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TEEN SENTENCED FOR MURDER A 16-YEAR-OLD boy from Cheltenham has been jailed for a minimum of 16 years after being convicted of murdering a man in the town. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of killing Hamid Erfani following a trial at Bristol
Crown Court in July this year. Mr Erfani, aged 46, died after being stabbed in an alley which runs between Larput Place and St Paul's Road in Cheltenham on the afternoon of 16th December 2025. Following an investigation led by the Major Crime Investigation Team, two teenage boys were
arrested and subsequently charged. The younger boy, who was 15 at the time, had previously admitted to separate charges of robbing Mr Erfani and possessing a bladed article.
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Cheltenham Post
News Cheltenham Post AROUND THE COUNTY news from Gloucestershire Contact us Commercial Director Mark Cuzner mark@cheltenhampost.co.uk
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Where to find us You can pick up your copy of the Cheltenham Post in many shops and leisure places throughout the town. We also have stands at your local supermarkets listed below; Arle Court Transport Hub Asda Superstore, Hatherley Lane Co-Op, Leckhampton Road Co-Op, Bath Road, Leckhampton Co-Op, Salisbury Avenue Cheltenham General Hospital Cheltenham Spa Train Station East End Garage, Charlton Kings Morrisons, Caernarvon Road Up Hatherley Sainsburys, Gallagher Retail Park Sainsburys, Priors Road, Oakley Tesco Superstore, Collets Drive Tesco, Church Road Bishops Cleeve We are also at selected other Co-Op stores as well as many 1000s delivered door-to-door on a rotation basis every two weeks.
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Driver sentenced after fatal crash A MAN has been sentenced after he swerved onto the wrong side of the road and caused a collision which killed another motorist. Nuno Gouveia, aged 32, of Chipping Street in Tetbury, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by careless driving. The court heard how police were called to the B4070 in Birdlip at around 5.30am on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 following a report of a twovehicle collision. The collision involved a silver Kia Picanto, which was travelling towards Stroud, and a grey Nissan Qashqai, driven by Gouveia, which was travelling towards the A417. Emergency services attended and the driver of the Kia, 58year-old Michael Ramstedt, received emergency first aid but was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation was launched by the Constabulary's Serious Collision Investigation Team. During a police interview, Gouveia said that he had glanced down at his sat nav to check the route he was travelling before swerving onto the other side of the road. Phone enquiries found that Gouveia had ended a phone call just minutes before the collision, but he denied being at fault and later provided a signed account of what had happened. This account gave differing reasons for the cause of the collision and included a claim
SENTENCED: Nuno Gouveia pleaded guilty to one count of death by careless driving. PICTURE: Gloucestershire Police
that Mr Ramstedt had caused the collision by driving on the wrong side of the carriageway. Despite this, officers established that the collision happened on the Stroud-bound carriageway, which meant that
Gouveia's car was on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision. Gouveia was subsequently charged with one count of causing death by careless driving and pleaded guilty at a
later court appearance. He appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court last Wednesday 19th August and was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. He was also given a one-year driving ban, fined £272 and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Police Staff Investigator Hannah Moore, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: "Being distracted behind the wheel is not only completely unacceptable and reckless, but puts lives at risk, as we sadly saw in this case. “Concentrating on the road is far more important when it comes to keeping you and other road users safe.” Mr Ramstedt’s wife , Livia, provided a victim impact statement which said: “Losing Michael was the hardest thing we experienced. There is noone and nothing who can ever replace him or the things he did for us all. “I cannot just delete 28 years of marriage; I lived most of my life with him and having to live without him is incredibly difficult. I lost my soulmate and other half, and nothing can bring him back. “I still have the video of him leaving for work that morning. I cannot bring myself to delete it as it is the last memory I have. He was the most selfless, loving and affectionate person. “I believe he did not deserve to die like that. We miss him so much and would do anything to have him back with us.”
Delivery woman requires surgery following dog attack near Newent GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses after two dogs attacked a woman near Newent, Forest of Dean recently. The incident happened shortly before 3pm on Saturday 29th August and left the victim with significant injuries to her arm, as well as other bite wounds on her body. She had been delivering a parcel to a property in Malswick when two Cane Corsos attacked her. It is understood that the
owner was not home at the time. The woman, aged in her 30s, managed to call police and was able to get inside her vehicle for safety while she waited for help to arrive. Officers attended and a police dog handler secured the dogs behind the gates. The owner was then contacted and both dogs were seized. The woman was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by paramedics and she remained there for further surgery and
treatment. A man was arrested on suspicion of having dogs dangerously out of control and has since been released on police bail while an investigation continues. The local area is understood to be popular with dog walkers and investigating officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident, or from anyone who has any information relating to any previous incidents involving the two
dogs. Under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence to have a dog dangerously out of control in any place, including all private property. Anyone with information is asked to provide this to police online by completing the following form and quoting occurrence 53260074742: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/t ua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-usabout-existing-case-report/
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Man murdered in broad daylight following robbery Continued from front page Another male, 18-year-old Paddy Maher, who was 17 at the time of the offence, had also pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possessing a bladed article. The court heard that the two boys, who had met up in the town and were both carrying knives, did not know the victim but had become aware of a drug deal taking place in the town. They targeted Mr Erfani in the alleyway and demanded at knifepoint that he give them the money and drugs which he had in his possession. The victim did not put up any resistance and handed the items over. The boys also stole his mobile phone. After robbing him, the younger boy turned violent and stabbed Mr Erfani once in his chest, killing him. The two boys then ran off and hid their knives. The murder weapon was later found by police close to Leisure at Cheltenham on Tommy Taylors Lane. In a statement read to the court on behalf of Mr Efani's family in Iran, they spoke of the immense pain and suffering caused to them as a result of his tragic death. They said: "The loss of Hamid has had a devastating emotional and psychological impact on our family. “Since the incident, family members have experienced severe grief, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, sleeping difficulties, and on-going psychological distress.
News
TRAGIC: Hamid Erfani.
“The sudden and violent nature of his death has deeply affected every aspect of our lives and has left the family in constant sorrow." Sentencing the 16-year-old to life in prison, the judge told the teenager that he must serve a minimum of 16 years before being eligible for release on licence. The Honourable Mrs Justice Kate Brunner, presiding, told him: “No sentence can begin to compensate for the loss of Mr Erfani's life. “He was a beloved son, family member, friend, who provided emotional support to many who needed it. They must be suffering greatly. “You did a terrible thing when you took Mr Erfani’s life. He did nothing to you, and it is not clear why you suddenly stabbed him. “You will have to live with the responsibility of what you did for the rest of your life.” For his part in the robbery, Paddy Maher was given a Youth Rehabilitation Order for
three years. Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, who led the investigation, said: “Hamid Erfani was killed in broad daylight in what was a vicious and callous act by the offender. “It was a senseless and needless act that has robbed a family of their loved one and my thoughts are very much with Mr Erfani’s family, friends and others who loved him. “I would like to express my thanks to all those involved in the investigation – the first responders who did such a fantastic job in locating the offenders; the Scenes of Crime Officers and search teams who so diligently secured vital evidence; those who helped to manage the various scenes and those who responded to provide reassurance and support to the community; and lastly to those who dealt with the investigation and saw the case through to court.”
GUILTY PLEA: Paddy Maher pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a bladed article. PICTURES: Gloucestershire Police
Appeal to locate wanted man John Higbey POLICE have issued an appeal to locate wanted man John Higbey. The 44-year-old from Cheltenham is wanted on recall to prison in connection with a suspected breach of his licence conditions. He is described as being 5ft 9ins in height and has short brown hair. Officers have pursued a number of lines of enquiry to find Higbey, but have been unable to locate him, and are now appealing for information from the public.
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Anyone who has seen Higbey or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call police on 101 quoting occurrence 53260070706. If you can see Higbey at the time of calling or have recently seen him, do not approach him but instead call police on 999. You can also provide information online by completing the following form and quoting the same incident number: www.gloucestershire.police.uk /tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-usabout-existing-case-report/ WANTED: John Higbey.
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
News
Man issued with Sexual Harm Prevention Order for threatening behaviour GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police have secured a fiveyear Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) against a man who repeatedly posed a risk to women in the Cheltenham area. Victor Valentine, 29, of St Paul’s, Cheltenham, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24th August, where the order was imposed. A Sexual Harm Prevention Order is a court-imposed order designed to protect the public from sexual harm by restricting the behaviour of individuals considered to pose a risk. Although Valentine has not been convicted of any sexual offences, the court heard that he is a selfproclaimed misogynist and member of an online incel group, and has a history of unprovoked violence
towards women in public settings. He has also repeatedly breached the terms of numerous civil orders imposed on him. Under the SHPO, Valentine is prohibited from using any computer or device capable of accessing the internet unless he notifies the police VISOR team within three days of acquiring it and registers the device with them. Any registered device must be capable of retaining and displaying his internet history, with the history retained at all times and no records deleted. Location data must also remain switched on, with no location data deleted, and Valentine must make the device immediately available for inspection by a police officer or police staff employee when requested.
He is also prohibited from owning or possessing more than one internet-enabled device at any time. The order prevents Valentine from having a registered, guest or alias account on a specified incel website, or on any other online platform, forum, chatroom or application that promotes or facilitates incelrelated ideology or content. He is also prohibited from entering, using or loitering near any female public lavatory, changing room or female-only space for any reason. The order remains in place until August 25th 2031. Valentine faces arrest if he breaches any of its conditions and could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Detective Sergeant Paul Howell, from the Public Protection Unit, said:
“Valentine is well-known for his misogynistic hostility and violence towards women, and we are pleased to have secured this SHPO against him. “Even though Valentine has not been convicted of any sexual offences, this is a preventative measure to keep women and girls in the county safe from harm. “This order will reduce Valentine’s ability to further explore his ideology and gives police the opportunity to monitor his behaviour in the community to help reduce his risk of further offending. “Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a priority for Gloucestershire Constabulary and we will do all we can to prevent crimes, bring offenders to justice, and protect women and girls.”
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Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
News
In the dock! The following cases have all been heard recently at Cheltenham Magistrates Court: Emmanuel Mayuku, 42, of Christchurch Road, Cheltenham, was committed to Gloucester Crown Court for trial on three charges of rape. The charges allege that he raped a woman on at least 12 occasions between 1st October 2010 and 31st May 2021. He was granted conditional bail pending his first appearance before the Crown Court on 1st October. James Johnson, 46, of Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, pleaded not guilty to assaulting three police constables in Cheltenham on 4th August this year. The charges allege that he assaulted the women PCs while they were in the execution of their duty. He was unconditionally bailed to await a trial estimated to last three hours on 3rd February 2027. Jason Turner, 52, of Painswick Road, Cheltenham, was jailed for a year after he admitted offences of theft, fraud, attempted theft and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order. He pleaded guilty to using a stolen bank card to pay for goods on 25th July this year, breaching his CBO by riding a bicycle on 10th April 2025, attempting to steal items from a man on 1st August this year and stealing another man’s wallet containing cash and cards on 25th July 2026. The magistrates said immediate custody was justified because the offences were during the operational period of a suspended sentence, he had failed to engage with probation, and he had continued to offend 'in a serious way.' The court also said that they took account of the effects and impact of his crimes on the victims and the fact he is a ‘persistent offender.’ Katarzyna Tomaszewski, 40, of Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, who is charged with common assault of a man on 17th December last year, did not attend court on the grounds that she was unfit. Her case was adjourned till 30th November when she must either attend to enter her plea or provide medical evidence if she does not. Kyle Rohinski, 26, of Norfolk Avenue, Cheltenham, is charged with threatening to petrol bomb a woman’s house and making a threat to share a
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photo or film of her in an intimate state. He is also alleged to have assaulted her twice and to have used controlling or co-ercive behaviour against her. The charges are dated between December 2024 and August this year. He has denied the assault allegations but has not yet entered pleas to the other charges. He was bailed pending a case management hearing on 12th October. While on bail he must not contact the alleged victim or four other prosecution witnesses. He must also stay out of a specified area of Bishop’s Cleeve. Anna Harkins, 37, of Zura Ave, Brockworth, was banned from driving for 25 months and ordered to pay £279 in fines, costs and surcharges after she pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol on her breath in Cheltenham. She admitted that on 28th June this year she drove a VW Tiguan on Gloucester Road when she had 91mcgs of alcohol on her breath. She also admitted having no insurance or a valid driving licence at the time. The legal alcohol limit for driving is 35mcgs. She was placed on a 15-month community order with mental health treatment and ordered to attend up to 15 rehabilitation activity days. She can reduce her ban by 25 weeks if she completes an approved driving course by 4th August next year. Richard Stagg, 30, of Royal Crescent, Cheltenham, is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in High Street, Cheltenham, on 16th June last year. He did not attend court and a warrant without bail was issued for his arrest. Jakob Peake, 23, of Nottingham Road, Bishop’s Cleeve, pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury to a male person by driving inconsiderately on 14th August last year. The offence is alleged to have occurred when he was driving a Nissan Micra on Southam Road, Cheltenham. Peake was unconditionally bailed till trial on 17th March next year. The trial is expected to take four hours. Andrew Page, 34, of Marle Hill Parade, Cheltenham, admitted stealing steak, salmon and crisps worth a
total of £47.45 from a Co-op store in the town on 12th April this year. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay full compensation plus £20 costs. Solomon Jade, 26, of Cherry Blossom Square, Brockworth, was committed to Gloucester Crown Court for trial on a charge of robbing a male person of a pushbike in Gloucester on 28th August this year. He was granted bail on condition he is electronically tagged, remains at home between 7pm-7am each night and does not enter Eastgate Street, Gloucester. Oliver Dale, 47, of Tally Ho Farmhouse, Guiting Power, and Joshua Tierney, 34, of South Lawn, Swinbrook, Burford, Oxon, both pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman by beating her at Condicote on 11th March this year. They were unconditionally bailed pending a six hour trial on 7th January 2027. Callem Halford, 26, of Abbey View, Tewkesbury, admitted attempting to communicate sexually with a 9-year-old girl and sending an intimate picture on 22nd December last year. He also admitted installing Snapchat on his computer in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed on him by Gloucester Crown Court in March 2025. He was committed to the Crown Court to be sentenced. While on bail he must register at Hesters Way Police Station. Raymond Butters, 84, of Othello Close, Cheltenham, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a man and a woman by beating them in Cheltenham on 24th July this year. The court has not disclosed the date of the next hearing. Andrew Snee, 55, of Old Bath Road, Cheltenham, was committed to Gloucester Crown Court for trial on two charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order made against him in 2022. It is alleged that between 3rd May and 22nd September last year he deleted the Grindr internet history from his device and carried out a factory reset of the machine. It is also alleged that on 4th January this year he installed and used two applications whose sole purpose was to carry out encrypted messaging while
concealing the user’s history. He was unconditionally bailed to attend the Crown Court on 13th October. Bradley Timbrell, 26, of Meadowsweet Road, Shurdington, pleaded not guilty to failing to provide a breath specimen to police in Gloucester on 19th April this year when he was suspected of a motoring offence. He admitted driving without insurance on Withybridge Lane, Cheltenham, on the same date. He was unconditionally bailed to await trial on 31st March next year. The trial is listed to last four and a half hours. Marc McCusker, 30, of Alstone Lane, Cheltenham, is charged with stealing two bottles of wine worth £15 from a One Stop shop in Cheltenham on 27th January this year. He has not yet entered a plea to the charge. The court has given no further details of the ongoing progress of the case. Paul Maxwell, 47, of Warwick Place, Cheltenham, has not yet entered a plea to a charge of stealing alcohol worth £95 from the Co-op in Cheltenham on 9th March this year. No further case details have been given by the court. Shawn Wheatley, 36, of Redwood Court, Cheltenham, pleaded not guilty to causing £844.07 worth of damage to a man’s car in Gloucester on 15th August 2024. The court has not released the date of future progression of the case. Alexis Hickman, 39, of Cleevelands Ave, Cheltenham, is charged with being concerned with the supply of cocaine in the town between 2nd August and 17th October last year. She is also accused of supplying the drug illegally on 16th October 2025. She has not yet entered pleas. No further details of her case are available. Jamie Jones, 36, of Grosvenor Street, Cheltenham, and David Anderson, 37, of New Barn Lane, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in Cheltenham causing him actual bodily harm on 6th April last year. The outcome of the hearing has not been stated by the court. Luke Handley, 35, of Bishop’s Cleeve, indicated
guilty pleas to three charges of theft from the Co-op in Windyridge, Cheltenham, and three offences of breaching a Crown Court order banning him from entering the retail premises. He stole £156.05 worth of washing products and Red Bull drinks from the store on 4th November last year, £161.12 worth of goods from the same shop on 1st December 2025 and £60 worth of washing products on 8th January this year. Piers Vivash, 24, of Bath Road, Cheltenham, is accused of failing to provide a blood specimen when required to do so by police investigating whether he had committed a motoring offence on 19th February this year. He did not enter a plea to the charge. Paul Layton, 35, of Imjin Road, Cheltenham, pleaded not guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man on 13th March this year in Cheltenham. No information about the ongoing progress of the case has been given by the court. Leighton Lewis, 42, of Manser Street, Cheltenham, has not yet entered a plea to a charge of stealing £220 worth of Valention perfume from John Lewis, Cheltenham, on 16th February this year. Sivoththaman Mayookrakir, 38, of Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, was banned from driving for 40 months after he was convicted of driving a Toyota Corolla on Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, on 14th August 2023 while over the alcohol limit. He denied the offence but was found guilty after trial. He had 85mcgs of alcohol on his breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs. He was placed on a one-year community order with requirement to abstain from alcohol for 120 days and to attend a 28-day rehab programme. He was also ordered to pay £380 costs and a £114 surcharge. Justin Scarrott, 58, of High Street, Cheltenham, is charged with stealing washing products from Texaco in Cheltenham on 11th May this year. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Shane Tredgett, 32, of Saddler Road, Churchdown, admitted sexually touching a
woman and assaulting two men by beating them in Gloucester on 17th May this year. He was placed on a nine months community order with a requirement to do 100 hours of unpaid work and was also ordered to pay each of the victims £100 in compensation as well as £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Paul Davies, 51, of Ealy Hill, Duntisbourne Abbotts, admitted stealing a total of £750 worth of groceries from Sainsbury’s in Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester. He took £200 worth of goods on 5th March this year, another £250 worth on 23rd March and, finally, groceries valued at £300 on 20th April. He was placed on a one-year community order with a requirement to do 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay full compensation for the stolen goods. Sonny Benfield, 34, of Benhall Gardens, Cheltenham, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman by beating her on 6th May 2026. He is also charged with criminally damaging a window pane owned by Cheltenham Borough Homes on 4th May this year. He was conditionally bailed to await sentence on 30th September. While on bail he must not contact the woman or go to a specified street in Cheltenham. Krzysztof Baum, 61, of Dunalley Parade, St Paul’s, who has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman by beating her on 5th August last year, will stand trial on 12th November. He is also accused of a breach of bail on 15th February this year. The magistrates ordered that a Polish interpreter must attend court to assist the defendant during a trial estimated to last two and a half hours. The alleged assault victim will be allowed to give her evidence by live video link rather than in the courtroom. Hermione Hichens, 23, of London Road, Cheltenham, admitted stealing a bottle of wine from Sainsbury’s in the High Street on 26th July this year and committing a common assault on a woman on the same date. She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the woman, £11 to Sainsbury’s, and costs of £85.
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Bring colour to Cheltenham
News Max Wilkinson MP
Liberal Democrats
The Cheltenham Post is asking readers to nominate areas that could be transformed with bulbs, wildflowers and pollinator-friendly planting next spring THE Cheltenham Post is launching a new community campaign to identify parts of the town that could benefit from a splash of colour next spring. We are asking readers to nominate neglected green spaces, drab gateways, footpaths, communal areas and other suitable locations where bulbs, wildflowers or pollinator-friendly planting could make a real difference. The first step is to hear directly from local people, the residents who know their neighbourhoods best and can point out places where a little care, colour and community pride could help lift an area. The Cheltenham Post will work alongside Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire Highways as the campaign develops. Any projects involving public land will need to be considered carefully, with health and safety, suitable planting locations and grass-cutting schedules taken into account. Paul Baker said: “I am delighted to support this community initiative from the Cheltenham Post and will do what I can to help bring some more colour and nature back to our communities. “Both Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council have done much to support wild flowers and nature with wild flower planting in many of our parks, gardens and along highway verges.” At this stage, we are simply inviting ideas, but we hope the best suggestions can lead to practical action and a brighter Cheltenham next spring. If you own a garden, frontage, business premises or other private land, we would also love to see what you are doing yourself. A few bulbs planted now could create a real splash of colour in the months ahead, while
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Paul Baker.
wildflowers can provide valuable support for bees, butterflies and other wildlife. We want to hear about your projects, too. Send us your
before-and-after photographs, ideas and planting stories. Whether it is a small front garden, a business entrance, a community space or a muchloved patch of land, your efforts could inspire others to get involved. We would also love to hear from local businesses, gardeners, nurseries and community groups who may have seeds, bulbs or suitable planting materials they would be willing to donate to the campaign. Every contribution, large or small, could help bring a little more colour to Cheltenham next spring.
Where in Cheltenham could benefit from more colour? Email your suggestions, including the location and why you think it would make a difference, to info@cheltenhampost.co.uk with the subject line “Bring Colour to Cheltenham.” Photographs are very welcome. With the right planning and a bit of local pride, we hope to help make Cheltenham even more colourful next spring.
GETTING more money and power to local communities is one of those rare ideas that attracts support across the board. And we have a big opportunity to do that in Cheltenham at the Golden Valley development. The principle in this case is simple. This project has always been locally led. The site was bought by the local council, which engaged a developer. That’s the case I’m making to the Government. I recently asked the question directly of the First Secretary of State in Parliament, with a specific request for what’s known as a ‘designated area’ for business rate retention. That would mean we could retain business rate revenue locally, instead of that money being sucked up directly to the treasury. Whatever happens (or doesn’t happen) with the abolition and merger of our two local councils, the Government should allow our area to keep more of the proceeds of the thousands of new jobs at the west of our town. The new Prime Minister has spoken a lot about moving power out of Whitehall and into local communities. At the moment, how our area benefits from that process remains unknown. Every part of the country should be able to benefit from the devolution ambition, not just those areas with existing regional mayors or those first in line for new devolved arrangements. When complete, the Golden Valley will deliver thousands of high-quality jobs, strengthen our already thriving cyber and
technology sector, and support the nationally important work of GCHQ. It will generate substantial business rates, contribute significantly to the Treasury and bolster our national security. In short, it is exactly the kind of locally led project that governments say they want to encourage. It’s a project I’ve supported in Parliament. In my early weeks as MP, I asked probing questions to ensure we didn’t lose a £20million fund that the previous Government had promised, without actually accounting for how it would be paid. More recently, I led the Parliamentary element of the campaign to upgrade Junction 10 of the M5 – a key part of how we can get the development to work. This is an opportunity for the Government to turn words into action. Cheltenham is doing its bit. We are delivering a project that will create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen the national economy. If devolution is to mean anything, local communities must share in the rewards of the growth they create. I will never agree with everything any government does, but it is important to recognise good ideas when they exist. Devolution is one of those ideas. Yet if the Government fails to engage all parts of the country in that agenda, it will leave large swathes of the population behind. Cheltenham has earned the right to benefit from the success of the Golden Valley. The Government should now back that success and give our town the tools to build on it.
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Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
News
Thousands turn out to support Run Cheltenham THOUSANDS of runners took to the streets of Cheltenham on Sunday for the annual Run Cheltenham Half Marathon and 10K, with the event combining a major sporting challenge with fundraising for local charities. Dom James led the field home in the Half Marathon, completing the 13.1-mile course in 1hr 7min 23sec. Peter Molloy was second in 1:07:28, with Jacob Pickering third in 1:08:00. The women's race was won by Isabel Brinsden, who finished in 1:20:08 and placed 39th overall. In the 10K, Rhys Phillips was the men's winner in
32:59, finishing more than a minute ahead of runner-up Sam Bentham. Chris Nesbitt was a close third in 34:05. Emma Richardson won the women's 10K in 38:57, finishing 17th overall, with Maddie Thomson second and Cordelia Parker third. The event is also an important fundraising opportunity, with Sue Ryder the headline charity partner. The charity provides specialist palliative and endof-life care and grief support through Leckhampton Court Hospice. Other charity partners include Cheltenham & Gloucester Hospitals Charity, Maggie's and 4Ed Foundation, which supports people affected by motor
neurone disease. With runners able to raise money for causes close to their hearts, Run Cheltenham aims to promote fitness, community spirit and fundraising across the town. Head of events at WMP Creative, Rupert Martin said: “It was a brilliant day and our biggest Run Cheltenham yet. To sell all 9,000 places ahead of the event was a real milestone for us, and it was fantastic to see so many runners and supporters out across Cheltenham on Sunday. A huge thank you goes to our Racemakers, partners, charities and everyone across the town who helped make the event possible.”
Half Marathon Podium Men 1. Dom James - 1:07:23 2. Peter Molloy - 1:07:28 just five seconds behind the winner 3. Jacob Pickering 1:08:00
Women 1. Isabel Brinsden - 1: 20:08 2. Lydia Dant - 1:21:46 3. Jessica Burden - 1:22:24
Main picture and above by WMP Creative.
Pictures above and right by Brian Mathieson.
Reform UK
Matt Podmore, Reform UK Cheltenham Chair
The news is full of Piddington this week. If, by some miracle, you haven't heard of it, it is a small village in Oxfordshire with a population of around 350 facing plans to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at a former military site very close by. Residents have expressed strong opposition and concern about the plans and, as a means of protest, held a symbolic referendum on whether the village should leave the UK. Of
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the 312 votes cast, 285 were in favour. The referendum has no legal force, but the result has attracted national attention. Some commentators are saying this could be a turning point in the conversation around mass migration. It may well be, because now some more affluent communities are being directly affected. The story has made me think of Cheltenham because Piddington is also an affluent, comfortable place that, until now, has not had to face the reality of mass migration on this scale. It has traditionally voted
Liberal Democrat, and its MP is a Lib Dem. But unlike Cheltenham, that reality has now come to Piddington's doorstep. When people can support policies advocating more safe routes, or slogans such as “migrants welcome here”, without those policies directly affecting their own community, it is one thing. When the consequences become real, it can be very different. And the same could almost be said for Cheltenham, except that the town has had an influx of asylum seekers in the recent past.
I am not sure how many residents know this, as it was not widely reported locally, but a Hotel in the town was used to accommodate asylum seekers. The Home Office announced in April this year that the hotel was one of 11 across the country that had closed as part of its programme to end the use of asylum hotels. We have no information about where the people staying there went afterwards. The Home Office has said those leaving asylum hotels would be provided with suitable alternative accommodation, including larger sites elsewhere in its estate, but it does not comment on individual arrangements for operational and security reasons. I was completely in the dark
about the use of the hotel until I saw a video on YouTube showing it. It seems to me that this is how we are governed, with decisions made far from the public eye and with what I believe has been insufficient local consultation. The Government has told the people of Piddington that it is “listening”. Will it then act in accordance with Piddington's wishes? I doubt it. This Government has said it wants more affluent areas to take their share of asylum seekers. We can see what that means for Piddington. What will it mean for Cheltenham? There are several places close to Cheltenham that could potentially be repurposed to house several hundred asylum seekers. Will our Lib Dem
councillors and Max Wilkinson MP hold signs welcoming those migrants? Or do easy slogans and luxury beliefs get thrown aside when reality hits? It is a great shame that some people cannot put themselves in the shoes of other British people who have already been dealing with what they see as the pressures of high levels of migration. Instead, those people can find themselves labelled racist or far right simply for raising concerns about migration. My party is called divisive by the Lib Dems because we represent people who have said enough is enough. I pray Cheltenham doesn't have to learn from its own painful personal experience.
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
News
Speak Up, Stand Together, Stay Safe EVERYONE deserves to feel safe. Yet so many women and girls continue to experience behaviours that leave them feeling uncomfortable, intimidated or unsafe. Tackling male violence against women and girls is firmly one of my top priorities as your Police and Crime Commissioner. And it is one of the top priorities for Government. Starting this month, the Constabulary is building on the ‘It Does Matter’ campaign with an awareness initiative which focuses on non-contact sexual offences. Non-contact sexual offences are often misunderstood, minimised, or dismissed, despite the harm they can cause. These behaviours are unacceptable and should never be tolerated. By increasing understanding and challenging harmful attitudes, we can help create safer communities for everyone.
By Chris Nelson Police & Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Non-contact sexual offences include: • Indecent exposure • Online exposure • Catcalling • Drink spiking • Voyeurism • Upskirting • Stalking • Harassment The ‘It Does Matter’ campaign was developed in memory of Libby Squire, who was raped and murdered in 2019 whilst a student at University in Hull. Her murderer was found to have a history of non-contact sexual offending and Libby's tragic death highlights the serious risks posed by these behaviours. Launched during university Freshers’ Week, this campaign will raise awareness of noncontact sexual offences and encourage conversations about respect, personal
responsibility, and the role we all play in preventing violence against women and girls. The campaign is built around three messages: Speak Up, Stand Together, Stay Safe. Speak Up is about recognising behaviours that contribute to women and girls feeling unsafe, and understanding that these behaviours should never be ignored, or dismissed as ‘to be expected’. Whether you see something unnerving, hear something misogynistic or are victim of a crime yourself, it matters. Speak up is about reporting non-contact sexual offences. Stand Together means creating safer communities is a shared responsibility. Preventing harm is not something that any one organisation or individual can do alone. This is where
my convening powers really do come in useful, bringing together key players to make sure we are aligned in preventing harm. But we as a society need to take this same community-driven
mindset as well. We all have a role to play. Stay Safe focuses on providing practical information and support. From understanding reporting options to
accessing university welfare services, police support or community resources, we want people to know help is available and that they do not have to deal with concerns alone.
Cheltenham Slimming World members throw slimmed-out-of clothes for charity SLIMMING World members in Cheltenham have raised £3000 for Cancer Research UK by donating the clothes they’ve slimmed out of to the charity’s shops. The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw with Cancer Research UK is an annual event that takes place in Slimming World groups across the UK. It sees members donating clothes, shoes, and accessories that no longer fit – and they’re confident they will never need again. The Slimming World groups in Warden Hill and Up Hatherley, who meet weekly, collected 120 bags to help support life-saving research. Slimming World Consultants Debbie Mobley and Natalie Carr, who run the groups, say they are proud of how their members came together to support the charity and to celebrate how far they’ve come on their own weight loss journeys. Debbie said: “It’s always a pleasure to see the excitement in group when The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw comes around. When you’re losing weight, it can be easy to focus on the number on the scales without realising how many non-scale victories are happening in the background, like our changing dress sizes and body shapes. “This event celebrates those victories as it is all about
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members donating their old wardrobe while raising money for an important cause. It makes me so happy to see the confidence in my members as they commit to donating their larger clothes knowing they will never need them again, because they’ve made healthy changes they can maintain for life!” As well as raising funds for Cancer Research UK, the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw raises awareness of how maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer. Overweightness and obesity are the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK - causing more than one in 20 cancer cases. Natalie said: “Being overweight doesn’t necessarily mean that a person will develop cancer, but we know that losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent a number of health conditions, including
some types of cancer. I’m proud to host The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw at my Slimming World group to help Cancer Research UK continue its vital work.” Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £30 million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns including The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw and supporting the charity’s Race for Life event series. Last year, Slimming World members, Consultants and head office staff raised £3.1m for Cancer Research UK through The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw and are aiming to make this year even bigger and better. For more information on their group times or other local groups in Cheltenham, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.
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Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
News Council Corner THOSE involved in local government know that no two days are the same and that expecting the unexpected is a big part of the job. That being said, the Government’s announcement on 7th September that they are ‘reviewing’ their plans for Local Government Reform came as a complete shock. Around two years ago this same Government told us that they planned to shut down Gloucestershire’s seven local councils, including Cheltenham Borough Council, and create one or more larger unitary authorities instead. They claimed that this would save money, be more efficient and reduce confusion, but let’s come back to this in a moment. Neither we, nor the people of Gloucestershire, were asked if we wanted to be reorganised. We were simply told to get on with it, and that is what we did. It quickly became apparent that there was no consensus across the seven councils on how many new authorities there should be. After a lot of work, three distinct proposals were sent to Government. Following months of waiting, in July this year, we were told that the Secretary of State had chosen the option of one single council for the entire county. Although this was not the proposal favoured by Cheltenham, we continued to work flat out with our partners to make sure that this change could be a success. At this point, a significant amount of staff time and council taxpayers’ money has been spent in preparing to reorganise our councils. The impact on the people involved has been significant too. Our own committed staff and elected members have had to make important career and family decisions based on the expected changes, while specialist staff have left secure positions elsewhere to join new teams. Many have
Rowena Hay Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council applied for new roles or considered alternative opportunities because of the uncertainty created by this process. The decision by Government to reorganise local government in this way has impacted everything we do. And then, just like that, with next to no warning whatsoever and after 18 months of work, they are not sure if it is actually a good idea. We were stunned, to move the goalposts and create even more uncertainty at this stage of the process is incredibly disappointing. So now, once again, we wait! And what of the Government’s claims of money saved, efficiencies made and confusion reduced? Pushing councils to reorganise, then pausing the process in the middle before abandoning it or asking for it to start again, does none of those things. Amongst all of the frustration there are positives that we can take from this journey so far. Despite all the upheaval, services for our residents have continued to be provided. Staff and local councillors from all seven current authorities have worked brilliantly together, under difficult circumstances, to plan and prepare for the future of local government in our county. I am thankful for everyone who has been involved in the process to this point and hope that, whatever happens next, we will continue to work together collaboratively for our residents, businesses and visitors.
Gurkha Kitchen brings a taste of Nepal to Cheltenham A NEW Nepalese and Indian restaurant has opened its doors in the heart of Cheltenham, promising authentic flavours, traditional hospitality and a warm welcome to the town. Gurkha Kitchen officially opened at 44–48 St James Street on 7th September, with the Mayor of Cheltenham, Martin Horwood, joining guests for the official ribboncutting ceremony. Local residents, neighbours, friends, family and members of the business community gathered to celebrate the opening and were treated to a selection of dishes showcasing the restaurant’s Nepalese and Indian cuisine. Among the dishes served were traditional momos, Gurkha lamb curry, butter chicken tikka masala and onion bhajis, alongside other specialities inspired by the diverse culinary traditions of Nepal. The team behind Gurkha Kitchen already has considerable experience in the restaurant industry. Before coming to Cheltenham, they operated The Everest in Dursley, which developed a loyal following for its authentic Nepalese cooking and warm hospitality. That experience now forms the foundation of Gurkha Kitchen, where the team hopes to build a similar relationship with the Cheltenham community. The menu takes inspiration from the Gurkha community, Kathmandu Valley and Himalayan regions, combining traditional recipes and cooking techniques with fresh
Conservative Party Rob Garnham
ECHR stands for European Convention on Human Rights; the “Convention”. Not the European Court of Human Rights set up later to enforce
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the Convention. I point out that distinction as when the “Convention“ was set up I believe it had noble, just and humanitarian reasons. An early advocate was Churchill himself. Whatever we mean when we say ECHR it has, regrettably, outlived the very reasons why it was set up. It is now often used to thwart the aims of our democratically elected Government and reduce
our UK Sovereignty. Time to leave and I fully support Kemi on this. She did not just make an announcement for the sake of it, but relied on evidence produced by Lord Wolfson’s nearly 200-page report, which concluded it is “legally and practically possible to withdraw” from the Convention. You may be wondering why I mention this. Two reasons,
OPENING: Cheltenham Mayor Martin Horwood at the opening of the new Gurkha Restaurant.
ingredients and carefully selected herbs and spices. Cheltenham Post food writer Mark Hopkins attended the opening night was impressed by what he experienced. “We had a wonderful evening at Gurkha Kitchen on their opening night. The food was exceptional, the service was warm and welcoming, and the whole experience was fantastic. “It was clear from the outset that this is a restaurant with something very special to offer Cheltenham. We wish them every success for the future.” The team at Gurkha Kitchen said their aim is to create more than simply somewhere to eat, combining authentic food with the hospitality and culture of Nepal. They said: “We believe that a memorable dining experience
is created by offering authentic food full of flavour and the fragrance of Nepalese herbs, complemented by excellent service and a great atmosphere. “Whether you’re joining us for a romantic dinner, a family celebration or a quick lunch, we strive to make every moment unforgettable.” To celebrate the opening,
Gurkha Kitchen is also offering Cheltenham Post readers 15% off food when dining in or collecting, subject to the restaurant’s terms and conditions. Just mention the Cheltenham Post on booking.
one to highlight that under Kemi our views are changing and two, we do our homework. We research and we take responsibility for what we propose. This however is unlike Reform. Yes, they want to leave the ECHR, but they rely on soundbites, and here’s the twist in the story. Last week the leader of Reform in Wales resigned after being arrested, but not charged, and released on bail. I now see that Nation Cymru are reporting: “a number of news outlets were told by Reform representatives
that if they published details of the arrest, they would be in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.” Oh, the delicious irony of it all. Whoever the PM is, Labour still love their U-turns. After announcing Gloucestershire will be a single Unitary Authority, we now hear the decision is going to be paused. Will it ever happen then? A complete farce. How much of your money has been wasted by all our Borough, District and County Councils in their preparatory work? The word
in Westminster is that it was cancelled so Andy can clear the decks for a General Election at a time of his choosing. But maybe even that plan will need a U-turn? After the PM confessing that “National Security can’t come at the cost of Social Security”, and with the markets suspecting that this is just a “traditional tax-andspend Socialist Government but with better TikTok videos” I wonder how much confidence there is amongst Labour MPs to go to the country?
Gurkha Kitchen is at 44–48 St James Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2SH.
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Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
News
Labour Party
Julie Farmer
No-one should profit from the care of vulnerable children. Many of the services provided for children in our society are the responsibility of the County Council – including finding fostering arrangements. In the 60s and 70s, these services were provided either by local authorities or Christian charities, in particular Dr Barnado’s. Since then however, the service was professionalised, and as part of the wider opening up of public services to ‘the market’ profit-making organisations were allowed to offer fostering services. A report from Common Wealth says that private equity firms dominate the foster care sector and smallscale landlords have also entered the market by converting their private rental accommodation to children’s homes. So ‘private interests have flocked into the children’s social care sector to profit from Britain’s most vulnerable children.’ How can that be morally acceptable? And they most definitely do profit, and so do their shareholders. Common Wealth’s research found that “the Big Four”, private equity owned and largest fostering providers, had paid or reserved funds worth £205 million to their shareholders and investors since 2020 through shareholder loans, paying interest rates on the loans of from eight per cent to 14 per cent; these interest payments act as an equivalent to dividend payments. Extracting profit from children’s services is associated with higher fees being charged to local authorities using them. But so long as demand for places persistently outstrips declining local authority capacity, councils often have no choice but to work with private providers. Gloucestershire County Council is no exception; it appears they work with at least three of the major
private equity providers. Nationally it is suggested that council-managed fostering placements cost around £25,000 per year, compared with around £50,000 for private equity organisation placements. If this is true in Gloucestershire, you can imagine the impact it has on its budget, or on its capacity to respond to need, which it has a legal duty to meet. Various solutions to this unsustainable situation are proposed. The Labour Government is currently looking at introducing regional care cooperatives to bring together local authorities, the NHS, youth justice, and other partners to jointly plan, commission, and deliver care placements and support services for children in care. They are also considering putting a cap on the profits the private companies can make. The Common Wealth report goes further, calling for an end to for-profit provision completely. All these proposals have their critics; the most significant problem is the need to build up local authority and not-for-profit capacity before potentially driving private providers out of the market. But with the right commitment, funding and resources, this surely could be done, to ensure that children needing care have the high quality support they need and deserve, while developing a financially sustainable model for local authorities, and ultimately, for you and me as local tax payers. No-one should profit from the care of vulnerable children.
Cheltenham and Göttingen grow together with a collaborative garden CHELTENHAM Borough Council, along with the Friends of Sandford Park, Cheltenham International Partnerships Association and representatives from its twin town, Göttingen, Germany, are proudly working to revitalise the Göttingen Garden in Sandford Park. The project marks a collaborative effort to modernise and refresh this cherished space, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and biodiversity, and honours the 75th anniversary of the twinning agreement signed in 1951 between the councils of Cheltenham and Göttingen. With the support of Ubico, volunteers from Friends of Sandford Park and Cheltenham International Partnerships Association worked alongside Council staff to plant a diverse selection of flora designed by officials from the Göttingen Council. This transformation was made possible by a £1,100 grant from Cheltenham Borough Council’s Community Pride
A CHELTENHAM sales adviser took to the skies as part of a team challenge which has raised almost £13,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Kelly Rees, a Sales Adviser at Persimmon Homes South Midlands’ Regents Village development in Cheltenham, joined a team of 20 people for the sponsored skydive in support of the charity. Muscular Dystrophy UK supports more than 110,000
Jan Foster
AS we reach the end of what is now recorded as the hottest UK summer on record, we find ourselves still combing
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Sandford Park, Cheltenham International Partnerships Association and Cheltenham Borough Council’s green space development team. Earlier this year, the site saw the planting of thousands of crocuses, and further enhancements are planned, including a stone seat with a commemorative plaque, all based on a planting scheme
Cheltenham sales adviser takes to the skies to raise £13,000 for charity
Green Party through the many impacts of climate change and how to mitigate against them. One of the more immediately pressing consequences, of course, is food. We know from farmers that the consistent and extreme heat over the summer has resulted in a very poor yield in the first harvest, without much in the way of hope for the second. While the UK benefits from a relatively secure – for
Fund, secured through the efforts of the Friends of Sandford Park. The end of May witnessed a special visit by the Mayor of Göttingen, who participated in a formal turfcutting ceremony to inaugurate the project. This event was a highlight of the ongoing collaboration between the Friends of
provided by Göttingen. This initiative celebrates the 75th anniversary of the enduring friendship between the two communities and reflects a shared commitment to fostering cultural and environmental ties. Councillor Steve Harvey, cabinet member for waste, recycling and green open spaces, said: “This project not only beautifies Sandford Park, but is a symbol of our shared values and deepens the bond between our two towns, celebrating a legacy of friendship and cooperation. I would like to thank the Friends of Sandford Park for their invaluable contribution.” Councillor Angie Boyes, chair of Cheltenham International Partnerships Association, said: “This garden is a testament to the loyal and lasting friendship between our towns. In Göttingen, a central park named Cheltenham Park mirrors this gesture, reinforcing Göttingen's status as Germany's second greenest city.”
now – food system, concurrent dry summers and the ongoing disruption to the Strait of Hormuz are creating a difficult pincer pressure on this vital sector. Yet even with these pressures, local farmers have to also counter with the strange attitudes of retailers who will refuse to take their produce based on appearance alone. Completely arbitrary
people living with musclewasting and weakening conditions and works to improve access to healthcare, support and treatments. Kelly said the skydive was an unforgettable experience and was delighted with the amount raised. “Taking part in the skydive was such an amazing experience, and I am proud to have been part of a team that has raised almost £13,000 for such an important cause,” she said. standards like, for example, the fact that Electra potatoes have to be 45mm in diameter to be sold in large shops. Given the poor yield and smaller produce, this means that not only are we facing threats to our food security, we have local farmers being forced to throw food away! Of course this absurdity has its economic impacts, in Gloucestershire food and farming is one of our largest sectors and protecting local independent business is a key priority. More widely, less food means higher prices.
“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us and helped us reach such a fantastic total.” Persimmon Homes South Midlands Sales Director Vanessa MacNee praised Kelly for taking on the challenge and helping to raise money for the charity. She said: “It is fantastic to see Kelly taking on such a challenging experience and helping to raise an incredible amount for Muscular Dystrophy UK.” Inflation occurs where demand exceeds supply, and this odd fixation on the aesthetic quality of vegetables will hit us all in our pockets. We are often presented with the idea that care for our environment is pitted against economic concerns, but so often the opposite is true. The economic concerns cited are those of senior executives in supermarkets, not residents or local farmers. It is a real challenge to move through the era of climate change, as we are now clearly doing, because it
places an onus on us collectively to adapt our behaviours and, in particular, our attitudes towards convenience. The Green Party knows that this is a tough sell to voters, but in an ocean of political ambiguities, I firmly believe it is the most honest position out there. While there are mechanisms we can utilise, such as writing to the local MP, Max Wilkinson, about this issue, we can also vote with our wallets and seek out the ugliest potatoes we can find.
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Animal Shelter
Cheltenham Animal Shelter appeal for volunteers By Jenny Crow
WHEN people think about volunteering for an animal rescue charity, they might imagine walking dogs, cuddling cats or caring for rabbits. While these roles are understandably popular, there are many other ways to make a real difference to pets in need, and Cheltenham Animal Shelter is looking for volunteers to help in a range of essential roles. The charity’s shops are a vital source of income, with a target of raising £175,000 every year. Every item sold helps provide food, veterinary treatment, safety and care for animals who need a second chance. No previous charity shop experience is required, with training and support provided for all volunteer roles. Shop volunteers help with a wide range of tasks, including welcoming and chatting to customers, working on the shop floor, sorting donations and replenishing stock. It is an opportunity to meet people, learn new skills and become part of a friendly team, while knowing that every shift is helping pets in need. The Shelter is particularly looking for people who can make a longer-term commitment. Training new volunteers takes considerable time and resources, so having reliable people who are able to stay and become an established part of the team can make a significant difference. However, those unable to make a regular weekly or
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The charity shop at 25 Winchcombe Street.
There are many ways you can volunteer and help pets in need.
fortnightly commitment can still get involved. The education team welcomes volunteers to help with a variety of programmes and activities, including Animal Days, when children visit the Shelter during school holidays to learn about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. The Shelter also takes its work out into the community, visiting care homes and community groups to talk about animals and wellbeing. Through its library reading
sessions, children who may lack confidence in reading can practise reading aloud to one of the rescue animals, helping them build confidence while enjoying the calming company of a four-legged friend. Volunteers are also needed to support fundraising and awareness events throughout the year. These opportunities are available on an ad-hoc basis, making them suitable for people with limited availability who would still like to support the Shelter. Volunteering does not have to mean working directly
with animals. Behind every pet cared for at the Shelter is a team of people raising funds, engaging with the community and helping spread important messages about animal welfare. For anyone who has considered volunteering with an animal charity but assumed they would need to work directly with animals, there could be another role that is a better fit. Those able to spare a few hours a week in one of the charity shops, or who would like to help with education programmes or events on an occasional basis, are being encouraged to get in touch. Community groups, WI branches, Rotary clubs and other local organisations are also being encouraged to share the volunteering opportunities with their members.
Volunteers are essential to our charity shops.
More information about volunteering with Cheltenham Animal Shelter is available at
www.gawa.org.uk/workwith-us or by emailing volunteer@gawa.org.uk.
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Friday 25th September 2026
Gardening
Cheltenham Post
Jobs for the garden this October By Mark Hopkins OCTOBER is a funny month in the garden. It gives the impression that everything is winding down, that summer has packed its bags, the flowers are fading and the garden is preparing to go to sleep. But look a little closer and you’ll realise that October is anything but quiet. In fact, for gardeners, it is one of the busiest and most rewarding months of the year. The mornings are darker, the evenings arrive earlier and there is often a distinct chill in the air. The lawn stays wet for longer, the spiders seem to have taken over every corner of the garden and the leaves begin their annual descent, covering paths, borders and flowerbeds with the enthusiasm of confetti at a wedding. But October is not the month to put your gardening gloves away. It is the month to prepare for what comes next. One of the most obvious jobs is clearing fallen leaves. Now, I know some people regard leaves as untidy nuisances, but they are actually one of nature’s best gifts. Left on lawns, they can smother the grass, encouraging disease and leaving you with a rather unattractive brown carpet. Rake them up, though, and they become valuable material for the compost heap of leaf mould. There is something wonderfully satisfying about turning yesterday’s leaves into next year’s goodness. October is also an excellent time to plant spring bulbs. Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and alliums can be planted now, while tulips are generally best planted a little later, once the soil has cooled. There is something almost magical about pushing a small, rather unimpressive-looking bulb into the ground and knowing that, several months from now, it may emerge as a splash of colour when the rest of the garden is still looking half asleep. Gardening requires a certain amount of faith. This is also the month to tidy up perennial borders, although I have always thought a little caution is worthwhile. Not every dead stem needs cutting down immediately. Some plants provide winter interest, while
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seed heads can offer food for birds and shelter for insects. A garden that is too tidy can sometimes be a garden with very little life left in it. There is a balance between looking after the garden and allowing nature to do some of the work. October is a good time to divide overcrowded perennials, move shrubs and plant new trees and bushes. The soil is still relatively warm, but the cooler air and increased rainfall help plants settle in without the stress of summer heat. It is also a good opportunity to improve the soil by adding compost, wellrotted manure or leaf mould. If you have ever wondered why some gardens seem to improve year after year, the answer is often not expensive plants or elaborate landscaping. It is simply that someone has taken the trouble to look after the soil. Lawns also deserve attention. Raise the mower blades slightly as growth slows, remove fallen leaves regularly and consider scarifying or aerating compacted areas. If the lawn has become tired over the summer, October is a good time to give it a little care before winter arrives. There are also practical jobs that are easily forgotten. Clean out gutters around sheds and greenhouses, check fences and supports before the winter winds arrive, empty water butts if necessary and protect vulnerable plants from frost. Bring tender pots into a sheltered position and make sure greenhouse heaters, if you use them, are working properly.
A few minutes spent preparing now can save a great deal of trouble later. And then, of course, there is the greenhouse. October is the time to remove old tomato plants, clear away diseased leaves and clean the glass to make the most of the weaker winter sunlight. Some gardeners will already be sowing winter salads, broad beans or hardy herbs, while others will simply enjoy having somewhere dry to stand while looking out at the rain. There is no shame in that. One of the pleasures of gardening in October is that the work becomes slower and more thoughtful. The frantic watering, mowing and deadheading of summer has eased. You have time to notice the changing colours, the damp smell of the soil and the first signs of winter. The garden may appear to be retreating, but it is really preparing. And perhaps that is a useful lesson beyond gardening itself. October reminds us that not every season is about displaying flowers. Some seasons are about putting down roots, strengthening foundations and getting ready for what is still to come. So, if you find yourself looking out at your garden this month and thinking that there is not much left to do, take another look. There are leaves to clear, bulbs to plant, soil to improve, lawns to repair and plans to make. The garden may be slowing down, but it certainly hasn’t finished. And neither, thankfully, have we.
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Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
Recipes Steph Williams Follow Steph’s blog This Plate Is Pretty stephnicw.wixsite.com /thisplateispretty
Turkey & Feta Burgers These simple Mediterranean Burgers are a great quick and easy meal. Not your typical Burger - You can imagine you are sitting near the sea in the Med having lunch (or at a summer BBQ)! They are slightly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. They are lean, healthy, include minimal ingredients so as not to complicate things and take only 20 minutes to throw together. Contains 1g of net carbs per burger. Perfect as a meal or a snack. Ingredients 6 Burgers • 450-500g Turkey Mince • 1.5 teaspoon Oregano • 80g crumbled Feta • Salt & Pepper to taste (Generously) • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil • 1 tablespoon Dill • 1 tablespoon Parsley • 1/3 finely diced Red Onion • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced Instructions l Crumble, chop and mince the ingredients as above.
l Mix together with your hands. l Ball up 6 evenly sized patties and carefully flatten with your fingers into a "burger" shape, or use a mould if you have one. l Add Olive Oil to a frying pan and apply a medium heat. l Gently place the burgers into the pan and fry on either side for around 6-7 minutes until browned. Be sure to use a medium-high heat. l Choose your sauce and side and serve!
Recipe notes It might look a bit wet and sloppy, but it'll hold together when you ball the mixture up. It helps first if you refrigerate before cooking. Turkey is a bland, dryer meat, so be generous with your seasoning. The cooking method is versatile here, you can use a pan, the air fryer, oven or BBQ. Serving ideas include salad, tzatziki, low carb flat bread, hummus...
Zesty Lemon Crème Brulé Rich & Creamy Sweet Lemon Crème Brulé - and Yes, sugar free! This is a guiltfree zone that I will definitely make over and over, mainly due to the simplicity, few ingredients, the deliciousness and of course, the use of a blow torch. I really felt like I'd indulged at a fancy restaurant, but all made in the comfort of my own kitchen. This decadent dessert is as cute as it is delicious, with an incredible very smooth yet thick texture. Each Pudding contains less than 1g of carbs and it will take you only 10-15 minutes to make. Ingredients 4 servings • 300ml Double Cream • 4 medium Egg Yolks • 2 tablespoons Sweetener or low carb Sugar substitute • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Essence • Extra Sweetener for the topping • Juice & Zest of 1 Lemon Instructions l Add the Cream to a saucepan with the Vanilla, Lemon Zest and Juice over a medium heat until it reaches a low simmer, then remove. l In a separate bowl, whisk together the Sweetener and Yolks. l Whisk this into your Cream mixture whilst off the heat l Put back on to the heat, but low, and continue whisking until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. l Spoon into ramekins and refrigerate to set for 4 hours. l Pour over around 1 teaspoon of Sweetener, covering evenly
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l Using a blow torch on a high setting, torch the top for around 60 seconds or until crisp and browned. Recipe notes Keep the temperature on the lower side to avoid eggy Custard.
Make sure you are whisking continuously without stopping to ensure you don't end up with scrambled Eggs. Grated or curled Zest and crushed nuts are a great garnish idea. Ideally, leave to set overnight; due to the lemon juice it is a bit thinner in consistency.
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Going Out
You Will Be Found: Dear Evan Hansen comes to the Playhouse Theatre ONE of Gloucestershire’s longest-running theatre societies is bringing an acclaimed musical to Cheltenham Playhouse from 25th September- 3rd October, with support for Baton of Hope, the national movement to prevent suicide. Presented by Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society, known locally as CODS, Dear Evan Hansen follows the story of a socially anxious seventeen-yearold who, following a tragedy within his community, gets the opportunity to be somebody else. However, as Evan’s web of wellintentioned lies begins to unravel, he must confront the consequences of his actions and the real cost of finding where he belongs. Described by critics as ‘devastatingly powerful’, Dear Evan Hansen explores themes of connection, grief, loneliness, belonging and the impact of social media. For CODS, the messages of belonging and community feel especially pertinent. Founded in 1890, the society is the oldest amateur dramatic society in Gloucestershire and one of the oldest in the country, with more than 130 years of theatrical history at Cheltenham’s Everyman and Playhouse theatres. Today, CODS continues to offer “a stage for everyone”, welcoming performers as well as people who want to help backstage, front of house, and in its weekly
Cheltenham Community Choir. Given the show shines a powerful light on the sensitive issues of suicide, mental health, loneliness and the importance of connection and compassion within our communities, CODS is proud to be partnering with the charity Baton of Hope. Baton of Hope is a national suicide prevention movement dedicated to challenging stigma, encouraging open conversations about suicide prevention, and ensuring that people know they are not alone. CODS, as an arts organisation is especially glad to be partnering with the charity, noting the growing recognition of the important role that the arts can play in improving mental wellbeing, bringing communities together, and creating opportunities for understanding and support. CODS’ decision to support this specific mental health charity is also deliberate. In addition to being a meaningful cause, the charity’s Clinical Director, Ben Wilson, has previously
performed with CODS - most recently at the Cheltenham Playhouse in the 2024 production of The Wedding Singer - as well as at the Everyman Theatre with Kinky Boots (2024) and The Producers (2019). CODS will be providing an opportunity to donate directly to Cheltenham-focussed initiatives with the Baton of Hope throughout show week. Dear Evan Hansen features contemporary musical theatre REHEARSAL: The cast of Dear Evan Hansen. songs including Waving Through a Window and You Will Be Found, and explores themes of anxiety, isolation, family, friendship and the impact of social media. With music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Steven Levenson, the musical has won major international acclaim, including Tony, Grammy and Olivier recognition. The forthcoming production is led by director Tim Jones, with musical direction by Will Keeble and choreography by Molly Champion-Pinchin. Dear Evan Hansen will be at The Cheltenham Playhouse from Friday 25th September to Saturday 3rd October 2026. Tickets are on sale now via The Cheltenham Playhouse. For more information visit www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk/ whats-on/dear-evan-hansen/
Beans on Toast at the Steam & Whistle FOLK singer-songwriter Beans on Toast will bring his annual winter tour to Cheltenham on 20th November. Beans on Toast is heading out on his annual winter tour, with a date at Steam & Whistle in Cheltenham on Thursday, November 20. The In Your Neck Of The Woods Tour will see the celebrated folk troubadour visit venues across the UK throughout November and December. Known for his storytelling and open-hearted songs, Beans on Toast's shows combine music with stories
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about family, friendship and everyday life, alongside songs covering subjects including nature, protest and drinking.
With nearly two decades of performing behind him, Beans on Toast has built a loyal following with his warm, humorous and optimistic approach to songwriting. The Cheltenham show is part of a run of dates which also includes Basingstoke, Bath, Brecon, Narberth, Wolverhampton and Preston before the tour heads north and into Scotland. Beans on Toast has been described by Louder Than War as “perhaps the defining voice of a generation”, while singer-songwriter Frank Turner has called him “a proper folk singer”.
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Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
Finance
MONEY TALKS
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THERE'S usually one in every family. The one who seems to have it together. The one who earns well, who owns a home, who always seems to manage. The one everyone else looks at when something needs sorting. Maybe you are that person. It doesn't start with a conversation. Nobody sits you down and says: "You are now the family bank." It just happens gradually. A loan to a sibling when things get difficult. A contribution to a parent's unexpected bill. Picking up more than your share at a family dinner because it's easier than the awkwardness of splitting it fairly. And then one day you realise it has become the pattern. The assumption. The thing everyone expects without ever quite saying it. I speak to a lot of people in this position. And the feeling is almost always the same. Not resentment exactly - they love their family. Not regret either they were glad to help at the time. It's more complicated than that. A feeling of exhaustion. The challenge of being the one who can, which somehow became the one who always does. The sorted one carries something most people around them don't see. Yes, you earn more. And yet that doesn't mean your finances are infinitely elastic. You have your own goals. Your own fears. Your own things you are building towards. And every time money goes out to someone else, it isn't going towards those things. There is also the guilt because you do earn more. You are doing better than they are. Saying no feels mean when they are genuinely struggling, and you are genuinely not. And so you say yes. And then yes again. And then yes becomes the only answer anyone expects from you. It is also worth saying the hushed part out loud. When money moves between family members, it is rarely really a loan. It is a gift with the word loan written on it to make everyone feel better. The sibling who needed help in a difficult year rarely pays it back. Not because they are bad
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“
The challenge of being the one who can, which somehow becomes the one who always does.
”
people. Because life moves on, the crisis passes, and the debt becomes something nobody mentions. This is a particularly uncomfortable corner because there are no clean answers. I am not going to tell you to stop helping your family. That is not realistic, and it is not kind. Love and money are deeply caught up in families, and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone. What I will say is this - the help you give needs to be
deliberate. Decided on. Not just fallen into. There is a difference between choosing to support someone and feeling unable to say no. The first is generous. The second is a trap. One comes from a place of strength. The other comes from obligation. And over time, that distinction matters not just for your bank account, but for the relationship itself. Because money given resentfully, or from guilt, or because you couldn't work out how to say no - that money does something to both people. It changes the dynamic. Builds something unexpressed underneath. The most useful thing I have seen sorted ones do is get clear, privately, on what they are willing to give. Not what they can be asked for. What they are choosing to offer. A figure. A framework. Something that fits into their own financial plan rather than sitting outside it entirely. And then, gently, to hold to it. You are allowed to have your own financial goals even if you earn the most. You are allowed to say no, or not right now, or this is what I can do. Being the sorted one in the family doesn't mean your own plans get sacrificed to keep everyone else comfortable. You will have to set your own personal boundary around this, though. Sometimes the most financially healthy thing you can do is stop performing sorted and start being honest about what you can actually afford to give.
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Finance
The risks of passive investing JM Finn Cheltenham looks at the growing concentration within major market indexes and why investors may need to think beyond passive investing THE rise of passive investing has been one of the great success stories of modern finance. For many investors, buying a fund that tracks a market index has proved to be a simple and low-cost way to invest. Rather than choosing individual companies, these funds aim to follow an index such as the S&P 500 or the FTSE All-Share. They can provide broad exposure, lower charges and less reliance on the decisions of a single fund manager. However, passive investing is not without its risks. One less obvious issue is concentration. Investors may believe they are buying “the market” in a balanced way, when in reality a significant proportion of their money could be exposed to a relatively small number of very large companies. This is because most major indices are weighted according to company size. The larger the company, the greater its influence on the index. That may not appear to be a problem when those companies are performing strongly. Recent returns from a relatively small group of dominant businesses, particularly in the US technology sector,
have helped drive overall market performance. But it also means investors in some passive funds may be less diversified than they realise. The numbers are striking. In the S&P 500, the 10 largest companies account for around 40 per cent of the index's market value. A tracker fund following the S&P 500 is therefore heavily influenced by the performance of just a handful of businesses. A similar, and even more extreme, pattern can be seen in the UK, where the 10 largest companies account for around 42 per cent of the FTSE All-Share's market value. This does not mean those companies are poor investments. Many are highquality businesses with strong market positions. The point is that investors may have more exposure to them than they realise because of the way the index is constructed. For investors and active fund managers, this raises an important question. Should a portfolio closely follow its benchmark, or should it spread risk more evenly across companies and sectors? A genuinely diversified portfolio is increasingly
likely to look different from the index against which it is measured. That can be uncomfortable when a small number of mega-cap shares continue to rise. In the short term, holding less of these market leaders can make an active portfolio appear to lag behind. However, the same approach may reduce risk if market sentiment changes. Share prices can fall quickly when expectations become too high, earnings disappoint, interest rates shift, or investors decide valuations have become stretched. When a significant proportion of an index is concentrated in a few companies, a reversal in those shares can affect the performance of the whole index. History also suggests that market leadership is rarely permanent. Companies that dominate one decade do not necessarily lead the next. Diversification means accepting that not every holding will perform strongly at the same time, but it can help investors avoid becoming overly reliant on a narrow group of winners. In a market where indices are becoming increasingly concentrated, moving away from the benchmark should not
automatically be viewed as a weakness. It may instead reflect a deliberate approach to managing risk. Passive investing can also be less effective in bond markets than in equity markets, primarily because of the way bond indexes are constructed. Unlike equity indexes, which generally weight companies by market capitalisation, traditional
bond indexes weight issuers according to the amount of debt they have outstanding. This means the largest components of an index are often the most heavily indebted issuers, which can increase credit risk. The global bond market is also highly fragmented and relatively illiquid. Replicating a bond index through passive investing can therefore be difficult
and costly, potentially creating opportunities for skilled active managers to add value. For anyone considering getting started with investing, or seeking a second opinion from an experienced wealth manager, the local JM Finn Cheltenham team can be contacted at jmfinncheltenhamoffice@jmfinn. com.
JM Finn bolsters new Cheltenham office CHELTENHAM investment manager Tom Barton is joining the town's newest wealth management office after 11 years with rival firm RBC Brewin Dolphin. Barton, who is originally from Cheltenham, will join the JM Finn team in October after spending the past 11 years at RBC Brewin Dolphin, where he joined as a trainee straight from university in 2015. He will be based at the firm's new Cheltenham office, where he will work with private clients and intermediaries as the team continues to expand its presence in the town. The office was established in January this year following the
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recruitment of four investment managers from EFG Harris Allday in Ombersley. The team now consists of Ian Posgate, Liam Shelton, Amelia Hobbs, Mark Burnett, Richard Cleary and Barton. The office was officially opened at a launch event in May by Edward Gillespie OBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire. Ian Posgate, Investment Director and Head of the Cheltenham office, said the team had received a strong response from clients and the local professional services community since opening. He said: “Since joining JM Finn, the team has received
unprecedented support from our clients, who are appreciating the client-first focus of the firm, in addition to the welcome addition of the wealth planning team, a service which wasn’t available to them at our previous firm. “We are also delighted to have received such a warm welcome from the professional services community in Cheltenham, which has drawn the attention of many of our peers. “I’m delighted to welcome Tom to the team, who will be a valuable addition as we look to enhance our growth ambitions and underscore the focus on client service that has defined the firm for so long.”
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Environment
Can one home really make a difference? The case for taking control of your energy From insulation and solar panels to electric cars, there are some things homeowners can control – and the financial benefits may be just as compelling as the environmental ones. Ian Williams of Forever Green writes OVER the last few columns I've written about hot summers, air conditioning, roofs and export cheques. This time I want to zoom out - because people often ask me, sitting at their kitchen table, whether any of it really makes a difference, or whether one house putting panels up is just spitting into the wind. It's a fair question, and I'll give you my honest answer as someone in the trade rather than a campaigner. Most of what shifts the big numbers isn't in your hands. Decarbonising the grid, offshore wind, what industry and agriculture do - that's national-scale stuff, decided far above any of us. If you're waiting to feel personally responsible for the climate, you'll wait a long time, because most of the levers
are held by governments and energy companies, not homeowners. But a slice of it is in your hands, and it happens to be the slice that also saves you money - which is a rare and happy alignment. Your household has, roughly, three things you actually control. How much energy it wastes - which is insulation, glazing, draughtproofing, the dull stuff that quietly works. How much of its own energy it makes - the roof. And how it gets around - the shift to an electric car charged, ideally, off that same roof. None of these will save the planet on their own. Together, across enough homes, they genuinely move the dial and every one of them lowers a bill you're otherwise paying at 26p a
unit to the gas market. That's the honest pitch, and it's why I've never had much time for guilt as a sales tool. I don't ask people to put solar up to save the world. I ask them to look at the arithmetic, because for most Gloucestershire homes the arithmetic now stands up on its own - and the fact that it also happens to cut carbon is a bonus you get for free, not a favour you're doing anyone. If there's one thing to take from these columns, it's that the energy conversation isn't really about ideology. It's about what your specific house costs to run, and what you can sensibly do about it. That's a practical question, and it has practical answers. If you'd like the practical answer for your house, that's the only kind I deal in.
What’s up with pylons? ELECTRICITY pylons were once widely seen as proud symbols of modern progress, carrying power to homes, factories, and growing cities. Today, they are more often treated as a nuisance because their scale and visual impact are seen to clash with cherished landscapes. In the early era of electrification, pylons represented engineering achievement. They made a national grid possible and electricity a universal public utility, bringing light, heat and electromotive power. Their steel frames stood for the promise of a prosperous future and a life of ease. That meaning has shifted. As infrastructure has spread across the countryside, pylons are now viewed as intrusions. Research on public attitudes shows that overhead lines are detested because they’re seen as industrialising rural places,
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creating visual harm and even posing a health risk. The issue is not solely aesthetic, it’s also emotional and cultural. Pylons are frequently described as a “blight on the landscape”, especially where scenic views matter. Some campaigns frame them as “visual pollution,” inferring that they have a toxic effect on natural surroundings. The greatest change has been cultural; altered perception often reflects changing expectations. The post-war generation accepted large-scale infrastructure as the price of modern life. Today, people are more likely to expect development to be environmentally sensitive. This makes pylons harder to defend, especially where underground cables are possible, even though these are ten times more expensive and leave great tracts of
disturbed land. Pylons have not changed much in form, but their symbolism has. Once celebrated as evidence of progress, they are now commonly seen as ugly reminders of that same progress. There is, however, a delicious irony in how selectively we notice infrastructure. A friend who lives beside a Scottish moor posted on Facebook a photo of a wind turbine, describing it as ugly and out of place. What struck me was not his objection to the turbine, but what he appeared not to see: a line of pylons marching across the same landscape between him and the object
of his complaint. The contrast is revealing. The turbine had become the visible symbol of intrusion, while the pylons - older,
familiar, and no less dominant—have become a familiar element within the landscape. It suggests that our judgments about
infrastructure are shaped not only by what is present in the landscape, but by what we have learned not to notice.
Ian Williams designs domestic solar, battery and backup systems across Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire for Forever Green Energy. Tel: 01242 370308. These notes are general information, not financial advice. 21
Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
TEST YOUR BRAINPOWER Puzzles 6. Graceland, which won the 1987 Grammy for Album of the Year, was by which singer/ songwriter? 7. Who wrote the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo?
3. As of April 2025, tennis player Jannik Sinner was world number one. Who was number two?
8. In which country was actress Ursula Andress born in 1936?
4. Nairobi is the capital city of which African country?
9. Which MP was instrumental in setting up the National Health Service in 1948?
5. According to the proverb, actions speak louder than... what?
10. Which natural sugar, less sweet than glucose, is found in the milk of mammals?
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Here are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
1 2
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8 2 2
11
Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1
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3
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ACROSS 1. Bias in favour of following pride (9) 8. Just a tree outside (4)
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9. One receiving a fourth letter about what to wear (9)
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11. What’s left when one stops smoking (3,3)
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12. Coming from Serbia, dogs might have this (6)
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13. Try some toothpaste maybe in the laboratory (4,4)
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16. Ready to change paper colour (8)
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20. Drop in this month shortly before I left (6)
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21. Girl finds church in real disarray (6)
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23. Venture to go on holiday (4,5)
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24. Break into a run (4) 24
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25. Coach to remain outside, according to the law (9)
DOWN 2. Warmer in the house but cooler in the car (8) 3. Physical exercise in a short coat (6) 4. The girl’s bloomer is a calamity (8) 5. Sign on music staff (4) 6. Somehow get a gold finish on the cake (6) 7. One may pass over this game (6) 10. Quarter teas come from (4) 14. Sent round a small coin as a deposit (8) 15. One putting his faith in a doctrine (8) 16. Father read about the march (6) 17. Realise one can do this at the bank (6) 18. Encourage Elizabeth to some extent (4) 19. Accept as delivered (6) 22. What the cobbler needs to survive? (4)
NONAGRAM
QUICK CROSSWORD 4
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SOLUTIONS
DOWN
1. Close examination (8) 6. Recreational area (4) 8. Also (3) 9. Pass over (8) 10. Drink heavily (4) 12. Freshwater fish (5) 14. Step (5) 17. Burden (4) 18. Of moderate quality (8) 20. Slaughter (8) 24. Drill (4) 25. Later on (5) 26. Exterior (5) 29. Elapse (4) 30. Physical effort (8) 31. Reverence (3) 32. Make beer (4) 33. Firm supporter (8)
2. Average (4) 3. Pivoting bars (6) 4. Shriek (6) 5. Hotpot (4) 6. Edible tuber (6) 7. Mend (6) 11. Punctuation mark (5) 12. Explode (5) 13. Underground railway (5) 14. Wicked act (3) 15. Thespian (5) 16. Make merry (5) 19. Vehicle (3) 21. Matter (6) 22. Playground item (6) 23. Cry of discovery (6) 24. Confer (6) 27. Sediment (4) 28. Impoverished (4)
FIVE ALIVE: (1) Across – Greek; Untie; Egypt. Down – Gauge; Entry; Knelt. (2) Across – Allow; Roses; Scone. Down – Auras; Lasso; Waste.
Clockwise from top left – add; N I O S G M divide; subtract; multiply. Total: 3. EASY SUDOKU NONAGRAM: 1 7 6 8 2 4 armpit; erupt; impart; impure; impute; imputer; pair; pare; 9 5 8 3 6 7 pareu; part; pate; pâte; pâté; pater; patzer; pear; peat; peri; perm; permit; pert; pier; pietà; pirate; pram; prat; prate; pratie; 4 3 2 9 1 5 prau; prim; primate; prime; prize; puma; pure; puri; ramp; 5 1 9 4 7 8 rape; rapt; reap; remap; ripe; rump; tamp; tamper; tape; taper; 8 2 7 5 3 6 tapir; tarp; taupe; temp; tempura; tramp; trap; TRAPEZIUM; 6 4 3 1 9 2 trip; tripe; trump; tump; tumpier; umpire; uprate; uptime. 2 6 5 7 8 9 7 8 1 2 4 3 3 9 4 6 5 1 14 1
R
15 2
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Z
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H
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A
5 1 7 3 9 8 4 6 2
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20 7
V
9 4 6 2 1 7 3 5 8
3 2 8 6 4 5 1 9 7
T
21 8
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HARD SUDOKU 5 6 7 9 8 2 4 9 3 7 1 6 8 1 2 5 3 4 3 2 8 4 6 7 6 5 4 3 9 1 1 7 9 2 5 8 9 4 1 8 2 3 7 8 6 1 4 5 2 3 5 6 7 9
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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
SUDOKU Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
1
6 5
4 5
How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 32 Good; 38 Very Good; 44 Excellent.
3 1 4
3
8
2 2 4
Z
Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
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QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Model-making; 2 Eleven; 3 Alexander Zverev; 4 Kenya; 5 Words; 6 Paul Simon; 7 Alexandre Dumas; 8 Switzerland; 9 Aneurin Bevan; 10 Lactose.
3
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: EQUALISER: Across – 1 Prejudice; 8 Fair; 9 Addressee; 11 Fag end; 12 Rabies; 13 Test tube; 16 Prepared; 20 Instil; 21 Rachel; 23 Take leave; 24 Dash; 25 Statutory. Down – 2 Radiator; 3 Jerkin; 4 Disaster; 5 Clef; 6 Gateau; 7 Bridge; 10 East; 14 Sediment; 15 Believer; 16 Parade; 17 Encash; 18 Abet; 19 Assent; 22 Last.
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QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Analysis; 6 Park; 8 Too; 9 Traverse; 10 Tope; 12 Bream; 14 Stair; 17 Onus; 18 Mediocre; 20 Massacre; 24 Bore; 25 After; 26 Outer; 29 Pass; 30 Exertion; 31 Awe; 32 Brew; 33 Stalwart. Down – 2 Norm; 3 Levers; 4 Scream; 5 Stew; 6 Potato; 7 Repair; 11 Comma; 12 Burst; 13 Metro; 14 Sin; 15 Actor; 16 Revel; 19 Car; 21 Affair; 22 Seesaw; 23 Eureka; 24 Bestow; 27 Lees; 28 Poor.
1
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6 19
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CROSS CODE
EASY
2. The films Ben-Hur and Titanic have each won how many Academy Awards?
GA
EQUALISER
HARD
1. Lightweight and easy to use, balsa wood is associated with which hobby?
FIVE ALIVE
8 2 5 1 8 2
6 7
5 7 2 3 8
© Sirius Media Services Ltd.
Quiz Challenge
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Legal
A guide to estate planning WHEN it comes to structuring an estate for vulnerable beneficiaries, such as children with disabilities or individuals who struggle with managing their finances, careful planning is essential. Clients often face challenging decisions about how to leave assets in a way that protects these beneficiaries while ensuring they receive the intended support. Avoid Outright Gifts Direct cash legacies can pose risks for vulnerable beneficiaries. Receiving a lump sum may expose them to exploitation and could adversely affect their eligibility for means-tested benefits, potentially diminishing their financial support. Instead, utilizing trust structures can provide a safer alternative.
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The Role of Trusts These offer a protective framework for managing assets and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of vulnerable beneficiaries. Three primary types of trusts to consider include: • Discretionary Trusts: These trusts give appointed trustees the authority to manage the trust's assets and determine how and when to distribute funds. This flexibility allows for adjustments based on the beneficiary's evolving needs while ensuring that the assets do not interfere with meanstested benefits. • Disabled Persons’ Trusts: Like Discretionary Trusts, these are specifically designed for beneficiaries classified as disabled. They come with unique tax advantages and certain limitations, particularly regarding how much other beneficiaries can receive from the trust.
• Life Interest Trusts: This structure permits the vulnerable beneficiary to receive income generated by the trust while keeping the capital under the trustees’ control. While it provides a reliable income stream, it may still impact the beneficiary’s eligibility for certain benefits. Seek Tailored Advice Each vulnerable beneficiary's situation is distinct, making it crucial to seek personalized legal and financial guidance when planning your estate. Here are a few practical tips: 1. Consult Professionals: Engage with estate planning attorneys and financial advisors who specialize in trusts and benefits for vulnerable populations. Their expertise can help navigate complex regulations and structures.
2. Understand the Beneficiary’s Needs: Evaluate the specific circumstances and needs of the vulnerable beneficiary. This includes their financial situation, health care requirements, and any potential risks of exploitation. 3. Review Regularly: Estate plans should not be static. Regularly review and update your plan to reflect any changes in the beneficiary's circumstances, your financial situation, or relevant laws. 4. Communicate with Family: Open discussions with family members about your intentions can help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the care of the vulnerable beneficiary.
A SIMPLE REVIEW CAN PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND Understanding how your home is owned - and whether it still suits your needs - can be an important part of planning ahead.
To speak to a local specialist for clear, practical guidance, call 0333 335 5875.
27
Friday 25th September 2026
YearsGoneBy
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R
Memories of Cheltenham’s past
Happy 50th to the one and only Kelly Brookes.
Released 44 years ago in September of 1982... another rare and favourite gem, the debut three-track single "Valley of the Dead" from Cheltenham's punk & postpunk legends Screaming Dead through the legendary NoFuture label. NB Screaming Dead reformed in 2014 performing regularly and releasing a new album 'Ride With The Dead' in 2023. #ScreamingDead #ValleyOfTheDead
The Strand, Cheltenham, 1970s.
Do you recognise any of the people in these pictures? Get in touch and send your old photos via email to be included in our ‘Years Gone By’ feature. Email mark@cheltenhampost.co.uk
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Sport
FA Cup journey is over for Cleeve men following defeat to Tadley BISHOPS Cleeve's FA Cup journey is over for another year after a 1-0 defeat to Tadley Calleva on a windy afternoon at Kayte Lane. The visitors' goal came towards the end of the first half, with Brad Neal heading home following a long throw in the 41st minute. After a quiet opening five minutes, Tadley had the first real chance to test a goalkeeper in the seventh minute, but their free kick was blocked by the Cleeve wall. Three minutes later, the Mitres had a free kick of their own, but Aaron EvansHarriott's cross was headed wide by Matt Liddiard. In the 20th minute, a quick Tadley break put the visitors in a promising position, but good recovery pace from Cleeve left-back Matt Bower was enough to put the attacker off.
By Ben Ware Three minutes later, the home side attacked, with Charlie Holliday finding Jamal Lawrence in the middle. However, the Cleeve number nine could not keep his shot down as it flew over the bar. Shortly afterwards, Jack Carter's cross into the Tadley penalty area was met by Reegan Messenger, who could not direct his header on target. With four minutes to go before half-time, the visitors took the lead after a long throw into the box was not dealt with, allowing Neal to head home. Paul Collicutt's side started the second half much brighter than they had the first, with Lawrence testing the goalkeeper just three minutes after the restart. Not long afterwards,
Liddiard's header looked destined to lead to an equaliser as it found Jake Lee inside the six-yard box. However, his close-range effort came off his own man,
Lawrence, and flew behind for a goal kick. The home fans and players had strong appeals for a penalty on the hour mark as a Tadley defender appeared to
use his hand, but the referee waved them away. The same problem occurred for a second time in the 62nd minute when Messenger inadvertently blocked
Holliday's effort. The former then had a goal disallowed only seconds later for handball. A quiet 15 minutes followed, much of which was spent with a Tadley defender receiving treatment after going down injured. Mitres substitute Ross Langworthy had a chance to level the tie with 10 minutes remaining, but his header went across goal, with nobody there to meet it. Lawrence's headed effort moments later was slightly better, but was still not directed on target. Cleeve's next shot on goal came through another substitute, Shiyak Sutherland, and although his effort was on target, it did not trouble the goalkeeper. With time running out, Sutherland's cross into the area looked perfect, but Adulai Sambu's powerful header was just too high. Eight minutes of injury time still were not enough to produce another goal, and it was Tadley Calleva who progressed to the next round of the FA Cup.
Mid-week win for Bishops Cleeve at Inkberrow Cleeve Ladies progress to next round of FA Cup with win over Bath City BISHOPS Cleeve FC travelled to Inkberrow on Tuesday night, coming away with a second consecutive 4-0 win. The goals came courtesy of Jamal Lawrence, Charlie Holliday and a Reegan Messenger brace, with no response from the Worcestershire-based hosts. It took just five minutes for the opener to arrive, with Lawrence giving Cleeve the lead from outside the penalty area. A bobble on the shot took the effort just out of the goalkeeper’s sight, meaning Cleeve’s number nine could celebrate his second goal of the season.
Minutes later, he was involved again in a slightly different manner, as a collision between him and an opponent left the latter requiring treatment and caused a slight delay to proceedings. Eight minutes after play resumed, the Mitres doubled their advantage through Holliday, whose free-kick went all the way through to make it 2-0 with 22 minutes on the clock. With six minutes to play before half-time, a low cross into the hosts’ box from Holliday eventually fell to Aaron EvansHarriott, whose curled
effort was comfortably held by the goalkeeper. Three minutes later, it was Cleeve’s turn to defend, with Messenger stepping up to clear an effort off the line and keep the score at 2-0. Matt Bower played his part too, helping his side out with a well-timed sliding tackle as the first half entered injury time. After a lengthy period of added time, the referee blew for half-time, with the Mitres leading by two. In eerily similar fashion to the first half, it took Cleeve just a matter of minutes to find the back of the net after the restart, as Messenger beat the
goalkeeper to a high ball into the box and flicked it past him to make it three. Five minutes later, he doubled his tally, making the most of a Charlie Holliday cut-back by calmly directing the ball into the bottom-left corner. In the 63rd minute, things went from bad to worse for Inkberrow as their manager was shown a red card following a heated verbal exchange with the referee. The game then petered out for the remainder of the match, with Cleeve happy to protect their lead and Inkberrow offering little threat.
Penalty shoot-out win as Under 18s progress ANOTHER penalty shootout win has seen Bishops Cleeve Under 18s advance to the Second Round Qualifying stage of the FA Youth Cup.
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A 1-1 draw at Melksham Town meant the Under 18s had to settle the tie on penalties once again, with two saves helping Andy
Tucker’s side to a 4-2 victory. Cleeve will now host Mangotsfield United in the week commencing 28th September in the
Second Round Qualifying, with October’s Third Round Qualifying then standing between them and the First Round Proper.
BISHOPS Cleeve Ladies have equalled their bestever Women’s FA Cup run with a 3-0 win over Bath City on Sunday. Goals from Izzy Owen, Nia Geary-Andrews and Jess Stirling saw the Miss Mitres sweep aside their South West Regional Women’s Football League Division One Central opponents at Kayte Lane. Chris Gough’s side opened the scoring after just eight minutes as a longrange screamer from Izzy Owen gave Cleeve the perfect start. The goalkeeper managed to get a hand to the effort but could only parry the ball further into the top-right corner. Just 10 minutes later, it was two. A pinpoint through ball released Becca Harris down the right, with
her powerful effort forcing a good save. The ball fell loose in the six-yard box, where Nia Geary-Andrews reacted fastest to prod it over the line. Harris was involved again in the third goal, delivering a perfect cross for substitute Jess Stirling to head home in the 70th minute. A subsequent clean sheet for Hannah Hughes ensured Cleeve secured their biggest-ever win in the competition, while their place in the Third Round Qualifying stage on October 4 means they have matched their furthest run in the FA Cup. The Miss Mitres will face South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division side Yate Town, formerly Pucklechurch, away in the next round.
29
Friday 25th September 2026
Cheltenham Post
Sport
From rugby to finance Cheltenham football league round-up with Rob Morrison —
Sky Sports presenter and new Cheltenham Post columnist Teddy Draper spoke to former Gloucester Rugby player Gareth Evans about life after rugby and his new career as a financial advisor for Corinthian Wealth Management I FIRST met Gareth Evans about eight years ago when he was playing for Gloucester Rugby. We got chatting about sport in the sauna at David Lloyd in Brockworth. Gareth helped me locate a pension pot and move it to a more profitable product. In our conversations it’s become apparent that I didn’t know the fundamentals of saving and making money – of growing wealth so I don’t have to work until I’m 80 (I might choose to keep going writing for the Cheltenham Post of course!). I’ve also enjoyed Gareth’s posts on LinkedIn – and let’s face it enjoying LinkedIn is rare – in which he breaks down basic and important financial information. So, I asked him to put together his Top 5 Money Tips for Cheltenham Post readers. 1. Seek advice: “Some people I speak to love managing their own money and finances. They’re willing to do the research, spend the time educating themselves to manage it effectively. Most people are too busy, and they don’t have the time, the energy, or the inclination to get on top of this stuff. That’s why people like me exist.” 2. Set some goals and targets: “Have a sit down with your loved ones or on your own if it’s a personal thing. Think about why you should be saving. What’s the objective? Work backwards, quantify what you are saving towards. Whether it’s a deposit for a house, holidays, retirement, any of these things.” 3. Cash flow: “Sounds very straightforward but most people don’t know their ins and outs on a monthly basis. If you don’t know that it’s impossible to save on a monthly basis because you don’t know how much you can put away. Are you paying out more than you need to be? Are there subscriptions that may be unused, bills you can reduce? And if there is a disposable amount at the end of the month where’s that going? Because money sat in your account without a purpose gets spent!” 4. Pension basics: “Do you know who your current workplace pension is with? A lot of people don’t. You will have been auto enrolled. You will have some documentation.
There’ll be an email sat in your inbox, possibly in your junk. Go and find it. Gain visibility. Find out what you’ve got. Then you’re in a position to do something about it. I’ve spoken to people with nine different pension providers dotted around. And while it might seem like a headache to sort that out now, if you leave it to retirement you then have to speak to all of those different providers to figure out how you’re going to draw income.” 5. Intentional savings: Once you’ve worked out your cash flow and understand your goals and targets, save intentionally. There are levels to savings. A rainy day fund, a pot of money you can get immediately. After that it’s about saving or investing in the appropriate way based on the objective you have. If it’s a holiday by the end of the year I wouldn’t recommend investing in the market because volatility happens. It’s about making sure each part has a goal and where that money is going is in alignment with that goal.” I hope you benefit from these tips. I know I have. Before Gareth had to go, I asked him for his rugby reflections on a challenging season for his old club Gloucester. While some may call it an excuse he says the winter injury crisis was always going to make life hard. “The biggest thing to understand is that it’s such a knife edge. One percent translates to a huge difference on the pitch. Every season involves so much luck. You can’t really do anything about injuries and if you happen to have a season like Gloucester have had, in certain positions as well, you’re going to struggle.” To watch the full chat with Gareth head to the Sport and Life website:
From the Sport and Life Podcast archive. www.sportandlife.co.uk For more detailed info from Gareth, you can contact him on LinkedIn and on the Corinthian Wealth Management website: www.corinthianwealthmanagement.co.uk
30
AFTER the highs of last season, life in the Premier Division has brought Shurdington Rovers back down to earth. Back-to-back defeats have left Rovers still searching for their first points of the campaign. An opening-day loss at Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves was followed by a narrow 3-2 home defeat to Montpellier. Despite the disappointing start, the small margins suggest Rovers are more than capable of competing at this higher level. A free weekend gave Rovers the chance to regroup before another familiar challenge. Mickleton Rangers are the next visitors, renewing a rivalry that defined much of last season. The sides pushed each other all the way in the league title race and also met in two cup finals. With plenty of recent history between them, another fiercely competitive encounter is expected. Montpellier's victory over Rovers left them as one of only three Premier Division teams with a perfect record heading into the weekend. That number was guaranteed to be reduced, however, as Montpellier faced fellow highflyers Whaddon United Reserves in an early-season heavyweight clash. While no trophies are won in September, both sides knew the importance of gaining an early advantage in what could become a fiercely contested promotion race. Montpellier laid down a significant marker, securing a 3-1 victory to maintain their perfect start. Mickleton Rangers also entered the weekend with maximum points and matched Montpellier's achievement. Hosting FC Lakeside, who had collected just one point from their opening two matches, Rangers claimed a 2-0 victory to move onto nine points from three games. Elsewhere, Bishops Cleeve A were eager to get off the mark after finding themselves on the wrong end of one of the season's most remarkable scorelines. The previous Friday night, they suffered an extraordinary 8-7 defeat to Wickhamford in a match that will live long in the memory. Their opponents, Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves, were equally determined to respond after narrowly missing out on a point against Mickleton Rangers. A missed penalty proved costly in that encounter, denying Service what many felt would have been a deserved draw. The points were ultimately shared at Tewkesbury Road. Ryan Williams put Service ahead from the penalty spot before Cleeve levelled after
the break to earn a 1-1 draw. The final fixture in the division saw Southside Star host Bibury. Just two points separated the teams before kick-off, with Bibury looking to build on their victory over FC Lakeside and Star hoping to close the gap. In a closely fought contest, Southside Star edged a 2-1 victory to move themselves into a healthy mid-table position. Three teams began the weekend with maximum points from their opening two matches, with Falcons Reserves leading the way on goal difference. Their impressive 3-2 victory over title favourites Worcester Forge the previous weekend sent an early warning to the rest of the division. After spending much of last season battling at the wrong end of the table, Falcons have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround and already look like a very different side. With Falcons not in action, their rivals had the chance to move into top spot. Second-placed Cheltenham Saracens A welcomed Worcester Forge in a meeting between two of last season's promoted sides. Forge arrived as Division Two champions and, despite their surprise defeat to Falcons, remained among the favourites for promotion. Saracens had the chance to strengthen their own credentials, but Forge responded impressively to last week's setback. A 3-0 victory returned them to winning ways and handed Saracens their first defeat of the campaign. Leckhampton Rovers have also enjoyed an excellent start to the season. A convincing 3-0 win over Hanley Swan highlighted their early promise and set them up for the visit of Charlton Rovers. Charlton's season had already produced contrasting performances. A heavy 7-1 defeat to Bredon Reserves on the opening day was followed by an emphatic 5-0 victory over Welland Reserves. However, it was Leckhampton who dominated this encounter. They ran out
convincing 8-0 winners to move top of the table on goal difference. Cheltenham United were another side looking to build momentum after making headlines the previous weekend. Following an opening-day defeat, they responded in spectacular fashion by crushing Kings 150, with Seth Fullwood helping himself to four goals. A tougher challenge awaited against Bredon Reserves, a side capable of troubling anyone on their day. United rose to the occasion, edging a closely fought contest 3-2 to take all three points. Kings, meanwhile, looked to bounce back from their heavy defeat as they hosted Welland Reserves. Both sides were still searching for their first points of the season, making the fixture important despite its early place in the campaign. A positive result would have provided an immediate boost, but for Kings it was the polar opposite as they were beaten 12-1 to record another heavy defeat. The final game in the division saw AFC Cheltenham host Hanley Swan, with both sides hoping to get their season up and running. Having already suffered defeats to an impressive Leckhampton Rovers side, neither team wanted to fall further behind the pack. Hanley Swan came out on top in an entertaining encounter, claiming a 5-3 victory to secure their first points of the season. Only three league matches took place in Division Two, although two sides were also involved in County Cup action. Following relegation last season, Winchcombe Town Reserves have made an impressive start to life back in Division Two. Two wins from their opening two matches have established them among the early front-runners.
Their latest success came in a 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Saracens B, with Elliot Bostock scoring twice to help secure all three points. The only frustration for Town may have been having a free weekend. After building momentum and confidence, they would have preferred another immediate opportunity to continue their strong start. Saracens were back in action as they looked to recover from defeat against Winchcombe. Their visitors, Prestbury Rovers, were also seeking their first points after narrowly losing their opening fixture. Saracens responded well, recording a 2-0 victory to move onto six points for the season. Two more of the division's early pacesetters met as Whaddon United III hosted Leckhampton Rovers Reserves. Both sides arrived with perfect records, ensuring one of them would lose ground in the promotion race. Whaddon came into the match with strong momentum following an impressive finish to last season and justified their status as favourites with a 2-1 victory. The final league fixture saw Montpellier Reserves take on FC Lakeside II. Both teams were looking to bounce back from opening-day defeats, making the result important despite the season still being in its infancy. Montpellier produced an excellent display, winning 4-0 to kick-start their campaign. Bishops Cleeve B turned their attention away from league struggles on Friday night as they welcomed Stroud United Reserves in the County Cup. Back-to-back league defeats had left Cleeve searching for confidence, and the cup provided the perfect opportunity to reset their season. They seized that opportunity in style. A comfortable 3-0 victory secured their place in the next round and could prove the catalyst for improved league form in the weeks ahead. Tredworth Tigers were also looking for a response after losing their only league match of the season so far. Rank Outsiders stood in their way as Tigers aimed to use home advantage to return to winning ways and continue their cup run. A resounding 8-0 win for the Tigers was just what they were looking for.
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Cheltenham Post
Friday 25th September 2026
Robins earn point at Colchester
Sport BOXING
Continued from back page The result left Colchester manager Danny Cowley frustrated by key decisions during the game, while Cotterill felt his side deserved more. The Cheltenham boss was forced to watch from the stands as he began the first of a three-match suspension following his red card at the end of the 2-2 draw against Grimsby. Cotterill still thought his side did enough to win the game over the course of 90 minutes. He said: “We should have won the game. We did enough to win it. We looked a bit leggy in the first 20 or 25 minutes, whether that was the long journey on Friday, which might still have been in us a little bit, I don't know. “We then grew into it. I thought we were the better team and in the second half, we definitely had good legs, fitness levels and we created enough chances to take them. We just need to poke one of those over the line. “I don't know whether it actually helped them going down to 10 men because then they could just bank in for the last little bit. Considering we played here last year and couldn't win, played them at home and couldn't win, I thought we gave them a really good game today. “Yes, they've worked really hard in pre-season, which is what it was about. Taking them to the fatigue points, but they can do it. I think, funnily enough, had we started the game well today, that would have been the difference. “If you can imagine playing that game for another 20 minutes, I think we get the winner, whether they go down to 10 men or not. “We didn't start, wasting 20 minutes. Our passing wasn't crisp, our angles weren't quite good enough and that can happen in games when you've had a long journey, then you get here and you fill up with your food and your carbs and you get up the next day after a really good night's sleep and we all know when you have a good night's sleep, you can wake up in the morning
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FROM LEFT: Sean Martin, Alfie Durrant and Andy Durrant.
Durrant shows fighting spirit in busy weekend for Kings ABC
and not feel the best. “We looked like we'd had a lot of good nights’ sleeps. They kept going to the end and we'll take a point home I suppose, but when you reflect on the game, we definitely deserved three points today.” Cheltenham continue to give themselves a chance of winning games, but need to turn more of those close draws into victories if they are to make the most of their promising start. Cotterill continued: “I went into the dressing room after the game and said to the lads I was really disappointed for them. We needed to do things a little bit sharper. “At half-time, everything needed to be a bit crisper and smoother. I think you can see bit by bit, we are improving. That's always pleasing. Four points out of six is good. “It's about our expectation and theirs. Today after the game they were a bit flat because we'd worked enough chances and created enough opportunities to score today, more than one.
“To be honest, if we won all the games left 2-1 nobody would be worried about a clean sheet. I am not going to put pressure on the lads to keep a clean sheet. “What we can do back to my first time in charge and we'll keep a load of clean sheets, but we won't play football like that. Sometimes you have to open yourself up and if you want to educate players and make them better footballers and make them into a good team, we are going to try and score goals and I am really enjoying teaching them how to do it. “If we don't keep a clean sheet, we don't keep a clean sheet. But if we score two, we aren't doing too bad. If we'd scored two today, we'd have been fine.” One player who is getting more minutes is Freddy Wilcox, with the young midfielder offering another option to help the Robins move further up the pitch and create attacking opportunities. Cotterill believes there is
still more to come from Wilcox, particularly when it comes to his body shape and passing. He said: “I am not going to get over the top on him. I don't want to do that and all of a sudden, there is a load of expectancy on his shoulders. I don't want that for Fred, but he's doing well. “He's had a really good preseason. A couple of times he just needs to get his body shape right to aid his passing. “He had one pass over the far side, trying to find either Ships or JT and he ended up splitting them with it because it was neither one or the other. “If I do that with him in training and he gets his body shape right, he'll hit that diag out to Ships and nobody will get there. He will hit that. “It's all about a young man getting out on the stage, but if he gets his body shape right and gets his feet good enough, he can definitely execute that ball. “It was the right idea, but the wrong execution.”
KINGS ABC enjoyed a weekend of high-quality action, with Alfie Durrant facing the rare challenge of boxing twice in two days, while fellow club boxer Mason Smith booked his place in the Western Counties final with an impressive victory. Durrant began his weekend on Saturday against a strong opponent from Barton Hill, producing a disciplined performance to come away with a unanimous decision victory. The win sent the Kings ABC youngster through to the Western Counties semifinal on Sunday, but with less than 24 hours to recover, the task was always going to be a demanding one. Durrant made a slow start in Sunday's semi-final and found himself having to chase the contest. After taking instructions from the Kings ABC corner, he raised his work rate considerably and produced a much stronger performance as the bout progressed. However, the slow opening round ultimately proved costly, with Durrant narrowly losing the contest on a split decision. Despite the disappointment, his ability to box twice on consecutive days and respond positively to his corner's instructions will provide plenty of encouragement for the season ahead. There was better news for Kings ABC's Mason Smith,
who also stepped into the ring on Sunday and produced an impressive display. Smith took the fight to his opponent from the opening bell, his aggressive front-foot style proving too much for his opponent to deal with. He maintained the pressure throughout and was rewarded with a unanimous decision victory. The result means Smith has now booked his place in next week's Western Counties final. He will be joined in the final by fellow Kings ABC boxer Niko, who received a bye after his scheduled opponent was unable to make weight. Kings ABC head coach Sean Martin was full of praise for both boxers following the weekend's action. “I’m really proud of both boys,” said Martin. “They produced very strong performances and it sets them up for an exciting season.” With two boxers now preparing for a Western Counties final, there is plenty for the Kings ABC camp to look forward to as the new season gathers pace. The club will also be bringing championship boxing back to its home crowd when Kings ABC stage their next home show at the Leonardo Hotel on Friday, 23rd October. Tickets are available from the gym or through any of the Kings ABC boxers.
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Cheltenham Post Sport
The
Friday 25th September 2026
FREE
INSIDE
Weimann penalty rescues point for Cheltenham ANDREAS Weimann’s penalty rescued a point for Cheltenham Town as the Robins came from behind to draw 1-1 with Colchester in an action-packed encounter. Weimann kept his scoring run going with his third goal in as many games, converting from the spot after Colchester had taken the lead. The hosts were then reduced to
BOXING:
Success for Alfie as he boxes twice in two days
SEE PAGE 31
INSIDE
By George Didcote Chief Football Writer 10 men when Jaden Williams was sent off, but Cheltenham could not find the winner despite Steve Cotterill’s side creating enough chances to claim all three points. Continued on page 31
FOOTBALL: FA Cup heartbreak for Bishops Cleeve
SEE PAGE 29
Kings Amateur Boxing Club Cheltenham’s Number One Club
www.kingsabc.com
All ages, regular timetable, also 1-2-1s
Call 07857 484227
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