Kind-hearted pupils boxed clever in aid of those less fortunate.
Children at Grangefield School in Bishop’s Cleeve are filling shoeboxes with gifts to send to disadvantaged children around the world this Christmas.
And they are close to breaking their 100-box target for the Operation Christmas Child appeal.
The boxes, filled with cuddly toys, toy cars, hats, scarves, flannels, toothbrushes, notepads and pencils, are being collected today.
Class teacher Helen Ledger said: “We’ve collected more than ever this year. For a small school it’s a fantastic achievement.
“Their faces when they bring their boxes in are fantastic to see.
“They usually think about what they would want themselves and we encourage them to understand that this will be the only present that child will receive this Christmas.
“It’s about giving the children a chance to think about others at Christmas, to understand how fortunate they are and to give.”
This year is the fifth time the school has participated in the appeal, which sends the boxes to children to more than 25 countries including Liberia, Mozambique, Kosova, Bosnia, Romania and Hungary.
Last year over 1.2 million shoeboxes were sent by children and adults in the UK.
For more information visit www.operationchristmaschild. org.uk.
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after an alleged fight outside a Cheltenham shop.
The 41-year-old allegedly headbutted a shop worker and attacked other employees at Soundhouse music store, in lower High Street, yesterday afternoon.
Witnesses claimed he also had a dog with him.
The man had allegedly been shouting obscenities out of an upstairs window before storming out of a property above the shop and hitting the worker.
The alleged victim fell back from the pavement outside the store’s front door and onto the main road.
The man, wearing a black biker outfit, then allegedly ran into the store and attacked other staff.
Reports from the scene said he was then pinned to the floor by employees for more than 10 minutes while they waited for police to arrive.
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: “We received a report at 1.15pm that an assault had taken place on the lower High Street.
“Police immediately attended the scene and a 41-year-old male from Cheltenham was arrested for assault.”
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Pupils teamed up with architects to discuss designs for Cheltenham’s new faith academy.
Children from Christ College met with the brains behind the recently approved new All Saints Academy yesterday.
The get-together was part of a new phase of ongoing consultation.
Pupils said they wanted to have plenty of space, with areas designed for group work.
They also insisted that IT equipment should be provided in every classroom to support their learning.
Helena Arnold, director of children and young people for the Diocese of Gloucester, which is sponsoring the academy, said: “The children were very enthusiastic about the session.
“This is the first of many discussions we will be having with the students, not just on the design of the building, but on issues such as uniform.”
Gloucestershire County Council proposed the £24.6 million faith academy on the Kingsmead School site in Howell Road in January 2007, in conjunction with sponsors the Church of England Diocese of Gloucester and the Roman Catholic Clifton Diocese.
Approved in September, it will take pupils from Christ College and the remaining students from Kingsmead, which officially shut its doors in July. It is hoped to open on September 1, 2011.
Yesterday’s meeting was organised by consultation company Skanska.
Project manager, Derren Masters, said: “Students have a completely different perspective and it’s fantastic to have their input in planning from the earliest stages.”
Planned facilities will include an all-weather sports pitch, a four-court floodlit games area, a fitness suite, a biodiversity and habitat area, and a learning resource centre.
Christ College headteacher Teresa Gilpin said: “We’ve been discussing design plans with students and they have been increasingly positive. It’s a great opportunity for them to get involved with what will essentially be their second home.”
Christ College will run a competition to design the new academy logo from November. The winning design will be picked in December by the academy’s sponsors.
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A FIJIAN pensioner from Cheltenham is sacrificing his weekly pension to support the UNICEF appeal fund for victims of natural disasters in the Pacific Islands.
The region has been rocked in recent weeks after an earthquake in Indonesia and a tsunami in Samoa left more than 1,000 people dead.
Last week the Echo launched an appeal for people in Gloucestershire to support those affected by the disasters.
After reading of the appeal, Osea Malamalanitabua is doing whatever he can to contribute, starting by giving up his weekly pension of £71.34.
He is appealing to other readers to do the same.
Osea, 65, said: “I appeal on behalf of the Pacific Islands residents to the people of Gloucestershire.
“I urge readers to contribute to Unicef’s appeal for victims in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.”
Osea is assistant physiotherapist at Cheltenham Rugby Club and is also physio for rugby league side Gloucester Warriors.
He plans to sell his Gloucester Warriors rugby shirt, signed by the club’s three Samoan players, at an auction at Cheltenham Rugby Club to raise further proceeds.
Osea has been a regular fundraiser since moving to St Paul’s in 1996. He has raised money for good causes including Cancer Research and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
He was also a supply teacher for several local schools including Pittville School in Cheltenham and Whitecross School in Lydney. He said: “These islands really need our support after the recent disasters. I am inviting ideas for fundraising events. These people need water, material, clothes.”
Earlier this week, Unicef thanked readers of the Echo for their generous donations to the campaign.
Fiona Hessleden, deputy executive director of Unicef UK, said: “Unicef UK is delighted by the response of Echo readers to our Asia-Pacific Disasters Children’s Appeal.
“On behalf of the many children who will feel the benefits of these donations, Unicef UK would like to say a huge thank you to readers of the Echo.
“Your donations have allowed us to purchase vital supplies including water purification tablets, school tents and recreational kits to help vulnerable children in the Philippines, Indonesia and Samoa and Tonga. Thank you.”
Anyone who might be able to help Oseo in his fundraising drive – or for more information on the auction – can email Osea265 @btinternet.com
Opinion, p8
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A pair of Gloucestershire adventurers will take to the road later this year on the Africa Rally 2009.
Adam Khodabaccus and Ruth Dodgshun will drive 10,000km from London to Cameroon, passing through Western Europe, Morocco, Western Sahara and down through West Africa to Nigeria.
They will take the journey in an old C180 Mercedes.
Adam, 26, of Brockworth, said: “We chose Mercedes over Jeep as we realised it would be easier to get spare parts in Africa should we need them. We didn’t want a heavy, rear-wheel drive that would be easy to get stuck.”
The pair, who met at Crypt School, have called their team No Regrets. They leave on December 13, and hope to make a leaving party in Cameroon on January 15. They will leave the car there before flying back.
The car will be sold at auction and proceeds will go to the couple’s chosen charities – Send a Cow, which runs agricultural programmes for small-scale farmers in Africa, and Rainforest Foundation, which ensures the long-term protection of rainforests.
Adam has previously driven across Europe through his job at Mercedes-Benz of Cheltenham. Ruth is a novice behind the wheel and has not driven for six years.
Adam said: “Ruth knows the Africa side of things and has organised the route, and I’m into the car side.”
Ruth, 25, who lives in Manchester, said: “I know a bit about Africa and was in Tanzania for two weeks in June. I wanted to explore another part of the continent.”
The pair believe crossings will be the most difficult aspect of the trip, especially when up against the clock. Only 28 out of 40 made the leaving party at last year’s event.
Adam added: “I love the survival aspect. We’re going to be out of our comfort zone.
“No phones, no computers and no internet. We’re going to be all on our own.”
No Regrets will be holding a fundraising event on November 5 at the Balti Hut Indian Restaurant in Longlevens. There will be an all you can eat buffet and raffle. Anyone is welcome.
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Tagged: Adam Khodabaccus, Africa Rally, Balti Hut Indian, Brockworth, C180 Mercedes, Cameroon, Cheltenham, Crypt School, Longlevens, Mercedes-Benz, Morocco, Nigeria, No Regrets, Rainforest Foundation, Ruth Dodgshun, Sahara, Send a Cow, Tanzania
The streets of Weatherfield and the sounds of the Rover’s Return should be silenced for the good of Salford, according to a local academic.
Michael Harloe, vice-chancellor of Salford University, told the Manchester Evening News that the soap paints an unreal picture of the city and prejudices people against it.
“We are very closely tied to the image of the area, constant reinforced in the media. If we could remove Coronation Street from the TV, I would cheer because it does more bad for the reputation of Salford than anything else.
“It’s a completely romanticised picture, and wrong.”
The long-running ITV soap , gave an impression more akin to the slums of the 1930s than today, said Prof Harloe. “It’s not like that anymore – we have a different type of deprivation.
“We’ve an interest in the regeneration of Salford, because we have a huge stake in it. Improving the image and reputation of the university is vital.”
Alison Sinclair, a spokeswoman for Coronation Street, branded the professor’s view as “nonsense”.
“It’s not true to say it puts people off coming to Salford. People understand it is a drama, and that there is more to Manchester than back street terraced houses.”
The show helped tourism, with fans coming from as far away as New Zealand and Australia. While it “harks back to a certain era”, Ms Sinclair maintained it did reflect real life. “It is a slightly heightened reality. It reflects parts of the area that do still exist, and it’s there to entertain people.”
Corrie is likely to survive academic barbs. Shown in 25 countries, its peak audience in 1987 saw 26m tune in to see Hilda Ogden depart.
Among a handful enjoying a quiet afternoon pint at the Rover’s Return pub in Salford, opinions were divided. “It should stay as it is,” said Pat Millward, who has watched every episode since it began. “It’s accurate and shows day to day life as it is.” Her companion, Tommy Johnson, was not a big fan, but said: “It doesn’t run Salford down, it builds it up. I think it represents Salford in a good way.”
Dave Miller, a 21-year old accountant,found it “boring and not at all funny”, and should not even be on TV. “It’s not realistic at all. Salford is really rough and nasty. If anything it’s putting a good gloss. That Tricky Dicky is not a patch on people round here.”
Also on Guardian.co.uk: comment on my freedom of information request to the BBC, http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2008/dec/08/freedomofinformation-bbc
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Tagged: chris campbell, Coronation Street, Hilda Ogden, ITV soap, Manchester Evening News, Michael Harloe, Professor Harloe, Rover's Return, Salford University, Salford vice chancellor, Tricky Dicky, Weatherfield, Yafai
A NEW house could be built behind Lloyds TSB bank in Winchcombe if plans are approved, but residents and councillors are against it.
An application for planning permission has been lodged to build a four-bedroom house on a patch of overgrown garden behind the bank in Abbey Terrace.
The plans, prepared by Eastabrook Architects in Stow-on-the-Wold, state: “The garden to the rear of Lloyds Bank has been untended for a significant period of time.
“The owner of the property wishes to erect a dwelling on this site so using land which would otherwise remain untouched.”
The house on the land, which is 50 metres long by 12 metre wide, would include four bedrooms and two bathrooms with two reception rooms.
Martin Elliot, of the owner’s planning agents, Martin Elliot Partnership in Stow-on-the-Wold, said: “It’s a piece of wasted land. We know it’s in a conservation area but the bank doesn’t want it.
“People are always going to kick up a fuss, but it’s an area non-visible from the roadside. The house will blend in to its surroundings in no time at all.
“The owner is a very responsible private property owner from London with many properties around Stow and the Cotswolds. “
He said: “Parking wouldn’t be a problem – there is already a public car park in front of the bank and it would only be a question of extending this.”
One parking space would be provided with the property with a turning space.
However, Rupert Chislett, vice chairman of the Friends of Winchcombe, was against any proposal to extend the public car park.
He said: “I just don’t see how that car park could be extended any further. The land should be used for garages so that the car park in the square isn’t overused.
“It’s another building to fill up the town – another person being opportunist and trying to make money.”
Winchcombe Town Council’s planning committee has objected to the plans, which have been submitted to Tewkesbury Borough Council.
Chairman Cairine Lee said: “It’s a back garden for a start, and also the sewage treatment will be by one of those bio-disk plants like the one in the bungalow in Crispin Close.
“The access for a car is also a problem, because the bank has its car park there and during the Mop Fair two or three times a year, which is in Abbey Terrace, cars couldn’t get in there at all.”
Representations to the borough council’s planning department should be made by September 4.
No date has yet been set for consideration by the council’s planning committee.
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Tagged: Abbey Terrace, Cairine Lee, Crispin Close, Eastabrook Architects, Friends of Winchcombe, LLoyds TSB, Martin Elliot, planning permission, Rupert Chislett, Stow-on-the-Wold, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Winchcombe, Winchcombe Town Council
DRUGS said to give a “herbal high” similar to cannabis and sold legally in Gloucestershire should be banned, according to the Home Office.
Known as spice, the herbal smoking mixture can cause paranoia and panic attacks in the same way as the class B drug, a Government report states.
The herbal mixture contains synthetic cannabinoid, a chemical compound found in cannabis.
These chemicals are also found in herbs and incense found in shops in the county.
Spice, which is sold under brand names including Spice Silver, Spice Gold and Spice Diamond, is smoked in the same way as cannabis and can be bought legally in 3g packages, at £20.
One University of Gloucestershire student, Marcus Brennan, said the drug was widely available.
The 21-year-old suffered side-affects from the herbal smoking mixture.
He said: “I stopped smoking it months ago when I noticed pins and needles in my legs and arms. It’s fine for ages until I become agitated or emotional and then it comes back.”
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs said spice and other synthetic cannabinoid products are as harmful as cannabis.
Professor David Nutt, who leads the committee, said: “Spice and other synthetic cannabinoid products are being sold legally as harmless herbal legal highs. These are not harmless herbal alternatives and have been found to cause paranoia and panic attacks.
“People need to know they pose a real danger and should not be seen as safer alternatives to illegal substances.”
Most of the herbal products are found online.
Martin Bruton, Trading Standards consumer advice manager, said: “We are aware of the discussion taking place about these products. The proposals are at an early stage and as a enforcement body we would have to await the proposal and introduction of law before considering any action in response to public concerns.”
A spokesman for NHS Gloucestershire said: “We would not advocate the use of spice on the basis that substances of this kind are not without risk to the individual’s health.
“If any local people would like to receive advice on drugs or help with a drug addiction they can seek help from the Independence Trust on 0845863323.”
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Members of the gay community will march through Cheltenham next month.
The procession, organised by Gloucestershire Pride, is the main focus of Rainbow Day, a celebration arranged by Gloucestershire’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Community.
The parade will start at Pittville Park, go through the town centre and end up at Montpellier Gardens for a full afternoon of entertainment.
Entertainment will include live music hosted by local female impersonator and cabaret singer Queenie.
There will also be a full day of seminars and workshops covering personal safety, health provision as well as makeup and grooming tips.
The event is now in its fourth year alternates between Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Paula Moloney, chairwoman of Gloucestershire Pride, said: “The measure of a civilised society is how well it treats the minority groups. When it’s safe for someone who is gay to go into a pub or walk home late from the cinema then it’s safe for your mother or your daughter to.
“This march is as much a celebration about being gay as it is taking pride in individuality.”
Paula said this year’s event, the second in Cheltenham, would reflect the economic mood.
“This is a low-cost venture open to all. We don’t charge anyone to join us but there will be opportunities to donate if you wish.
“If you can’t afford to pay that’s fine, what’s more important is that we have spaces filled and everyone has a good time.”
The event is on August 8 from 12pm-6pm.
For further information, contact chair@gloucestershirepride.org.uk
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HAYMAKERS in Gloucestershire are being hit hard by the wet summer.
The regular downpours and short spells of sun over the past couple of months have left them with a low, poor quality crop yield.
This has left them with the dual problem of struggling to meet demand and having to ramp up costs, and led to their once regular customers turning to haylage.
Jan Rowe, Gloucestershire’s representative for the National Farmers’ Union and owner of Whalley Farm, Cheltenham, said: “Most hay this year is barely fit for burning. There are increasing problems with dust and mould spores. You need a week of dry weather for decent hay and that just hasn’t been the case this summer. It’s been so unpredictable.
“Methods used to keep hay dry for as long as possible are forcing costs up and up, but the quality is falling faster.”
Last year, hay averaged at about £2.50 to £3. This year it’s reaching as much as £6. Because of the price hike, more people are turning to the usually less economical haylage, which is moist, more nutritious hay, which is wrapped up once cut.
Haymaker John Davis, at Hartley Farm, Leckhampton Hill, is struggling to keep up supply and is unhappy with the further price rises.
He said: “We haven’t had the prices that we hoped for the last few years and this year is even worse. We’ve been struggling with the weather – a further rise is really bad news for us.”
Sue Gardiner, owner of Church Lane Farm and Livery in Shurdington, said: “We sell a lot of hay to the general public.
“If hay is cut late, prices rise and the majority of it is poorer quality. Farmers in Gloucestershire are instead turning to haylage.”
Pippa Wilson, owner of Prestbury Park Equine Supplies, added: “A lot more customers are opting for haylage. The weather has had a terrible impact on hay and straw. Many customers are opting to buy shavings for the winter instead of straw – straw is looking grey instead of golden.
“Fortunately for us we’re heavily stocked with haylage and shavings, and sales are high.”
Current Met Office predictions are for an intermittently wet end to August.
Guy Gagen, chief arable adviser at the National Farmers’ Union, said: “We recommend owners keep in contact with their supplier to let them know they need hay. Otherwise a farmer may not make the effort to make it.”
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