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Cirencester - The Capital of the Cotswolds
On this page you will find some recent Cirencester related news items with links to the full story. If you have a news item that you think would be of interest to visitors to this Cirencester website, please let us know.
A major project aimed at transforming Cirencester during the 21st Century has reached an important stage with the publication by Cotswold District Council of a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the town centre.
The draft SPD, which embraces many aspects of the Vision for Cirencester, focuses on traffic and environment issues and will be fundamental in helping to shape the longer-term future of the town centre. Its proposals include:
Forward Planning Manager Chris Vickery said: “Cirencester is a great town, but it’s easy to become complacent when you are surrounded by attractive buildings and a retail sector that is performing well.
“It is important to have proposals in place that will help take the town forward and address issues of concern, such as traffic management and parking, while enhancing the town’s competitive edge and maintaining its unique attractions.”
“The SPD will be an important tool in helping to deliver physical improvements. However, it must be appreciated that some of its proposals are long-term and dependent on other works being completed first, while others will be dependent on securing external funding.”
The Cirencester Town Centre SPD will be available on 22nd February for public comment until 4th April
.
Details of how and when you can comment, along with copies of the documents, can viewed at Cotswold District Council and Cirencester Town Council offices, County libraries in Cotswold District, or by visiting our website at www.cotswold.gov.uk
Cirencester’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will receive a new lease of life in 2008 when it moves from the Market Place to the Corinium Museum in Park Street.
Plans for the move were approved by Cotswold District Council in December and, under the new proposals, the VIC will move into the Museum's shop, offering a combined service.
The VIC currently operates from the Corn Hall, which was sold by the District Council to Wildmoor Properties in Summer 2007.
The move will see a range of benefits for both services, including new Sunday opening for visitor information to tie in with current Museum hours, lower running costs for VIC services, and multi-skilled staff, who will be able to cater for both museum and tourist enquiries.
Customers will be able to enter the shop at the front of the building for visitor information without having to pay to visit the Museum itself.
There will be no change to the service offered by the VIC, which includes travel information, information on local attractions, souvenirs and books .
Cllr David Fowles, Cotswold District Council Portfolio holder for Sport, Culture and Enterprise, said: “This move is really exciting and will offer CDC the opportunity of continuing to provide visitor information services in the recently-refurbished Corinium Museum. It will hopefully encourage more visitors to visit the Museum’s fantastic collections at the same time.
“The changes will offer a new perspective to an already efficient service, and it's a very positive and encouraging move for the VIC to be making.
“Exciting developments are on the way in the streets around the Museum and the VIC’s new location will help to attract visitors to this changing part of Cirencester.
The move is expected to take place during the first six months of the year.
Cirencester’s Cotswold Leisure Centre is due to re-open its doors to the public on March 1st following complex repairs to extensive flood damage, Cotswold District Council announced today.
The Centre’s plant room was damaged by 70,000 gallons of flood water after the unprecedented rainfall which hit Gloucestershire on July 20th. The building and its contents are fully insured and the Council is also insured for loss of revenue at the Centre.
A complex schedule of work and repairs, costing approximately £800,000, has followed a major clean-up operation and the Council and its insurers Royal and Sun Alliance have now named the date for re-opening, bar any unforeseen difficulties.
The Council’s Portfolio holder for Property & Benefits, Cllr Nick Parsons, said: “We fully appreciate that our members have now been without their leisure facilities in Cirencester for more than four months.
“We must not forget that this is a massive undertaking to rebuild the very heart of the centre requiring a great deal of complex work in a confined space.
“Our contractors EIC Ltd are working exceptionally hard to get the building open again and we are looking forward to welcoming members old and new on March 1st.”
Much of the plant room equipment that was ruined, including boilers, electrical systems, control panels and water filtration plant, is taking several months to replace and re-install due to the high-tech components required.
While the Centre has been closed, the Council has provided classes at local schools and offered members the use of its facilities at Tetbury, Fairford, Bourton and Chipping Campden at no charge.
The July flood was caused when road drainage was unable to cope with the rainfall and the subsequent overflow of a nearby lake.
Cllr Parsons added: “Thousands of buildings were affected by the floods and the Cotswold Leisure Centre was just one of them. The Council is satisfied that the building and its drainage meet the required standards for all but the most exceptional cases.
“However, we cannot be sure that there will not be a repeat of the unprecedented circumstances of July. As such, the Council has agreed to spend £100,000 on further flood prevention measures to further protect the Centre as best it can.”
In addition, Royal and Sun Alliance have engaged an expert hydrologist to report on water run-off and drainage outside the boundaries of the leisure centre.
The vast majority of Cotswold Leisure Centre’s staff have been re-deployed by the Council during the closure. Their new roles have included life guarding at the town’s open air pool, helping to collect flood-damaged furniture and providing extra help to cover holidays across Council teams, such as planning, printing, licensing, visitor information centres, housing and museums. Staff have also hosted roadshows around the District highlighting changes to the Council’s waste services.
Step into line at the Corinium Museum next month when local nursery children join forces with staff to create a temporary shoe show.
The museum will team up with local nurseries Stepping Stones, Bright Eyes Nursery, Cirencester Opportunity Group and Acorns Nursery School, to offer each group individual historic shoe ‘handling sessions’.
The 35-minute sessions, led by one of the Museum’s Education Officers, will allow the toddlers to understand why we wear shoes, explore different types of shoes and take part in a range of activities, including drawing shoes and playing ‘shoe pairs’.
The classes will also read a fairytale such as Cinderella or The Elves and the Shoe Maker and discuss the key role played by shoes in them. Each group will also create a large artwork as part of the exhibition called “Cinderella Shoes”.
The handling sessions will be taking place from mid November to early December.
The new-look Pudsey bear will be getting his paws on the past when he pops into the Corinium Museum as part of this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal on Friday, November 16th.
Pudsey will be visiting the Cirencester attraction to join the BBC Radio Gloucestershire team, who are broadcasting live from the venue during the station's mid-morning show.
The theme of the show is a school trip and reporter Camilla Bassett-Smith will be finding out what the Romans did for Cirencester with the help of Curator John Paddock.
Local Children in Need supporters are being urged to visit the BBC team at the District Council-owned museum in Park Street between 9am and 12 noon to share their fund-raising news.
Pudsey – who has been given a fresh new look and brighter colours for the 28th annual appeal - will be dropping in at approximately 11.30am. He'll be meeting just a few of the 9,500 school pupils who visit the Museum each year.
Dr Paddock said: "We're delighted to welcome BBC Radio Gloucestershire to the museum in support of such a great cause. We’ll be teaching them a thing or two about the Romans - listeners might be quite surprised to find out just how much they did for Cirencester!"
The 2007 BBC Children in Need Appeal, which raises funds for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, is hoping to beat the £33 million raised in 2006.
Gloucestershire Constabulary, in conjunction with Cheltenham Animal Shelter, is encouraging pet owners in the North Cotswolds to support a micro-chip scheme in the area.
Owners of cats and dogs are being encouraged to have their pets micro-chipped, especially in more rural areas, to help reunite lost pets.
PCSO Melanie Cheesbrough said: "People in more rural areas are more likely to have pets and we are regularly called when they go missing.
Cheltenham Animal Shelter has very kindly offered us their expertise and are coming to Bourton on the Water to provide the micro-chip service so that it is easier to reunite lost pets with their owners."
Micro chipping is a permanent identification marker and once inserted can not be seen by the naked eye.
Once an animal has been identified through its chip the police can contact the micro chip company and reunite owners and pets as soon as possible.
Members of Cheltenham Animal Shelter will be providing this service at the Countrywide Store on Station Road, Bourton on the Water on Saturday November 17 (10am - 2pm).
The service will cost £8 and also includes a free pet health check.
Recycling facilities in the Cotswolds have been boosted with the introduction of three new plastic bottle recycling banks.
The new containers, which are for the collection of all types of plastic bottles, have been sited at the Westwoods Centre in Northleach, Temple Guiting Village Hall and Cirencester College.
There are now 29 plastic bottle banks spread across the District and most residents live within just a few miles of their nearest facility.
Waste Manager Scott Williams said: "The kerbside collection of plastic bottles is not economically viable in the Cotswolds given the high volume, low weight and low value of the material and the large distances the collection vehicles would have to travel.
"However, by increasing the number of recycling banks we are trying to make it as easy as possible for residents in the District to recycle more of their waste."
Design and make a beautiful mosaic at this exciting day school for adults, taking place at the Corinium Museum, Cirencester, on Tuesday 30th October.
Using the stunning Roman mosaics at the Museum as their inspiration, participants will make their own unique mosaic with the help of tutor, local artist Debbie Stirling. Over the course of the day they will learn how to cut and fix ceramic tiles in order to create a simple Roman style panel, of their own design, to take home.
The finished mosaic could form a garden feature, decorate the wall of a favourite room, or even be given as a Christmas present.
The day school will run from 10am – 4pm and tickets cost £35 per person, including materials and tea or coffee. Lunch is not included.
Booking is essential. For more details, to book a place, or to find out about other events taking place at the Museum, please call 01285 655611
Cotswold District Council said today that despite severe flood damage, the Cotswold Leisure Centre in Cirencester should be open early next year.
The Council, supported by its insurers Royal & SunAlliance and their contractors, is making every effort to get back up and running following the unprecedented rainfall that hit Gloucestershire last month.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of equipment in the plant room was damaged by 70,000 gallons of flood water and must now be replaced in a complex work schedule expected to take a number of months. The building is fully insured.
The Council’s Portfolio holder for Property & Benefits, Cllr Nick Parsons, said: “We appreciate that customers want to know exactly when we will be re-opening. However, due to the scale and complexity of the damage, it is too early to name a date.”
The Council will be employing multiple contractors to deal with different aspects of the work, using a number of suppliers. It is anticipated that despite the complexity of the project, the leisure centre will re-open early next year. A more detailed timetable is currently being worked upon, and will be released when it is agreed.
A section of the car park will be fenced off to house a generator while contractors strip the plant room of all the damaged equipment over an expected period of four weeks. A major programme of replacement work will then begin.
While the Council and its insurers are doing everything they can to minimise the disruption, much of the equipment that needs replacing, including boilers, electrical systems, control panels and water filtration plant use high-tech components that will take several months to replace.
Cllr Parsons added: “This is a massive undertaking to rebuild the very heart of the centre and we must not under-estimate the volume of complex work involved in a confined space. We will be working with our contractors to get the building open again as soon as possible.
“We have written to our members, and will be rewarding them with three months’ free membership for their loyalty.
“In the meantime, alternative facilties are available at our centres at Chipping Campden, Tetbury, Fairford and Bourton and at the open air swimming pool in Cirencester. We will also be running a fitness programme at Kingshill School, thanks to the school’s co-operation.”
The vast majority of Cotswold Leisure Centre’s staff have been re-deployed by the Council during the closure. Their new roles include life guarding at the open air pool, helping to collect flood-damaged furniture and providing extra help to cover holidays across council teams, such as planning, printing, licensing, visitor information centres, housing and museums.
A number of staff have moved to the centres at Bourton and Fairford, or have been helping out with the Council’s summer sports coaching scheme.
Fitness classes run by Cotswold District Council's leisure team are returning to Cirencester – thanks to Kingshill School.
The school has kindly agreed to open up its facilities to accommodate a skeleton programme of events while Cotswold Leisure Cirencester remains closed due to flood damage.
From next week, classes will run at Kingshill on the following days:
* Tuesday: Circuits with Ollie Wakefield from 6pm-7pm and Legs, Bums & Tums with Ali McIntosh from 7pm- 8pm
* Wednesday: Step Aerobics with Jackie Hood from 8pm-9pm
* Thursday : Aerobics with Helen Clark from 6pm – 7pm
More classes are set to be added - for updates please visit www.cotswold.gov.uk, or telephone 01285 623508/623335.
Depending on their level of membership package, Cirencester members have free use of the facilities and/or pools, where available, at the Council''s other leisure centres at Bourton, Chipping Campden, Tetbury and Fairford until the site re-opens.
In addition, they have free use of the outdoor pool in Cirencester, by showing their membership card, from 8.00am to 10.00am Monday to Friday during the opening season.
Police in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after a 17 year-old boy was attacked and robbed in the town during the early hours of Saturday August 18.
The boy, who comes from Cirencester, had been walking along Somerford Road between 4am and 4.15am when he was attacked by a number of offenders near the junction with Chesterton Lane.
He was punched in the face, causing him to fall over, then kicked and punched as he lay on the ground.
The offenders then went through the victim's pockets and stole a mobile phone, worth £200, some cigarettes and some loose change before leaving the scene.
The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the attack.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 138 of August 18.
Members of Cirencester’s flood-hit leisure facility will be rewarded for their loyalty with three months’ free membership when the site re-opens.
Cotswold District Council today announced the offer for the 2,500 members of Cotswold Leisure Cirencester, which was forced to close when its plant room flooded on July 20th.
The centre, on Tetbury Road, will remain closed for a number of months while extensive work to replace electrical and mechanical systems is carried out.
The Council is writing to all members thanking them for their patience and informing them of the goodwill gesture.
All types of membership will be extended to reflect the duration of the closure. In addition, members will be given three months’ free membership when the centre re-opens, if they do not cancel in the meantime.
Depending on their level of membership package, Cirencester members have free use of the facilities and/or pools, where available, at the Council’s other leisure centres at Bourton, Chipping Campden, Tetbury and Fairford until the site re-opens.
In addition, they have free use of the outdoor pool in Cirencester, by showing their membership card, from 8.00am to 10.00am Monday to Friday during the opening season.
Full details of the benefits for each type of membership are included in the letters being sent to individuals.
Portfolio holder for Sport, Culture & Enterprise, Cllr David Fowles, said: “We value our customers and appreciate that it is a blow for them that the centre will be closed for some months. That is why we plan to reward their loyalty and hope they will stick with us while we get the centre up and running again as soon as possible.”
Within the next 10-14 days, the Council hopes to hear from contractors an estimate of when the work will be complete and a potential date for re-opening. Updates will be posted on the Council website at www.cotswold.gov.uk.
The leisure centre car park has re-opened today (August 14th) after a meeting with the Council’s insurers agreed it was safe to do so. The car park had been shut since the flooding due to health and safety reasons, with assessors and contractors moving on and off site. Charging will recommence on August 16th when power has been restored to the ticket machine. Leisure centre members will be able to continue to park without charge, under the terms of their membership although the centre remains closed.
The Cotswold Leisure Centre, Cirencester, will remain closed for a number of months after suffering extensive flood damage to its plant room, Cotswold District Council announced today.
The Centre was forced to close on July 20 when the flooding left the building without power. Although the rest of the centre was not under water, months of work are now required to replace electrical and mechanical systems.
Portfolio holder for Leisure, Culture & Enterprise Cllr David Fowles, said that the Council was investigating the exact cause of the flood.
He said: “An unprecedented amount of rain fell on July 20th which caused widespread flooding across the county. Thousands of buildings were affected and the Cotswold Leisure Centre was just one of them. The Council is satisfied that the building and its drainage meet the required standards and can cope with rainwater in all but the most exceptional cases.
“We understand that a contributory factor in the flooding was the overflow of water from a nearby lake in Cirencester Park. We have met with Lord Apsley and his team to investigate exactly what took place and will all work together to prevent a similar flood happening in the future.”
Lord Apsley said: “As the level of the lake rose above a certain point, it ran off as it is supposed to do; down a slipway, through the boundary wall of Tetbury Road and off down the highway. This system was approved by and is monitored by the Environment Agency.
“Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented amount of rainfall, the road drainage system was unable to cope and the water flowed into the leisure centre.”
More than 70,000 gallons of water have been pumped from the plant room, leaving behind dirt and debris. Clean up operations have now begun and specialists have made an initial assessment of the damage. It is too early to say how much the repairs will cost, but the Council is fully insured.
Cllr Fowles added: “The leisure centre had been doing fantastically well since opening last year and we appreciate that it is a real blow for our customers that the building will be out of action for some months.
“However, I would like to reassure members that they will not lose out and remind them that they are welcome to use our other leisure centres in the meantime. We will be providing the community with regular updates and are working extremely hard to get the centre open again as soon as we possibly can.”
Cotswold District Council will be looking at extending memberships of the leisure centre to reflect the duration of the closure and hopes to provide some fitness activities in the community.
Centre staff are helping with the continuing emergency effort at the Council’s headquarters and the Centre has provided four lifeguards for the town’s open air pool.
Cotswold District Council Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe has praised the incredible work of the emergency services, local authorities, volunteers and Cotswold residents in coping with the recent floods.
Cllr Stowe said: “There has been a fantastic response to this unprecedented situation in Gloucestershire.
“The emergency planning services - including the police, fire & rescue and local councils have worked round the clock to co-ordinate a county-wide response.
“While the emergency and military services have been dealing admirably with the situation on the ground, we must not forget those who have worked behind the scenes at our local councils to provide rest centres, information and advice and will be helping with the aftermath for weeks to come.
“There are also many unsung heroes in our communities who have rallied round to help each other. Farmers have helped stranded motorists, families have opened their doors to complete strangers and our voluntary workers have been providing refreshments, shelter and transport. “
"The victims of the flooding have coped stoically and I'm impressed how many businesses have been able to get back up and running so quickly.”
Cllr Stowe added that the speed with which the flooding happened showed that local communities need to be prepared for such events.
He said: “We have every sympathy for those who have been hit by the flooding and understand the distress they are going through. However, I think we all need to heed the national advice that as individuals, we are responsible for trying to protect our properties against floods.”
Cotswold District Council will be organising free collections for the foreseeable future of furniture and household goods ruined by the floods. More than 25 tonnes has been collected in just three days. Residents are asked to call 01285 623000 to arrange collection and to check with insurers before disposing of anything.
The Cotswold Leisure Centre, Cirencester, will remain closed until further notice due to flooding.
The centre has no electricity, heating or telephones as water is still being pumped from the plant room, which flooded on Friday.
Cotswold District Council Director of Customer Services Andy Fotherby said: "We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to our customers and hope to be up and running again as soon as possible.
"In the meantime, our other leisure centres in Fairford, Tetbury, Bourton and Chipping Campden are available for use until we re-open. Please check on the website for opening times and availability."
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of sexual assault after a woman was attacked in the City Bank area of Cirencester during the evening of Tuesday July 10.
The victim, a 20 year-old local woman, had been cycling from Bridge Road towards Stratton at around 7pm.
As she cycled along a path linking City Bank and the Beeches estate a male jumped out from behind some bushes and pushed her off her bike.
The male punched the woman twice to the face and pinned her down when she fell to the floor.
The woman managed to push him off and retrieve her bike, which she struck the offender with before riding away from the scene.
She later attended Cirencester hospital for treatment to minor injuries, chiefly cuts and bruises.
Police investigating the attack have arrested an 18 year-old Cirencester man on suspicion of sexual assault.
He remains in police custody at this time.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 546 of July 10.
Police are appealing for information after gardening equipment was stolen from Cirencester Football Club.
A storage shed in the club's grounds in Kingshill Lane was broken into sometime between 1pm on Saturday June 30th and 7am on Monday July 2nd.
A petrol mower and other gardening equipment were stolen during the incident however their value is unknown at this time.
Anybody with any information on this incident is asked to call Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident 88 of July 2nd.
At approximately 3am on Saturday June 23 police were called to the A417 near Cirencester, just before the junction with the A419, to help a recovery firm in recovering one of their vehicles that had broken down on the southbound carriageway.
Officers attending the scene but a road closure in place to assist the recovery.
At approximately 4am a collision occurred between an HGV and stationary vehicles queuing as a result of the road closure.
The driver of the HGV, a 45 year-old man from the Swindon area, was trapped in his vehicle and was later declared dead at the scene.
The A417 was closed for several hours following the crash.
The coroner has been informed of the death and the matter has been voluntarily referred to the IPCC.
As a consequence of the circumstances of the incident Gloucestershire Police have invited Wiltshire Police to manage the investigation into the cause of the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Gloucestershire police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 138 of June 23rd.
Police in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after a 16 year-old boy was seriously assaulted in the town.
The boy, who comes from Cirencester, had been in an area close to the Abbey Grounds car park, off Dugdale Road, during the late evening of Saturday June 16.
Between 1am and 1.20am on Sunday June 17 he was assaulted by unknown offenders, who left him with a fractured left eye socket and bruising to his face.
After receiving hospital treatment for his injuries the boy was allowed home later the same day.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to call Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 242 of May 17th.
Contractors have cleaned up the Cirencester bypass by mechanically sweeping the road surface and picking up litter and grass cuttings.
A large amount of litter was exposed last month when Gloucestershire County Council cut grass on the verges and central reservations of the dual carriageways around the town.
Contractors employed by Cotswold District Council got to work on cleaning up the mess this week (June 4-6) and picked up over 22 tonnes of road sweepings and litter in just three days.
Waste Manager Scott Williams said: “We organised the clear-up as soon as we could and the bypass certainly looks better now. We hope motorists will help us to keep it clean in future by disposing of their litter responsibly.”
Two major applications for new homes at Kingshill, Cirencester, are set to be debated by Cotswold District councillors later this month.
The applications, from Redrow Homes (Kingshill North) and Berkeley Strategic (Kingshill South), are due to be determined by the Planning (Regulatory) Committee on June 27th, along with applications for the nearby employment sites at Kingshill North and Siddington Park Farm.
The Committee, to be held in public at the Council’s Trinity Road HQ in Cirencester, will consider all the issues raised by residents and other interested parties during the consultation period.
The detail of the applications has not changed but the applications will be re-advertised for any additional comments to be made.
If the applications are approved, they will bring about the most significant developments to take place in the District for many years – including the provision of 600 homes. Under its planning policies, the Council would require up to 50% of the properties to be affordable, for rent or shared ownership.
Earlier this year, the Council announced that it was discontinuing work on the Kingshill Master Plan, a wide-reaching document intended to provide guidance for developers.
Work on the Master Plan was overtaken by the speed with which the developers submitted their outline planning applications.
However, the Council has stressed that none of the work it has undertaken with the developers and with the community will be wasted. It is an important part of the evidence which will be considered later this month.
As the Master Plan was intended to be guidance rather than policy, decisions on the applications could not be deferred by the Council.
However, the applications will still need to be in line with the Local Plan policy for the Kingshill sites, and this includes a number of requirements from the developers, including affordable housing and a contribution towards community buildings, education, highways and sustainable transport links.
The Council’s Portfolio holder for Development Services Cllr John Birch said: “The Council fully recognises the importance of the Kingshill developments to the future of Cirencester and, particularly, to people living nearby.
“I’d like to reassure people that although work on the Master Plan is not continuing, the community’s wishes will not be ignored when the planning applications are determined.”
Public satisfaction with many key council services in the Cotswolds is above the national average, according to figures released this week.
A customer satisfaction survey is carried out every three years by all local councils in England , allowing comparisons across the country.
The recently-released results of Cotswold District Council’s Listening To Your Views survey showed that 59% of residents were satisfied with the way the authority runs things, while figures published by the Government this week revealed the national average is 54%.
Cotswold’s score is 2% up on the previous survey, while the national average has fallen by 1%.
The District also scored highly as a place to live, with 82% satisfaction against a national average of 75%.
Other Cotswold services with above average scores were household waste collection at 85% (79% nationally); sports and leisure facilities at 62% (58%); complaints handling at 39% (34%) and the cleanliness of public land at 71% (68%).
Museums and galleries scored particularly well in the District at 52%, against a national average of 41%.
Satisfaction with local recycling facilties was just 1% below the national average at 69%, while satisfaction with theatres and concert halls was 12% lower than the average at 29%.
Council Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe said: “It is very encouraging that overall satisfaction with Cotswold services is bucking the national trend and showing an improvement. The good scores for key services reflect the investment the District Council has made in local facilities.
“However, we are not complacent. The survey shows there is room for improvement in some areas and we will be looking closely at how we could do better.”
A Cirencester Directory website has been launched with the aim to list Cirencester related websites.
Link : Cirencester Directory
A 23 year-old woman has died following a road traffic collision on the A433 at Cirencester during the night of Friday May 25.
The woman had been part of a group of students from the Royal Agricultural College that had been walking along the A433 near Coates at approximately 11.15pm.
She sustained serious injuries when she was in collision with a silver BMW, driven by a 66 year-old man from the Stow-on-the-Wold area, that had been heading along the A433 in the direction of Cirencester.
Following the crash the woman was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol by air ambulance.
She died at the hospital during Saturday morning.
The A433 was closed for five hours following the crash to allow police to carry out an investigation at the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 688 of May 25th.
Police in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after offenders tried to intimidate an elderly woman into paying them £800 for cleaning her driveway.
Three men called at the home of the 72 year-old woman in Chesterton Park, Cirencester, between 11.15am and 3.15pm on Thursday February 22.
They offered to demonstrate the effects a pressure washer could have on the woman's drive then, when the demonstration was over, they demanded £800 from the woman in payment.
The woman refused to pay despite being intimidated by the men, who left the area a short time later.
One of the men has been described as white, between 40 and 50 years old, around 5ft 8ins tall with short, mousey hair. He was wearing a dark green sweatshirt, dark trousers and boots.
The second male was also white, between 26 and 29; around 5ft 8ins tall with a medium build black, collar length hair with long sideburns. He was wearing a large dark jacket, trousers and boots.
The third man was white, between 20 and 25, around 5ft 10ins tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a hooded top that might have been dark brown in colour.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 276 of February 23.
A £20,000 campaign to keep a rare hoard of 3,000-year-old gold in the Cotswolds has reached its target, the Corinium Museum revealed today.
The Going For Gold appeal was launched last October by the Cotswold District Council-owned museum – and staff were amazed by the response.
Public donations of £3,000 rolled in over just three months, enabling the museum to secure £17,000 worth of grant money form the MLA/V&A Purchase Fund, the Headley Trust, and the National Art Fund.
The Bronze Age hoard, which was unearthed by a metal detector enthusiast on land near Poulton in 2004, will be collected from the British Museum early next month.
It will then undergo conservation, before going on temporary display at the Corinium Museum, Cirencester, this Spring. In September, it will go on permanent display in the museum’s Prehistory Gallery in a new case, which is being specially made.
The 59 pieces of gold were declared treasure last year by the coroner and the proceeds of the sale will be split between the landowner and the finder.
The hoard, which is thought be dated between 1300 and 1150 BC, is the only such Bronze Age gold collection to be found in the Cotswolds. It consists of chopped items and fragments of gold, which are thought to have been buried by their owner – either to use again or as an offering of thanks to the gods.
Analysis of the hoard suggests that objects include fragments of jewellery, sheet gold-work and the tip of a bronze spearhead. It also contained bronze tools, which link the find to a goldsmith working in the Cotswolds more then 3,000 years ago.
Cotswold District Council’s Portfolio holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, Cllr David Fowles, said: “We are thrilled with the success of the appeal, which has enabled us to buy the only known collection of Bronze Age gold-work from the Cotswolds.
“We’d like to thank everyone who donated money and hope they will come to see the hoard in its new home.”
The Council’s Curator of Museums, John Paddock, said: “It is very exciting to know that this important find will be coming to the Corinium Museum soon.
“Local donations were key to securing the grant funding – we couldn’t have done it without the support of residents and visitors to the museum.”
Cotswold District Council has agreed the sale of Cirencester’s Corn Hall to Wildmoor Properties in a deal that secures its future use by the community.
The Council has achieved a sale price of £650,000 for the 19th Century building, with an agreement from Wildmoor to also invest in excess of £500,000 on repairs and refurbishment. The price was agreed following an independent valuation.
Contracts have now been exchanged and it is planned that completion will take place in March, at which time the full details of the negotiated agreements and covenants will be available to the public through the Land Registry.
The detailed contract agreeing the sale by private treaty ensures that antique and craft markets will continue at the venue for at least 35 years and that evening entertainment will continue indefinitely.
The Council-run Visitor Information Centre will also remain at the Corn Hall, unless the authority chooses to relocate it.
Wildmoor Properties, which owns the adjoining King’s Head Hotel, is planning to restore historic links between the two buildings to create a first-class hotel for the town.
Portfolio holder for Property & Benefits Cllr Nicholas Parsons said: “We are delighted that we have been able to exchange contracts after a detailed and lengthy process of negotiation.
“In a sale such as this, where the Council has been able to find a special purchaser, there are clear benefits in a sale by private treaty. Firstly, we have been able to protect the future of community events for the public, after consulting residents and regular users on the type of events they would like to see continued at the venue.
“Secondly, the deal will bring about enhancement of the Corn Hall without placing a burden on the council tax payer.
“Thirdly, we have been able to secure an advantageous price for the Council by selling to a purchaser who has a special interest in the building due to their ownership of the adjoining hotel. The agreed sale price exceeds the price which the Council was advised would be achievable through an open market sale.
“This is a good deal for the people of the Cotswolds and we look forward to seeing the Corn Hall restored to its former glory.”
Contracts have now been exchanged and the deal is set to be completed by the end of March 2007.
Wildmoor Properties Director Mark Booth said: “After many months of detailed negotiations we are please that contracts have now been exchanged. The merging of the Kings Head and Corn Hall ownerships offers a unique and exciting opportunity to enhance both assets for the benefit of the town. It is our intention to preserve the existing community uses within the Hall itself and we are pleased that we are able to keep the Antiques and Craft Markets. We hope that we will also be able to identify other opportunities to maximise the use of the Hall throughout the year.”
The Hotel is due to close at the end of January and work will commence shortly thereafter on a comprehensive refurbishment. Re-opening is currently scheduled for late Spring 2008. A planning application will be submitted within the next four weeks for the proposed works to the Hall building and the connecting passage.
Works to the Corn Hall will be coordinated to ensure the period during which it is closed is kept to a minimum. It is proposed that the scheme will comprise the refurbishment of the Hall as well as the conversion of the rooms fronting onto the passage to form retail units aimed at complementing the Visitor Information centre and the daytime function of the hall. The creation of these active frontages will enhance the approach to the Hall itself.
Officers from the Council and representatives of Wildmoor Properties will continue to meet regularly after the sale to ensure the conditions of the contract are met.
The antique and craft markets will be able to trade throughout the refurbishment by temporarily relocating to the King’s Head. The sale contract ensures that if the market operators wish to return to the Corn Hall following refurbishment they can do so.
Cotswold District Council will continue to manage the markets and other activities for the next couple of months, with a handover to Wildmoor Properties on completion. Bookings made until the end of March will be honoured. Until the handover is complete, further bookings will only be made for day time use.
Thames Water is today (8am, 18 Jan 2007) lifting the hosepipe and sprinkler ban in force across its supply region since April 2006.
The decision, which has been taken in consultation with the Environment Agency, follows four months of above-average rainfall (September 2006 to December 2006), which have eased immediate concerns about water resources following the record drought that began in November 2004.
But the company is asking customers to stick with water-saving tips that helped avoid the need for more severe restrictions in the region last summer. Meanwhile, Thames Water continues its drive to reduce leakage, particularly in London.
Richard Aylard, External Affairs & Environment Director at Thames Water, said:
“The good news is that the recent wet weather has allowed us to fill our reservoirs.
“It has taken some time for the rain to seep down into underground aquifers that keep rivers and reservoirs topped up during the spring and the summer, but groundwater levels throughout the catchment are also rising and are expected to have generally recovered to at least near-normal levels by February.
“This all means that keeping the hosepipe ban in place is no longer justified.
“We regretted having to impose the ban, our first in 15 years, but given the severity of the drought, a cautious approach was needed to keep taps flowing without harming the environment by taking extra water from rivers.
“Our customers responded very positively to our appeals to use water wisely. Demand fell by as much as ten per cent, even at the peak of the heatwave in July.
“We remain extremely grateful for their help. Combined with the hosepipe ban, it helped ensure that we could maintain essential supplies throughout last year, despite the two previous very dry winters.
“But we do need to ask all our eight million customers to keep saving water wherever they can. Amazingly enough, London receives less rain than Rome, Dallas or Istanbul, so we need everybody to make water saving a part of their everyday lives, all year round. Population growth and climate change add to the need for us all to use water wisely.
“Thames Water remains focused on reducing London’s unacceptably high leakage rates. Currently, for example, our rolling programme to replace the capital’s oldest, leakiest mains is moving into new areas of the City and the West End, as well as south of the river in Croydon. Many of the pipes are over 150 years old, dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria.
“This ambitious project, started in 2002, will see us replace over 1100 miles (1800 km) of the cast iron Victorian pipes with more flexible plastic ones by 2010. This is expected to deliver savings of over 140 million litres a day.
“Crucially, the work allows us to install a more efficient, streamlined network than the maze of pipes that has evolved over many decades.
“Together with ongoing work to find and fix leaks elsewhere in the network, our total investment to bring leakage down is over £500,000 every day.”
Weekly housing advice sessions for young people have been launched in Cirencester by Cotswold District Council and its housing service Homeview.
The drop-in surgery, held every Tuesday between 10am and 1pm at the Impact Centre, Lewis Lane, fills the void left by Shelter’s decision to discontinue its sessions.
HomeView will provide advice on a range of housing matters for people aged 16 to 25, including tenants’ rights, emergency accommodation, landlord liaison, homelessness issues and the housing (HomeView) register.
Cotswold District Council Community Health and Housing Manager Rosemary Lynn said: " We know that young people can get into difficulties with housing, perhaps because they've left home after falling out with their families or by not being able to afford their rent, and they need to be able to get good, reliable advice.
“We hope that the drop in sessions will provide a friendly and accessible service, though of course young people will still be able to get help at other times by ringing HomeView on 08450 582099."
The sessions will run until the end of March and a new service provided by Gloucestershire County Council will be launched in April.
For further information, please contact Gwen Russell or Oonagh Laidler at Cotswold District Council on 01285 623408.
Cirencester police have released an e-fit image of a male who exposed himself to a woman in Tetbury during November.
The offender exposed himself to his victim, a woman from Tetbury, as she walked her dog along Railway Walk at around 4.30pm on Friday November 17.
When the woman challenged the male he ran off.
He is described as white, in his late teens, around 5ft 10ins tall with a slim build.
He had broad shoulders and was wearing pale blue jeans and a black hooded top.
The description is similar to that of a male who exposed himself to a woman and two teenaged girls in two separate incidents in Cirencester on Friday December 1.
At around 4.50pm the two girls had been walking past the scout hut on Cotswold Avenue when a male came out of the bushes and started following them.
He called to the girls who turned around to see that the male was exposing himself and masturbating.
He ran off towards the Watermoor area.
A short time later, at around 5pm, a 54 year-old woman from Cheltenham was returning to her car in Lavender Lane, Cirencester.
As she placed a bag in the back of the vehicle she noticed a male walk past her and loiter nearby.
When the male walked closer to the car the woman saw that he had exposed himself and was masturbating. The male then walked off.
Anyone who recognises the e-fit, or the description, is asked to call Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 403 of November 17.
Police in Cirencester are appealing for information after a woman and a teenager were victims of indecent exposure on Friday, December 1.
The first incident, in Lavender Lane, happened at around 5.25pm when a woman was walking back to her car from the Trinity Road direction.
The victim was aware that a man in a hoodie was standing behind her as she was putting her bags in the back seat of her car.
She then saw the man walk past the car and hesitate before coming back towards her.
As he got closer she realised that he was exposing himself and conducting a lewd act.
The victim screamed and the man walked off.
He is described as white between 24 and 30-years-old with a slim build, broad shoulders and around six foot tall. He was wearing a navy hoodie and has dark hair with a fringe and small eyes.
A second incident, on the same evening, involved a man of a similar description following a 15-year-old girl and her friend through Lavender Lane at around the same time.
The man is believed to have followed the girls, standing very close behind them conducting a lewd act through his clothes.
He is described as white, around 5" 7 with a skinny build.
He is thought to be in his late teens or early 20s with dark eyes and a misshapen nose. He was wearing a dark hoodie and jeans.
Anybody with any information on these incidents is asked to call 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting incident numbers 463 of December 1 and 570 or December 1.
Police in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian was seriously injured in the town during the morning of Thursday November 23.
At approximately 11.20am an 83 year-old man from Cirencester was in collision with a car, a red and grey Subaru Legacy Outback, as he crossed Ashcroft Road.
The man suffered a severe head injury and internal injuries as a result of the collision and he was taken to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon where he remains in a critical condition.
The driver of the Subaru, a 35 year-old man from Stroud, was uninjured during the incident.
Following the crash Ashcroft Road was closed for several hours while police carried out an investigation at the scene.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 331 of November 23.
Arrangements for 2006 Christmas period in the Cirencester area:
Monday 25th December there will be no collection of refuse or recycling (refuse will be collected on Tuesday 2nd January and recycling on Monday 8th January)
Tuesday 26th December there will be no collection of refuse or recycling (refuse will be collected on 3rd January and recycling on Tuesday 9th January)
Wednesday 27th December Collection of refuse and recycling will go ahead as normal
Thursday 28th December Collection of refuse and recycling will go ahead as normal
Friday 29th December Collection of refuse and recycling will go ahead as normal
2007
Monday 1st January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Tuesday 2nd January
Tuesday 2nd January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Wednesday 3rd January
Wednesday 3rd January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Thursday 4th January
Thursday 4th January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Friday 5th January
Friday 5th January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Saturday 6th January
From Monday 8th January all collections will revert back to the normal day regardless of Bank holidays.
Cotswold District Council added an extra £800,000 to the new Cotswold Leisure Centre budget to improve facilities and cover unforeseen costs, it said today.
In August 2004, the Council agreed to spend £7,717,490 from its capital budget on the centre, which opened in Cirencester in April this year.
During the course of the building project, the Council further increased the budget to approximately £8.5m to make the centre more appealing to customers and deal with unexpected costs which came to light on site as work progressed.
Andy Fotherby, Director of Customer Services said: “After work began it became clear – as with any large building project – that there were unforeseen costs that would need to be met.
“For example, we had to carry out rock excavations and increase surface water storage for storm conditions to meet stringent standards set by the Environment Agency.
“We also wanted to make changes to the fixtures and fittings inside the building and tweak the design so that customers would get the best possible experience. These included a treatment suite, a bigger relaxation area an improved reception and café area.
“We anticipated that there would be extra spending on top of the original budget and the cost has been met from the Council’s capital fund. We haven’t gone into the red to foot the bill.
“Our investment has clearly paid off because the Centre is extremely popular, with increased membership and more casual customers coming through the doors. The increased takings mean that Council tax payers are subsidising the centre less and less. This year, the subsidy decreased by £239,000.”
Since opening on April 4, more than 219, 900 visits have been made to the leisure centre, which includes 87,000 swims, 24,000 swimming lesson visits and 18,000 school swimming visits.
Enhancements and improvements paid for by the extra £800,000 included:
* Improvements to the interior such as extra carpeting and better quality tiles.
* Improved décor for the changing village
* Additional floor trunking and cabling for the gym to improve the layout and flexibility of the 70 work stations.
* Changes to the sports hall layout to improve access and increase its variety of uses.
* The addition of customer adviser/sales offices
* An enhanced reception area
* Upgraded phone lines and online booking system
* The addition of a treatment suite, which has been let to an independent beauty salon.
* Improvements to the relaxation area to provide a larger sauna, larger steam room, two power showers and relax room for winding down;
* Enhanced ‘front of house facilities’ with the introduction of a cafe, seating overlooking the training pool and leather sofas. The Cafe, which is operated by a franchisee, provides high quality food and refreshments.
* A large meeting room for Council use.
* Replacement of a foul water drain, due to age, which cost £80,000
All these improvements and enhancements were put in place before the centre opened.
During the exceptionally hot summer this year, the Council became dissatisfied with the performance of the air conditioning in the gym and spent a further £5,000 on portable air conditioning units and fans. The public were kept informed of the situation and the problem has since been resolved at the contractor’s cost.
Sarah Grace brings an exciting and thought provoking play - an ‘Evening with Primrose Oyle’ - to the Corn Hall on Sunday 26th November.
Sarah has written and performed her one-woman theatre show 'Hatty's Last Stand' and on the back of that success she now launches her new show 'An Evening with Primrose Oyle'.
Tackling those hard to reach stains of life, Primrose takes her audience on a domestic journey through the stuff that matters – friends, family and relationships.
Sarah trained at the Desmond Jones School of Mime and Physical Theatre in London. Her acting work started off within the Salvation Army performing at special events, conferences and local community projects. She has since gone on to perform in a wide range of venues both in the UK and overseas.
Sarah draws on every emotion. One minute you're laughing, and the next, crying with the sheer honesty that she portrays. She writes from the perspective of her own life experiences in the hope they will connect with people on an honest and down-to-earth level.
An Evening with Primrose Oyle is a show that takes a light-hearted but at times challenging look at the importance of community and positive relationships. Join Primrose and plunge into the U-bend of life!
Tickets are available on the door priced £6 / £4 concessions
Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start
Police are appealing for witnesses after receiving a report of shots being fired from what is believed to be a BB gun in Cirencester.
The incident took place on Tuesday November 7 at around 4.30pm on Market Place.
The shots came from a black sports car with headlights that flip up at the front, as it travelled through the centre of Cirencester.
The shots appeared to be targeting members of the public walking on the pavement.
If you saw the incident take place or have any further information, then please contact Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 365 on November 7.
The sharp eyes of a CCTV operator helped police to arrest two male youths on suspicion of drug dealing at the recent Mop fair in Cirencester Town centre.
The Cotswolds District Council funded operator saw the pair acting suspiciously during the fair, which was held in the North Way car park on Monday October 9 2006.
After observing the furtive movements of the youths, the operator contacted local officers patrolling the fair ground and directed them to their location.
The youths were subsequently stopped and searched and between 20 and 30 tablets, believed to be Ecstasy, were recovered.
The find led officers to search the home addresses of both individuals and a further quantity of tablets, and just under £300 in cash, were seized.
Arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply the youths, a 17 year-old and an 18 year-old from Cirencester, have been bailed pending further enquiries until November 9.
Inspector Steve Williams, of Cirencester police, said: "This demonstrates how effective and co-ordinated the police and their partners are in deterring, detecting and reducing crime and disorder.
"The town centre CCTV operators are extremely vigilant. Their skills, combined with good local knowledge, meant they were able to provide officers with information that allowed them to approach these youths unobserved and effect an arrest."
Police in Cirencester have arrested a man after a card skimming device was found attached to a local cashpoint.
The device was found attached to a cashpoint at the Tesco Metro store in Farrell Close, Cirencester, at just before 5pm yesterday, Wednesday, October 18.
However, officers are unsure how long the device was in place and are asking anyone who may have used the machine yesterday to check their bank accounts for any unusual or unauthorised activity.
Anyone who discovers that money has been taken from their account without their knowledge is asked to contact police.
An 18-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody at Cirencester police station.
Paul Francis, Crime Reduction Officer for Gloucestershire Police, said: "Offenders are using sophisticated technology to record the card details and PIN numbers of unwitting members of the public.
"They do this in a variety of ways, including putting realistic-looking false controls, which include a card slot and a keypad, over the existing ATM controls and by using cameras to record PIN numbers.
"Once these are in place anybody subsequently using the cash machine will have their PIN number and card details recorded.
"To protect themselves members of the public should always look closely at a cash machine before using it. If they spot anything attached to it, if it looks or feels as if it has been tampered with, they should not put their card into it.
"They should also be wary if their card is rejected without explanation as this can be a sign that the cashpoint has had a fake front attached to it.
"If members of the public believe a cash machine has been tampered with they should contact police immediately and allow us to investigate.
"They should never try to remove illegal items attached to a cash machine as often the offenders responsible for placing the device will be close by."
Anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim to this skimming device or who witnessed and suspicious activity in the area yesterday is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 387 of October 18.
Young people in the Cotswolds will be judging which District Councillor has best risen to the ‘memorable manifesto challenge’ on Friday, (October 20th).
As part of Local Democracy Week, four councillors - Cllr John Anderson, Cllr Richard Graham, Cllr Edward Horsfall and Cllr Sandy Price - have come up with a short manifesto showing what could be done for young people in their wards.
Details have been posted on the Council’s website (www.cotswold.gov.uk) and pupils have been voting for their favourites.
The winner will be announced on Friday at a special event for young people at CDC’s Trinity Road offices, which includes a ‘Question Time’ event and the creation of a ‘wall of democracy’.
The Members who have submitted manifestos are planning to be there to receive feedback. Their ideas encompassed a wide range of issues affecting young people – from recycling and transport to cinema and sports facilities.
The pupils will then get the chance to quiz a panel of people with an interest in youth issues, including Scott Burry, CDC’s Sports Access Officer; Sgt Felicity Peake of Gloucestershire Police; Sue Crowe of Connexions; Helen Jones of the Gloucestershire County Youth Service; CDC’s Anti-Social behaviour Co-ordinator Tim Dowan; Derek Lucas of the County Council’s integrated transport team and CDC’s Community, Health & Housing Manager Rosemary Lynn.
The event has been organised, and will be compered by, the Council’s Youth Participation Officer Claire Dowan.
She explained: “Local Democracy Week is a national campaign designed to encourage ways in which councillors and young people can meet and exchange views. Hopefully, this event will get people talking and working together on issues affecting young people in the Cotswolds.”
The event, which runs from 10.30am until 1.30pm involves pupils of Andoversford Primary School, Bourton Primary School and Cirencester’s Kingshill and Deer Park Schools.
At the end of the event, all those participating will be asked to add a pledge to a ‘wall of democracy’, promising an action they will take as a result of attending the session.
16th October 2006
Two men required hospital treatment for facial injuries after both were assaulted in the same pub in Cirencester on Saturday October 14.
Both men had been involved in an altercation that took place at the Nelson Inn in Gloucester Street, Cirencester, between 11.30pm and 11.45pm.
During the incident a 20 year-old man from Stroud was hit in the face with a glass, and a 19 year-old man from Fairford was struck in the head with an unknown object.
Both men were taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment to facial injuries.
Cirencester police have since arrested the 19 year-old on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm. He remains in police custody at this time.
Officers also arrested a 22 year-old man from Cirencester on suspicion of wounding. He has been bailed until December 1 pending further enquiries.
Anyone who witnessed either of the assaults is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 775 of October 14.
Gloucestershire Police and the RSPCA have teamed up with well-known naturalist and TV presenter Nigel Marven to draw public attention to the illegal trade of endangered species in the county.
Nigel, the popular Naturalist, Filmmaker and Presenter of ITV's Prehistoric Park, BBC's Sea Monsters and Channel Five's Rhino Adventure and Big Cats, kindly agreed to take in two tortoises recovered at the beginning of September 2006 following a joint investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary and the RSPCA.
The enquiry was launched after police received reports that two very young Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoises (testudo graeca sp), believed to have been taken from the wild, had been sold, illegally, in a Cirencester pub.
A 19 year-old man and 23 year-old woman were spoken to by police as a result, and it became clear that they had bought the tortoises from an unknown male three to four months previously.
Both individuals, who were unaware of the laws controlling the sale of protected species, co-operated fully with the investigation and no further action was taken against them. The two tortoises, which were in good condition and aged about 11 months old, were subsequently surrendered into the care of the RSPCA for re-homing.
As part of the investigation there was a need to identify the species of tortoises and officers were greatly assisted by Marc Ormond, Herpetologist at Cotswold Wildlife Park.
Marc not only identified the tortoises, he was then able to help by putting the police and the RSPCA in touch with Nigel.
Once the situation was explained to Nigel he was very keen to help by welcoming the two young tortoises into the collection of animals he keeps at his home near Bristol.
Expressing his concern about the unnecessary trading of wild animals, Nigel said, "Keeping reptiles and other exotic pets is extremely rewarding, but there's absolutely no need to remove any animal from the wild.
"Always buy from well-established, reputable suppliers of captive-bred animals; they're easy to find, and they'll always give advice on how to properly care for your pets.
"While I welcome these two new arrivals I'm obviously concerned that a black-market trade in protected species continues."
PC Jon Palfrey, of Cirencester police, said: "Although this story ended well, with the two tortoises going to a good home, it is important to raise public awareness of the illegal international trade in endangered species.
"Offences were committed in the sale of these tortoises, and the actions of the male who sold them are a clear example of how the illegal trade in endangered species reaches all parts of the World.
"What might be seen as the cheaper option to obtain these animals - taking them from the wild - does not consider the cost to the environment and the animals within it. All of us must consider how our actions affect the Flora and Fauna on our planet and act accordingly."
Both Gloucestershire Constabulary and the RSPCA are appealing for the public to come forward with any information they may have in relation to any offence relating to wildlife or the international trade in endangered species.
Anyone with information about the sale of the two tortoises in Cirencester is asked to call 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 258 of September 5.
Shaping The Future Of Cirencester Town Centre
14th February 2008A major project aimed at transforming Cirencester during the 21st Century has reached an important stage with the publication by Cotswold District Council of a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the town centre.
The draft SPD, which embraces many aspects of the Vision for Cirencester, focuses on traffic and environment issues and will be fundamental in helping to shape the longer-term future of the town centre. Its proposals include:
- A review of parking, to provide more spaces in fewer car parks, with the redevelopment of some existing parking for other uses
- Prioritising pedestrians over traffic in the main shopping streets
- Transferring unnecessary through traffic onto the ring road
- Improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and to public transport, including better links within and to the town centre
- Improvements to road safety and the possible transfer of buses from the Market Place to improved facilities at South Way/The Forum
- Improving the appearance of the public realm, particularly Market Place, Cricklade Street, Black Jack Street and Dyer Street
- Rationalisation and improvement of signage, street furniture and paving.
Forward Planning Manager Chris Vickery said: “Cirencester is a great town, but it’s easy to become complacent when you are surrounded by attractive buildings and a retail sector that is performing well.
“It is important to have proposals in place that will help take the town forward and address issues of concern, such as traffic management and parking, while enhancing the town’s competitive edge and maintaining its unique attractions.”
“The SPD will be an important tool in helping to deliver physical improvements. However, it must be appreciated that some of its proposals are long-term and dependent on other works being completed first, while others will be dependent on securing external funding.”
The Cirencester Town Centre SPD will be available on 22nd February for public comment until 4th April
.
Details of how and when you can comment, along with copies of the documents, can viewed at Cotswold District Council and Cirencester Town Council offices, County libraries in Cotswold District, or by visiting our website at www.cotswold.gov.uk
Visitor Information To Join Forces With Museum
4th January 2008Cirencester’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will receive a new lease of life in 2008 when it moves from the Market Place to the Corinium Museum in Park Street.
Plans for the move were approved by Cotswold District Council in December and, under the new proposals, the VIC will move into the Museum's shop, offering a combined service.
The VIC currently operates from the Corn Hall, which was sold by the District Council to Wildmoor Properties in Summer 2007.
The move will see a range of benefits for both services, including new Sunday opening for visitor information to tie in with current Museum hours, lower running costs for VIC services, and multi-skilled staff, who will be able to cater for both museum and tourist enquiries.
Customers will be able to enter the shop at the front of the building for visitor information without having to pay to visit the Museum itself.
There will be no change to the service offered by the VIC, which includes travel information, information on local attractions, souvenirs and books .
Cllr David Fowles, Cotswold District Council Portfolio holder for Sport, Culture and Enterprise, said: “This move is really exciting and will offer CDC the opportunity of continuing to provide visitor information services in the recently-refurbished Corinium Museum. It will hopefully encourage more visitors to visit the Museum’s fantastic collections at the same time.
“The changes will offer a new perspective to an already efficient service, and it's a very positive and encouraging move for the VIC to be making.
“Exciting developments are on the way in the streets around the Museum and the VIC’s new location will help to attract visitors to this changing part of Cirencester.
The move is expected to take place during the first six months of the year.
Date set for Cotswold Leisure Centre re-opening
6th December 2007Cirencester’s Cotswold Leisure Centre is due to re-open its doors to the public on March 1st following complex repairs to extensive flood damage, Cotswold District Council announced today.
The Centre’s plant room was damaged by 70,000 gallons of flood water after the unprecedented rainfall which hit Gloucestershire on July 20th. The building and its contents are fully insured and the Council is also insured for loss of revenue at the Centre.
A complex schedule of work and repairs, costing approximately £800,000, has followed a major clean-up operation and the Council and its insurers Royal and Sun Alliance have now named the date for re-opening, bar any unforeseen difficulties.
The Council’s Portfolio holder for Property & Benefits, Cllr Nick Parsons, said: “We fully appreciate that our members have now been without their leisure facilities in Cirencester for more than four months.
“We must not forget that this is a massive undertaking to rebuild the very heart of the centre requiring a great deal of complex work in a confined space.
“Our contractors EIC Ltd are working exceptionally hard to get the building open again and we are looking forward to welcoming members old and new on March 1st.”
Much of the plant room equipment that was ruined, including boilers, electrical systems, control panels and water filtration plant, is taking several months to replace and re-install due to the high-tech components required.
While the Centre has been closed, the Council has provided classes at local schools and offered members the use of its facilities at Tetbury, Fairford, Bourton and Chipping Campden at no charge.
The July flood was caused when road drainage was unable to cope with the rainfall and the subsequent overflow of a nearby lake.
Cllr Parsons added: “Thousands of buildings were affected by the floods and the Cotswold Leisure Centre was just one of them. The Council is satisfied that the building and its drainage meet the required standards for all but the most exceptional cases.
“However, we cannot be sure that there will not be a repeat of the unprecedented circumstances of July. As such, the Council has agreed to spend £100,000 on further flood prevention measures to further protect the Centre as best it can.”
In addition, Royal and Sun Alliance have engaged an expert hydrologist to report on water run-off and drainage outside the boundaries of the leisure centre.
The vast majority of Cotswold Leisure Centre’s staff have been re-deployed by the Council during the closure. Their new roles have included life guarding at the town’s open air pool, helping to collect flood-damaged furniture and providing extra help to cover holidays across Council teams, such as planning, printing, licensing, visitor information centres, housing and museums. Staff have also hosted roadshows around the District highlighting changes to the Council’s waste services.
Explore a selection of shoes at Corinium Museum session
22nd November 2007Step into line at the Corinium Museum next month when local nursery children join forces with staff to create a temporary shoe show.
The museum will team up with local nurseries Stepping Stones, Bright Eyes Nursery, Cirencester Opportunity Group and Acorns Nursery School, to offer each group individual historic shoe ‘handling sessions’.
The 35-minute sessions, led by one of the Museum’s Education Officers, will allow the toddlers to understand why we wear shoes, explore different types of shoes and take part in a range of activities, including drawing shoes and playing ‘shoe pairs’.
The classes will also read a fairytale such as Cinderella or The Elves and the Shoe Maker and discuss the key role played by shoes in them. Each group will also create a large artwork as part of the exhibition called “Cinderella Shoes”.
The handling sessions will be taking place from mid November to early December.
Pudsey To Visit Corinium Museum For Children In Need
Published: Wednesday 14th NovemberThe new-look Pudsey bear will be getting his paws on the past when he pops into the Corinium Museum as part of this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal on Friday, November 16th.
Pudsey will be visiting the Cirencester attraction to join the BBC Radio Gloucestershire team, who are broadcasting live from the venue during the station's mid-morning show.
The theme of the show is a school trip and reporter Camilla Bassett-Smith will be finding out what the Romans did for Cirencester with the help of Curator John Paddock.
Local Children in Need supporters are being urged to visit the BBC team at the District Council-owned museum in Park Street between 9am and 12 noon to share their fund-raising news.
Pudsey – who has been given a fresh new look and brighter colours for the 28th annual appeal - will be dropping in at approximately 11.30am. He'll be meeting just a few of the 9,500 school pupils who visit the Museum each year.
Dr Paddock said: "We're delighted to welcome BBC Radio Gloucestershire to the museum in support of such a great cause. We’ll be teaching them a thing or two about the Romans - listeners might be quite surprised to find out just how much they did for Cirencester!"
The 2007 BBC Children in Need Appeal, which raises funds for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, is hoping to beat the £33 million raised in 2006.
Pet Owners in the Cotswolds Urged To Chip Their Animals
Friday November 9thGloucestershire Constabulary, in conjunction with Cheltenham Animal Shelter, is encouraging pet owners in the North Cotswolds to support a micro-chip scheme in the area.
Owners of cats and dogs are being encouraged to have their pets micro-chipped, especially in more rural areas, to help reunite lost pets.
PCSO Melanie Cheesbrough said: "People in more rural areas are more likely to have pets and we are regularly called when they go missing.
Cheltenham Animal Shelter has very kindly offered us their expertise and are coming to Bourton on the Water to provide the micro-chip service so that it is easier to reunite lost pets with their owners."
Micro chipping is a permanent identification marker and once inserted can not be seen by the naked eye.
Once an animal has been identified through its chip the police can contact the micro chip company and reunite owners and pets as soon as possible.
Members of Cheltenham Animal Shelter will be providing this service at the Countrywide Store on Station Road, Bourton on the Water on Saturday November 17 (10am - 2pm).
The service will cost £8 and also includes a free pet health check.
Three More Bottle Banks At Sites In The Cotswolds
15th October 2007Recycling facilities in the Cotswolds have been boosted with the introduction of three new plastic bottle recycling banks.
The new containers, which are for the collection of all types of plastic bottles, have been sited at the Westwoods Centre in Northleach, Temple Guiting Village Hall and Cirencester College.
There are now 29 plastic bottle banks spread across the District and most residents live within just a few miles of their nearest facility.
Waste Manager Scott Williams said: "The kerbside collection of plastic bottles is not economically viable in the Cotswolds given the high volume, low weight and low value of the material and the large distances the collection vehicles would have to travel.
"However, by increasing the number of recycling banks we are trying to make it as easy as possible for residents in the District to recycle more of their waste."
Master Mosaic Making At Corinium Museum
Design and make a beautiful mosaic at this exciting day school for adults, taking place at the Corinium Museum, Cirencester, on Tuesday 30th October.
Using the stunning Roman mosaics at the Museum as their inspiration, participants will make their own unique mosaic with the help of tutor, local artist Debbie Stirling. Over the course of the day they will learn how to cut and fix ceramic tiles in order to create a simple Roman style panel, of their own design, to take home.
The finished mosaic could form a garden feature, decorate the wall of a favourite room, or even be given as a Christmas present.
The day school will run from 10am – 4pm and tickets cost £35 per person, including materials and tea or coffee. Lunch is not included.
Booking is essential. For more details, to book a place, or to find out about other events taking place at the Museum, please call 01285 655611
Cotswold Leisure Centre Due To Re-Open Early Next Year
31st August 2007Cotswold District Council said today that despite severe flood damage, the Cotswold Leisure Centre in Cirencester should be open early next year.
The Council, supported by its insurers Royal & SunAlliance and their contractors, is making every effort to get back up and running following the unprecedented rainfall that hit Gloucestershire last month.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of equipment in the plant room was damaged by 70,000 gallons of flood water and must now be replaced in a complex work schedule expected to take a number of months. The building is fully insured.
The Council’s Portfolio holder for Property & Benefits, Cllr Nick Parsons, said: “We appreciate that customers want to know exactly when we will be re-opening. However, due to the scale and complexity of the damage, it is too early to name a date.”
The Council will be employing multiple contractors to deal with different aspects of the work, using a number of suppliers. It is anticipated that despite the complexity of the project, the leisure centre will re-open early next year. A more detailed timetable is currently being worked upon, and will be released when it is agreed.
A section of the car park will be fenced off to house a generator while contractors strip the plant room of all the damaged equipment over an expected period of four weeks. A major programme of replacement work will then begin.
While the Council and its insurers are doing everything they can to minimise the disruption, much of the equipment that needs replacing, including boilers, electrical systems, control panels and water filtration plant use high-tech components that will take several months to replace.
Cllr Parsons added: “This is a massive undertaking to rebuild the very heart of the centre and we must not under-estimate the volume of complex work involved in a confined space. We will be working with our contractors to get the building open again as soon as possible.
“We have written to our members, and will be rewarding them with three months’ free membership for their loyalty.
“In the meantime, alternative facilties are available at our centres at Chipping Campden, Tetbury, Fairford and Bourton and at the open air swimming pool in Cirencester. We will also be running a fitness programme at Kingshill School, thanks to the school’s co-operation.”
The vast majority of Cotswold Leisure Centre’s staff have been re-deployed by the Council during the closure. Their new roles include life guarding at the open air pool, helping to collect flood-damaged furniture and providing extra help to cover holidays across council teams, such as planning, printing, licensing, visitor information centres, housing and museums.
A number of staff have moved to the centres at Bourton and Fairford, or have been helping out with the Council’s summer sports coaching scheme.
Back to school for fitness classes with Cotswold Leisure
23rd August 2007Fitness classes run by Cotswold District Council's leisure team are returning to Cirencester – thanks to Kingshill School.
The school has kindly agreed to open up its facilities to accommodate a skeleton programme of events while Cotswold Leisure Cirencester remains closed due to flood damage.
From next week, classes will run at Kingshill on the following days:
* Tuesday: Circuits with Ollie Wakefield from 6pm-7pm and Legs, Bums & Tums with Ali McIntosh from 7pm- 8pm
* Wednesday: Step Aerobics with Jackie Hood from 8pm-9pm
* Thursday : Aerobics with Helen Clark from 6pm – 7pm
More classes are set to be added - for updates please visit www.cotswold.gov.uk, or telephone 01285 623508/623335.
Depending on their level of membership package, Cirencester members have free use of the facilities and/or pools, where available, at the Council''s other leisure centres at Bourton, Chipping Campden, Tetbury and Fairford until the site re-opens.
In addition, they have free use of the outdoor pool in Cirencester, by showing their membership card, from 8.00am to 10.00am Monday to Friday during the opening season.
Boy, 17, Robbed in Cirencester
Tuesday August 21stPolice in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after a 17 year-old boy was attacked and robbed in the town during the early hours of Saturday August 18.
The boy, who comes from Cirencester, had been walking along Somerford Road between 4am and 4.15am when he was attacked by a number of offenders near the junction with Chesterton Lane.
He was punched in the face, causing him to fall over, then kicked and punched as he lay on the ground.
The offenders then went through the victim's pockets and stole a mobile phone, worth £200, some cigarettes and some loose change before leaving the scene.
The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the attack.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 138 of August 18.
Loyalty Reward For Members Of Flood Hit Cirencester Leisure Centre
14th August 2007Members of Cirencester’s flood-hit leisure facility will be rewarded for their loyalty with three months’ free membership when the site re-opens.
Cotswold District Council today announced the offer for the 2,500 members of Cotswold Leisure Cirencester, which was forced to close when its plant room flooded on July 20th.
The centre, on Tetbury Road, will remain closed for a number of months while extensive work to replace electrical and mechanical systems is carried out.
The Council is writing to all members thanking them for their patience and informing them of the goodwill gesture.
All types of membership will be extended to reflect the duration of the closure. In addition, members will be given three months’ free membership when the centre re-opens, if they do not cancel in the meantime.
Depending on their level of membership package, Cirencester members have free use of the facilities and/or pools, where available, at the Council’s other leisure centres at Bourton, Chipping Campden, Tetbury and Fairford until the site re-opens.
In addition, they have free use of the outdoor pool in Cirencester, by showing their membership card, from 8.00am to 10.00am Monday to Friday during the opening season.
Full details of the benefits for each type of membership are included in the letters being sent to individuals.
Portfolio holder for Sport, Culture & Enterprise, Cllr David Fowles, said: “We value our customers and appreciate that it is a blow for them that the centre will be closed for some months. That is why we plan to reward their loyalty and hope they will stick with us while we get the centre up and running again as soon as possible.”
Within the next 10-14 days, the Council hopes to hear from contractors an estimate of when the work will be complete and a potential date for re-opening. Updates will be posted on the Council website at www.cotswold.gov.uk.
The leisure centre car park has re-opened today (August 14th) after a meeting with the Council’s insurers agreed it was safe to do so. The car park had been shut since the flooding due to health and safety reasons, with assessors and contractors moving on and off site. Charging will recommence on August 16th when power has been restored to the ticket machine. Leisure centre members will be able to continue to park without charge, under the terms of their membership although the centre remains closed.
Leisure Centre Remains Closed Due To Flooding
6th August 2007The Cotswold Leisure Centre, Cirencester, will remain closed for a number of months after suffering extensive flood damage to its plant room, Cotswold District Council announced today.
The Centre was forced to close on July 20 when the flooding left the building without power. Although the rest of the centre was not under water, months of work are now required to replace electrical and mechanical systems.
Portfolio holder for Leisure, Culture & Enterprise Cllr David Fowles, said that the Council was investigating the exact cause of the flood.
He said: “An unprecedented amount of rain fell on July 20th which caused widespread flooding across the county. Thousands of buildings were affected and the Cotswold Leisure Centre was just one of them. The Council is satisfied that the building and its drainage meet the required standards and can cope with rainwater in all but the most exceptional cases.
“We understand that a contributory factor in the flooding was the overflow of water from a nearby lake in Cirencester Park. We have met with Lord Apsley and his team to investigate exactly what took place and will all work together to prevent a similar flood happening in the future.”
Lord Apsley said: “As the level of the lake rose above a certain point, it ran off as it is supposed to do; down a slipway, through the boundary wall of Tetbury Road and off down the highway. This system was approved by and is monitored by the Environment Agency.
“Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented amount of rainfall, the road drainage system was unable to cope and the water flowed into the leisure centre.”
More than 70,000 gallons of water have been pumped from the plant room, leaving behind dirt and debris. Clean up operations have now begun and specialists have made an initial assessment of the damage. It is too early to say how much the repairs will cost, but the Council is fully insured.
Cllr Fowles added: “The leisure centre had been doing fantastically well since opening last year and we appreciate that it is a real blow for our customers that the building will be out of action for some months.
“However, I would like to reassure members that they will not lose out and remind them that they are welcome to use our other leisure centres in the meantime. We will be providing the community with regular updates and are working extremely hard to get the centre open again as soon as we possibly can.”
Cotswold District Council will be looking at extending memberships of the leisure centre to reflect the duration of the closure and hopes to provide some fitness activities in the community.
Centre staff are helping with the continuing emergency effort at the Council’s headquarters and the Centre has provided four lifeguards for the town’s open air pool.
Cotswold DC Leader Praises Flood Workers and Heros
26/7/2007Cotswold District Council Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe has praised the incredible work of the emergency services, local authorities, volunteers and Cotswold residents in coping with the recent floods.
Cllr Stowe said: “There has been a fantastic response to this unprecedented situation in Gloucestershire.
“The emergency planning services - including the police, fire & rescue and local councils have worked round the clock to co-ordinate a county-wide response.
“While the emergency and military services have been dealing admirably with the situation on the ground, we must not forget those who have worked behind the scenes at our local councils to provide rest centres, information and advice and will be helping with the aftermath for weeks to come.
“There are also many unsung heroes in our communities who have rallied round to help each other. Farmers have helped stranded motorists, families have opened their doors to complete strangers and our voluntary workers have been providing refreshments, shelter and transport. “
"The victims of the flooding have coped stoically and I'm impressed how many businesses have been able to get back up and running so quickly.”
Cllr Stowe added that the speed with which the flooding happened showed that local communities need to be prepared for such events.
He said: “We have every sympathy for those who have been hit by the flooding and understand the distress they are going through. However, I think we all need to heed the national advice that as individuals, we are responsible for trying to protect our properties against floods.”
Cotswold District Council will be organising free collections for the foreseeable future of furniture and household goods ruined by the floods. More than 25 tonnes has been collected in just three days. Residents are asked to call 01285 623000 to arrange collection and to check with insurers before disposing of anything.
Cotswold Leisure Centre Remains Closed
24th July 2007The Cotswold Leisure Centre, Cirencester, will remain closed until further notice due to flooding.
The centre has no electricity, heating or telephones as water is still being pumped from the plant room, which flooded on Friday.
Cotswold District Council Director of Customer Services Andy Fotherby said: "We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to our customers and hope to be up and running again as soon as possible.
"In the meantime, our other leisure centres in Fairford, Tetbury, Bourton and Chipping Campden are available for use until we re-open. Please check on the website for opening times and availability."
Man Arrested After Attack on Woman in Cirencester
Wednesday July 11thPolice have arrested a man on suspicion of sexual assault after a woman was attacked in the City Bank area of Cirencester during the evening of Tuesday July 10.
The victim, a 20 year-old local woman, had been cycling from Bridge Road towards Stratton at around 7pm.
As she cycled along a path linking City Bank and the Beeches estate a male jumped out from behind some bushes and pushed her off her bike.
The male punched the woman twice to the face and pinned her down when she fell to the floor.
The woman managed to push him off and retrieve her bike, which she struck the offender with before riding away from the scene.
She later attended Cirencester hospital for treatment to minor injuries, chiefly cuts and bruises.
Police investigating the attack have arrested an 18 year-old Cirencester man on suspicion of sexual assault.
He remains in police custody at this time.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 546 of July 10.
Gardening Equipment Stolen From Cirencester Football Club - Police Appeal For Information
Tuesday July 3rdPolice are appealing for information after gardening equipment was stolen from Cirencester Football Club.
A storage shed in the club's grounds in Kingshill Lane was broken into sometime between 1pm on Saturday June 30th and 7am on Monday July 2nd.
A petrol mower and other gardening equipment were stolen during the incident however their value is unknown at this time.
Anybody with any information on this incident is asked to call Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident 88 of July 2nd.
Man, 45, Killed In Crash Near Cirencester
Monday 25th June 2007At approximately 3am on Saturday June 23 police were called to the A417 near Cirencester, just before the junction with the A419, to help a recovery firm in recovering one of their vehicles that had broken down on the southbound carriageway.
Officers attending the scene but a road closure in place to assist the recovery.
At approximately 4am a collision occurred between an HGV and stationary vehicles queuing as a result of the road closure.
The driver of the HGV, a 45 year-old man from the Swindon area, was trapped in his vehicle and was later declared dead at the scene.
The A417 was closed for several hours following the crash.
The coroner has been informed of the death and the matter has been voluntarily referred to the IPCC.
As a consequence of the circumstances of the incident Gloucestershire Police have invited Wiltshire Police to manage the investigation into the cause of the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Gloucestershire police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 138 of June 23rd.
Boy, 16, Assaulted In Cirencester
Tuesday June 19thPolice in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after a 16 year-old boy was seriously assaulted in the town.
The boy, who comes from Cirencester, had been in an area close to the Abbey Grounds car park, off Dugdale Road, during the late evening of Saturday June 16.
Between 1am and 1.20am on Sunday June 17 he was assaulted by unknown offenders, who left him with a fractured left eye socket and bruising to his face.
After receiving hospital treatment for his injuries the boy was allowed home later the same day.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to call Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 242 of May 17th.
A clean sweep for Cirencester bypass
7th June 2007Contractors have cleaned up the Cirencester bypass by mechanically sweeping the road surface and picking up litter and grass cuttings.
A large amount of litter was exposed last month when Gloucestershire County Council cut grass on the verges and central reservations of the dual carriageways around the town.
Contractors employed by Cotswold District Council got to work on cleaning up the mess this week (June 4-6) and picked up over 22 tonnes of road sweepings and litter in just three days.
Waste Manager Scott Williams said: “We organised the clear-up as soon as we could and the bypass certainly looks better now. We hope motorists will help us to keep it clean in future by disposing of their litter responsibly.”
Planning committee to debate Kingshill site
5th June 2007Two major applications for new homes at Kingshill, Cirencester, are set to be debated by Cotswold District councillors later this month.
The applications, from Redrow Homes (Kingshill North) and Berkeley Strategic (Kingshill South), are due to be determined by the Planning (Regulatory) Committee on June 27th, along with applications for the nearby employment sites at Kingshill North and Siddington Park Farm.
The Committee, to be held in public at the Council’s Trinity Road HQ in Cirencester, will consider all the issues raised by residents and other interested parties during the consultation period.
The detail of the applications has not changed but the applications will be re-advertised for any additional comments to be made.
If the applications are approved, they will bring about the most significant developments to take place in the District for many years – including the provision of 600 homes. Under its planning policies, the Council would require up to 50% of the properties to be affordable, for rent or shared ownership.
Earlier this year, the Council announced that it was discontinuing work on the Kingshill Master Plan, a wide-reaching document intended to provide guidance for developers.
Work on the Master Plan was overtaken by the speed with which the developers submitted their outline planning applications.
However, the Council has stressed that none of the work it has undertaken with the developers and with the community will be wasted. It is an important part of the evidence which will be considered later this month.
As the Master Plan was intended to be guidance rather than policy, decisions on the applications could not be deferred by the Council.
However, the applications will still need to be in line with the Local Plan policy for the Kingshill sites, and this includes a number of requirements from the developers, including affordable housing and a contribution towards community buildings, education, highways and sustainable transport links.
The Council’s Portfolio holder for Development Services Cllr John Birch said: “The Council fully recognises the importance of the Kingshill developments to the future of Cirencester and, particularly, to people living nearby.
“I’d like to reassure people that although work on the Master Plan is not continuing, the community’s wishes will not be ignored when the planning applications are determined.”
Satisfaction with Cotswold Dictrict Council above average
4th June 2007Public satisfaction with many key council services in the Cotswolds is above the national average, according to figures released this week.
A customer satisfaction survey is carried out every three years by all local councils in England , allowing comparisons across the country.
The recently-released results of Cotswold District Council’s Listening To Your Views survey showed that 59% of residents were satisfied with the way the authority runs things, while figures published by the Government this week revealed the national average is 54%.
Cotswold’s score is 2% up on the previous survey, while the national average has fallen by 1%.
The District also scored highly as a place to live, with 82% satisfaction against a national average of 75%.
Other Cotswold services with above average scores were household waste collection at 85% (79% nationally); sports and leisure facilities at 62% (58%); complaints handling at 39% (34%) and the cleanliness of public land at 71% (68%).
Museums and galleries scored particularly well in the District at 52%, against a national average of 41%.
Satisfaction with local recycling facilties was just 1% below the national average at 69%, while satisfaction with theatres and concert halls was 12% lower than the average at 29%.
Council Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe said: “It is very encouraging that overall satisfaction with Cotswold services is bucking the national trend and showing an improvement. The good scores for key services reflect the investment the District Council has made in local facilities.
“However, we are not complacent. The survey shows there is room for improvement in some areas and we will be looking closely at how we could do better.”
Cirencester Directory Launched
May 2007A Cirencester Directory website has been launched with the aim to list Cirencester related websites.
Link : Cirencester Directory
Woman, 23, Dies After Crash Near Cirencester
28th May 2007A 23 year-old woman has died following a road traffic collision on the A433 at Cirencester during the night of Friday May 25.
The woman had been part of a group of students from the Royal Agricultural College that had been walking along the A433 near Coates at approximately 11.15pm.
She sustained serious injuries when she was in collision with a silver BMW, driven by a 66 year-old man from the Stow-on-the-Wold area, that had been heading along the A433 in the direction of Cirencester.
Following the crash the woman was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol by air ambulance.
She died at the hospital during Saturday morning.
The A433 was closed for five hours following the crash to allow police to carry out an investigation at the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 688 of May 25th.
Police Seek Cirencester Conmen
Monday February 26thPolice in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after offenders tried to intimidate an elderly woman into paying them £800 for cleaning her driveway.
Three men called at the home of the 72 year-old woman in Chesterton Park, Cirencester, between 11.15am and 3.15pm on Thursday February 22.
They offered to demonstrate the effects a pressure washer could have on the woman's drive then, when the demonstration was over, they demanded £800 from the woman in payment.
The woman refused to pay despite being intimidated by the men, who left the area a short time later.
One of the men has been described as white, between 40 and 50 years old, around 5ft 8ins tall with short, mousey hair. He was wearing a dark green sweatshirt, dark trousers and boots.
The second male was also white, between 26 and 29; around 5ft 8ins tall with a medium build black, collar length hair with long sideburns. He was wearing a large dark jacket, trousers and boots.
The third man was white, between 20 and 25, around 5ft 10ins tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a hooded top that might have been dark brown in colour.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 276 of February 23.
Corinium Museum's Joy As Going For Gold Apeal Hits Target
29th January 2007A £20,000 campaign to keep a rare hoard of 3,000-year-old gold in the Cotswolds has reached its target, the Corinium Museum revealed today.
The Going For Gold appeal was launched last October by the Cotswold District Council-owned museum – and staff were amazed by the response.
Public donations of £3,000 rolled in over just three months, enabling the museum to secure £17,000 worth of grant money form the MLA/V&A Purchase Fund, the Headley Trust, and the National Art Fund.
The Bronze Age hoard, which was unearthed by a metal detector enthusiast on land near Poulton in 2004, will be collected from the British Museum early next month.
It will then undergo conservation, before going on temporary display at the Corinium Museum, Cirencester, this Spring. In September, it will go on permanent display in the museum’s Prehistory Gallery in a new case, which is being specially made.
The 59 pieces of gold were declared treasure last year by the coroner and the proceeds of the sale will be split between the landowner and the finder.
The hoard, which is thought be dated between 1300 and 1150 BC, is the only such Bronze Age gold collection to be found in the Cotswolds. It consists of chopped items and fragments of gold, which are thought to have been buried by their owner – either to use again or as an offering of thanks to the gods.
Analysis of the hoard suggests that objects include fragments of jewellery, sheet gold-work and the tip of a bronze spearhead. It also contained bronze tools, which link the find to a goldsmith working in the Cotswolds more then 3,000 years ago.
Cotswold District Council’s Portfolio holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, Cllr David Fowles, said: “We are thrilled with the success of the appeal, which has enabled us to buy the only known collection of Bronze Age gold-work from the Cotswolds.
“We’d like to thank everyone who donated money and hope they will come to see the hoard in its new home.”
The Council’s Curator of Museums, John Paddock, said: “It is very exciting to know that this important find will be coming to the Corinium Museum soon.
“Local donations were key to securing the grant funding – we couldn’t have done it without the support of residents and visitors to the museum.”
Corn Hall sale secures future of community events
24th January 2006Cotswold District Council has agreed the sale of Cirencester’s Corn Hall to Wildmoor Properties in a deal that secures its future use by the community.
The Council has achieved a sale price of £650,000 for the 19th Century building, with an agreement from Wildmoor to also invest in excess of £500,000 on repairs and refurbishment. The price was agreed following an independent valuation.
Contracts have now been exchanged and it is planned that completion will take place in March, at which time the full details of the negotiated agreements and covenants will be available to the public through the Land Registry.
The detailed contract agreeing the sale by private treaty ensures that antique and craft markets will continue at the venue for at least 35 years and that evening entertainment will continue indefinitely.
The Council-run Visitor Information Centre will also remain at the Corn Hall, unless the authority chooses to relocate it.
Wildmoor Properties, which owns the adjoining King’s Head Hotel, is planning to restore historic links between the two buildings to create a first-class hotel for the town.
Portfolio holder for Property & Benefits Cllr Nicholas Parsons said: “We are delighted that we have been able to exchange contracts after a detailed and lengthy process of negotiation.
“In a sale such as this, where the Council has been able to find a special purchaser, there are clear benefits in a sale by private treaty. Firstly, we have been able to protect the future of community events for the public, after consulting residents and regular users on the type of events they would like to see continued at the venue.
“Secondly, the deal will bring about enhancement of the Corn Hall without placing a burden on the council tax payer.
“Thirdly, we have been able to secure an advantageous price for the Council by selling to a purchaser who has a special interest in the building due to their ownership of the adjoining hotel. The agreed sale price exceeds the price which the Council was advised would be achievable through an open market sale.
“This is a good deal for the people of the Cotswolds and we look forward to seeing the Corn Hall restored to its former glory.”
Contracts have now been exchanged and the deal is set to be completed by the end of March 2007.
Wildmoor Properties Director Mark Booth said: “After many months of detailed negotiations we are please that contracts have now been exchanged. The merging of the Kings Head and Corn Hall ownerships offers a unique and exciting opportunity to enhance both assets for the benefit of the town. It is our intention to preserve the existing community uses within the Hall itself and we are pleased that we are able to keep the Antiques and Craft Markets. We hope that we will also be able to identify other opportunities to maximise the use of the Hall throughout the year.”
The Hotel is due to close at the end of January and work will commence shortly thereafter on a comprehensive refurbishment. Re-opening is currently scheduled for late Spring 2008. A planning application will be submitted within the next four weeks for the proposed works to the Hall building and the connecting passage.
Works to the Corn Hall will be coordinated to ensure the period during which it is closed is kept to a minimum. It is proposed that the scheme will comprise the refurbishment of the Hall as well as the conversion of the rooms fronting onto the passage to form retail units aimed at complementing the Visitor Information centre and the daytime function of the hall. The creation of these active frontages will enhance the approach to the Hall itself.
Officers from the Council and representatives of Wildmoor Properties will continue to meet regularly after the sale to ensure the conditions of the contract are met.
The antique and craft markets will be able to trade throughout the refurbishment by temporarily relocating to the King’s Head. The sale contract ensures that if the market operators wish to return to the Corn Hall following refurbishment they can do so.
Cotswold District Council will continue to manage the markets and other activities for the next couple of months, with a handover to Wildmoor Properties on completion. Bookings made until the end of March will be honoured. Until the handover is complete, further bookings will only be made for day time use.
Thames Water lifts hosepipe ban
18th January 2007Thames Water is today (8am, 18 Jan 2007) lifting the hosepipe and sprinkler ban in force across its supply region since April 2006.
The decision, which has been taken in consultation with the Environment Agency, follows four months of above-average rainfall (September 2006 to December 2006), which have eased immediate concerns about water resources following the record drought that began in November 2004.
But the company is asking customers to stick with water-saving tips that helped avoid the need for more severe restrictions in the region last summer. Meanwhile, Thames Water continues its drive to reduce leakage, particularly in London.
Richard Aylard, External Affairs & Environment Director at Thames Water, said:
“The good news is that the recent wet weather has allowed us to fill our reservoirs.
“It has taken some time for the rain to seep down into underground aquifers that keep rivers and reservoirs topped up during the spring and the summer, but groundwater levels throughout the catchment are also rising and are expected to have generally recovered to at least near-normal levels by February.
“This all means that keeping the hosepipe ban in place is no longer justified.
“We regretted having to impose the ban, our first in 15 years, but given the severity of the drought, a cautious approach was needed to keep taps flowing without harming the environment by taking extra water from rivers.
“Our customers responded very positively to our appeals to use water wisely. Demand fell by as much as ten per cent, even at the peak of the heatwave in July.
“We remain extremely grateful for their help. Combined with the hosepipe ban, it helped ensure that we could maintain essential supplies throughout last year, despite the two previous very dry winters.
“But we do need to ask all our eight million customers to keep saving water wherever they can. Amazingly enough, London receives less rain than Rome, Dallas or Istanbul, so we need everybody to make water saving a part of their everyday lives, all year round. Population growth and climate change add to the need for us all to use water wisely.
“Thames Water remains focused on reducing London’s unacceptably high leakage rates. Currently, for example, our rolling programme to replace the capital’s oldest, leakiest mains is moving into new areas of the City and the West End, as well as south of the river in Croydon. Many of the pipes are over 150 years old, dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria.
“This ambitious project, started in 2002, will see us replace over 1100 miles (1800 km) of the cast iron Victorian pipes with more flexible plastic ones by 2010. This is expected to deliver savings of over 140 million litres a day.
“Crucially, the work allows us to install a more efficient, streamlined network than the maze of pipes that has evolved over many decades.
“Together with ongoing work to find and fix leaks elsewhere in the network, our total investment to bring leakage down is over £500,000 every day.”
Young people urged to drop in for housing advice
4th January 2007Weekly housing advice sessions for young people have been launched in Cirencester by Cotswold District Council and its housing service Homeview.
The drop-in surgery, held every Tuesday between 10am and 1pm at the Impact Centre, Lewis Lane, fills the void left by Shelter’s decision to discontinue its sessions.
HomeView will provide advice on a range of housing matters for people aged 16 to 25, including tenants’ rights, emergency accommodation, landlord liaison, homelessness issues and the housing (HomeView) register.
Cotswold District Council Community Health and Housing Manager Rosemary Lynn said: " We know that young people can get into difficulties with housing, perhaps because they've left home after falling out with their families or by not being able to afford their rent, and they need to be able to get good, reliable advice.
“We hope that the drop in sessions will provide a friendly and accessible service, though of course young people will still be able to get help at other times by ringing HomeView on 08450 582099."
The sessions will run until the end of March and a new service provided by Gloucestershire County Council will be launched in April.
For further information, please contact Gwen Russell or Oonagh Laidler at Cotswold District Council on 01285 623408.
Cirencester Police Issue E-Fit After Male Exposes Himself
11th December 2006Cirencester police have released an e-fit image of a male who exposed himself to a woman in Tetbury during November.
The offender exposed himself to his victim, a woman from Tetbury, as she walked her dog along Railway Walk at around 4.30pm on Friday November 17.When the woman challenged the male he ran off.
He is described as white, in his late teens, around 5ft 10ins tall with a slim build.
He had broad shoulders and was wearing pale blue jeans and a black hooded top.
The description is similar to that of a male who exposed himself to a woman and two teenaged girls in two separate incidents in Cirencester on Friday December 1.
At around 4.50pm the two girls had been walking past the scout hut on Cotswold Avenue when a male came out of the bushes and started following them.
He called to the girls who turned around to see that the male was exposing himself and masturbating.
He ran off towards the Watermoor area.
A short time later, at around 5pm, a 54 year-old woman from Cheltenham was returning to her car in Lavender Lane, Cirencester.
As she placed a bag in the back of the vehicle she noticed a male walk past her and loiter nearby.
When the male walked closer to the car the woman saw that he had exposed himself and was masturbating. The male then walked off.
Anyone who recognises the e-fit, or the description, is asked to call Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 403 of November 17.
Man Sought Following Indecent Incidents in Cirencester
4th December 2006Police in Cirencester are appealing for information after a woman and a teenager were victims of indecent exposure on Friday, December 1.
The first incident, in Lavender Lane, happened at around 5.25pm when a woman was walking back to her car from the Trinity Road direction.
The victim was aware that a man in a hoodie was standing behind her as she was putting her bags in the back seat of her car.
She then saw the man walk past the car and hesitate before coming back towards her.
As he got closer she realised that he was exposing himself and conducting a lewd act.
The victim screamed and the man walked off.
He is described as white between 24 and 30-years-old with a slim build, broad shoulders and around six foot tall. He was wearing a navy hoodie and has dark hair with a fringe and small eyes.
A second incident, on the same evening, involved a man of a similar description following a 15-year-old girl and her friend through Lavender Lane at around the same time.
The man is believed to have followed the girls, standing very close behind them conducting a lewd act through his clothes.
He is described as white, around 5" 7 with a skinny build.
He is thought to be in his late teens or early 20s with dark eyes and a misshapen nose. He was wearing a dark hoodie and jeans.
Anybody with any information on these incidents is asked to call 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting incident numbers 463 of December 1 and 570 or December 1.
Cirencester Crash - Pedestrian Seriously Hurt
24th November 2006Police in Cirencester are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian was seriously injured in the town during the morning of Thursday November 23.
At approximately 11.20am an 83 year-old man from Cirencester was in collision with a car, a red and grey Subaru Legacy Outback, as he crossed Ashcroft Road.
The man suffered a severe head injury and internal injuries as a result of the collision and he was taken to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon where he remains in a critical condition.
The driver of the Subaru, a 35 year-old man from Stroud, was uninjured during the incident.
Following the crash Ashcroft Road was closed for several hours while police carried out an investigation at the scene.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 331 of November 23.
Christmas and New Year Refuse Collection Dates
22nd November 2006Arrangements for 2006 Christmas period in the Cirencester area:
Monday 25th December there will be no collection of refuse or recycling (refuse will be collected on Tuesday 2nd January and recycling on Monday 8th January)Tuesday 26th December there will be no collection of refuse or recycling (refuse will be collected on 3rd January and recycling on Tuesday 9th January)
Wednesday 27th December Collection of refuse and recycling will go ahead as normal
Thursday 28th December Collection of refuse and recycling will go ahead as normal
Friday 29th December Collection of refuse and recycling will go ahead as normal
2007
Monday 1st January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Tuesday 2nd January
Tuesday 2nd January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Wednesday 3rd January
Wednesday 3rd January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Thursday 4th January
Thursday 4th January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Friday 5th January
Friday 5th January collection of refuse and recycling will be on Saturday 6th January
From Monday 8th January all collections will revert back to the normal day regardless of Bank holidays.
Extra £800K was invested in Cotswold Leisure Centre
20th November 2006Cotswold District Council added an extra £800,000 to the new Cotswold Leisure Centre budget to improve facilities and cover unforeseen costs, it said today.
In August 2004, the Council agreed to spend £7,717,490 from its capital budget on the centre, which opened in Cirencester in April this year.
During the course of the building project, the Council further increased the budget to approximately £8.5m to make the centre more appealing to customers and deal with unexpected costs which came to light on site as work progressed.
Andy Fotherby, Director of Customer Services said: “After work began it became clear – as with any large building project – that there were unforeseen costs that would need to be met.
“For example, we had to carry out rock excavations and increase surface water storage for storm conditions to meet stringent standards set by the Environment Agency.
“We also wanted to make changes to the fixtures and fittings inside the building and tweak the design so that customers would get the best possible experience. These included a treatment suite, a bigger relaxation area an improved reception and café area.
“We anticipated that there would be extra spending on top of the original budget and the cost has been met from the Council’s capital fund. We haven’t gone into the red to foot the bill.
“Our investment has clearly paid off because the Centre is extremely popular, with increased membership and more casual customers coming through the doors. The increased takings mean that Council tax payers are subsidising the centre less and less. This year, the subsidy decreased by £239,000.”
Since opening on April 4, more than 219, 900 visits have been made to the leisure centre, which includes 87,000 swims, 24,000 swimming lesson visits and 18,000 school swimming visits.
Enhancements and improvements paid for by the extra £800,000 included:
* Improvements to the interior such as extra carpeting and better quality tiles.
* Improved décor for the changing village
* Additional floor trunking and cabling for the gym to improve the layout and flexibility of the 70 work stations.
* Changes to the sports hall layout to improve access and increase its variety of uses.
* The addition of customer adviser/sales offices
* An enhanced reception area
* Upgraded phone lines and online booking system
* The addition of a treatment suite, which has been let to an independent beauty salon.
* Improvements to the relaxation area to provide a larger sauna, larger steam room, two power showers and relax room for winding down;
* Enhanced ‘front of house facilities’ with the introduction of a cafe, seating overlooking the training pool and leather sofas. The Cafe, which is operated by a franchisee, provides high quality food and refreshments.
* A large meeting room for Council use.
* Replacement of a foul water drain, due to age, which cost £80,000
All these improvements and enhancements were put in place before the centre opened.
During the exceptionally hot summer this year, the Council became dissatisfied with the performance of the air conditioning in the gym and spent a further £5,000 on portable air conditioning units and fans. The public were kept informed of the situation and the problem has since been resolved at the contractor’s cost.
One-woman show graces the Corn Hall, Cirencester
11/11/2006Sarah Grace brings an exciting and thought provoking play - an ‘Evening with Primrose Oyle’ - to the Corn Hall on Sunday 26th November.
Sarah has written and performed her one-woman theatre show 'Hatty's Last Stand' and on the back of that success she now launches her new show 'An Evening with Primrose Oyle'.
Tackling those hard to reach stains of life, Primrose takes her audience on a domestic journey through the stuff that matters – friends, family and relationships.
Sarah trained at the Desmond Jones School of Mime and Physical Theatre in London. Her acting work started off within the Salvation Army performing at special events, conferences and local community projects. She has since gone on to perform in a wide range of venues both in the UK and overseas.
Sarah draws on every emotion. One minute you're laughing, and the next, crying with the sheer honesty that she portrays. She writes from the perspective of her own life experiences in the hope they will connect with people on an honest and down-to-earth level.
An Evening with Primrose Oyle is a show that takes a light-hearted but at times challenging look at the importance of community and positive relationships. Join Primrose and plunge into the U-bend of life!
Tickets are available on the door priced £6 / £4 concessions
Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start
Shots Fired In Cirencester Town Centre
8th November 2006Police are appealing for witnesses after receiving a report of shots being fired from what is believed to be a BB gun in Cirencester.
The incident took place on Tuesday November 7 at around 4.30pm on Market Place.
The shots came from a black sports car with headlights that flip up at the front, as it travelled through the centre of Cirencester.
The shots appeared to be targeting members of the public walking on the pavement.
If you saw the incident take place or have any further information, then please contact Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 365 on November 7.
CCTV Helps Police Arrest Two For Drug Dealing In Cirencester
27th October 2006The sharp eyes of a CCTV operator helped police to arrest two male youths on suspicion of drug dealing at the recent Mop fair in Cirencester Town centre.
The Cotswolds District Council funded operator saw the pair acting suspiciously during the fair, which was held in the North Way car park on Monday October 9 2006.
After observing the furtive movements of the youths, the operator contacted local officers patrolling the fair ground and directed them to their location.
The youths were subsequently stopped and searched and between 20 and 30 tablets, believed to be Ecstasy, were recovered.
The find led officers to search the home addresses of both individuals and a further quantity of tablets, and just under £300 in cash, were seized.
Arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply the youths, a 17 year-old and an 18 year-old from Cirencester, have been bailed pending further enquiries until November 9.
Inspector Steve Williams, of Cirencester police, said: "This demonstrates how effective and co-ordinated the police and their partners are in deterring, detecting and reducing crime and disorder.
"The town centre CCTV operators are extremely vigilant. Their skills, combined with good local knowledge, meant they were able to provide officers with information that allowed them to approach these youths unobserved and effect an arrest."
Man Arrested After Card Skimmer Found At Cirencester Store
Thursday 19th October 2006Police in Cirencester have arrested a man after a card skimming device was found attached to a local cashpoint.
The device was found attached to a cashpoint at the Tesco Metro store in Farrell Close, Cirencester, at just before 5pm yesterday, Wednesday, October 18.
However, officers are unsure how long the device was in place and are asking anyone who may have used the machine yesterday to check their bank accounts for any unusual or unauthorised activity.
Anyone who discovers that money has been taken from their account without their knowledge is asked to contact police.
An 18-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody at Cirencester police station.
Paul Francis, Crime Reduction Officer for Gloucestershire Police, said: "Offenders are using sophisticated technology to record the card details and PIN numbers of unwitting members of the public.
"They do this in a variety of ways, including putting realistic-looking false controls, which include a card slot and a keypad, over the existing ATM controls and by using cameras to record PIN numbers.
"Once these are in place anybody subsequently using the cash machine will have their PIN number and card details recorded.
"To protect themselves members of the public should always look closely at a cash machine before using it. If they spot anything attached to it, if it looks or feels as if it has been tampered with, they should not put their card into it.
"They should also be wary if their card is rejected without explanation as this can be a sign that the cashpoint has had a fake front attached to it.
"If members of the public believe a cash machine has been tampered with they should contact police immediately and allow us to investigate.
"They should never try to remove illegal items attached to a cash machine as often the offenders responsible for placing the device will be close by."
Anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim to this skimming device or who witnessed and suspicious activity in the area yesterday is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 387 of October 18.
Pupils challenge Councillors in local democracy week
Young people in the Cotswolds will be judging which District Councillor has best risen to the ‘memorable manifesto challenge’ on Friday, (October 20th).
As part of Local Democracy Week, four councillors - Cllr John Anderson, Cllr Richard Graham, Cllr Edward Horsfall and Cllr Sandy Price - have come up with a short manifesto showing what could be done for young people in their wards.
Details have been posted on the Council’s website (www.cotswold.gov.uk) and pupils have been voting for their favourites.
The winner will be announced on Friday at a special event for young people at CDC’s Trinity Road offices, which includes a ‘Question Time’ event and the creation of a ‘wall of democracy’.
The Members who have submitted manifestos are planning to be there to receive feedback. Their ideas encompassed a wide range of issues affecting young people – from recycling and transport to cinema and sports facilities.
The pupils will then get the chance to quiz a panel of people with an interest in youth issues, including Scott Burry, CDC’s Sports Access Officer; Sgt Felicity Peake of Gloucestershire Police; Sue Crowe of Connexions; Helen Jones of the Gloucestershire County Youth Service; CDC’s Anti-Social behaviour Co-ordinator Tim Dowan; Derek Lucas of the County Council’s integrated transport team and CDC’s Community, Health & Housing Manager Rosemary Lynn.
The event has been organised, and will be compered by, the Council’s Youth Participation Officer Claire Dowan.
She explained: “Local Democracy Week is a national campaign designed to encourage ways in which councillors and young people can meet and exchange views. Hopefully, this event will get people talking and working together on issues affecting young people in the Cotswolds.”
The event, which runs from 10.30am until 1.30pm involves pupils of Andoversford Primary School, Bourton Primary School and Cirencester’s Kingshill and Deer Park Schools.
At the end of the event, all those participating will be asked to add a pledge to a ‘wall of democracy’, promising an action they will take as a result of attending the session.
Two Men Injured In Pub Assault In Cirencester
16th October 2006
Two men required hospital treatment for facial injuries after both were assaulted in the same pub in Cirencester on Saturday October 14.
Both men had been involved in an altercation that took place at the Nelson Inn in Gloucester Street, Cirencester, between 11.30pm and 11.45pm.
During the incident a 20 year-old man from Stroud was hit in the face with a glass, and a 19 year-old man from Fairford was struck in the head with an unknown object.
Both men were taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment to facial injuries.
Cirencester police have since arrested the 19 year-old on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm. He remains in police custody at this time.
Officers also arrested a 22 year-old man from Cirencester on suspicion of wounding. He has been bailed until December 1 pending further enquiries.
Anyone who witnessed either of the assaults is asked to contact Cirencester police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 775 of October 14.
Gloucestershire Police Team Up With Nigel Marven To Fight The Illegal Trade In Wild Animals
Gloucestershire Police and the RSPCA have teamed up with well-known naturalist and TV presenter Nigel Marven to draw public attention to the illegal trade of endangered species in the county.
Nigel, the popular Naturalist, Filmmaker and Presenter of ITV's Prehistoric Park, BBC's Sea Monsters and Channel Five's Rhino Adventure and Big Cats, kindly agreed to take in two tortoises recovered at the beginning of September 2006 following a joint investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary and the RSPCA.The enquiry was launched after police received reports that two very young Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoises (testudo graeca sp), believed to have been taken from the wild, had been sold, illegally, in a Cirencester pub.
A 19 year-old man and 23 year-old woman were spoken to by police as a result, and it became clear that they had bought the tortoises from an unknown male three to four months previously.
Both individuals, who were unaware of the laws controlling the sale of protected species, co-operated fully with the investigation and no further action was taken against them. The two tortoises, which were in good condition and aged about 11 months old, were subsequently surrendered into the care of the RSPCA for re-homing.
As part of the investigation there was a need to identify the species of tortoises and officers were greatly assisted by Marc Ormond, Herpetologist at Cotswold Wildlife Park.
Marc not only identified the tortoises, he was then able to help by putting the police and the RSPCA in touch with Nigel.
Once the situation was explained to Nigel he was very keen to help by welcoming the two young tortoises into the collection of animals he keeps at his home near Bristol.
Expressing his concern about the unnecessary trading of wild animals, Nigel said, "Keeping reptiles and other exotic pets is extremely rewarding, but there's absolutely no need to remove any animal from the wild.
"Always buy from well-established, reputable suppliers of captive-bred animals; they're easy to find, and they'll always give advice on how to properly care for your pets.
"While I welcome these two new arrivals I'm obviously concerned that a black-market trade in protected species continues."
PC Jon Palfrey, of Cirencester police, said: "Although this story ended well, with the two tortoises going to a good home, it is important to raise public awareness of the illegal international trade in endangered species.
"Offences were committed in the sale of these tortoises, and the actions of the male who sold them are a clear example of how the illegal trade in endangered species reaches all parts of the World.
"What might be seen as the cheaper option to obtain these animals - taking them from the wild - does not consider the cost to the environment and the animals within it. All of us must consider how our actions affect the Flora and Fauna on our planet and act accordingly."
Both Gloucestershire Constabulary and the RSPCA are appealing for the public to come forward with any information they may have in relation to any offence relating to wildlife or the international trade in endangered species.
Anyone with information about the sale of the two tortoises in Cirencester is asked to call 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 258 of September 5.
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