As mentioned in our earlier news report, we are happy to confirm that our new defibrillator was installed on Herdwick Fold on 7th September 2026.

It’s reassuring to have this local unit because in an emergency situation every second counts.  Please be aware that the cabinet is locked and can only be opened with a code given to you by an emergency operator when you dial 999.

We have also arranged for a couple of training sessions for residents, so that you can be confident in using this equipment if you find yourself dealing with a heart related medical emergency.

The training will be provided by Shipston First Responders at The Hub, off Pittway Avenue on the following dates:

Session A: Wednesday 21st October from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Session B: Thursday 22nd October from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

The First Responders give their time for free but if you feel inclined to make a voluntary donation for the training you receive that’s fine.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come basis.  If you wish to commit to this potentially life-saving training please send us a message, indicating whether you want to attend Session A or B.  

Please message us by 30th September 2026 latest, providing your name, contact number and the first line of your address.

And finally ...

Just a quick reminder about our Annual General Meeting this evening, Thursday 17th September starting at 6.30 pm at The Hub, off Pittway Avenue.  Come and meet your committee and find out what we have been up to.  The bar will be open!

Best wishes. 

HGHF-RA Committee

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This report explains in words and pictures what a wonderful time we had on Saturday 12th September 2026, as we held our first community event on the public open space at the back of Herdwick Fold.

Working with Platform Housing, Orbit Housing, Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership (SHWP) and Stratford District Council we invited residents from six new developments in Shipston to come along, bringing our communities together.

Those developments are: Herdwick Gate; Herdwick Fold; Foxgloves; Shepherd’s Gate; Shipston Gardens and Chapel View - a total of 549 homes. 

Residents of all ages turned out.  The bouncy castle was very popular, as was the ice cream van (with delicious Marshfield Farm ice cream), and our face painting lady transformed children into assorted creatures such as zebras and unicorns, with lots of glitter sprinkled for good measure. 

Also there were Shipston First Responders; SHWP Toy Library; Shipston Rotary Club; Shipston Women’s Institute (amazing cakes!); Co-op Community (thanks for the refreshments); Shipston Bookfest; Barnardo’s/Badger Valley Centre (kids archery and axe throwing); Talking Therapies (NHS); Veterans Contact Point and Stour Action For the Environment (SAFE).

The weather was kind apart from an unwelcome breeze, with occasional gusts testing the ground pegs securing a number of gazebos. 

It really was a family fun day.  We hope to do it again next year. 

Here are some photos from the day, with thanks to Chris Reed.

John Fedorowycz

Chairman

HGHF-RA Committee

P.S. Don’t forget our AGM on Thursday 17th September starting at 6.30pm.

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We are pleased to report that Jules Johnson (right) from Shipston First Responders and Lee (left) from LGW Electrical Services came this morning (Monday 7th September 2026) to install our new Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).

The installation went as planned and the unit is now ‘live’.  We are currently waiting for the bleed kit to arrive, so for now it’s just the AED.

The address for this unit is 34 Bradley Drive, Herdwick Fold, Shipston on Stour, CV36 4RP.

The map shows the location (No 1), which is central to the five new developments off Campden Road.

The location of all UK defibrillators, including ours, can be found on this website: https://www.defibfinder.uk/

Please note that the cabinet is locked and access is only possible when you call 999 in an emergency.  It is not possible to open the cabinet without a code from the emergency operator.

Once again we would like to thank the following organisations who provided grants towards the cost of this unit:

• League of Friends of Shipston Hospitals
• Shipston Rotary Club
• Stour Valley Lions

And thank you to those residents who also chipped in with donations to get us over the line.

Now it’s installed Shipston First Responders will be responsible for maintenance, and re-setting the unit after use.  They tell us it’s the 70th AED in the area that they look after.  How fortunate are we to have such an amazing voluntary group in Shipston.

Defib/CPR training

We are currently talking with Shipston First Responders about holding a defib/CPR training course.  It will be free to attend but voluntary donations can be made to the organisation, which is a registered charity.  If you are interested in receiving such training please contact us to ask to go on our list.  Places will be reserved on a first-come basis.

And finally ...

Just a quick reminder about our up-coming Annual General Meeting.  It's on Thursday 17th September starting at 6.30 pm at The Hub, off Pittway Avenue.  Come and meet your committee and find out what we have been up to.  The bar will be open!

Best wishes. 

HGHF-RA Committee

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We are holding a community event on the public open space at the back of Herdwick Fold on Saturday 12th September, from 12 noon to 4pm, and you’re invited to come along.  It's free.

Working with Platform Housing, Orbit Housing, Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership (SHWP) and Stratford District Council we are inviting residents from six new developments in Shipston to come along, bringing communities together. 

The developments are:

Herdwick Gate; Herdwick Fold; Foxgloves; Shepherd’s Gate; Shipston Gardens and Chapel View - a total of 549 homes. 

Please note that this event is not open to the whole of Shipston as we simply could not cope with such a large crowd.  The idea is to bring together those from new developments, who may not have been in Shipston for long.  For that reason we are not publicising the event on social media.

Where is it?

The public open space at the back of Herdwick Fold.

What to expect

We have arranged a number of stalls and activities, including:

• Inflatable play (bouncy castle)
• Ice cream van
• Refreshments
• Face painting
• Shipston First Responders
• SHWP Toy Library
• Women’s Institute
• Shipston Bookfest
• Barnardo’s (games)
• Talking Therapies (NHS)
• Stour Action for the Environment
• Hedgehog Society
• Plus, there is a children’s playground and lots of grass to lay a blanket and have a picnic.

Please note: All children must be under adult supervision.

We kindly request that everyone arrives on foot where possible in order to avoid parking congestion on Herdwick Fold.  Parking options are very limited.  And please be aware that there are no toilet facilities available in this public open space.

All we need now is the weather.

We hope to see you there

Best wishes.

John Fedorowycz

Chairman

HGHF-RA Committee

P.S. Don’t forget our AGM on Thursday 17th September starting at 6.30pm.

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It’s almost two years since the residents on Herdwick Gate and Herdwick Fold agreed we should form a Residents Association.  We are about to hold our second Annual General Meeting and we would like to invite you to join us.  We need a quorum for the AGM to go ahead so we would very much appreciate your attendance if at all possible.

It will be held on Thursday 17th September, starting at 6.30pm at The Hub, off Pittway Avenue.  It’s a short walk away or an even shorter car ride.  The bar will be open, serving refreshments!  

Please contact us in advance if you have mobility issues so that we can provide help accessing the first floor meeting room.

At the AGM your Committee will report on a busy year and will set out our thoughts for the year ahead.  Importantly we want to hear from you and understand what your priorities are.

Come and join us on the Committee

We will be electing Committee members for the coming year.  If you are community spirited and would like to put your name forward please drop us a line.  We are a friendly bunch and being on the committee doesn’t take up too much time.  You can find details of Committee roles on our website.

If you are not already on our email list for news updates you can add your name via the website - click on the Contact Us button at the top of the page.

An agenda for the AGM is available here: Click here for agenda.

I look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Best wishes.

John Fedorowycz

Chairman

HGHF-RA Committee

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One year ago we told you about our plans to get an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), with bleed-kit, installed at The Herdwicks.  Click here to read the article, which explains the benefits of having one.  It could literally save your life, or that of a partner or neighbour.

At the time we didn’t have the money required so we have been busy looking for grants.  The good news is that we have managed to secure funding that covers 85% of the cost.  (Happily, over the last 12 months the cost of the unit has come down a bit). 

We are grateful to the following organisations who have contributed, and thank them for their generosity:

• League of Friends of Shipston Hospitals
• Shipston Rotary Club
• Stour Valley Lions

UPDATE MONDAY 27TH JULY: WE NOW HAVE THE FUNDS WE NEED AND ALSO A PROPERTY TO HOST THE UNIT.  NO FURTHER DONATIONS REQUIRED THANK YOU.  MORE DETAILS ON INSTALLATION IN DUE COURSE.

 Now we need to find the remaining balance of £175.  So we are inviting residents to help us get over the line by making a contribution.  This is a really worthwhile thing to have - potentially life saving.  If you would like to help please make a donation.

The easiest way is to transfer money to our bank account:

Account name: HGHF Residents Association - Shipston on Stour

Sort code: 30-99-50

Account number: 63096163

In the reference field please show the first line of your address.  We will let you know when we reach our goal (WE HAVE!).  If we are fortunate enough to get more than the £175 needed any surplus donations will go in to our general funds.

Locating the defibrillator

We want the unit to be centrally located so that it is easily accessible.  Shipston First Responders would need to be happy with any proposed location and they would deal with all aspects of the installation.  They deal with maintenance too and reset the unit if activated.

These devices must be fixed to the outside wall of a domestic property - a house or bungalow.  Would you consider hosting it? 

It needs to be connected to an electric supply (all included in the installation cost) and the running cost is the equivalent to charging a smartphone - so negligible.  In the event that a property owner subsequently wants the device removed this can be done quickly and at no cost. 

Please contact us if you would consider having it installed on your property. It would be a great thing to do for your community.

Training

Whilst the device does talk to you once activated and gives step by step instructions, we will be arranging a free training session for residents.  More on that later. 

First of all let’s find the money and confirm a suitable location.  We hope you will consider supporting this initiative.  If you have any questions please get in touch: Contact Us

Thank you.

HGHF-RA Committee

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