Exciting plans for the historic Old Neighbourhood pub in Chalford Hill have been revealed to Stroud Times who runs the much-loved Ship Inn in Brimscombe which has garnered a reputation for its high-quality food has bought the pub formerly known as The Mechanic’s Arms – and has great plans for the alehouse The Old Neighbourhood closed more than two years ago and has lain empty ever since It has been the focus of an incredible community campaign to reopen it Residents said its closure ‘marked a further decline in amenities for an otherwise vibrant community with a population larger than Nailsworth but with a fraction of the businesses Mr Birch has plans to recreate the winning formula of The Ship Inn given the size of the pub: “We’re hopeful we can get to about 55 covers That way we would have a split of 50/50 wet/dry [drinking and dining customers] in the pub “I’d like to focus on real ales – maybe three cask ales – and get through them quickly – that means they are always fresh.” Gallery courtesy of www.gloucestershirepubs.co.uk He also aims to recreate the character of the original pub believed to date back to the early 19th century: “The floor was so damp and neglected for so long and I just want to try and make it look like it’s been that way for 200 years.” There are also plans to renovate the beer garden and redesign parts of the pub: “How incredible will this be This will be a stunning little spot in a few weeks’ time.” Mr Birch hopes to reopen The Old Neighbourhood by the summer Pictures and video by Matt Bigwood – subscribe for free to our YouTube channel To contact the Stroud Times team, please visit our contact page to find the appropriate email address or send us your story via email on news@stroudtimes.com Website built and managed by Hewlett Photography & Design Mounted with a heavy-duty dropside body and a Palfinger loader crane from T H White the Isuzu replaces an identical model which has been in operation for seven years Chosen for its impressive payload capacity manoeuvrability and compact footprint on the road the F-Series is ideally suited to the narrow and the customer’s need to access rural sites with limited access managing director of Chalford Building Supplies said: “We only operate one truck of this size in our fleet primarily so we can deliver to some of the more inaccessible locations we’re called to it still needs to have the payload capacity to carry the full range of building supplies we offer – and we find Isuzu’s 11-tonner fits the bill perfectly.” The new truck joins the company’s eight-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet which is comprised primarily of 16 and 26-tonners it joins the company’s very first Isuzu which is still in operation after 13 years “From the beginning we have always received an incredible level of service and support from both AK Commercials and Isuzu; they give us the same attention and care you would expect as a major fleet customer,” adds Creed The new 11-tonner has been supplied with the manufacturer’s three-year unlimited mileage warranty as standard which includes 24/7 roadside assistance and access to the Isuzu Truck UK Customer CARE team with all scheduled maintenance provided by AK Commercials Operating out of the company’s Stroud site the new truck will deliver locally five days per week It is expected to stay in operation for around seven years Chalford Building Supplies is an independent builders’ merchant It serves trade and retail customers in and around Stroud as well as in West Wiltshire from its second location in Calne The magazine for commercial vehicle operation Get the most from your professional engineering career What’s on in Stroud this week: 31 March – 6 April the sun is out and there is an extra hour of daylight each evening With the new season comes a host of celebratory events including spring crafts Plus the return of Boss Morris’ Finger in the Spring a seasonal celebration with music and folk dance spanning two excellent Rodborough pubs and a special fundraising quiz at the Fresh Standard Brewery Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district. To suggest an event for inclusion in 2025, use this form Stroud Brewery hosts its regular adults’ craft table as usual on the first and third Tuesday of each month host Ellie Dodridge leads a session making special decorations to celebrate the springtime This new exhibition organised by a collective of local artists Though the exhibition does not have a single overarching theme we are told that it has been timed to coincide with the arrival of spring awakening and how the artists have blossomed as a collective Merretts Mill’s excellent brewery hosts a special quiz supporting mental health in the music community Funds are being raised in aid of Ollie’s Random Acts of Kindness a community organisation dedicated to supporting music fans struggling with mental health A double-header day of seasonal celebrations in Rodborough sees the Friends of Rodborough Primary School organise their annual easter egg hunt The hunt begins and ends at Rodborough Community Primary School where refreshments will be on offer Join local folk dance stalwarts Boss Morris for a seasonal celebration in Kingscourt and Rodborough Participants are asked to meet at the King’s Head in Kingscourt before processing to dip their fingers in the secret spring and then joining a group walk to the Prince Albert for more Morris dancing and general merriment Gloucestershire bookbinder and illustrator leads a one day introduction to bookbinding at Chalford’s Victoria Studios The course promises that participants will leave at the end of the day with at least three handmade books and a newfound confidence and ability to continue to craft at home Stroud’s new library celebrates not being so new any more with a special week of events to coincide with its first birthday Expect a number of activities throughout the week including engaging author talks and interactive workshops hands-on lab events and an over 60s Ruby Tuesday tea party The 16th annual Bath Comedy Festival begins on Mon 31 Mar and continues until Mon 21 Apr 2025 The festival features shows at a range of venues around town including the Old Theatre Royal the Rondo Theatre and Komedia in Westgate Street plus added extras such as comedy tours of the Roman Baths themselves For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper The much-loved Old Neighbourhood Inn at Chalford Hill is set to reopen after a sold ‘subject to contract’ sign was spotted on the building The historic pub opened in the 1850s as the Mechanics Arms The pub closed unexpectedly two years ago – sparking a campaign by regulars to buy it for the community A change of use application was lodged with Stroud District Council earlier this year to turn the building into a house Stroud Times understands the building will reopen as a pub in the new year For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar Environment Agency Updated: 13:15 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 Fine and settled under the influence of high pressure A chilly start but with plenty of clear skies bringing long spells of sunshine Cloud thickening from the west later in the afternoon but remaining dry for all with light winds Evening cloud gradually clears away leaving a dry night with clear spells Wednesday brings a mixture of sunny spells and cloudy skies A few spots of rain may be felt in the far southwest Widely dry and settled with high pressure dominating this week Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average A raft of top stars will showcase a two-day festival in Chalford Chalfest returns on July 19-20 with DJ sets from Gok Wan and BBC Radio 6 and Radio 2 presenter Craig Charles Legendary band The Beat will also appear with the likes of The Wurzles and regular Chalfest presenters Dick and Dom The volunteer-run festival will feature  Ozma a talented 21 year-old singer songwriter destined for chart success and Badger who is responsible for the Tik Tok sensation ‘These Words’ which currently sits at over 60 million Spotify streams Local bands and emerging artists will also take to the three stages providing a platform for fresh talent and ensuring a varied musical journey for all attendees Organiser Dan Burner said: “Chalfest 2024 is not just about music; it’s a celebration of community spirit and local culture “The food village will be a culinary paradise offering a wide range of delectable options from gourmet burgers to vegan specialties highlighting the region’s best culinary talents Artisans and crafters will showcase their unique creations with stalls offering everything from handmade jewellery to henna art allowing visitors to take home a piece of Chalford’s creative spirit “Families are in for a treat with a dedicated kids’ zone featuring a host of free activities including circus workshops community groups and a fabulous array of local beers wines and gins and you have The Party on the Hill “Volunteers and local organisations are the backbone of Chalfest their hard work and dedication ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all Their efforts exemplify the strong community bonds that make Chalford a remarkable place.” Don’t miss this chance to be part of a truly magical summer event and grab your tickets HERE Home > News By Simon Hacker | 15th May 2024 An 1800s Cotswold pub that closed nearly two years ago cannot be converted into a private residence after planners threw out the bid The latest twist in the fortunes of the Old Neighbourhood Inn on Midway which sits in the heartland of Stroud's Five Valleys is being celebrated as a triumph by the community after the venue was recently made an Asset of Community Value and hundreds came forward with a plan to club together and buy the venue Renamed in 1992 as a reference to a nearby road the Old Neighbourhood has trading records as the Mechanic's Arms that date back to 1856 The pub played a pivotal role in community support during the Pandemic's lockdown when regulars subscribed to a take-away service and with regular markets held in the pub's car park a local campaign to resist its loss enlisted the support of the town's MP A change of use bid went before Stroud District Council earlier this year and in a planning statement the applicant said that the current owners had bought the closed pub in February 2023 to add to their free-of-tie pubs portfolio the pub and beer garden site amounted to 880 sq m plus a 934 sq m site opposite that was used as a car park Savills said the property offered: "a restaurant area The new owners continued to seek tenants via one of the largest national pub agencies and also put the pub up for sale despite a year-long marketing campaign they have been unable to attract tenants." The empty pub was consequently now deteriorating agents Bruton Knowles suggested the pub was no longer viable commercially: "From the length of time the Old Neighbourhood Inn has been closed it is likely that previous customers have now established themselves in the alternative local pubs," the valuation experts said They added: "Should it reopen it would have a detrimental impact on the trade of those pubs leading to all of them struggling to make a living." chair of the Chalford Hill Community Benefit Society saying that there was an "exceptionally strong community support for acquiring and re-opening the pub" He added that a "robust" business case had been developed Residents and neighbours flocked onto social media to celebrate the news a consortium co-operative society of community business investors welcomed the rejection SDC said: "The proposed change of use to a C3 dwelling will represent the wholescale loss of a designated Asset of Community Value and Public House with its associated amenity land "The application is supported by a significant lack of financial and supporting information and therefore fails to demonstrably justify that there is not the prospect of a continued community use or that the site as a public house is not viable." the council said: "The marketing exercise does not demonstrate a realistic or fair market value that reflects market conditions or that part of the site has been sold and moreover introduces barriers to a sale to the community or a private interested party The application fails to demonstrate that there are sufficient similar uses that are accessible for the community." 'Another shining jewel for visitors to see in Gloucester' One of Cheltenham’s most recognisable homes is on the market with Savills Incident underlines shocking trend in retail crime The recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today (May 6) Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission We use cookies to help make our website better. For more information on cookies and how to block them, visit https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/ The Chalford Sports & Social Club has scooped the title of Stroud CAMRA Club of the Year for the third year running Ali and Rob Brady were presented with a certificate recording their achievement at a presentation ceremony and celebration on Sunday 16 July ‘We had a good turnout of Stroud CAMRA members and the club was very busy confirming its status as the sporting and social hub of the village,’ reports Tim Mars ‘Sadly this meant we were unable to use the skittle alley which was the high point of last year’s presentation.’ a leading local wholesaler that exclusively distributes Stroud Brewery beers and supplies the Ale House and Prince Albert (among many other pubs) with cask ales from a wide roster of breweries up and down the country a 5.4% Peanut Butter Milk Stout and Hattie Brown’s Dog on the Roof (6.0%) So a wide range of tastes and strengths was catered for this might have been the first and last chance to sample any Brew by Numbers beers as the Greenwich-based craft brewer appointed administrators in June to look for new owners—further evidence (if any were needed) of how tough things are for small brewers The Chalford Sports & Social Club sits right at the top of Chalford Hill with a glorious southerly aspect across its own tennis courts The club is the sporting and social hub of the village with around 500 members who pay £15 a year for membership It is an astonishing resource at the heart of the community offering a wide variety of social and sporting opportunities very family-orientated and where children are always welcome The club is justifiably proud of its sporting prowess with the 1st team currently sitting pretty in the Northern Senior League with the 1st team playing in Stroud Division 2 and the 2nd team currently playing in Stroud Division 4 the club has no less than five tennis teams with their top players battling it out against the best in the area in the premier division The clubhouse is an unprepossessing flat-roofed but it proves to be an Aladdin’s cave when it comes to the range of facilities and activities within The main hall is big enough to accommodate 150 people and is a popular choice for wedding receptions There is a dartboard in the comfortably-furnished lounge regular competitive and social events throughout the winter and a weekday league in summer Ali Brady became manager in March 2018 and from that point on it was all change on the beer front In came the handpumps and on came the real ale and overnight the club changed from serving only pressurised keg beers to an oasis of real ale Rob is solely a volunteer at the club but takes care of beer ordering line cleaning and also serves behind the bar The Chalford Sports & Social Club now goes forward to the next round—to compete with other Gloucestershire CAMRA sub-branch nominations for the title of Gloucestershire CAMRA Club of the Year Last year it was possible to get to and from the club by bus on a Sunday on the Stagecoach 67 service running from Cashes Green to Bussage and calling at Merrywalks the 67 bus no longer runs on Sundays or on weekday evenings Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One Chalford boss Ben Powell felt his side dropped two points as they were forced to share the spoils at Charfield Hosts Charfield (red strip) opened the scoring on 30 minutes thanks to Eddie Hawkins Chalford’s James Keylock netted parity two minutes after the start of the second half leaving Powell to lament his side’s lack of potency in front of goal He said: “It was a tough game on a difficult surface and felt like two points dropped as we had majority of possession and chances “Charfield defended doggedly and their keeper pulled off a couple of fine saves.” Boho on the Hill owner Pennie McKenzie and partner David Johns have moved to the former Scrumptious Coffee Shop in Chalford Hill Pennie and David previously ran the popular Boho Collective but were forced to close last month and find an alternative site The team at Boho on the Hill have been busy renovating the building and opened with an official launch party this afternoon we celebrate the downing of our DIY tools and getting back to doing what we do best,” said Pennie “Our tap wall is open and wine and gin are flowing along with delicious burgers and sweet treats.” A number of pop-up events are being planned for the new year by ‘Boho on Tour’ which will take place in various locations “Check out our upcoming events on our website www.thebohocollective.co.uk and follow us on Facebook /thebohobakery. Instagram @the_boho_bakery. DM us, drop us an email hello@thebohocollective.co.uk or just give us a call As part of the SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) Mills Open Weekend 2024 Chalford will be open to visitors on May 11th and 12th St Marys is an example of a 200 year old cloth mill: part of the textile industry that brought employment On show will be a waterwheel used to power the textile machines a turning steam engine and other historic machines One of the most picturesque mills in the Stroud Valleys is St Mary’s in Chalford it retains an imposing but static water wheel Reportedly it is the largest of its type in its original position The massive remains of the last working fulling stocks in Gloucestershire from Cam Mill are explained There is also a milling machine that replaced the stocks it was built nearby by Ferrabee at Phoenix Ironworks With a long history dating back to the Middle Ages St Mary’s is an excellent example of how the countryside was once busy with industry Visitors must book beforehand; telephone 01453 766273 There is only disabled parking at the mill so park by Belvedere Mill and walk one kilometre along the towpath towards Stroud Tours start at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Entrance is free but must be booked in advance: www.stroudtextiletrust.org.uk Prolific Chalford striker Jack Hughes fired a double as Ben Powell’s side rubber-stamped their Gloucestershire Northern Senior League title hopes the Chalford hot-shot netting in each half underpinning their ambition to stage County League football at Highfield Way next season A delighted Chalford boss Ben Powell said: “It was a good three points against a good Dursley side we started slow and had to feel our way into the game but once Jack (Hughes) got the first we looked much more settled and controlled the second half well.” Dursley boss Karl Nash felt it wasn’t his side’s day: “It was fairly contested match “We started the brighter of the two teams couldn’t quite find the quality in the final third and Chalford grew into the game the main man (Hughes) ripped one in midway through the first half and we failed to clear our lines in the second half Hughes opened his account with a fizzing finish and grabbed a second after Ryan Harry’s header was saved Chalford are now just two points behind leaders Longlevens Reserves with six games in hand on the Gloucester outfit Swipe through our gallery of pictures by Matt Bigwood Photographer Brian Rossiter captured the best action from Chalford’s 2-1 Reg Davis Cup victory over Taverners at the Owen Harris Memorial Ground Luke Benneyworth and Luke Brunsdon were on target for Chalford against a dogged Taverners outfit who replied through a late Louis Wilkins’ penalty Chalford boss Ben Powell said: “It was good to get back to winning ways at a place we historically struggle but in the first-half we should have been more in control who made it difficult for us in the second-half and made us dig in for the 3 points.”