Moving to Stroud area

[MoneyPenney2]

Hi there, we are planning on moving to the Stroud area this summer and wondering if anyone has any advice/recommendations?
We've been looking at Nailsworth and surrounding villages, which all look lovely...
We have a little boy who is 7 months old, so any advice on primary schools would be great. As well as what kind of facilities there are for small children, and what it's like as a place for kids etc...
Thanks :)

I've been doing lots of research as we might be moving there too - here is a link which tells you a bit about what's on for kids - hope it helps.

www.ideasforthekids.co.uk/attraction.aspx?attID=e02969c1-5823-40a4-861f-e8a208b669b0&cmd=NearBy

Hello moneypenny

I've just posted on another moving to Stroud thread but thought I would post it here as well just in case.

I'm from Stroud and my DP and I have just decided to relocate there from London with our 4 month old DD.

We have found a house in Ebley. I grew up in Cashes Green and my parents still live there. On a recent visit I noticed a children's centre next to cashes green primary school so they will have things going on.

Cashes green and Foxmoor primary schools are both outstanding by the way.

Cashes is a nice area because it is flat and Stroud is hilly so having a flat garden is nice. You can easily walk into town or up into Randwick woods. It's not far to the cycle track that is a gorgeous flat ride to stonehouse or the other way through Stroud to Nailsworth.

I must admit that as a teenager I thought it was the middle of nowhere but I'm excited to be returning now. I don't think that the Stroud of my youth exists anymore. It has changed a lot. Or maybe I just wasn't aware of the interesting culture there at that time.

Personally I'm tired of living in London. We are looking for a mix of town activity and country living and Stroud provides both. Stroud is well connected to London and also close to Bristol and Bath if you need some city culture.

DP and I are both artists. I hadn't realised that there was so much artist activity going on there until recently. DP has found a studio in Chalford.

What is your timescale for moving? Our offer has just been accepted so I hope we will be in before the end of the summer. I don't know anyone there except for my family so I'm looking forward to meeting new friends. Since having a baby I've made lots of new friends in London so I'm hoping to do the same in Stroud.

Thanks for your post Shazzamattazzerly - I'm also an artist and also probably moving to Stroud in the next 6months/year so very reassuring to hear that there is a lot going on and that your DP has found a studio in Chalford. How did he find it/is there a website? As you might be able to guess from my name I'm in Brighton (been there 13 yrs - originally from London) where there is a lot going on and my main concerns have been regarding how to find likeminded people, creative spaces, life drawing classes etc and whilst I've found quite a few encouraging listings on the internet it seems that most of what is on offer might not be listed via internet and I'll just have to get there and get stuck in!

Hello mermaid

Exciting to hear from a fellow artist who is also relocating.

There is an excellent studio in Stroud town centre called SVA (Stroud Valley Artists). Look at their website. There are some useful links. We started there but their studios are too small for DP. We also looked at a recent Site brochure for other studios and called artists who were listed for contact details of the landlords. Site is an annual arts festival in Stroud. It is very good and worth attending to get an idea of open studios and artist activity. DP is a painter and i have a socially engaged practice. what about you?

We went to Pegasus art shop which is on the edge of town and they gave us a few leads to other studios. The one he found is being converted at the moment. They aren't all ready yet. He is paying from July so that might suit you. If you are interested PM me and I'll give you their contact details. We also found a place in town called Piccadilly mill but again the spaces were small. DP put a sign up in the art shop and someone called us but he had already found somewhere.

The art shop also advertised classes including life drawing. It is very well stocked. Not just a local craft shop.

So what takes you to Stroud? Do you know the area already?

My daughter is 4 months old. Do you have children?

We are hopefully selling our flat this weekend and then we can get on with buying the house we have found in Stroud. I'm getting very excited now. Don't worry there will be other like minded people in Stroud. It is bursting at the seams with artists, creatives and those enjoying a more 'alternative' lifestyle for want of a better phrase.

Hello - that's great to hear! I will find out in a month whether we are definitely moving (dh's job) and I don't know the area at all! I have heard good things but nothing specific and almost nothing about the art scene so very good to hear all your info. I'm a painter primarily but dabble in sculpture and other applied arts occasionally. When more is certain I will definitely pm you - thanks!

ps I have a dd aged 9!

Hi mermaid

Sounds good. Look forward to hearing from you.

Hello mermaid

Hope you are well.

Did you find out if you are moving to Stroud? I thought I'd let you know that the site festival brochure has been launched for this year.
www.sitefestival.org.uk

If you are moving it would be a good opportunity for you to see what is going on there artistically and to suss out some studios. DHs studio have some open studios if you are interested I could PM you the details.

Hello- No I STILL don't know as interview is (meant) to be in May but could/quite likely get delayed. Really frustrating as mentally moving there already!! Thanks for the festival link. Will have a look now....x

I know what you mean. The house we found fell through so we have started again with hunting. We are having a second viewing on one place today but I just want to get on with it now.

Is the interview an internal transfer or for a new job?

Oh no - bad luck about your house. Hope you find another one soon. It's a new job that he's currently doing on a temp contract and hoping to get after it's put up for interview. Fingers crossed.

Oh yes fingers crossed. Stroud is definitely the place to be

We are moving to Nailsworth within the next month and was also wondering about baby groups and activities (our daughter is 7 months also!). Hoping there are some mum/baby groups around as completely new to area so would like to make friends for myself and baby!

Hello Sophie
I've just checked this thread and seen your post. When do you move?
We are hoping to move beginning of august. My daughter is 6 months so very similar in age. We are buying a house in Stroud.
Are you still on mat leave when you get to Stroud or will you be working? I'm hoping to work part time so that I will be able to go along to some baby groups and make friends.
Maybe see you at a meet up in Stroud.