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AROUND THE COUNTY news from Gloucestershire
Drug dealer jailed after taking advantage of vulnerable man
A DRUG dealer who took advantage of a vulnerable man in Gloucester, convincing him to transfer his home over for no money to use as a base to sell crack cocaine, has been jailed.
Victor Asamoah, aged 34 and from Old Fallings Crescent, Wolverhampton, was sentenced by Gloucester Crown Court, sitting at Cirencester Courthouse, on Friday 4th July.
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Following a trial which had finished earlier that day, he was found guilty of one count of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, namely crack cocaine, and one count of fraud by false representation.
Asamoah was arrested last June (2024) following a warrant by Gloucestershire Constabulary as part of a regional operation by police forces across the South West, aimed at tackling drug supply networks in the region.
The court heard that Asamoah had initially befriended the victim in 2018 and became his registered carer at the victim's home in Kingsholm, while doing work to make improvements to the property.
However, Asamoah was actually using the address as a base to sell crack cocaine, while feeding the victim's drug habit.
After some time, the court heard, Asamoah felt that he could exploit the victim further, and influenced him to leave the entirety of his estate – including the house, valued at £320,000 –to him.
He moved the victim, who is now aged 65, into shared accommodation elsewhere and then began to approach solicitors, claiming to be his son and asking them to transfer the house into his name.
Sentencing Asamoah, recorder John Ryder KC said: "I am sure of this that it would be plain to anyone – and was plain to you –that [the victim] was extremely vulnerable.
“He suffers learning difficulties, and can only read and write to a minimum standard.
“You promoted yourself as his carer, but you had no interest in caring for him at all. From the first, you were concerned only with exploiting him for your own advantage.
“You were selling crack cocaine from his house; while you used [the address] as your premises, you lived elsewhere.
“At some stage, it became plain to you that the scope of your exploitation of [the victim] was greater than just using his premises to supply drugs.
“You recognised he was suggestible. You influenced him to make a will leaving the entirety of his estate to you.
“I am satisfied that he did not begin to understand the full implications of what he was doing. On his death, you would inherit the house. It was all he had and it was valued at £320,000.
“You convinced him that if he made a gift of the house to you, he would receive money, drugs, care and support. He agreed to transfer the house to you.
“I have already observed that there was a childlike innocence about [the victim], as far as his understanding of everyday life was concerned.
“He agreed to transfer the house to you, once again not understanding by any means the
full implications of what he was doing.
“In reality, you intended to spend nothing and to provide nothing, save that which was unavoidable to transfer the house to you and in moving him out of it.”
In mitigation, the court heard Asamoah had been active in his local church and had volunteered with a charity in Birmingham, supporting people who were homeless or who suffered from cancer.
He had also played semiprofessional football with Gloucester Athletic in his efforts to live a life away from crime.
However, Recorder Ryder rejected this, saying: "Your faith and activities in which you were involved through the church or charities did not for a moment restrain you from exploiting [the victim].
“You gave evidence to the jury where you lied remorselessly and relentlessly from start to finish. You exploited everyone
and everything to your own advantage.”
Asamoah was sentenced to five years in prison for the supply of crack cocaine and a further four years, to be served consecutively, for the fraud by false representation. He will be eligible for release on licence after serving 40 percent of his sentence.
Recorder Ryder commended police for their efforts in investigating the case and ensuring that the victim received the support he needed.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Griffiths, who led the investigation, said: “This is an offence that could easily have been missed. There was no complaint by the victim of this case, given their vulnerabilities, and it was only through the diligence of all involved in identifying and pursuing the truth that this case was able to come to court.
“The support and work from all agencies throughout the investigation has assisted in supporting the victim and this support will continue to remove any future exploitation.
“A timetable has been set where it is hoped that police will be able to return the proceeds of the victim’s property back to them to help with their on-going support.”
PC Andy Plant, Safeguarding Officer from the Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a despicable case where the offender has preyed on a vulnerable victim and taken everything in the world that he had including his home.
“The victim had been coerced not to say anything to anyone, so it was difficult for the police to gain his trust initially. However over time we were able to find out the full extent of Asamoah's deceit and obtain the right outcome for the victim."
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.
Men arrested in simultaneous drug bust worth over £40k
Continued from front page
One man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs after a large quantity of cocaine was found.
A second man, also in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering after thousands of pounds of cash was discovered.
A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
police officers investigating an assault in Cheltenham have issued CCTV images of a man they would like to identify.
Police were called with a report that a man had punched another man in the face causing a broken jaw which required treatment at hospital.
The assault took place on Regent Street at around 3.35am on Sunday 23 March.
Officers have conducted a number of enquiries since the incident, but are yet to identify the man pictured, and are now asking for information from the public.
to
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Police are asking bowls and golf club members to be vigilant following a recent series of burglaries at sites across Gloucestershire.
Over recent months offenders have broken into clubhouses before smashing the glass fronts of trophy cabinets and stealing trophies from inside.
One incident took place in Cheltenham overnight on Monday 30 June into Tuesday 1 July and saw offenders smash a glass door and steal trophies from a display cabinet.
Another incident took place in Coleford on Saturday 28 June and saw offenders break into a shop at a sports club before stealing the cash tray from
handling stolen goods, possession of an offensive weapon and breaching his license after cash, weapons and suspected stolen items were found at his address.
All three men remain were taken into police custody.
Police are asking anyone who suspects drug dealing or suspicious activity taking place in their neighbourhood to make contact.
Anyone who has concerns or intelligence about drug
Anyone who recognises the man pictured or has information about what happened is asked to complete the following online
dealing can report this to police via the following link www.gloucestershire.police. uk/tua/tell-usabout/soh/seen-or-heard/.
Alternatively you can report information anonymously through the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website: www.crimestoppersuk.org/give-information/for ms/give-informationanonymously
form quoting incident 47 of 23 March: www.gloucestershire.police.u k/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-usabout-existing-case-report/
the till and a set of buggy keys. The individual then drove away on a buggy before abandoning it.
A further incident took place in Broadway on Monday 14 April and saw offenders force entry to the building before stealing trophies.
Enquiries into the incidents are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone who has not already spoken to police and who may have CCTV or dashcam footage which could assist the ongoing investigations.
Anyone with footage or information can provide this to police online by completing the following form and quoting the relevant incident number
from the list below: www.gloucestershire.police. uk/tua/tell-usabout/cor/tell-us-about-exis ting-case-report/
• Cheltenham- incident 119 of 1 July
• Coleford- incident 72 of 28 June
• Broadway- incident 543 of 15 April
The public are asked to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, such as people scoping out properties by driving past slowly in vehicles. Call 999 if a crime is happening at the time, a suspect is nearby, if someone is in immediate danger or there is a risk of serious damage to a property.
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Police highlight drink driving conviction as summer road safety campaign launches
A MAN who had no regard for the law and repeatedly drove whilst both drunk and disqualified has received a driving ban and must wear an alcohol monitoring tag.
The case is being highlighted as Gloucestershire
Constabulary joins police forces in supporting the NPCC’s national summer road safety campaign Operation Spotlight.
The campaign, which runs from 1 to 31 July, focuses on targeting the "Fatal Four" causes of collisions where people are killed or seriously injured.
These are driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, using a mobile phone while behind the wheel, driving at inappropriate speed and not wearing a seat belt.
Kennedy Kipchirchir, aged 31 and of Arthur Street in Gloucester, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court
on Monday 23 June where he was banned from driving for four years and now has to wear an alcohol monitoring tag for 120 days.
He had been remanded into custody for nearly four weeks ahead of sentencing.
The alcohol monitoring tag will trigger immediate arrest if Kipchirchir drinks alcohol during the specified time frame.
Officers became aware of Kipchirchir after a concerned
Bishop’s Cleeve Care Home
member of the public called police on Saturday 3 May this year (2025) to report how they had seen him swerving across the road, narrowly avoiding hitting cones and the kerb.
Kipchirchir was stopped by officers and breathalysed due to the concerns about his manner of driving.
He was found to be over the drink drive limit and additional enquiries established that Kipchirchir did not have a valid driving licence and that the MOT had expired on his Audi.
As part of these enquiries officers also established that Kipchirchir had been disqualified from driving after he had been caught drink driving in May 2024.
On one occasion when he was stopped by officers, he attempted to swap seats with the passenger of his car in an attempt to avoid being arrested.
Kipchirchir was charged
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with, and later pleaded guilty to, three counts of driving a motor vehicle when above the legal alcohol limit, two counts of driving whilst disqualified, using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance and using a motor vehicle on a road without a valid test certificate.
Investigating officer PC Ed McWalter from the Roads Policing Unit said:
“Kipchirchir had a clear disregard for the laws and admitted that he knew he shouldn't have been driving but continued to do so anyway.
"I hope this sentencing shows how we will catch and prosecute those who think they can get away with breaking the law and putting other motorists at risk.”
Nick Evans, the new chairman of the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), welcomed the sentence, describing
Kipchirchir as "A selfish, reckless man who put other road users at serious risk.
"Despite persistent warnings, too many people are killed or seriously injured on our roads because of the actions of others who believe either they are above the law or accidents don’t happen to them.
“It’s why the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership will always back initiatives like Operation Spotlight, not only because they make our roads and communities safer but also to remind anyone who gets behind the wheel of the dangers of the fatal four and their responsibility to other road users.”
Drivers who combine alcohol and drugs are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober drivers and police are aiming to make motorists aware of how long drink and drugs can stay in their body for.
That's why motorists can expect to see officers from Local Policing, Neighbourhood Policing, the Special Constabulary and Specialist Operations taking part in more roadside traffic stops in both urban and rural areas across the county. The Camera Enforcement Unit will also be conducting a number of proactive operations and making targeted patrols in hot spot areas.
Inspector Martyn Murawa from Specialist Operations said: “We want to do everything we can to ensure the roads of Gloucestershire are as safe as possible this summer.
“Don't be like Kipchirchir –instead plan ahead and think about how you will get home, be it appointing a designated driver, booking a taxi or using public transport. Do not take the risk of drinking and driving – it could cost lives.”
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In the dock!
The
following cases have all been heard recently at Cheltenham Magistrates Court:
David Burgess, 63, of no fixed address, had a community order issued by Cheltenham Magistrates on 11th March 2025 revoked on the grounds that the drug rehabilitation requirement of the order was unworkable due to his continued use of controlled drugs for medicinal purposes. The original order was in respect of an offence whereby Burgess was convicted of being involved in supplying cannabis to others between 1st January 2024 and 7th March 2024. A revised community order was issued, requiring Burgess to attend appointments and participate in up to 22 days of rehabilitation activity.
Adam Crochett, 25, of Wasley Road, Cheltenham, had a community order issued by magistrates on 25th June 2024 extended until 24th March 2026 to allow extra time for him to complete remaining hours of unpaid work.
Darren Charles Grainger, 37, of Vittoria Walk, Cheltenham, admitted breaching the community requirement of a suspended sentence order made by Cheltenham Magistrates on 17th March 2025, by failing to attend two probation appointments in May of this year. He was fined £40.
Martin McAlary, 40, of Whittington Road, Cheltenham, was made subject to a warrant for arrest without bail for breaching the requirements of a community order made by Cheltenham Magistrates on 20th January 2024. He failed to attend unpaid work
appointments in March and May of this year.
Joshua James Orpin, 28, of Devon Avenue, Cheltenham, admitted breaching the terms of community order made by Cheltenham Magistrates on 22nd January 2025. He failed to attend two unpaid work induction sessions in May of this year.
Magistrates decreed that the requirements of the original order should continue, but also added three more days of rehabilitation activity to the order.
Joe Swift, 36, of Minetts Avenue, Bishop’s Cleeve, admitted failing to comply with the requirements of a community order made by Cheltenham Magistrates on 19th December 2024, by failing to attend unpaid work appointments in February and May of this year. The community order was made after Swift was convicted of assaulting a police officer in Bishop’s Cleeve on 26th May 2024. He was given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of supervised unpaid work within the next 12 months.
Leon McMeechan, 22, of Wenlock Road, Tewkesbury, admitted breaching a community order made by Cheltenham Magistrates on 7th January 2025, by failing to attend a probation appointment in April 2025 and an unpaid work appointment in May 2025. The community order was revoked and he was dealt with for the original offence, that on 21st March 2024 he drove a Seat Leon car on
Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, with more than the specified limit of both cannabis and ketamine in his blood. He was given a 10-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity, and 110 hours of supervised unpaid work.
Scott Ryder, 46, of Glynbridge Gardens, Cheltenham, was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 15 months, for two charges of shoplifting. He is also required to have mental health treatment for four months, and drug rehabilitation treatment.
James Cooke, 27, of Brooksdale Lane, Cheltenham, was made subject to an interim stalking protection order for six months starting from 5th June 2025, following allegations that he continued stalking behaviour towards a named woman between September 2023 and January 2025, despite having bail conditions prohibiting him from contacted that woman. The order specifies Cooke is prohibited from entering Swindon, Wiltshire; enter any locations or areas that he knows or believes the named woman to be in; contacting her by any means, including via telephone, post, email, SMS text message or social media; contacting or interacting with her via third parties; making reference to her on social media either directly or indirectly; recording images of her; physically approaching her at all;
engaging in any form of surveillance of her by any means; retaining, recording, monitoring, or researching by any means including by any electronic device, private, confidential, or personal facts or information relating to her; tracking, monitoring, or recording the movements of her by any means whatsoever, including electronic or satellite devices.
Jake Edward Halford, 22, of Springfield Road, Cirencester, was granted further time to pay a fine of £420 imposed by Cheltenham Magistrates on 10th April 2025.
James Copeland, 37, of Belle Vue Road, Cinderford, admitted charges of assaulting Julie and Steven Copeland on 9th August 2023, and destroying a vase and furniture of unknown value belonging to them on the same date. He was made subject to a community order requiring him to have drug dependency treatment for six months, mental health treatment for 18 months, and participate in up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity. He was also made subject to a two-year restraining order requiring him not to contact the victim either directly or indirectly, and not to go to a specified address in Second Avenue, Ross-on-Wye.
Sandeep Toor and Harjinder Singh, of Local Retail Ltd, North Street, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, were charged with breaching a noise abatement notice served by Tewkesbury
Borough Council, between 14th October 2024 and 27th March 2025, following complaints about noise nuisance from heating and cooling equipment at the rear of the premises. The case was adjourned until 1st September 2025.
Sam Tenant, 34, of Farhill Close, Staverton, Cheltenham, denied breaching a community protection notice by causing offensive or noxious fumes or odours to escape from his premises, between 1st February 2024 and 15th May 2025, causing nuisance and annoyance to those in the vicinity. The case was adjourned until 2nd October 2025 for trial at Cheltenham Magistrates Court.
Joseph Alistair Woods, 32, of Sotherby Walk, Cheltenham, was found guilty in his absence of being the registered keeper of a BMW 1Series vehicle on 20th January 2021, when it did not meet the insurance requirements of Section 144a of the Road Traffic Act 1988. He was fined £220, ordered to pay costs of £100, and a Victim Services Surcharge of £88.
Chadrick Macauley, 42, of Swindon Road, Cheltenham, was charged with boarding a train at Cheltenham Spa station on 31st July 2024 without a valid ticket. The case was adjourned until 1st September 2025 for the accused to enter a plea.
Harley Thomas Sharpe, 33, of Farm Close,
Hesters Way, Cheltenham, was made subject to an enforcement warrant issued without bail for non-payment of a fine of £100 imposed by magistrates on 28th November 2024.
Alan Pope, 66, c/o Gordon Gilder, Gretton Fields, Cheltenham, denied charges that he had caused unnecessary suffering to two Friesian cows at Foyles Abbatoir, Cinderford, on 9th March 2022 and 6th April 2022, by transporting them in a recumbent position, and attempting to get them to stand up by placing his fingers in their nostrils and grabbing the back of their heads with the other hand. He was remanded on unconditional bail until 9th March 2026 for trial at Cheltenham Magistrates Court.
Phillip Middleton, 57, of Monkscroft, Cheltenham, was made subject to an interim stalking order until his next hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on 2nd September 2025. The order prohibits Middleton from Contacting two named women either directly or indirectly, including (but not limited to) in person, by telephone,by post, by email, by letter, by SMS text message or via social media. He is also prohibited from entering or going to Byron Road, Cheltenham.
Tewkesbury Borough Council was granted a closure order for premises at 29, Primrose Close, Bishop’s Cleeve, to be closed for three months from 10th July 2025.
Cheltenham wins most improved badge in 2025 climate action rankings
CHELTENHAM Borough Council improved its climate action score by 25% in 2025.
Cheltenham Borough Council is one of the highest scoring councils for climate action in Gloucestershire, according to Climate Emergency UK, who published their second edition of the Council Climate Action Scorecards on 17 June, the only holistic analysis of all UK council’s climate action.
Climate scorecards are tools designed to assess and track the progress of organisations and councils in their climate action efforts.
They offer a structured framework to evaluate steps taken toward achieving net zero emissions and identify areas needing improvement. Since different council types have varying powers, questions are only posed where a council has the authority to influence that particular issue.
Cheltenham, along with other councils, were assessed using 93 questions across seven key sections. The data was gathered from a wide range of publicly available documents, national sources and direct responses between July 2024 and March 2025.
The final score is calculated by summing the scores from each section and applying a weighting system that reflects the relative importance of each question. Questions with higher weightings represent actions
considered to have the greatest impact on emissions reduction and long-term sustainability.
Cllr Richard Pineger, cabinet member for the climate emergency, said: “It’s great to see Cheltenham’s climate efforts getting national recognition. The recent scorecards show we’re committed to hitting our net zero goals while helping us figure out where we can do better and keep making the case for local climate action.”
The improvement from 2023 to 2025 demonstrates the positive development of climate action within Cheltenham,
backed up by evidence; it identifies areas needing improvement and areas of success. It facilitates learning from other councils and is a driving force for climate action at the local level by promoting transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
Annie Pickering, operations director at Climate Emergency UK, said: “The majority of councils have improved their Scorecard results since 2023, showing that councils, along with residents, want to prioritise climate action to improve their lives and communities.”
In 2025, Cheltenham Borough Council improved its score by 25%, being awarded a badge in recognition of one of the most improved district councils. With an overall score of 56%, Cheltenham placed 6th amongst UK district averages and topped the rankings within Gloucestershire.
This improvement highlights their ongoing commitment to achieving net zero, demonstrated through consistent climate action with the local community and businesses, aligned with an established climate action plan.
Gloucestershire Fire Service offers cooking safety advice
AS part of the Fire Kills campaign, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging parents and carers to make any kitchen activities a chance for children to learn about cooking safety. With the summer holidays now upon us many children across Gloucestershire will be spending more time in the kitchen. Whether they’re lending a hand or simply seeking a snack, it’s important to make sure that they know the hazards of a hot hob.
The Fire Kills campaign’s top tips for staying safe in the kitchen this summer are:
l Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking. Take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.
l If a pan catches fire, don’t take any risks – Get out, stay out, and call 999.
l Double check the hob is off when you’ve finished cooking.
l Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
l Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing – this can easily catch fire.
l Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking. Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe.
l Take care with electrics - keep leads and appliances away from water and place grills away from curtains and kitchen rolls.
l Keep your equipment clean and in good working order. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.
l Don’t cook after drinking alcohol.
l Hot oil can catch fire easilybe careful that it doesn’t overheat.
l Never throw water on a chip pan fire.
l In the event of a fire, have an escape plan in place.
l Don’t take risks by tackling a fire. Get out, stay out and call 999.
l Get at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and test them monthly.
Nathaniel Hooton, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “There are lots of creative ways to teach children about fire safety when cooking, and it’s vital that they know what to do if the worst should happen. Alongside the melting, mixing, and making, why not take the chance to pass on your fire safety knowhow?
Test your smoke alarms as part of the activity and remember never leave a child alone with a
hot hob and help keep them safe by moving matches and saucepan handles out of their reach.”
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Fire, said: “Half of all accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen - often because of distractions like phone calls or family. So whatever happens elsewhere in the home, always make sure you have one eye on the hob or oven.”
Further information about ‘CookSafe’ is available at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/glos fire/your-safety/safety-in-thehome/cooksafe.
For advice specific to you and your home, or the home of someone you care for, complete an online home fire safety check at www.ohfsc.co.uk.
Max Wilkinson MP
THIS week, I’ve received some positive news on two of our big local health campaigns – GPs and dentistry. It relates to ensuring we’re planning to meet the needs of our town.
A few months back, I presented a petition to Parliament calling for resources for primary care in Cheltenham. I’ve also long been calling for improvements to dentistry.
A few days ago, I received a reply from the Health Minister, Stephen Kinnock.
As a result of the petition I started and which was signed by thousands of local people, Ministers tasked Whitehall officials with finding out what’s going on locally to improve things. I’ll set out the reply below, but first it’s important to know the background. I’ve been campaigning alongside others to ensure we get the GP and dental services our growing town needs since before I was elected MP.
The solution to getting the best deal for Cheltenham isn’t going to be straightforward.
The starting point needs to be that we get the right care for everyone who needs to see a GP.
Naturally, this must include making things work for the medical professionals who work in the surgeries too.
Many of us find the process of getting a GP appointment arduous and frustrating.
Meanwhile, our GPs are seeing dozens and dozens of patients every day. We know they’ve been let down by the system too.
It’s important that we acknowledge where there’s good practice locally and why we have problems, where those problems exist. Some of that will be clear: a shortage of doctor capacity. There are also clear issues to do with changing demographics and the number of people living longer with chronic conditions that require regular attention.
Regardless of how old we are or what conditions we might have, it’s so important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that people deserve to get treatment when they need it. It’s been clear for some time that the solution must focus on new buildings that are fit for purpose to help existing practices that are in outdated facilities, as well as new buildings in the parts of town where we’re likely to see new homes. The response from the Minister, via the local NHS integrated care board, covers those. Firstly, there’s a suggestion that Overton Park and Yorkleigh surgeries will be merged into a new, purpose-built facility. Secondly, there’s a plan for a new health facility covering 5,000 patients in West Cheltenham. And thirdly, there’s a plan for a new health surgery, including dentistry, for 9,000 patients in north west Cheltenham.
I’m pleased to see these projects emerge after a lot of hard campaigning. Now, I’ll be working with others to give them the best chance of being delivered.
New grant fund to support local carbon reduction and cost savings to businesses
CHELTENHAM small and medium-sized enterprises can now kickstart their net zero carbon journey with supercharged grants up to £5k.
Cheltenham Borough Council have launched the CheltenhamZero Business fund totalling £36,655 –offering grants of up to £5,000 per local business to support their carbon reduction journey and add a boost to local SME’s seeking to reduce their energy and fuel bills.
Grants will be awarded for capital projects delivering energy efficiency improvements and carbon reduction. This project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Eligibility to apply for a Cheltenham Zero Business grant include being an organisation signed up to the Cheltenham Zero membership, having a registered premise within Cheltenham and with a carbon reduction audit.
Criteria to apply for these grants will include a carbon reduction plan, that will inform which energy efficiency projects are best
suited for an organisation, based on technical advice and expertise, funding for Carbon reduction audits can be found at www.cheltenhamzero.org/ grant-carbon-reduction-audit
Councillor Richard Pineger, cabinet member for climate emergency, said: “This grant is about empowering our local businesses to be part of the climate solution. By supporting practical, measurable carbon reduction projects, we’re not only helping the environment but also strengthening Cheltenham’s economy.
“We know that many SMEs want to take climate action but face financial barriers. This scheme removes some of those hurdles and gives them the tools to make lasting changes.
It’s a win-win for business and the planet.
“We’re calling on all eligible businesses to take this opportunity. Together, we can make Cheltenham a cleaner, greener place to live and work.”
Isobel Filipova, Cheltenham Zero business initiative manager from Cheltenham Borough Council said: “The Cheltenham Zero Business
grant is reducing barriers for SME’s in the Cheltenham Borough to access technology to help them reduce their energy bills and in turn, their overheads.
“Taking steps towards being a net zero carbon business boosts your reputation, attracts customers and clients and future proofs your business as well as reducing operation costs. The 19 businesses who were awarded the fund in 2023/2024 have seen significant growth in their business due to their net zero carbon commitments. You can see what they have achieved on the resources page of the Cheltenham Zero website.
“With over 180 businesses signed up to the Cheltenham Zero initiative across a wide range of sectors, there is support for all business types and a community of likeminded people who want everyone to succeed.”
The closing date for applications to the Business grants is midnight on the 30th September 2025. For more details, the full application criteria, and how to apply visit www.cheltenhamzero.org/gran t-carbon-reduction-audit
Green Party celebrate environmental victory
CHELTENHAM, UK – July 10, 2025 – The Cheltenham Green Party has welcomed the decision by Cheltenham Borough Council to officially list Hardwick Green as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). This landmark decision follows a dedicated campaign by the St Paul's Road Area Residents Association (SPRA) and highlights the profound importance of local green spaces to the community.
The designation means that Hardwick Green is formally recognised for its social value to the St Paul's community, providing an additional layer of protection against potential development and granting the community a formal opportunity to bid for the land should it come up for sale.
Councillor Ashleigh Davies, Green Party Council leader and borough councillor for St Pauls in Cheltenham, commented on the decision: “I'm thrilled to see the decision to make Hardwick Green an Asset of Community Value. This has been a real labour of love
Councillor Ashleigh Davies
from a number of residents within St Pauls who have worked so hard to pull all of this information together.
“The people of St Pauls have made it clear that this green space is really important to them, and they will fight any effort to develop Hardwick Green.”
The University of Gloucestershire, the previous owner of the Hardwick Campus which includes Hardwick Green, recently completed its sale of the site to a developer. While preapplication discussions have indicated potential residential development, the ACV status ensures that the community's interests are a material consideration in any future planning applications.
Councillor Davies further emphasised the broader significance of the decision: “The designation of Hardwick Green as an Asset of Community Value underscores its critical role. “In an increasingly urbanised area like St. Paul's, these precious green spaces are essential for everything from flood mitigation and supporting local wildlife to providing vital recreational and health benefits for residents. We must ensure local voices are central to decisions about our cherished community assets, especially when faced with significant land disposals.”
The Cheltenham Green Party applauds the tireless efforts of SPRA and all residents who contributed to this successful nomination.
Their dedication demonstrates the power of community action in safeguarding invaluable local amenities. The Green Party remains committed to working with residents to protect and enhance Cheltenham's green spaces for current and future generations.
Keeping the town centre safe this summer
LOCAL partners are working together this summer to help keep Cheltenham town centre a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
The initiative, which launched at the end of June, is part of a wider campaign happening across Gloucestershire. It focuses on tackling anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and crime in the town centre - issues that often increase during the summer months.
In Cheltenham, the plan includes:
l Extra patrols in the town centre and other identified hotspots;
l Use of fines and enforcement powers to deal with anti-social behaviour;
l Support for local businesses and shopworkers;
l Joint work with schools, health services and community groups.
The campaign brings together partners including Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Cheltenham BID, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and a wide range of local organisations - including businesses, community groups, and support services.
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “I am so pleased there will be extra patrols and enforcement efforts this summer in the town centre and in other identified hotspots. We have all witnessed the increase in
graffiti tagging that is an illegal enviro-crime blighting our communities, illegal ebikes speeding sometimes even past cars on residential streets and the littering of abandoned Voi e-scooters, not to mention the unacceptable antisocial behaviour of some riders.
“Tackling male violence, intimidation, and abuse against women and girls - particularly in the evening and night-time economy (ENTE) - remains a key priority. I’m pleased to report that we’ve significantly stepped up our collective efforts in recent years, thanks to the strong collaboration between our partners and local businesses. These additional patrols are another important step, helping to proactively identify loitering and intimidating behaviour and ensuring everyone feels safe and welcome in our town centre.”
Cllr Izaac Tailford, cabinet member for economic development, wellbeing, culture and the public realm, added: “It’s really important that residents, visitors and workers alike feel as safe as possible in our town centre. This initiative should help towards that goal, ensuring our town centre remains welcoming and people feel able to make the most of what’s on offer. Not only is this good for all of us personally, but it will help support businesses and the local economy during challenging times.”
Francesca Inman, chief executive of Cheltenham BID, said: “As the collective voice of Cheltenham’s town centre businesses, we’re pleased to be working closely with our partners on this initiative. A safe and welcoming environment is vital for our businesses, shoppers, and
Conservative Party
LET’S talk about immigration, “the boats” if you like, but forgive me if I don’t go into the depth of knowledge that many claim to have. Previously we had the Tory Rwanda Scheme which said if you enter the UK illegally you will not have your asylum claim determined here –you will be removed. And if your home country will not take you back the claim will be considered by a safe third country e.g. Rwanda. Labour ditched that in favour of their “smash the gangs” policy, which clearly hasn’t worked and they have failed to implement.
decides who comes here and who stays.
Veterans - Can we stop our veterans being endlessly pursued by vexatious legal attacks?
visitors. This joined-up approach helps reassure business owners and their teams that anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are being taken seriously, especially during the busy summer months.”
Chief Inspector Marcus Forbes-George from Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “We know that antisocial behaviour (ASB) does increase during the summer months.
“The Safer Streets Summer Initiative is a fantastic example of the ongoing partnership work between the police and other agencies across the county who work tirelessly to tackle ASB.
“By drawing on the strong partnerships which already exist, we will do all we can to ensure that those who live in, work in and visit Cheltenham can enjoy a safe and pleasant environment."
However, maybe we need to return to tackling the gangs and actually try and do it – and work together to stop these Organised Crime Groups making millions from this miserable trade. Is it beyond the capability of all our police forces, both here and in Europe, to stop the OCG’s?
One sobering thought, whilst the criminals prosper, and our government prevaricates, 73 people died last year attempting the crossing – a third of whom were children.
And whilst we are on difficult subjects, I welcome Kemi Badenoch’s recently launched Lawfare Commission. Kemi has asked the Commission to report back on five simple tests saying these are the things that a Conservative government must be able to do:
Deportation - Can we take back control of our asylum system? So Parliament, not international courts,
Fairness - Can we put British citizens first when it comes to social housing and public services because we believe that charity begins at home and those who have paid in should come first?
Justice - Can we make sure prison sentences reflect Parliament’s intentions? Can we stop the disruptive protests which block roads and emergency services without being told it’s “disproportionate”?
Prosperity - Can we prevent courts pretending action on climate change is a human right? How can we prevent endless legal challenges to our infrastructure projects so we can actually get things built and control our own planning system?
All basic tests of whether we are still a sovereign nation able to make our own laws and govern ourselves. I look forward to the outcomes which will inform the debate on, for instance, leaving the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights). Now there’s a topic for discussion!
Rob Garnham - Cheltenham Chairman
New company set to take Gloucestershire Airport to new heights
HORIZON Aero Group has been named as the company set to buy Gloucestershire Airport, and lead it into an exciting new chapter, unlocking opportunities for growth and investment.
The company is a joint venture between Vayu Aviation Services Ltd (UK) and Vensa Infrastructure Ltd (India).
Horizon, which boasts decades of combined experience in international aviation operations and infrastructure development describes itself as being committed to revitalising regional airports through innovation, sustainability, and community-led growth. It says its key aims as the new owner would include, driving job creation and upskilling the local workforce, enhancing the airport’s role as a community and economic asset, modernising infrastructure with a focus on safety, efficiency, and digital innovation and aligning with the UK’s Net Zero targets.
Horizon impressed current owners, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, with its ambitious plans to both modernise the airport and boost the local economy by expanding the site’s business parks. The airport which sits on a 375-acre site, has two thriving business parks and planning consent for an additional 30,000 square metres of business space.
Gloucester city councillors gave the go ahead to sell the airport to new buyers at a full council meeting on June 26.
Both councils decided to sell the airport to secure its future as it needs a large investment to be able to continue to operate and to drive its expansion.
Councillor Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “The airport is a strategic asset for Gloucestershire. We’re encouraged by Horizon’s community-first and sustainability-focused approach. We want to reassure the public that any final deal will uphold the long-term aviation future of the airport and deliver clear benefits to the wider region.”
Leader of Gloucester City Council, Councillor Jeremy Hilton, said: “We were impressed by Horizon’s enthusiasm for the airport and their clear recognition of
its potential to play an important role in the economic growth of the region. They share our vision of modernisation and building on it as a place to do business, in turn bringing huge benefits to the area.”
Jason Ivey, managing director of Gloucestershire Airport, said: “I have been really impressed with my interactions with the Horizon Aero Group during the sale process, as this is clearly a company that has the energy and a focussed vision for the future of Gloucestershire Airport. My team and I are excited to work alongside Horizon during the due diligence phase to assist the airport in transitioning to new ownership.”
Ramdev Polkampalli, chairman, Horizon Aero
Group Ltd, said: “We are honoured to be selected as the preferred bidder. Gloucestershire Airport holds enormous promise, and we are committed to preserving its heritage while investing in its future. We look forward to working collaboratively with both councils, airport staff, and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth and transparent journey toward completion.”
Soma Pemmireddy, CEO, Horizon Aero Group Ltd, added: “Our priority is to build strong local relationships, maintain seamless operations, and begin laying the groundwork for future investment. We are excited to help unlock the airport’s full potential while aligning with the goals of the community and region.”
Labour Party
DID you vote in the recent County Council elections?
If you did, you’re in a minority. Only about 35% of voters in Cheltenham voted on 1st May. And this was down from about 40% in the previous County elections in 2021.
So although I’m disappointed that Labour didn’t do better in the County elections, I’m equally disappointed at how few people actually voted. Local media like Gloucestershire Live and the BBC publish the voting figures, but not the percentage turnout.
Astonishingly, even the County Council doesn’t know what the turnout was! I recently wrote to ask them about voting figures, and they said that they do not hold this information. Is the County Council not concerned about how many people vote?
So why is it that an increasing majority of people don’t vote in local elections? Is it that voters are increasingly satisfied with local services and don’t see the need to make a change. Comments on social and conventional media would suggest otherwise. It’s also possible that voters know that local councils’ freedom to make local decisions is constrained by central government, so it makes less difference which party gains control of the local council.
And there’s the thorny issue of Voter ID. It may be a coincidence that the introduction of the requirement to bring along your ID to be able to vote has been accompanied by a decline in voting, but some research suggests a link.
In the meantime, Labour is bringing in other voting changes. Lowering the voting age to 16, which was promised in the Labour manifesto, grabbed most of the headlines. But there are other important changes. Firstly, the range of acceptable Voter ID will be widened to include bank cards and Armed Forces Veteran Cards. Secondly there will be improvements in how people are registered to vote; this should help tackle the problem of people who are eligible to vote not being able to because they’re not on the electoral register – there’s an estimated 8 million of them currently.
But perhaps the biggest and most exciting change is the government’s plan to devolve many extra powers to local councils, such as over local transport, as they have already done in places like Manchester and Birmingham. Voting in local elections will become much more meaningful if the local council has control and the budget for a wide range of the services which affect our everyday lives.
So what’s the Labour government doing about this? Labour is making elections for local mayors fairer by restoring the supplementary vote system which the Tories took away. Some people would also like to see a full system of proportional representation in local elections in England, such as they already have in Scotland and Wales – and I’m one of them.
None of this is a magic wand to improve voter participation, but it’s a start!
Mike Farmer
Pedal power drives event success for hospice
MORE than 400 riders took to the roads recently as part of Sue Ryder’s iconic Ride for Ryder challenge. The event, sponsored by Cape Homes, has raised over £61,000with donations still coming in - for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in Cheltenham.
Cyclists from across Gloucestershire and beyond came together for the 37th annual Ride for Ryder Sportive, a much-loved fixture in the local community’s calendar.
Building from the phenomenal success of last year the 2025 event saw participants once again set off from Dean Close School in Cheltenham, tackling five scenic routes through the Cotswolds, ranging from 40km to 160km. Riders enjoyed breathtaking countryside views as they passed through villages such as Broadway, Chipping Campden, and Guiting Power.
Supported by over 100 volunteers, the day had fantastic atmosphere with cyclists of all abilities coming together to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder’s expert palliative care and bereavement support
services. There were six refreshment stations along the way, sponsored by Gloucester company Monatrix, where riders could refuel with some much-needed food and drink.
Mark Holland, Director for Cape Homes said: “We were delighted to sponsor Ride for Ryder again this year and have a team take part in the challenge. Sue Ryder’s compassionate care has personally touched my
life, supporting three close friends over the past few years. “Taking part in this event is our way of giving back, and we’re incredibly proud to contribute to such an important cause.
“We're also thrilled to
announce we'll be back in the saddle continuing our support as headline sponsor for 2026 and can't wait.”
Matt Reay, Community Fundraising Manager for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “Ride
for Ryder 2025 has been another runaway success. It was incredible to see so many cyclists coming together to support Sue Ryder. The generosity of our riders and supporters continues to amaze us, and the funds raised this year will help us provide expert palliative care and bereavement support for families across Gloucestershire.
“We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event possible, including our headline sponsor, Cape Homes, our refreshment station sponsor Monatrix, Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I for donating drinks to energise the riders, the mechanics who kept everyone rolling throughout the day and our wonderful army of volunteers.”
Ride for Ryder 2026 sponsored by Cape Homes will take place on Sunday 12 July 2026 and starts and ends at Dean Close School in Cheltenham. There are five distances to choose from: 40km, 70km, 90km, 130km and 160km.
For more information and to secure your super early bird place visit www.sueryder.org/rideforryder
Party in the Park returns News
NO Child Left Behind’s (NCLB) Party in the Park is back on Wednesday 6 August, with a free, funfilled day of activities and entertainment for the whole family at Cheltenham’s magnificent Pittville Park.
Building on the success of last year’s event, this summer’s celebration brings more activities, entertainment and performers. There will be a range of free activities open for all between 11am and 4pm, with live music and performances continuing on the NCLB main stage until 7pm.
The event is part of the NCLB Year of Youth Action and is a celebration of youth culture. It is also partly funded through the Gloucestershire County Council's Holiday Activity and Food Scheme (HAF), providing approximately 800 free healthy lunches to attendees.
The event will be split into four zones: The festival field, at Agg Gardners’ recreation ground, hosted by Cheltenham
Borough Council with large inflatables, circus skills tent, therapy ponies and a family rave.
The Move More arena, at Prince of Wales Stadium, hosted by Move More will offer a climbing wall, a range of sporting activities and a mini-Olympics.
Urban playground, at the tennis courts, hosted by The Children’s Society will include skateboarding, archery and demos by Team Extreme.
The NCLB lawn and advice village, hosted by Cheltenham Borough Council will feature a variety of family activities such as art and drama and the family-friendly advice village.
The NCLB Lawn will also be the home of The NCLB Main Stage, outside Pittville Pump Room. The stage will be hosted by entertainers Kishi and Maria Allebone, and Camilla Lewington, and will showcase a range of music, dance and drama performances.
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “We are
delighted to once again be hosting Party in the Park at Pittville Park this summer. With over 50 providers offering free activities, there’s literally something for everyone to enjoy - from a climbing wall, huge inflatables, skateboarding and archery to creative activities like giant artwork by Cheltenham Paint Festival and live performances on the main stage. It’s certainly going to be a day to remember and I hope to see so many smiling faces there on the day!
“I’d like to say a special thank you to all of our partners and event sponsors Golden Valley HBD, Renishaw and Gloucestershire McDonalds InCito – as well as our zone leads Move More and The Children’s Society who have worked with us to ensure Party in the Park returns this summer to offer a wonderful free event for local families.”
Families of children with additional needs who may find the main event too busy can come to a quiet hour from 10am to 11am.
Summer buzz in full swing at The Brewery Quarter
CHELTENHAM’S premier lifestyle destination, The Brewery Quarter, is bursting with activity this summer – and there’s never been a better time to pay a visit.
Wingstop Lands in Cheltenham
The sizzling addition of popular fast-food hotspot Wingstop has added even more flavour to The Brewery Quarter’s vibrant dining scene. Known for its craveworthy wings and bold flavours, the new venue is already attracting flocks of fans.
Summer Jam Returns
25-27 July
Don’t miss Summer Jam, an unmissable free weekend of live entertainment running from 25–27 July. This funpacked event promises something for all the family with live music, comedy, arts and crafts, and even a visit from a couple of Avengers on Saturday. Whether you're a music lover, a budding artist or simply in search of free family fun, Summer Jam has something for everyone. Visit thebreweryquarter.com for the full lineup.
Cineworld Tickets From £1 – All Summer Long
Cineworld is keeping families entertained with Movies for Juniors – offering blockbuster favourites from as little as £1 per ticket. Highlights include Moana 2, Paddington in Peru, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Minecraft Movie – so you can embrace your inner child together, week after week.
Lion Spotting at The Brewery Quarter
Join the hunt for giant lions!
As part of the Lions at Large art trail, visitors can discover several beautifully designed lion sculptures dotted throughout The Brewery Quarter – just one part of the Gloucestershire-wide trail bringing colour and creativity
to the region this summer. Download the app for your chance to grab exclusive offers and enter lots of competitions!
Kids Eat Free & Great Value Dining
Several of The Brewery Quarter’s popular eateries are running kids eat free promotions, including BrewDog, Prezzo, PizzaExpress and Hub Box. Plus, venues like Five Guys are offering great value kids’ meal deals – perfect for family days out that won’t break the bank.
Win with Everlast and Faded!
To celebrate the launch of Faded – the stylish new barbershop located inside the newly refurbished Everlast Gym – visitors can enter to win a free men’s haircut and a one-month gym membership. Visit The Brewery Quarter website or follow on social media to enter.
With something for everyone this summer, The Brewery Quarter is the go-to spot in Cheltenham for food, film, fun and family-friendly experiences.
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
Recipes Steph Williams
Follow Steph’s blogThis Plate Is Pretty stephnicw.wixsite.com /thisplateispretty
Cod Loin with Cauliflower Puree and Sage Brown Butter
Try this elegant looking and delicate cod dish, full of flavours and textures. The combination of the beautifully fragrant Sage butter and the crispy leaf, against the silky puree will be a sensation in your mouth. This recipe will take a little bit of multi-tasking to ensure everything is still hot and ready at the same time to build your plate, but it is worth it! The whole dish takes around 40 minutes to create and is one where you can get creative with presentation with each element of the meal. This serving size contains just 4g of carbohydrates.
Ingredients
Serves 1
Cauliflower Puree
• 125g Cauliflower
• 1 teaspoon Butter
• Salt & Pepper to taste
Sage Brown Butter
• 1/4 teaspoon minced Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Capers
• 2 teaspoons Butter
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried Sage or 1 fresh leaf
Cod
• 1 Cod loin fillet
• 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Sage Leaves - optional garnish
• Dill - optional garnish
Parmesan Crisp and Crispy
Sage Leaves
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh Sage Leaf
Instructions
l Pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees.
l Season the Cod with Salt, Pepper and Lemon Juice.
l Chop your Cauliflower into small florets and boil/steam until tender. This should be around 15 minutes.
l Once cooked through, add into a blender with some Salt & Pepper and the Butter. Blend until completely smooth and set aside. Keep it covered to ensure it stays warm.
l Bake your Fish in the oven for around 8 minutes.
l For the Parmesan Crisp and Crispy Sage Leaves, cut or grate the Cheese into desired shape and size and place on a parchment covered baking tray and bake for approximately 610 minutes depending on size, or until the edges start to brown and bubble. Add in the Sage leaves for the final 1 minute.
l For the Brown Butter, add the seasoning, Butter and Garlic to a saucepan and apply a medium heat, stirring constantly.
Scallops with Browned
TUESDAY 29TH JULY
Enjoy the match in style with access to the Boundary Hub Marquee - a private area, complete with its own
TICKETS INCLUDE:
l Within a few minutes it'll be melted and starting to brownthis is when to take it off the heat. Be careful it doesn't burn from residual heat.
l Add in the sage about halfway through, continuing to stir.
l Add in the Capers at the end as these do not require heat.
l Create a bed of Cauliflower Puree by gently spreading onto the middle of your plate, then placing the Cod on top. Optional garnishes include Lemon Wedge, Dill, Capers, Watercress.
Recipe notes Pan frying is an option for cooking the Fish also. It sears and locks all the moisture in. When cooking the Cauliflower, it is useful to overcook it, keeping in mind we are making a puree. The cooking method for the Cauliflower is best kept as steaming or boiling as oven roasting it will not give the same silky texture.
Leek Puree
The sweet and salty contrast here really stands out and makes a show. An excellent starter choice for your next dinner party! This dish should take around 20-25 minutes to create and contains 23g of net carbs.
Ingredients Serves 2
• 200g Large Scallops
• Knob of Butter
• 300ml Vegetable Stock
• 250g Leeks
• 1.5 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
• 6 teaspoons Double Cream
• Watercress, Dill, Chive to garnish
Instructions
l Chop the Leeks into 2-inch thick chunks and add to a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of the Olive oil.
l Apply a medium/high heat and fry on each side until browned but not black or burned.
l Add the Leeks to a saucepan with the Stock and reduce until
they are tender enough to blend fully.
l Blitz in a blender or food processor until completely smooth, with the Black Pepper, Cream and Dijon and set aside.
l Season the Scallops in Salt & Pepper and add to a pan with the Lemon Juice and Butter, on a medium-high heat, more on the high side. Pan fry for around 90 seconds per side depending on the size of them.
l Once all is cooked, carefully spoon your Puree in to small circles on your plate and place a Scallop on top. Garnish with Watercress, Dill or Chive to add some colour.
Recipe notes
Cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the size of your Scallops. Try to extract as much water as possible out of the Scallops before cooking. This can be done by wrapping the Scallops in paper towel and leaving to rest on a plate. I also find giving them a bit of a squeeze with your hands helps get any of the remaining water out.
WARNING! - Do not add Salt to the Puree. It will be too over bearing with the Stock in there also. Another tip is to be generous with the Black Pepper in the Puree to really
Understanding your dog
FOR over 12,000 years, dogs have walked beside us as hunters, protectors, workers, and loyal companions.
Descended from the grey wolf, they’ve evolved into more than 400 recognised breeds, each with unique traits from coat texture to body shape all down to centuries of selective breeding by humans. But while their appearances have changed, dogs still carry a deep-rooted evolutionary instinct: the drive to hunt.
This natural drive is known as Predatory Motor Patterns (PMPs). This a sequence of behaviours originally used by wild dogs to track and catch prey. It’s something all dogs retain to some degree, regardless of breed.
The full PMP sequence includes:
1. Orient – The dog notices and directs its attention toward a potential target (e.g., movement, scent, or sound).
2. Eye/Point – The dog locks its gaze on the target and may
By Debbie Morgan
freeze or adopt a pointing stance, showing intense focus.
3. Stalk – The dog begins to move slowly and carefully toward the target, trying not to be seen or heard.
4. Chase – The dog runs after the moving target, often triggered by fast motion.
5. Grab Bite – The dog attempts to catch and hold the target with its mouth.
6. Kill Bite – The dog delivers a bite intended to kill the target, often used by wild canines.
7. Dissect – The dog begins to tear apart the prey, typically seen in more wild or feral behaviours.
8. Consume – The dog eats the prey, completing the predatory sequence.
This sequence is instinctual and varies in intensity between breeds, with some dogs bred to emphasize or suppress certain stages (e.g., herding breeds often emphasize "eye" and
"stalk" but not "kill").
Over time, humans selectively enhanced certain stages of this pattern in dogs to help with specific jobs. For example, gundogs like Labradors and Spaniels were bred for their keen noses and gentle mouths ideal for finding and retrieving game without harming it.
In contrast, herding breeds
like Border Collies were developed to “eye,” stalk and chase sheep, but without progressing to bite or kill, making them perfect for managing livestock.
So why does this matter for modern dog owners?
Understanding your dog’s breed traits and predatory instincts can be the key to managing so-called “problem”
behaviours and most importantly, to ensuring your dog is truly content.
Suppressing these behaviours can lead to frustration, stress, and unwanted actions like chasing cars, herding children, or chewing household items. This is often described as a dog going “self-employed” in their quest for stimulation.
Take the family Collie, for instance. If their herding instinct isn’t channelled, they may start chasing anything that moves. But providing structured activities that mimic those instincts such as puzzle toys, scent games, or controlled fetch gives them a productive outlet and helps reduce the desire to misbehave.
How you can support your dog’s instincts
Here are some simple ways to satisfy your dog’s Predatory Motor Pattern:
• Scent/Track – Try hide-andseek games with treats or use a snuffle mat.
• Eye/Stalk/Chase – Safe ball games or flirt poles (a pole with a tug toy that entices the dog to chase a fast-moving lure) can simulate this instinct.
• Grab Bite/Shake – Tough tug toys allow for playful biting in a controlled way.
• Dissect/Eat – Food puzzles, stuffed KONGs, or chew items can fulfil this need.
It’s important to note that not all dogs follow the full PMP sequence, and their individual breed mix will influence which stages are most prominent. If you’re unsure of your dog’s heritage, simply observe what they enjoy; every dog tells their story through behaviour. While enriching activities can make a world of difference, they’re not a fix-all. For more serious behavioural issues, always consult a qualified behaviourist.
At Cheltenham Animal Shelter, our Behaviour Team is here to support both you and your dog. If you’d like advice tailored to your dog’s needs, email us at behaviour@gawa.org.uk.
YearsGoneBy
Thomas,
1963/64 Bibury FC Division 2 Champions Cheltenham League
From left to right
Back row: J Carey (Chairman), R Ebsworth (Trainer), A Lees, J Fife, K Ponter, R Hudman, T Goodall, P Smith, T Day, H Trinder (President).
Front row: B Lees, G Stratford, P Lees, J Couling, G Trotman.
St Stephen’s Billiards Team Cheltenham
Harris, Mayall, Sewell, Peers Seated .-Townley, Kilminster.
Picture: Tony Goodall
Diamond Wedding 1930
Mr and Mrs James Spencer of Elderslie Church Road, St Marks. Mr Spencer 85 and his Wife 83.
LEFT: A poster of an event held by the Lions Club of Cheltenham for Band Aid 40 years ago to help raise money for Band Aid.
BELOW: Supporters at Cox’s Meadow 1985
Left to right: Tina Hamer, ?, Shirley Smedley-Brown, Mark Steadman, Helen O’Niell, Linda Rafferty, Pete and Tracey Waite, and Linda Badrock.
Kings Arms FC
LEFT TO RIGHT BACK ROW: Keith jones, Dean Ellin, Michael O’Riordon, Darren Green, Tim Marsden, Jason Dymond, Paul Bacon, Dan Gurney, Dermot Walsh.
FRONT ROW: Gary Dunn, Martin Clarke, Barry Rodgers, David Dicks, Tony Capaldi, Mitch Capaldi.
Lakeside Youth FC., 1980s.
Gardening jobs for August
AUGUST is usually one of the hottest months of the year and officially the last month of summer so it’s the perfect time to sit back and enjoy your garden while still at its best.
Be sure to keep on top of watering as these sultry summer days make watering essential. It’s also holiday season for many with the kids on summer holidays from school, so be sure to enlist friends and family to keep an eye on things while away.
August essentials in the flower garden
Continue to deadhead to promote flowering into autumn and top-heavy Dalia’s and Lilies will need staking to protect from wind and rain. Keep on top of feeding especially containers and patio pots. Top up your bird baths, water features and ponds. Tidy up your borders by cutting back your faded perennials and weeding, prune back your climbers once their flowers have dropped, herbs will need cutting back to encourage tasty new growth and lavender will need a trim to keep compact. It’s a good time to collect seeds and take cuttings to store and propagate for next year. Keep an eye on any infected plants and leaves and cut out the discoloured areas.
By Mark Hopkins
Fruits and vegetables
This is the best time of year for our fruits and veg, there’s plenty to harvest and enjoy but it’s not all reward as there are still jobs to do. Feed is essential for the best results. A high pot ash is great for container and pot grown plants especially when first fruit appears.
Pinch out the top of tomato plants to concentrate growth to the fruit - the same applies to your bean plants. Potatoes, carrots and sweetcorn are ready to lift. Any yellowing and floppy foliage on onions, shallots and garlic - lift and dry then store. Don’t let some of the veg get too big. Keep an eye on pests and clear any deceased leaves to prevent spread. Citrus trees will need a citrus feed. Birds and squirrels will be looking for a food source so netting or a bird deterrent like hanging an old CD will help and maybe try a little pepper in your flowering buds to deter squirrels.
In the greenhouse
Check for dry soil and water
when necessary, increased humidity by adding moisture will deter pests, ventilate on warm days, tidy up to prevent disease.
Look after your lawn It’s doesn’t matter if your lawn looks a little brown, it’s getting full use this time of year with the kids at home, and it will bounce back a few days after it starts raining again. Don’t feed with fertiliser this time of year as it will cause damage, lawns grow slowly in the summer so raise the level of your mower to help promote new growth. Re-edging your lawn
will reduce maintenance in the future. You may find a few ant infestations; if so then brush out on dry days and always before you mow.
Other jobs to do in August Trim your hedges ready for autumn, turn you compost regularly to speed up decomposition and clean up ponds. Keep an eye on mildew and spray affected area with Fungicide. Aphids will hide under leaves so be diligent when hunting, brush off and spray to prevent multiplying. Vine weevils, scarlet beetles and slugs love
this time of year so if found treat with nematodes or slug control pellets. Oh and don’t forget those hanging baskets, they will need plenty of attention especially in dry weather.
Once done sit back and enjoy your garden. Take a few photos so you can plan next year's display, think about what worked and what didn’t; what can you change, what do you want to change?
Rough sketches can also help in planning. Think about your spring bulbs for borders, beds, pots and containers then get ordering. Remember your garden is your masterpiece!
Gardening Q&A Gardening
QMy daffodil bulbs were disappointing last spring. They’ve been in the garden years. Do I feed them or put new bulbs in so I get better flowers next spring?
AAfter a few years
Daffodils can get overcrowded which will stop them producing flowers. You can lift, divide and replant but this is unlikely to make much difference, the best thing to do is to remove the old and replace with new. If your old bulbs have been in the ground for a few years then you’ve had your money’s worth so, as the bulbs are inexpensive, for best results, replace.
Q
My lavender plants rarely last past one summer. How can I stop them deteriorating over winter ?
ANot all lavender plants are hardy, when choosing plants for general planting check the labels for hardy winter varieties. Add grit to your soil and when the flowers fade, cut back to the bottom of the flower stalk.
Q
Slugs and snails, how do I control them?
AWe all hate slugs and snails, they are very persistent and annoying. There are many old wives’ tales about how to deal with them, so what’s the best way? Nature friendly slug pellets at the plant’s base will make it difficult for slugs to cross, beer traps attracts them then they drown, you can put wheat bran down and your slugs will over eat and die. You can use a low frequency
electric charge in the form of copper tape around your pots. Diatomaceous earth with its sharp edges will deter, eggshells, coffee grounds or garlic can work. Clear away debris around the base, improve drainage and encourage natural predators like frogs, toads and birds if you can. You may have lots of snails, these are best collected then released along hedgerows where birds might find them.
QI had lots of tulips in pots and troughs, and they looked great, I’ve kept them in the same containers and stored them after they died back. Will they bloom again, or do I need to re-pot?
AIt’s generally not a good idea to leave tulips in pots after the first year, it’s far better to use new bulbs. Your older bulbs can be moved to the ground in borders and once
established will produce flowers.
Q What can I put in my compost heap?
ACompost systems vary from a simple small pile to an enclosed store-bought bin, the key is to vary the material. There’s no one recipe so just use common sense. Green and brown equals black, layers of green (nitrogen-rich) with layers of brown (carbon-rich) in equal measure will give best results. Be sure to turn the mix from time to time to add air and keep the pile moist but not wet, throw in the odd layer of soil to help things along. Local farm animal
manure not garden centre manure is a great addition. A good compost heap needs to to be in the sun at least part of the day to create the heat needed to thoroughly rot any seeds that may be in the heap. A thermometer will eliminate any guesswork.
Q Do dahlias need pinching ?
ASimple answer is yes. Pinching will promote a bushier plant with lots more blooms. Most plants at 15-18in tall will have three sets of leaves, pinch out the tip of the top set leaving the others intact. Do you have any gardening questions? Email mark@cheltenhampost.co.uk
Money talks Fanny Snaith
YOU’VE paused, You’ve breathed, you didn’t throw your phone across the room when your bank balance looked grim. Victory.
In my last piece, “Money & Emotion: How to Keep Your Cool When Your Bank Balance Doesn’t,” I explored the neuroscience of emotional hijack - how, according to Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, the chemical surge of an emotion (like panic or shame) lasts about 90 seconds. After that, it’s not biology keeping the feeling going - it’s your thoughts.
We talked about the power of pausing in that moment, letting the emotion rise and fall, and choosing not to act from fear. That 90-second window, I argued, is where your power lives. And many of you told me it made a real difference.
But now you’ve paused… what comes next?
You’re standing in front of a financial decision - a purchase, a payment, a conversation, an investment - and the emotional heat has cooled. But the uncertainty remains. What do I do? Can I trust myself with this choice? What if I get it wrong?
This, my friend, is the next level of financial selfleadership: learning how to make confident, values-aligned decisions - without spiralling into second-guessing, regret, or avoidance.
In a moment I will introduce your next tool: your Financial Compass - the 7 Cs to Financial Freedom, I use this with all my clients, and it really helps them to increase their feeling of financial wellbeing.
Why Most People Feel Lost Around Money
Let’s be honest — most of us were never taught how to make empowered financial decisions. We were taught how to follow, fear, or ignore money. Our early money education often came through the lens of survival, guilt, or silence.
We watched our parents avoid bills, argue over spending, or model scarcity and control. We absorbed cultural messages like “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” “You have to work hard for every penny,” or “Rich people are greedy.”
And now here we are - adults with jobs, responsibilities, and bank accounts - trying to make sound financial choices without ever having learned how.
So we guess. We Google. We delay. Or we do what someone else told us was 'right’ and feel miserable afterwards. What we need isn’t more information. We need a way to navigate. That’s where your compass comes in.
Introducing Your Financial Compass
Think of your financial compass as a short set of inner questions that bring you back to yourself in the moment of decision. They’re designed to cut through the noise, reconnect you to your values, and help you move from reaction to intention.
The 7 Cs to Financial Freedom Compass
This isn’t a budgeting spreadsheet. It’s your inner map.
Curiosity: What’s really going on here? What’s the story I’m telling myself?
Courage: Am I willing to face the discomfort this brings up?
(Self) Compassion: Can I respond to myself kindly, without judgement?
Commitment: What am I truly committed to - short-term relief or long-term wellbeing?
Consistency: Am I acting in alignment with my values and past intentions?
Confidence: What do I already know to be true and trustworthy about myself?
Clarity: What decision feels most clear, calm, and true right now?
The 7 Cs compass isn’t about perfect answers. It’s about learning to trust your internal wisdom. And when you use it regularly, something shifts: the second-guessing softens, and your financial confidence grows.
Try It Out: Compass Moments in Real Life
Here’s how to apply your 7 Cs Compass to everyday dilemmas:
Dilemma: Should I buy this unplanned item?
Curiosity: Why do I want this? Is this emotional or practical?
Courage: Can I sit with the discomfort of saying no if needed?
Compassion: If I choose not
to buy it, can I soothe the FOMO gently?
Commitment: Does this support my long-term goal?
Consistency: Is this in line with the spending habits I’m building?
Confidence: Have I made good spending choices recently?
Clarity: After all that, does this still feel like a good idea?
Dilemma: Should I lend money to someone I love?
Curiosity: What’s my true motivation here? Guilt, fear, love, obligation?
Courage: Can I be honest if the answer is no?
Compassion: How can I care for both of us without compromising myself?
Commitment: Am I committed to supporting them, or to protecting my own stability?
Consistency: What have I done in similar situations?
Confidence: Do I trust myself to set boundaries lovingly?
Clarity: What’s the clearest, kindest way forward?
Dilemma: Should I invest some of my savings?
Curiosity: What draws me to this? Fear of missing out?
Desire for growth?
Courage: Am I willing to learn and grow into this space?
Compassion: Can I go easy on myself if I don’t get it 100% right?
Commitment: Does this reflect my commitment to future me?
Consistency: Am I following a plan or acting on impulse?
Confidence: What knowledge or advice do I already have?
Clarity: What next step feels right-sized and aligned?
Confidence Isn’t Perfectionit’s Self-Trust
Let me say this loud and clear: confidence doesn’t come from always making the ‘right’ money decision. It comes from learning how to stand behind your choices, learn from them, and adjust without shame. That’s what the 7 Cs Compass is about. Not control. Not certainty. But grounded, values-led direction.
Final Thought: The Answers Are Already Within You You don’t need to crowdsource your financial decisions. You have a compass inside you that’s been waiting to be used. And when you use it, you start to walk a path not based on fear, urgency, or approvalseeking, but on self-leadership.
Pause. Breathe. Check your compass. You’ll find the next step.
Fanny Snaith offers money coaching
Making provisions for vulnerable beneficiaries: A guide to estate planning
WHEN it comes to structuring an estate for vulnerable beneficiaries, such as children with disabilities or individuals who struggle with managing their finances, careful planning is essential.
Clients often face challenging decisions about how to leave assets in a way that protects these beneficiaries while ensuring they receive the intended support.
Avoid Outright Gifts
Direct cash legacies can pose risks for vulnerable beneficiaries. Receiving a lump sum may expose them to exploitation and could adversely affect their eligibility for means-tested benefits, potentially diminishing their financial support. Instead, utilizing trust structures can provide a safer alternative.
The Role of Trusts
These offer a protective framework for managing assets and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of vulnerable beneficiaries.
Three primary types of trusts to consider include:
• Discretionary Trusts: These trusts give appointed trustees the authority to manage the trust's assets and determine how and when to distribute funds. This flexibility allows for adjustments based on the beneficiary's evolving needs while ensuring that the assets do not interfere with meanstested benefits.
• Disabled Persons’ Trusts: Like discretionary trusts, these are specifically designed for beneficiaries classified as disabled. They come with unique tax advantages and certain limitations, particularly regarding how much other beneficiaries can receive
from the trust.
• Life Interest Trusts: This structure permits the vulnerable beneficiary to receive income generated by the trust while keeping the capital under the trustees’ control. While it provides a reliable income stream, it may still impact the beneficiary’s eligibility for certain benefits.
Seek Tailored Advice
Each vulnerable beneficiary's situation is distinct, making it crucial to seek personalized legal and financial guidance when planning your estate.
Here are a few practical tips:
1. Consult Professionals: Engage with estate planning attorneys and financial advisors who specialize in trusts and benefits for vulnerable populations. Their expertise can help navigate
complex regulations and structures.
2. Understand the Beneficiary’s Needs: Evaluate the specific circumstances and needs of the vulnerable beneficiary. This includes their financial situation, health care requirements, and any potential risks of exploitation.
3. Review Regularly: Estate plans should not be static. Regularly review and update your plan to reflect any
changes in the beneficiary's circumstances, your financial situation, or relevant laws.
4. Communicate with Family: Open discussions with family members about your intentions can help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the care of the vulnerable beneficiary.
Conclusion
By thoughtfully considering these options and taking proactive steps, individuals can create estate plans that effectively support vulnerable beneficiaries, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they deserve without unnecessary risk. Estate planning is not just about distributing assets; it's about safeguarding the future of those who may need it the most. Professional guidance, understanding individual needs, regular reviews of the estate plan, and open communication with family members are important parts of planning ahead.
For more information and advice call the Unity Legal on 0333 335 5875
TEST YOUR BRAINPOWER Puzzles
1. Which is the longest river in both China and Asia?
2. The 2025 Best Picture Academy Award went to which film?
3. Which scale of temperature is named after the 19th century Irish physicist who first developed it?
4. Which is the world’s largest species of edible flatfish?
5. The British high tide tables use which landmark as their reference point?
6. Since its revival in 2021, who has hosted the TV series The Weakest Link?
7. The drug atropine is derived from which poisonous plant?
8. Marco Silva is the manager of which Premier League football club?
9. Birdsong, Charlotte Gray and The Girl at the Lion d’Or are historical novels by which British writer?
10. According to the title of the 2025 West End musical, The Devil Wears... what?
Here are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid –but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
1. Look forward to spicy food (6)
4. Naughty child has skill to communicate (6)
9. Pigeon connoisseur is more whimsical (7)
10. Repair cut in jacket (5)
11. Somehow rid Vernon of person who cannot take the wheel (3-6)
12. Girl has most of the condiment (3)
13. Broody female is particularly vulnerable (7,4)
18. I’m following one in goal (3)
19. Seamen from Irish port are good at opening bottles (9)
21. Note that is designed to banish ill-feeling (5)
22. I am going to bribe problem drinker (7)
23. Engine fails to work on eastern line (6)
24. Where such dealers may end up? (6)
QUICK CROSSWORD
1. Guarantee (8) 5. Amongst (4) 9. Everything included (3,4) 10. Shoulder gesture (5) 11. Bony part of neck (5) 13. Spite (6) 15. South African village (5) 17. Yellow of egg (4)
19. Hostelry (3) 20. Small pond (4) 21. Bury (5) 23. In the direction of (6) 24. Drench (5) 28. Diadem (5)
29. Receding sea (7)
30. Wild cat (4)
31. Unidentified (8)
ague; argue; arguer; argute; auger; auto; euro; gaur; glue; glut; gout; grout; grouter; gruel; guar; gular; gulet; lour; lout; luge; lure; lute; outage; outer; outrage; outré; ragout; regular; REGULATOR; regulo; rogue; roué; rouge; rout; route; router; rule; ruler; rural; tolu; torula; tour; tourer; true; truer; trug; tule; turgor; ultra; urate; urea; urge; urger.
1. Envelop (4)
2. Souvenir (5)
1. Get money back from arbiter and German (6)
2. Len in trouble with the cloth (5)
3. Striker removed from plant (7)
5. Test for car or what is driving it (5)
6. Cinema’s production for a forgetful person (7)
7. Equipment made by rugby players (6)
8. Bad weather on the road? (7,4)
14. Enormous blokes living in rebuilt semi (7)
15. Refuse to go into it (7)
16. Rugged? Just in a tangle (6)
17. Turn aside to compose verse about a point (6)
19. Hoard of money, one hears (5)
20. Priest has tailless animal (5)
3. Windcheater (6) 4. Neat (4)
6. ------- and tenon (7)
7. Poor-quality verse (8)
8. Customary (5)
12. Reduce to powder (5)
13. Heads of hair (5)
14. Sacredly obscure (8)
16. Social insect (3) 18. Information (inf.) (3-4)
21. Sarcasm (5) 22. Russian currency (6)
25. County (5)
26. ---- Lynn, singer (4)
27. Muddle (4)
NONAGRAM
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: Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the
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).
EQUALISER: CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Warranty; 5 Amid; 9 All told; 10 Shrug; 11 Scrag; 13 Malice; 15 Kraal; 17 Yolk; 19 Inn; 20 Mere; 21 Inter; 23 Toward; 24 Souse; 28 Crown; 29 Ebbtide; 30 Lynx; 31
Deadly nightshade; 8 Fulham; 9 Sebastian Faulks; 10 Prada.
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
l
l
l
l
New days out reader offer
THE Cheltenham Post and Swanbrook Coaches have teamed up to give our loyal readers some wonderful days out throughout the year.
Bath
A timeless treasure
Tuesday 16th September
Step into the elegance of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its stunning Georgian architecture, rich history, and rejuvenating thermal waters. Whether you're seeking culture, relaxation, or adventure, Bath offers an unforgettable experience.
Marvel at the grandeur of the Royal Crescent and The Circus, or explore the ancient Roman Baths, where natural hot springs have bubbled for over 2,000 years. Indulge in a spa day at the Thermae Bath Spa, where you can bathe in warm, mineral-rich waters while enjoying breathtaking rooftop views.
Literature lovers can follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen, visiting the museum dedicated to her life and works. Stroll along the charming streets, filled with boutique shops, quaint cafés, and awardwinning restaurants.
With its vibrant cultural scene, stunning countryside surroundings, and fascinating heritage, Bath is a must-visit destination for a truly enchanting escape.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Tuesday 9th December
Step into a winter wonderland at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria! This festive favourite transforms Birmingham’s city centre into a magical Christmas haven, complete with traditional wooden chalets, twinkling lights, and the sweet sounds of festive music.
Wander through Victoria Square and New Street, where you'll find unique handcrafted gifts, festive decorations, and delicious German treats.
Indulge in sizzling bratwurst, crispy pretzels, and roasted almonds, all perfectly paired with a warm mug of glühwein or rich hot chocolate.
With live entertainment, a beautifully lit Christmas tree, and a joyful atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to celebrate the festive season with family and friends. Whether you're searching for the perfect gift or simply embracing the holiday spirit, Birmingham’s German Christmas Market promises an unforgettable experience filled with warmth, tradition, and Christmas cheer!
Escorted by John Batchlor from Cotswolds Travel www.cotswoldstravel.co.uk
Quiz with prizes of meals for two and other fantastic prizes.
Deadline for booking and payment:
Bath: 9th September 2025
Birmingham: 9th December 2025
Information
Pick up points in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Churchdown
Departing 9am and returning from destination at 5pm.
Cos t and payment
Price is £30 per person.
Payment either by bank transfer to All4one Media Ltd
Acc no: 78327142
Sort code: 60-83-71
Or cheques payable to; All4One Media Ltd.
Send to 121 Salisbury Avenue, Warden Hill, Cheltenham. GL51 3BZ.
Bishops Cleeve FC season close
By Ben Ware
BISHOPS Cleeve completed a week of rather impressive results with victory over Southern League Premier Division Central side Banbury United on Friday night.
The 2-0 win made it three wins on the bounce against higher-level opposition, a run that began with a 4-2 win over Gloucester City at the TigerTurf Stadium on the 12th of July.
A win over the Mitres’ near neighbours would clinch their first ever Severn Sport Shield triumph, a pre-season competition involving local sides that saw Gloucester City beat Fairford Town and Cleeve beat Longlevens to reach the final at the home of the Tigers.
The hosts had started the stronger of the two sides with the Southern League Premier Division South side looking to show off their higherlevel ability but, somewhat against the run of play, it would be Bishops Cleeve that took the lead through a gift of a goal.
Jared Thompson dwelled on the ball too long and allowed Jack Watts and Ross Langworthy to close him down, the attempted clearance was hit straight at Watts, and Langworthy was there to pounce and slot home into an empty net after 13 minutes.
corner past Sam Gilder.
The lead would only last six minutes, however, as Michael O'Regan rose highest to head a
Cleeve looked to be heading into the break all square but for a late flurry of goals from the visitors, Watts adding his name to the score sheet with a side-footed finish to convert a clinical counter attack with two minutes left of the half before Jay Malshanskyj was played through on goal and slotted in Cleeve’s third on the stroke of
half time.
Malshanskyj made it 4-1 in the second half, squeezing the ball under the City keeper at the near post, while Gloucester did get one back, firing home the goal of the day, but not having enough time to mount any sort of comeback.
Paul Collicutt's side followed this up with a Tuesday night trip to the Arden Garages Stadium to face the Southern League Premier Division Central’s Stratford Town. It was a
midsummer night’s dream for the Mitres in Shakespeare’s home town as they came away with another win in a mostly uneventful affair, which saw the two sides go measure for measure in a tight and close encounter. The Bards created the first chances of the match, forcing returning ‘keeper Lewis Clayton into a strong save from close range after eight minutes. The next clear opportunity came 12 minutes later when Clayton was called into action
again, backed up by his defence, who made a series of blocks to keep the home side at bay.
The half would end goalless thanks to two big chances missed by Stratford, one flying just wide of the post and the other somehow blazed over from within the six-yard box.
It was after the break that Cleeve would begin to take control of proceedings, taking their fair share of possession and doing what the home side
Cleeve Development and women’s game on the right road
ALEX Cheal’s Bishops Cleeve Development side have enjoyed a fruitful pre-season of their own, beginning with a commanding 5-1 win over Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves on 5th July, followed up by another big win as they beat Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two side Smiths Barometrics 6-2 at Kayte Lane, Harry Davis bagging a hattrick with George Cuzner, Sam Coates, and SJ also finding the net. The real challenge came against Hellenic Premier Division side Thornbury Town, whose previous visit to Kayte Lane saw them earn a 33 FA Cup draw against Paul Collicutt’s first team in 2024. The gap between the two sides was nowhere to be seen in the early stages of the game, with Thornbury fashioning early half chances from crosses but nothing that would really trouble the Cleeve goal. The Mitres would be more effective in front of goal, Cuzner picking the ball up and
hitting it on the turn to force a strong save before Tommy Bond knocked the ball round his defender, running onto it and being brought down by the ‘keeper. The referee pointed to the spot, Bond stepped up to find the bottom right corner and give Cleeve the lead ten minutes from half time.
Thornbury’s best chance of the game came five minutes into the second half but somehow it was drilled across goal and wide from close range; the away side wouldn’t fashion another meaningful chance for the rest of the game. Little would happen of note until the end of the second half, the 88th minute bringing the next goal as George Ellerton’s strike from inside the box was deflected and looped over a helpless Thornbury keeper. Two minutes later, and it was three, Archie Tucker beating his man before firing the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box via a slight
deflection to aid it on its way.
The Development have had a strong pre-season to aid their preparations for their first season in the Gloucestershire County League which they won promotion to after a dramatic double header against Bristol-based Winterbourne United in the inter-league play-offs. They will also be joined by Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One champions Tewkesbury Town while Winterbourne are left to defend their Bristol Premier Combination title.
Bishops Cleeve Ladies by Dan Brian Bishops Cleeve Ladies began their pre-season in style with an outstanding 12-1 win over Winchcombe Town.
It only took two minutes for the Mitres to get going, with Leonie Gough’s effort rolling just wide. She kept her head high, however, as a minute later she fired past the Winchcombe goalkeeper. In
the subsequent 10 minutes of play, Gough could have had a hat-trick. A brilliant through ball by Lottie Winter put her one-on-one, and the forward did a great job to get around the ‘keeper but could only hit the post. The subsequent effort, which should have made it 2-0, flew over. With her fifth shot of the game, Gough hit the bar, and the ball bounced off the line and out of danger.
Not long after, however, the hosts did start converting chances into goals. Kirsty Richardson doubled their advantage and made it a brace moments later, and a quick water break after the goal was followed by a fourth, this time from Lauren Peck. Before we reached the half-hour mark, Richardson scored again to complete her hat-trick and Peck doubled her tally to make it 6-0 to the hosts. Freya Dimond scored before halftime to make their advantage border on the ridiculous, and after a surprisingly quiet first
had so far failed to do: taking their chances. A marauding run from Steve Davies down the left wing led to decent link-up play with Langworthy, eventually seeing Ben McLean teed up to stroke home the only goal of the game with 50 minutes on the clock.
Friday night then brought the visit of Banbury United to Kayte Lane, another Southern League Premier Division Central side who competed in the National League North as recently as 2024. Cleeve controlled the game from the start, Malshanskyj getting his first sight of goal after only four minutes, forcing a save from Puritans’ keeper Jack Harding. The opening goal came 11 minutes in as Malshanskyj continued his fine start with a well-placed cross to the front post where Aaron EvansHarriott was able to meet the ball and guide it goalwards with Harding making a good save but seeing the ball rebound off the back of a tumbling EvansHarriott and in to make it 1-0.
A string of crosses were no threat to Gilder’s goal midway through the first half, with Banbury looking mostly ineffective in front of goal. Cleeve would continue to control the affair and capped off the evening with a late goal, Toby Holland winning and converting a penalty to make it 2-0 after 84 minutes.
The Mitres’ next test comes against another Southern League Premier Division side when Worcester City visit on the 29th before they hit the road to face Wimborne on 2nd August.
to success
10 minutes to the second-half, Winter scored the eighth, and the game went back to exactly how it was in the first half. Cora Bolton made it 9-0, and numbers 10 (Richardson) and 11 (Gough) scored 10 and 11 respectively. A goal against the run of the play slightly reduced the deficit, but a penalty won by the home side’s Leigh Mitchell, who played most of the game in net, gave the Mitres the chance to cancel it out. The penalty was, however, saved, but Stirling, back playing for the hosts, did grab Cleeve’s twelfth before the tie was over. It finished 12-1 and was hopefully a great indicator of what’s ahead this season for Bishops Cleeve Ladies. Sunday afternoon brought about a whole new meaning to pre-season friendlies at Kayte Lane, as Bishops Cleeve Ladies took on Bishops Cleeve B’s. It took the game a bit of time to get going, with the only action of note in the opening 40 minutes being the
B’s hitting the crossbar, but an effort from distance eventually gave them the lead, and only a moment later they doubled their advantage. On the 50minute mark, the ball was tapped in on the line for their third, and it looked like the game was well and truly over. However, when the rain calmed down, so did the B’s goals, and although their first was immediately cancelled out by a fourth from the men, a ladies’ second with twenty minutes to go and a third courtesy of a goalkeeping howler only moments later meant the game was well and truly back on. However, a fifth and sixth for the B’s towards the end meant that a more than eventful afternoon was going to end in their favour. Their opponents did add one more to their tally in the 88th minute, but it wasn’t enough. A 10goal thriller ended in the favour of Bishops Cleeve B, and the ladies will look ahead to their next pre-season test against Fry Club JFC.
Sport
Gloucestershire beaten by Somerset
BEN Green conjured up an incisive performance with bat and ball as Somerset beat arch rivals Gloucestershire by 16 runs in a hard-fought Vitality Blast encounter beneath the Cooper Associates Ground floodlights
So often an unsung hero in the short format, Green topscored with 36 not out from 22 balls with 3 sixes and dominated a crucial unbeaten stand of 42 for the eighth wicket with Craig Overton as Somerset posted 164-7 on a turning pitch after winning the toss.
He then returned figures of 1-27 from four overs as Gloucestershire, buoyed by another half century from overseas star D'Arcy Short, were restricted to 148-8, much to the delight of a sellout Taunton crowd.
Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor claimed 3-19 with his off breaks and his brother, Matt, 2-11 as the visitors made Somerset graft on a used surface. In the final analysis, Green's heroics at the death made the difference in an uncharacteristically lowscoring contest.
Short finished unbeaten on 71 from 52 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes for Gloucestershire, while Jake
Ball took 2-20 in four overs as Somerset finished their qualification campaign with 11 wins in 14 outings. Accustomed to scoring freely in powerplays at Taunton, Somerset did not have things entirely their own way against the nagging accuracy of Gloucestershire's seamers. Tom Lammonby and Will Smeed came out breathing fire, only to fall to left armer Matt Taylor as the home side were reduced to 46-2 in the sixth. Lammonby
mustered a six and a four in raising 15, only to drill a length ball straight to midwicket, while Smeed plundered 20 off a Josh Shaw over before losing off stump to a Taylor in-swinger and departing for 29. Making his final appearance for Gloucestershire before retirement, spinner Tom Smith lured James Rew into a trap, having the young lefthander held on the long-on boundary for 19 with the
A fantastic season for Southside Stars
IT’S been another exciting season at Southside Star.
We started the season with 39 boys’ teams, which will grow next season to no fewer than 45, making us the club with the most teams in the Cheltenham Youth Football League for the second consecutive season.
We also started our first girls’ team this season, with our U11 Lynxs, who joined the Gloucester County Girls’ League and won their division in their inaugural season! They were joined in January by our U12 Sabres, and girls’ football is definitely an area where we are looking to expand.
Of course we would like to get to the point where we have girls’ teams across the whole range of age groups, but a big limiter on this and on further expansion in general, is the lack of training facilities available in Cheltenham, particularly during the winter. We currently have all available slots booked on the astro at Bournside; we also have slots at High School Leckhampton (HSL), All Saints, Tommy Taylor’s and even at the Multi-Sport facility at Prestbury (MUGA), but it’s still not enough.
I know we are not the only club looking for space, which is why it’s so disappointing to hear of plans to replace the Dowty’s
By Steve Pitman
Sports and Social ground with a business park and to build homes on the playing fields at Pittville School, which also hosts many junior football games/training. We need more facilities for our grassroots clubs in Cheltenham, not less!
For the second year running, we held our presentations at the prestigious Bacon Theatre at the Dean Close school, a huge thanks to them for accommodating us again.
We started the day at 8:30am, with a team of volunteers helping to set out no fewer than 732 trophies (see photo). First presentations began at 10:30am and we ran through the day (without a break!) until 7:30pm. That’s a long old day and with our total number of teams expected to rise to over 50 next season, it’s going to get even longer!
However, this is one of those times that you don’t mind a long day! This really is an event for everyone to enjoy, with lots of tales of the season’s achievements and hearing the stories behind the various team awards. And seeing the joy on the faces of the children as they receive their trophies, that
is absolutely priceless. As our club secretary Annabelle said: “It made me feel like a proud mum of over 650 children!”.
This year also saw our first Southside tournament in 19 years, with just the 116 teams, over 2 days and 4 sessions!
It was all the brainchild of our Social Secretary, Steve New, who did an incredible job of arranging everything, even taking the week off work prior to the tournament, to make sure everything ran smoothly. The biggest concern of all turned out to be the thunder and lightning forecast on the afternoon of day one, but thankfully we got away with a heavy downpour, although that did result in some very wet children, and parents!
A huge thank you to Steve for taking this on and making it a success, also a massive thank you to every single one of our small army of volunteers who helped make this happen; there are too many of you to mention here, but you all showed your commitment and support to the ‘Southside family’ and of course we couldn’t have done it without you.
On a personal note, earlier this month I was very honoured to be presented with the prestigious Bobby Moore award at the
score 79-3 in the ninth. Trusting in pace off on a used pitch, the visitors introduced Ollie Price's off breaks at the River End in a bid to stifle Somerset's renowned firepower. He struck in his first over, Tom Kohler-Cadmore feathering a catch behind and falling for 21 as the cider county reached halfway on 91-4. Bowling leg spin, Jack Taylor then got in on the act, taking a looping return catch to remove Somerset skipper
Lewis Gregory for six as the home side lurched to 105-5 in the 13th. Having scratched 14 runs, Sean Dickson then succumbed to Gloucestershire's captain in his next over from the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion end, playing across the line and missing a straight one with the score 114-6. On a roll by now, Taylor struck again in the 17th, persuading Lewis Goldsworthy to hit high to long-on as Somerset were further reduced to 1227.
When Green hoisted Jack Taylor over mid-wicket for six in the penultimate over, it was Somerset's first boundary for nine overs. He twice repeated the feat against David Payne at the death, 22 runs coming from the final over as Green and Craig Overton raised a valuable unbeaten eighth wicket alliance of 42 in 21 balls.
Overton opened up with a maiden over, but Short and Miles Hammond both helped themselves to sixes in the second, bowled by Gregory, as Gloucestershire's reply received a welcome shot in the arm. Hammond then put Overton over the rope at deep mid-wicket, only to perish in the fourth over, bowled for 16 by a slower
delivery from Jake Ball. Debutant Tommy Boorman got off the mark with a pulled six at the expense of Overton, who immediately avenged himself, having the youngster superbly held by Gregory at cover as the visitors slipped to 36-2. Spinner Goldsworthy was called into the attack to bowl the eighth and Short lifted him for six over long-on as the over yielded 11 runs. Jack Leach did rather better when replacing him at the River End, persuading Ben Charlesworth to hole out to mid-wicket for 16, while Jack Taylor was run out next ball without scoring as Gloucestershire subsided to 66-4 at halfway. With the required rate rising to 11 for the first time, Gloucestershire were in need of a big over. It came in the 14th, Ollie Price taking Leach for a six and a four to keep his side in the hunt. But when Price offered Green a return catch in the next over, last season's Blast champions were 102-5, requiring a further 63 from 35 balls. Short went to his fifth half century in six innings from 42 balls, but Gregory returned to remove James Bracey as Somerset took a vice-like grip on proceedings.
Gloucestershire FA Grassroots Football Awards. This award, as per the programme notes, ‘celebrates those who represent the very best of grassroots football –the true spirit of the game’.
This was a very special moment for me, one that I was fortunate enough to share with my family, and was a very unexpected reward for the ‘work’ I have done with Southside over the last 21 years. Although this was a personal award, I really do feel this was an honour on behalf of everyone involved at Southside. To achieve such growth as we have, you need a legion of volunteers to make it happen. The Southside committee all work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things ticking
along; there is a lot more work than people realise in running a football club and Matt (and his wife Rachel), Simon and Annabelle all do an incredible job for us!
Similarly, with running a team, what you see our managers and coaches do on a match day is just a small part of what they do. Managing a football team is very rewarding, but can be very demanding too. I’m sure they will all tell you, it can sometimes take over your life!
Thanks to all the Southside committee and to every one of our managers and coaches, for the great job you all do and for supporting me in this journey to make Southside the club it is
today. With a special mention to John Jones, who was my righthand man for no fewer than 18 of these 21 years!
We are very proud of how we have grown and with our philosophy of football for everyone, with an ethos of zero criticism.
This philosophy was encapsulated perfectly by Martin Keown, ex-England defender, who was guest speaker on a course I attended recently. When asked what advice he would give to grassroots coaches, he replied: “Treat every kid as if they were your own", which I think is a wonderful mantra and is very much aligned with the Southside way of thinking.
Robins in heavy defeat to Wycombe
Continued from back page
“I could have easily gone 45-1 today and been negative, but it’s all about pre-season today and getting that fitness and sharpness up.”
Flynn went on to comment on further transfer dealings and the current state of the squad.
He continued: “As you can see we are short of players that can break into the first team, I thought Barber played excellently (second half substitute centre back) but you can see that is where we are short at centre back, but he was excellent and if he keeps learning he’s been training with us, and developing at this rate he’ll be a good player for the club.
“It is difficult because we are working hard to try and get the players that we want in to be successful but it’s difficult, sometimes we can’t afford them.
Sometimes they want to get elsewhere, but we’ll continue to work as hard as we can and try and get the players in that will improve us.
“We’ve lost Matty Taylor, who’s had a fantastic career and been no problem to me, I spoke to him this morning and wished him luck for the future.”
When asked about budgets and incoming signings, Flynn highlighted that his focus is on working with what’s available until told otherwise.
He said: “I am doing what I can with the budget I have been given, until that changes, that’s above my
pay grade.
“I haven’t got the money to go out and say here you go and get the deal done. I need to beg, borrow. We’ve got what we can afford, but also the players we like.
“Last year we got George Miller and Sam Stubbs quite late, I think we got three regulars late on in the window so we just have to keep trying, keep working and try to get things sorted.”
FC Lakeside celebrates 50 years of football, family and friendship
IT all began in 1975, when Fred Pratt, one of the local dads in Hatherley, started a football team for his son Brian and his friends.
Fred successfully entered the team into the Cheltenham Junior League, and from that simple beginning, FC Lakeside was born. What started as a father’s initiative to give local children the chance to play football has since grown into one of Cheltenham’s most respected grassroots football clubs. Over the decades, countless people have given their time, energy, and passion to keep the club thriving. Thanks to their dedication, FC Lakeside has become more than just a football team - it's a proud community institution that continues to make a lasting impact across generations.
This year marks a huge milestone for FC Lakeside as they proudly celebrate their 50th anniversary. Since that founding moment in 1975, the club has grown into a thriving football family, now involving more than 400 local children who train and play week-in, week-out. The club has continued to grow over the years, with a strong and increasing presence of girls’ teams proudly representing FC Lakeside.
FC Lakeside also proudly runs two adult teams, both competing at a strong local level, keeping the passion for football alive beyond youth age groups.
One of the club’s most cherished traditions is their longstanding friendship with Dutch side SV Poortugaal, near Rotterdam. This unique bond dates back to 1982, and has seen
generations of children from both clubs enjoy exchange visits - staying with families, experiencing new cultures, and of course, playing football.
These exchanges have created unforgettable memories and lifelong friendships, further highlighting the values that make FC Lakeside so special.
To mark the special occasion, they’re hosting a series of celebrations, starting with a Family Fun Music Festival on 30th August at their home ground on Cold Pool Lane, followed by a black tie gala in November at Manor By The Lake. The festival promises live music from local artists, a variety of food and drink, entertainment for all ages, and a great atmosphere for families and friends from across the community. Tickets for the day
,
Terrace
talk with Will Alder
THERE are a few ways to approach pre-season, with no right or wrong way really.
Some professional football clubs go abroad on a tour, some sides decide to play the majority of fixtures against local lower league opposition and hopefully win convincingly, building confidence into the season, whereas others prefer to play the majority of their games against stronger sides higher up the pyramid to give their players more of a test.
Michael Flynn’s preference over the last couple of preseasons seems to be the first couple of games against local non-league sides and then the remaining games against League One or Championship sides higher up the ladder. As the gaffer has said, for a player to play for 60-75 minutes against that calibre of opposition is the equivalent of 30-45 minutes against a Southern League Premier South side for example, as the standard is so much higher and the players get through so much more work. League One side Wycombe Wanderers certainly posed clearly the biggest test of our pre-season so far and on Saturday this proved to be the case. A convincing win for the visitors, who were pushing for a place in the Championship last time around, with a couple of preventable goals deciding this one. Our first eleven selected to start looked fairly strong on paper, with JudeBoyd to come into the picture at right back, but it did once again clearly show our lack of depth; with only Dulson, Kinsella and Backwell on the bench likely to feature for the first team this season.
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A spokesperson for Lakeside said: “What makes FC Lakeside stand out isn't just the footballit's our commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment where local children can enjoy the game, make friends, and be part of a welcoming community.
“Our base at Cold Pool Lane has become more than just a pitch; it’s a space where friendships grow and the community comes together.
“We can't wait to welcome everyone to our 50th anniversary celebrations and hope to see many familiar (and new!) faces at the festival in August. Come and celebrate with us - here's to 50 years of football, and many more to come!”
hopefully he is fully over that and his first loan spell away from Aston Gate will be a successful one.
We now only have less that two weeks to go until we head to Cambridge United to kick off our 2025/6 EFL League 2 campaign, we need to get some more business done in the transfer market as soon as possible. Our highest earner Matty Taylor has departed the club this week, to join National League South side Salisbury City, which hopefully frees up some budget for potential new signings. Matty has had a great career and has been a good player for Cheltenham over the last couple of seasons with his knowhow and knack of finding the back of the net, but at 35, I think the time is now right to move on and better utilise his wages elsewhere.
Another positive at this stage is that Jordan Thomas, Ethon Archer and Arkell JudeBoyd remain Cheltenham Town players at this stage. As we all know how difficult the transfer market is at the moment, with other clubs at our level spending big on transfer fees and wages and us operating with very limited resources, our worstcase scenario would be to lose these lads between now and the transfer window closing.
This backs up what I mentioned last time around that further new arrivals are definitely required prior to the new season and frustratingly (but not surprisingly) over the last couple of weeks we have seen very little business done in terms of incomings.
Bristol City youngster Taine Anderson is the latest player through the door, with the 19-year-old left-back, originally from Gloucester, signed on loan for the season. By all accounts he is highly thought of at City and is an attacking left back with bags of potential and a nice left foot, so fits the Michael Flynn mould for his preferred wing back style. Anderson’s development was hindered by a long-term injury last campaign, so
In traditional Cheltenham Town fashion, we might not get their full transfer value and as we have found in the past with Mo Eisa’s drawnout departure to Bristol City for example, signing replacements late on in the window becomes even more challenging. Let’s just hope Mike Garlick’s period of exclusivity doesn’t yield any problems and the takeover goes without a hitch. Maybe even a possible last-minute injection from the former Burnley Chairman in regards to finances, might help us get a few more signings through the door?
Next up for the Robins before the League campaign begins are two further challenging tests, in the form of Championship sides Swansea City and Bristol City. As with the Wycombe game and all-pre-season fixtures in general, the results are not the most important outcome, but if the lads can hold their own against this level of opposition, and continue to build rapport with each other, then it should bode well and give some confidence for when the season begins.
Cheltenham Post
Robins defeated
Cheltenham Town FC continue pre-season with heavy loss to Wycombe Wanderers
CHELTENHAM Town continued their pre-season with a 0-3 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.
The Robins, wearing a new look white and yellow away kit, failed to score, but there were plenty of positive signs against a solid Wycombe side.
Harry Pell played 45 minutes for the Robins. After a long absence, his return from injury could be key for Cheltenham this season, his height and midfield presence will feel like a new signing if he’s able to stay fit.
After the game, Manager Michael Flynn spoke on the importance of more minutes on the legs as the first league game moves closer.
Flynn said: “I thought it was a really
By George Didcote Chief Football Writer
good test against a really good Wycombe team.
“I thought Scott Bennett and Darragh Power were brilliant today. I was really pleased with those two, first half I thought Wycombe were excellent, but on the main I’ve still seen a lot of good things.
“I know it is easier to say that, when results don’t matter, and there are one or two things I’d like to improve on, but we were good.”
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