⏩ The Gloucester Start: Wednesday May 13th

Cheese rolling 'unsafe' | Over Bridge work to start | Docks plans debated

May 13, 2026

Good morning, welcome to Wednesday’s Start. Here’s what I’ve found for today’s bulletin.

🌦️ Today’s weather: A bit of everything with sunny spells and showers throughout.

🍽️ A quick correction first. Yesterday’s email edition carried news that The Pilot Inn in Hardwicke was ending food service - that is no longer the case after its initial announcement received a wave of encouragement from customers. Instead, it will reduce kitchen hours but continue to offer a menu. - The Pilot Inn

🧀 The upcoming cheese rolling at Coopers Hill has been officially declared unsafe. The event has no official organiser and, as such, no formal safety plans leaving the Tewkesbury Borough Safety Advisory Group ‘no alternative’ but to warn the public. - Gloucestershire Live

🚧 Some £7million is set to be spent on the A40 Over Bridge for essential maintenance. The main work will begin on June 29th and last until the following March - motorists are being warned to expect ‘significant’ delays. - Gloucester News Centre
↪️ ITV West Country went under the bridge with Highways England to help show what needs fixing. - ITV West Country

🐎 Dogs and horses were among the many animals attending a Gloucester Cathedral celebration in their honour on Sunday. The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) hosted the event in recognition of the ‘extraordinary contribution’ of service animals. - BBC Gloucestershire

🏗️ Plans to revamp the Kimberley, Herbert and Philpott Warehouses at Gloucester Docks - as well as a £1.5million grant to restart work at Bakers Quay - are to be discussed tonight. Gloucester City Council’s cabinet meets from 6pm. - BBC Gloucestershire | Gloucester City Council (agenda papers)

👨‍🍳 Hotel Indigo’s head chef has given a behind the scenes tour of his new kitchen. He’s arrived in Gloucester after a varied culinary career, cooking for the likes of the Beckhams and Sean Connery. - Punchline Gloucester

🥘 There’s another new kitchen open in Gloucester too - Muse Brasserie started business over the weekend at Gloucester Quays. It’s in the former Cote Brasserie site. - Cotswold Journal

🏫 VR technology which allows school children with special educational needs to create their own sensory environments has been developed in Gloucester. Avantis Education won a King’s Award for Enterprise last month for its innovation. - The Business Desk

📌 Community Noticeboard

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📌 After nearly a decade away, internationally acclaimed soprano Mary-Jess is returning to Gloucester for a special one-night-only performance this month. Tickets are already selling fast and booking soon is recommended to secure a ticket. The Gloucester-born star will present “A Celebration of Stage & Screen” at the historic St Mary de Crypt church on Southgate Street on Saturday May 16th at 7pm. With VIP Meet & Greet tickets already completely sold out, music lovers are being urged to secure their seats soon to avoid disappointment. Details and tickets here. - Thanks to subscriber Paul for this submission

📌 The @canalrivertrust is delighted to welcome you to Better By Water, in the Gloucester Docks on 20 June 2026. Spend a summer Saturday in the historic Gloucester Docks. This free, family-friendly event is designed to bring the community together to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of being by the water.

📌 FREE WORKSHOP. Join studio artist @lj_ellam_art at ‘Meanwhile Monsters’, their drop-in workshop this Saturday May 16th 2pm-4pm. Head to the top of the escalator @eastgateglos to make your own 2D or 3D monster with reclaimed materials and collage. All welcome. Materials supplied.

📅 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

✂️ Creative Welcome Space at City Works | Wednesday, 10am | Free | Details

🌻 Gardening for Wellbeing at Gloucester Cathedral | Wednesday, 10.30am | Free | Details

🎸 MAR Live at Cafe Rene | Wednesday, 8pm | Free | Details

🎡 Danter’s Fun Fair at Abbeydale | Thursday-Sunday, times vary | Free entry | Details

📽️ Film screening: Gentle Angry Women at The Folk | Friday, 2.30pm and 7.30pm | £5 | Details

🤘 Emo Night at Gloucester Guildhall | Friday, 10pm | From £4 | Details

🎶 Mary-Jess: A Celebration of Stage and Screen at St Mary de Crypt | Saturday, 7pm | £22.50 | Details

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