⏩ The Gloucester Start: Friday December 6th
Christmas market cancelled | PM's Hollie praise | City's top baby names
Welcome to Friday’s Gloucester Start. There are a lot of new subscribers receiving their first daily digest today, so if you’re new here, hello and thank you for signing up. We’ve got the usual summary of the city’s key news and the added bonus of a few weekend events to keep you busy - weather very much depending (more on that below…). As ever, a quick share to spread the word would be very much appreciated.
💨 The Christmas Market and ice skating at Gloucester Quays have been cancelled this weekend. The ‘very tough’ decision has been made after weather warnings for high winds were issued for much of the country across today, Saturday and Sunday. - Gloucester Quays ↪️ Live weather updates affecting the county. - Gloucestershire Live ↪️ Scroll down for weekend events that, at time of writing, are still going ahead
🙋 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has commended the work of Gloucester charity The Hollie Gazzard Trust and outlined the steps he wants the government to take to address domestic violence. At Prime Minister’s Questions, responding to Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre, he said he wants to halve violence against women and girls by placing domestic abuse experts in 999 call centres, piloting new powers and developing a national framework to target offenders. - Hollie Gazzard Trust ↪️ The Trust has also collaborated with Gloucester Brewery to produce Hollie’s Spirit Spiced Rum - £5 from every bottle sold will go directly to the charity. - Hollie Gazzard Trust
🏗️ Gloucester City Homes will try again with its plans to demolish Clapham Court and replace the 1960s tower block with modern social accommodation. The housing association’s proposals were rejected by city councillors this week amid concerns about parking and the impact on neighbouring properties. - Gloucester News Centre, via the Local Democracy Reporting Service
👶 Lily and Noah are Gloucester’s most popular baby names. The Office for National Statistics has revealed the names parents chose the most throughout 2023, with the city bucking national trends. There were 11 Lilys and 14 Noahs born here last year, enough for each to take top spot locally. Olivia and Muhammad were the number ones nationally. - ONS
💧 Today’s weather: A bright, fairly dry start gives way to increasingly heavy rain and strengthening winds, with a Met Office warning active from 3pm.
🎒 Two Gloucester schools have been named among the best in the south west in the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide. Sir Thomas Rich’s School was ranked third regionally (44th nationally) and Denmark Road High School fifth (76th nationally) among grammars and comprehensives. - Gloucestershire Live
🚫 ‘Distracting’ digital advertising billboards won’t be installed outside Gloucester Quays after a city council decision to refuse planning permission was upheld on appeal. - Punchline Gloucester
🚧 The new leader of Gloucestershire County Council, Stephen Davies, has outlined his five top priorities after stepping into the role. They include the state of the roads, housing, adult social care and special educational needs in schools. - Gloucestershire Live
🖊️ Ever dreamt of being famous? Who hasn’t. But now achieving that dream could be one step closer, with a *small* catch. Spa Road-based PR agency Radioactive have come up with a novel way to celebrate 10 years in business - offering the chance of fame to one person willing to sign over their soul. - Radioactive
📅 Weekend what’s on
Correct at time of writing. Please check events, particularly if outdoors with weather warnings in place, are going ahead before travelling.
🛍️ It’s Small Business Saturday tomorrow, with Christmas shoppers being urged to support independent businesses as much as possible. To encourage people into Gloucester, there’s also free parking at three council-owned car parks. - Gloucester BID ↪️ Have you completed the BID’s gingerbread trail around the city centre yet? Great fun for kids and families.
🎄 Enjoy Gloucester Cathedral’s spectacular Christmas decorations at their best at night. Limited evening entry on selected nights starts tomorrow. Tickets are £8 for adults, £3 for kids. - Gloucester Cathedral
🎅 Stories with Santa are running every Saturday in December at the National Waterways Museum. Tickets are £12.50 and can be booked online. - Canal & River Trust
✂️ Children’s Christmas crafting activities are taking place at Hucclecote Community Association from 2pm-4.30pm tomorrow, £5 per child. - Hucclecote Community Association
🎫 A behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum of Gloucester runs at 2pm tomorrow, uncovering seldom-seen areas and collections. Tickets are £12.50 - Museum of Gloucester
👗 Vintage clothing and goods will be on sale in pop-up market at GL1 leisure centre on Sunday. Shoppers can grab a kilo for £20, and there’s an entry fee of £2-£3. - Worth the Weight