WELCOME TO PRESTON

Preston is a small village most of which lies 1 1/2 miles east of Cirencester between the A417 to Fairford and the A419 to Swindon.   In recent years, however, the village has extended south of the A419 by the small development at Preston Leigh and the Rangeford Retirement Home at Siddington Park.    In 2011 the Census recorded 327 inhabitants in the civil parish.  The 2021 Census data for the Parish is not yet available but the population in the Cotswolds District as a whole has increased by 9.6% in the 10 years between 2011 and 2021.

The Parish boundary extends from Abbey Home Farm in the north and to Ermin Farm in the south.  It is bordered by the Beeches and New Mills Wards of Cirencester on the West and the Village of Ampney Crucis to the east.  It sits within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and much of the Village is in a Conservation Area.

Until the last century the community was largely agricultural with farmhouses, cottages, a school and the Rectory close to the 11th century church.  

The more recent houses, including retirement bungalows, line the single village street.  Whereas there is neither a pub nor a shop, there is a busy, well equipped Village Hall and at Village Farm, a thriving group of commercial units.

There is a well maintained Playing Field with a Children's Play Area, maintained by the Parish Council and privately owned Allotments.

 

 

 

Preston has a very active community with many events taking place in the  Village Hall and even in   the road that runs through the Village.  Street parties have been held to celebrate important events such as royal weddings, Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

The Village Fete is held annually in September at Church Farm.   There's lots of old favourite stalls: White Elephant - Toys - Tombola - Books - Raffle - Clothes - Plants - Cakes and produce in addition to live music as well as teas on the lawn, ice creams and some new and amusing games for everyone.  It is the perfect setting for a summer gathering for all the family!  

In 2017 residents and Members of the Parish Council came together to develop the Design in Preston document.  This is an advisory planning document to help preserve Preston's unique character and it has now been incorporated into a Neighbourhood Development Plan which was MADE by Referendum in May 2021.

The Village shares its name with 60 other Prestons around the world and is part of the Preston Calling community.

For more information about the Village see links to General and Historial Village Information

For links to various useful organisations, please go to Links and Useful Information

 

 

PRESTON PARISH COUNCIL

clerk@prestonpc.org.uk       01285 380040