Saturday roundup of Gloucestershire news - 2nd May
Including local election results, surgery row in Nailsworth, lack of progress for Cavendish House and VE Day events in Gloucester
Dear readers - Delivering change has resonated with the electorate, that is the view of the Liberal Democrats who have won local elections to Shire Hall but did fall one seat short of overall control.
The Lib Dems won 27 seats, Reform UK surged to gain 11 seats and the Greens came third overall to win nine seats. It was a crushing defeat for the Conservatives who have been in charge of county council for 20 years. The Tories lost seats in all areas of the county and now have no representation in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean - only six councillors remain.
Labour are now just reduced to one seat in Nailsworth and independent Alastair Chambers won Coney Hill and Matson in Gloucester. A full list of results can be found here.
What these election results mean will be set out in a piece I’ve got tomorrow morning. For now, here is the rest of the news roundup from across the county…
Gloucester, Stroud and Forest of Dean
✌️ There will be a series of events in Gloucester next week to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE). There will be a history huddle at Llanthony Secunda Priory from 6pm where people will be gathering to share stories, memories and photographs of Gloucester and Llanthony during WW2. And at 7.30pm there will be celebration at the priory and Sula Lightship where people are encouraged to dress in their best 1940s gear and bring their own picnic. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🗣️ A row has started between an Alzheimer's group and a doctors' surgery in Nailsworth over the use of its car park. For 20 years the Alzheimer's café, which meets once a month, has been able to use Price's Mill Surgery to park as part of a goodwill gesture. But the surgery has now said the car park is for staff and patients only due to an "increase in the number of appointments being offered". Georgia Stone, BBC Gloucestershire
➡️ After years in the planning, the much-anticipated Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub has opened, bringing a brand-new facility for health and wellbeing to Podsmead and the surrounding areas in Gloucester. The hub has been driven by people living in the area with a focus on their local needs from the outset, and forms part of a bigger regeneration plan for the neighbourhood. Kim Horton, Gloucestershire Live
🤝 The director of one of the Forest of Dean’s most iconic hotels has praised the region’s business spirit after being invited to Downing Street to celebrate St George’s Day. Naomi Hands, director of the Speech House Hotel near Coleford, attended the Best of British reception at Number 10 after being invited by Labour MP Matt Bishop. Luke Davis, The Forester
🚉 The footbridge at Stroud railway station has finally reopened after extensive restoration work. The project - which lasted eight months - involved grit blasting, steel and timber repairs, repainting, and stair tread replacement. The bridge officially reopened to the public on Wednesday (April 30). Alice Knight, Stroud News & Journal
🛍️ There are plans to open a new superstore at an ‘unattractive’ warehouse building in Gloucester Docks. Jaspac Developments Ltd want permission to change the use of 12 Llanthony Road to retail. They have submitted a planning application to Gloucester City Council to change the use of the former data centre at the warehouse-style building. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🏉 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 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. Erected in 1862, the eponymous monument on Fountain Street serves as a memorial to local solicitor William Smith, who worked throughout his life to improve the supply of drinking water in the town. Ash Loveridge, Stroud Times
Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Cotswolds
🛍️ There is disappointment in Cheltenham over the lack of progress on plans to redevelop Cavendish House. The spa town’s oldest department store stood on the Promenade since 1823 but the site, which was home to House of Fraser, closed in April last year. It reopened a month later with pop-up stalls who have been trading there since, while its owners came up with plans to redevelop the town centre landmark. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🌳 A trio of “beautiful” veteran oak trees will be saved from the chopping block when work begins on the new Innovation Centre near GCHQ, the latest plans from Cheltenham Borough Council reveal. The £1bn campus development spans over 100 acres of land near GCHQ and aims to create 12,000 jobs for the county. Sam McEvans & Phil Norris, Gloucestershire Live
🍟 McDonald's has applied for permission to serve food and drink until midnight every day at what could soon be its third site in a Gloucestershire town. The fast food chain plans to open a new restaurant at the site of the former TGI Friday's on Gloucester Road in Cheltenham. It has proved controversial with some in the community but the firm has asked for permission to provide food and drink from 11pm to midnight every day of the week. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🚌 Plans for a coach and car park in England’s ‘prettiest village’ have been withdrawn 'due to public opposition and lack of details'. Max Thomas, who owns Bibury Trout Farm, had applied to Cotswold District Council for planning permission for a new car park, for coaches and cars, on the edge of the village. He said last month that the facility could help to solve the problems caused by peaktime congestion if it got the go-ahead. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
🏏 Stalwarts who run a popular cricket club in Cirencester have been left devastated after a series of vandal attacks. The pavilion at Tarbarrow Cricket Club in Harebushes Wood has been the target of ‘countless’ criminal incidents including break-ins, arson attacks and vandalism. In the last month alone, there have been six break-ins - with the latest causing damage of between £600 and £700. Kate Jones, Wilts & Glos Standard
➡️ A Gloucestershire mother-of-two is calling on Bromford Housing to deliver on their promises to fix her “deathtrap” garden. Adele Clarke, 30, has faced an “absolute living hell” after moving into her home in Winchcombe last November. She says the Merret Place property was advertised with a flat garden but her home has a very steep slope which she believes is a health hazard. Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
❤️ 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. The milestone machine was opened last week outside Hub8 MX, a cyber start-up co-working space on Chester Walk, by VIPs including footballer Eddie Jones. Maisie Lilywhite, BBC Gloucestershire
🔔 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. The main lantern, weather vein, 16 completely re-carved carvings, and much more were moved during the 'big lift' on Thursday (April 24). Daniel Kelly, Cotswold Journal