BISLEY NEWS
BISLEY OPEN GARDENS - SUNDAY JUNE 20
BISLEY BUTTERFLY WALK - WEDNESDAY JUNE 30
++UPDATE++
The collection for Tom and Lucie had absolutely smashed its original target of £750. As things stand, £8,537 has been raised. If you haven't donated and would like to please click on this link.
COLLECTION FOR TOM AND LUCIE
By now, many villagers will be aware that Tom and Lucie Ryan-Gericks are leaving the George Stores after five years.
Their departure has happened suddenly, and for personal reasons.
It's a great shame - the shop was slowly dying under its previous owners, and Tom and Lucie injected new life and enthusiasm into the place and brought about an immediate and dramatic improvement.
They have been very good for Bisley, and we're all sorry to see them go, particularly under these circumstances.
Michael Batten has set up a fundraising page for people to make donations, both to thank them for their hard work and to help them as they move forward.
If you would like to donate, please visit Just Giving.
The shop has been sold to new owners who we're sure will continue the excellent service Tommy and Lucie provided.
The collection for Tom and Lucie had absolutely smashed its original target of £750. As things stand, £8,537 has been raised. If you haven't donated and would like to please click on this link.
COLLECTION FOR TOM AND LUCIE
By now, many villagers will be aware that Tom and Lucie Ryan-Gericks are leaving the George Stores after five years.
Their departure has happened suddenly, and for personal reasons.
It's a great shame - the shop was slowly dying under its previous owners, and Tom and Lucie injected new life and enthusiasm into the place and brought about an immediate and dramatic improvement.
They have been very good for Bisley, and we're all sorry to see them go, particularly under these circumstances.
Michael Batten has set up a fundraising page for people to make donations, both to thank them for their hard work and to help them as they move forward.
If you would like to donate, please visit Just Giving.
The shop has been sold to new owners who we're sure will continue the excellent service Tommy and Lucie provided.
CANAPES AT OVERCOURT - FRIDAY JULY 2
Bisley Flower Show Committee is holding a drinks and canapés evening at Overcourt from 6.30pm on Friday July 2.
The evening - which is by kind permission of the owners, John and Elizabeth Cowen - will raise funds for the flower show.
It will be a rare chance to enjoy the gardens of this lovely 14th century manor house.
Tickets are available for £7 from the George Stores.
Bisley Flower Show Committee is holding a drinks and canapés evening at Overcourt from 6.30pm on Friday July 2.
The evening - which is by kind permission of the owners, John and Elizabeth Cowen - will raise funds for the flower show.
It will be a rare chance to enjoy the gardens of this lovely 14th century manor house.
Tickets are available for £7 from the George Stores.
THE BEAR REOPENING - SATURDAY JUNE 5
The new landlady and landlord at The Bear are Ambra Tessitore and her husband Giovanni.
They intend to focus on retaining and enhancing The Bear's traditional ‘country pub' atmosphere, with a range of good food (including breakfast and afternoon tea) and wines on offer, as well as the usual real ales (Dartmoor Brewery's Jail Ale, one of the Otter beers and London Pride).
Giovanni was head chef at The Vines in Blackbourton, Oxfordshire, for seven years, and became well-known for his blend of Italian and traditional English dishes cooked with fresh local ingredients.
If the reports from there are anything to go by we are in for a culinary treat.
Please support both pubs - and the village shop and Post Office (and indeed all our local businesses - see the tab above). A village like ours needs these amenities to keep going, and they'll only keep going if we use them.
The new landlady and landlord at The Bear are Ambra Tessitore and her husband Giovanni.
They intend to focus on retaining and enhancing The Bear's traditional ‘country pub' atmosphere, with a range of good food (including breakfast and afternoon tea) and wines on offer, as well as the usual real ales (Dartmoor Brewery's Jail Ale, one of the Otter beers and London Pride).
Giovanni was head chef at The Vines in Blackbourton, Oxfordshire, for seven years, and became well-known for his blend of Italian and traditional English dishes cooked with fresh local ingredients.
If the reports from there are anything to go by we are in for a culinary treat.
Please support both pubs - and the village shop and Post Office (and indeed all our local businesses - see the tab above). A village like ours needs these amenities to keep going, and they'll only keep going if we use them.
STROUD - BEST PLACE TO LIVE 2021... AND BISLEY IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S TOP TEN PROPERTY ‘HOTSPOTS'
The Times recently named Stroud as the best place to live in the UK in 2021.
‘Saturday morning in Stroud is always a spectacle,' says the newspaper, ‘and last weekend was no exception. Families queued at stalls selling doughnuts, the smell of Thai food filled the air and a lone woman strode past carrying a large piece of cardboard bearing the words “stop racism”.'
Yep, that's Stroud, alright.
‘Novelist Jilly Cooper has lived in Stroud for nearly 40 years.'
No she hasn't.
‘It’s one of the contradictions of Stroud,' The Times continues, ‘that many of the people who say they love it choose to live in a village on one of the commons, rather than in the town itself.'
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail - which is continually obsessed by property prices, and surprising things that will give you/will cure cancer - has revealed that Bisley is one of ‘ten hotspot villages where house prices have soared the most as buyers escaped to the country'.
‘Lockdown has seen a surprise property boom,' says the Mail, ‘marked by deep-pocketed buyers escaping to the country - driving prices in some popular villages up substantially. The top 10 villages listed by estate agent Savills have all seen average property sale prices rise more than 50 per cent, as demand outweighed supply in locations where homes rarely come up for sale.'
In the mix is ‘Bisley-with-Lypiatt, in Stroud, Gloucestshire (sic), where the average price of a property has risen from £462,163 to £792,500 during the same 12 months, up 71.5 per cent.'
If that were true it might be good news for people who already own houses here (like your webmaster, to declare an interest), and very wealthy people who would like to move here, but it would be terrible for youngsters who live here already and those who rent but would like to buy.
It isn't true, of course - the Mail doesn't understand averages, and can't spell 'Gloucestershire' - though property prices are definitely insane.
All in all, not a great performance by the Fourth Estate.
The Times recently named Stroud as the best place to live in the UK in 2021.
‘Saturday morning in Stroud is always a spectacle,' says the newspaper, ‘and last weekend was no exception. Families queued at stalls selling doughnuts, the smell of Thai food filled the air and a lone woman strode past carrying a large piece of cardboard bearing the words “stop racism”.'
Yep, that's Stroud, alright.
‘Novelist Jilly Cooper has lived in Stroud for nearly 40 years.'
No she hasn't.
‘It’s one of the contradictions of Stroud,' The Times continues, ‘that many of the people who say they love it choose to live in a village on one of the commons, rather than in the town itself.'
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail - which is continually obsessed by property prices, and surprising things that will give you/will cure cancer - has revealed that Bisley is one of ‘ten hotspot villages where house prices have soared the most as buyers escaped to the country'.
‘Lockdown has seen a surprise property boom,' says the Mail, ‘marked by deep-pocketed buyers escaping to the country - driving prices in some popular villages up substantially. The top 10 villages listed by estate agent Savills have all seen average property sale prices rise more than 50 per cent, as demand outweighed supply in locations where homes rarely come up for sale.'
In the mix is ‘Bisley-with-Lypiatt, in Stroud, Gloucestshire (sic), where the average price of a property has risen from £462,163 to £792,500 during the same 12 months, up 71.5 per cent.'
If that were true it might be good news for people who already own houses here (like your webmaster, to declare an interest), and very wealthy people who would like to move here, but it would be terrible for youngsters who live here already and those who rent but would like to buy.
It isn't true, of course - the Mail doesn't understand averages, and can't spell 'Gloucestershire' - though property prices are definitely insane.
All in all, not a great performance by the Fourth Estate.
FORMER BISLEY VILLAGER
...Alastair MacLeod (whose mother Aly is a leading light in the Flower Show) is now running a smallholding on Exmoor with his wife Louise.
To order rare breed pork and lamb, as well as goose and turkey, and for more about Red Deer Farm, please click here.
...Alastair MacLeod (whose mother Aly is a leading light in the Flower Show) is now running a smallholding on Exmoor with his wife Louise.
To order rare breed pork and lamb, as well as goose and turkey, and for more about Red Deer Farm, please click here.
ANOTHER BISLEY ARTIST
...has been added to our site. Please click here for a look at Karen Grainger's lovely and unusual paintings.
...has been added to our site. Please click here for a look at Karen Grainger's lovely and unusual paintings.
ALISON MERRY CHRISTMAS CARDS
If you're as late buying your Christmas cards this year as we are in our house, why not buy them from Bisley artist Alison Merry's website?
Every year, Alison produces amazing and amusing cards, beautifully drawn and painted, with a suitably religious theme.
Some are available at only £3 for ten, which is extremely good value - a single card from a supermarket can cost that, and you're supporting a fellow villager into the bargain.
One of her designs is below - others and not just Christmas cards) can be seen on her page under ‘Local Artists' on this website.
If you're as late buying your Christmas cards this year as we are in our house, why not buy them from Bisley artist Alison Merry's website?
Every year, Alison produces amazing and amusing cards, beautifully drawn and painted, with a suitably religious theme.
Some are available at only £3 for ten, which is extremely good value - a single card from a supermarket can cost that, and you're supporting a fellow villager into the bargain.
One of her designs is below - others and not just Christmas cards) can be seen on her page under ‘Local Artists' on this website.
BISLEY ARTISTS
With Art @ The Stirrup in temporary abeyance, we are now hosting paintings by artists from Bisley and nearby on the website.
To see each artist's paintings, please click on the new ‘Local Artists' tab in the menu above and follow the drop-down menu to each individual artist's page (and please email us if you are an artist living in or near Bisley and you would like us to host your work).
The first artist featured is Ollie Miles, who paints beautiful watercolours such as this snowy Bisley scene:
With Art @ The Stirrup in temporary abeyance, we are now hosting paintings by artists from Bisley and nearby on the website.
To see each artist's paintings, please click on the new ‘Local Artists' tab in the menu above and follow the drop-down menu to each individual artist's page (and please email us if you are an artist living in or near Bisley and you would like us to host your work).
The first artist featured is Ollie Miles, who paints beautiful watercolours such as this snowy Bisley scene:
A snowy view over Bisley / © Ollie Miles
CHRISTMAS SPARKLE TRAIL
The Christmas Sparkle Trail opens on Saturday December 12, bringing a little much-needed festive cheer to the village at this very strange time.
There are fifty homes in Bisley with Christmas decorations visible from the road or pavement, and a trail guide will be available from Tom and Lucie in The George Stores from Thursday December 10.
There are also on-line Advent Calendars at the Bisley Benefice website and Facebook page - the one for adults, with contributions from many local people, opened on November 29, and the children's on December 1.
The Christmas Sparkle Trail opens on Saturday December 12, bringing a little much-needed festive cheer to the village at this very strange time.
There are fifty homes in Bisley with Christmas decorations visible from the road or pavement, and a trail guide will be available from Tom and Lucie in The George Stores from Thursday December 10.
There are also on-line Advent Calendars at the Bisley Benefice website and Facebook page - the one for adults, with contributions from many local people, opened on November 29, and the children's on December 1.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON GREEN ISSUES
(Posted in response to a request by Parish Councillor Martin Brown)
HELP DEVELOP OUR LOCAL RESPONSE TO THE CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY:
HOME INSULATION, COMMUNITY ENERGY, CAR SHARE, RE-USE AND REPAIR, SWAP AND TRADE, SAFER CYCLING, NATURE RECOVERY, GROW YOUR OWN, HEALTHIER WILDLIFE, HEALTHIER LIVES... AND YOUR IDEAS!
BE CREATIVE!
JOIN US FOR A ZOOM MEETING IN EARLY 2021:
please contact :
MARTIN BROWN martinandrewbrown59@gmail.com
01452 770878
or LESLEY GREENE lesleygreene2@googlemail.com
01452 770018
or ROGER BUDGEON roger@greenshopgroup.co.uk
01452 770272
(Posted in response to a request by Parish Councillor Martin Brown)
HELP DEVELOP OUR LOCAL RESPONSE TO THE CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY:
HOME INSULATION, COMMUNITY ENERGY, CAR SHARE, RE-USE AND REPAIR, SWAP AND TRADE, SAFER CYCLING, NATURE RECOVERY, GROW YOUR OWN, HEALTHIER WILDLIFE, HEALTHIER LIVES... AND YOUR IDEAS!
BE CREATIVE!
JOIN US FOR A ZOOM MEETING IN EARLY 2021:
please contact :
MARTIN BROWN martinandrewbrown59@gmail.com
01452 770878
or LESLEY GREENE lesleygreene2@googlemail.com
01452 770018
or ROGER BUDGEON roger@greenshopgroup.co.uk
01452 770272
STIRRUP CUP REOPENS
The Stirrup has reopened for food with ‘substantial meals', as per the bizarre new law.
Julian is serving two menus - a main one and a smaller one with bar snacks (which are always available, and will still qualify).
Current opening hours are as follows:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 5pm till 10pm
Wednesday - 5pm till 10pm
Thursday - 5pm till 10pm
Friday - 2pm till 10pm
Saturday - 2pm till 10pm
Sunday - 12pm till 6pm
The Stirrup has reopened for food with ‘substantial meals', as per the bizarre new law.
Julian is serving two menus - a main one and a smaller one with bar snacks (which are always available, and will still qualify).
Current opening hours are as follows:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 5pm till 10pm
Wednesday - 5pm till 10pm
Thursday - 5pm till 10pm
Friday - 2pm till 10pm
Saturday - 2pm till 10pm
Sunday - 12pm till 6pm
MEDICINE RUN VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed for the medicine rota.
Every eight weeks or so you would collect filled prescriptions from the chemist and drop them off at the shop.
It's a great way to help and support less mobile villagers who would otherwise struggle to get their medicines.
Please see Lucy or Tom if you would like to help out.
Volunteers are needed for the medicine rota.
Every eight weeks or so you would collect filled prescriptions from the chemist and drop them off at the shop.
It's a great way to help and support less mobile villagers who would otherwise struggle to get their medicines.
Please see Lucy or Tom if you would like to help out.
CALLING BISLEY BUSINESSES
With the economy taking a huge hit from COVID, we are keen to do our admittedly tiny bit to help Bisley businesses.
If you run a business in Bisley (or live in or very near to Bisley and run a business outside the village), and you would like us to feature details on our ‘LOCAL BUSINESSES' pages, please just email us the relevant details.
There is no charge!
Some local businesses are already on the tabs above, but we have added almost all of these ourselves; if you own one of these businesses and would like us to add to or amend your details please just say.
Please do continue to support the Bisley News with your advertising, too.
With the economy taking a huge hit from COVID, we are keen to do our admittedly tiny bit to help Bisley businesses.
If you run a business in Bisley (or live in or very near to Bisley and run a business outside the village), and you would like us to feature details on our ‘LOCAL BUSINESSES' pages, please just email us the relevant details.
There is no charge!
Some local businesses are already on the tabs above, but we have added almost all of these ourselves; if you own one of these businesses and would like us to add to or amend your details please just say.
Please do continue to support the Bisley News with your advertising, too.
BEAR INN REFURB
The Bear is currently in the early stages of refurbishment; it was hoped that it would be open in December, but that might change now that the second lockdown has been brought in. More information will be posted as we get it.
The Bear is currently in the early stages of refurbishment; it was hoped that it would be open in December, but that might change now that the second lockdown has been brought in. More information will be posted as we get it.
WELFARE PACKAGES
There are people in the village who are struggling financially with lack of work and so on. Lucie and Tom at the George Stores are coordinating welfare packages - meat, fruit and veg, household essentials - for those who need them.
If you would like to receive such a package, please call in or email Lucie in complete confidence; there is absolutely no need to be embarrassed to ask for help - that's what it's there for.
Likewise, if you would like to help with donations of food, cleaning products, or cash, please email Lucie. Money donated will be used to buy essentials for those who need them.
There are people in the village who are struggling financially with lack of work and so on. Lucie and Tom at the George Stores are coordinating welfare packages - meat, fruit and veg, household essentials - for those who need them.
If you would like to receive such a package, please call in or email Lucie in complete confidence; there is absolutely no need to be embarrassed to ask for help - that's what it's there for.
Likewise, if you would like to help with donations of food, cleaning products, or cash, please email Lucie. Money donated will be used to buy essentials for those who need them.
LONELINESS
Stella Mulligan, who in happier times helps to run the excellent Flicks in the Sticks evenings in the village (now confirmed cancelled in in June, July, and August, with hopes to return in September if the Hall has been reopened by then), has been in touch to make the point that the effects of the lockdown are likely to lead to many people, especially those who live alone, feeling very lonely.
Stella suggests that people do as much as possible to contact friends and family members - a quick phone or FaceTime call, or an email or text message (for those who have the mobile phone coverage) can go a long way to breaking up a humdrum day and making people feel wanted and valued. You can also still write letters, of course!
For slightly more technically-minded people, the Houseparty app (which is available for iPhones, iPads, Macs and systems running on Android) allows groups of family and friends to ‘meet up' and see and talk to each other online. (I say ‘slightly more technically-minded' because it is extremely easy to use.)
Stella Mulligan, who in happier times helps to run the excellent Flicks in the Sticks evenings in the village (now confirmed cancelled in in June, July, and August, with hopes to return in September if the Hall has been reopened by then), has been in touch to make the point that the effects of the lockdown are likely to lead to many people, especially those who live alone, feeling very lonely.
Stella suggests that people do as much as possible to contact friends and family members - a quick phone or FaceTime call, or an email or text message (for those who have the mobile phone coverage) can go a long way to breaking up a humdrum day and making people feel wanted and valued. You can also still write letters, of course!
For slightly more technically-minded people, the Houseparty app (which is available for iPhones, iPads, Macs and systems running on Android) allows groups of family and friends to ‘meet up' and see and talk to each other online. (I say ‘slightly more technically-minded' because it is extremely easy to use.)
BISLEY CORONAVIRUS COMMUNITY GROUP
If you are self-isolating and need assistance with fetching food or medicine, or anything else, please contact Lucie in the George Stores (01452 771203) or any of the parish councillors on the telephone numbers or email addresses below.
If you would like to help, please also contact the same people.
If you are self-isolating and need assistance with fetching food or medicine, or anything else, please contact Lucie in the George Stores (01452 771203) or any of the parish councillors on the telephone numbers or email addresses below.
If you would like to help, please also contact the same people.
