JAMES Holder, cofounder of Superdry, has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of raping a woman in Cheltenham.
He appeared via video link for the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday 7th May.
The court had heard that Holder had gone back to the woman’s flat following a night out on 6th May 2022.
He had been sleeping in her bed while she slept in her living room, but he awoke in the night and attempted to get her to join him. When she refused, he then pulled her to the bed and raped her.
In a Victim Personal Statement, which the victim read to the court,
she said: “Four years to the day since you chose to take what was never yours: my choice, my dignity, my body. Four years since you raped me. I will not soften that word to make it easier for you or anyone else to hear; it belongs to the truth of your actions.
“I am still here, still standing, still reclaiming every part of myself you tried to take. The weight of what happened should be yours to carry, not mine.
“What you did to me did not end that day. It has followed me into my relationships, into the way I try to trust, into moments where connection should feel safe but doesn’t.”
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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.
Five men sentenced for their part in supplying multiple kilos of cocaine in the county
FIVE men have been jailed after pleading guilty to supplying hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine in Gloucestershire.
Jordan Ireland, James Blandford, Ashley Booth, Brian Dennis and Scott Capstick were sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court to a total of more than 36 years in prison on Thursday 7th May.
At earlier hearings, four of the men pled guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, while Capstick admitted to being concerned in supply of cocaine. It followed an investigation by Gloucestershire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
It was heard that they had supplied at least 25 kilograms of the drug, with an estimated potential street value of £2 million, dating back to between February 2023 and their arrests in September 2024.
Officers had discovered the conspiracy after phones were downloaded following the arrests of two men, aged 32 and 35, for separate matters in 2023.
Detectives were able to show evidence that 29-year-old Ireland, of Yorkley Road, Cheltenham, had been involved in the supply of cocaine.
Ireland was subsequently arrested for an unrelated matter in April 2024. His phone was examined while intelligence provided to police by the local
community about potential drug dealing taking place further supported his involvement.
After his phone was downloaded, it revealed how he was using SnapChat, WhatsApp and other phone applications to advertise drugs for sale.
There followed a surveillanceled police investigation into his involvement, alongside that of James Blandford, in the supply of multiple kilograms of cocaine in Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties.
Gloucestershire Police's SOCU established where the videos had been filmed, along with people whose hands featured in the videos.
They used surveillance to see which cars were being used to transport large quantities of drugs and cash, and to establish who was travelling to and from addresses of interest.
Numerous arrest warrants and searches were conducted in September 2024 with a large number of digital devices from a number of people seized.
Several videos were found on his and other people's phones, seized as part of the operation and which showed kilogram blocks of cocaine. Other videos showed the cocaine being mixed on a kitchen work surface.
The group made payments in excess of £600,000 for high purity cocaine, with many more instances of payments where the
amounts were not recorded.
Some of the cocaine was adulterated by the group before being repressed at a local garage controlled by Dennis. He had created a metal mould specifically for repressing kilograms of the adulterated drug to give the impression of a superior quality product.
The court heard how Ireland played a leading role while Blandford was a trusted lieutenant in charge of money and drugs, who kept things running smoothly.
Booth was a drugs runner and was used for storage and distribution, with Capstick acting as a drugs runner and also being trusted to deliver large amounts of money to upstream couriers.
Ireland, Blandford and Booth admitted a further charge of conspiracy to supply cannabis, and Ireland and Booth also admitted to a count of conspiracy to supply ketamine.
Ireland was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months in prison; James Blandford, aged 35 and of Barrington Drive, Gloucester, was given 8 years and 3 months; Ashley Booth, aged 29 and of Woodruff Close, Gloucester, was sentenced to 7 years and 1 month; Brian Dennis, aged 55 and of School Mead, Cheltenham, was sentenced to 6 years and 4 months; and Scott Capstick, aged 37 and of Leadon Close, Brockworth, was given 3 years and 4 months.
The investigation conducted by SOCO was supported by excellent analytical work, the digital forensic unit, Scenes of Crime officers and chemical development experts along with lengthy and detailed reports from a drugs expert witness.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Phillips said: "In the police, we recognise that addiction to drugs is a devastating thing to live with.
“Making these interventions helps to reduce the drugs that are available on the market and helps protect those people who suffer from substance abuse.
“This has been a significant piece of work from the entire investigation team and I would like to commend them for their dedication throughout this case.
The result shows that we will continue to do all we can to tackle the issue of drug dealing in our communities.”
If you suspect illegal drug activity is happening or criminals are exploiting someone, report it to the police.
Call 101 or report online at www.gloucestershire.police.uk/. If anyone is in immediate danger call 999.
If you wish to remain completely anonymous you can use Crimestoppers, an independent charity, by reporting online at www.crimestoppersuk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111.
GUILTY: James Blandford, Ashley Booth, Scott Capstick, and Jordan Ireland.
SENTENCED: Brian Dennis of Cheltenham.
Continued from front page
imaginable against her.
“I would like to commend the survivor in this case for her bravery in coming forward to the Police, her commitment to the investigation, and the way that she fearlessly gave evidence in front of a jury.
Andy Reed, 62, was found in Staverton after being reported missing as police continue enquiries
A FAMILY have paid tribute to a "much-loved husband and devoted dad" following the death of a 62year-old man.
Officers discovered the body of Andy Reed in a ditch by the side of Old Gloucester Road in Staverton, near Cheltenham, at around 1.20pm on Sunday 3rd May.
His family have now paid tribute to him, saying: "As a family we have no words to describe the loss of Andy; a much-loved husband and devoted dad. Our hearts have been shattered and our lives have been changed forever.
“Andy wasn’t just a husband, but a best friend. We made many years of happy memories and he made my life complete. I can’t imagine life without him.
“Andy was an amazing, kind and gentle man with all of the time in the world for his family. He would help anyone with anything he could.
“He enjoyed slow days at home, pottering around in the garden and garage, and taking our dog for long walks. These things he enjoyed with his wife, children and grandchildren.
“He provided us with comfort, guidance and was a role model for us all. He celebrated all of our wins and stood beside us through our hardest days without hesitation.
“We are so grateful for the kindness and support from everyone who has brought us comfort during this difficult time.
“His love will stay with us for the rest of our lives and we will miss him every second of every day."
The Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) has taken on the investigation into Andy's death, which is still being treated as unexplained following a postmortem examination which revealed a number of unexplained injuries.
Andy was last seen in the Staverton area at around 10pm on Saturday 25th April and was reported missing on Tuesday 28 April. A missing person appeal was issued by police the following day, and Andy was then located by officers on Sunday 3rd May. Enquiries are ongoing and detectives are continuing to appeal to the public for information which could help them piece together what happened to Andy in the days he was missing. They are still urging anyone who has not already spoken to police, and who may have seen Andy walking or cycling along Old Gloucester Road in Staverton between 10pm on Saturday 25 April and 1.20pm on Sunday 3rd May, to get in
touch.
Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, or who has dashcam or doorbell footage which may have captured Andy during that time period, is asked to get in touch with police. Andy was around 6ft tall and of a slim build, with stubble facial hair and short dark brown hair which was thinning on the top. He was wearing a blue body warmer over a khaki green jumper, brown cords, and was carrying a black rucksack. Information can be submitted online by using the following form and quoting incident 237 of 3 May: www.gloucestershire.police.u k/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-usabout-existing-case-report/
“The pain and distress of reliving the rape throughout the trial was a stark reminder of the anguish I have been through. It forced me to revisit something I have been trying to rebuild from, again and again. But it also showed the strength it has taken to get to where I am today, and the strength it continues to take as I work towards finding peace with what you did to me.”
Recorder David Chidgey sentenced Holder to eight years in prison, of which he must serve at least two-thirds. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge, which has yet to be calculated.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Elle MacLeod who had led the investigation for the Rape & Serious Sexual Offences team (RASSO), said: “Holder took advantage of a woman in her own home, exploiting her vulnerability, and violating her privacy by committing one of the most devastating offences
“The strength and courage she has shown throughout this process is remarkable; she has not only fought to achieve justice for herself, but she has potentially prevented other individuals becoming victims of sexual violence committed by Holder.
“Although no sentence will undo the damage done by Holder on that night, I hope it goes some way to delivering justice for her.
“I also hope it demonstrates that sexual violence will not be tolerated – no one is above the law, and regardless of your status, wealth, or power, you will be held accountable for your actions.
“I urge anyone who has suffered sexual violence to come forward. I do not underestimate how difficult it can be to report rape and sexual assault to the police, but we have a dedicated team
of detectives within Gloucestershire Constabulary who tirelessly investigate these types of offences.
"We work alongside a specialist team of lawyers at the Crown Prosecution Service, and together we are committed to securing justice for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.
Tribute to muchloved husband and father News Holder guilty of rape
“If pursuing an investigation through the criminal justice system is not something you wish to do, please be reassured that support is available regardless. The Survivor Pathway is an online resource about sexual violence support services in the South West.
“Finally, to quote from the Victim Personal Statement of the survivor in this case, for anyone who has experienced such violence: your voice matters. Never let fear silence you.”
To report a rape or other sexual offences call 999 in an emergency, or report by calling 101 or online here: www.gloucestershire.police.u k/ro/report/rsa/alphav1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-oth er-sexual-offences/
High quality care in Cheltenham
At Sandfields care home our highly trained teams are experts in providing high quality care from residential, dementia care and nursing care to short term care. Our homes offer luxurious facilities, including a coffee shop, hair salon and beautiful lounges with a passionate wellbeing team that means your loved one’s day will never be the same.
A lifestyle tailored to you
At our ‘good’ CQC rated home Sandfields we’ll support you to continue living your life the way you choose. We’ll learn all about your interests and preferences so we can create a fully personalised lifestyle plan that you’ll enjoy whether it’s gardening, cheese and wine socials or playing chess.
Luxury living
At Sandfields we have beautiful luxurious facilities, including a coffee shop, hair salon and a beautiful garden.
Our award-winning Head Chef-led kitchen teams are passionate about providing high-quality food and there’s always a choice of nutritious and delicious dishes at every meal.
Hear what relatives have to say
We recognise the importance of friends and family staying involved in their loved one’s care and lifestyle plan and our regular relative meetings are popular.
Trust us to care
Sandfields is part of Care UK, the country’s most awarded large care provider. We’ve been delivering high-quality, person-centred care for over 40 years. That’s why over 16,000 families trust us to care for their older loved ones.
To find out more about all 01242 802570.
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St George’s Road, Cheltenham GL50 3EL careuk.com/sandfields
Police warning after fraudster targets Cotswolds couple
Residents are being urged to stay vigilant after scammers posing as police officers attempted to con a Cotswolds couple out of hundreds of thousands of pounds
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Police are warning residents to be vigilant after a couple in the Cotswolds were targeted by a fraudster who claimed to be a police officer and tried to con them out of several hundred thousand pounds.
The couple, who are aged in their 50s and 60s, were called by a fraudster who claimed he was working for Hammersmith Police and had arrested a man who had the couple's bank cards in his possession.
On this occasion, the victims did not transfer any money as they contacted
police directly to check if the call was legitimate. However, officers believe other people in the county could now be targeted.
It followed a similar pattern to other fraud attempts around the UK, in which fraudsters claim to be police officers and say that either a person has been arrested for fraudulently using bank cards or that fraudulent activity has been detected on victims' accounts.
Fraudsters will often ask the victim to hang up and dial 999 to confirm they are speaking to a legitimate police officer. However, this
is part of the scam, as the phone line is kept open and the victim ends up talking to another fraudster who is also involved in the con.
In this type of scam, victims are asked to withdraw cash, which would then be collected by a fake police courier from the victim's doorstep or another agreed location, or they are asked to send it to an address by post. Others are instructed to transfer funds into a fake police bank account. Fraudsters are often manipulative and victims are frequently told not to tell their friends or family that
they are "helping" with an investigation.
Officers are now urging people to warn elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends about this type of fraud.
genuine bank or police employees.
at least 10 minutes and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.
Advice includes:
l If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer, hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Report Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back.
l If you do not have access to a different phone line, wait
l Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything, or hand over your personal details or passwords.
l Just because someone knows basic details about you, such as your name, address or date of birth, it does not mean they are
l Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Report Fraud or the police.
For further advice on keeping safe from fraud, visit the Constabulary's website: Gloucestershire Constabulary Fraud cases can be reported online to Report Fraud. Anyone who finds themselves in immediate danger should call 999.
In the dock!
The following cases have all been heard recently at Cheltenham
Craig McShane, 47, of Priors Court, Cheltenham, was bailed pending trial at Gloucester Crown Court on charges of breaking into a farmhouse at Poulton, near Cirencester, and stealing approximately £33,500 worth of silver, and burgling the Snowshill Manor National Trust property near Broadway with intent to steal. It is alleged he raided Ranbury Ring Farm in Poulton on 25th June 2025 and Snowshill Manor on 12th January this year. The magistrates granted conditional bail while he awaits his first Crown Court appearance on 29th May. He is subject to a night-time home curfew and must report daily, Mon–Fri, to Hesters Way Police Station. He must also stay away from the two properties he is alleged to have burgled.
Zga Nasic, 44, of Beausoleil in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France, was committed to Gloucester Crown Court for trial on a charge of stalking a Cheltenham woman between 11th December 2025 and 22nd April this year. It is alleged he “pursued a course of conduct, namely contacting by message and email the complainant, even after being arrested, and attending her home address.” He was remanded in custody pending his first Crown Court appearance on 26th May.
Ryan Knight, 34, of Tennyson Road, Cheltenham, admitted three charges of making indecent images of children between December 2018 and July last year. The offences involved 12 Category A images (the most serious category), 22 Category B images, and six Category C images. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also placed under supervision for two years with a requirement to undergo mental health treatment and to attend up to 25 rehabilitation activity days. The court made a fiveyear Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered him to register as a sex offender at Hesters Way Police Station for seven years.
Nathan Owen, 35, of Colesbourne Road,
Cheltenham, admitted that between 26th December and 29th December 2024 he made 121 indecent images of children. Seven images were in the most serious Category A, 12 were Category B, and 102 were Category C. He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work. The magistrates confiscated three mobile phones from him and placed him on the sex offender register for seven years. They also imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
Lukasz Pieniazek, 37, of Gowering Way, Abingdon, admitted dangerous driving and having excess cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his blood on Kimberley Walk, Cheltenham, on 31st October last year. He also admitted having no valid insurance for his Mercedes GLS 350 at that time. He was bailed to await sentence at Gloucester Crown Court on 4th June. The magistrates imposed an interim driving ban pending sentence.
Richard Edwards, 45, of The Mount, Caversham, near Reading, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a blood specimen for analysis during an investigation of a suspected road traffic offence in Cheltenham on 1st May 2026. He was bailed until 16th June for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. The court imposed an interim driving ban pending sentence.
James Williams, 42, of Zinnia Close, Churchdown, who admitted four shoplifting offences and six breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on 3rd June. Williams pleaded guilty to three thefts from the Co-op and one from Sainsbury’s in Gloucester between 26–28 April this year. The total value of goods stolen was almost £500. He also admitted breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order six times in three days by entering stores from which he was banned. The court refused bail because of his previous record, and the fact
that his offending breached an existing community order.
Richard Hill, 56, of Yew Tree Way, Churchdown, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman by beating her in Newent on 27th August 2024. He was unconditionally bailed to await trial on 30th October.
Joshua Townsend, 37, of Harvest Street, Cheltenham, was fined £1,728 and ordered to pay £1,341 in costs and surcharges after he was convicted of harassing a woman by making unwanted contact with her between September 2024 and March last year. He denied the offence but was convicted after trial. The magistrates ordered him to pay the £3,069 total in instalments of £300 a month. He was ordered not to make any contact with the woman for the next five years.
Steven Brockington, 49, of Maes-y-Gwartha, Gilwern, near Abergavenny, was committed to Gloucester Crown Court for sentence after he admitted taking 208 Category C indecent images of a child in Churchdown between November 2022 and July 2023. He also admitted an offence of voyeurism between 10th July 2022 and 11th April 2024. The charge states that, for his sexual gratification, he installed equipment with the intention of enabling himself to observe a person engaged in a private act. A pre-sentence report was ordered pending his Crown Court appearance on 1st June. He was bailed on condition he does not contact the victim or go to an address in Churchdown. The court was told that the victim wishes to read her victim personal statement to the sentencing judge herself.
Andrew Wilson, 49, of Hayden Road, Swindon Village, admitted three offences of speeding on the same stretch of road on 20th March, 1st April, and 4th April last year. Driving a Ford Fiesta van, he exceeded a temporary 40mph limit on each occasion on the A417 at Crickley Hill between the Shurdington Road roundabout and Leckhampton Hill junction. He was fined £1,000, ordered to pay £85 costs and
a £400 surcharge, and had 17 penalty points endorsed on his licence. The court decided not to disqualify him because of mitigating circumstances - namely that he would lose his job and that his daughter and mother would suffer disproportionately as he is their carer.
Ben Humphries, 46, of Rowanfield Road, St Marks, Cheltenham, pleaded not guilty to speeding over the 50mph limit in an Audi on the A40 at Over Farm, nr Gloucester, on 30th June last year. His case was adjourned for trial on 24th August.
Sonny Benfield, 33, of Saracens Court, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, denied a charge of assaulting a woman by beating her in Cheltenham on 6th October last year. He was bailed to await trial on 17th August. He was ordered not to contact the woman or go to an address in the town while on bail.
Thomas Baker, 19, of Welch Road, Cheltenham, admitted having an offensive weapon in public in the town on 30th March last year. The weapon was described as “a charging block tied up in a sock.” He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. The court deprived him of the weapon and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
Scott Mason, 23, of Blake Croft, Springbank, Cheltenham, admitted using a Vauxhall Corsa in his home street without insurance or a valid driving licence on 29th May last year. He was fined £550 with six penalty points. He was also ordered to pay £120 costs and a £220 surcharge.
Alan Bell, 43, of no fixed address, admitted assaulting three police officers in Cheltenham in separate incidents last autumn and early this year. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the date of the final assault and admitted stealing £1,003 worth of food, clothing and homewares from a Sainsbury’s store in Gloucester. The assaults on
Magistrates Court:
two constables and a police community support officer occurred on 20th and 25th September last year and 4th February this year. It was also on 4th February that he was in possession of a brown-handled knife with a four-inch blade in High Street, Cheltenham. The shoplifting at Sainsbury’s in St Ann Way, Gloucester, was on 16th January 2026. Bell was bailed to await sentence on 4th June.
Samuel Johnson, 48, of Tasmania House, Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, admitted two offences of fraudulently using a woman’s bank card to obtain goods for himself on 27th October 2024. He used the card to pay £28.35 at Applegreen petrol station and £73.83 at Kivvi Express. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs.
Leo Swift, 33, of Fishponds Road, Eastville, Bristol, admitted assaulting and intentionally strangling a woman in Cheltenham on 25th September 2025. He was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for one year, and placed under supervision with a nine-month mental health treatment requirement. He was also ordered to undergo up to 25 days of rehabilitation activities and to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
Nicholas Sanders, 36, of The Lawns, Gotherington, was banned from the road for 20 months after he admitted driving with 83mcg of alcohol in his breathmore than twice the limit. The offence happened on Gotherington Lane, Bishop’s Cleeve, on 2nd April this year. He was also fined £576 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £230 surcharge. If he completes an approved driving course in due time, his disqualification will be reduced by 20 weeks.
Shane Walsh, 33, c/o HMP Rochester, was committed for Crown Court trial accused of burgling The Cuckoo’s Nest in Cheltenham with two other men on 18th December 2024 and stealing £8,950 worth of second-hand designer handbags. He will make his first appearance at
Gloucester Crown Court on 27th May.
Ieuan Parry, 20, of Lipson Road, Hesters Way, was sent to a young offenders institution for six weeks for his wilful and persistent failure to comply with the terms of the community order he received in February for possessing an offensive weapon. The offence was committed on 3rd April 2024 when he had an extendable baton in St Paul’s Road.
Leanne McGeary, 38, of Elgar House, Brooklyn Road, Cheltenham, admitted driving a BMW X1 dangerously on the roundabout at the junction of St James Street and Jessop Avenue on 3rd February last year. She was banned from driving for a year and placed on a community order with a requirement to take part in up to 15 rehabilitation activity days. She was also fined £60 and ordered to pay £250 costs and a £114 surcharge.
Sonny Walton, 30, of Oldbury Close, Cheltenham, admitted driving a Skoda Octavia carelessly in Pennsylvania Avenue and Orchard Way on 5th April this year. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £160 surcharge. He had six penalty points endorsed on his licence.
Kosmas Kouzaris, 36, of St George’s Street, Cheltenham, is charged with driving an Audi while disqualified in Kingsway, Gloucester, on 29th October last year. The case was adjourned until 2nd July for him to attend court and enter a plea.
Alice Preston, 36, of Nailbridge, Drybrook, admitted driving a Saab on Manor Road, Cheltenham, on 5th April this year with excess alcohol on her breath. She gave a breath reading of 97mcg - more than two and a half times the legal limit. She was placed on a one-year community order with a requirement to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. She was also banned from driving for two years, reduced by 24 weeks if she completes an approved driving course. The magistrates ordered her to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
Everything Electric to debut at Cheltenham Racecourse
Major electric vehicle and home energy event will arrive in Cheltenham for the first time next June, bringing test drives, expert talks and family attractions to the racecourse
EVERYTHING Electric is expanding its UK footprint with the launch of Everything Electric WEST, which will take place for the first time at Cheltenham Racecourse on June 12 and 13, 2026.
As a brand-new addition to the series, organisers are expecting strong attendance as the event arrives in the South West to meet growing demand for electric vehicles and home energy solutions.
CheltenhamZero, Cheltenham Borough Council’s initiative supporting local businesses, community groups and charities in achieving net zero goals, is partnering with the event to provide local support.
In response to growing interest in salary sacrifice schemes and fleet transition, organisers will host a B2B EV Day on Friday, June 12, alongside the consumer show.
Business visitors will be able to attend expert-led theatre sessions, gain insights into potential financial savings and test drive electric models from a wide range of manufacturers.
Alongside the B2B programme, the event will maintain its family-friendly atmosphere across both days.
Visitors will have access to thousands of multi-brand electric vehicle test drives, giving attendees the opportunity to compare vehicles in a relaxed and
pressure-free environment.
The event will also showcase the latest home energy technology, including solar power, battery storage and heat pumps, with experts on hand to offer advice on cutting energy bills and reducing carbon emissions.
A live theatre programme featuring more than 30 sessions will include discussions on electric vehicles, clean energy, sustainable living and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Beyond cars, visitors will be able to try electric bikes, scooters and skateboards, alongside a range of attractions aimed at all ages.
Well-known presenters and personalities appearing live on stage include Robert Llewellyn, known for Red Dwarf and Scrapheap Challenge, BBC science presenter Helen Czerski,
for under-15s. Tickets and further information are available by visiting www.uk.everythingelectric.show/?utm_ source=chatgpt.com Companies interested in exhibiting at the event can make enquiries by emailing Exhibit@EverythingElectric.Show
Max Wilkinson MP
THERE is good news to report this week: the local NHS has committed to restoring the labour and birth services at Cheltenham General Hospital. After years of campaigning following the “temporary” closure of the Aveta Birth Centre in 2022, it is a huge relief to be able to commit those words to print.
Following months of discussions, the hospital trust contacted my office last week to confirm that the full reopening will happen sometime later this year. That announcement means Cheltenham children will once again be able to list their town’s name on their birth certificate. Moreover, this is a huge boost for women’s healthcare. For women in Cheltenham, the ability to choose to give birth in their hometown is something they should be able to take for granted. However, we have been fighting for four years to ensure that right is not lost forever. In fact, I have been calling for this outcome since before I was elected.
After listening to local people, I made this issue one of my key campaigns on behalf of our town. Soon after arriving in Parliament, I led a debate on the future of maternity services in Gloucestershire, helping to build cross-party consensus in favour of reinstating our town’s maternity services. I called on ministers to commit to restoring the service, and I even raised the issue directly with the Prime Minister at PMQs.
Most recently, I called a meeting at the birth centre itself, which remains open for routine midwife appointments, to find out the latest developments. That was back in March, when I was reassured that the local NHS wanted to reopen the service, although senior midwives and managers could not provide a timetable. Despite repeated positive statements like these, we have all watched and waited hopefully during a long period of uncertainty. While there was never any statement suggesting the service would close permanently, I was among the many people who remained on high alert. Of course, the original temporary closure in 2022 was due to a national shortage of midwives, rather than solely local factors. Now that the decision has been made, it is important to recognise that our local NHS has worked hard to restore safe staffing levels within the midwifery department. There is also good news for families who wish to choose a home birth. At a time when NHS services remain under significant pressure, I am pleased that we are seeing this positive step forward locally. I will continue to press for improved local health services, including ensuring that GP provision expands to accommodate the growth of our town. For now, though, let us take a moment to celebrate a major campaign victory for Cheltenham. Thank you to everyone who has played a part in achieving this outcome.
and Dave Borlace from Just Have a Think. Day and weekend tickets are now on sale from £10, with free entry
Labour Party
THERE’S no doubt that the subject of pensions generates significant political controversy.
The move by the new Labour government last year to restrict state pensioners’ entitlement to the Winter Fuel Allowance is often cited as one of the reasons for the drop in trust in Keir Starmer. And it inspired a broad and partially successful campaign to have it reinstated.
Many challenge the affordability of the triple lock (the formula used to calculate annual increases in the state pension), but the Labour government has guaranteed that the triple lock will remain, at least until after the next general election. Meanwhile the work by WASPI campaigners for compensation for bad communication (by the Tory government) about the rise in the state pension age for women, continues. Actually, Labour has a good track record when it comes to pensions. Some 20 years ago, under the last Labour government, the first Pensions Commission created the new State Pension (which eventually came in 2016) and Automatic Enrolment into pensions savings. In 2025 the Labour Government established a new Pensions Commission, to sort out a number of long-term problems such as the fact that 15 million working-age people are not on track to have an adequate retirement income. One of the issues I hope the Commission will address is the disparity between the old ‘basic’ state pension (£184.90 per week, paid to those who retired before 2016) and the ‘new’ state pension (£241.30 per week paid to those who have retired since April 2016).
WELL dear reader, I made a prediction in my last article that Reform would win a seat in Cheltenham on 7th May, and we did!
Considering Cheltenham is such a Liberal Democrat stronghold, where at times it can feel like they could stand a
Mike Farmer
The triple lock does nothing to address this unfairness –in fact it makes the disparity even wider year by year!
But the big question now is whether the Commission will recommend a further rise in the state pension age. I don’t think they should. They will, of course, take into account changes in life expectancy, which until recently was rising, but has now stalled.
And even worse, healthy life expectancy is actually going down, and is 20 years less than full life expectancy. It’s already the case that a whole range of workers in particular jobs are unable for health reasons to work right up to retirement, pushing them to rely on benefits until they retire. The Institute of Fiscal Studies reported that the relative income poverty rate among 65-year-olds more than doubled from 10% to 24% when the state pension age was raised from 65 to 66. So raising the state pension age again, expecting people to work for even longer, is likely to worsen the life prospects of millions of people still in work.
Containing the Welfare Budget is a major priority for this and any government. Making the right decision about pensions is going to be challenging and must sit alongside continued efforts to support wider and longterm improvements in the general health of the Uk population, to which Labour is committed.
Cheltenham families face £1,946 mortgage hit, says Lib Dem analysis
ANALYSIS by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the huge sums Trump’s inflationary war in Iran could slash from family budgets, pushing bills up by an eye-watering £1,946 in Cheltenham.
Local Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson is warning of new mortgage misery as stark new data analysed by the party shows Trump’s inflationary war could hit mortgage bills by thousands of pounds a year, with the massive price increases homeowners across the country could expect to shoulder brought into stark
Reform UK
Matt Podmore, Reform UK Cheltenham Chair
bag of spuds and still win, it is a hell of an achievement. We fought a smart campaign and stayed focused on the wards where we felt support for Reform was strongest, with Hesters Way being one of those areas. That was the ward where Callum Eldridge won for Reform.
I do not think it is an accident that the part of Cheltenham most impacted by decades of poor leadership, both nationally
and locally, voted Reform. Unlike some of the more leafy and prosperous areas of Cheltenham, many people in Hesters Way are seriously affected by the cost of living crisis. While politicians debate climate policy and solar panels, many local people are more concerned about putting the heating on and buying food for their children.
In Swindon Village, where I stood personally, I was struck
focus.
People taking out a mortgage in Cheltenham could face a massive £1,946 increase to their mortgage payments, compared to what they’d be paying if they’d taken out their mortgage before Trump’s Iran war, as the effect of “Trumpflation” pushes up borrowing rates.
According to MoneyFacts, the average interest rate for a two-year deal has jumped from 4.84% at the end of February to 5.87% now.
Max is also warning that people renting their homes could see significant increases to their bills as
by the anger on the doorstep and the strong support for Reform. Unfortunately, there was not quite enough support on polling day and I came second by just 120 votes.
Overall, my sense in Swindon Village and across other areas of Cheltenham is that this is just the beginning for Reform locally. With elections expected again next year, assuming they go ahead as planned, I believe Reform could perform even better. The complacent Liberal Democrats are now on notice. They can no longer take voters for granted.
landlords are set to pass on rising mortgage costs to renters. Industry expert Aneisha Beveridge told the Times recently that landlords might try to raise rents due to soaring mortgage costs –comparing the current squeeze to the interest rate spike caused by the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Wilkinson is calling on the Government to take urgent measures to protect families – starting by introducing the party’s proposals for an emergency fuel package to cut fuel costs by £6.60 a tank.
Commenting, Max
So what will our Reform councillor do for the residents of Hesters Way? Callum will represent everyone in the ward, not just those who voted for him. However, expectations should be realistic. He is one councillor on a Liberal Democrat-led council and it will not always be easy to influence decisions from opposition.
Political debate during the campaign was often heated, with accusations and strong language used across the political spectrum. Despite those disagreements, I hope all parties can now work
Wilkinson, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham, said:
“Hardworking households are being punished by a Trumpflation crisis that’s sending costs soaring.
“In a cost of living crisis, to see such huge increases to mortgage payments while young people and families are trying to get on the housing ladder is a scandal.
“The Government must crack on with a proper proposal to get costs down –starting with the Lib Dem transport costs package, which would axe train, bus and EV prices to keep the country moving.”
constructively in the interests of local residents. Callum is a strong young man with firm convictions, and I have no doubt he will fight hard for the people of Hesters Way and Cheltenham as a whole.
I will finish by saying a huge thank you to everyone who joined Reform, gave up their time and worked so hard to make political history in Cheltenham on 7th May. It is one step at a time in breaking the Liberal Democrat hold on Cheltenham, but we now know it is possible. Join us and help get your voices heard.
WARNING: Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson warns of rising mortgage costs.
Cheltenham BID launches new town centre cleansing initiative
Cheltenham BID has introduced a new cleansing incentive to help businesses tackle graffiti and environmental contamination, supporting a cleaner, safer and more welcoming town centre
CHELTENHAM BID has launched a new cleansing initiative designed to support businesses in tackling some of the most challenging environmental issues affecting the town centre, helping to keep streets clean, safe and welcoming for all.
The initiative follows a successful three-month graffiti trial delivered last year, funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The pilot improved the speed and consistency of graffiti removal across key town centre locations and delivered clear benefits for local businesses and the public realm.
Building on this success, the new initiative has been developed in partnership with EcoClean Environmental Ltd, providing BID levy-paying businesses with fast access to specialist cleansing services. It has been introduced to address persistent issues such as graffiti and environmental contamination, including urine, faeces and vomit incidents, which can significantly affect the appearance and perception of busy town centre areas.
The scheme was developed in direct response to feedback from local businesses, highlighting graffiti and environmental contamination as ongoing concerns affecting customer experience, trading conditions and perceptions of safety and cleanliness.
Cheltenham BID works closely with Cheltenham Borough Council to ensure the initiative complements existing statutory cleansing services rather than duplicating them. The focus is on providing additional support where enhanced responsiveness is needed, particularly in relation to incidents affecting the trading environment.
Cllr Izaac Tailford, cabinet member for Economic Development, Culture, Wellbeing and Public Realm at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “We really welcome this cleaning initiative from Cheltenham BID to help keep our town centre as clean and tidy as possible. “We know how important
visitor experience and public realm are to a thriving town centre.”
Through the initiative, businesses within the BID area can request targeted professional cleansing support for graffiti and environmental contamination incidents, including graffiti removal, sanitisation of affected areas and deep cleaning following incidents. The aim is to ensure issues are dealt with promptly and professionally, reducing their visibility and limiting longer-term impact.
Hannah Grant, of Molton Brown Cheltenham, said: “It’s reassuring to have a service that responds quickly when issues arise right outside our store. It makes a real difference to how the area feels for customers.”
Sam Stephens, of Roxy Lanes, said: “We’re proud to pilot this initiative with the BID. Maintaining a clean, welcoming environment is a top
priority for us, and this initiative helps ensure the local area stays presentable for everyone who visits.”
Requests are submitted through a simple online form on the Cheltenham BID website and are reviewed by the BID team in collaboration with EcoClean Environmental Ltd. This coordinated approach ensures an appropriate and timely response, with prioritisation based on severity, location and overall impact.
Cheltenham BID continues to invest in initiatives that improve the town centre environment for businesses, residents and visitors. Maintaining high standards of cleanliness remains a core priority, particularly in busy pedestrian areas where incidents can quickly affect perceptions of the town.
Fran Inman, CEO of Cheltenham BID, said: “The initiative strengthens the organisation’s ability to respond
Conservative Party
Rob Garnham - Cheltenham Chairman
PHEW! The elections are over. Is the Conservative message getting across? I’d say yes, with a much more positive response on the doorstep compared to recent times. And our plea to do something about Cav House clearly struck home with the Lib Dem Council. The new paintings on the boards have made such a difference. And as I have been urging in this column, having an increased turnout was most welcome.
quickly and effectively to issues on the ground, helping to maintain a welcoming and wellmanaged town centre.”
A Conservative Councillor or two would have been great, but coming second in our top four target seats bodes well for the future. I am extremely proud of the team that worked tirelessly to knock doors, deliver leaflets and speak to people. Our candidates and volunteers were outstanding in their efforts, devoting hours and hours of their own time to campaign. We saw significant increased support for Kemi. Her plans to remove stamp duty, abolish business rates, withdraw from the ECHR, securing our borders and deport illegal arrivals, and tackle the ever-increasing welfare bill, are all policies that got support.
If anyone has any doubts about Kemi, just look at her masterful performance last week when she tore the Government to shreds during the Kings Speech debate. As one national paper put it, “Badenoch has just shown what a real leader looks like.”
Analysis of the election results shows that
nationally the direction is now towards the Conservatives and away from Reform. The gap between Tory and Reform vote share was cut by more than half from 17 points last year to just 7 points this year. Reform’s own vote share also dropped when compared with 2025.
As I write, we are in the midst of Keir Starmer’s battle for survival. I’m not going to try and predict if Wes Streeting launches a rushed campaign to try and secure a place before Andy Burnham wins a byelection. Will Ms Rayner throw her hat into the ring? It’s all very messy and I don’t know why Keir didn’t bring a quick solution by resigning. After all, his party had said for many months they wanted to see the outcome of the elections before deciding his future. Surely Labour’s huge losses on May 7th showed the clear path to take. Finally, a huge thank you to the people of Cheltenham who stuck by us and voted Conservative. I hope you can see that there truly is a blue way forward!
Council Corner
LOCAL elections rarely gain the level of media attention that our most recent ballot has done. As the votes were counted, we saw historic results in Wales and Scotland, the challenge of Reform UK became more apparent than ever and, as I am writing this, the complete evaporation of the Labour vote has led to questions about the Prime Minister’s future in the job.
We know that Labour and the Conservatives have let the country down and the fact that people are looking for change has been highlighted at the ballot box and in these results.
The political headlines are naturally dominated by the controversial and divisive words the leaders of Reform or the Greens come out with, but meanwhile, we Liberal Democrats have just celebrated an eighth successive year of gains in local elections by campaigning on a positive message of real change.
That message came through strongly here in Cheltenham, where Liberal Democrat candidates won 17 of the 20 seats up for grabs. Our town has rejected negative politics and I am proud to represent a party that is serious about making things better for our residents, whoever they might be and wherever they might come from.
The fact that so many local champions have been reelected in Cheltenham really is fantastic news and I am equally thrilled to welcome our newly elected councillors too – I urge them to act with honesty and integrity and I know they will make a huge difference to their local communities.
During the campaign we promised to continue to deliver on more affordable low-carbon housing, to boost local economic investment, protect Cheltenham’s awardwinning green spaces and to make sure that high-quality public services are available
Rowena Hay Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council
to those who need them.
We campaigned for our residents and for a brighter future for Cheltenham – not least in our championing of the ambitious Golden Valley Development - which aims to provide 12,000 jobs as well as cement our town’s place as one of the UKs ‘Cyber Capitals’.
Despite our success in this election, it is a bittersweet moment, as it’s likely to be the very last election held for our Cheltenham Borough Council.
The well-publicised decision of the current government to sweep away borough and district councils across the country was not in their manifesto and it is not something that we have asked for. The final decision has not yet been made but, unless we see another u-turn, our council will be replaced with one or two big unitary authorities which will cover a much larger area than our current council.
Until that time we as the Liberal Democrat Administration will continue to deliver on our vision and I would like to thank all the candidates in this and previous elections as well as our fantastic election staff and volunteers who have made a seemingly impossible job a great success and, most importantly, our voters who have shown that democracy is alive and well in Cheltenham.
Glorious VE Day celebration party inspires ‘happy’ tears at Bishop’s Cleeve care home
MEMORIES of one of the most consequential moments in British history had residents at a local care home moved to tears during a spectacular VE Day celebration.
The team at Bishop’s Cleeve Care Home on Ruby Avenue welcomed members of the British Legion, local councillor Richard Stanley and neighbours in the local community to join them for a 1940s extravaganza.
Residents and visitors were delighted as they enjoyed a stellar afternoon of entertainment, soundtracked by singer Vintage Billy Williams and her repertoire of 40s hits.
The combination of music, memories and community spirit had a profound impact on some of the guests, including resident Catherine Pollock, who was taken back to 8th May 1945.
Catherine, 81, said: “I was only a little girl at the time, listening to the music today brought tears to my eyes in the happiest way. It reminded me of family, friendship and how precious those memories are.”
Fellow resident Marion Draycott, 95, added: “The music brought back so many happy memories for me. I loved seeing everybody singing and dancing together.”
Laughter and singing filled the Advinia Healthcare home during the event, where the hospitality and kitchen team laid on a VE Day-themed buffet.
As friends and neighbours mingled with the residents and staff at Bishop’s Cleeve Care Home, Deputy Manager Ema Lemos said the atmosphere was terrific.
Ema said: “VE Day is such an important moment of reflection and remembrance for so many of our residents. Seeing our
residents, relatives, community visitors and team members come together with smiles, music and dancing was
incredibly special and exactly what care home life should be about.
“One family member told us
that the team made everyone feel so welcome and that it was a lovely way to remember such an important day. It made me very proud of my colleagues, and I want to thank everyone for making this such a wonderful and memorable occasion.”
Cheltenham Town Community Trust to run May Half-Term football courses for children
WHILE the curtain may have come down on the season for Cheltenham Town Football Club, the action is far from over at Cheltenham Town Community Trust, the club’s official charity, as it prepares to deliver another exciting programme of football holiday courses this May Half-Term. The popular football holiday courses will provide children with the opportunity to learn new skills, take part in fun games
and challenges, and enjoy a safe and supportive environment led by FAqualified coaches.
Open to children aged 5 to 13, the sessions are designed for players of all abilities, whether they are playing football for the first time or already part of a grassroots team. Alongside football development, the courses focus on building confidence, teamwork, and keeping children active throughout the holidays.
Oliver Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive at Cheltenham Town Community Trust, said:
“While the football season may be over for the Robins, our coaches certainly are not stopping. Half-Term is always a fantastic opportunity for young people to stay active, socialise and continue enjoying football in a fun environment.
“With football very much in the limelight at the moment,
we know many children will be feeling inspired to get involved, and we are looking forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces onto our courses.”
The holiday courses are delivered by experienced FA-qualified coaches and place a strong emphasis on inclusion, enjoyment, and participation.
For more information or to book a place, visit www.ctfccp.com/holidaycourses/
Holst Victorian House extends opening hours and launches new family trail
County Council urges care homes to join Veteran Friendly Framework
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
County Council is calling on care providers to join the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF), a free programme designed to improve care for veterans and their families living in residential settings.
Nationally, around one in 12 care home residents has a military background, and this figure does not include spouses and children who have shared in life experiences unique to the armed forces. Many people may not identify as veterans, meaning these experiences can go unrecognised.
The framework helps care providers identify these residents and tailor support to reflect their life experiences, including the physical, mental and emotional impacts of service life. Without this recognition, some veterans can experience a loss of identity, which can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation when moving into care.
By signing up, care homes can create more inclusive and supportive environments through simple but meaningful actions such as recognising military service, celebrating significant dates and building life stories into care planning.
Two care homes in Gloucestershire have already achieved Veteran Friendly status, and the council is
encouraging more providers to get involved.
Councillor Dr Kate Usmar, Cabinet Member for Adults Support and Independence at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Many people living in care homes have served their country or spent their lives supporting and travelling with service men and women. By understanding their experiences we can improve the care and support we offer, and the whole community can benefit. We want Gloucestershire to be a place where our Armed Forces community is supported at every stage of life.
“The Veteran Friendly Framework helps care homes provide more personalised support, so individuals feel respected, valued and connected. It is a practical step providers can take to improve
day-to-day lives, supporting wellbeing, strengthening a sense of belonging and making sure their service is never forgotten.”
The Veteran Friendly Framework is delivered nationally by the Royal British Legion, Royal Star & Garter and the NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, and supports care providers to embed veteran awareness into everyday practice.
The initiative also supports the council’s wider commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring that veterans and their families are treated with fairness, dignity and respect when accessing services.
Care providers can find out more and sign up to the framework at: www.veteranfriendlyframewor k.org.uk/
HOLST Victorian House is offering more reasons to visit this summer with extended Sunday and Bank Holiday opening hours, a folklore-themed family trail, and a new exhibition exploring the story of Gustav Holst’s film star brother.
From this Sunday (24th May), the museum will open on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, giving visitors more opportunities to explore the birthplace of the composer of The Planets. The new opening hours will be 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 12pm to 4pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays.
Also launching this month is the Maypole Mystery Trail, a new family activity running until 27th June. Inspired by Gustav Holst’s love of English folklore, the trail invites visitors to explore the house in search of six coloured ribbons hidden in different rooms. Each ribbon represents a traditional meaning, and those who complete the trail can claim a craft kit to create their own mini maypole at
home.
Laura Kinnear, Curator at Holst Victorian House, said: “Opening on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays will give more people the opportunity to visit, particularly families. We know that children love exploring the house, and the Maypole Mystery Trail gives them a fun way to engage with its stories.”
The trail is free with admission, and museum entry is free for under-16s.
From 23rd May, visitors can also discover a new display, From Pittville to Hollywood: Gustav’s Film Star Brother, marking the 150th anniversary of Ernest
and went on to become a successful Broadway and film actor. Tickets for Holst Victorian House are available to purchase on arrival or in advance. Prices are £10 per adult and £5 for young adults aged 16 to 25, while under16s go free. Tickets also include free return visits for 12 months.
To find out more and book, visit www.holstvictorianhouse org.uk
Children go free at Cotswold Farm Park after Tripadvisor award win
ADAM Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park is celebrating winning the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2026 by inviting children to visit free for the rest of May 2026.
When visiting with a paying adult or senior, children, toddlers and babies can enjoy complimentary entry to the farm park, where visitors can get up close to a range of rare and native breed animals, including Gillie the Jersey cow, Marge the Middle White pig, and Attenborough the Highland bull calf, named in honour of David Attenborough to celebrate his recent100th birthday on 8 May 2026.
Visitors can also meet the farm’s newest arrivals and take part in popular lamb and goat kid bottle-feeding sessions, held daily at 11.30am and 3.30pm until 31st August. Families can also watch chicks hatching and meet guinea pigs and rabbits.
From 23rd to 31st May, during the school half-term holiday, the farm park will host Bee Wild Week, featuring a
programme of family activities.
Visitors can watch daily sheep shearing demonstrations in The Animal Barn between 10am and 3pm and learn more about the shearing process and the qualities of sheep’s wool. There will also be daily talks from the farm’s beekeeper-in-training, along with the chance to look inside an observation hive and learn more about the farm’s resident bees.
Children will be able to create nature-themed sand art for an additional charge or take a tractor trailer ride around the
farm for £1 per person.
The farm park also features indoor and outdoor play areas, including soft play, sand pits, bouncy pillows, swings, ride-on tractors and quarry play, alongside a sensory garden for quieter play.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic or enjoy dishes from the spring menu at The Ox Shed restaurant, which serves family favourites using locally sourced ingredients.
To find out more or book tickets, visit www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk
Cossart’s birth.
Born Emil von Holst at 4 Pittville Terrace, now Holst Victorian House, Ernest left Cheltenham for America in the early 20th century
The kit to stop a catastrophic bleed
A COUPLE of weeks ago
my Deputy, Nick Evans, joined Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, police personnel and members of the community to install ‘bleed kits’ in public places. These kits are a simple but powerful way to help save lives in the critical minutes after a serious injury, whether that’s from a stabbing or a major road traffic collision.
They are small red boxes, about 30cm tall by 15cm wide and are fixed onto the walls of buildings that see a lot of footfall outside. Inside they contain medical equipment to help stem serious bleeding.
My Deputy Nick was there to see two installed, one at the top of Barton Street in Gloucester, outside the All Care Pharmacy, and one at the bottom of the street, on the wall outside the small Morrisons store.
Catastrophic bleeding is one of the biggest immediate risks following serious trauma. A person can lose a life threatening amount of
By Chris Nelson Police & Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire
blood in just a few minutes, long before an ambulance is able to arrive. In those moments, bystanders often want to help but don’t know how. Bleed kits change that. They contain straightforward, easy to use equipment such as tourniquets and wound dressings, along with clear instructions that allow anyone to act.
While bleed kits are sometimes associated solely with knife crime, they are just as vital in everyday emergencies. Accidents on the road, workplace accidents and serious falls can all result in severe bleeding. Placing bleed kits in busy public areas, often alongside defibrillators, makes sense and reflects how emergencies really happen.
If someone has suffered a catastrophic bleed, the first step is to immediately call 999 and ask for the ambulance service. The call
handler will stay on the line and talk you through exactly what to do.
Installing bleed kits helps, but people also need to be aware of them and that is why I am spreading the word in this column. The more we talk about bleed kits and normalise their presence, the more aware people become of their locations, and the more prepared our communities become.
People can find the locations of publicly accessible bleed kits online. There is a national map available at a website called Heart Safe which shows where kits have been installed and helps people familiarise themselves.
This is about prevention, preparation and giving people the chance to act when it matters most. Bleed kits are a small, practical investment and in the right moment, they can mean life over death.
Free monthly chair-based exercise classes to tackle social isolation
A GLOUCESTERSHIRE-
BASED homecare company is inviting local people to take part in its free monthly exercise class, which also aims to tackle social isolation.
Caremark Cheltenham & Gloucester runs a seated strength and balance class each month at St Philip and St James Church in Leckhampton, Cheltenham.
The sessions are open to everyone and are designed to offer gentle, supported movement alongside a welcoming social space, with coffee, cake and conversation following each class.
Caremark, which has its office at Meteor Business Park and provides care in homes across Cheltenham and Gloucester, set up the class as a way of encouraging people to take part in gentle exercise within a social setting.
The sessions may be particularly beneficial for those with mobility challenges who might otherwise struggle to exercise independently. The social aspect also supports people who live alone or may have limited family and friendship networks.
The sessions are delivered by Joanne Folkes, Registered Care Manager at Caremark Cheltenham & Gloucester, who is also a qualified physiotherapist.
She said: “Chair-based
exercise is a fantastic way to support mobility, circulation and confidence, especially for people who find other types of exercise difficult.
“Regular exercise like this can also support those recovering from injury and has been shown to help prevent falls, ease joint pain, slow arthritis progression and improve cardiovascular health.
“We keep it gentle and enjoyable, and the social side afterwards is just as important, because we know there are many people in our communities who live alone and would benefit from this regular interaction.”
The class runs from 11am to 1pm, with the exercise session starting shortly after 11am and lasting around 25 minutes, followed by a relaxed coffee morning.
The church is located at 60 Grafton Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2DD, and there is no need to book in advance.
Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Thursday 19th June, Thursday 17th July, Thursday 18th September, Thursday 16th October, Thursday 20th November and Thursday 11th December.
Florida dream homes in spotlight at Cheltenham Property Show
FOR anyone who has ever dreamed of buying a holiday home in Florida, then this may actually be the perfect time to do so. Whether it’s a holiday home for you and your family, an investment opportunity or you’ve dreamed of moving to the US then maybe you should head over to The US Property Show in June which will be held in The Hall of Fame at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Despite all of the political uncertainty, prices are actually stable, GBP has increased in strength against the USD and there are some great bargains to be found in Florida, especially around Orlando, Naples Nest and The Keys. Many British buyers are still heading out on viewing trips and with the recent Escape to Florida Property Show on UK TV, this will surely start to drive demand and prices as this and other shows highlight some of the bargains to be found in Florida.
The US Property Show is unlike other UK Property Shows in that instead of blending multiple countries into a single show and having a limited selection of experts, this is a dedicated event with some of the best realtors (Estate Agents) and other professionals coming to Cheltenham to showcase who they are and what they can offer. There will be hundreds of properties
showcased at the event and an opportunity to speak with the listing agents who can spend time with visitors going over property details, local area expertise, employment opportunities, education and so on. Believe it or not, Sunday is actually the best day to attend events as there are fewer visitors so you have more quality time to spend with the exhibitors to discuss your wish list and ask the questions you are unsure about.
In addition there will be a mortgage specialist, a business set up advisor for anyone looking to move full time, visa/immigration experts, removals, property managers, architects, an interior designer and even currency brokers to
help you get the best possible exchange rate on your dream property. Another benefit of a dedicated show is that there will be some free seminars which are both short in time and factual with the latest information.
Tickets are completely free via the website www.thefrenchpropertyshow.com and are actual weekend passes so if you visit on the Saturday and think of some unanswered questions, come back again on the Sunday. There’s also some great giveaways on offer including a tote bag to carry your brochures and a notebook and pen to jot down any questions you have and also a special prize of a £500 travel voucher for one lucky winner.
Step into the jury box for immersive murder trial
True-crime theatre hit Murder Trial
Tonight 4: Death of a Landlord comes to Cheltenham Town Hall on June 25th, placing the audience at the centre of a gripping courtroom case where they must decide the verdict
FANS of gripping courtroom drama and true crime are being invited to take their seats as jurors when the latest production of Murder Trial Tonight 4: Death of a Landlord comes to Cheltenham Town Hall on June 25th.
Created by Tigerslane Studios, the immersive theatre experience returns for its fourth season following three successful national tours which have seen more than 125,000 audience members take part as jurors.
The new production, titled Death of a Landlord, places audiences at the centre of a fictional murder trial inspired by real-life cases. The story follows the death of powerful landlord Victor Sloane, who is discovered dead in his office with only his young child as a witness.
Tenant Tre Bennet, who has been struggling with mental health issues and threats of eviction, is charged with the murder. Throughout the evening, audience members hear evidence from both prosecution and defence teams, watch witnesses being cross-examined and examine the facts of the case before being asked to deliberate and deliver their own verdict.
The production’s creators say the show is designed to blur the line between theatre and social experiment, encouraging audiences to question their own assumptions and biases.
Director Graham Watts returns for a fourth tour and said the production challenges audiences to confront “uncomfortable truths about society and our justice system”.
Writer and producer Steve Cummings added that discussions about the case often continue long after the performance ends, with audiences debating the evidence for days afterwards.
The show has previously played to sold-out audiences in London’s West End as well as theatres across the UK and Ireland, earning strong reviews for its combination of live theatre, courtroom drama and audience participation.
Running for approximately two hours and 50 minutes, including an interval and jury deliberation, the production is recommended for audiences aged 16 and over.
Murder Trial Tonight 4: Death of a Landlord comes to Cheltenham Town Hall on June 25th.
For tickets visit www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
EastEnders star to lead
stage hit at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre
A NEW touring production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is heading to Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre next year, with television favourites Charlie Brooks and Joe McFadden leading the cast.
The acclaimed stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel will play at the Everyman Theatre from Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd January 2027 as part of a major new UK tour produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Melting Pot.
Adapted for the stage by playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Ned Bennett, the production tells the story of Christopher Boone, a gifted teenager with an extraordinary talent for mathematics who struggles to navigate the unpredictability of everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is found dead, Christopher sets
out to solve the mystery, uncovering family secrets and challenging truths along the way.
The novel became an international phenomenon following its publication in 2003, while the National Theatre’s celebrated stage adaptation won widespread acclaim for its inventive staging and emotional storytelling.
Since premiering in 2012, the production has been seen by more than five million people worldwide and has collected numerous major theatre awards, including seven Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards.
Brooks, best known for her long-running role as Janine Butcher in EastEnders, will play Judy, Christopher’s mother. Her recent theatre work includes the touring production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
McFadden, familiar to
television audiences from Holby City and Strictly Come Dancing, takes on the role of Christopher’s father, Ed.
Speaking about joining the production, Brooks described the play as “remarkable”, praising its “heart, humour and humanity”, while McFadden said he was thrilled to help bring the “moving and uplifting story” to audiences across the UK.
Director Bennett said the adaptation combines “remarkable emotional precision” with inventive storytelling, adding that he was excited to work with the cast and creative team on the new production.
The tour opens in Birmingham in September 2026 before travelling across the country, arriving in Cheltenham for its run at the Everyman Theatre from Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd January 2027.
Still waiting, still wonderful Animal Shelter
By Katie Bevan
CHELTENHAM Animal
Shelter provides homeless animals with dedicated care and support for as long as they need us. While many of our dogs are rehomed quickly, some take a little longer to find their perfect person who will provide the time and space they need to flourish. This week we have been promoting the stories of our longest-waiting dogs.
2-year-old Ripley
Ripley is a beautiful, loyal girl who forms incredibly strong bonds with the people she knows and trusts. Once you’re part of her circle, she is affectionate, attentive and wonderfully loving, with a cheeky, goofy side that never fails to brighten your day. Beneath her thoughtful nature is a dog with so much love to give and a real desire to connect with her people.
3-year-old Mowgli
Mowgli is a fun-loving, full-of-beans terrier who brings endless entertainment wherever he goes. Bursting with energy and personality, he thrives on keeping busy and would make an awesome companion for someone
who can match his zest for life. Whether he’s zooming around with his favourite soft toy, investigating a snuffle mat or heading off on an adventure, Mowgli throws himself wholeheartedly into everything he does.
4-year-old Oz
Oz is a loving and clever boy who brings so much fun and energy to every day. He absolutely adores people and is always excited to see his favourite humans, greeting them with endless enthusiasm and affection. Full of personality, Oz would thrive with an active family who can match his energy, continue his training and give him the time and patience to fully settle into home life.
3-year-old Pumpkin
Pumpkin is an incredibly loyal, affectionate and intelligent girl who forms
strong bonds with the people she knows and trusts. Full of love and personality, she’s a real cuddle bug who will happily soak up all the fuss and affection you can give her. Everyone at the Shelter adores her sweet nature, staffy grin and the excited squeaks and super waggy tail she gives when greeting her favourite people. She’s
the kind of dog who brings joy to everyone around her.
4-year-old Dexter
Dexter is a lovable, affectionate boy with a wonderfully gentle and sensitive nature hidden beneath his big, strong appearance. Full of energy and personality, he’s a playful, companion who never fails to make us
laugh. Whether he’s rolling onto his back for cuddles, giving you his best puppy eyes or proudly showing off his favourite toy, Dexter has a way of bringing joy to every day.
Can you could provide the forever home these wonderful dogs are looking for? Visit www.gawa.org.uk/lsdw
Mowgli
Pumpkin
Dexter
Oz
Ripley
Recipes Steph Williams
Boozy Chocolate Raisin Cheesecake
It's difficult to say no to chocolate, right? Look no further. You don't need to go without just because you are following a low carb diet plan. This decadent dessert is as cute as it is delicious, with an incredible very smooth yet thick texture. A generous serving contains only 7g of net carbs and takes around 15 minutes to make.
Ingredients Serves 3
• 150g Cream Cheese
• 50ml Double Cream
• 85g of Sugar Free Chocolate
• 1 tablespoon Sweetener or Low Carb Sugar Substitute
• 20g finely chopped Raisins
• 2 tablespoon Whisky
• 25g unsalted Butter
Instructions
l Break the Chocolate up into small pieces, and put into a bowl with the Butter and melt Bain-Marie style on the hob.
l Finely chop the Raisins.
l Once smooth, add in all other ingredients and whisk until smooth.
l Decant into ramekins, or use silicone moulds.
l Garnish to make it look pretty.
l Refrigerate for 1 hour and serve.
Keto cookies
Recipe notes
If you are one for presentation, you could garnish with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa power, crushed, sliced or ground nuts, Mint Leaves, Pomegranate Seeds, Coconut and Sugar free Chocolate curls. Save a square or two of Choccy for the end.
It's time for some very special sugar free cookies! This version is low in carbs and diabetic-friendly. Simple, understated and delicious. As an added bonus, when you share homemade goodies, you also get the chance to show others how yummy low carb and keto treats can be. This should take around 40 minutes and each cookie contains 2g of carbs
Ingredients
24 cookies
• 120g softened Butter
• 40g Sweetener or low carb Sugar substitute
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
• 1.5 teaspoons Cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon Cardamom
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground Cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 280g Almond Flour
• Pinch of Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Baking Soda
Instructions
l Pre-heat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius.
l Soften the Butter in the microwave.
l In a mixing bowl, beat the Butter with the Sweetener until well combined.
l Beat in the Spices and the Vanilla.
l Add in the Salt, Soda and Almond Flour and beat until
the dough comes together. You may need to use your hands in the end to help bind it together.
l Split the dough into halves and roll to 1/4 inch thick between two pieces of parchment paper.
l Cut to the desired shape. Repeat with the second half of the dough.
l Gather and re-roll the scraps to make as many cookies as possible.
l Bake for 12 minutes. Leave to cool and enjoy with a hot drink.
Recipe notes When fresh out of the oven they will appear soft but will crisp up as they cool. If you did need to put them back in the oven for a few more minutes, keep watch as Almond Flour can over cook quickly.
The Alchemist Cheltenham review: theatre, cocktails and comfort done right
Mark Hopkins finds that The Alchemist delivers on its promise of immersive dining with theatrical cocktails, confident cooking and standout service that turns a night out into a proper occasion.
IF, like me, you have ever rolled your eyes at restaurants that rely too heavily on gimmicks and spectacle over substance, then you would be forgiven for approaching The Alchemist with a degree of scepticism.
Places that promise “experiences” can sometimes forget the most important part of the equation: whether the food and drink are actually any good.
And yet, somehow, The Alchemist, located in The Brewery Quarter, manages to make the theatre work.
From the moment you walk through the door, there is an unmistakable sense that this place exists slightly outside the ordinary. The lighting is low, the music carries a steady energy without becoming intrusive, and every corner feels carefully designed to pull you into its strange little universe of cocktails, chemistry and culinary showmanship. But what struck us first was not the décor or the cocktails, it was the welcome. We were greeted with a wonderful, smile-filled warmth that instantly changed the tone of the visit. In an industry where genuine hospitality can sometimes feel increasingly rare, that first impression mattered.
That warmth continued throughout the afternoon thanks in no small part to Charlotte, our server, who was excellent from start to finish. Attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without sounding rehearsed, and genuinely engaging in a way
that made the entire experience feel relaxed and personal. She guided us through the menu with enthusiasm, handled the chaos of bubbling cocktails and theatrical serves effortlessly, and somehow made the whole visit feel both polished and comfortable at the same time. Great service has a way of elevating everything around it, and Charlotte absolutely did that.
There is an ease to the experience at The Alchemist that becomes apparent almost immediately. You are encouraged to settle in properly, whether that is for a quick cocktail after work, a long brunch with friends, or an evening that gradually stretches far later than originally intended.
The menu follows the same philosophy. Yes, there is drama, plenty of it. Cocktails arrive smoking, bubbling and changing colour before your eyes, while dishes are presented
with enough flair to make nearby tables glance over in curiosity. But crucially, none of it feels empty. The theatrics are there to elevate the experience rather than distract from shortcomings.
Their famous Liquid “Oysters” are perhaps the best example of this balancing act. Served on ice with all the visual drama you would expect from The Alchemist, they could easily have been gimmicky. Instead, they are genuinely excellent: sharp, cold, refreshing and surprisingly addictive. It is the sort of signature serve that earns its place on the menu rather than simply existing for social media photographs. You understand immediately why regulars insist first-timers order them.
What impresses most about the food is that the kitchen never loses sight of comfort and flavour. Beneath the planetary language and references to
potions and alchemy lies a menu rooted in familiar pleasures, reinvented with a little more imagination than most places dare attempt. Classic dishes are given subtle twists drawn from global influences, but never so heavily altered that they become unrecognisable. There is confidence in that restraint.
Their weekend brunch offering captures exactly what modern brunch should be: indulgent, sociable and just chaotic enough to feel like the start of something. Three cocktails paired with a brunch dish already feels generous, and with bottomless options available, it becomes a full afternoon occasion. Tables settle into that unmistakable weekend rhythm, conversations getting louder, cocktails arriving faster, plans for “just one more” quietly becoming inevitable.
Unlike some brunch spots
that feel desperate to manufacture an atmosphere, The Alchemist allows the room to build naturally. The energy rises gradually until the whole place hums with laughter, music and the clink of glasses. It feels celebratory without becoming exhausting, lively without tipping into chaos.
Then there is the Sunday Feast, which may quietly be one of the smartest things on the menu. Designed as a sharing experience, it strips away any pretence and leans fully into generosity. Large boards arrive loaded with food intended for lingering over rather than rushing through. It encourages conversation, sharing and the kind of relaxed dining experience people increasingly seem to crave. In an age where so many restaurants feel determined to turn tables quickly, there is something refreshing about a place that invites people to stay a little longer.
And perhaps that is ultimately why The Alchemist succeeds where so many themed dining venues fail. For all the molecular cocktails and celestial branding, it never forgets the emotional side of hospitality. It understands that people are not simply buying food and drink, they are buying atmosphere, memory and occasion. Whether it is a birthday, a date night, a work celebration or simply an excuse to break the routine of the week, this restaurant gives people permission to enjoy
themselves properly. By the end, you realise something slightly unexpected. Beneath all the theatrical flourishes lies something surprisingly traditional at heart: a restaurant built around the simple idea that dining out should feel exciting. Not intimidating. Not overly curated. Just exciting. And in a hospitality landscape increasingly filled with places chasing trends or reinventing themselves every few months, there is something refreshing about a venue that commits so fully to its identity and delivers on the promise. The Alchemist may market itself as a place of transformation and magic, but its real trick is much simpler. It reminds people how enjoyable going out can be when a restaurant truly commits to creating an experience worth staying for.
Britain’s energy future Is moving closer to home Environment
Ian Williams examines how the UK’s shift towards renewable energy, rising energy costs and growing concerns over energy security are increasingly pushing households and businesses to generate and store their own power
THE UK energy sector is undergoing one of the most significant transitions in its history, driven by decarbonisation targets and growing energy security concerns. Historically reliant on coal and later natural gas from the North Sea, the UK has rapidly diversified its energy mix over the past two decades. Coal now contributes a negligible share of electricity generation, while renewable energy sources have expanded dramatically. In some months, 115% of Scotland’s electricity needs come from renewable
sources.
Central to the transition is the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This has accelerated investment in low-carbon technologies, particularly offshore wind, where the UK is a global leader. Largescale wind farms in the North Sea and across Scotland and Wales now supply a substantial proportion of electricity demand.
Solar energy is also growing rapidly, while nuclear power remains a key component of the UK’s lowcarbon strategy, providing
reliable baseload generation. However, many nuclear power stations are ageing, and new projects face high costs, long development times and seemingly endless delays.
Natural gas continues to play an important role, especially for heating and balancing intermittent renewable generation, but to suggest drilling in the North Sea will guarantee energy security is fallacious. Oil and gas production are both subject to global market forces and, while transporting locally sourced fuels may carry a lower carbon footprint, these
MARGARET PATRICIA KEY
Deceased
Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone with a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of Flat 13, Overton Court, Overton Park Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3BW, who died on 18/06/2025, must send written details to the address below by 23/07/2026, after which the Estate will be distributed with regard only to claims and interests notified.
Isabella Hughes
c/o Hugh James, Two Central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1FS. Ref: HAW516/1
remain finite resources.
“Drill, baby, drill” is not a sustainable long-term strategy.
Energy security has become an increasingly prominent issue, particularly following recent crises caused by geopolitical tensions and supply pinch points in Europe and the Middle East. Price volatility remains a serious concern and, for domestic consumers, one of the few ways to achieve greater stability is through generating their own electricity.
The electricity grid itself is also undergoing a major
transformation. Increased reliance on renewable energy requires substantial upgrades to transmission infrastructure and smarter distribution networks.
Energy storage is equally important and, increasingly, the most practical place for this is at the point of usethe consumer’s own premises.
Consumers are also responding to rising energy prices by reducing consumption and paying greater attention to efficiency measures, including improved insulation and home automation systems. Heat
pumps can help, although they are often less effective in older buildings.
Meanwhile, the continued roll-out of electric vehicles is placing additional pressure on the grid, making backup power systems increasingly desirable. While significant progress has been made in reducing emissions and expanding renewable generation, responsibility is increasingly shifting towards end users to take greater control of their own energy production and consumption. To borrow from the government’s 1963 road safety campaign: “You know it makes sense.”
Goods vehicle operator’s licence
Antony D’Alessandro trading as Hazelton Garage Ltd of Hazelton Garage, Hazelton, Cheltenham, Glos, GL54 4DX is applying for a licence to use Hazelton Garage, Hazelton, Cheltenham, Glos, GL54 4DX as an operating centre for two goods vehicles. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representators must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available at www.gov.uk/object-hgv-operatorlicence (http://www.gov.uk/object-hgv-operator-licence).
TEST YOUR BRAINPOWER Puzzles
1. The city of Derry stands on which river in Northern Ireland?
2. Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried star in which 2025 thriller film about a domestic worker who finds dark secrets?
3. What is the nationality of the Chelsea football club striker João Pedro?
4. The Dukes of Marlborough have which family name?
5. The fur of the coypu, a large South American rodent, has what name?
6. What was patented by the shoemaker William Scholl in 1904?
7. Baron Scarpia is the villain in which Puccini opera?
8. The 2025 best-selling fantasy novel Onyx Storm is the third book in the Empyrean series by which author?
9. The notorious Sing Sing prison is in which US state?
10. Whipsnade Zoo is located in which English county?
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.
5. First barrel of crude maybe is swelling (4)
7. Nevertheless identical (3,3,4)
8. You will be fortunate to have this lady with you (4)
9. What alto did in a medley was extra (10)
12. Fruit grown in sunlit China (6)
13. Buy back or get free (6)
14. Mark that makes the LeeEnfield double-barrelled (6)
16. Legislative body seen at variance (6)
17. Just not expensive (10)
20. Bachelor about to be uncovered (4)
21. Len lowered unfortunate good-for-nothing (4-2-4)
22. Not, say, something one would tie (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD
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
and subtraction.
1. Festivity for nearly everybody in Georgia (4)
2. Provided food for fifty inside then beat a hasty retreat (4)
3. Sign of twins (6)
4. Flag for a prohibitionist (6)
5. Beautiful Italian woman finds a poisonous plant (10)
6. Happening to get a pound by the way (10)
10. Girl taking tea in a floral necklet (5,5)
11. Disjointed in company he pulled apart (10)
15. Came closer to a redhead in poverty (6)
16. Unusual cast outside is of poor quality (6)
18. Better leave teetotaller out of a round of this (4)
19. The international girl (4)
NONAGRAM
Pancake
(6)
Fine cord (6)
Drying cloths
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:
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).
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
Tired of a smelly bin? More residents are turning to professional cleaning services
FOR many households and businesses across Cheltenham and the wider Gloucestershire area, bin hygiene is rarely top of the to-do list - until unpleasant smells, overflowing bacteria, or pest problems become impossible to ignore.
As temperatures rise during the warmer months, unclean bins can quickly attract flies and vermin, while lingering odours become a growing frustration for homeowners and businesses alike. For sectors such as hospitality and care, maintaining clean waste areas is increasingly seen as part of delivering a safe and professional environment.
That growing awareness has led to increased demand for specialist cleaning services such as Gator
Kleen, which provides scheduled bin cleaning for domestic and commercial customers across the county.
The company offers
HSC
BRICKLAYING & BUILDERS OF CHELTENHAM
weekly, fortnightly, and monthly cleaning services, using specialist equipment and environmentally conscious cleaning products designed to remove grime,
Experienced Bricklayers with over 45 years experience
l Specialist in all types of bricklaying
l Small extensions
l Refurbish Brickwork l Garden walls
l Repair and rebuild chimneys
l All types of block work
l Decorative masonry and all types of stonework
l Pointing l Porches l Storm damage repairs
No job too small happy to quote
Please call
bacteria, and odours more effectively than a standard rinse.
Owner Bill Seare says the service is about more than appearances.
“People often don’t realise how quickly bins can become a hygiene issue,” he said. “We wanted to provide a service that genuinely helps people maintain a cleaner, healthier environment without adding extra hassle to their routine.”
Customers say the regular cleaning service has made a noticeable difference. Sarah Collins, from Bishop's Cleeve, said she was surprised by the improvement after her first visit.
“I honestly didn’t expect such a difference,” she said.
“The bins had become awful but now smell fresh again and the whole area around them feels cleaner. The service was professional, quick, and amazing value.”
Alongside domestic customers, the business also
works with commercial clients looking to maintain hygiene standards without disrupting day-to-day operations. Wastewater from the cleaning process is managed responsibly, while the cleaning products used are designed to minimise environmental impact.
As awareness around cleanliness and waste management continues to grow, services once considered a luxury are increasingly becoming part of routine property maintenance for homes and businesses across Gloucestershire.
To find out more or request a quote, contact Gator Kleen today and see the difference a professional clean can make.
Call 01793 975590 or visit www.gatorkleen.co.uk
The salary that didn't set them free
ASK most people what financial freedom looks like and they will tell you some version of the same thing.
Enough money not to worry. Not having to check the account before saying yes. The option to stop, or slow down, or choose differently, if they want to. Then ask them whether they feel financially free right now.
The answer, even among people earning very well, is almost always no. This is the thing that surprises people when they first start working on their money. They assumed the salary would solve it. That if they could just get to a certain number, the feeling would follow. Comfortable. In control. Free. The salary arrived. The feeling didn't.
I have worked with people earning £60,000, £80,000, £100,000 and more who describe their financial life in almost identical terms to people earning a third of that. The low hum of unease. The vague sense of not quite keeping up. The suspicion that everyone else has it more sorted than they do. The month that somehow always feels tighter than it should.
Income is not the problem. The relationship with money is the problem. And a bigger salary doesn't fix a complicated relationship. It just gives the complications more room to breathe. Here is what I have come to understand about financial freedom, after years of working with people on their money. It is not a number. It is not a passive income figure or a pension pot or a point at which you no longer need to work. Those things matter, and we can talk about them. But they are not where freedom lives.
Freedom is a feeling. And the feeling comes from clarity.
Specifically, it comes from knowing three things. What you actually want your money to do. What enough looks like for you, not for your neighbours or your colleagues or your social media feed, but for you. And whether the way you are spending and saving right now is moving you towards that or away from it.
Most people, including most high earners, have not asked these questions properly. They have a rough sense of wanting to be comfortable and to retire eventually and not to worry too much. But they have not sat down and decided what they are actually building. And without that clarity, money just moves. In and out, month after month, and freedom stays permanently out of reach because nobody has decided what it looks like.
as it arrives, so that a very good salary somehow never quite feels like enough. Respected voices in personal finance have written about this for decades. The difference between building wealth and simply earning well is not the income, it is what you do with it. Whether you are building assets that work for you, or feeding a lifestyle that needs constant feeding.
But I want to go one layer deeper than that, because I think the mechanics of saving and investing, while essential, are the second conversation. The first one is about what you actually want.
We are told to earn more, save more, spend less. We rarely ask ourselves what we are saving towards. What enough actually feels like. What we would do if money genuinely stopped being the deciding factor. Those are the questions that unlock things. So here is my challenge to you today. Two parts, because clarity alone is not enough.
First, decide what you are building. Not in vague terms. Actually write it down. What does financial freedom look like for you, specifically, in your life?
Are Your Finances Leaving You Feeling Frustrated and Overwhelmed?
Do you secretly worry about your financial future?
Do you create a budget but fail to stick to it?
Maybe you have never been good with money?
If this sounds like you - I can help transform your finances with the 8 week online.. My Money Makeover course
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There is another trap that catches higher earners particularly well. Lifestyle inflation. The steady, incremental expansion of what feels normal. The holiday that becomes the benchmark. The car that needs replacing with something equivalent. The children's school, the house in the right area, the restaurants that are just how you eat now. None of it is wrong. But all of it has a way of absorbing income as fast
Then look honestly at whether your money is moving towards it. Because with inflation running at around three per cent, money that is simply sitting, doing nothing, is not holding steady. It is falling behind. A good salary is a powerful tool. An ISA allowance, a pension contribution, a considered investment are how that tool does its work. The intention matters. And then the action has to follow. Clarity without movement is just expensive daydreaming. Financial freedom is not waiting for a bigger salary. It is waiting for a decision, and then for the courage to act on it.
Ready Made Tools And Resources
Lifelong Strategies And Systems That Work
Revolutionary Mindset Shifts
With Fanny Snaith Certified Money Coach
www.fannysnaith.com 07487 890 165
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Fanny Snaith offers money coaching and financial therapy.
Paul
Gary
Gavin Power, Mark Green, Paul Bloomfield, Alex Moxey, Gary Goodhall
Kneeling: Guy Ward, ? Holmes, Steve Holend, Clark Powis, Dan Gorick, Matt Goodhall.
Anybody recognise themselves or a family member. Do please let us know for a follow up.
for
all your
1999 Saracens Reserves FC Standing: R Gunn,
?,
Dunn,
(Mgr).
1950’s pic of a nursery next to the Old Cat and Fiddle in Whaddon near the football stadium.
Picture sent in by Pam Smith.
Happy 80th to Pete Thick. Thank you for making us all laugh
all these years From
friends in Cheltenham and all the staff of The Cheltenham Post.
Cleeve A win shoot-out thriller
BISHOPS Cleeve A sealed the club’s sixth Junior Charities Cup in dramatic fashion after a shootout win against Southside Star on Friday night.
The game certainly lived up to the occasion, with goals from Devonte Philip, Fynn Carter and a stunner from Charlie Shore-Nye appearing to have Cleeve cruising to victory, until two late goals turned the game on its head and took it to spot kicks. It was all Cleeve in the early stages.
Harvey Danter was first to try his luck, charging forward before unleashing an effort wide of the goal after three minutes. Another chance followed two minutes later as a free kick was worked into a crossing position before the ball was curled to the front post, forcing a good save.
By Ben Ware
one-on-one chance was kept out in the 35th minute.
The breakthrough finally came in the 42nd minute. A quick break drew another save, but this time Devonte Philip was there to tap home the rebound and send Cleeve into the interval a goal ahead.
The second half started much like the first, but this time Cleeve made it count. In the 53rd minute, Carter was played through on goal, timed his shot perfectly with the bounce and fired home a second.
The celebrations did not last long, however, as Southside Star instantly pulled one back, slotting home from close range with 55 minutes gone.
Fynn Carter was next to threaten before a low cross was deflected goalwards and brought another good stop as the game approached the 15minute mark.
Two more strong saves denied Cleeve before the break. Charlie Shore-Nye's stunning free kick was met with an even better stop in the 24th minute, while another
Another acrobatic effort then sailed just over soon after as the pressure began to build.
Southside had another chance on the hour mark, with Cam Cheal forced into a save at his near post.
The moment of the night arrived in the 67th minute.
Sublime, audacious and incredible, Shore-Nye spotted the Southside keeper off his line and lobbed him from
halfway to make it 3-1 in outstanding fashion.
A huge let-off came in the 81st minute when a shot was dragged wide of the bottom left corner from close range. Southside repeated the miss three minutes later with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Cleeve ran out of luck with five minutes left as Southside beat the offside trap and halved the deficit from six yards out. Then, with two
Mitres felled by 4-goal comeback
BISHOPS Cleeve Ladies seemed to be cruising to victory as they held a threegoal lead with just over 20 minutes to go, but four late goals from Alishia Mabombo turned the game on its head.
Cleeve started the game in control, albeit struggling to find the target. Sophie Taylor fired over from a goalmouth scramble in the ninth minute before Leonie Gough saw a shot from a tight angle well blocked in the 12th. More good defending denied Gough a shot on goal after she was played through just two minutes later, as the away side frustrated the Mitres’ front line.
The breakthrough finally came in the 22nd minute when Leonie Gough tried her luck from a tight angle and from some distance, rocketing the ball over the keeper and in towards the left side of the goal. Two minutes later, and it was,
another great goal as Alice Jackson danced through the Dursley defence before firing it home from the edge of the box.
This sent the ladies into the break two goals to the good with one hand firmly on third place.
Just three minutes into the half, Gough made it three. Leigh Mitchell drove forward but couldn’t find her strike partner with the pass. Gough took it upon herself to win the ball back and fire home from 20 yards to make it 3-0 and bag her 25th goal of the season in just 22 games. From here, Dursley began to take control.
A good turn and shot forced Ella Sharpe into a smart stop in the 53rd minute before another shot flashed wide 60 seconds later. They’d head wide from a well-placed corner just after the hour mark, before an
effort flew over from distance in the 65th.
They finally found the back of the net in the 69th minute as Alishia Mabombo cut in, beat the defender, and beat Sharpe from the edge of the box. She’d add another from a corner in the 72nd minute before charging through the Mitres’ back line, breaking through across the box, and picking out the bottom left corner to complete her hat-trick and draw the game level.
Nia Geary-Andrews attempted to regain the lead as she charged forward, carrying the ball 20 yards but shooting wide under pressure.
The turnaround was complete with four minutes to go as a goalmouth scramble was bundled home by Mabombo, with Cleeve’s only chance to equalise late on seeing Gough lob a through ball just wide.
minutes to play, the scores were level as an extraordinary overhead kick flew over Cheal and into the net.
The 90 minutes were up and, with no extra time, the game went straight to penalties.
Southside Star stepped up first and found the net before Rob Reid was denied with Cleeve’s opening attempt. Both sides scored their second penalties before
Southside’s third flew over the bar and over the clubhouse, giving Cleeve the chance to level at 2-2, which they duly took. Carter's miss meant Southside only needed to convert their fifth spot kick, but Cheal emerged as the hero with a vital save to force sudden death after Cleeve converted their fifth.
At 6-6, 7-7 and 8-8, Cheal stepped up to score himself
before saving Southside’s next penalty with the 18th kick of the shootout to seal victory.
It was Bishops Cleeve’s sixth win in the competition, with their previous triumph coming via Bishops Cleeve II all the way back in 1935. The victory also means they have now won the competition more times than any other side, moving one clear of Andoversford on five.
Cleeve Colts United U13 won the Cheltenham Youth league Saturday Division 1 and Mini League
Players
Arlo fawcett (captain)
Calum Pujols-Ward
William cross
William Hughes
James Gill
Harvey Mitchenson
Elliott Hunter
Taio Davenport
Shaun Bellingham
Marley Allen
Kye Burke
Oliver Holmes
Jake Pearce
Dylan Lavender
Tristan Palmer-Varona
Leon Jones
Ellis Hammond
Manager
Natalie Ward
Coaches Paul Cross, Steve Hughes, Cameron Hunter and Nick De Jong.
Cheltenham football league round-up with Rob Morrison
AS the Cheltenham League’s 2025-26 season draws to a close, uncertainty still surrounds the destination of two of its three divisional titles, with key decisions off the pitch likely to have a significant impact.
In the Premier Division, FC Wickhamford were awarded a walkover after title rivals Tewkesbury Town Reserves were found to have fielded an ineligible player in their April meeting. The original fixture, won 5-1 by Tewkesbury, was overturned and awarded to Wickhamford, a ruling that has had a major impact on the title race.
Despite Tewkesbury’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Wickhamford in the final game of the season, the revised standings leave Wickhamford top of the table, three points ahead of Town. However, the outcome remains subject to appeal. Tewkesbury have challenged the decision, citing differing interpretations of the relevant rule, and an appeal is now pending with the Gloucestershire FA. Until a final verdict is reached, the
title remains unresolved. League officials and both clubs are hoping clarity is provided as soon as possible, with the decision not only set to determine the championship but also carrying implications for potential promotion to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. It is also a case of waiting for a decision in Division One, where Mickleton Rangers currently sit top of the table following the conclusion of the season. However, that position is far from secure amid an ongoing investigation into their draw with title rivals Shurdington Rovers, which centres on the alleged use of a player under a false identity.
The matter has also been referred to the Gloucestershire FA and, as with the Premier Division, the outcome could yet reshape the destination of the title.
While Tewkesbury’s case in the Premier Division rests on the interpretation of eligibility rules, the allegation in Division One carries more serious implications. If proven, it could result not only in the
match being awarded to Shurdington, but also in a further points deduction for Mickleton.
With Rangers’ current lead standing at five points, any sanction could have a decisive impact on the final standings. Both clubs are now awaiting the outcome of Gloucestershire FA’s investigation, alongside any subsequent action from the Cheltenham League, which will ultimately determine where the trophy is heading.
The picture in Division Two is much clearer, with Worcester Forge taking the title. They wrapped up their league campaign with a 4-0 victory over Bibury Reserves to move three points ahead of secondplaced Bredon Reserves.
May was a busy period for the league, with all four Charities Cup competitions reaching their conclusions, though again not without controversy.
In a late development, Bredon Reserves were expelled from the Primary competition on the eve of the final following a player eligibility issue. The breach, described as an honest error, occurred in their semi-final victory and resulted in the tie being awarded to Whaddon United III. The timing of the decision also forced a delay to the final itself.
Across the competitions, honours were shared, with
both Mickleton Rangers and Shurdington Rovers claiming silverware. Rangers secured the Minor Charities Cup with a convincing 4-0 victory over Rovers. However, Rovers responded in style, lifting the Senior Charities Cup in the showpiece final at Cheltenham Town’s ground. Goalkeeper Nathan Buckland proved decisive, producing a crucial and spectacular save in the
penalty shootout after Rovers and Wickhamford had drawn 2-2 in normal time.
The Junior competition also provided late drama. Southside Star staged a remarkable comeback against Bishops Cleeve A, who had looked set for victory after Charlie ShoreNye’s stunning goal from the halfway line gave them a 3-1 lead. Star rallied with two late goals to force
penalties where, after a tense exchange of misses and saves, Cleeve ultimately prevailed to take the trophy. The season concluded on the pitch last Friday when the rearranged Primary Cup final took place at FC Lakeside’s Cold Pool Lane ground. Worcester Forge were too strong for their new opponents, Whaddon United III, winning 3-0 to claim a league and cup double.
Minor Cup winners, Mickleton Rangers.
Junior Cup winners Bishops Cleeve A.
AFC Worcester with the Primary Cup.
Senior Charities Winners Shurdington Rovers.
Rao targets more Gloucestershire opportunities after injury setback
Gloucestershire fast bowler Aman Rao says making his T20 debut last season was the “most fun” he has experienced in cricket, as the 21-yearold looks to push for more first-team opportunities following a lengthy spell out with a back injury
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
bowler Aman Rao has revealed that making his T20 debut in 2025 was the “most fun I've ever had on a cricket field” as he now looks to challenge again for a place in the side following a back injury.
Rao only signed a rookie deal with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club at the start of last season, becoming the second South Asian Cricket Academy graduate to sign for the club after Zaman Akhter in 2023. However, he quickly found himself thrust into the first team due to a number of injuries.
“It happened very quickly,” he recalled. “I was just trialling in the second team and a few injuries happened and suddenly I was signed on a contract, and then two or three days later I was playing in the T20 Blast.
“So it happened very quickly, a bit of a whirlwind. I didn't really know many people. But, I played two games in the T20s and loved every moment of it. It’s the most fun I've ever had on a cricket field.”
The 21-year-old claimed best figures of 1/32 from five
Cotterill
By Thomas Day
overs across his two games before suffering a stress fracture in his lower back, a common injury among bowlers, that sidelined him throughout the winter.
“It's just repetitive use of certain areas. You can get stress fractures anywhere, but particularly in the lower back there’s a lot of rotation and force going through it.
“So repetitive use causes stress on the bone, creating a small fracture. It basically happens over time. It's quite painful and they just take ages to heal.
“In order to recover properly, you have to rest it and avoid using the back too much while doing low-impact work. But it’s very common. To be honest, I couldn't really name a bowler who hasn't had one.”
Thankfully, Rao did not miss a great deal of action after picking up the injury in mid-September and spending the off-season recovering.
Although he missed the club’s pre-season tour to Stellenbosch in South Africa,
he admitted the timing could have been far worse.
“It was September 15, I believe, and I was back playing on April 27. So really it was seven months of recovery and rehab to get back.
“At first I wasn't too disheartened or disappointed because of the timing. The season had ended and I had the whole winter to rehab most of it. I wasn’t happy, obviously, but I also wasn't missing much cricket. If it had happened in April or May, I would have missed the whole season.
“I just needed to build up my workloads and tolerance and get back bowling from scratch, basically, to be able to play matches again.
“Overall, I'd say it was quite a good experience. I didn't feel too disheartened and I'm glad to be back.”
Gloucestershire have seen significant turnover since the end of last season, losing several bowlers including Ajeet Singh Dale, who took 40 County Championship wickets in 2025, to Lancashire County Cricket Club, and Josh Shaw to Somerset County Cricket
Club.
Having only featured a handful of times last year, Rao hopes the changes could create further opportunities.
“Obviously, we've lost six bowlers and that's been highlighted around the circuit.
“We still have a very strong bowling department, especially with Marchant de Lange and David Payne on white-ball-only contracts. They're world-class bowlers.
“But yeah, I'd hope to potentially get some
reflects as season draws to a close
Continued from back page
At the end of the season, when asked how tough it had actually been, Cotterill said he felt emotional, and was pleased with his side’s effort in every game.
He said: “It's been tough, I can assure you. I have worked tirelessly. When you get beaten like that, it looks like you are just stood on the touchline and people will only see you for that hour and a half. I've worked tirelessly since I've been here and I am pleased it's the end of the season, I really am. I've worked hard, but I couldn't
have done it without all of my staff, without the support of the board, the players and supporters. It's really been a collective effort. I know myself coming back here, perhaps gave that connection back, might have started it and I am pleased about that. I am proud of that. I was a little bit emotional in the dressing room and I don't normally get like that. I just felt it here today.”
Cotterill couldn’t have done it without the hard work of key players, and you can’t speak about Cheltenham’s season without mentioning loan midfielder and 20-goal
star Isaac Hutchinson. Hutchinson’s loan spell from Bristol Rovers was certainly one of the best Cheltenham have had in recent seasons. He leaves Cheltenham after sweeping up a host of the end of season awards including Supporters’ Player and Players’ Player of the season.
As the season ends there are a number of departures, as loans like Hutchinson return, and some players have been released at the end of their contracts.
This includes: Tommy Backwell, Scot Bennett, George Harmon, Arkell Jude-
Boyd, Tom King, Josh Martin, Jordan Thomas, Cameron Walters and Luke Young. The list includes some key individuals who will be difficult to replace for Cotterill.
So a busy summer awaits, with fresh faces arriving including a new Managing Director as James Watts steps into the role, and players come and go as is ever the nature of League Two Football. Cotterill will be hoping to return in the summer with a team ready and refreshed, to tackle what is sure to be yet another tough season.
opportunities.”
Standing at 6ft 6in, Rao has long admired Australia’s fast bowlers and says he models aspects of his game on Josh Hazlewood, while also looking up to former England seamer Stuart Broad.
Despite not yet making a first-class appearance for Gloucestershire, Rao admits that remains one of his biggest ambitions, alongside representing England in the future.
“I would love to play for England. I'm only 21 and
hopefully I can push towards that. That would definitely be the dream.
“Test cricket and longerformat cricket are my favourites and always will be. That’s a priority for me, although franchise cricket is amazing as well.
“We’ll see what opportunities come along, but red-ball cricket is the pinnacle for me. If I keep doing the work behind the scenes and keep performing, then hopefully things will take care of themselves.”
LILLEY Brook Golf Club has welcomed new club captain Martin Spencer, pictured left, as outgoing captain Gareth Francis hands over the role.
Members thanked Gareth for his service over the past year and wished Martin every success as he begins his captaincy at the Cheltenham club.
New captain at Lilley Brook
Cheltenham Post
Return of the King - Robins’ season in review
saw both Director of Football Gary Johnson and later Manager Michael Flynn leave the club.
That was the key turning point, with fans and players responding well as new boss, and familiar face, Steve Cotterill returned to the helm to rescue the struggling Cheltenham side.
With Cotterill in charge the Robins looked reinvigorated and ready to march on, performances started to turn and new key signings like midfielder Ben Stevenson and defender
Jonathan Tomkinson impressed having been picked up as free agents.
Cotterill knew the side he wanted to build, one with
third round of the FA Cup, and a tie against former Premier League Champions Leicester City. Cheltenham were beaten 2-0 by Leicester, a valiant effort, especially from key players like Jordan Thomas who proved he has the ability to play at a higher level.
Cheltenham continued to battle to safety in the league. Tough fixture after tough fixture eventually led Cotterill’s side to 18th and 52 points. A remarkable recovery, and with new management and ownership in place for 2026/27, the foundations are in place for Cheltenham to push on.
Continued on page 31
Cotterill receives Freedom of the Borough honour
CHELTENHAM Town manager Steve Cotterill received the Freedom of the Borough at the Town Hall on Monday night (18th May).
The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour that Cheltenham Borough Council can bestow.
At the event, Cotterill was presented with his medal, scroll and gown as he was made an Honorary Freeman.
Reflecting on the event, Steve spoke with club media and said “It’s a really proud evening for me to be receiving the highest honour a council can bestow.
“It’s different to any honour or award that I have received before, not many people get this, and it is such an honour to receive it.
“The welcome I have had from the Cheltenham fans since being back has been unbelievable and I want to say thank you to Greg Newcombe from the Robins Trust for starting this petition and Tyler Kilmister of the 1887 Red Army for their support and banners throughout the season.”
