Forest of Dean biosphere debate frustrated as meeting is pulled
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter There is frustration over the cancellation of a council meeting this week as opposition councillors wanted to debate the Forest of Dean’s bid for Unesco biosphere reserve status. Forest of Dean District Council...
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4th May 2026
Men jailed for subjecting man to six-hour ordeal of physical and mental abuse
Two men from the Forest of Dean who physically and psychologically tortured a man after falsely accusing him of stealing money from them have been jailed. Joshua Rice, aged 38, and 44-year-old Andrew Rowbotham subjected the victim to a terrifying...
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4th May 2026
Cheltenham venues adopt new ID policy
Licensed venues across Cheltenham have introduced a new shared policy on handling identification. The initiative has been developed through partnership working between venues, police and local authorities as part of Cheltenham Safe. Under the scheme, false identification handed over at...
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4th May 2026
Man from Dursley charged with multiple sexual offences against children
A man from Dursley is due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Monday after being charged with multiple sexual offences against children. Following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Child Exploitation team, 48-year-old Philip Anderson has been charged with six...
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4th May 2026
New charity shop to open in Gloucester
A new charity shop is set to open in Gloucester city centre next week. National Star will launch the store on Thursday 23 April at 10am. The shop is located on St Aldate Street and will sell a range of...
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4th May 2026
Appeal after motorcyclist dies following collision on A417 near Maisemore
Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a fatal collision near Maisemore on Thursday afternoon. Emergency services were called at around 3.50pm with a report of a collision involving a motorbike and a Ford Transit van on the...
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4th May 2026
Fears 2000-home town would wreck ancient church view
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter There are serious concerns over the impact a new 2,000-home town would have on an ancient Gloucestershire village church. Forest of Dean District Council is in the process of drawing up their new...
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4th May 2026
Stratford Park lido could open this summer
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter Stroud’s much-loved Stratford Park lido could reopen this summer as civic chiefs have agreed to look at doing the essential repairs needed to make it safe as soon as possible. Opening the outdoor...
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4th May 2026
Bid to use AI to ‘get a grip’ on rising council costs with £3.4m overhaul
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter Artificial intelligence will be used as part of a £3.4million investment project aimed at overhauling Gloucestershire County Council services. Liberal Democrat chiefs at Shire Hall say the Stronger Futures programme will modernise the...
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4th May 2026
Cotswold residents in bid to save meadows next to King’s Highgrove House
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter There are plans to save Cotswold wildflower meadows next to the King’s Highgrove House from housing development. Longfurlong Greenfields Association (LGA), a group with more than 110 members, has drawn up plans to...
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4th May 2026