News from the Shire special roundup - anything but the election
Latest roundup of stories you may have missed from across the county
Dear readers - a very different News from the Shire roundup this week as today is polling day for elections to Gloucestershire County Council.
All I will say is polls are open until 10pm, you need Voter ID and a list of all the candidates are here if you haven’t decided who to vote for.
Let me put the election aside and bring you a short roundup of other news you may have missed from the county, including news that has nothing to do with the local elections (I think we all need it!).
For cricket fans, you may have seen that Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has moved a step closer towards potentially leaving its historic home in Bristol.
As reported by Mark Halliwell, the Glosters have played at Nevil Road in Ashley Down since the legendary WG Grace helped acquire it in 1889. But on Monday night (April 28) the club announced it had signed a non-binding heads of terms agreement which will enable it to explore an area of land for the potential development of a new home for the club.
Gloucester, Stroud and Forest of Dean
🚂 An exhibition celebrating 200 years of railway history through untold stories has launched in Gloucester. The exhibition brings together a visual and informative collection of information which explains and explores how railways have not only connected places, but shaped lives, careers, and neighbourhoods across generations. Kim Horton, Gloucestershire Live
🎪 Aylmers Circus is returning to Stroud with a disco-inspired show. It will be at the Cotswold Playhouse in Parliament Street, from July 4 to July 6. The show, called Dancing Queen, will be a 70s disco-inspired celebration. The show will star Nancy Trotter Landry, best known for her work with Giffords Circus, who will bring her clowning to the dance floor. Matty Airey, Stroud News & Journal
🏉 Dan Murphy will step up to the role of head of rugby at Gloucester Hartpury RFC, ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) season. Murphy, a member of Sean Lynn's Gloucester Hartpury coaching staff for the past four seasons and head coach for the Hartpury University men's rugby team, steps up following Lynn's departure to take charge of the Welsh national team, after leading the team to a third straight league title in March. David Wood, Punchline
➡️ A historic drinking fountain in Nailsworth, erected in 1862, has been restored by specialist contractors on behalf of Stroud District Council. Using an advanced steam-based stone cleaning system, the restoration team removed accumulated dirt and grime at high temperatures while ensuring the structure remained unharmed. Ash Loveridge, Stroud Times
🧑💼 Hartpury University and Hartpury College gave its students the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial skills in a Dragon’s Den event. Students exhibited their business acumen to a panel of expert ‘Dragons’ including John Lannon (Senior Lecturer in Business Management at Hartpury University), Sam Holiday (Federation of Small Businesses), Sophie Clark (Cavago), Dawn Oliver (Lodders), and Georgia Adderley (Add Management). Tomos Evans, The Forester
Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Cotswolds
🙌 A Cirencester homelessness charity has been given the highest award for local voluntary groups in the UK. Volunteers from Cirencester Signpost were delighted to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The accolade was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie. It is equivalent to an MBE and the highest award a voluntary organisation can receive. Kate Jones, Wilts & Glos Standard
❤️ The "defibrillator capital of the UK" has received its 100th machine after it was realised eight years ago that it had none at all. Cheltenham was given the title by Clare Seed, co-founder of Public Hearts Cheltenham Defibrillator Campaign, who has been working to install defibrillators across the town since 2017. Maisie Lilywhite, BBC Gloucestershire
❤️ A Cheltenham cancer sufferer has raised an incredible £15,000 after running the TCS London Marathon with her son on Sunday. Linda Jackson was joined by her son David in running the marathon for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. David Wood, Punchline
🔔 Bells which have not been heard for more than 100 years have finally been rung in an important step for a Cotswold town. The bell tower atop the Redesdale Hall in Moreton has been replaced after being removed for a 'complete refurb' in October 2024. Daniel Kelly, Cotswold Journal