⏩ The Gloucester Start: Friday August 7th

'Be more French' plea to drivers | Cycle route improvements planned | Things to do this weekend

Aug 07, 2026

Good morning, welcome to Friday’s Start. There are no editions next week while I take some family time, back on August 17th. Have a great weekend and here’s everything for today’s issue.

🌤️ Weekend weather: Plenty of sunny spells as temperatures rise.

🚲 Improvements are set to be made to walking and cycling routes between Cole Avenue and St Ann Way. Plans are being laid out for people to learn more at two drop-in events held at City Church in Seymour Road. - Punchline Gloucester

🤝 More people are needed to become Gloucester Ambassadors and help visitors get the best out of the city. The Gloucester BID programme has been running throughout the summer with a group of volunteers on hand. - SoGlos

🇫🇷 Drivers using the new Missing Link stretch of the A417 are being told to ‘be more French’ by using both lanes to merge and ease congestion. It’s set to be fully open by next spring. - BBC Gloucestershire

✅ Plans have been approved that would allow different operators to run what will become a supported living complex in Denmark Road in future. Ermin Hall is being converted from student accommodation by Cheltenham YMCA, but needed a ‘fail safe’ to secure government funding. - Punchline Gloucester

🏘️ Plans for 100 new houses in Twigworth have led to concerns about the ‘horrendous’ impact on the village, including worries about traffic, flooding and sewage. Both Twigworth and Down Hatherley parish councils have objected. - Gloucestershire Live, via the Local Democracy Reporting Service

💸 A £250,000 grant has been secured by Gloucester Cathedral to help the conservation of its internationally important Great Cloister. The money has come from the Wolfson Foundation to support a 12-year programme of work preserving the cloisters. - Punchline Gloucester

👮 Gloucestershire police’s temporary chief constable Maggie Blyth will retire when her contract ends after 36 years of public service. She’s been in post since October 2024 and will remain until a new permanent chief constable is appointed. - BBC Gloucestershire

🏪 The owner of One Stop Shop in Southgate Street has been ordered to pay more than £5,000 by the courts for selling illegal vapes. Jamal Safarkhani stood trial and was found guilty of four offences. - Gloucestershire Live

⚖️ More members of a motorbike gang, including one from Gloucester, have been sentenced for a vicious daylight attack on a rival. Joshua Bell was among three men given a mix of jail and suspended jail sentences for the Coleford assault, taking the total to nine. - BBC Gloucestershire

🚨 Police arrested a teenager in Hare Lane on Wednesday for allegedly making threats to kill. The 19-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of stealing a vehicle. - Gloucestershire Live

📌 Community Noticeboard

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📌 The much-loved Gloucester Shanty Festival will return in 2027 as part of a spectacular programme of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the completion of Gloucester Docks and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Taking place as part of a season of celebrations running from April to September, the festival will once again fill Gloucester’s historic waterfront with the powerful sounds of traditional sea shanties and maritime music, welcoming performers and visitors from across the UK to one of Britain’s most historic inland ports. More details here. - Thanks to reader Izzy for these details

📌 Gloucester’s ultimate indoor golf experience is under new family ownership. Two simulators, pool table, two dartboards & a fully licensed bar. Fantastic venue open to everyone of all abilities. Exclusive booking available for corporate gatherings, birthday celebrations, family meet-ups, stag dos, kid’s parties etc. Eagles is family run and keen to provide a local environment that welcome’s everyone. More details here. - Thanks to reader Jess for this submission

📅 Things to do

I’d love to hear about any new events, clubs, group meetings or other interesting things to do for this section. Get in touch via the submission form or email thegloucesterstart@gmail.com

🖼️ Gloucester Contemporary Artists Summer Exhibition at The Gate Art Space | Daily until August 16th, 10am-5pm | Free | Details

👨‍🎨 Lines of Resistance Art Creation by Russell Haines at The Shirt Factory | Daily until August 28th, 11am-4pm | Free | Details

⛏️ My Journey with Stone Sculpture Exhibition at Llanthony Priory | Daily until August 16th, 10am-6pm | Free | Details

🔍 The Ready-Set-Sing Family Trail at Gloucester Cathedral | Until November 1st | Free | Details

🖼️ Art in the City throughout Gloucester city centre | Saturday, 10am-5pm | Free | Details

💬 Talk: Our Heritage of Song at St Michael’s Tower | Saturday, 11.30am | £5 | Details

🎮 Gloucester Video Games Festival at Gala Club, Longlevens | Saturday, 1pm | £5 | Details

🕯️ ABBA by Candlelight at Gloucester Cathedral | Saturday, 6.15pm and 8.30pm | From £10 | Details

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