News

We are really looking forward to our new sponsored event which takes place on Sunday 18^th September. We have teamed up with Cotswold Allrunners to bring you an event which is great for everyone, from the ultra fit, to people recovering fitness and just wanting to get out into the countryside. There are three routes, 2.5 miles, 8 miles and 17 miles.

You can run or walk each route. Included in the 2.5 mile route is a gentle walk through Cranham Woods, looking at birds, trees, insects and wild flowers. We hope you will get sponsorship for every single thing you spot. For walking and running we hope people will sponsor you per mile. Then come back to base in Cranham for a sausage in a bun/ a cup of tea and a piece of cake. It promises to be a great day.

Created: 19 September 2018

Stroud Valleys Project are pleased to be working with Cotswold Allrunners in ‘The Cranham Beast’ sponsored event. 

The Cranham Beast is a trail event which takes in some of the most hilly, but beautiful, and stunning parts of the Cotswolds.  The event gives runners and walkers the opportunity to explore fantastic common land, diverse woodland, the famous Cheese Rollers Hill (Coopers Hill), get spectacular Cotswold views and visit local villages such as Sheepscombe, Witcombe, Birdlip and of course Cranham.

There is something in this event for everyone, from the very fit, to people recovering fitness and wanting to get out in the beautiful Cotswold Countryside.

If readers would like to take part, go to the Cotswold Allrunners website https://iamoutdoors.uk/cotswold-allrunners/cotswold-allrunners-events/cranham-beast/ or call Stroud Valleys Project charity on 01453 753358. Stroud Valleys Project would like supporters to raise vital funds for the charity.

CEO Clare Mahdiyone said, ‘We are really pleased to be working with Cotswold Allrunners this year. We think that together we have devised a sponsored event which includes everyone, from the very fit to those who are just starting out on their journey to fitness.

Click here for more information.

Created: 11 January 2017

26 May 2016

Some of our local wildlife is difficult to see, such as moths that fly at night which can be really beautiful, but we rarely see them properly. We are working with Adult Education in Gloucestershire to help members of the public learn more about the butterflies and moths of Bisley Road Cemetery, which is a Local Nature Reserve in Stroud, managed by Stroud Town Council.

The butterfly session on Tuesday 14 June 10am – 1pm will be led by Sue Smith, Chair of the Gloucestershire branch of Butterfly Conservation, and will look at butterflies, their larval plants and their nectar sources.

The moth session on Friday 10 June, 9.30am – 12.30pm will be led by Bob Smith from the Gloucestershire branch of Butterfly Conservation. Bob will show us some of the moths that are night visitors to this Local Nature Reserve.  We will learn about their lifecycles and behaviour, and how to encourage moths into your garden at home.

We are looking forward to Stroud Festival of Nature which starts on 10 June with George Monbiot at the Sub Rooms - there were still some tickets left at time of writing, but they are going fast. There will be lots of nature and outdoor events over the summer, if you would like more information you can pick up a programme of events from SVP eco shop.

Our popular Seedling Swap is on Saturday 4 June from 10.30 to 1pm. If you have any spare or unwanted seedlings bring them along and exchange them for others you don’t have! Both vegetable and flower varieties welcome. Even if you don’t have any seedlings to swap, you can still pick some up for a donation to Stroud Valleys Project.  It’s a great way to meet other gardeners and to share advice and knowledge.

Created: 19 September 2018

Friday 20 May

Stroud Valleys Project are working with Adult Education Gloucestershire to bring you ‘Bat Ecology for Beginners’. Led by consultant ecologist Ivi Szaboova, this session will explore: the life cycle of a bat; identification of bats in the field by using bat detectors; what you can do to help bats in the UK.

Following a theory session at Stroud Valleys Project Office, we will then go out to Stratford Park to put some of the theory into practice.

Bats account for more than a quarter of mammal species in the UK and around 20% of all mammal species worldwide. Bats play an essential part in the natural world and are indicators of a healthy environment. Their future is directly linked to our quality of life and the quality of our environment.

CEO Clare Mahdiyone said ‘Bats are really important indicators of the quality of the environment and we are fortunate that here in Stroud, you will get to experience many of our local species’.

COST : £10 for adults, £7 Concessions

Booking essential - ring Stroud Valleys Project 01453 753358

Created: 11 January 2017

20 April 2016

Join us on Friday 13 May when our bat expert leads a bat detecting walk around Stratford Park. In partnership with the Museum in the Park and this event is part of Museums at Night. This annual UK-wide festival encompasses inspiring after-hours events, designed to encourage people to see arts, culture and heritage in a different light. We will start at 8pm looking for bats around the park; bring a torch and you will also be able to explore the museum by torchlight. Places are limited so please phone us to book a place.

If you are interested in learning even more about bats we have organised a course on Bat Ecology on Friday 20 May from 7.30pm to 10.30pm which includes theory and going as well as the opportunity to see bats in their natural habitat.

With the arrival of spring, we have some lovely tomato plants for sale in our eco shop, grown by one of our friends to help you get ahead in the garden. In addition we have a wide range of vegetable, herb and flower seeds; it’s definitely feeling like planting time now that it’s warming up a bit. A reminder that we have a Seedling Swap coming up on Saturday 4 June 10.30am to 1pm, so if you are growing seedlings, it’s worth planting a few extra to bring along and swap for something new. You can also pick up some organic natural fertiliser made of seaweed extract while you’re there – all-purpose or specialist tomato feed.

Following such a mild winter and so few frosts, I think we can expect a lot of slugs this year. To help in the battle to protect your precious seedlings, we have stocked up on our wildlife friendly slug pellets, wool pellets and copper tape.

Created: 19 September 2018

Saturday 12 March 2016

9am – 2pm

Stroud Valleys Project and Stroud Farmers’ Market are joining forces to run Children’s days at the Farmers’ Market.

The first children’s day of 2016 will be held this Saturday where a variety of free activities will be taking place at the special Children’s Day stall.

The activities include the return of our popular taster passport trail in which stall holders provide delicious food samples for children to try. New this year is the chance to decorate your own mini Farmers’ Market shopping bag and to sow seeds in your own home-made paper plant pots.

 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamsin Bent

Telephone: 01453 753358  

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Created: 11 January 2017

25 February 2016

We are planning our summer programme of events and we are always looking for new activities; if you have an idea for a new event or activity, please get in touch with me.

Coming up is the Stroud Farmers’ Market Children’s Day on Saturday March 12^th. We will have a stall in the Farmers’ Market and we will be running three activities: taster’s passport, where children can taste products on participating stalls, seed sowing so they can grow a plant at home and decorating a bag to use around the market.

You can join us for a gentle stroll through the nature reserves in Chalford’s Golden Valley. The rich wildlife is a feature here, with a good chance of seeing dippers, kingfishers, grey wagtails and spring woodland flowers. It’s on Wednesday 6 April 10am - 12.30pm and the cost is £5/adult and £2/child. Places are limited to 10 people so booking and paying in advance is essential.

Our courses are filling up, but there is still space on our Going Wild In Your Garden course running on Saturday 9 and Saturday 23 April from 9.30am - 4.30pm in Stroud. You will be able to discover how to transform your garden, big or small, into a wildlife haven with this 2 day course. We’ll be looking at simple ways to make your patch irresistible to the wild things. You’ll be creating a plan for your patch on the first day, and then getting your hands dirty on the second day as we make wildflower seed bombs, wildlife hibernacula and a mini bog garden The course will include both theory and hands-on practical sessions. Cost for adult: £25 / £17.50 concessions. We also have spaces on the Introduction to Permaculture weekend course. This takes place over two full days at Day’s Cottage in Brookthorpe on 16 and 17 April. This course costs £60 / £42 concessions.

Created: 19 September 2018

Friday 5 February

We are delighted to announce our official partnership with local musician Saskia Griffiths-Moore and her album launch event at the Subscription Rooms on 5th February.

We invite you to come along and show your support for our charity and for local young musicians.

Saskia is part of an all-female atmospheric folk/pop trio which features double bass, fiddle, guitar, 3 vocals, bassoon, keys and flute, and who play Saskia's original songs. Saskia is launching her debut album 'Gentle Heart' which was 100% crowdfunded!

Johnny Coppin said of her  “…a fine singer-songwriter…wonderful voice and great guitar playing.” 

To find out more about her music, see her website: www.saskiagm.com. 

We will be there to talk about our work and there will also be a raffle with over 25 prizes to raise funds for our charity. There will be a bucket collection afterwards in aid of us too. VIP guest, Town Mayor Kevin Cranston will be there as well as the local press.  Dress up smartly because there will be someone taking your picture (with your permission of course!). 

Book your advance ticket here.

Saskia Griffiths-Moore

Debut Album out February 5th!

Created: 11 January 2017

Don’t let unwanted 2016 diaries and calendars gather dust on your desk, drop them off at Stroud Valleys Project office instead, so others can use them.

The Diary Swap works like this: drop off unwanted 2016 diaries or calendars at Stroud Valleys Project. And if you need a new diary or calendar, pop into the SVP office at 8 Threadneedle Street on Stroud to get one. Simple! Saving resources and at the same time reducing the clutter on your desk.

The swap will be running until the end of January.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Clare Mahdiyone

Telephone: 01453 753358  

Created: 20 August 2016