The Cheltenham Post Newspaper 8th May 2026

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Where to find us

You can pick up your copy of the Cheltenham Post in many shops and leisure places throughout the town.

We also have stands at your local supermarkets listed below; Arle Court Transport Hub

Asda Superstore, Hatherley Lane

Tesco Superstore, Collets Drive

Tesco, Church Road Bishops Cleeve

Morrisons, Caernarvon Road Up Hatherley

Sainsburys, Gallagher Retail Park

Sainsburys, Priors Road Oakley

Co-Op, Leckhampton Road

Co-Op, Bath Road, Leckhampton

Co-Op, Salisbury Avenue

East End Garage, Charlton Kings

Cheltenham General Hospital

We are also at selected other Co-Op stores as well as many 1000s delivered door-to-door on a rotation basis every two weeks.

Two jailed for knifepoint robbery of Gloucester taxi driver

A MAN and a woman have been jailed for a total of eightand-half years for the knifepoint robbery of a taxi driver in Gloucester.

Justin Francis, 39 and Tiffany Davis, 36, targeted their victim as he pulled into Valley Gardens in the Quedgeley area of the city on Wednesday 17 September last year.

The taxi’s CCTV captured Francis waving the knife around aggressively from the back seat, threatening the driver and

holding it to his throat.

Fearing for his safety, the taxi driver handed over £70 cash and fled the vehicle before returning when he’d seen Francis enter a nearby block of flats.

Davis left the vehicle shortly afterwards and the driver drove to Police Headquarters to report what had happened.

Officers subsequently located Francis and Davis at an address in Gloucester and arrested them both.

Francis, of Chequers Road,

Gloucester and Davis, of no fixed address, both admitted a charge of robbery contrary to section 8 (1) of theft act at Bristol Crown Court last month.

Francis also pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place.

On Tuesday, 21st April, Francis was jailed for four and half years while Davis was sentenced to four years. Both were also issued with restraining orders banning them from contacting the victim for five

Man arrested in connection with death of

A MAN has been arrested in connection with the death of a motorcyclist on Wednesday, 29th April.

Police are appealing for witnesses as part of their investigation after emergency services were called shortly after 7.30pm with a report of a collision at the Trafalgar Crossroads near the B4077 in Temple Guiting. The collision involved a grey

Honda CB650R motorcycle and a white Volkswagen transporter panel van.

Emergency services attended and despite the best efforts of those at the scene, the rider of the motorcycle, a man aged in his 20s, was pronounced dead.

His family has been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

The driver of the van, a man aged in his 20s and from

Worcestershire, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving in connection with the collision.

He remained in police custody while waiting to be questioned by officers.

Several roads were closed to allow a collision investigation to take place and have since reopened.

Investigating officers are now appealing for anyone who

years.

Detective Sergeant Jon Stokes said: “The victim in this case was simply carrying out his job when he was confronted by Francis who threatened him and held a knife to his throat.

“Davis was in on the plan and can be seen deliberately pulling down the taxi’s CCTV.

“It’s clear neither cared about the impact their actions had on their victim and the public are much safer now both are behind bars.”

motorcyclist

witnessed the collision, saw either of the vehicles driving in the area or has any relevant dashcam footage to get in contact. Information can be submitted to police by completing the following online form and quoting incident 489 of 29 April: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/t ua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-usabout-existing-case-report/

GUILTY: Justin Francis and Tiffany Davis.

Response officers answer more than 1,000 calls during national policing week

POLICE in Gloucestershire have highlighted the vital work carried out by frontline Response officers after taking part in Response Policing Week, a national campaign recognising the demands of the role.

The week aimed to showcase the unpredictable nature of response policing and the wide range of incidents officers attend in order to keep the public safe. Across the county, Response officers were deployed to 1,067 calls for service, including 613 emergencies. Officers are often first on the scene and are regularly required to intervene in violent situations or detain those suspected of committing offences.

Among the arrests made during the week were a man suspected of slashing another man with a knife in Gloucester, where officers also administered first aid to the victim and recovered a blade for forensic examination. In Cheltenham,

officers arrested a man on suspicion of exposing himself to members of the public, including children, as well as a separate suspect wanted in connection with a grievous bodily harm (GBH) offence, with officers also safeguarding the victim.

Elsewhere, a woman was arrested in Stroud after being found in possession of drugs, while another woman in Cirencester was detained on suspicion of assaulting her partner. Officers also arrested a man in Cheltenham on suspicion of rape and carried out a search of his property, and detained another man in the Stroud area on suspicion of assaulting his partner. While making arrests is a key part of their role, Response officers also spend a significant amount of time assisting vulnerable people. During the same period,

Changes to waste and recycling collections over May Spring bank holiday

THERE will be minimal changes to Cheltenham’s waste and recycling collections following the Spring bank holiday.

Collections will take place one day later than usual with crews working on Saturday 30th May to complete the catch-ups.

In some areas refuse and recycling collections take place as early as 7am and residents are asked to present their bins, boxes, bags and caddies at the kerbside by 7am.

Normal collection day

Monday 25 May 2026

Tuesday 26 May 2026

Wednesday 27 May 2026

Thursday 28 May 2026

Friday 29 May 2026

Revised collection day

Tuesday 26 May 2026

Wednesday 27 May 2026

Thursday 28 May 2026

Friday 29 May 2026

Saturday 30 May 2026

Man, 60, arrested for indecent exposure

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and police are appealing for information as part of their investigation.

At around 8.10am on Wednesday, 22nd April, police were called with a report that a man was walking along Windermere Road in Cheltenham and exposing himself.

Officers were dispatched to the location and a man aged in his 60s and from Cheltenham was arrested in connection with the incident. Investigating officers are now asking anyone who was in the area that morning and may have seen the man to get in contact with police. He was described as being white and was wearing a

high vis jacket, jeans and boots.

Anyone with any CCTV, mobile phone footage or information is asked to contact police online by using the following form and quoting incident 68 of 22 April: www.gloucestershire.police.u k/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-usabout-existing-case-report/

police received 87 reports of missing people - many classed as high-risk - and 285 welfare-related calls, with officers deployed to carry out searches and provide safeguarding.

Among those helped were a vulnerable woman reported missing from Wiltshire who was located in Cheltenham and safely returned home. Officers also detained a woman under the Mental Health Act after she reported swallowing magnets and tablets, taking her to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment. In addition, five children reported missing from school in the Stroud area were located, and officers safeguarded a vulnerable rape victim needed by detectives as part of an ongoing investigation. However, not all incidents

had positive outcomes. On several occasions, officers attended scenes where individuals were found unresponsive or deceased. Despite being trained in first aid and administering CPR where possible, there were instances where lives could not be saved.

Following such incidents, officers are often tasked with informing next of kin and liaising with the coroner’s office.

Response officers also worked alongside partner agencies throughout the week. This included assisting the fire service in Cheltenham by setting up cordons and supporting a resident after a fire in a block of flats, helping both fire and ambulance crews responding to a car found on its roof in a river in the Cotswolds, and supporting British Transport

Police at the scene of a sudden death near Stroud. Chief Superintendent Rebecca Love, Head of Local Policing, said:

“Response officers are often first on the scene of a reported incident and, a lot of the time, they do not know what they are going to be faced with.

“They have to be capable of managing crises, deescalating danger and often need to make split-second decisions in order to protect the public from harm.

“I am extremely proud of the bravery and resilience our Response officers show on a daily basis, and I hope that by detailing just some of the incidents they have been involved in during Response Policing Week, we have been able to highlight their contribution to policing in Gloucestershire.”

A year of Gloucestershire’s ISVA

THIS summer marks one year since my office commissioned First Light as Gloucestershire’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service. It is an important moment to reflect on the impact of that work, and on why this service matters so deeply to victims of sexual violence across our county.

My office’s role is to ensure that victims receive specialist, independent and trauma informed support, that is tailored to the specific needs of Gloucestershire victims/survivors (whether they choose to report to the police or not). That is exactly what the Gloucestershire ISVA service provides. Delivered by First Light in partnership with Barnardo’s, it offers confidential, one-to-one support to adults, children and young people of all genders who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence, recently or historically. Victims remain in control of the support they receive at every stage.

Over the past year, I have been continually impressed by First Light’s survivor-centred approach and by the

By Chris Nelson Police & Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire

professionalism of their Adult and Children ISVA’s. That commitment was recognised earlier this year when one of First Light’s Gloucestershire ISVAs, received a Gloucestershire High Sheriff Award, nominated by a client she supported, in recognition of her exceptional service to the community. This is a powerful endorsement of the difference ISVAs make in people’s lives.

I acknowledge the current and ongoing situation with court delays in the UK and the very real impact this is having on victims of sexual violence. Lengthy waits for cases to reach court as well as repeated cancellations and postponements can leave victims stuck in limbo for months and even years. During these uncertain times, First Light play a crucial role in providing stability, keeping victims informed and supporting them.

My office recently funded First Light to undertake a piece

of research on the scale, nature and impact of abuse originating through online dating platforms and what change across systems and services is needed. I am increasingly concerned by the rise in AI generated sexual abuse images, including the creation and circulation of non consensual, highly realistic sexual images. These forms of abuse can be devastating for victims, causing significant distress, fear, and a loss of control - even when no physical contact has occurred.

The Gloucestershire ISVA service is making a meaningful and lasting difference to victims and survivors across our county. The need for specialist, independent support has never been greater, whether in the face of court delays, digital abuse, or the long term impacts of trauma. My office remains fully committed to ensuring this service is properly resourced, responsive, and centred on victims’ voices.

In the dock!

The following cases have all been heard recently at Cheltenham Magistrates Court:

Chase Gardiner, 42, of Hales Road, Cheltenham, and his business, Platinum Home Cinema Ltd, admitted illegal storage of large quantities of explosives at two locations. They pleaded guilty to four offences of breaching the Explosives Regulations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The first charge was that on 15th July last year they stored 1,091 kilos of explosives at Halfpenny Farm, Cold Pool Lane, in breach of a licence allowing storage of a maximum of 800 kilos. The other three charges concerned the storage without a licence of 1,220 kilos of explosives at the Livery Yard, Church Farm, Church Lane, Shurdington. The defendants admitted the storage was not licensed and that the firm did not ensure the explosives were safely separated from other buildings and people. The final charge was that the company failed to take measures to prevent or limit fire or explosion or to protect persons from the effects of any blast. Gardiner and the company were bailed to await sentencing on 26th May.

Bailey Harwood, 22, of Cowper Road, St Marks, Cheltenham, admitted taking part in an affray in Cheltenham on 7th October 2024. The charge said he used or threatened unlawful violence towards others and that his conduct would have caused people to fear for their personal safety. He was sentenced to 26 weeks’ jail suspended for a year, placed under supervision for a year and ordered to take part in up to 15 rehab activity days. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.

Kye Tyler-Williams, 19, of Dinas Close, Warden Hill, admitted possessing two bags of cannabis weighing 0.46grams and 1.36 grams with intent to supply in Cheltenham on 16th January this year. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 75 hours of unpaid work and he will be electronically tagged for six months to monitor his movements. The court

ordered forfeiture of his iPhone and also ordered him to pay £350 costs.

Carlos Dos Santos, 47, of Beaumont Road, Cheltenham, was banned from driving and ordered not to sit in the front seats of any motor vehicle pending sentence for driving while disqualified and other motoring offences. He admitted that on 24th January this year he failed to provide a breath specimen when required to do so. He also admitted that on April 13th 2026 he drove a Chevrolet Spark while disqualified and without insurance in his home street and that, again, he failed to provide a breath specimen. He was bailed till 20th May for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Stuart Young, 49, of Albert Street, Swindon, admitted a series of violence and disorderly behaviour charges relating to two separate incidents - one in a Cheltenham pub on October 21st 2024 and the other in a Bath nightclub. He pleaded guilty to having a Stanleytype knife in a public place at the Moon Under the Water in Cheltenham, assaulting two local police constables and using racially aggravated threatening or abusive behaviour towards a PC and another man. He also admitted that at Labyrinth nightclub, Bath, he assaulted three men, and used racially aggravated behaviour towards a PC and another man. The magistrates deferred sentence on him for six months until Dec 8th. It is a condition of the deferment that he must not re-offend and he must ‘engage with all appointments given by Probation and all other agencies supporting him.’

Alisha Parke, 37, of Devon Ave, Cheltenham, is charged with assaulting an emergency worker and also with three breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order. It is alleged that on 31st March she assaulted a health care professional who was working for the police and that on 21st,

23rd and 30th March she breached the CBO by entering the M&S, Boots and One Below stores in Gloucester. A warrant was issued for her arrest.

Darren Sharpe, 55, of Pennsylvania Ave, Cheltenham, was remanded in custody to await trial after he denied using violence to force his way into a woman’s Cheltenham home, assaulting her by beating and damaging a mirror in the property. The offences are alleged to have occurred on 21st March this year. His trial was listed to take place on 13th May.

Gurdeep Singh-Sohi, 35, of Pinewood Drive, Hesters Way, pleaded not guilty to sexually touching a woman without her consent on 5th November 2024 but he was convicted after trial. He was bailed till 20th May for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. The court ordered a Punjabi interpreter to attend the sentencing hearing. Pending sentence, Singh-Sohi was ordered to register with the police at Hesters Way Station.

Nicholas Martin, 61, of Cherwell Walk, Bettws, Newport, is charged with stealing £115.22 worth of food and other goods from Marks and Spencer, Cheltenham, on 10th March this year. He was bailed till 16th June when he will be expected to attend court to enter a plea to the charge.

Connor Mitchell, 23, of Pitman Road, Cheltenham, indicated a guilty plea to a charge of threatening to share a photo or film of a woman in an intimate state. He was conditionally bailed till 19th May for a presentence report to be prepared. He must not contact the victim while on bail.

Andre Wickham, 29, of Orchard Mews, Main Road, Shurdington, is charged with intentionally strangling a woman in Gloucester on 16th May last year. It is alleged that he carried out an act that affected her ability to breathe. The case was

adjourned till 20th May when he will be expected to attend and enter a plea to the charge.

Luke Shaw, 30, of Beauchamp Road, Walton Cardiff, is charged with criminally damaging a toilet door at the Royal Hop Pole Hotel, Tewkesbury, on 17th October last year. It is alleged he caused £1,141.34 worth of damage to the door. The case was adjourned till 12th May for him to attend and enter a plea.

Justin South, 52, of Bailey Close, Stow on the Wold, was sentenced to 12 weeks’ jail suspended for a year after he admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance on two occasions. The first offences were on 21st December last year when he drove a Mazda car on the A436 in Cheltenham despite having had his licence revoked on grounds of disability. He then drove again while disqualified on 9th March this year at Andoversford. As well as the suspended sentence he was disqualified from driving for nine months and placed under home curfew from 7pm-7am nightly for three months. He was ordered to pay £85 costs.

Edward Bayston, 40, of Brighton Road, Cheltenham, who has admitted assaulting two men by beating them on 12th February this year, was ordered not go to to the Spectre pub in High Street while on bail pending his next court appearance on June 11th. He will be applying to vacate his guilty pleas when he next appears.

Phillip Harvey, 43, of Orchard Ave, Cheltenham, was conditionally discharged for six months after he admitted possession of an offensive weapon, a knuckle duster, at an address in Cowper Road on 3rd July 2024. The court ordered confiscation of the weapon.

Hamid Mohammadifar, 59, of Holst Grove,

Badgeworth, was bailed to await trial on 16th October on a charge of making a death threat to a person at an address in Newent on 12th Oct last year.

Michael Campbell, 34, of Barnwood Road, Gloucester, who drove dangerously while over the legal limit for cocaine in St George’s Road, Cheltenham, on 3rd April last year, was sentenced to 24 weeks’ jail suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from driving for a year and ordered to undergo drug and mental health treatment – and he must take part in up to 25 rehab activity sessions. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge. Campbell pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in a Ford Focus, failing to stop for the police, having no insurance and having excess cocaine and Benzoylecgonine in his blood.

Jack Wild, 34, of Dowty Road, Cheltenham, admitted stealing £151.50 worth of groceries from Sainsbury’s in Cheltenham on 5th Feb this year and assaulting two men by beating on the same date. He also admitted failing to answer to bail at a court hearing on 24th March this year. He was placed on a one year community order and ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work as well as pay compensation of £80.

Robert Harvey, 36, of Hollybrook, Kemerton, nr Tewkesbury, admitted stealing food priced at £161.85 from One Stop Shop, Hilltop, Cheltenham, on 29th January this year and a further £40 worth of food from Tesco Express in The Brewery on 18th March. He further admitted breaching court bail on 21st April. He was bailed for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. While on bail pending his next appearance on 27th May he must not enter either of the two stores from which he stole.

Sam Leech, 38, of Templefields, Andoversford, was placed on a one year community

order and banned from driving for 44 months after he admitted driving a BMW car while unfit through drink on London Road, Cheltenham, on 1st February this year. He also admitted theft of a bottle of wine worth £9.50 from the BP garage in London Road on the same date. He was ordered to abstain from drinking alcohol for 100 days and he must carry out up to ten days of rehabilitation activities. If he passes an approved driving course by Oct 31st 2028 his disqualification will be reduced by 44 weeks.

Shannon Smith, 37, of Grevil Road, St Peter’s. Cheltenham, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis in Cheltenham between 16th January and 6th May 2025. Smith was committed on unconditional bail to be sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on 27th May.

Abdiaziz Hussein, 41, of Hepburn Road, Bristol, admitted driving a Hyundai Ioniq car without due care and attention at the junction of Brooklyn Road and Alstone Lane, Cheltenham, on 23rd November 2024. He was fined £337 with three penalty points on his licence. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £135 surcharge.

Kane McConnon, 35, of Colne Ave, Oakley, Cheltenham, was banned from driving for six months and fined £660 plus costs of £90 for failing to notify Gloucestershire Police who was driving an Audi A3 at the time of an alleged motoring offence between 26th August and 25th September last year. The magistrates found him guilty in his absence.

Chukwuma Atumonye, 37, of Brookbank Close, Cheltenham, admitted driving a Peugeot car without insurance or a valid licence on Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, on 14th July last year. He was banned from driving for six months, fined £128 and ordered to pay costs of £120 and a surcharge of £51.

Golden Valley project set for build phase

Cheltenham’s £1bn cyber and technology campus has secured Reserved Matters approval for its first phase, allowing work to begin on a development promising thousands of jobs, new homes and a major boost to the UK’s innovation economy

CHELTENHAM’S flagship Golden Valley development has taken a major step forward after securing Reserved Matters planning approval for its first phase, paving the way for construction to begin.

The £1bn scheme is being delivered by HBD, part of Henry Boot, in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council. The project will create a purpose-built cyber and tech innovation campus where GCHQ and pioneering companies will co-create the future of national security and defence as part of a nationally significant ecosystem. The approval marks a key moment as Golden Valley moves into delivery.

Contractor Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed to deliver the first phase, which received a resolution to grant outline planning consent in July 2025.

The first phase of Golden Valley includes IDEA, a 160,000 sq ft building that will build on the region’s established strengths in security technology. It will support the clustering of expertise across fast-growing sectors such as cyber, AI and secure communications, while creating an environment capable of attracting global businesses, talent and investment. The scheme has been designed to accelerate collaboration between government, SMEs, start-ups, large tech firms, universities and investors, working closely together to push boundaries and generate a strong talent pool.

ROUTER is also part of phase one, supporting sustainable, smart movement through Golden Valley and beyond. It will provide advanced cycle facilities, e-bike charging, showers and lockers, alongside real-time transport information. The building will also include 453 car parking spaces, helping to address longterm infrastructure needs, as well as convenience retail and leisure amenities designed to benefit occupiers, residents and the wider community.

In addition, a resolution to grant outline planning permission has been secured for the northern parcel at Golden Valley, which will

deliver up to 443 new homes alongside supporting infrastructure, including land for a new primary school and local amenities. The site forms part of Golden Valley’s wider Garden Community vision, creating a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood where technology, innovation and residential living come together. Once complete, the wider Golden Valley scheme is expected to deliver more than 2,500 homes, around 1.25 million sq ft of commercial space and up to 12,000 jobs, alongside a network of green spaces and community infrastructure.

HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council will now work with Savills to identify a suitable delivery partner for the residential scheme.

Hamer Boot, Interim Managing Director at HBD, said: “Reserved Matters approval for phase one is a significant step forward for Golden Valley and marks the transition from planning into delivery. As we move onto site,

we are bringing to life a development that will play an important role in strengthening the UK’s leadership in cyber, AI and advanced technologies.

“Through strong partnerships and a clear long-term vision, Golden Valley will bring together industry, academia and government to drive innovation, support economic resilience and establish Cheltenham as a globally recognised destination for cyber and advanced technologies.”

Gareth Edmundson, Chief Executive at Cheltenham Borough Council, said:

“Golden Valley securing Reserved Matters approval is a hugely important milestone for Cheltenham and for the wider region. It means we can now move forward with delivering a development that will create new jobs and training opportunities, support skills development and innovation, and strengthen our position at the forefront of cyber and technology. Working in partnership, we are creating a

place that not only benefits our communities but also contributes to the UK’s national priorities and enhances Cheltenham’s growing international reputation in this sector.”

Golden Valley is a £1bn purpose-built cyber and technology campus, driving national security and defence innovation and enabling growth across a nationally significant ecosystem. With its combination of location, partners and ambition, it is set to become a globally significant cluster for innovation, attracting collaboration and investment from across the world.

HBD, part of Henry Boot, is one of the UK’s most established property developers, with a strong track record in delivering large-scale, complex schemes. Operating from six UK offices and managing a £1.4bn development pipeline, HBD focuses on industrial and logistics, urban development and residential projects.

Max Wilkinson MP

“THE best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Or so the saying goes. It reminds us that even if we haven’t taken an important step some time ago, we can take action now. At a time when the world is becoming a less certain and more divisive place, it seems more relevant than ever.

As the problems created by Trump’s war in Iran become more apparent and his threats to break longstanding international alliances continue, we are reminded of two important points: the need for security and the need to renew relationships with more reliable allies. That means taking the necessary steps to restore our relations with Europe after 10 years of Brexit woes.

With America less and less reliable, it is clear that NATO will be more focused on Europe in future, and we will need to be at the heart of that alliance.

With our armed forces in dire need of extra resources, we know that the Government must take action to invest in our defence and security.

Locally, Cheltenham is making a contribution by investing in the Golden Valley project. We are on the cusp of seeing ground broken on that scheme, which is good news for our local economy and for defence investment too. If the project had been completed earlier, as the tree proverb states, that

would have been great. But it’s good news that the town is taking action now, and the hardest parts of the planning process are finally over.

We must hope the Government soon publishes the details of the defence investment plan. I’m sure cyber security and signals intelligence (the activities undertaken at GCHQ) will be a major part of it. It is a pity that the political consensus has been broken about the need to bring new jobs and prosperity to Cheltenham through the Golden Valley project. Those who oppose the project for shortsighted political reasons will need to account for their positions in due course. They might also need to present an alternative vision.

This week, I’ve also enjoyed visiting the 10th anniversary session of the Vision 21 repair café at St Andrew’s Church in Montpellier. Over the past decade, the volunteers have fixed thousands of items, diverting so many things from landfill. That’s a contribution worth celebrating.

Finally, returning to the point about planting trees, it was a pleasure to join students and staff at the University of Gloucestershire to plant apple trees at the Park Campus. I’m saying a big well done to all involved in this hyperlocal, pro-nature, carbon-offsetting scheme. It will make a difference for years to come.

Labour Party

IT’S often said that in politics the cover-up gets you into more trouble than the original mistake. This is certainly true for Keir Starmer and the Peter Mandelson affair. Most people (including the Prime Minister himself) now think the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the USA was a mistake – an error of judgment. It’s never a good look for a prime minister to admit to such an error, and he certainly looks uncomfortable owning it in public. Opposition MPs, including our very own Max Wilkinson, clearly smell blood, and are trying to portray this as some great conspiracy.

At the heart of the problem is the British obsession with secrecy. I’m no great fan of the American political system, but in the States there would have been a Congressional hearing – in public – over something like the appointment of Mandelson. Over here, it’s all done behind closed doors. So, was this a conspiracy or a cock-up? The British Civil Service prides itself on competence, but there’s certainly evidence emerging of extraordinary incompetence at the topmeetings in corridors, inadequate records, disagreements over timelines. We all love a good conspiracy theory, but my money is on a cock-up. Denying incompetence always makes you look untrustworthy (or even worse, ridiculous). Just look at Liz Truss when she continues to claim that her mini-budget which crashed the economy was the right way to go!

So what relevance does this have for our local politics in Cheltenham? Because our Borough Council is also obsessed with secrecy, in particular when big money and private contractors are involved. All such decisions

BY the time you read this, the elections will be over. Many will have voted for Reform and Cheltenham will, I hope, have at least one new Reform councillor. That would be a momentous occasion for Reform and an opportunity for the residents of Cheltenham to

Mike Farmer

are taken behind closed doors, with public and press excluded. Freedom of Information requests get rebutted. The matter is ‘commercial in confidence’ and cannot be revealed to the public, we are told. And this is all made worse by the lack of effective opposition to the LibDems on the Borough Council. This raises the obvious question ‘what are they trying to hide?’ One good example is the sale of Gloucestershire Airport, which has apparently fallen through. But we’ve not been told why, and the absence of full information in the public domain allows all sorts of conspiracy theories to abound about the reasons for this failure.

However, the good news is that over in Gloucester, where the City Council has the other 50% share in the Airport, there is an effective Labour opposition, who are getting much more information about the Airport sale from the LibDem-led council. And I’d be very surprised if any dark conspiracy to defraud the public emerges. Much more likely is yet another cock-up. But the lesson is clear. If you want to know what’s going on in your local council, you need Labour councillors to find out on your behalf.

Promoted by Mike Farmer on behalf of Cheltenham Labour Party, both at Office 242, 20 Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 2LY.

Cheltenham venues adopt unified ID policy to strengthen night-time safety

False IDs will be held for 28 days and fake IDs destroyed under a new town-wide policy agreed by venues, police and council partners

ACROSS Cheltenham Safe venues, false IDs will be retained for 28 days while fake IDs will be destroyed, ensuring a safe and consistent approach across the town.

Cheltenham’s licensed venues, local police and door supervisors have come together to introduce a unified ID retention policy across all Cheltenham Safe venues, reinforcing a shared commitment to safety in the town’s night-time economy.

The policy was launched at the Night Safe meeting on 24th February and reflects a coordinated approach between licensing officers, police, venue operators and local door staff. By adopting the same protocol across venues, partners aim to ensure consistent responses to incidents and strengthen partnership working throughout Cheltenham.

Under the policy, any false identification that is voluntarily surrendered to a participating premises will be retained for 28 days and all fake IDs will be destroyed immediately upon surrender.

The ID may be returned during this period if the individual can provide suitable proof of identity. After 28 days,

Reform UK

Matt Podmore, Reform UK Cheltenham Chair

have greater scrutiny over the goings-on in the council chamber.

The Liberal Democrats have had a monopoly on Cheltenham’s politics for too long. If you have been happy with their performance and the state of Cheltenham then I wish you well, but I politely disagree. Since moving here in 2014 from London, I have seen a lot of change and not much of it good. Shops have shut, graffiti has sprung up, the streets are full of

litter, and the roads are so poor they are a danger to all road users. Cavendish House is an eyesore, many shops have left the town, and shutting down the Swindon Road recycling centre seems foolish given the positive impact it has on the environment. It may also have contributed to an increase in flytipping, which was entirely predictable.

So what will Reform do if we have representatives on the council? The first thing we will

any uncollected ID will be destroyed or returned to the issuing authority. Premises are not liable for any costs incurred.

The initiative mirrors similar approaches used across Gloucestershire and further strengthens the partnership between licensing officers, police and venue staff. By aligning procedures, partners can ensure incidents are handled with the same stance wherever they occur.

Michelle Bignell, licensing and public protection manager at Cheltenham Borough Council, added: “This ID retention policy supports door teams in making confident

have to deal with is hostility from the Liberal Democrats on the council, which has been a feature of the experience at Gloucestershire County Council level for our councillors there.

Being a Reform politician or supporter requires some bravery, as some people seem to think they have every right to be foul to you because your politics are different from theirs. I find these people usually say it as you are walking away from them. That is their level of courage.

Some of our older residents refuse to say how they will vote in elections. This reflects a once widely held attitude that voting

decisions and ensures that all participating venues are following the same procedure when dealing with surrendered identification.

“Clear and consistent processes around ID help protect both businesses and visitors, while sending a strong message that fake identification will not be tolerated in our town.”

Inspector Steve Benbow from the Cheltenham

Neighbourhood Policing Team

said: “Through this initiative, we’re looking to protect young people against, and educate them about, the dangers of underage drinking.

“We will be working alongside

was a private matter. In many ways, that is a healthier approach than seeing someone’s politics as defining them as a person and taking disagreement as a personal affront. I worry where that takes us as a nation.

The violence towards our Jewish friends recently shows where this can lead, and I condemn it wholeheartedly. I believe all political parties should do the same clearly and consistently.

Many voters, however, will tell you how they intend to vote.

As the Reform candidate for Swindon Village, I have been struck by the levels of support, particularly from voters

businesses, patrons and door staff as part of this approach to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience within Cheltenham’s nighttime economy.”

Cheltenham partners have also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local door staff, who play a vital role in keeping venues safe and are essential to the town’s vibrant night-time economy.

Together, Cheltenham Safe venues and their partners are continuing to work collaboratively to create a safer and more welcoming nighttime environment for everyone.

considering Reform for the first time, including Liberal Democrat voters. People cannot be taken for granted forever, and even if I am not elected, I hope the Liberal Democrats wake up and work harder for the residents of Cheltenham. I would also like to thank the people who have spoken to me on the doorstep. The residents of Cheltenham are a great group of people, and if I am elected I hope I can help make the town a little more like it was when I first moved to this great town. Promoted by Matt Podmore on behalf of Reform UK, both at Millbank Tower, 21–24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP.

Primary teacher wins national writing prize

Primary school teacher Claire Lincoln Gordon takes the 2026 Rooker Prize with a fantasy novel opening that impressed judges with its depth and storytelling

A CHELTENHAM-BASED

primary school teacher has won a national writing prize aimed at discovering new literary talent.

Primary school teacher Claire Lincoln Gordon, originally from Eastbourne and now based in Cheltenham, has been named the winner of the fifth annual Rooker Prize, which encourages new voices in writing.

She takes this year’s prize with her engaging 400-word opening to a middle-grade fantasy novel, The Drift. Her entry captivated judges with its pace, depth and multi-layered storytelling.

An unpublished writer of children’s and young adult fiction, Claire entered the Rooker Prize as part of her ongoing mission to secure a publishing deal. The competition, designed to open doors for emerging talent, proved perfectly timed.

Her writing journey began at bedtime, inspired by a question from her young son.

“He asked me one night, ‘How are books made?’

I said, ‘Someone has to write them.’ To which he replied, ‘Well, can’t you make one?’”

Claire laughed it off at first, saying “it’s a bit more complicated than that”, but the moment stayed with her.

“And I thought, if I try and fail, I’ll still have shown my children something. That was six or seven years ago.”

Since then, she has documented her path to publication on Instagram, building a following as she works towards a published book.

“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” she said on receiving the news. “I’m so grateful. I’ve never won a trophy before. I feel completely overwhelmed.”

As the winner, Claire receives a one-to-one session with an expert editor at Hachette UK, a prize designed to help launch her publishing career, as well as £250 to give to a charity of her choice.

Industry support

Maura Wilding, Group Communications Director at Hachette UK, said: “We’re proud to support the Rooker Prize. We love to open doors, spotlight new voices, and

prove that great stories can come from anywhere. Claire’s work is a brilliant example of that, and we’re excited to support her next steps. Congratulations to Claire and all the entrants.”

Highly commended writers

The judges also recognised two outstanding entries:

• Diana Wilkins’ Terra Nova was praised for its confident and assured voice;

• Jo McClean’s The Debenture Holder left the panel intrigued and wanting more.

Judges on the prize

Author Georgia Byng said: “Judging the Rooker is a joy. It’s a privilege to see new writers bring characters and worlds to life on the page.”

Writer and journalist Paul Hayward added: “Respect to everyone who followed the urge to write. The Rooker Prize is a beacon of creative effort.”

The prize is chaired by Baroness Lola Young, with a

judging panel that also includes journalist and author Suzy Wrack, Emad Akhtar, Publishing Director at Orion Fiction, and author Mark Crick.

Growing reach

Prize convener and founder Karen Dobres noted the competition’s continued growth: “With 82 entries this year, the Rooker Prize is going from strength to strength. It was inspired by Lewes FC’s spirit of creativity and inclusion, and we are delighted to offer every entrant a complimentary ticket to a Lewes FC match next season, men’s or women’s. We are very grateful to our sponsors Hachette UK, and also for support from independent bookshop Much Ado Books in Alfriston.”

Giving back Claire has chosen to donate her £250 charity prize to Winston’s Wish, which supports children and young people experiencing grief.

Conservative Party

FOUR dates for you.

Thursday 7th May. As well as local elections, today is the publication day for this paper. If you are reading this on the 7th I hope you have either voted, or will be doing so later. Polls are open until 10 pm but remember to take your photo ID with you.

Friday 8th May. This is the day the election results come out. You may already have heard what’s happened. I wish I could forecast the result, and I am writing in anticipation of a Conservative presence being returned to the Council Chamber and the Lib Dem’s being held to account at long last.

Monday 27th April. The day that Lib Dem MP Max Wilkinson could have made amends for previously voting to support the Labour Government wish to open veterans up for prosecution. On this day he had the chance to vote again when another motion, the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, was put forward in the House. He didn’t.

Tuesday 28th April. You will recall this was the day Kemi forced a vote in Parliament to ensure Keir Starmer is held to account over what he told Parliament regarding the whole sorry Mandelson affair. Did Max take that chance? No.

be hounded by this Labour Government, and now it seems, supported by the Lib Dems.

Mr Wilkinson - putting Party before Country. Hopefully whenever you are reading this column you can do so in the knowledge that we won’t have elections again for at least another year. Next year could see elections to a shadow Unitary Authority – or maybe not? Still for the Government to decide. Or, if Keir is ousted in the next day or so as he loses hundreds of Councillors, will we see a general election coming? How long can he repel the armies of Colonel Rayner and Colonel Burnham I wonder?

AWARD-WINNER:

Claire Lincoln Gordon kindly donated her prize money to the charity Winston’s Wish.

We are reliably informed that instead of fulfilling his MP’s duties in London, he was instead out knocking doors for his beleaguered Lib Dem Councillors here in Cheltenham! No Parliamentary presence. No holding Keir Starmer to account. No support for our poor veterans who continue to

On a more serious note. His Majesty King Charles was truly outstanding during his US visit last week. In his speech writing he did indeed prove “that the pen is mightier than the sword.” I hope you were taking notes Mr Trump.

Promoted by Rob Garnham on behalf of Cheltenham Conservative Association, both at Conservative Party Headquarters, 4 Matthew Parker Street, London, SW1H 9HQ.

Rob Garnham - Cheltenham Chairman

Council Corner

ONE of our priorities as a Liberal Democrat led council is to tackle the inadequate provisions for children and young people in Cheltenham. Back in 2018 a report highlighted that almost fourand-a-half thousand children and young people were living in poverty in our town; it also showed that those individuals faced challenges like poorer educational outcomes, higher rates of exclusion and worse physical and mental health than their peers. We wanted to change this.

The injustice of this situation directly led to the launch of our inspirational No Child Left Behind (NCLB) initiative. This community-wide project tackles child poverty and inequality by offering enrichments grants, boosting awareness (through our annual NCLB awards and Party in the Park) and directing focus and projects towards improved mental health, physical activity and support of families.

I would like to thank our fabulous NLCB officers and local councillors, who continue to push forward our efforts with fantastic resultspositively impacting the lives of children, young people and their families year on year. Such has been our success that we were recently invited to visit Sheffield City Council, where we engaged in an outstanding knowledge sharing session. The Sheffield-based teams loved what we’re doing here in Cheltenham and it was fantastic to share our passion for improving the lives of young people.

Despite our successes, we cannot rest on our laurels.

It remains a sad fact that our No Child Left Behind initiatives are just as important today as they were back in 2018. While the challenges have shifted over the years, the need remains great.

Our determination to tackle inequality remains as powerful as ever.

Last year we focused on our a ‘Year of Youth Voice Action’ through numerous activities and partnership working - this

Rowena Hay Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council

helped us to address the challenges that are most important to those directly affected and to give a voice to those most in need of help.

As a result, I am delighted that we have launched our first ever Changemaker Awards to celebrate the achievements of our young people and have introduced our first ever Youth Café at Smokey Joes in Cheltenham town centre, that’s been a roaring success with the pilot now extended until the end of the summer term.

Our Party in the Park event last summer and our NCLB Awards Ceremony were both excellent examples of outstanding community impact, and I would like to extend my thanks to our partners who make these events so special and thoroughly enjoyable.

Our next immediate challenge is to help address the growing issues of school attendance and poor mental health. Our role is to compliment the work carried out by schools, the county council and specialist community partners, and to provide additional support for children and their families through community-based solutions.

If, like us, you want Cheltenham to be the best place for children and young people to live, grow and reach their potential – no matter their background – keep an eye out for NCLB events and projects in your local community.

Cheltenham biker builds global following for custom ‘Butchered Classics’

Dave Soloman has turned a shed hobby into a worldwide community of 60,000 motorcycle enthusiasts restoring and reinventing classic bikes

By Nicholas Clarke editor@cheltenhampost.co.uk

DAVE Soloman, a lifelong Cheltenham resident and selfconfessed petrol head, developed his love of motorcycles as a teenager in the mid-1980s.

Back then, the “Triangle” on Clarence Street, opposite the old C and G building, was a regular meeting place for local riders. During the day it was the only place to park a moped or motorcycle and was always full. At night, it became a gathering spot where like-minded riders would meet in the summer months before heading out together to country pubs.

“The bikes were heavier and slower than today’s machines, but that was my era,” he said. “They are great memories.”

Three decades later, life had moved on with homes, children and family commitments, but the passion for motorcycles remained. Rather than buy a modern bike, Mr Soloman decided to take a different approach.

With encouragement from a friend, he began building a classic-style motorcycle fitted with a more modern, more emission-friendly engine. The aim was to combine classic looks with improved performance, handling and braking to suit modern roads.

The first bike was built over a single summer and shared online through Facebook groups. The reaction was mixed.

“Some people liked it, but others didn’t,” he said. “One person called it a ‘Frankenstein’s creation’ and another said I should start a page called ‘Butchered Classics’ because I had ruined a classic bike.”

Rather than take offence, he embraced the idea.

“It made me realise it couldn’t just be me who liked the idea of recycling old motorcycles rather than restoring them to factory standard.”

Cheltenham proved to be the ideal base, with access to

skilled engineering, fabrication and specialist paintwork.

Building bikes from a shed at home, he continued the hobby and has now created 24 motorcycles, often helping others who lack the time or space to complete their own projects.

The idea soon grew into an online community focused on motorcycles built before 1990.

Within a year, the group had reached 1,000 members. By year two, that had grown to 5,000. Now, 12 years on, it has more than 60,000 members

Cheltenham care home shortlisted for community award

A CARE home in Cheltenham has been recognised for its commitment to community engagement.

Care UK’s Sandfields, on Saint George’s Road, has been shortlisted in the community category at the C2S Business Awards.

The accolade aims to reward and recognise organisations in the south-west that show innovation, leadership and community impact in the region, demonstrating the difference they can make to

people’s lives.

The team at Sandfields was nominated due to its strong emphasis on community involvement. Since 2022, the care home has hosted monthly cafés where people with dementia can enjoy an hour of entertainment, from violin performances and music quizzes to fitness exercises and choirs.

The care home also prides itself on its commitment to local causes. As a member of the Cheltenham Dementia Action Alliance, the home hosts regular

informative talks for the public to attend. The team has also formed strong relationships with local schools through gardening projects, recycling initiatives and eco-friendly craft sessions.

Malaika Charles, Home Manager at Sandfields, said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the community category of the C2S Business Awards.

“Here at Sandfields, we are committed to forming strong connections with the Cheltenham community and

strive to give back to the area as much as we can. This is a testament to the team’s dedication to creating meaningful connections and establishing Sandfields as a central part of the community.”

Each year, the home opens its doors for a variety of community events in which locals can enjoy celebrations such as VE Day, Red Nose Day, Cheltenham racing festival and Notting Hill Carnival-inspired events, providing an opportunity for people to make new friends

and connections.

What’s more, the home has partnerships with a range of groups including Cheltenham Town FC, Bishop’s Cleeve FC and Everyman Theatre, with plans to expand these collaborations to other local organisations.

Malaika added: “I am incredibly proud of the team for its consistent passion and would like to take this opportunity to say thank you – the work you do is greatly appreciated. Well done, everyone!”

worldwide and continues to expand.

A group logo was commissioned and merchandise, including clothing and mugs, is now sold. Members can also access discounted motorcycle insurance for modified bikes.

Despite the growth, the original build remains a favourite.

“That first bike is still with me,” he said. “After all these years, it is still my favourite and I still ride it in the summer. My ‘Butchered Classic’.”

Sandfields is a state-of-the-art care home that provides fulltime residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as shortterm respite care. The building incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities, and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.

To find out more about Sandfields, please contact Customer Relations Manager David Blake on 01242 801867, email david.blake@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/sandfields.

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Cheltenham marathon mum raises £150,000 for local hospice

Jane Shorting completed the London Marathon before taking on a 100-mile journey back to Cheltenham in memory of her friend, raising over £150,000 for end-of-life care

JUST hours after completing the London Marathon, Cheltenham mum Jane Shorting set off on a 100-mile journey home, raising more than £151,000 for Sue Ryder in memory of her best friend.

Jane Shorting, 53, has crossed the finish line of a mammoth fundraising challenge, raising £151,660 so far for Sue Ryder. Her incredible effort included running the TCS London Marathon on Sunday alongside her husband, Mark, before going on to run 100 miles over three days from the capital to Cheltenham.

Jane took on the challenge in memory of her friend Leigh, who was cared for at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice before she died, just days after last year’s London Marathon. Completing the challenge was a promise she made to Leigh in those final moments.

For the final stretch, her “last leg for Leigh”, Jane was joined by an army of supporters, including friends, family, and fellow 2026 London Marathon runners.

Crossing the hospice finish line surrounded by Sue Ryder staff, volunteers, friends, and family, Jane said

she felt “elated and a little bit sad that it’s all over. It’s been many months in the making.”

Reflecting on the amount she has raised, Jane added: “I started with a target of £20,000, then raised it to £50,000, then £100,000, and now to have reached over £150,000 is mind-blowing.

“I know Leigh would think I was crazy, but she’d also think it was amazing. To have raised so much money in her name, she’d be delighted.”

This is not the first time

Jane and Mark have supported Sue Ryder, having raised over £200,000 in previous years. For Jane, it doesn’t end here, with plans to take on the Chicago and Berlin marathons later this year.

Daniel Cheesman, Regional Director of Healthcare Operations for Sue Ryder in the Southwest, said: “It’s absolutely incredible what Jane has done. Running the London Marathon is already a huge achievement, but to run all the way back to Cheltenham shows incredible determination. We are so grateful to her for her support. We can't stop terminal illness, death, and grief from happening. But we can stop people facing them alone, and people like Jane are helping us to do just that.”

There’s still time to support Jane and Mark by donating to their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/ja neandmark2026

FAMILY SUPPORT: Jane and her husband Mark, far left, and their children. PICTURES: Dom Thompson

Marathon marvels

Celebrating Cheltenham runners who took part in Marathon events across the UK last week

Kevin Keegan (right) of Cheltenham Flooring, who ran for Teenage Cancer Trust and has raised up to 2k

Stuart Chappell ran a time of 3.58.15 and raised over £3000 for Childhood First.

Simon Butland delighted to complete his 13th marathon.

Adam Jeal who ran the Brighton Marathon for Sunflowers suicide support in memory of his beloved Mum Kim.

Lukas O’neill ran 4:27 for Cheltenham Guardians. Lukas works for Cheltenham Hearing Centre.

Frank Rooke-Matthews finished with a time of 4:09.59.

Dom Sheahan 4:39 ran for Pied Piper and Gloucestershire Deaf and raised over £2k

Dan Burner who ran for Sue Ryder.

Pete Bellwood ran in support of Street Child, finishing in 03:16:05.

Ryan Latham, 32, finished with a time of 3hrs 52mins.

Ashton Race and Evans 1970’s.

Fred the Ted late 70’s. All pics sent in by Kelly-Jo Hannis

Mel Evans, Vince collins, Vic and Colin Taylor, 1961.

CASVet - Caring for pets across Cheltenham

By Katie Bevan

All animals who arrive in the care of Cheltenham Animal Shelter will be seen by the CASVet team to have their medical needs assessed.

Many will need vaccinations, neutering and microchipping but some arrive in need of urgent veterinary attention and in some cases, they require life-saving surgery.

Yoda

Yoda, a French Bulldog was brought into the Shelter with a condition called BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) which required surgery to help improve his breathing. BOAS is common in flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, their head shape means they often have narrow nostrils and nasal passages, and a narrow windpipe which restricts their airflow and makes it difficult for them to breathe.

The BOAS surgery for Yoda cost just under £3,000 and while it will aid his breathing it will not fully resolve his condition.

Yoda’s surgery went well and he has now found his forever home where he is receiving the love and affection he deserves. However, his new owners will still need to monitor

his breathing, make sure to keep him at a healthy weight, and be mindful of how much exertion he has, particularly in hot or cold weather.

CASVets

In addition to providing medical attention to animals at the Shelter, CASVet offers expert veterinary treatment to members of the public and share some of their profits with Cheltenham Animal Shelter. CASVet’s goal is to keep charges as low as possible for their customers.

Customers in receipt of some benefits can receive discounted consultations and CASVet have a fantastic nursing team who are able to offer free or low cost nurse appointments.

The practice has excellent equipment on-site including state-of-the-art anaesthetic monitoring, digital x-rays, digital dental x-rays, ultrasound, electrocautery, dental machines and an inhouse laboratory which

makes it possible to perform a wide range of routine surgeries.

By visiting CASVet, you help us treat hundreds of animals who come to the Shelter every year.

CasVet Care Club

The CASVet Care Club has been designed to provide preventative healthcare for pets. The cost is competitive and can be purchased as one annual payment with a 5% discount or the cost can be spread across 12 monthly payments.

What's included?

• Puppy or kitten welcome pack (puppies and kittens)

• Free vet check at 6 and 9 months (puppies and kittens)

• Free vet nurse puppy check at 4 and 5 months (puppies)

• Vet health check twice a year with routine vaccinations included (dogs and cats)

• Prescription multi-parasite treatment all year round

• £20 off neutering

• £30 off dental scale and polish

• 50% off Kennel Cough vaccinations

• 50% off a vet nurse nail clip and anal gland expression

• 50% off microchipping

Contact us

For more information visit www.gawa.org.uk/casvet, send a message on WhatsApp 07446 930 244 or email casvet@gawa.org.uk

Recipes Steph Williams

Teriyaki Salmon Poke Bowl

Featuring juicy salmon glazed in a sweet-savoury teriyaki sauce, this dish is very nutrition dense, containing much fibre and Omega-3. Tender, flaky, pan-seared salmon with quinoa and fresh, crisp veggies for the perfect bowl... ready in less time than it takes to order a takeaway, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep, setting you back only 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Teriyaki Sauce - Serves 2 and contains 2g of net carbs per serving

• 2 teaspoons minced ginger

• 2 minced garlic cloves

• 2 tablespoons oil (any)

• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon sweetener

• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar

Rest of the Bowl - Serves

1 and contains 49g of net carbs per serving

• 1 salmon fillet

• 30g bean sprouts

• 40g edamame beans

• 50g shredded red cabbage

• 60g quinoa - see Recipe Notes

• 1 handful of lamb’s

lettuce or another leaf

• 1/2 sliced spring oniongreen part

• Sprinkle of sesame seeds

• Sprinkle of pine nuts

Instructions

l Marinade your salmon fillet in the sauce ingredients and pop in the fridge for 1+ hours.

l Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees.

l Dice/chop anything that requires it, however you see fit for your dish.

l Place fish into an oven dish, including all the sauce. Oven bake for 12 minutes, basting halfway through. At this halfway point, increase the heat to 220 degrees.

l Build your bowl and add the salmon to it at the end,

Going Out

drizzle over leftover sauce, garnish with the spring onion, pine nuts and sesame seeds and serve!

Recipe notes

You can get very creative with a dish like this, it gives you a lot of freedom. Dice/chop things how you want, include whatever colourful ingredients you want, a variety of flavours to choose from... Quinoa comes in many different forms, some where you need to soak it for hours before cooking. I opted for a prepared packet.

This recipe is quite fibrous due to the Quinoa, so the amount of net carbs here is cut down significantly.

Star Wars at the Brewery Quarter

GALACTIC Takeover at The Brewery Quarter as Gloucestershire Troopers Celebrate New Star Wars Release

Cheltenham is set for an outof-this-world experience as The Brewery Quarter welcomes the Gloucestershire Troopers on Saturday 23rd May, celebrating the opening weekend of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. From 1pm to 5pm, visitors can immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe as 17 screen-accurate characters patrol the Quarter. From Chewbacca to Stormtroopers, the Mandalorian to Grogu, Jawas and more, fans of all ages will have the chance to meet their favourite characters and pose for photos throughout the afternoon.

The Troopers will be stationed both inside and outside Cineworld, creating a lively, interactive experience for cinema-goers and visitors alike. For those looking to catch the film on the day, tickets are available now at cineworld.co.uk.

The Gloucestershire Troopers are a passionate group of local Star Wars enthusiasts who

volunteer their time not only for the love of the franchise, but also to support a meaningful cause. Their appearances help raise funds for the James Hopkins Trust, a charity dedicated to providing care and support for Gloucestershire’s life-limited and life-threatened young children.

Demelsa Coleman, Marketing Manager at The Brewery Quarter, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Gloucestershire Troopers to The Brewery Quarter for what

promises to be a fantastic, family-friendly event. Their dedication to bringing the Star Wars universe to life is incredible, and it’s even more special knowing they do it to support such an important local charity. We’re looking forward to seeing visitors of all ages enjoying the experience and celebrating the launch of this exciting new film together.”

This free event is open to all, making it the perfect way to kick off a weekend of cinematic excitement in Cheltenham.

Back to basics at The Brown Jug, and all the better for it

Mark Hopkins finds comfort, character and properly good food at a Cheltenham pub that proves you don’t need gimmicks to get it right

IF, like me, you’ve ever grown weary of menus that read like a chemistry experiment and lunches that feel more like a performance than a meal, then you’ll understand exactly why Rachael and I found ourselves once again drawn to the reassuring charm of the Brown Jug.

There’s something quietly brilliant about a place that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t feel the need to dress it up. No theatrics, no overworked descriptions, just proper food, fairly priced and served by people who seem genuinely pleased to see you walk through the door.

The Brown Jug continues to deliver where it matters. Their lunchtime offer now runs Monday to Saturday, with mains at £12.50, and it’s exactly what you’d hope for: homemade food, locally sourced, generous on the plate and easy on the wallet. This isn’t food that’s trying to impress your Instagram followers, it’s food that satisfies you properly. The kind that makes you sit back afterwards and think, “that hit the spot.”

And it’s not just lunch. They’ve added breakfast from 10am, Monday to Saturday, which feels like a bit of a masterstroke, especially with the summer festivals rolling into Cheltenham. Whether you’re fuelling up before a day out or easing yourself into the morning, it’s another reason this place fits so comfortably into local life.

Step outside and you’ve got options, depending on your mood. Out front, there’s a proper little sun trap where you can watch the world go by along Bath Road, pint in hand. Out back, a more tucked-away courtyard offers a relaxed spot to settle in, whether it’s a lazy afternoon or a warm evening with friends.

Inside, the pub hums along nicely. There’s always something going on without it ever feeling forced. Thursday

quiz nights bring out a good mix of regulars and newcomers, all in it for a bit of fun and maybe a few quid in prizes. If sport’s your thing, you’re well covered, with Sky and TNT showing everything from football to rugby to racing. It’s the kind of place where a big match still feels like an event shared with others rather than watched in silence.

And then there are the little extras that give the Brown Jug its character. A pool table and dartboard keep that proper pub tradition alive. Kitchen takeovers bring in local food talent, with Sri Lankan and Thai nights on the horizon. This adds a bit of variety without losing the pub’s identity. It’s evolution, not reinvention.

One of my favourite touches, though, is something smaller but

far more meaningful. One of the pub’s locals crafts handmade candles that sit proudly on the bar, with every penny going to the Maggie’s charity. More than £1,600 has been raised so far, with no fuss or fanfare, just quiet community spirit doing what it does best.

That, really, is what the Brown Jug is all about. It’s not trying to be the next big thing. It’s simply being a very good version of what a proper British pub should be: welcoming, honest and rooted in its community.

Rosie, Avie and their team have created something that feels increasingly rare these days: a place where you can turn up as you are, eat well, have a laugh and leave feeling better than when you arrived.

And that’s worth far more than any fancy plate decoration.

l £12.50 Mains Mon-Sat lunchtimes

l Breakfast from 10am Mon-Sat

l Popular Sunday roasts 12-4pm

l Weekly Thursday quiz nights

l Back courtyard for outdoor seating

l Showing all sport Sky & TNT - FIFA world cup, rugby, racing etc

l Pool table & Dart board

l Kitchen takeovers (local companies offering their menu from our kitchen: Sri Lanka and Thai nights coming up soon - on website)

l Live music from local artists

l Drinks deals, great selection of wines, lagers and real ales

Food Hours

Brunch Served: Mon-Fri 10am-15pm Sat 10am-14pm

Main Menu Served: Wed-Fri 18pm-20:30 pm Sat 14pm-18pm

Sunday Lunch Served: 12pm-16pm

Opening Times

Mon-Wed: 10am-22pm Thu-Sat: 10am-Midnight Sun: 10am- 22pm

242 Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7NB 01242 521736

www.thebrownjugcheltenham.co.uk

Why solar at home matters now Environment

THERE’S no escaping that domestic photovoltaic (PV) systems – or ‘home energy systems’ – in the UK make a significant contribution both to environmental protection and to broader societal well-being.

Their impact extends beyond individual households and is having an increasing influence on our nation’s energy resilience.

Environmentally, the most direct benefit is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Remember every single kWh of electricity generated from a domestic PV system inevitably offsets the need to burn fossil fuels; over its lifetime, a typical home energy system can offset many tonnes of carbon emissions. Moreover, unlike fossil fuel generation, solar energy doesn’t require millions of litres of water.

We overlook the improvement in air quality that comes from solar panels. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, they help lower emissions of harmful

By Ian Williams

pollutants and particulates. This has tangible benefits for ecosystems, as well as reducing associated healthcare costs.

From the standpoint of the end user, domestic solar panels support energy independence and resilience; they free households from the worry of escalating energy prices, and a properly installed system will provide whole-house backup during power cuts, enhancing household security and comfort.

For many householders, a well-designed home energy system will reduce the need to buy in electricity by 6080%, significantly lowering their bill. Moreover, generating power where it’s used reduces the need to send electricity long distances, cutting costly investment in new transmission networks. A properly sized power store means much of the residual power requirement can be

purchased at the cheap offpeak rate, reducing bills still further, and helping to smooth the supply/demand curve that is a constant concern in the switch away from traditional electricity generation. In many cases, selling surplus energy back to the grid can earn homeowners sufficient income to offset their residual electricity spend, bringing their net electricity bill to zero.

The growth of domestic solar has also stimulated job creation in installation and maintenance. These jobs are often local and help contribute to regional economic development. Households with home systems inevitably become more conscious of their energy use, leading to behavioural changes that further benefit the environment.

There is no doubt that home energy systems play a significant role in reducing environmental harm while delivering economic advantages and building

Gardening jobs in May

By Mark Hopkins

MAY always arrives with a quiet urgency. One minute the garden is stretching itself awake, the next it’s in full voice, buds breaking, weeds racing, everything asking something of you at once. If April is about anticipation, May is about action. There’s no standing still now; you either keep up, or the garden gently overtakes you. The first thing you notice is how quickly things dry out. A few warm days can turn the ground surprisingly thirsty. Watering becomes less of an occasional task and more of a routine. Not constant, not panicked, but attentive. Early mornings or late evenings are best, when the water has time to soak in rather than disappearing into the air. It’s also the moment you realise which plants are truly settled and which are still finding their feet.

This is the month for planting

with confidence. Tender crops such as courgettes, beans, and tomatoes can finally go outside in most parts of England, though it’s still worth keeping an eye on the forecast, an old habit that rarely fails you. There’s something satisfying about committing them to the soil, a quiet agreement between you and the season. You’ve done the waiting, the hardening off. Now it’s time to let them get on with it.

Weeding becomes relentless. It’s almost impressive how quickly unwanted things appear. The trick in May is not to fall behind. A little and often saves you from the overwhelming sessions later. There’s a rhythm to it: hoe, pull, pause, repeat. If you catch it early, it can even be

meditative. Leave it too long, and it becomes something else entirely.

Lawns start to demand attention now too. Growth is vigorous, and mowing shifts from a reluctant chore to a regular commitment. It helps to keep the blades a touch higher in May if possible; it helps the grass stay resilient and gives a bit of breathing space to everything else trying to coexist there: clover, daisies, the small, unnoticed life that makes a lawn feel like more than just a green carpet.

May is also when support structures suddenly matter. Plants that seemed perfectly self-sufficient in April begin to lean, stretch, and occasionally collapse under their own

ambition. Putting in stakes, tying in climbers, guiding things gently where you want them, it all feels slightly preventative. It’s less about control and more about quiet encouragement. There’s a temptation in May to do everything at once: sow all the seeds, tidy every border, fix every imperfection. But the garden doesn’t really respond to urgency in that way. It rewards consistency more than intensity. It’s a good month to remember that gardening isn’t about

catching up; it’s about keeping in step.

Pests also begin to make themselves known now. Aphids gather with unsettling efficiency, slugs continue their nightly work. Try not to react too quickly. A healthy garden usually finds its own corrections. Ladybirds appear, birds get involved, things even out. Intervention has its place, but observation comes first. May teaches patience in that way.

Perhaps the best part of gardening in May is the sense of momentum. You’re no longer working on potential alone; you can see the beginnings of outcomes. Leaves are fuller, colours more confident, the structure of the garden becoming clearer with each passing week. It’s encouraging without being conclusive. There’s still plenty of season left, still room for adjustment, for success and the occasional failure.

In between all the jobs, the watering, the weeding, the planting, there are moments where you simply stop. A cup of tea in your favourite chair, the sound of bees moving steadily from flower to flower, the feeling that, for now at least, things are more or less in balance. May doesn’t ask for perfection. It asks for presence. If you can give it that, the garden tends to meet you halfway.

resilience. Given all the benefits associated with this home improvement, it could be argued that to resist

investing now, perhaps because you’ve not sought expert advice and are relying on ‘bar room data’, or

simply because you don’t like the look of them on your roof, is socially irresponsible.

Money talks Fanny Snaith

The woman who had enough all along!

SARAH is 43 - she has a good job, a senior role in healthcare management that she has worked hard at for over 20 years. She earns well. She and her husband both do. They have a house in a village outside Cheltenham, two children in secondary school, a holiday most summers, and a life that, from the outside, looks entirely sorted.

From the inside, it felt like she was constantly running to stand still.

“I never felt like we had enough,” she told me. “And I know how that sounds. I know how lucky we are. But there was always this feeling that we were one big bill away from it all being precarious.”

That feeling, a kind of low hum that never quite goes away, is more common than people admit. Especially among people who earn well. Because the assumption is that a good salary solves the money problem. It doesn’t. It changes the numbers. It doesn’t always change the relationship.

Sarah had never looked properly at what came in and what went out. Not because she couldn’t. She is an intelligent, capable woman who manages complex budgets professionally. She just couldn't make herself do it at home. Every time she tried, something pulled her away. She'd open the banking app and close it again. She'd mean to sit down with a spreadsheet on Sunday evening and find seventeen other things to do instead.

“I knew roughly what was in the account,” she said. “I just didn't want to know exactly.”

That is avoidance. And it is not a personality flaw or a sign of financial incompetence. It is a completely understandable human response to discomfort. The brain learns very quickly that not looking means not feeling the anxiety. And it keeps choosing not looking. The problem is that avoidance is expensive. Not just in the practical sense: the subscriptions quietly draining the account, the pension nobody had reviewed in six years, the savings sitting in an

She also found something she hadn't expected. A clearer picture of what they actually had. Not frightening. Reassuring. Solid, even. The precariousness she had always felt was largely a story she had been telling herself in the dark. In the light, the situation looked rather different.

That was six months ago. What has changed is not the income, it is the attention.

account earning almost nothing. Expensive in a quieter way too. In the constant background noise. In the vague guilt. In the energy spent avoiding the very thing that would bring relief.

What shifted for Sarah was not a financial crisis. There was no dramatic moment, no final straw. She simply reached the point where she was tired of the hum. Tired of money feeling like something she'd deal with properly when things calmed down. They never calm down. She knew that. She decided to look.

And what she found was not what she feared.

“I thought it was going to be bad,” she said. “I thought I’d been somehow failing without knowing it. But it wasn't bad. It was just unknown. I hadn't failed. I just hadn’t looked.”

That is the thing about financial avoidance. The dread is almost always worse than the reality. The shapeless fear in your head is far more frightening than the actual numbers on the screen.

Sarah spent two evenings, that is all, going through the accounts properly. She found the leaks: a gym membership from a gym she had not visited in nine months, a streaming service they had forgotten to cancel, an insurance premium that renewed automatically at a price nobody had questioned in four years. Nothing catastrophic. Just quiet, unnecessary drain. She cancelled or renegotiated all of it within a week.

Sarah now spends 20 minutes a week looking at the money. Not obsessively. Not with a spreadsheet that would frighten a finance director. Just a calm, regular glance. Enough to stay oriented. Enough to feel that her hands are on the wheel.

The hum has gone. Not because the numbers changed dramatically, though they have improved. Because the relationship changed. Money is no longer something that happens to her while she looks away. It is something she is actively, calmly in charge of.

“I feel like I got my own financial life back,” she said. “It was always mine. I just wasn't living in it.”

If Sarah's story sounds familiar, if you recognise that background noise, that avoidance dressed up as busyness, then this is for you.

You do not need a financial crisis to justify taking your money seriously. You do not need to earn more, or wait until the children are older, or hold on until things settle down. You need two evenings, a banking app, and the willingness to look at what is actually there rather than what you fear might be.

The people who are genuinely at ease with money, the ones I think of as the real magicians, are not the highest earners in the room. They are the ones who are conscious, present and honest with themselves about their finances. They trust their own decisions. They are generous without fear and careful without anxiety. They are not performing competence. They have simply decided to pay attention.

That decision is available to anyone. Including you.

Fanny Snaith offers money coaching and financial therapy.

Why are inheritance tax receipts rising – and what can families do?

UK Government receipts from inheritance tax (IHT) have reached record levels, bringing renewed attention to a tax that is affecting an increasing number of families.

According to HMRC, IHT receipts for the 2025/26 tax year reached £8.5 billion, up from £8.3 billion the previous year and significantly up from c.£5.1 billion in the 2019/20 tax year. While inheritance tax is often viewed as a concern only for the very wealthy, the data suggests that more ordinary families are now being drawn into the tax net.

Which factors are contributing to rising government IHT receipts?

Frozen tax-free thresholds and rising property prices

The main driver is the prolonged freeze on the inheritance tax nil rate band, which has remained at £325,000 since 2009.

The residence nil rate band, introduced to help families pass on the family home, has also been frozen.

Long-term growth in property values has significantly increased the value of many estates. As property values increase but allowances do not, more estates become liable to tax through ‘fiscal drag’ – where tax thresholds remain static, dragging more people into scope.

Changes and reforms to reliefs

Recent reforms have restricted Business Property Relief. While 100% relief remains available, it is now capped at £2.5 million per individual, with relief reduced to 50% above this level. In addition, relief on AIM-listed shares has been reduced from 100% to 50%.

In addition, further changes, including the future inclusion of unused pension funds within estates for IHT purposes, are expected to push

receipts higher still in coming years.

How the rise in Inheritance Tax receipts is impacting families

Inheritance tax is charged at 40% on the value of an estate above available allowances. Without planning, this can significantly reduce the amount passed on to children and other beneficiaries.

For many families, the issue is not extravagant wealth, but a combination of property ownership, savings built up over a lifetime and a lack of up-to-date planning.

How JM Finn can help JM Finn works closely with clients and their professional advisers to provide a clear, structured approach to estate planning, including:

• Regular estate reviews –ensuring that wills, asset ownership and beneficiary arrangements reflect current legislation and family circumstances.

• Inheritance Tax Portfolio Service – we offer an inheritance tax investment service that takes advantage of Business Property Relief. While the relief applied to qualifying investments has been reduced to 50%, it can still be possible to significantly mitigate Inheritance Tax using this method – it also offers the potential to receive dividends from your investment portfolio.

• Lifetime gifting strategies –where appropriate, to reduce the value of an estate while maintaining financial security.

• Use of trusts – to help manage how and when wealth is passed on.

• Investment planning with IHT in mind – including consideration of assets that may qualify for available reliefs.

• Intergenerational planning –supporting conversations across generations to ensure

intentions are understood and documented. Crucially, inheritance tax planning should not be left until later life. Starting early provides more flexibility and often a wider range of options.

For more information, contact your local Cheltenham office on 01242 312451

The investments and services discussed in this article may not be suitable for all investors. The information provided is of a general nature and is not a substitute for specific advice with regard to your own circumstances. You are recommended to obtain specific advice from a qualified professional before you take any action or refrain from action.

Investment carries risk and their value as well as the income from them can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

TEST YOUR BRAINPOWER Puzzles

1. The La Scala opera house is in which European city?

2. What is the more common name for a filbert?

3. Which gulf separates Finland and Sweden?

4. In 2025, who did Mark Selby defeat to claim his third snooker UK Championship title in York?

5. The language Occitan is largely to be heard in which country?

6. Which diminutive singing icon had a 2025 hit song in December called XMAS?

7. How many films in the Avatar franchise have been released so far?

8. Which fashion designer co-presented the first seven series of cult TV show Eurotrash with Antoine De Caunes?

9. In the Stephen King horror novel Christine, who or what is Christine?

10. Who was US president during the First World War?

crosswords using the

grid –but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform

3. Remove water from earth Eddy kicked around (9)

7. Don’t take time off (5)

8. Moor for a long time in state capital (9)

9. Country where father is in January (5)

10. Directors left trainee inside for the post (7)

13. Out of the ordinary currency (5)

14. It’s useful for raising some dough (5)

16. A capital position to be in (5)

17. It is risky to be embracing beginner, love (7)

21. There can be no recovery from this accident (5)

22. Study offer of competitor (9)

23. Time to muse (5)

24. One from Zurich, say, following underground timepiece (9)

1. I will be deemed as being rash (3-6)

2. Chips to go in after fish (9)

3. Yearned to rearrange a group of parishes (7)

4. Uncouth person brings up fodder for ducks (5)

5. Two rivers in a countryside setting (5)

6. Wildcat spotted by guide leader in row (5)

10. Explosion heard from a narcotic (5)

11. Cleans tar out of family home (9)

12. Fine-sounding hero is actually a weed (9)

15. No duty on square tool available (3-4)

18. Only an advance, so to speak (5)

19. I leave retail organisation afterwards (5)

20. No Parisian accepts fashionable fabric (5)

1. Evaluates (8) 8. Ancient Greek city (6) 9. Blast of wind (4)

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines:

Any word found in the Concise

EQUALISER: CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Assesses; 8 Thebes; 9 Gust; 10 Air; 11 Editor; 12 Asbestos; 15 Chores; 16 Sheath; 20 Entomb; 24 Martin; 27 Anything; 28 Street; 29 Tat; 30 Maul; 31 Reveal; 32 Eyesight. Down – 2 Squash; 3 Either; 4 Starts; 5 Stress; 6 Petite; 7 Devout; 12 Acne; 13 Boat; 14 Seem; 17 Heat; 18 Anti; 19 Hang; 21 Nether; 22 Opened; 23 Battle; 24 Myrtle; 25 Rhombi; 26 Inrush.

Gaultier; 9 A car; 10 Woodrow Wilson. aver; avert; EVAPORITE; ever; evert; OPERATIVE; ovate; over; overate; overeat; overt; pave; paver; pavior; pivot; private; privet; prove; rave; reave; revet; rive; rivet; rove; trove; vair; veer; vérité; vert; veto; vetoer; viper; vireo; vote; voter.

Each number in

Gloucestershire look to build on Derbyshire win

GLOUCESTERSHIRE will look to make it back-toback wins in the County Championship as they welcome Kent to Bristol on Friday. Despite Gloucestershire’s poor start to the campaign, it’s the Spitfires who sit bottom of Division Two’s table, winless from three after facing Durham, Northants, and Worcestershire.

This round, up against Gloucestershire’s last opponents, Derbyshire, Kent managed a seasonhigh score of 352 in the first innings as Zak Crawley hit a speedy 44 from 61. The opener’s position in the England squad has been in doubt for some time now, and that feeling hasn’t been eased this spring with Crawley only making 118 runs from his six innings going into this one.

He may, however, find some more joy against a Gloucestershire attack that has struggled to take wickets and stay economical at times. Josh Shaw and Ajeet Singh-Dale departed in the off-season for Somerset and Lancashire respectively, taking their pace and 53 combined first-class in 2025 with them - 40 of which came from the latter.

Perhaps as a result, Gloucestershire’s new-look attack only took a measly 14 wickets in their opening two matches against Middlesex and Durham, conceding 1,050 runs in just two innings as they succumbed to defeats by an innings in both encounters, with coach Mark Alleyne branding the start “disastrous” in an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire. Bowling additions Will Williams and Gabe Bell have struggled as the preferred opening pair, but both were improved against Lancashire, and then guided their side to the latest 10-wicket victory over Derbyshire with three wickets apiece in the second innings, on top of five between them in the first.

Even with those 16 points for the win, Gloucestershire sit seventh with only next opponents Kent below them. Additional points have been hard to come by

By Tom Day

as the side failed to surpass 216 in their first five innings of this season, before eventually managing 306 in the second innings against Lancashireprimarily thanks to James Bracey’s dogged 114 (227), alongside Miles Hammond’s 82 (169) and debutant Tommy Boorman’s first-class high score of 42 (103). Hammond took centre stage in Derby though, getting his side off to a flying start with his first innings 145 (241). Disappointingly, no one else in the top seven surpassed 40, and it was down to a superb set of knocks from the tail that Gloucestershire managed to make Hammond’s innings count: spinner Ed Middletonbrought in after excelling with the second XI - scored 46 (111), while Henry Brookes and Williams came just two short of the club’s record for the ninth wicket stand, sharing a partnership worth 191. Both made career bests - Brookes 89 (148), and Williams 98 (139) before being devastatingly run out 11 balls after his partner fell. Derbyshire did tally 252 in their follow-on as Gloucestershire somewhat let the hosts off the hook and were forced to bat again. Nonetheless, openers Cameron Bancroft and Ben Charlesworth rattled off the necessary 36 runs within five overs to secure the 21 point win and take the tally to 24 for the season.

Brookes, on loan from Middlesex, picked up an injury in the game however, and has returned to his parent club for the time being. He was replaced by substitute Craig Miles, who should be in line to start the next one. Otherwise, Gloucestershire - the only team alongside Lancashire to have played four matches, and as a result inactive this week - will look to build on the improvements on show against Derbyshire, and record their second victory of 2026 back in Bristol.

Robins legend!

Whaddon Road rose in the ninth minute to honour Neil Grayson as Cheltenham Town paid emotional tribute to the former striker, who is living with dementia and motor neurone disease

WHADDON Road rose as one in the ninth minute of Saturday’s match against Colchester United to salute one of Cheltenham Town’s all-time greats.

Neil Grayson was the guest of honour, joined by a host of former Robins showing their support for the legendary striker, who has been diagnosed with dementia and motor neurone disease.

Members of the club’s Southern League, FA Trophy and Conference-winning sides were all in attendance, and not even a 1-4 defeat could dampen the mood on what was an emotionally charged and ultimately positive day for the League Two club.

Grayson led a half-time lap of honour, closely followed by former teammates Chris Banks, Jason Eaton, Bob Bloomer, Keith Knight, John Brough, Shane Duff, Jamie Victory and Martin Devaney. Also back on familiar turf were distinguished club servants from the 80s and 90s, including Dave Mogg, Ian Howell, Neil Smith, Jimmy Wring, Paul Chenoweth, Steve Benton, Ray Baverstock, Giuseppe Licata, Paul Collicutt, Andy Tucker, Mark Boyland, Mark Teasdale, Tim Harris, Tommy Callinan and

By John Palmer

Mike Davis, who was Steve Cotterill’s assistant during his historic first spell in charge. A fundraising page has been set up to help with Grayson’s care, with more than £6,000 already raised: www.justgiving.com/crowdfun ding/neilgrayson9

Grayson joined Cheltenham from Hereford United in March 1998 at the age of 33. He was the club’s top scorer in each of his first three full seasons, firing the Robins to the Conference title in 1998/99 before playing a major role in their promotion to League One via the playoffs in 2001/02.

He scored the winner in the memorable 2-1 comeback victory at Rushden & Diamonds in April 1999, a result that went a long way towards securing the club’s first promotion to the EFL. He then netted again in the 3-2 home triumph over Yeovil Town to seal the title.

Grayson’s final act in a Robins shirt saw his volley crash against the post at the Millennium Stadium, before John Finnigan followed up to complete the scoring in a 3-1

play-off final win over Rushden & Diamonds in May 2002.

The Yorkshireman went on to play for Forest Green Rovers, Stafford Rangers and a number of other non-league clubs, continuing into his 50s. Now based back in his home city of York, Grayson was driven down to Gloucestershire on Friday by Newcastle-based Robins supporter Ade Metcalf, who returned him north on Sunday after a two-night stay with his good friend and former teammate at both Hereford and Cheltenham, John Brough. Grayson was invited into the

home dressing room before kick-off, where he caught up with his former manager Steve Cotterill and was introduced to the current first-team squad. He was presented with a Cheltenham home shirt signed by the full squad, with ‘Grayson 9’ printed on the back.

Cotterill, who signed Grayson 28 years ago, coordinated with Colchester boss Danny Cowley and referee Tom Reeves to briefly pause the game as the clock struck nine, with all eyes on one of the club’s greatest number nines in the directors’ box.

Miss Mitres crowned league champs!

By Ben Ware

BISHOPS Cleeve Ladies Development sealed the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League

Division Three title with a 61 win over Tuffley Rovers on the 26th April.

An early goal came via a great ball from Lainey Butt, slotted home coolly before Eve Edmondson capitalised on a poor pass from Liv Plumpton and fired the ball home past Debs Palmer to make it level after 17 mins. The 29th minute brought a second as a corner was flicked on before the keeper could reach it, headed again by a Tuffley player, before bouncing back off the inner wheel of the goal. The referee gave it, and Cleeve were ahead. The 38th minute brought another goal, prodded home from close range, to put the Ladies Devs 3-1 up at the break.

As usual, Charley Sercombe bagged again in the 47th minute. Good passing play on the edge of the box played her through with a shot straight at the keeper, but two soft hands let it through and in. A kick to the stomach after a corner in the 61st gave the Miss Mitres a penalty. Sercombe stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it five. Goal number six came from

Kirsty Richardson as she cut in on the edge of the box and curled the ball into the bottom right corner with 15 minutes to play. Tuffley had the chance to pull one back in added time, but a stunning save from Palmer tipped Edmondson’s penalty onto the bar before she sprang up and smothered the loose ball. A wonderful moment to end the game as the whistle sang and

celebrations began.

They followed it up with a 1-1 draw against Winchcombe Town while the Ladies First Team fell to a tight 2-1 defeat in an incredibly even game against Bristol Brunel on the 3rd May.

They can follow up their success by retaining the Sue Henson-Green Cup if they can overcome Lydney Town at the Corinium Stadium, Cirencester, on 17th May. There's another chance of silverware for the club today (Friday the 8th) as Bishops Cleeve A face Southside Star at Kayte Lane.

Mitres sneak into playoffs but fall at first hurdle Sport

BISHOPS Cleeve appeared to finish one point and one place outside the play-off positions in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South, as a 3–1 final-day win at Bideford initially proved insufficient to overtake fifthplaced Shaftesbury. However, those standings changed when the FA ruled that runners-up Portishead Town’s ground did not meet Step Four requirements, resulting in their relegation to the Western League Premier Division. This adjustment moved all teams up one place and reshaped the play-off fixtures, with Malvern Town hosting Bishops Cleeve while Shaftesbury travelled to Winchester City.

An injury-hit Cleeve side was without Noah Rubio, Zack Kotwica, Lewis Clayton, Jay Malshanskyj and Will Turner. Sam Gilder, Jack Watts and Adam Mace returned to the squad to fill the gaps, with Watts rejoining from Cinderford Town and Mace coming out of retirement.

The match began at a high tempo at the HD Anywhere Stadium, with an early incident involving the referee. After five minutes, Gilder rushed out to meet a Malvern attacker one-on-one, appearing to win the ball before making contact with the player - much to the disagreement of the home support. Two minutes later, former Cleeve player Luke Payne fired narrowly wide, before Ross Langworthy

responded with an effort from a tight angle that failed to trouble the Malvern goalkeeper.

There was little indication of the 17-point gap between the sides, with both teams showing signs of nerves rather than producing the free-flowing football seen at this stage last season.

Malvern were gifted a significant opportunity after 14 minutes, but Harry Clarke sliced his effort wide at the far post.

Cleeve’s best chance came in the 21st minute. A fine ball from Adulai Sambu found Reegan Messenger, who broke into the penalty area but hesitated between shooting and squaring to Harry Williams, ultimately sending a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper. A spell of action followed shortly before half-time, as the referee played advantage after a foul on Joe Bullock.

Malvern were unable to capitalise immediately but used the subsequent free kick to deliver the ball into the box, forcing a strong save from Gilder before a corner was cleared off the line. The sides went into the break level at 0–0.

Gilder was called into action again early in the second half, producing an excellent save to tip a header away from the top corner.

Malvern began to assert control, forcing Cleeve to defend a series of corners, and the breakthrough eventually came from one

such situation.

Gilder punched clear the initial delivery but was injured in the process, leading to a stoppage in play. When the match resumed, Malvern won another corner, which they converted in the 71st minute.

Cleeve responded with attacking substitutions in the 77th minute, as Jack Watts and Toby Holland entered the match in search of an equaliser. Their impact grew as time wore on, and deep into stoppage time, a dramatic equaliser arrived.

Adam Mace’s 90th-minute set piece was initially cleared, but Holland recovered possession and fed Mace once more. His precise cross found Jake Lee, whose header flew into the top-right corner to level the score. Further drama followed in the 94th minute, when Holland raced through on goal and was brought down by a defender. The challenge resulted in a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and presented Cleeve with a dangerous free kick, which was ultimately blocked by the wall. The match proceeded to extra time.

With a numerical advantage, Cleeve controlled much of the additional period, but fatigue took its toll on the depleted squad. The decisive moment came in the 114th minute, when Malvern Director of Football Chris Brunt scored from close range to secure victory.

Williams and Langworthy fire Bishops Cleeve to final-day victory

GOALS from Harry Williams and Ross Langworthy sealed a 3–1 final-day victory for the Mitres at The Sports Ground.

The Sports Ground has often proved a difficult venue for Bishops Cleeve, particularly against a side they have historically struggled against, but no such issues arose on Saturday.

Bishops Cleeve started strongly, with Adulai Sambu collecting the ball immediately from kick-off and driving forward before firing an effort over the bar from distance within 60 seconds. He repeated the feat soon after with a lower shot that was well saved, although the flag was raised. Harry Williams and Ross Langworthy combined after six minutes, with Williams

By Ben Ware

heading the ball down to Langworthy, whose longrange effort forced another save.

The breakthrough came just before the quarter-hour mark, and it had seemed a matter of when, not if. Steve Davies delivered an excellent corner onto the head of Williams, who found the net to give the Mitres the lead. Two rare ventures forward from the hosts resulted in a corner that was cleared by Jake Lee, before a promising counterattack broke down due to a poor pass after 24 minutes.

The second goal arrived on the half-hour, with

Langworthy netting his 97th for the Mitres at the second attempt. Sambu produced a remarkable run, carrying the ball 50 yards before playing a low pass to the captain. His initial effort was blocked, but he converted the rebound.

Williams came close twice in quick succession. The first opportunity saw him pulled back while through on goal, though no foul was given, allowing the Bideford goalkeeper to claim the ball in the 32nd minute. Five minutes later, he was presented with a tap-in opportunity but was unable to make proper contact under pressure.

The Mitres could have gone into the break three goals ahead but had to settle for two. The home side looked to reduce the deficit, dragging a

shot wide in the 44th minute and seeing strong penalty appeals waved away in added time after a player was brought down in the box.

Bideford began the second half more brightly, hitting the side netting inside three minutes. Despite there appearing to be no touch from a Cleeve player, a corner was awarded, and from the resulting delivery, the ball struck a hand, leading to a penalty. Finn Roberts stepped up and fired straight down the middle to reduce the deficit to one.

Any hopes of a comeback were short-lived.

In the 52nd minute, Joe Jeremiah’s short throw found Williams, who turned well under pressure and drove into the box. Unable to find an

immediate shooting angle, he persisted, appearing to be fouled but quickly regaining possession before calmly finishing into the bottom-left corner with an excellent solo effort. The contest was effectively settled, leaving the hosts bewildered.

The tempo of the match eased thereafter as the Mitres made changes and focused on seeing out the game.

Substitute Toby Holland created the next opportunity in the 67th minute, but Shaun Semmens denied Williams a hat-trick. Another contentious moment followed when Semmens appeared to handle the ball outside his area during a Cleeve attack; however, officials judged the incident to have occurred inside the box.

After a quieter spell, Bideford enjoyed more possession in the latter stages. A well-worked move in the 80th minute saw them pass neatly around the Mitres defence, but their finishing again let them down. A longrange effort three minutes later forced Sam Gilder into a fine save, with the rebound header drifting wide of an open goal.

Holland’s run in the 87th minute produced the final chance of the match, as he delivered a deep cross towards Langworthy at the far post. The ball was headed back across goal towards Sambu, who was unable to apply the finishing touch under pressure, allowing Bideford to limit the scoreline to three conceded.

—

Cheltenham football league round-up with Rob Morrison

THE Cheltenham League title races are heading for a nerve-shredding finale, with honours still undecided in both the Premier Division and Division Two.

In the top flight, momentum has swung dramatically away from FC Wickhamford. A damaging run of four straight defeats has blown the title race wide open and handed control to Tewkesbury Town Reserves.

Although Wickhamford halted the slide in emphatic fashion on Thursday with a 6–2 win over Bishops Cleeve A, the damage may already be done. Tuesday’s 4–3 defeat at Kings proved pivotal, leaving Wickhamford with no margin for error.

Now, Tewkesbury know the equation is simple: beat Bishops Cleeve A and avoid defeat when they meet Wickhamford in their finalday game, and the Premier Division crown is theirs.

Part one of the equation was completed on Saturday. A 4–1 Tewkesbury win leaves them on the verge of the title, although avoiding defeat against Wickhamford is no small task.

While the title race remains finely poised, there is grim certainty at the foot of the table. Charlton Rovers’ season ended without a single point to their name.

Their campaign closed in unfortunate fashion, with a walkover conceded in their final fixture after they were unable to raise a side, a sobering and sad end to a difficult season.

Division One has belonged to Mickleton Rangers and Shurdington Rovers, a rivalry that has dominated the closing weeks of the season, with the sides meeting four times in the space of little more than a month.

Early bragging rights went to Shurdington, who claimed the County Cup, before two hard-fought league draws swung the title Mickleton’s way.

On Friday night, the story reached its final chapter. Bishops Cleeve played host as the teams met for the last time this season in the Minor Charities Cup, and this time there was no debate.

An early goal settled Mickleton’s nerves and set the tone. Despite enjoying plenty of possession, Shurdington struggled to

carve out a clear-cut chance, while Rangers were ruthless when it mattered. Clinical finishing and defensive authority saw Mickleton pull clear, sealing an emphatic 4–0 victory and completing a memorable league and cup double. It is not all doom and gloom for Shurdington, however. There is still silverware to fight for, with the chance to add the Senior Charities Cup to their trophy cabinet before the season draws to a close.

Standing in their way are Wickhamford, a side nursing fresh scars from a dramatic collapse. With pride and redemption on the line, it promises to be a compelling showdown at Cheltenham Town’s EV Charger Points Stadium. At the bottom of Division One, Winchcombe Town Reserves endured a campaign that echoed Charlton Rovers’ struggles, though the bare numbers scarcely tell the full story. Officially, they finished

the season without a point, but their position was shaped as much off the pitch as on it. Two wins and a draw were erased by points deductions for cancellations, leaving the final table a harsh reflection of a side that showed more resilience and competitiveness than their record suggests.

The Division Two title race is also heading for a dramatic conclusion, with Worcester Forge knowing they must turn games in

hand into victories if they are to be crowned champions.

For now, Bredon Reserves hold the high ground. With their league programme completed, they sit in pole position, five points clear of Cheltenham Saracens A. Despite Saracens still having a fixture to fulfil, there will be no late charge, the gap is now beyond reach.

For Saracens, it has been a season tinged with regret. Dominant form before the turn of the year marked them out as the team to beat, but a sharp shift in fortunes during 2026 saw momentum ebb away and their title challenge slip quietly from view.

Forge, however, remain firmly in the hunt. They went into the weekend six points adrift of Bredon with three matches still to play. With a walkover against Montpellier Reserves expected to be confirmed

imminently, victory in just one of their remaining two fixtures should be enough to leapfrog Bredon on goal difference and steal the title at the last.

That decisive moment will have to wait. Before then, attention turns to the Primary Charities Cup final, where Forge meet Bredon with the prospect of a coveted league and cup double on the line. With silverware, pride and momentum all at stake, it promises to be a thrilling contest.

Montpellier Reserves’ position in last place is all but set in stone, even though they have three games left to play. With one likely to be awarded to their opponents after a no-show, back-to-back games against St John’s will conclude their season. The first of these was on Saturday, when they claimed a 2–0 win to move onto four points. Sadly, it is too little, too late.

Minor Cup Winners Mickleton.

Cotterill proud despite Colchester home defeat

Continued from back page

Manager Steve Cotterill said:

“It's certainly not the result we wanted. It didn't start off great, when Jordan (Thomas) slipped in the box. That put us on the back foot from kick-off. We played some good football again today and have not had the breaks when we needed them. But that's probably how the season's been, so there is a problem that needs fixing with that. I know that. We've pushed it as far as we can.

“I have just said to the players, I am not going to really talk about today's game to them because there almost is no point today. My chat was more about thanking them for what they've done for me since I've come to the football club. This was always going to happen. We fended it off for a little while and I just wondered if we were getting away with it. For the last two or three games, it's just come up and I knew it'd surface. I thought it might have surfaced earlier once we got safe. The sigh of relief. There are a lot of young boys there who have a lot of learning to do. Basically, it was about me thanking them. We'll see on Monday, having a chat with a few people and trying to tie up a few loose ends that we've got. In the game today, I won't go into the goals too much, but there were some bad mistakes for the goals. Then we score a good goal to get back in it.

“Then we scored another goal. I haven't looked back at it to see whether we think it should have been disallowed or not. Then we've had a couple of half-chances, where if one goes in and we get back to 3-2, it's going to be game on. We were always susceptible to conceding a goal in the second half, because we were trying so hard to go for it.”

The match was also a significant occasion, as former Robin Neil Grayson was welcomed back to Whaddon Road along with many other former players. Grayson was recently diagnosed with dementia and was raising money for his care. A poignant day which signified everything Cheltenham Town is about. Everyone at the

Cheltenham Post wishes Neil all the best. Cotterill was pleased to see him and a few old faces back at the club.

Cotterill continued: “It was great to see Neil before the game and obviously we had the lockout early in the day, so I did manage to see a few old faces I haven't seen for a long time. I think I'd probably rather remember the day for those moments than the other moments we've produced today. The bottom line is we would have taken this all day long, as painful as that is when you are getting beaten. The whole ethos, culture is changing. I am not saying it was a bad one before because anyone who says that, they almost don't know what they are talking about with cultures before or what it's like now. I think there was maybe a different mindset we have to have now at the club going forward.

“I'd already spoken to Danny (Cowley) and the referee before the game. And in that ninth minute, whatever goes on, if we get a moment and we score a goal, we'll give you a goal! Maybe I shouldn't have said that! We were going to stop the game

and give Grays what he deserved. I had him in the dressing room before the game. He came in for about 20 or 25 minutes and he met all the players. Even though they were going out to play a game, they all posed and had a photo taken with him, and Keith Knight, John Brough and Shane Duff came in too. It was really good to see those guys as well. It was just a pity we couldn't put on a show for them because there would have been some good players watching that today. Some I played with when I was very young and others I had here. They'll be looking at the same moments in the game and saying, 'I know what he's thinking now.'”

Cotterill was asked how difficult it has been this season, and he didn’t hold back, admitting that the occasion and end of the season made him emotional.

He said: “It's been tough, I can assure you. I have worked tirelessly. When you get beaten like that, it looks like you are just stood on the touchline and people will only see you for that hour and a half. I've worked tirelessly since I've been here

and I am pleased it's the end of the season, I really am. I've worked, and I don't mind saying it myself, hard, but I couldn't have done it without all of my staff, without the support of the board, the players and supporters. It's really been a collective effort. I know myself coming back here perhaps gave that connection back, might have started it, and I am pleased about that. I am proud of that. I was a little bit emotional in the dressing room and I don't normally get like that. I just felt it here today.

“The love that I've had since I've come back here is probably what makes me emotional. Then, the love I've been given allows me to put in the hours of commitment not only on the training ground but at home, and to be able to cuddle and cajole my staff along, who have been out of this world in their support for me. Even though the players go out there and make a mistake, or whatever, without them I would never have been able to do that. If you lob the supporters in, it's been such a team effort. I really and truly believe that.”

Sport

Terrace talkwith Will Alder

DESPITE a poor end to the campaign, I think most Cheltenham fans would consider our 18th-place finish and League Two survival a success, given where we were when Steve Cotterill arrived.

Veteran stopper Joe Day has been ever present this season and, at times, has kept us in games with some great saves. He has made mistakes too, though, and at 35 years old, I do feel that if we are looking to progress, it may be time to start looking at a younger keeper, perhaps on a season-long loan from a Championship or Premier League side, with Day as a reliable deputy and goalkeeping coach. Along with Tranmere Rovers, we have conceded the most goals in the division, so we have not exactly been defensively strong this time around. We did concede a lot of goals during the first couple of months of the season, which led to the underperforming and underwhelming Darragh Power and Scot Bennett leaving the club. After Robbie Cundy and James Wilson became our first-choice defensive pairing, we did start to look more solid. George Nurse is a good player at this level once he gets back to full fitness, and Jonathan Tomkinson has also had a positive first campaign in Gloucestershire. Arkell Jude-Boyd has lots of pace but has been exposed defensively a few times, featuring less during the second half of the season than he would have liked, with loanee Sam Sherring filling in well at times at both right-back and centreback.

One of the best things that Michael Flynn did for Cheltenham was bring Isaac Hutchinson to the football club. The Bristol Rovers man has been one of our best-ever loan signings, and without his quite ridiculous goal contributions, we would be in some serious trouble at the bottom end of the table. He quite rightly cleaned up at the end-ofseason awards, and our chances of him returning next season are unfortunately now nonexistent. Luke Young has been, for us, the player he has been throughout his career, a steady presence in the middle of the park. Unfortunately, the returning Harry Pell was not able to recapture his former self

after a very long time out injured and subsequently retired. Jordan Thomas has once again shown his ability and potential at times and, due to a shortage of other options after Ethon Archer went back to Luton and Hakeeb Adelakun moved on, Jake Bickerstaff filled in well on the left wing. He has improved a lot under Cotterill already, and I am keen to see what he will do next season. Josh Martin has considerable quality but has not really featured under the new manager, and Tommy Backwell is another who did not really contribute. On the other hand, Ben Stevenson has played a vital role in our turnaround since his midseason arrival, with his game management at the base of midfield.

Up front is an area that we clearly need to address come the summer. Lee Angol flattered to deceive and was quickly released, and I think everyone knows my thoughts on George Miller, that he is not good enough for where we want to be. Loanees Josh Davison and Mo Faal have shown flashes, but overall, our strikers have not scored enough goals throughout the season, which is part of the reason we find ourselves where we are in the table. Looking towards next season, if Wilson and Cundy have both triggered appearance clauses for contract extensions as reported, this leaves us, as it stands, with only four contracted senior players on the books, with Joe Day and Jake Bickerstaff already committed for next season. I expect a number of out-ofcontract players to be offered new terms, with Ben Stevenson, Jordan Thomas, George Nurse, and Jonathan Tomkinson being priorities for me. I do expect Thomas to move on, though, after a couple of transfer windows with considerable interest. Generally, I think we should be looking to add more outand-out pace to the side, particularly at the top end of the pitch, as well as more physical presence across the team.

This is also going to be my last Terrace Talk, so I would like to thank you all for reading over the last few years, through some great times and also some not so good times. That is life as a Cheltenham Town fan in a nutshell. All the best, everyone. COYR.

Cheltenham Post

Robins fall to Colchester but League Two safety sealed

By George Didcote Chief Football Writer

CHELTENHAM Town lost their final game of the season 1-4 to Colchester United.

Steve Cotterill’s side were comfortably beaten in the end, but the result didn’t matter, with the Cheltenham boss guiding his side to League Two safety and 52 points.

The game was a celebration at the end of a tough season, with fans raising a banner saying, “Steve Cotterill, he’s one of our own.”

In the year that the King returned, there has been a lot of uncertainty, but Cotterill and his crew round off the season in a stable position, with an exciting summer ahead.

George Miller netted the last goal of the season, and it was a well deserved reward for his efforts in an injury-hit year.

After the game, Cotterill praised his side for their work all season, and since he took over from Michael Flynn.

Continued on page 31

Town players old and new return to support legend