Steve Knibbs

Cheltenham General Hospital is using AI-assisted Aquablation, a high-pressure water-jet procedure, to treat men with benign enlarged prostates. Ultrasound maps the prostate and an AI system trained on more than 100,000 procedures proposes a treatment plan, while the surgeon retains final control. Clinicians say the technique can improve recovery and preserve sexual function, ejaculation and continence compared with traditional TURP surgery. Patients Andy Ocock and Ian Kemp describe major improvements in mobility, quality of life and urinary infections, helping establish the hospital as a regional centre attracting patients from across the UK.

Cheltenham General Hospital is using AI-assisted Aquablation to treat men with enlarged prostates. Ultrasound maps the prostate and an AI system trained on more than 100,000 procedures suggests where an 8,000-psi water jet should remove tissue, while the surgeon retains final control. Clinicians say the technique can improve recovery and reduce risks to continence, erectile function and ejaculation compared with traditional TURP surgery. Patients Andy Ocock and Ian Kemp describe major improvements in their quality of life, including relief from catheter dependence and recurrent urinary infections. The hospital has performed hundreds of procedures and is attracting patients from across the UK.

Joshua Bell was sentenced to 17 months in prison, while Mark Gibson and Paul Price received suspended sentences for violent disorder linked to the April 2025 attack on the president of a rival motorcycle gang in Coleford. The victim suffered a brain haemorrhage, jaw fractures and a broken nose, while his partner sustained fractured ribs and a fractured wrist. Prosecutors and the court said the defendants were on the periphery of the assault, which involved weapons and the theft of the victim’s motorcycle-club vest as an alleged symbol of dominance. Luke Cole, described as a vulnerable non-member who was used by the gang, will be sentenced later.

Betty Bromage, a 97-year-old woman from Cheltenham, has broken her own Guinness World Record as the oldest female wingwalker. After suffering a stroke in 2025, she completed the challenge to raise money for the Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, which supports equipment and services at Cheltenham General Hospital. Bromage, who has completed six wingwalks since turning 87, says she plans to undertake another special challenge when she turns 100.

A woman recovering from psychosis credits the Individual Placement Support programme in Gloucestershire for helping her regain confidence and return to full-time work as a project officer at the University of Exeter. IPS employment specialists collaborated with her employer to ensure sustainable support and reasonable adjustments, highlighting employment as a key factor in mental health recovery. The scheme reports significant demand for work among people with mental health conditions and continues encouraging employers to embrace diverse and inclusive hiring. The University of Exeter notes improved understanding of mental health needs through the programme, while Rachel Hart describes her return to work as transformative.

Children from two Stroud schools grew fruit and vegetables and sold them at the Shambles market as part of a food education project run by Young Marketeers and the School Food Matters charity. Pupils gained hands‑on experience in gardening, food preparation, and selling their produce, with profits supporting the local charity The Long Table. Organisers highlighted improved environmental awareness, healthier eating habits, and essential life skills developed through the scheme, which has operated in more than 100 UK schools. Community members praised the initiative, noting its educational value and support for local causes.

Sharpness lifeboat station marked its 40th anniversary with an open day showcasing the Severn Area Rescue Association’s history, equipment and rescue demonstrations. Long-serving volunteers including Alan Palmer and his son Dave described the rewarding and community-driven nature of the work, while paramedic Liv Thornton highlighted the strong support network among crew members. The organisation, now operating seven stations and second only to the RNLI nationally, continues to play a key role in responding to emergencies and assisting vulnerable missing people.