Cheltenham Gold Cup goes on show

The best jockeys in the world dream about getting their hands on the Cheltenham Gold Cup and most never succeed.

But race fans can do just that when the trophy, which will be awarded to the winning jockey of the blue riband race at the Cheltenham Festival this month, goes on show at Martins and Co jewellers.

The cup, which takes eight months to craft, is made of nine-carat yellow gold.

Nigel Dimmer, of the Promenade shop, said: “It is so prestigious – the most prestigious cup there is. It’s an amazing thing, not just for racing but the whole of sport.”

The jewellers has supplied the cup to the racecourse for the past 70 years.

Nigel said: “People will have an opportunity to take photograph as they wish. We hope it brings tremendous luck to those people who get to touch it.”

The Cheltenham Festival runs from March 16 to 19 at the racecourse with the Gold Cup race taking place on the last day.

Police storm suspected drug dens in Cheltenham

POLICE stormed six suspected drug dens across Cheltenham this morning as part of a synchronised bust.

The search warrants were executed at addresses in Rowanfield, Hester’s Way and Bishop’s Cleeve during the operation which involved about 100 officers.

Suspected Class A drugs and cash were seized, and 11 people were arrested.

The action was the first visible activity carried out under Operation Perth, which has been running covertly since mid-November.

Detective Inspector Alistair Armstrong, who is leading the operation, said: “This operation began last November when we began gathering intelligence regarding the activities of suspected drug dealers.

“We have, since then, gathered the evidence necessary to conduct the search warrants which we executed this morning, and arrest these 11 individuals.

“The operation has been a coordinated effort between departments across the Constabulary, and is part of our ongoing drive to tackle serious and organised crime.

“The distribution of illegal drugs is harmful to our communities, which is why we have made tackling it a priority.

“I hope this operation will ensure people living within the areas targeted realise that we are there to support the law abiding majority, and will not hesitate to take action against the minority who are involved in criminal activity.”

Those arrested in the operation are seven men and four women, aged between 18 and 53 years of age. Ten of them are being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, the 11th has been arrested on suspicion of breaching bail.

Fancy a record breaking 40-hour football match

Church-goers are swapping the pews for the pitch to smash a footballing world record.

Players from the Cotswold Churches football league are aiming to play the longest continuous soccer match to raise money for impoverished communities in India.

Cambray FC, made up of members of the Cambray Baptist Church congregation, will face up to an all-stars team from the church league.

The Guinness World Record for the longest match stands at 37 hours – and the teams are hoping to beat it by three hours.

Cambray captain George Daldry, 50, said: “Spirits are really high. We’re top of the league and feeling super fit.

“The players are extremely excited at having an opportunity to break a world record.”

The two teams, with squads of 18 players aged between 18 and 50 years old, will play in a squad rotation system to reserve energy.

Players will sleep on the sidelines as the teams tackle the 40-hour challenge.

The teams are given a five-minute break for each hour of play, which they can either take immediately or accumulate for a longer rest.

They hope their efforts will raise £30,000 for the Dalit Community In India, which builds and equip schools. Manager Steve Jones, a worship leader at Cambray Baptist Church, said: “We’ll have one eye on the scoreline, but that’s not what it’s about. We’re going to have a sensible style of play – a lot of ball to feet. I’ll be telling the team to play like the Brazilians. No long balls and no hard tackles.”

Right midfielder Chris Standing, who teaches at Dean Close Preparatory School, said: “The logistics are frightening. The team has to organise medics, referees, time keepers and official witnesses. There’s so much going on in the background. But we’re so excited.”

So far 12 referees from Gloucestershire Referees Association have signed up to take part. The match will take place on Friday April 30 at Bishop’s Cleeve Football Club. Entry for supporters is free.

For more information or to donate online, visit www.football4dalits.com.

Compensation wanted for Cheltenham asbestos death

THE family of a Cheltenham man who died of cancer are appealing for information about his possible asbestos exposure.

Relatives of ex-Gloucester Rugby player Stanley Ingram, who died last June, are hoping ex-workmates will step forward in a bid to help their compensation battle.

A post-mortem examination revealed the 73-year-old, from Granley Fields, died from mesothelioma, a fatal and aggressive cancer of the chest lining caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mr Ingram, who worked on the refurbishment of various buildings in Cheltenham and Gloucester, is believed to have been exposed to asbestos during some of his work. His job included work as a french polisher with WG Nicholls Ltd during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and building work for Barnwood Builders, now Barnwood Construction Ltd, from 1964 to 1980.

Mr Ingram leaves his wife of 46 years, Valerie, three children and two grandchildren.

Mrs Ingram said: “Stan was always so fit and active – so when he suddenly became ill, we knew something wasn’t right.

“It was horrific to see him so helpless and the worst part was that no one could tell us why this was happening to him.”

In his youth, Mr Ingram played for Gloucester Rugby Club. He was also part of the England under-16 and under-19 squads.

Kim Barrett, a workplace illness expert, said: “Stan’s family are still trying to come to terms with his death, particularly the shock of finding the illness which cut short his life was due to asbestos exposure.”

A spokesman for Barnwood Construction said: “We believe Mr Ingram was not employed by Barnwood Builders. He was engaged as a self-employed french polisher. To our knowledge he did not work in an environment where he would have been exposed to asbestos.” WG Nicholls Ltd could not be contacted.

Buzzard shot down over Bishop’s Cleeve

A bird of prey was shot down as it flew over Bishop’s Cleeve.

Wildlife rescuers were able to save the buzzard after it was rescued by a woman who spotted it lying injured on a footpath.

She took it to Vale Wildlife Hospital in Beckford near Tewkesbury, where it is receiving treatment.

An X-ray revealed two pellets were stuck in the bird’s wing, which was fractured.

Martin Brookes, who works at the rescue centre, said: “It is illegal to shoot any bird of prey, so someone has committed an offence.

“It was grounded and a bird like that is vulnerable to predators.”

Martin said the wounds on the bird’s wing were causing it a problem, so they had been strapped down to stop them flapping.

“There are a couple of pellets left in the wing because the surgery to remove them can do more harm than leaving them there,” he said.

He added that the buzzard was making progress, but was not “out of the woods”.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds this week sent a petition to the Government about bird of prey shootings.

Gloucestershire spokesman, Tony Whitehead, said: “It is a practice we want to see stopped. It is against the law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“If you come across an injured bird, take photos with a camera or mobile phone and report it to the police. However, the public do need to take caution when approaching an injured bird in case it has been poisoned.”

Cutting bus route a hammer blow for residents

The axing of a bus service has proved a devastating blow for Cleevemount residents.

The estate, between Prestbury and Cheltenham town centre, lost its regular W service which was cancelled by Gloucestershire County Council last month to save cash.

Jenny Hedley is now forced to travel by taxi to go shopping. On a recent walk to a more distant bus stop, the 60-year-old, who uses a walking stick and struggles to carry more than one shopping bag at a time, suffered a fall.

She said: “The council told us we would always be in walking distance from a bus stop. That now isn’t the case.

“I slipped and traffic had to stop to help.

“I’m afraid to use the bus now, I’m frightened of causing further damage to my hip. It’s awful, an absolute disaster.”

Cleevemount residents now have to use the Castleways 606 service, which offers a return trip to the town centre once every weekday.

Alternatively the council has said they can catch either the N service bus or Stagecoach’s A route from Prestbury Road. But each one is at least 1,000 paces further than the W stops.

Mum-of-two Margaret Thomas lives at the top of Cleevemount Road. She used to use the W bus to get home in time for her daughter’s return from school.

She said: “It’s a real blow. We’re realising now that we’re never going to get the service back. To not have a proper bus service when we’re only 35 minutes from town, is awful.”

When the council said last year it planned to axe the bus, Cleevemount OAPs who relied on the service collected a 100-signature petition. Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood got behind the campaign, being spearheaded by resident Glenda Combes.

She said: “There are elderly people who have relied on the W bus for years. Now they are worried how they are going to get out to go shopping.”

There still remains a glimmer of hope after county councillors David Prince and Diane Hibbert uncovered which is cash linked to a planning application in Windsor Street.

Developers hoping to build a care home are understood to have paid £40,000 for public transport improvements. They hope this could fund the W Bus. The council said it was considering this but added: “We would need to ensure a solution is viable when the money runs out.”

Damien Hirst first edition book auctioned in Gloucestershire

A Damien Hirst first edition book is among auction items up for sale in Gloucestershire tomorrow. (Thurs)

Collectable artwork from the past two centuries will be sold at independent auction house Dominic Winter, near Cirencester.

The auction will also feature Dorothea Sharp and Gillian Ayres oil paintings, estimated to sell between £15,000 to £20,000, and £6,000 to £8,000, respectively.

Dominic Winter’s Lynne Shipley said: “There is a huge cross-section of works on sale and a lot of interest has been shown.

“We expect the Damien Hirst and Dorothea Sharp items to sell particularly well.”

LOT OF INTEREST: Damien Hirst, whose book is expected to sell well

The specialist auction house, in South Cerney, held its first private viewing this week with more than 50 art dealers.

Lynne said: “The evening included both existing dealers and new dealers from all over the county.

“It was a very successful evening and something we are looking to repeat in the future.

“The current climate has affected sales slightly, but we’re hoping for an eventful few days.”

The Damien Hirst book, published in 1997, is entitled I want to Spend the Rest of My Life Everywhere, with Everyone, One to One, Always, Forever, Now.

The sale takes place tomorrow at 11am and viewing is available throughout today.

Cheltenham songwriter inspired by town

An award-winning songwriter from Cheltenham is set to release an album inspired by the town.

Vince Freeman is launching Let’s Talk with a live performance in the town this month.

The indie star, who picked up two awards at last year’s UK Indie Awards, said Cheltenham is a major inspiration for the work.

The 32-year-old said: “A lot of the album was written in Swindon Road and is about growing up and my life in Cheltenham since university. Every song apart from two or three is inspired by the town.

“It’s about getting stuff down and getting it out there. It’s about doing it on your own. That’s what one track Race From Hell is about, it’s to those who tried to write me off.”

The singer-songwriter, who used to live in St George’s Drive and Swindon Road, is hoping more than 350 people turn up for his album launch performance on January 27.

Vince said: “I’ve been offered a lot of label deals in the past but didn’t take them, I didn’t want to sign my life away. I wanted to remain independent. It’s never been about financial gain. It’s about how many people listen to your music. If my aim in the music industry was to earn lots of money then I’ve failed miserably.”

Vince has toured more than 40 venues in the UK since mid-October but has saved his album launch for Cheltenham.

He left the UK for France last year to set up a songwriting retreat and take a break from touring.

He said: “My management told me it was time to stop gigging. I was doing 300 venues a year. They said it was the time to get my head down and start writing.”

Despite his success in France, Vince still plans to return to Cheltenham every six or seven weeks this year.

He said: “I love coming back. I try to keep in touch with the Cheltenham music scene as much as possible.

“The University of Gloucestershire has really done a lot for the town music-wise. When you live abroad and tour so much it’s hard to have a place to call home but Cheltenham is my home.”

Vince will perform his album launch at The Front Rooms. For details visit www.vincefreeman.com

Cheltenham-inspired lyrics from the track “This Heart’s No Use” on Vince’s new album:

Tell my friends I’m going somewhere new

You can tell my family it’s all because of you

I wanna go somewhere, some place I won’t feel this bad

Somewhere I can’t hear your heart

I’ve packed my life in boxes

And I’ll put these tears away

I’ll chain my fears to the wall

There’s nothing left for me to say

So take this weight I won’t bear this load for you no more

‘Cos there’s been so much trouble you don’t even know what we’ve been fighting for

I wanna go somewhere, somewhere I won’t feel this bad

Somewhere I can’t hear your heart

Somewhere I can’t feel this pain

So you wont ask me to stay

Please don’t ask me to wait

I’ve packed my life in boxes

And I’ll put these tears away

I’ve chained my fears to the wall

There’s nothing left to say

I’ve packed my life in boxes

Nothing left here but the truth

That without you lying next to me – this heart’s no use.

Shoppers out in force in Gloucester

Last-minute shoppers in Gloucester were out in force yesterday as traders were urged to make the most of the bumper crowds.

Stores in Gloucester saw one of their busiest days of the year yesterday.

And now they are hoping extra opening hours and Boxing Day sales will boost their Christmas profit.

Retailers are hoping to take advantage of Boxing Day falling on a Saturday.

Sainsbury’s Northgate store in Gloucester was due to open its doors an hour earlier today and will be open on Boxing Day.

Duty manager Graham Bocking said: “We’ve lost money because of the new Quays store. But we expect to be very busy over the Christmas period with extra staff on overtime.

“We do cater for last-minute Christmas shopping and hope our three-for-two discounts across a wide range of festive products entice customers into the store.”

A recent survey by Sainsbury’s revealed eight per cent of Christmas shopping in the South West was left until Christmas Eve.

Asda’s Gloucester store in Bruton Way has been open 24 hours and will be open until 6pm tonight.

The supermarket claims its round-the-clock deliveries mean shelves will always be full.

Store manager David Price said: “There has been a real difference this year. Home shopping has increased 25 per cent. We have 50 more staff across our store this year. Since Woolworths closed music, video console game sales have shot up.

“We’re seeing customers arrive later in the mornings and more at night because of poor weather.

“People are looking for value for money and we are able to offer that.”

Mark Owen, chairman of the Gloucester branch of the Federation of Small Businesses and Marketing Gloucester Ltd, stressed the importance of taking advantage of Boxing Day sales.

He said: “Businesses in Gloucester have done extremely well considering the current economic conditions. We have seen a positive knock-on effect from the addition of the new Gloucester Quays shopping centre.

“It is going to be a tough 2010 and it is important businesses in the town centre take advantage of the increased footfall this Christmas.”

Plan to remove overhead Gloucestershire cables

A £1.6 million plan to remove disused overhead lines across the Cotswolds is underway.

The project, being carried out by Southern Electric Power Distribution, is set to improve views in Berkeley, Breadstone and Cam.

The project, which will see 41km of overhead lines and around 140 80ft pylons removed, is due to finish by December 2010.

Project design manager, Jonathan Ebel, said: “The lines have been superseded by more modern versions on a different grid, so we are confident we have no need for this part of the network any more.

“While we’re removing the network for operational reasons, the bonus for residents on the edges of Berkeley, Breadstone and Cam is that they may prefer the new and improved views from their back windows.”

The redundant lines and pylons run from Berkeley village to Minety village, west of Swindon and are linked to a disused power station in Berkeley.

Special care has been taken to avoid harming the environment and wildlife along the way.

“In advance of removing each pole or pylon, we conducted hand searches of the ground, clearing the vegetation first, then searching for any sign of the protected amphibians,” said Mr Ebel.

The first phase of the work, which took two years to plan, has already been completed.

The work crossed the A38, including a motorway and two railway crossings.

Steve Wyatt co-ordinated the search for amphibians during the phase.

Mr Wyatt, of environmental consultancy Wardell Armstrong, said: “The vegetation was cleared very carefully and our ecologist was able to check each pylon footing as it was dug out to ensure we didn’t miss anything.”

The second phase of the dismantlement, involving a 15km stretch from Cam to Chavenage Green, near Tetbury, will start early next summer.

The remaining phase from Chavenage Green, past Tetbury through to Minety, will start in the autumn.