Winchcombe Town Council

The survey closed on 22nd May, and received more than 400 responses.

What you told us

• Common themes emerged in the responses - but there was a big variety in opnions, which shows the diversity of the town.
• The most liked aspects of the Winchcombe area are safety, sense of community, green space, friendliness, and the local High Sttreet.
• The least liked aspects are the roads and transport, parking, and over-development.
• The survey suggests that the work of the Council is not well understood; this could be explored further to better understand what this means and whether it matters.

Examples of commentary: Positive

• “It's a real town, with proper shops like ACE and thriving community groups, not just there for tourists, but it's prettier and more characterful than the Cotswold "honeypots" anyway. I'm proud of its history, the museum and the people who work hard to keep the museum and local shops going. I love the network of footpaths, the lovely views when you walk out of the townin every direction, and the friendly hello you get from walkers as you pass. Winchcombe works because people who live here value their community.”
• “Small friendly 'working' town (not just a Cotswold tourist destination) with pubs, shos, cafes, restaurants and local services.”
• “A very attractive town with all amenities. A good community, small ensough to feel safe in (no major crime), and a good place for visitors without being a 'tourist town'.”
• “Generally friendly area, we moved here for the schools but also like the handy doctors, proximity to walks and the DIY shop is awsome!”
• “The beautiful conutryside and the size of the town, big enough to have a reasonable selection of shops, pubs anc restaurants, but not too big.”
• “Food shops and a good DIY shop, doctors, dentist, sportshall, pubs and eating / takeawys, so don't need a car to do normal everyday stuff. Proximity to walking in the countryside.”
• “Accessibility to countryside, whilst also having amenities and transpoprt links.”
• “The natural beauty, the pace, the amenities and people taking time to say hello. We have two very good schools, great childcare provision, fab shops, great doctors and excellent dentists. Also Isbourne Arts and decent pubs. All I need for my family.”
• “That it is a small town with amenities and shops and pubs to walk to. The countryside is on our doorstep, views are amazing and there are lots of great walks.”
• “Closely connected with other towns, we drive to Broadway, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury easily.”
• “Proximity to the gorgeous countryside.”
• “Its location, facilities and surrounding countryside.”
• “Peacfule town, with lots of green spaces and yet local services available - school, mediacal cenyre, independent shops.”
• “The fact that there arelocal shops and parking is possible.”
• “There are beautiful old buildings and we are in the countrtyside.”
• “There are lots of community activities and friendly environment.”

Examples of commentary: Negative

• “The lack of communication from so many 'interested' parties in Winchcombe.”
• “The fast traffic. Not enoug parking.”
• “THe lack of maintenance for amny areas. Pathways are nearly unwalkable in some areas because of the patchwork repairs to the pavements. I knw somw pwople really struggle. Weeds everywhere and the general lack of maintenance makes the town seem quite rundown in places. We need to address this otherwise our town will lose all the businesses and it will become a ghost town.”
• “The disgusting state of cleanliness in all entrances to the town. Dreadful mess on Abbey Terrace.”
• “No poloice station in Winchcomne.”
• “The lack of 'prohibited traffic' management for HGVs. The absence of official town pedestrian road crossings. The various confusing chicane road markings, or lack of them. Lack of traffic calming 'furniture' at the footbridge and at Coates to stop speeding at points of entry and exit to main thorougfare.”
• “Growing too fast, with too little social housing, loss of facilities eg. bank, hospital, police station.”
• “Tight High Street, when cars are parked, especially in certain stretches and when there are delivery vehicles and buses trying to get through.”
• “Not much for young people and I would include in that poor public transport (for access to both jobs and leisure activities).”
• “Considering people here are so lovely, I don't feel we have a strong sense of community. Maybe this is because we are too big for that. I feel we are missing a heart of the twon. The skateboard park is a great meeting place, but there isn't anywhere in the centre of the town to bring people together. I also don't like the sense of 'them versus us' between those who see themeselves as locals and those who are not.”

Examples of commentary: Suggestions

• “The work performed by youth workers and youth organisations can be incredibly formative and improve youth community engagement, really changing lives for teh better. The desmise of the old boys school youth centre is surely a great loss, not possible to make up for through other organisations."”
• “Isbourne Arts is on its critical first year. Its greatest need at this time to become a success is to fill the place when events are on. If there are any joint initiatives to explore that can help develop, they should be explored for the benefit of the whole community. Growing an asset like this could really make Winchcombe shine brighter than other neaby towns that possibly compete in tourism and trade.”
• “Support, encourage and champion volunteers, please! They make the town what it is.”
• “The town needs some medical beds for our population. The closest medical beds are in Tewkesbury (not easily accessible) or Cheltenham. We lost two wards from our hospital to become 5 / 6 beds at the care home (now closed). Respite and recovery is important and know to be better within you own community. The medical practice doe a brilliant job for us, but is known to be struggling with staffing and workload. What (if anything) can be done to improve and support our healthcare needs?.”
• “Honestly have no idea what the council does on a regular basis, but I would like to see the budget numbers and what exactly is getting spent across various areas to avoid running deficit.”
• “Equality on transport. We have better steam train links than active bus routes to carry people to teh next village or to Cheltenham at the weekends.”
• “Have a look at what other places are doing and try to replicate or improve upon their success.”
• “The Youith Centre should be central to the town.”
• “The council needs to communicated better across all media.”