A nesting swan at Stratford Park

I finally finished my election leaflet and dropped it off to be photocopied. No expensive printing for me. I will pick the copies up tomorrow and then will start the delivery process to 1200 homes. It will be interesting to se all the houses of the voters in my neighbourhood.

I then went shopping at a supermarket on the other side of town, which is built over the former mill pond of Stratford Mill, next to Stratford Park in Stroud, where our very good local museum is sited in the old 17th century house. The mill probably dates from 1307 when the name 'Stratford' was first used. Usually the name refers to a fording point of the main street over a river or stream. In this case the stream is the Painswick stream, one of the five rivers which all join at Stroud, and it was crossed by Wick Street, which is the old road halfway up the valley side, which has been superseded by the turnpike which became the A46.

Above Tesco's car park is a lake, which was formerly a fish pond, set above the mill pond. The lake is well maintained by the District Council and I had a guided tour of the large park land last year, as part of being informed as a councillor, since we part-fund the leisure centre which is within the boundary of the old house. The park keeper told me that they were going to set up a small artificial island for the swans to nest on. Here it is and very successful it is, with a pair of swans nesting somewhat warily and awaiting their chicks. There are however big fears for them, as they have already been attacked by drunken youth, who use the park for nefarious activities, sadly. Fingers crossed for the swans.