Saturday roundup of Gloucestershire news - 10th May
Including VE Day anniversary marked in Gloucester, road safety stories across the county and Cotswold restaurant creates cocktail named after 'resident' duck
Dear readers - the 80th anniversary of VE Day has been the showcase event of the week, including many communities in Gloucestershire coming together to mark the occasion.
Atop Robinswood Hill in Gloucester a beacon was lit to commemorate all those who sacrificed themselves for the freedoms we have today. Children including those involved with the Scouts came with their parents to take in the beautiful sunset and witness the beacon roar to life - a moment which will be cherished.
The army on the frontline, the navy at sea, the air force in the sky and those who stayed on the home front including the farmers growing our food during wartime, our intelligence services and emergency crews who put out fires as the Blitz raged - we will remember them.
VE Day is a part of our shared national story and to celebrate Victory in Europe on May 8th 1945, many of you have held street parties, church services and a minutes silence at memorials to the fallen.
A reflective piece on this week’s events from the county will arrive in your inbox this weekend, but for now here is this week’s Saturday roundup.
News from Gloucester, Stroud and Forest of Dean
🏠 Inspectors have again suggested a “flawed” blueprint for 12,600 homes should be withdrawn due to capacity constraints at two M5 junctions. Stroud District Council has been working on its local plan which aims to set out future strategic development and details the levels and types of growth planned for the area until 2040. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
❤️ Cam will remember a beloved figure next weekend when family and friends host a special event in memory of a teenager who was killed. Skate4Josh - which this year takes place in the afternoon of Saturday, May 17 - was born out of an idea for a memorial to celebrate Cam teenager Josh Hall’s life by those nearest to him. James Felton, Gloucestershire Gazette
🍺 A pub has welcomed new landlords, bringing a fresh wave of energy to serve the local community. The Globe in Stonehouse reopened on the evening of April 30, with locals eagerly flocking through the doors to see the revamped establishment and meet the new owners. Kim Horton, Gloucestershire Live
💭 People in Coleford are being asked how they think the town should develop over the next 16 years. A review of the Coleford Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) – which is taken into account when planning applications are decided – is underway. The views of local people about how the town should be shaped is a key element, say the steering group leading the process. Mark Elson, The Forester
🚘 Average speed cameras have been installed on the A46 near Pitchcombe to reduce safety risks along an accident black spot, but business owner James Horwood is calling for speeds to be lowered further. Faye Hatcher & Saskia Kennedy, Stroud Times
🚧 A leading county councillor is urging Gloucestershire County Council to take “ownership” concerning ongoing roadworks fiasco in Nailsworth. George Street was due to reopen on Wednesday May 7 after nearly a month of disruption, but contractors for Gloucestershire Highways were forced to down tools after concrete laid by Wales & West Utilities started to crack. Ash Loveridge, Stroud Times
➡️ Organisers of a festival celebrating Ukrainian culture say the event will "bring refugees together" and "provide joy". The Gloucester Ukraine Festival will feature art exhibitions and music performances from Ukrainians based all over the UK who have fled the conflict. It will include a 60-metre-long selection of paintings and photographs called 'Lines of Resistance', which will be showcased in Ukraine as a "message of solidarity". Beth Cruse, BBC Gloucestershire
🍬 A Gloucester man has opened his own Middle Eastern inspired sweets, treats and drinks business after being inspired by a coffee shop he visited after finishing university. Muhammed Motala felt there was a gap in the market for a chai and dessert café and was keen to bring a new authentic taste to the city. Kim Horton, Gloucestershire Live
🦔 The Forest of Dean Hedgehog Rescue are looking for volunteers to help out in areas including fundraising, rescue and transport. Volunteers must be 18 or over to apply and must be able to commit to regular-set days. Applicants should also have transport, as the location, just outside of Newent, is not on a bus route. Tomos Evans, The Forester
🥳 Experience the Philippines is taking place in Gloucester on this weekend on Sunday May 11, betwen midday and 5pm. Entry is free and it will be a lively afternoon of Filipino street food, music and cultural performances, honouring the incredible contributions of Filipino nurses and healthcare workers across the UK. Visit Gloucester
🏁 Hundreds of Italian cars are to set to arrive at Gloucester Docks this weekend. On the Quayside in front of the Food Dock, you'll be able to see Ferraris and Lamborghinis, alongside an eclectic mix of Italian classics along Southgate moorings, down Victoria Drive, and across Mariners Square. Kim Horton, Gloucestershire Live
Latest Crime News by Gloucestershire Police…
Officers investigating an assault at a nightclub in Gloucester have issued a CCTV image of a man they would like to identify in connection with the incident.
It was reported that during a verbal altercation between two men in the smoking area of Fever on Eastgate Street, one man reached for a bottle and hit the other man over the head with it, causing it to smash. READ MORE
An arrest was made following proactive patrols by officers in the Forest of Dean. The South Neighbourhood Policing Team were carrying out patrols in the Coleford and Lydney areas on Sunday May 4 when they were asked to search for a man who had failed to stop following a collision. The collision had taken place on Albert Street in Lydney earlier in the day and the driver of a car had not stopped after colliding with a parked vehicle. READ MORE
Police are investigating after a man assaulted a woman and then stole items from a post office in the village of Newnham-on-Severn last week. The incident happened on High Street shortly before 6.30pm on Monday April 28 when two men entered the Shop at the Ship. One man, who was wearing dark clothing and a motorcycle helmet, pushed a woman in Newnham Post Office and then stole a money tray from the till. READ MORE
A police officer who failed to properly investigate a report of domestic abuse has been dismissed without notice. In December 2022 PC Stuart Fadden oversaw an investigation into reports a man physically assaulted, stalked and stole items from a woman he knew. PC Fadden was supported by two different sergeants who on separate occasions gave him investigative action plans to follow. READ MORE
Photo of the Week
Latest Local Democracy News by Carmelo Garcia…
Fixing Gloucestershire’s “crumbling roads and broken services” are among the top priorities of the Liberal Democrats after their victory in the County Council elections on May 1. The Lib Dems are the largest group now at Gloucestershire County Council and have already formally elected Lisa Spivey as their leader - and are expected to run the council having fallen just one short of an overall majority. READ MORE
Several longstanding Gloucestershire civic chiefs have reflected on losing their seats in the County Council elections last week and said “they could see it coming”. The elections saw the Liberal Democrats become the largest party with 27 councillors while the Conservatives, who previously led the authority, were reduced to just six seats. READ MORE
Gloucestershire hospital bosses have been accused of “dishonesty" and "misleading the public" amid a dispute over phlebotomists’ pay. More than 20 staff, who are currently two months into strike action, protested outside a meeting of hospital bosses in Cheltenham this week. READ MORE
Cotswold District Council will be led by Liberal Democrat Mike Evemy as current leader Joe Harris steps down. Cllr Evemy has been elected as the leader of the Lib Dem group at the authority and he will formally take over as council leader later this month. READ MORE
Investigations are underway after the death of a mother and a spike in stillbirths in Gloucestershire during the last four months of 2024. There were nine stillbirths in Gloucestershire across the months of September, October, November and December, according to the latest figures. READ MORE
Children who have had their lives turned around and put back on track thanks to a police project which faces the axe are calling on chiefs to reconsider “taking Gloucestershire’s best family away”. The Aston Project, named after the late neighbourhood police constable Lynn Aston who died at the age of 48 in 2011, is a community focused initiative that identifies at-risk young people and links them with resources or activities within their communities. READ MORE
News from Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Cotswolds
🎭 A 70s-themed outdoor party is to take place in Tewkesbury next week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Roses Theatre. Entry is free but donations to The Roses charity are welcome. Live music will be played as well as a bar, pizza, food and a 70s fancy dress competition. Roses Theatre on Facebook
💊 An investigation has found that illegal drugs are being offered for sale in Cirencester on one of the most popular social media platforms. Cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and MDMA have all been advertised for sale in the town on the social network X, formerly known as Twitter. Kate Jones, Wilts & Glos Standard
🚲 Construction work is beginning on the final stage of a cycleway which will eventually form part of a 26-mile route. The A435 cycleway route scheme to connect Bishop's Cleeve in Gloucestershire with Cheltenham is being built to improve connections between the two and provide full access to the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine. Maisie Lilywhite, BBC Gloucestershire
🚗 Some 50 villagers are calling for a crackdown on speeding and improved signage after a pedestrian was killed on the A38 near Deerhurst Walton in December. There is concern over road safety in the parish of Deerhurst due to speeding on the Ledbury Road and around the school and village of Apperley. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
😢 A fundraiser set up to help cover cremation costs and a memorial for two geese killed in a crash has raised more than £3,500. George and Mildred were cherished by the community in Bourton-on-the-Water, and could often be spotted lounging on the riverbank together. The inseparable pair were hit by a driver on Landsdowne Road on April 30. The driver spoke to police voluntarily and will not face prosecution. Bea Swallow, BBC Gloucestershire
🚗 There are calls for a crackdown on speeding in Cheltenham as more than 6,000 vehicles have been clocked at more than ten miles per hour over the 30mph limit in a week. Official speed recording on the B4632 Southam Road, north of Mill Street in Prestbury in seven days in March captured 72,899 vehicle trips. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🥛 Tewkesbury-based Cotteswold dairy has made a major investment in its future. The dairy has opened new cold storage and staff facilities at its Tewkesbury headquarters. Dairy chairman Roger Workman - son of dairy founder Harry Workman - officially opened the new building which includes a massive cold store and new offices and staff welfare facilities. David Wood, Punchline
☀️ Plans to install 37 pole mounted CCTV security cameras at a Cotswold solar farm have been given the go-ahead. Aura Power Developments Ltd with the Bathurst Estate have been granted permission to go ahead with the installation at their planned Kemble Solar Farm. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
The Positive News Section…
🦆 A Cirencester restaurant has created a cocktail in honour of a duck who nested in their garden. Téatro Bar and Restaurant welcomed the wild duck, named Daphne, who hatched her ducklings in the garden. The venue, part of Ingleside House and The Barn Theatre, sits next to the river, where Daphne was spotted. Matty Airey, Wilts & Glos Standard
🙌 A Stroud-based youthworker is swapping video games for hiking boots this June as he sets out on a 60-mile trek across the Cotswolds to raise awareness for mental health and support services for young people. Isak Sandgren-Clarke, who previously took on a 20-hour gaming marathon in 2021, is now embarking on a two-day challenge called Door2Door to highlight the work of The Door Youth Project, where he works, and the value of community champions. Lewis Clarke, Gloucestershire Live
➡️ Hartpury College’s netball team have won the ‘quad’ for a second year running, following a successful National Cup final victory against Barking Abbey on May 1. The title is added to this year’s National Premiership League, National Schools Finals, and National College Championship wins. Tomos Evans, The Forester
✅ Gloucester residents and visitors will now be able to get a glimpse of one of the city’s “secret gems” hidden behind a “magic” door in Westgate Street. The restoration of the Tudor merchant’s house at 26 Westgate Street is now complete. The door to Maverdine Lane will be open during the day for people to see the “wonderful” restoration of the largest surviving historic timber-framed townhouse in England. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
➡️ Archaeologists say an "exceptionally well preserved" artefact may be the first to be found in a former Roman settlement. Cotswold Archaeology unearthed a lime kiln during work on the Centre Severn site near Tenpin in Barnwood, Gloucester, known to the Romans as Glevum, between September 2020 and February 2021. Maisie Lilywhite, BBC Gloucestershire
🍬 A couple have opened up a sweet shop on a narrow boat they have lived on for around 20 years. Customers are delighted when they stumble upon the boat brimming with goodies, which are available along the Sharpness to Gloucester Canal on weekends. Carli Lopez, 48, and her partner Pablo Lopez, 55, met in Gran Canaria around 30 years ago. Kim Horton, Gloucestershire Live
💪 A personal trainer and guide dog owner, who was registered blind in 2021, has shared his story of sight loss and launching his own gym at his home in Stonehouse, on the latest Joe Wicks podcast. Mark Long was diagnosed with Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) when he was 12 but initially ignored his condition. Ash Loveridge, Stroud Times
🐄 A popular community trail returned over the Bank Holiday weekend, raising thousands for a village school. The Amberley Cow Hunt on Saturday and Sunday saw dozens of families search for amusing bovine creations across Minchinhampton Common. Alice Knight & Simon Pizzey, Stroud News & Journal