News from the Shire: Wednesday 26th February
A new feature for my Substack as I bring you the latest roundup of news away from Gloucester and Cheltenham
Dear readers - I would like to start off my latest newsletter with a new update to my Substack. There is now a CONTACT FORM for you to get in touch.
As I mentioned in my last weekly Saturday roundup of news from across the whole of Gloucestershire, I have had contrasting feedback.
On the one hand, a reader tells me they’re delighted to have something different which does not focus on Gloucester or Cheltenham too much, but on the other hand a reader tells me the opposite.
“Thank you for rounding up news from the Cotswolds” is one view, another says “I’ve really enjoyed your pieces on Cheltenham” and finally “your coverage of Gloucester is important, well done” - it is a hard but achieveable balance to strike.
My latest Saturday roundup is on the way but for now on a Wednesday evening, for those who live in Tewkesbury Borough, the Stroud District, the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean - here is a roundup of latest news, including helpful links to sources of information.
Tewkesbury Borough
🕊️ Tomorrow (Thursday February 27th) is the last day to see Peace Doves at Tewkesbury Abbey. It’s described as a “spectacular large-scale artwork, sound, and light installation that unites art, community, and hope”, created by artist Peter Walker.
💷 Households in Tewkesbury face higher bills from April as borough chiefs have approved a 3.46 per cent tax hike. Opposition Conservative councillor David Gray praised council leaders during the debate for having done a good job in difficult circumstances. Lib Dem finance and asset management lead member Stewart Dove said he was pleased the budget was approved with cross-party support. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
➡️ A care home in Brockworth has been given the go-ahead by the borough council. Aspire LLP have been given consent to build a 66 bed home for elderly people in need of high dependency care. The 0.74ha site is at Mill Farm on Mill Lane and existing buildings on the site will be demolished before work begins on the new facility. Sarah Wood, Punchline
🛍️ Two new managers have been appointed at the Cotswolds Designer Outlet just off J9 of the M5 at Tewkesbury. The first phase of opening is due to happen this summer. Jake Chown, SoGlos
🍻 A 1500s Grade II listed pub just off the A48 at Minsterworth is to be converted into two new homes. The Apple Tree Inn has been closed for ten years. Sarah Wood, Punchline
Stroud District
🍻 Punch Pubs & Co has begun searching for a new tenant at the Bear Inn in Bisley, after the current management team announced it will leave next month. Ash Loveridge, Stroud Times
❤️ A special celebration will take place on Saturday March 1st to remember teenage Minchinhampton RFC player Euan Warner, who sadly passed away aged just 18 two years ago. James Felton, Stroud News & Journal
💷 Residents in both Wotton-under-Edge and Stroud will have to pay more tax to their parish council than their district from April. Both Wotton and Stroud Town Council say they need to raise council tax because they are responsible for important and much valued buildings, open spaces and services and have limited opportunities to generate income. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🚮 A Green councillor has launched a campaign to provide every primary school in the district with litter-picking sticks. Gill Thomas, Stroud District Council’s litter champion, has started the Litter Pickers for Little Pickers initiative. The campaign aims to give all primary-aged children access to litter-picking sticks, allowing them to help keep their school surroundings tidy. Matty Airey, Stroud News & Journal
🎶 Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir, with special guests Love2Sing Community Choir, are taking part in a charity concert in Stroud on Friday, March 7. David Wood, Punchline
📷 Hundreds gathered at The Museum in the Park over the weekend to welcome back Stroud Wassail. Some great pictures by Matt Bigwood, Stroud Times
👍 Three projects in Cam and Dursley are set to receive more than £55,000 in funding. Cam Parish Council has announced the schemes that will be financially boosted by contributions from developers, known as the community infrastructure levy. Alice Knight, Gloucestershire Gazette
🏫 William Morris School in Eastington is set to expand after Ofsted found it “likely to meet the relevant independent school standards’ following a material change inspection, confirming its commitment to providing high-quality education for pupils with complex needs.” Lewis Clarke, Gloucestershire Live
🗳️ Conservative county councillor for Cam Valley, Brian Tipper, has not been selected by his party as candidate for the division this May. Mr Tipper says he had been selected as the Conservative candidate in October last year but a complaint was filed over the process and there was a rerun. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
Cotswolds
➡️ District Council leader Joe Harris has decided to step down from the role after six years. The Lib Dem councillor is seeking re-election to Gloucestershire County Council but will leave his position in the spring. First elected to the authority aged 18 in 2011, Mr Harris said it had been the “honour of his life” to lead Cotswold District Council. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🌲 Trees lining the A436 and A429 on private land near Bourton-on-the-Water must be chopped down before tragedy strikes, villagers have said. Residents said a female driver was lucky to get out of her car alive after one of the trees fell on it. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🧑⚖️ Cirencester Courthouse is to remain in use for at least another year. It reopened in 2021 as one of the so-called ‘Nightingale courts’ during the pandemic. The reason for extending its use is an attempt to reduce the backlog of cases. Ana da Silva, BBC Gloucestershire
🏠 Tetbury residents have voiced concerns over plans build nine new homes on land west of Bath Road. The development, submitted by Cotswold Homes, seeks Permission in Principle (PiP) for the new dwellings, sparking a mix of responses from the local community. Lewis Clarke, Gloucestershire Live
🏊♂️ Fairford’s Olympic swimmer Alex Cohoon is celebrating another golden weekend of swimming. He competed in the BUCS Long Course Championships 2025 over the weekend of February 14 to 16 at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield. Chris Roberts, Wilts & Glos Standard
💷 District council residents will see their council tax rise as civic chiefs approved a 3.24 per cent hike. Conservative opposition leader Cllr Tom Stowe pointed out the “eyewatering” 41 per cent increase in this year’s budget for PR and communications which has risen to to £405k, labelling the Liberal Democrat administration as “clueless about delivering value for taxpayers.” The Lib Dems fired back saying they would take no lectures from the Tories on financial management given their track record at Westminster. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
➡️ A roundhouse built in memory of an Iron Age teenager named Bourton Betty is to be transformed into an educational resource. The hut was built by children and teachers in 2000 after skeletal remains were found by archaeologists at Bourton-on-the-Water Primary Academy. Maddie Simpson, BBC Gloucestershire
🏹 Cirencester star and world number one female compound archer Ella Gibson has claimed another world record in her latest win. Ella, who is 24 and attended Deer Park School, achieved a ‘perfect win’ to become the NFAA (National Field Archery Association) Indoor Nationals Champion. Chris Roberts, Wilts & Glos Standard
Forest of Dean
🐑 A Blakeney farmer has had to put down nine of her sheep after a dog attacked them. Mary Wales said some of her flock lost ears in the attack and one was left with a "severe hole in the top of its head". Gloucestershire Police's rural crime team attended the incident and have reminded dog owners of their responsibility to keep pets on a lead around livestock. Maisie Lilywhite and Danielle Hunt, BBC Gloucestershire
💷 The cost of garden waste licenses increasing by £9 to £64 per licence has been described as “staggering” by independent district councillor Julia Gooch. The Green administration has defended the budget this week, as finance cabinet member Andy Moore said there was “a lot more carrot and not a lot of stick”. Council tax bills and charges are going up for Forest residents as a 2.99 per cent increase was approved. Carmelo Garcia, Gloucestershire Live
➡️ District council cabinet members have agreed to recruit a new dedicated Market Towns Officer. The officer’s role will involve working with town councils in Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney, and Newent, to ensure town centre regeneration. Luke Davis, The Forester
🏫 A local charity dedicated to supporting children with complex disabilities and their families, Brody’s Trust, has successfully secured the purchase of the former Joys Green Primary School. Luke Davis, The Forester
🙋 CANDI based in Cinderford are looking for volunteers with some spare time who can support catering efforts, specifically helping with Seniors Lunches and the Community Café. Located in Market Street, CANDI also need volunteers for youth clubs in Drybrook and Cinderford, as well as a need for trustees, management, building operations support and specialist roles such as dance and performing arts to help create a new workshop for children and young people.
🌲 Communities across the Forest of Dean are coming together to explore and celebrate their shared cultural heritage, as part of a ‘home-grown’ arts festival during March 2025. The FOD Fringe 2025 festival, organised by local arts charity Wyldwood Arts, will feature a diverse range of creative events, activities, and exhibitions led by local artists, musicians, and performers, all taking place at community venues across the Forest. The Forester