⏩ The Gloucester Start: Friday February 28th
Station underpass reopens | Rough sleeping concerns | Things to do this weekend
Good morning, welcome to Friday’s edition of the Start with a bumper round-up of ideas for your weekend ahead. Word of mouth really is the best way for the Gloucester Start to grow, please forward this on or hit share if you can. Thanks.
🚉 The underpass at Gloucester Railway Station reopens this morning (Friday), two years after work to transform it began. The project was supposed to take nine months, and has seen CCTV, better lighting and step-free access installed. - Gloucestershire Live
↪️ Moving and relaying an 11,000 volt cable to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital was a ‘complicated’ aspect of the wider £6million of work, which has seen station access routes upgraded and the opening of a new car park in Great Western Road. - BBC Gloucestershire
⛺ Homelessness charity Emmaus is ‘deeply concerned’ about the rise in rough sleepers across Gloucestershire. New figures show 42 people across the county’s six districts are sleeping rough on a typical night, up from 31 the previous year. - Gloucester News Centre
↪️ Of those 42 people, 28 are in Gloucester. The figures are taken on one night of the year as a snapshot of what the typical number might be. - Data tables from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
☀️ Today’s (and weekend) weather: We’re well set for a run of dry, bright days according to the Met Office. Temperatures around 10C in the day but much cooler overnight.
📽️ As covered in yesterday’s Start, the Sherborne Cinema in Kingsholm has marked 10 years in business with a weekend of celebrations and favourite films. Owner Mark Cunningham was also awarded a Mayor’s Medal for his services to the community. - BBC Gloucestershire (see below for what’s showing there this weekend too)
🫶 Matson’s Redwell Centre is fundraising for a new roof and needs to become more energy efficient to be able to afford its heating bill. The charity-run community hub is trying to raise £9,000 to ensure it can still be used by various groups and initiatives - its current tin roof is leaking. - Gloucestershire Live
↪️ You can donate to the appeal here.
🩺 Gloucester nurse Esme Savage will finally graduate next week two years later than planned after overcoming major challenges. Esme, 23, has been studying at the University of Worcester but had to take time out after becoming ill and needing multiple surgeries. - Gloucester News Centre
🏃 Marshals at Gloucester City Parkrun have reported being shouted at and disrespected in the Go Outdoors car park. A limited section of the car park can be used by runners arriving by car and participants are directed elsewhere once it’s full. ‘Arrive early, be kind’, runners have been told. - Gloucester City Parkrun
❌ A senior Gloucestershire County Councillor won’t stand in May’s local election, saying he’d like ‘to have his life back’. Philip Robinson is currently on a leave of absence from his role as cabinet member for buses and education and won’t seek re-election. - Gloucester News Centre
Things to do this weekend:
📽️ Bridget Jones, Becoming Led Zeppelin, Conclave, Mufasa, Dogman all showing at Sherborne Cinema in Kingsholm. Every day, various times, tickets £6/£7. Details.
🐲 The Whilers - giant mythical creatures of light and sound - have arrived in King’s Square. They’re here until Wednesday and are free to enjoy, but are particularly enchanting as daylight dims. Timings change some days, check here.
There are two big sporting fixtures in the city this weekend:
⚽ Gloucester City AFC vs Walton & Hersham - third plays fourth in the race for promotion from the Southern Premier League South. Kick-off is 3pm at Tiger Turf Stadium on Saturday, tickets from £12 adults, £6 youth, with family discounts available. Details.
🏉 Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears - the play-off semi-final at
KingsQueensholm on Sunday at 3pm as a third Premiership Women’s Rugby title in a row is chased by the stars in Cherry & White. Global rugby phenomenon Ilona Maher should line up for the Bears too. Tickets £11.50-£21.50. Details.
🎗️ Roots Day at Roots, in Alvin Street - the first birthday of the reborn cafe, refills shop and community venue. A community groups fair (including The Gloucester Start - come and say hi) runs from 2.30pm-4pm, birthday celebrations follow until 4.30pm, then food and fun including free soup until 5.30pm. Details.
🥐 Orchard Street Market - the first of 2025 - returns to Gloucester Quays. Food, drink, art, fashion and more in stalls around Orchard Square. Saturday and Sunday from 10am, free. Details.
🍳 Karen’s Kids’ Diner - a pop-up business designed and run by children in collaboration with artists as a community project - is in the Eastgate Shopping Centre for two weekends only. 👇
🧺 Children’s craft event teaching willow weaving at the Common Ground Community Garden in Victoria Street (next to GARAS). Saturday from 11am-1pm, free. Details.
🛹 The 900 - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Covers Band. Live music as heard from the classic game, at Gloucester Guildhall on Saturday from 7.30pm. Tickets £18.50. Details.
The top posts from Thursday’s Start:
📽️ Time left to have your say on gating off ASB-hit city centre alley
❌ ’Out of keeping’ apartment block plan rejected
⛔ Sherborne Cinema’s 10th anniversary marked with Mayor’s Medal