James Felton

GCSE results for students across South Gloucestershire show a rise in the proportion of entries receiving grades 7–9, while the national rate of strong passes has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Brimsham Green, Chipping Sodbury, Yate Academy, The Castle School and Marlwood School reported strong performances, with Yate Academy recording its highest-ever Attainment 8 score and several students achieving multiple Grade 9s. School leaders credited students, families and staff, while emphasizing resilience and progression to sixth form, college, apprenticeships or training.

A woman in her 90s died after being found unconscious in a house fire on Elmgrove Road West in Hardwicke. A woman in her 60s from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson with intent to endanger life, but was released on bail pending further inquiries. Police and fire investigators have completed their examination of the property, the cordon has been lifted, and officers are appealing for information.

Travellers have been reported at three unauthorised encampments in South Gloucestershire: Pomphrey Hill Playing Fields North, Mike Gallivan Fields in Little Stoke, and Sunny Side Car Park in Yate. South Gloucestershire Council said removal procedures had begun at Pomphrey Hill, with a provisional court date set for Friday morning, while it was supporting Stoke Gifford Parish Council and Yate Town Council in dealing with the other sites.

Wotton Pet Shop on the High Street will close at the end of September after nearly 28 years of trading. The owners have been unable to find a buyer for the shop and attached living premises as a going concern, although they hope another family will take over the property and continue operating a business there. Customers are urged to place final orders soon, with deliveries continuing on Fridays for the remaining weeks.

A woman in her 60s from Gloucester remains in custody after detectives were granted additional time to question her over a fatal house fire in Hardwicke. A woman in her 90s was found unconscious at the Elmgrove Road West property and later pronounced dead. Police are investigating the circumstances as suspected murder and arson with intent to endanger life, while a cordon remains in place and officers appeal for information.

Stratford Park Lido in Stroud has reopened after nearly £500,000 of repairs, including work to the main pool, pumps, walls, paving, and baby and toddler pool. A new café has also been built. Stroud MP Simon Opher, Stroud District Council leader Chloe Turner, and local campaign groups Save Our Lido Stroud and Friends of Stroud Lido welcomed the reopening, which is planned to continue through the 2026 season and into September subject to weather conditions.

Miller & Carter in Quedgeley has reopened after refurbishment, adding a larger dining area, an upgraded bar and a semi-private space for groups of up to 20. The restaurant now seats 177 guests and has created two new kitchen and front-of-house roles. General manager Jenna Kenny highlighted the restaurant’s aged British and Irish steaks and field-to-fork approach. The updated menu includes steak, meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes, alongside fixed-price menus, cocktail offers and app-based rewards.

Two new primary and secondary schools in Lyde Green, South Gloucestershire, are scheduled to open in September after their buildings were handed over to the trusts that will operate them. Designed and built to Passivhaus standards, the schools are described as England's largest such facilities to date and are intended to be energy-efficient, carbon-neutral, and comfortable year-round. South Gloucestershire Council and the education trusts say the project will expand local school capacity and provide modern facilities for the community after years of delays.

A community buyout campaign led by Stroud Common Wealth is seeking £350,000 to purchase the freehold of The Exchange, a co-working space and venue in Stroud, before its lease expires in July 2027. The community share offer has been extended to October 31, 2026, with the minimum investment reduced to £250. Supporters highlight the venue’s strong demand, wheelchair accessibility, role in supporting small businesses and charities, and pioneering renewable-energy work.

Decathlon will permanently close its Cheltenham store in Regent Arcade on August 29, 2026. The branch, which opened in part of the former BHS unit in November 2021, is currently holding a closing-down sale. The closure is the latest change affecting this part of Cheltenham following the closure of Cavendish House.

Stroud Regeneration Company Ltd, owner of Five Valleys Shopping Centre, has applied to reclassify a covered section of King Street from an adopted public highway to a privately managed pedestrian route. The company says the change would address poor surfaces, lighting problems and trip hazards, following an elderly person's fall and hospital treatment. No construction, narrowing or obstruction is planned, and the route would remain a step-free pedestrian link during shopping-centre opening hours. A formal stopping-up order, with support from Stroud Town Council, would be required to transfer management to the company.

The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival will run from October 9 to 18 with a programme featuring bestselling novelists, Booker Prize authors, memoirists, entertainers and musicians. Highlights include appearances by Elif Shafak, Barbara Kingsolver, Jeffrey Archer, Kate Atkinson, Mick Herron, Dave Rowntree and members of Suede. The festival will also address political and social issues through debates on Brexit, who runs Britain, satire and public life, with participants including Penny Mordaunt, Vicky Pryce, William Hague, Sajid Javid and Margaret Hodge. Other events will celebrate writers and entertainers such as Jilly Cooper, Russell T Davies, Ian Hislop, Katherine Ryan and Sandi Toksvig.

King Street Social Tap, an over-18s sports bar on King Street in Stroud, has added a new pool table. Customers can challenge friends to a game for £1, with payment accepted by cash or card. The venue opened in March 2025 in the former M&Co building and is part of the Amber Taverns chain.

A large number of books were removed from the Eastcombe Book Exchange on August 2. Gloucestershire Police said the incident was concerning because the exchange had been taken advantage of and expressed concern that the books might be resold online for profit, contrary to the community initiative’s purpose. Witnesses to antisocial behaviour were urged to report it online, or call 999 in an emergency.

A London-based property management company has submitted a fourth planning application for the former Bristol Street Motors dealership site on London Road, Stroud. The proposal would convert the derelict building into three unspecified Class E commercial units, with alterations to the building, parking and servicing areas. Green district councillor Lucas Schoemaker criticised the lack of detail, warning that the broad permission could allow uses ranging from health or financial services to betting shops, vape stores or fast-food outlets, potentially increasing traffic on the busy road. Earlier proposals for housing, a convenience store and a restaurant were refused or withdrawn.

The Y2C bus service between Yate and Cribbs Causeway is being extended to serve Iron Acton, Westerleigh Road, Ladden Garden Village and Rodford Way, replacing the 918 route while incorporating its school-service function. The 525 route between Yate and Westerleigh will continue, preserving a direct link between Pucklechurch and Emersons Green, and the Y8 service will be extended to Leyhill. The West of England Combined Authority is funding the routes through a three-year Department for Transport Bus Grant, with the changes intended to improve access to employment, education, healthcare, shopping and leisure through at least spring 2029.

Overnight closures on the southern end of The Plain, Gloucester Road and Quaker Lane in Thornbury will continue through July 31 while survey teams map underground utilities for a proposed walking, cycling and wheeling route. The South Gloucestershire Council scheme would connect Thornbury High Street with Grovesend Road and Gillingstool and include segregated cycling, pedestrian and equestrian paths and improved crossings. Additional overnight traffic lights and partial closures are scheduled on Gillingstool, Grovesend Road and Morton Way from August 3 to August 14, with signed diversions in place.

Sean Daley, 54, of Filton, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and littering after human waste, tissues and cigarette butts were found at a bus stop on Badminton Road, Mayshill, on ten occasions. He received a 12-month community order, 10 rehabilitation activity days and an £80 fine, and was ordered to pay £990 in compensation and £1,000 in costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £2,070. CCTV and council monitoring identified him, and no further incidents have been reported since officers intervened.

More than 200 tonnes of household rubbish, white goods and asbestos were illegally dumped on a privately owned, two-acre floodplain site behind St Oswalds Retail Park in Gloucester. Gloucester City Council, the Environment Agency, Gloucestershire Constabulary and Ubico have begun a major operation to remove the waste, secure the site and prevent further dumping. The council says notices requiring cleanup and the cessation of waste burning were ignored, leading it to use legal powers to carry out works in default. An ongoing investigation is examining those responsible, while residents who used unlicensed waste contractors could face financial penalties or prosecution.

Chantelle Ali, 33, from Gloucester, gave birth to her son Rico five weeks prematurely while holidaying in Tenerife with her partner Ben Major. Rico remains in intensive care at Our Lady of Candelaria University Hospital because of breathing problems, while his family waits for the documentation needed to obtain an emergency travel document and return to the UK. Ali has been living in a rented apartment, facing accommodation, transport and luggage-retrieval costs after Ben returned to arrange childcare. Lia's Wings is supporting the family and plans to provide a medical escort to transfer Rico into NHS care once the paperwork is complete.

Postal delays affecting Cam, Dursley and surrounding areas have reportedly caused letters, parcels and important documents such as hospital appointments to arrive weeks late. Stroud MP Simon Opher visited Royal Mail staff in Dursley and said retention problems following new contracts appeared to be contributing to the disruption. Royal Mail said deliveries were continuing, outstanding mail was being prioritized, and more than 92% of letters were delivered on time, while acknowledging that reliability needed to improve.

Yate Shopping Centre will host the official launch of The Plush Parade on Saturday, July 25. The family event, beginning at 10am on North Walk, will include popcorn, candyfloss, face painting, balloon animals, giveaways, goodie bags and ice cream, alongside the unveiling of a new member of the Plush Parade family.

Traffic management around the A38 flyover in South Gloucestershire has been adjusted during ongoing works scheduled to run until July 25, with vehicles diverted onto slip roads and traffic signals at the Gipsy Patch Lane slip switched off to improve flow. Work focuses on resurfacing, rewaterproofing and structural improvements to the bridge deck, with further phased works planned over the summer to ease congestion.

South Gloucestershire Council has proposed a package of transport improvements for North Yate to reduce congestion, enhance road safety and improve walking and cycling routes between Ladden Garden Village, Brimsham Green School and the town centre. The plans include upgraded junctions, traffic calming on Eastfield Drive, new pedestrian crossings, expanded cycling and walking paths, and potential traffic signals at the Southfield Way and Wickwar Road junction. Local officials Chris Willmore and Claire Young support the proposals, which are open for public feedback.

Forest Green Rovers will expand matchday parking by using Nailsworth School’s playing field for all pre‑season games and the first five National League fixtures, replacing the park‑and‑ride service during this period. Parking costs £10 in advance or £15 on the gate, with online booking closing three hours before kickoff.

A long‑standing shop, Meredith’s in Yate Shopping Centre, will close at the end of July due to the retirement of owner Patrick Meredith. The store, a community fixture for 60 years, has prompted expressions of sadness and appreciation from customers, while the shopping centre offered well‑wishes to the owner and staff.

Drivers are warned of disruptions as the B4066 Taits Hill Road in Stinchcombe undergoes resurfacing from July 22 to 28, with full daytime closures on weekdays. Gloucestershire County Council highlights the work as part of its ongoing investment in improving the local highways network.

Overnight closures will occur on sections of the A38 in South Gloucestershire from late July to early August as part of an active travel and public transport improvement scheme. Specific stretches in Alveston, Rudgeway and Almondsbury will close between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., with diversion routes provided. After these closures, work will continue under narrow-lane and overnight traffic management to install new walking, cycling and crossing facilities.

Stroud MP Simon Opher publicly endorsed Andy Burnham to lead the Labour Party following Burnham’s rapid securing of support from 322 Labour MPs, effectively eliminating the possibility of a leadership contest. Opher praised Burnham’s centre‑left agenda, focus on shifting power away from Whitehall, expanding social housing, aiding small businesses and reforming the voting system. Burnham expressed gratitude for the broad support across the Parliamentary Labour Party. Senior figures including Wes Streeting and Al Carns declined to stand against him, further consolidating his position as the next Labour leader.

Forest Green Rovers will open their National League campaign at home against FC Halifax Town on August 8, followed by an away match at Worthing the next week. Additional early fixtures include hosting Boreham Wood and facing AFC Fylde and Altrincham to close August. Holiday fixtures feature an away trip to Kidderminster Harriers on Boxing Day and home matches against Solihull Moors and Barrow. The season concludes with an away match at Tamworth on April 24.

Roadworks to repair a damaged sewer will affect the A432 Badminton Road between Heathcote Drive and Rose Lane from July 13 to July 15, operating daily between 6am and 8pm under temporary traffic lights. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution, with additional details available on the South Gloucestershire Council website.

A man suffered life‑threatening injuries after becoming trapped between his lorry and another vehicle at the Esso petrol station on Deanery Road in Warmley. Police and ambulance crews responded at around 10am, and the victim was taken to hospital while his next of kin were informed. The petrol station forecourt remains closed as Avon and Somerset Police conduct their investigation.

Queen Camilla made a surprise visit to Wimbledon, meeting staff, players and young ball crew, who described the experience as memorable and positive. Heather Watson praised her as down‑to‑earth after discussing tennis and her career. Peter Phillips also attended following his recent marriage to Harriet Sperling. Camilla spoke with charity chief Richard Gammage and long‑serving tournament staff before joining other notable figures in the Royal Box.

The A38 over the Gloucester Road flyover in Filton will close for one week starting July 20 to allow bridge repairs, drainage work, re‑waterproofing and road reconstruction. The closure is part of a nine‑week project, with some slip roads temporarily reopening to ease congestion. The flyover is expected to reopen on July 25, restoring full northbound access while southbound traffic remains limited to one lane.

Drivers experienced delays on the M4 and M5 due to a collision on the M4 westbound near junction 19 and emergency resurfacing work on the M4 eastbound between Bristol and Bath, with additional congestion reported on the M5 southbound. Information was provided by AA Traffic Maps.

Police in Gloucester launched a murder investigation after an elderly man was fatally stabbed inside a property on Alney Terrace. Emergency services transported the victim, a man in his 80s, to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where he later died. A man in his 50s from Gloucester has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. The Major Crime Investigation Team continues to examine the scene, with officers conducting reassurance patrols and house‑to‑house enquiries. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact police and reference the incident number provided.

Bradley Stoke Way in South Gloucestershire will close overnight between Savages Wood Roundabout and Patchway Brook Roundabout from 8pm on July 5 to 6am on July 6 for roadworks involving lane layout updates and the relocation of concrete safety barriers, with a signed diversion in place.

Two roads in Thornbury, Gillingstool and Grovesend Road, will close for up to two weeks starting August 10 for carriageway patching before surface dressing. South Gloucestershire Council announced the temporary closures, noting that some routes will restrict all users while others will restrict only vehicles, with diversion routes provided as needed.

New three‑year contracts will restore and expand several bus services in South Gloucestershire, including extending the Y2C to Iron Acton and enhancing local links through Westerleigh Road, Chipping Sodbury and Yate. The Y8 route, previously threatened with closure, will also be extended to Leyhill. Local councillors and the MP welcome the changes as significant progress but emphasise the need for further improvements, including reinstating the Downend to Yate connection.

Highfield Garden World in Whitminster has been acquired by the Blue Diamond Group, the UK and Channel Islands’ largest garden centre operator. Statements from co-founders Joan and Tim Greenaway express confidence that the centre will continue to thrive under the new ownership, with customer loyalty points remaining valid. Blue Diamond’s expansion adds to its network of over 50 centres and 5,000 employees, reinforcing its position in the national garden retail market.

A vacant ground-floor unit at 12-16 Long Street in Dursley is proposed to be converted into a wine bar offering wine and small plates in a quiet, seated setting. The applicant states the venue would return the property to active use, increase footfall, and create local jobs, with minimal external alterations and controlled noise levels. The plan emphasizes modest signage, evening hours, and limited traffic impact while aiming to provide economic and social benefits to the town centre.

Extreme heat has caused a backlog in waste collections across South Gloucestershire, prompting the council to warn of continued delays through the week. Crews are starting earlier to catch up, and residents are urged to leave recycling and waste out overnight until normal service resumes.

A 13-year-old boy from Stroud has been charged with 14 offences, including multiple shop thefts, assaults and public order offences allegedly committed across Stroud and Stonehouse. The incidents span January to April and involve thefts from several retailers and assaults on various dates, with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. The case is scheduled to be heard at Cheltenham Magistrates Court, where the defendant cannot be identified due to age-related reporting restrictions.

A well‑known pub in Eastcombe has reopened under new landlord Mac after a short closure for a management handover, with the team expressing gratitude to former publican Rob and noting plans to resume food service soon.

A long‑running Stroud beauty salon marks its 40th anniversary with a series of events following a move to a new street‑level location in 2023. Owner Jane Astbury reflects on the business’s evolution, changes in the beauty industry, the impact of Covid‑19, and her commitment to core treatments while incorporating advanced skin‑care technologies. Anniversary activities include an open hour and mini demonstrations of CACI and Dermalogica treatments.

A Stroud-based volunteer group, Night Angels, received the Grassroots Community Award at the inaugural Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Awards held at Speaker’s House in Westminster. Founded by Chrissie Lowery in response to local sexual assaults, the group patrols weekend evenings in Stroud, Swindon, and Gloucester to support vulnerable individuals. Organisers praised the volunteers’ commitment to safety and survivor support. The group also recently introduced Train Angels in partnership with Great Western Railway.

Residents are invited to a July 6 drop‑in event at Paul’s Place Hub in Yate to learn about the Yate Spur scheme, which seeks to upgrade active travel links between Yate, Westerleigh and nearby areas. Planned improvements include wider pavements, new pedestrian crossings and enhanced routes for walking, cycling and wheeling, with project staff available to answer questions.

Church Road in Yate was resurfaced following repeated reports of potholes after a winter of prolonged rainfall that caused high damage levels. Local campaigner John praised the council’s work, calling the road previously one of the worst in the area and urging further improvements across other routes.

A former teacher, David Henry Shelly Wright, pleaded not guilty at Bristol Crown Court to 14 counts of indecent assault alleged to have occurred at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital school in the 1980s and 1990s. The court set a trial date for November next year, with a further hearing scheduled for May, and released him on unconditional bail.

A collision on the M5 southbound between junctions 14 and 15 led to the closure of two lanes and caused delays, though AA Traffic Maps later reported that all lanes had reopened.

Emergency departments across Gloucestershire are experiencing very high demand, prompting the NHS to prioritise life‑threatening cases and urge the public to use Minor Injury and Illness Units instead. Units in several towns remain open for non‑emergency issues, with guidance to call 111 for assessment before attending.

Stroud District Council is seeking public feedback on extending six Public Spaces Protection Orders, including street drinking bans in Stroud and Dursley and several dog control measures. The current orders, effective until October 2026, would remain unchanged under the proposal. Council committee chairs encouraged residents, traders and visitors to participate in the consultation, which runs until August 2, 2026.

A new community hub, Emergence Commons, has opened at the former Little Ginger cafe site in Stroud, offering a space dedicated to sustainability, creative enterprise and collaboration. Founded by Shalize Nicholas with support from Stella Parks, the venue includes a sustainable fashion project called Emergence Restock and is developing workspace for freelancers, artists and local organisations. The initiative aims to promote circular economy practices through workshops, events and community-driven projects and has already attracted significant local interest.