to refurbish the centre. The remaining funds were raised through a national lottery grant and money from the Barnwood Trust. Money for the project was used to re-point and damp proof the large, old centre’s walls and to redecorate the interior, providing a warm welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

Cheltenham is home to approximately 350 Hindu families with approximately 800 people. The Hindu Community Centre is central to the local population’s expression of faith and culture and provides a meeting place for the community in general, catering for up to 1200 people each year. The centre provides many activities for the local community, including English lessons for the older generation, coffee mornings for the over 75’s, as well as lessons in Gujarati for children and a youth club.

The Hindu Community Centre is essential to preserving traditional Hindu culture and customs, as well as providing a place where non-Hindus can interact with the community, which holds many events and celebrations that are open to the public.

To celebrate the successful completion of the project in three short months, the Hindu Community Centre held an open day, presided over by the Mayor of Cheltenham, Brian Chaplin, to thank all those who had contributed to, or worked on the project.

Mr Kanu Patel, Vice President of the Indian Association, Cheltenham, said: “Our community centre is a very old, large building and the brickwork was in very poor condition causing a cold and unpleasant atmosphere. Due largely to the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust funding, the Hindu Community Centre is now a pleasant looking building from the outside, providing a warm and friendly environment inside.”
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St Briavel’s Castle – Restoration of the Courtyard

Dating back to the 12th Century, St Briavel’s Castle is an historic site. The castle is now used as a hostel operated by the Youth Hostel Association, and is an excellent base for walkers and cyclists wishing to explore the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided funding to upgrade the castle courtyard, replacing the area’s gravel surface with new paving stones, benefiting the thousands of youth hostellers and visitors that pass through its gates each year.

Situated near the Anglo-Welsh border, the village of St. Briavel’s shelters behind the remains of the castle, which was once the residence of the Constable of the Royal Forest of Dean and the administrative centre of the Royal Hunting Forest.

Originally built as a hunting lodge for King John in 1205 on the site of an earlier stronghold, the castle’s entrance gateway dates back to 1275. Its impressive twin towered gate house, built by Edward I in 1292, as part of the Ring of Stone around Wales, once defended a crossbow bolt factory that used local Forest of Dean iron.

The moated Norman castle hosts medieval banquets in the month of August each year, attracting visitors from all over the country and beyond, providing a unique experience for hostel residents and visitors. In total, the castle caters for around 6,000 hostellers and visitors each year, who come to experience the hostel’s welcoming atmosphere and explore the surrounding countryside.

Rob Harding, English Heritage, said: “The paving of the castle courtyard has improved the presentation of the castle. It has also helped the Youth Hostel Association. The previous loose gravel surface was a nightmare for those trying to keep the hostel clean, as people trod in dirt and stone. The paving has made a big difference.” Back to top

Apperley Cricket Club –
Building renovation and upgrade of amenities

In December 2004, a project began to improve the Apperley Cricket Club pavilion and amenities. The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provided over half the £47,000 needed to renovate and extend the old pavilion building which had been declared “not fit for purpose.”

Apperley Cricket Club dates back to 1859 and had its first official fixture listing in 1893. The original Club pavilion was in a state of disrepair and was inadequate to cater for the club’s 200 patrons, as it had poor changing and kitchen facilities.

As part of the new project, a detailed plan was drawn up to provide additional changing facilities, showers and disabled access to the building. The project also included a new kitchen, store room, a disabled toilet and improved gents toilets as well as changing facilities for match umpires of both sexes for the first time in the Club’s history.

The new state of the art facility is now enjoyed and appreciated by the Club Members and visiting teams alike. The improved catering facilities, disabled access and changing rooms have enabled the club to provide access for all, refreshments and modern facilities, helping the Club to live up to its motto of “more than a cricket club.”

Brian Leeke, Apperley Cricket Club Member, said: “The Club has been extremely grateful for the financial aid awarded to it by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust. The community has appreciated the benefits of an improved pavilion that meets the needs of an active and thriving cricket club, by providing for cricket teams, old and young, male and female.” Back to top

St Andrew’s Church Centre, Churchdown

In the Autumn of 1996, a Feasibility Study was commissioned to examine how the needs of St. Andrew’s Parish could be met by the development of buildings on the St. Andrew’s site. Following three years of consultation, planning and design, a decision to proceed with a project to build a new Church Centre was taken by the Parish Council Committee in July 2000.

The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust contributed £40,000 to the £950,000 project to upgrade the church and community facilities. The remainder of the funds was secured through a concerted public relations, awareness and fundraising campaign which generated donations from the Diocese of Gloucester, Tewkesbury B.C, the Parish Council, a range of small charities and a legacy, together with giving from the congregation.

The new Church Centre included provision for a new hall, kitchen, toilets, church office, committee room and additional multi-purpose rooms to accommodate crèche, youth, Sunday School and other meeting facilities. Proper vestries for the choir and vicar were also included allowing the existing worship space in the church to be enlarged to accommodate the growing congregation.

The design and layout were carefully developed to ensure compatibility between church and community use, with significant parts of the building being available for community groups, providing a multi-purpose resource centre for the community in general.

The new Church Centre has allowed a significant growth in church activities and the size of the congregation, as well as providing a venue for increased links and interaction with the local community. It now benefits an estimated 2,500 people in 14 separate community groups catering for the elderly and youth, mothers and babies, women’s and men’s fellowship groups, and a weekly community coffee shop.

Rob Colley, Project Manager, said: “The project has had an astounding effect on the range of activities we are able to undertake, which in turn had led to a significant growth in the congregation and enhanced our role in the community.” Back to top