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.

Germaine Greer – Gloucester Guildhall

How has feminism changed over the past forty years?

CONTROVERSIAL: Outspoken Germaine Greer

Writer, academic, and broadcaster Germaine Greer came to Gloucestershire to try to answer the question.

She did so in typical outspoken fashion and also described what it felt like to be an international icon for the movement.

Her witty accounts produced roaring laughter and quiet thought.

At times it was almost a verbal tennis match swinging backwards and forwards between what she had and hadn’t said in the past.

From anorexia to greedy banks, the closing of UK pubs to the first women killed in Afghanistan, the controversial author touched on current affairs with ruthless fashion.

Her anti-war and pro-environment jibes raised her to the edge of her seat, producing a Snow Queen-esque character, as she loomed over her audience against her red-curtained backdrop.

Perhaps pink storm troopers will take over the planet, she quipped, as she dwelled on the impact the older generation have had on younger women, dressed in a grey, draped dress and knee-high boots.

Describing today’s female, she spoke out against what she described as the assumption that “young women should be sticking their backsides out like baboons”.

Greer’s performance – the first in the Guildhall’s new Speakers series – was light-hearted in places with just the right amount of energy for the cosy setting.

As a serious and light-hearted account of how it felt to be a feminist icon, her talk went down as a great success, with a captive audience throughout.

However, how feminism has changed over the last four decades, I am none the wiser.

Chris Campbell

Hollywood Star in Cheltenham

 

LITTLE WORD IN YOUR EAR: Danny Dyer chats with club co-owner Nathan Bliss

 

Hollywood actor Danny Dyer swaggered into town to play an exclusive DJ set in Cheltenham.

A sold out audience greeted the film star and cult icon who headlined Dakota’s club night with a one hour set. It was part of it’s second birthday celebrations.

The mobbed star made it into the DJ booth at 1am on Sunday before meeting hundreds of screaming fans.

Marketing director Russ Hopkins said: “Danny played a fantastic DJ set and took time afterwards to walk around the club meeting some of the many fans that had come in their numbers to see him up close and personal.”

Co-owner Nathan Bliss added: “We’re thrilled to bits, it’s been a fantastic night. We didn’t realise Danny would have quite such an impact – it’s been an honour to celebrate with him.”

Dyer is known for his roles in clubbing film Human Traffic, Mean Machine and Football Factory. He is no stranger to Gloucestershire having filmed Brit flick Outlaw.

He is currently the presenter of popular British TV show The Real Football Factories and The Real Football Factories International.

Dakota nightclub will hold a Boxing Day ball on Saturday 26 with Eastenders actor Scott Maslen, also known as Jack Branning.

And on New Year’s Eve, Hed Kandi will present The Glitter Ball.

For more information visit www.dakotaclub.co.uk

Cheltenham school does bit for troops

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.

Man arrested at Cheltenham music shop

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.”

Pupils have say on Cheltenham faith academy

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.

Pensioner backs Glos Media’s UNICEF appeal

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

Rally trek to Africa for pair

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.

Corrie soap image is unfair to Salford, says professor

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.”

 

• Faisal al Yafai and Chris Campbell
• The Guardian, Friday 11 July 2003 10.50 BST
• Article history
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/jul/11/media.accesstouniversity

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