⏩ The Gloucester Start: Friday July 11th
Lions at Large trail arrives | Cemetery changes after mix-ups | Things to do in Gloucester this weekend
Good morning, welcome to Friday’s Start. It’s a sweltering weekend ahead - plenty of ideas in today’s bulletin of how to spend it if you’re planning to leave the shade! I’ll be back on Monday, see you then.
🌡️ Weekend weather: Seriously hot - be careful out there!
🦁 The Lions at Large trail has arrived in Gloucester and Cheltenham. A pride of 32 full-size sculptures and 54 ‘cubs’, all individually decorated by artists, have taken up their places across various venues for all to find. You can download the Lions at Large app to find them all. - Lions at Large
↪️ One of the artists involved in the trail said decorating her lion helped her cope with a cancer diagnosis. ‘I fell in love with the process of making him because it felt so much more important,’ Sam Morris said. - BBC Gloucestershire
🪦 New measures are being put in place to ensure no-one is buried in the wrong grave again at Coney Hill Cemetery. The city council apologised earlier in the year after mix-ups came to light and has said it is digitising its records there. - Gloucester News Centre, via the Local Democracy Reporting Service
🗳️ A public survey to do with the future make-up of Gloucestershire’s councils is ‘unbelievably cynical’ and ‘a waste of money’ by the county council’s former leader. Conservative Stephen Davies called for its withdrawal and for it to be replaced by a full consultation on the three devolution options being put forward. - Gloucester News Centre, via LDRS
↪️ Take the survey yourself here.
🚆 Railway staff spent 18 hours walking up and down Gloucester station’s platform to raise more than £3,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. They covered the equivalent distance of a trek to Paddington. - BBC Gloucestershire
🚨 Arrests have been made in connection with ongoing issues around arson and antisocial behaviour at the Earls Park development off Tuffley Avenue. Police said three people have been arrested and bailed after ‘numerous reports’. - Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team
🖥️ Alex McIntyre has asked the government to ensure its investment in cyber security brings economic benefits to Gloucester. The city’s MP said it’s ‘absolutely vital’ firms working in the sector here are supported. - Alex McIntyre
📌 Community Noticeboard
This section is powered by you. Submit community news, initiatives and events, new openings and fundraisers, and plenty more, via this simple form for inclusion. It’s free.
📌 The Gloucester Festival of Archaeology returns from 14th to 26th July 2025, offering an immersive exploration of the city’s hidden past. Presented in partnership with Gloucester BID, Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester Civic Trust, Museum of Gloucester, Gloucestershire Archaeology, and more, the festival invites residents and visitors alike to delve into centuries of local heritage. Full details here.
📌 Walking Football is Coming to Blackbridge - Starting Tuesday September 2nd! Get ready for the slowed-down version of the beautiful game — perfect for all abilities and ages! Whether you're looking to stay active, meet new people, or just have some fun, walking football is the way to go. 👇
📅 Things to do
Got an event or regular activity coming up you want to shout about? Send listings through at least a couple of days in advance if possible, via this form. It’s completely free.
🎶 The Proteus Ensemble – Elgar Part Songs and Readings at St Mary de Crypt | Saturday, 11.30am | Free | Details
🧺 Old Fashion Jumble Sale at Matson Baptist Church | Saturday, 12pm-3pm | Free | Details
🔎 Behind the Scenes Tour at Museum of Gloucester | Saturday, 2pm | £12.50 | Details
🕺 Northern Soul all-dayer at Wotton Hall Social Club | Saturday, 3pm onwards | £10 | Details
🍻 Gloucestershire Brewery Challenge - Grand Final at The Thirsty Pine | Saturday, 6pm | Free entry | Details
⚒️ Crafts that Built the Cathedral Exhibition at Gloucester Cathedral | Saturday until September 7th | Free | Details
🎙️ Si Cranstoun and His Band at Gloucester Guildhall | Saturday, 7pm | £22.50 | Details
🛍️ Discount Weekend Bonanza at Gloucester Quays | Saturday-Sunday | Free | Details
Top posts from Thursday’s Start:
⚖️ Drug dealer turned vulnerable man's home into a crack house
🛩️ New owner revealed for Gloucestershire Airport
🏗️ Council ‘cagey’ over reasons for latest delays to £107m The Forum development