Archive
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Private gardens to open gates to the public for one day
THIRTEEN of the most picturesque private gardens in and around North Nibley will be opening their gates to the public on Sunday. In a spectacular combined open day owners will be raising money for charity. The gardens include Hunts Court, renowned for
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Ex-ambassador is school's top guest
WESTONBIRT School's sixth form had a private lecture from Sir Crispin Tickell, former British Ambassador to the United Nations and one of the 52 diplomats to have sent a high-profile joint letter to Tony Blair expressing disapproval of his Middle East
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George prepares to cry Down Under
A LOUD spokesman for Wotton-under-Edge is getting his vocal chords in tune ahead of a trip to the other side of the world to compete against the best in his field. Town crier George Carpenter has been giving a voice to civic ceremonies in the town for
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Anglo-French links are strengthened
THE FRENCH tricolore was flying alongside the Union flag at Wotton-under-Edge Town Hall at the weekend as the town welcomed a party of around 50 visitors from its French twin town, Beaumont-le-Roger, in Normandy. The visitors, led by the Deputy Mayor
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'Shame' as pub is set to be an office
THE DECISION to change part of The Swan Hotel in Market Street, Wotton-under-Edge, into office and retail space has been described as "a great shame" by one of Wotton's district councillors. Cllr Paul Smith (Lib Dem), who is also a town councillor, spoke
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Legends set to gather in honour of Russell
JACK RUSSELL may be suffering from a persistent back injury that is currently sidelining the former England gloveman, but it is full steam ahead as his testimonial season gathers pace. The Stroud-born wicketkeeper and Gloucestershire legend has been sidelined
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Artificial pitch plan revived
THE POSSIBILITY of an artificial turf pitch being constructed in Dursley could be revived more than five years after it was last considered. At Tuesday's meeting of Dursley Town Council it was revealed that the issue had been brought up by Rednock School
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Lewis laps it up in cup drama
HOLDERS Gloucestershire stormed into the quarter-finals of the C&G Trophy on Saturday after a breathtaking three wicket win over Hampshire at the County Ground. Seamer Jon Lewis was the hero this time, bagging 4-39 in a ferocious spell of bowling
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It's more than just a training centre
IT'S in one of the loveliest settings in the whole of South Gloucestershire and it's a familiar name to thousands of people all over the country - and overseas - who've been there on training courses. Yet for a fair few local people, many of whom drive
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French connection
SIR - I'm French woman and visited Dursley in 1974 with a scholar group. I visited Grundtvig Nielson (6 Beechwood Rise) and family and would like to find them today. The father was of Danish origin. Now where are they? If you can help me, please write
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May was driest for six years
RAINFALL for May amounted to 2.75in most of which fell during the first 11 days. Overnight rain on the 3rd, followed by heavy showers throughout the day on the 4th resulted in a measurement of 1.01in, making it the wettest day of the month. A further
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Rovers snap up ex-Spur Davies
FOREST Green Rovers boss Tim Harris has swooped to sign former Tottenham defender Darren Davies and Southampton's Michael Green. These additions follow the recent triple capture of Charlie Griffin, Danny Greaves and Matt Aubrey. Davies is a former Welsh
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Where There's a Will is away
A TRADITIONAL Gloucestershire church will be the unusual setting for a brand-new comedy called Where There's a Will. On Saturday, June 12 Framilode Church, near Frampton-on-Severn, will host a new play by prominent Gloucester playwright Olly Crick. Combining
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Be the first there
AN APPEAL has been launched to recruit volunteers for a Community First Responder Scheme in Cam and Dursley. The scheme, organised by Gloucestershire Ambulance Service, allows trained members of the public to respond to 999 calls so that basic life support
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Shops galore and songs from war
REMINISCENCES from Elizabeth Gabb, 90, of Kinver Grange, Dursley. This is the second part of memories recorded about her home town "Dursley was a very busy little place, with far too many shops for me to mention all of them. There was an excellent Co-op
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Police afraid of the dark?
SIR - Well, I've heard it all now - the police are afraid of the dark. Oh, bless! Funny, but I thought they were paid to put a stop to illegal and anti-social activities just like the rave in the woods above Dursley the weekend before last. Still, I imagine
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Council reacts to asbestos concerns
STROUD District Council has urged council tenants not to be concerned following the publication of a leaflet about asbestos in council property. The leaflet explains that asbestos is present in many council homes, especially those built prior to the mid
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Diversification approved
AN Earthcott Green farmer has been given the green light to carrying on composting. South Gloucestershire planning chiefs unanimously approved plans by Richard King to continue composting imported green garden waste on land at Old Green Farm. Previously
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Volunteers are always welcome
SIR - With National Volunteers' Week (June 1-7) upon us, I would like to thank all Macmillan's volunteers, who give up so much of their time for Macmillan Cancer Relief to fund-raise and support us in many different ways. Macmillan's services are free
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Quarry ruling due next week
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is working with a Yate angling club to help ensure the safety of swans and cygnets during the breeding season. Concerns have been expressed about the safety of the swans at Brimsham Park Lake, following problems with unauthorised
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Lewis laps it up in cup drama
HOLDERS Gloucestershire stormed into the quarter-finals of the C&G Trophy on Saturday after a breathtaking three wicket win over Hampshire at the County Ground. Seamer Jon Lewis was the hero this time, bagging 4-39 in a ferocious spell of bowling
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Village homes in the spotlight
HORTON residents are being asked to take part in a survey about housing needs in the village. Questionnaires have been sent out to 200 residents to find out what people currently living in the Horton area need. This includes housing needed now and housing
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Giving your time can be the best gift of all
MEMBERS of Thornbury and District Volunteer Link are celebrating national Volunteers Week by holding an open week at their offices in Thornbury Town Hall. All next week the office will have extended openeing hours between 10am and 2pm and on each day
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It's more than just a training centre
IT IS in one of the loveliest settings in the whole of South Gloucestershire and it's a familiar name to thousands of people all over the country - and overseas - who've been there on training courses. Yet for a fair few local people, many of whom drive
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Quarry ruling due next week
PLANNING officials are finally set to make a decision on the future of Codrington Quarry on Tuesday. Biffa Waste Services Ltd submitted proposals to South Gloucestershire Council to remove previously tipped waste and replace it with non-inert material
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Removal of signs infuriates farmer
A FARMER who put up six signs for the UK Independence Party is fuming that they have been removed by South Gloucestershire Council. Chris Simpson, of Marsh Farm, Pucklechurch, put up the signs for the party more than a week ago. But over the weekend four
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Hospital league celebrates its 50th anniversary
THE trustees of the League of Friends of Thornbury Hospital celebrated their 50th anniversary at a lunch last Thursday. Present and retired trustees were present to hear chairman Neil Halsall thank all those who have worked so hard over the 50 years to
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Planners accused of 'double standards'
THE HEADMASTER of a private school has criticised planners for frustrating its development plans. Building control watchdogs have told Tockington Manor School - a grade two listed building in the Green Belt - that its temporary classrooms must come down
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Beaufort wins Ale award
A HAWKESBURY UPTON pub has won a coveted award for its real ales. The Beaufort Arms has been named the Campaign for Real Ale Gloucestershire pub of the year for 2004. Landlord Mark Steeds said: "We are well chuffed to win." The South Gloucestershire pub
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Love of fuchsias can take you a long way
STUART LOCKYER, of C S Lockyer Fuchsias, is unashamedly passionate about his specialist plants. "I like fuchsias and I have always liked them," explained the straight-talking man. The massive variety offered is obviously a great attraction. Large or small
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Beaufort wins Ale award
A HAWKESBURY UPTON pub has won a coveted award for its real ales. The Beaufort Arms has been named the Campaign for Real Ale Gloucestershire pub of the year for 2004. Landlord Mark Steeds said: "We are well chuffed to win." The South Gloucestershire pub
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Samuel follows brother
A FORMER Thornbury couple who became one of the first in the area to choose a naming ceremony for their baby son have done it again. Shaun and Christine Houghton were keen on a non-religious ceremony for the naming of their first child, Max - now aged
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Fountain splashes out
SEVEN charities will share grants worth £4,600 from The Mall's Fountain Charity Fund. The 1st Bristol Muslim Scout Group received the largest grant in this round, receiving £1,000 to provide training for new Scout leaders. The group was set up in December
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Money advice service
SIR - In the Gazette of May 14 you ran an article on the visit of the Mothers' Union worldwide president, Trish Heywood to Gloucester diocese and, in particular, to its Money Advice Service. Perhaps readers would like to know a little more, since only
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Ex-ambassador is school's top guest
WESTONBIRT School's sixth form had a private lecture from Sir Crispin Tickell, former British Ambassador to the United Nations and one of the 52 diplomats to have sent a high-profile joint letter to Tony Blair expressing disapproval of his Middle East
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More than one issue
SIR - I can understand that Dudley George feels strongly about the war in Iraq. What I can't understand is that he ignores everything else that is going on. Perhaps, Mr George was not one the three million people who often found themselves out of work
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Information on money advice service
SIR - In the Gazette of May 14 you ran an article on the visit of the Mothers' Union worldwide president, Trish Heywood to Gloucester diocese and, in particular, to its Money Advice Service. Perhaps readers would like to know a little more, since only
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Neighbours in dispute
A GROUP of residents from Stinchcombe have spoken out against the owner of a neighbouring property for running a business from his home without planning permission. However, the businessman claims the objections are the result of "sour grapes on behalf
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Yesteryear haymaking
SIR - The enclosed restored photograph is a copy of a picture that looked down from the wall of my parents cottage living room in Coaley. I took little notice of it apart from knowing that it was a haymaking scene taken when my grandfather, Mr F Brown
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Pistol man arrested
SHOTS were fired from an air pistol in the Rack Field car park, Dursley, on Monday evening. Police were called around 6pm after members of the public reported seeing a young man firing a handgun from the window of a car. Several officers, including armed
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Gladiators' gauntlet
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Gladiators will be going head to head with pub cricket teams from across the county this summer as part of an exciting new challenge. The Gladiators, Gloucestershire CCC's one-day side, have launched a six-a-side cricket tournament called
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Events around the region
Berkeley, Cam, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge and district diary Friday, June 4 8.45-10.30am, Wotton, The Chipping Club Room. Friday market. 10-11.30am, Slimbridge, Village Hall. Slimbridge Toddler Club. 1.30-3.30pm, Cam, Memorial Hall. Tea dance. 8pm,
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Castle battlefield - complete with gore
HUNDREDS of people attended a re-enactment event at Berkeley Castle at the weekend. A 'skirmish' from the American Civil War was staged on Bank Holiday Monday by members of the South Homesteaders, from Wolverhampton, who were joined by a group of historical
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Wiffill's wonders will cease for now
POPULAR Gloucestershire footballer and former Forest Green Rovers star Dave Wiffill last week called time on his latest appointment in the game. Wiffill has been managing County League side Thornbury Town for the past three years, but has left the club
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Bird-brained Wyevale
SIR - Like Gail Crumpton in last Friday's Gazette (A callous shooting of clever songbirds) I too saw the robins flying about the hills at Wyevale - long before nesting time. What puzzles me is that in an environment filled with so many so-called 'experts
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Beaufort wins Ale award
A HAWKESBURY UPTON pub has won a coveted award for its real ales. The Beaufort Arms has been named the Campaign for Real Ale Gloucestershire pub of the year for 2004. Landlord Mark Steeds said: "We are well chuffed to win." The South Gloucestershire pub
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Standards board says no to probe
A COMPLAINT that a Stroud District Councillor "deliberately lied" to the council over the failed housing transfer vote will not be investigated by the independent body responsible for looking into allegations of misconduct. Dursley ward member Cllr Hilary
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Inaction is not an option
SIR - I am afraid what has happened in Iraq is as I predicted. However my friend Dudley George is being nave if he feels that all would be well if we just abdicated our responsibility. For all our problems in Iraq it is the failure of the developed world
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Residents' fears over roadside
ANGRY residents in Wotton-under-Edge are seeking an urgent solution to a street dispute. In December Sharon Jones, who lives in Mount Pleasant, asked a number of authorities to find out who claimed responsibility for the upkeep of pavements, kerbs and
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Apathy rules - who cares?
PEOPLE are being encouraged to have their say in Europe next week and the clear message from candidates for the South-West is that every vote will count. Britain's track record for turn-out in European Parliament elections has been gradually getting worse
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Gloucestershire plans for future
A PLAN has been launched, aimed at making the county a better place to live. Organisations from across Gloucestershire were in Gloucester for the launch of the county's first community strategy. It has been devised to try to ensure the county becomes
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Wrong sort were encouraged to once fine hotel and restaurant
SIR - With reference to Mr Rebbeck's letter (Gazette, May 21). He has not been in Wotton-under-Edge long enough to remember that it (The Swan) was one of the finest restaurant/hotels in Gloucestershire with people coming far and wide. It had excellent
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Political tirade over place in EU
SIR - Giles Chichester MEP suggests (Change of tune noticed, Gazette, April 30) that I am toning down my belief that the UK is well served by its membership of the European Union. I am not. In case your readers wonder why they have to suffer this Tory's
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With the Reds - Play-Off Final Special
BRISTOL CITY's hopes of promotion were shattered in the 84th minute by Brighton and Hove Albion's Leon Knight at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday. Knight struck the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to secure the Seagulls' First Division status
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Put energy into looking for a site
SIR - I read your front page story (May 28) Fury after move rejected regarding the (second) refusal of planning consent for a motorcycle training centre at Pucklechurch, with some incredulity! Why doesn't the applicant stop whingeing and put his energy
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Prince to cook up a storm in school
THE Prince of Wales will be visiting a secondary school in Yate on Thursday to look at the benefits of local and organic food for school meals. The seminar at Brimsham Green School is being organised by Business in the Community in partnership with the
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Plane facts of unsung heroes
THE Air Transport Auxiliary has an amazing history, which is largely ignored, explained retired wing commander Eric Viles. "I feel really sad that more has not been done and said about the ATA," he said. The Chipping Sodbury man has been chairman of the
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Yate and Sodbury youngsters benefit from cricket boost
CHIPPING Sodbury Cricket Club has continued its investment in local cricket with the addition of eight new coaches. The qualification of eight club members as England and Wales Cricket Board Level One coaches brings to the local area a rich resource of
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Manor's history brought up to date
THORNBURY'S historic former Westwing School is being turned into 12 new homes. The boarding school operated from Kyneton House, a magnificent Grade 11 listed 17th century manor house, from 1960 until 2001 when it closed following a financial crisis. The
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Legends set to gather in honour of Russell
JACK RUSSELL may be suffering from a persistent back injury that is currently sidelining the former England gloveman, but it is full steam ahead as his testimonial season gathers pace. The Stroud-born wicketkeeper and Gloucestershire legend has been sidelined
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Big votes for smoke issue
ALMOST 2,000 people registered their vote on the South West's Big Smoke Debate within the first 24 hours. The survey asks people their views on whether smoking should or should not be allowed in public places and was launched at the White Hart in Iron
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Boss Wiffill says fond farewells
THORNBURY Town have lost charismatic manager Dave Wiffill, who is taking a break from football. His three years at the helm, along with joint manager Steve Burbage, have brought Town the Bristol Combination title and taken them up into the County League
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Entente's been cordiale for 25 years
FRENCH-lovers in Chipping Sodbury have celebrated 25 years of the town's link with its counterpart on the continent. A group of more than 30 people from the Sodbury area enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend in Cesson, a similar sized town to the south of
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We're moving with the times
LAST weekend's Avon Scout and Guide Jamboree in Almondsbury was a demonstration of the way the movement is constantly evolving to meet changing times. Around 2,500 youngsters from South Gloucestershire and across the former Avon area attended the four
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Apathy rules - who cares?
PEOPLE are being encouraged to have their say in Europe next week and the clear message from candidates for the South-West is that every vote will count. Britain's track record for turn-out in European Parliament elections has been gradually getting worse
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Lane extension approved
AN EXTENSION to the high occupancy car lane on the Avon Ring Road will go ahead, despite strong opposition. The scheme, aimed at reducing traffic queues on South Gloucestershire's notoriously jam-packed roads, only allows vehicles with two or more people
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Fuel crisis looms as prices soar
PETROL prices in South Gloucestershire are expected to soar this summer, with rural areas seeing the worst effects of the country's new fuel crisis. Following terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, which left 22 foreign oil workers dead, prices
