⏩ The Gloucester Start: Friday May 9th
School funding questioned | Hospital pay dispute goes on | Weekend things to do
Good morning, welcome to Friday’s Start. There’s plenty to do around the city this weekend if you’re looking for ideas, covered below. It’s been a quiet 24 hours for Gloucester-relevant news though - here’s everything I could find for today’s edition, back on Monday.
⛅ Today’s weather: Brighter and set to feel noticeably warmer with temperatures over 20C.
🏥 A pay dispute at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals continues, with bosses accused of ‘dishonesty’ by some of those affected. Phlebotomists - blood sampling specialists - want the banding of their roles re-evaluated. - Gloucestershire Live, via the Local Democracy Reporting Service
🎒 Schools in Gloucestershire are receiving up to £1,000 per pupil less per year than those in other parts of the country. Tewkesbury MP Cameron Thomas, whose constituency covers several parts of Gloucester, is calling on the government to make the system fairer. - BBC Gloucestershire
🎻 HRH The Duchess of Gloucester will be in the city tomorrow for a royal visit to the Gloucestershire Academy of Music. She will commemorate their purchase of Barbican House, a milestone moment in the academy’s bid high quality music education. - Punchline Gloucester
✌️ VE Day celebrations took place across the city yesterday to mark the 80th anniversary. The Robinswood Hill beacon was lit last night after an evening of dancing and singing at Llanthony Priory and the Sula Lightship.
🏉 Gloucester Rugby scrum-half Tomos Williams has reached the ‘top of the mountain’ in the game by being named in the British & Irish Lions squad. He will join the tour to Australia in the summer. - Gloucester Rugby
⚽ Gloucester City are expected to appoint a new manager quickly after Mike Cook left the club following their play-off final defeat. - Gloucestershire Live
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📌 Help decide what a new play area at Plock Court should look like. There’s a chance to give feedback on different designs next Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm at Oxstalls Tennis Centre or email parks@gloucester.gov.uk to see them if you can’t make it.👇
📅 Things to do this weekend
💥 Gloucester Comic-Con at GL1 Leisure Centre | Saturday, 10am-4pm | Adults £9, children £5, family £25 | Details
🇵🇱 Polish Heritage Day in Gloucester Park | Saturday, from 12pm | Free | Details
🖼️ Walking Gallery and Art Trail, Gloucester city centre | Saturday, 12pm for walking gallery | Free | Details
🧚♀️ Wonderland Faery Parade starting at St Mary de Crypt Church | Saturday, 12.30pm | Free | Details
🕺 VE Celebrations Tea Dance in King’s Square | Saturday, 1pm | Free | Details
🚗 Italian Automoto Festival at Gloucester Docks | Sunday, 10am-4pm | Free | Details
The top posts from Thursday’s Start:
🚨 Antisocial behaviour major factor in two city centre shops closing
🎒 Ofsted inspectors say much of primary requires improvement
💼 New head of finance and resources appointed by city council
And in yesterday’s poll, 75% of you said you thought antisocial behaviour is a big problem in the city centre after news that it’s a big factor in two shops choosing to close.
