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BARRY Chambers stole a frail elderly couple's car and led police on a high speed chase around Gloucester before crashing it and running off. Magistrates heard this morning that the driver left the keys in his Mitsubishi Galant as he helped his disabled wife out of the car in Tredworth High Street on Thursday, March 27. But Chambers, 35, saw the keys in the ignition and jumped in - he told police he took the car because he wanted to see his sons. Chambers hit national headlines in 2006 when he caused £60,000-worth of damage to a house's roof during a 20 hour siege in Midland Road, Gloucester, which only ended after police gave him KFC and Coke. "An elderly male told police he left his vehicle outside his house whilst he assisted his disabled and frail wife," said Dafydd Paxton, prosecuting at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court. "He left the keys in the ignition. That was the last time he saw his car and he reported it stolen to police." Officers spotted the car in Tredworth just after 4pm, said Mr Paxton. "The area was searched by officers and when they saw the car, tried to stop it," Mr Paxton said. "The defendant's reaction was to drive from them at speed. a high speed pursuit in a residential area followed and at times he hit 50mph in a 30mph zone. "The danger to life and limb was clearly not important. "At one point he forced a van from the road and he continued to drive across two footpaths and over a grass bank. He crashed the car, leaving it with smoke coming from under the bonnet and he ran away. He was apprehended by police. "In a police interview he characterised the driving as 'careless' which was a somewhat generous observation." Mr Paxton said Chambers, a father of two, had been jailed five times since 2006 for similar and other offences. Safina Din, defending, said Chambers accepted full responsibility. "He said he took the opportunity," she said. "He accepts it was stupid but he wanted to see his children. "The temptation was too strong." She said although unemployed, he is taking courses to try and improve his job prospects. Chambers, of Brook Street, Gloucester, admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He was remanded in custody by magistrates, who told him he will be sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on May 2.

Barry Chambers crashed frail elderly couple's car after police chase through Gloucester

BOOZE worth £250 was snatched from Sainsburys in a brazen raid by a heroin addict. Patrick Coltman wheeled a trolley filled with alcohol from the Dursley supermarket but was recognised by staff on CCTV, a court heard. Coltman, 49, admitted the theft when he appeared before Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 28. Dafydd Paxton, prosecuting, said Coltman was in the Castle Street store at 12.30pm on February 23. "He filled up his trolley with £250-worth of alcohol and left the shop," said Mr Paxton. "The next day an employee watched the CCTV because they believed some stock was missing, and they recognised him. "He was already known to staff for similar offences. "Police were called and when they arrested him, he fully admitted the offences. "He told officers that he had sold the items for money. You will note a somewhat long list of 181 previous offences, many of which are for shoplifting." Maz Iqbal, defending, said his client had been put on a heroin substitute for the first time in his life and he wanted to stay off heroin. He now lives in a hostel in Bristol, he said. "He also has problems with his memory and his brain and is due to have a CT scan," said Mr Iqbal. Bench chairman Susan Pearce urged Coltman to take the chances presented to him to stay off drugs. She imposed a 12 month community order with 12 months' supervision and a six month drug rehabilitation requirement. "You have had a DRR before," she said. "This one has got to work." "It will do," he replied. "You are going to get off them this time?" she asked. He said: "Yes, 100%." He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to Sainsburys. He will not have to pay costs because of his lack of means, nor a victim surcharge.

Heroin addict's £250 booze raid on Dursley Sainsburys

The University of Gloucestershire All Golds travel to take on Gateshead Thunder in the Kingstone Press Championship One on Sunday (3pm). They are looking to build on their impressive win over South Wales Scorpions three weeks ago – their most recent league outing. Since then they have been thumped 76-4 by Rochdale Hornets in the Tetley's Challenge Cup and they know they face a tough test against opponents who are coached by Papua New Guinea and Hull Kingston Rovers legend Stanley Gene. All Golds head coach Brad Hepi is optimistic his charges can make it two wins out of three in the league after their narrow opening-day reversal at York City Knights. "We go to the North East expecting to produce a top-quality professional performance," said Hepi. "Gateshead, like ourselves, have strengthened their team and we go up north under no illusions of how tough the challenge will be but if we get our own game right, win the collision in attack and defence then we will contest the game and hopefully come away with the spoils. A few new additions to the team will give us some alternative options to our attack and put pressure on the incumbents to perform." Sunday also sees the first game of the All Golds senior academy team who will play in the curtain-raiser when they face the North East Regional Academy XIII at Under-20 level (noon kick-off). All Golds captain Michael Stewart, who is currently injured, will coach the academy side. He said: "Now in its third year, our academy structure continues to develop and improve. "More and more top local young players are pushing for professional contracts. This Sunday is a red letter day for the club in the first match of what is a superb and attractive academy fixture list."

HAVING returned to the Gloucester starting line-up on the crest of a Six Nations wave, Ben Morgan is confident the Cherry and Whites can turn the tide in their stormy domestic season. The rampaging ball carrier was one of the stars of England's impressive Championship campaign but returned to club action from the bench against Newcastle Falcons last weekend. He has reclaimed the number eight jersey for today's trip south to face Exeter Chiefs and reckons the West Country clash presents the perfect opportunity for Gloucester to start salvaging their season. He said: "I was very pleased to be involved with England again and it went well. "Although it was a bit disappointing we didn't win the tournament, it was a vast improvement from where we have been as a team and we were getting better each week. "I was trying to make the most of my chances off the bench with Billy Vunipola playing well. "Unfortunately he got injured but it was beneficial for me and I managed to get into the starting shirt and like to think I put some good performances in. "But it's great to be back at Gloucester and there's still everything to play for. "This season hasn't been anywhere near where we want it to be. We are bitterly disappointed but there's six games left in the Premiership and we have a target. "Realistically we should be able to achieve sixth or seventh to get back in the top tier European tournament next year. "If you look at the season, it wasn't how we wanted to start but we can turn things around and change it to finish on a high. "People remember you for your last game and it's important we have a strong finish." Exeter outmuscled Gloucester on the last occasion the South West rivals clashed and it was a particularly tough day for the back row. But Morgan insists the Cherry and Whites have come a long way and can triumph at Sandy Park providing they produce an 80-minute performance. He added: "It's always painful when someone comes over and dominates you. "That was not what we expect from ourselves, it's not revenge but about getting some credit back and doing ourselves justice. "They just won that gain-line battle and we were quite soft in defence. "They managed to get over the top of us and with the way they play, if they are on the front foot, holes open up. "But we've improved a lot since and if you look at last week we played some really strong rugby for 65 minutes. "We've been all over the place this season but just need to switch on for the full 80 minutes. "We've had dips in and out of form but now we need to finish strong."

Gloucester Rugby: Ben Morgan insists Cherry and Whites can still turn their season around

JIMMY Cowan insists Gloucester must starve Exeter Chiefs of possession to triumph at Sandy Park today. The Devon outfit steamrolled the Cherry and Whites in October to claim a 29-12 victory at Kingsholm. Cowan admits the defeat is still difficult to stomach but he is confident Nigel Davies' men have improved beyond resemblance and can continue to climb the Aviva Premiership table. He said: "You go back to when they played us here, that still leaves a bad taste in the mouth and there's a lot to play for in terms of the league table. "There's just two points between us and with the new European competitions, it looks like seventh will get a play-off so we're well aware of what's ahead. "The way we fronted up in that game was very disappointing, we just couldn't adapt to their speed of recycle and they caught us on the back foot. But we've learnt an awful lot from there and over the last two months we have been a reasonable side with one or two hiccups. "Exeter have played some good rugby, they won the LV=Cup and they play as a 23, all knowing their roles within their structures. "But it's one we're looking forward to and we're confident we can do the job. "The biggest thing is to hold on to the ball and not let them have it, that's the best form of defence. "If we hold the ball for long periods it won't allow them to play and will frustrate them." Gloucester ran in five tries during their last outing at Sandy Park but fell to a one-point defeat following a last-minute Gareth Steenson penalty. Cowan expects another thriller but he is well aware the Cherry and Whites must tighten their leaky defence with last week's bonus-point victory over Newcastle Falcons the perfect warning. Having wrapped up the bonus-point and secured a 37-7 lead, Gloucester suffered a meltdown in the final quarter to allow the Falcons to swoop for 26-points in 18 minutes. Cowan said: "It felt like a loss after that last 15. It hurt because we were waiting for a performance like that and in that first 65 we played some beautiful stuff, put a lot of points on the board and all of a sudden we switched off. "It just shows if you are not fully focused for the entire match it results in tries. "There was a lot of mistakes in the structure and all 15 guys were accountable so the key is making sure we play for the full 80. "We have to defend a lot better than we did down there last year and the last 15 last week, we want a strong performance. "We have to attack with the same attitude but defend well for 80 minutes, if we do that it should be a good result. "They're a good side to play against because both of us are willing to play rugby so hopefully it will be a good spectacle and we will come out on the right side of the result."

Gloucester Rugby: Jimmy Cowan - We must starve Exeter Chiefs of ball

BUNDLES of joy greeted elderly residents following a baby boom at a Gloucestershire care home. The Badgeworth Court Care Centre has seen 10 members of staff have new arrivals during 2013, leaving residents wondering what must be in the water? Five care assistants, who all had babies in the past year, bought in the newest members of their families to show to the elderly people they look after and help celebrate Mother's Day. The care centre had 10 babies born to some of the 95 staff, which looks after 53 residents in 2013. And as many are looking at coming back from maternity leave soon, Julie Edwards, activities coordinator thought it would be nice for the new mums to introduce their tiny tots to their old friends. She said: "Everyone here is one big family and so the residents have really shown an interest when the girls have been pregnant and so it has been really exciting for them to see the babies and their mums. "It is fabulous to see the generations interact and seeing the babies has really bought many of the residents' maternal feelings out - and they are something that you never forget. "It is just so lovely to see the girls with their babies - they all have made such lovely mums." Carer Sian Pennington, 22, from Hester's Way, showed off her first born, five-month-old Poppy Talbot. She said: "It is amazing just how quickly your life changes and how everything is just about this little person." Shantelle Hickling also from Hester's Way was there with her newest born, Toby Wright, now eight months. The 31-year-old who already has Kelsey, 12, and Liam, 8, said despite the age gap, you never forget. She said: "When you have a baby, it just comes naturally and Kelsey helps out a lot which is great. "My favourite part of being a mum is just always being there, knowing what they want and just seeing them every day. "I am looking forward to getting back to work though, it will be nice to have a little bit of me time and to help the residents again." First time mum, Kerry Bond, 26, from Tuffley, said she really was loving childhood - despite the numerous surprises that came with it. The mum to six-month-old Riley Cliffe said: "I just love everything about him and watching how he changes every day." Jodie Phillips, 28, from Brockworth gave birth to Oscar Bartlett in October last year and said she now wants a football team. She said: "Being a mum for the first time has been really scary, but it has also been the best feeling in the world. "Just having someone that needs you and someone that you are going to love forever is incredible. "It was definitely a bit of a shock that we all got pregnant at the same time and there must be something in the water, but it was really nice to have other people going through the same thing at the same time." Benhall's Becky Payne was also enjoying life as a mum with her first child, Archie Forrest. The 20-year-old said: "I just love being a mum. It is not what I thought it would be, but it is better than that. "Everything about it is fantastic and so I really hope to have a few more. "Getting no sleep was a bit of a shock to the system, but he really has been a good baby. "Just having him has been incredible - he is my own little best friend." And there is one thing the new mums all agree on and that is having your own baby - really makes you appreciate your mum. Becky's mum Sue, who also works at the care home, said: "You really do appreciate your mum a lot more once you've had a baby of your own. "I've always been close with my mum, but we are definitely closer now."

Baby boom at Badgeworth care home - just in time for Mother's Day

THE LATEST quintet of Cherry and White signings may have left supporters on cloud nine, but Nigel Davies reckons the club's retention policy has been equally impressive. Gloucester revealed Aled Thomas, Mark Atkinson, Tom Isaacs, Steve McColl and Tom Palmer as their latest recruits for next season this week. The fantastic five took Davies' spending spree to nine following the earlier captures of John Afoa, Richard Hibbard, Mariano Galarza and Greig Laidlaw, and the Gloucester director of rugby has been thrilled with the business completed. And while the latest batch of new signings are not as high-profile as some of the previous announcements, Davies is confident they will have an equally impressive impact. He said: "There wasn't a big opportunity last year to make many changes, this time we've had a big opportunity and it's been very important that we get that right in terms of our recruitment and retention. "We've got the squad pretty much where we want it to be and I'm really pleased with what we've managed to achieve. "There are two or three obvious signings that everyone would have seen play but a lot of the others we have made this week, I think people will be surprised with the quality of player they are. "I'm certainly very excited and have no doubt they will be big hits at Kingsholm. They will be pushing for first-team places. "If you look at the balance of the squad and where money was being spent it has changed dramatically over the course of the season with a big emphasis on the front five. "So we have changed that profile but also been able to hold on to the quality in other areas and some of the signings that have been below the radar will bring real quality to supplement that." A staggering 25 players were scheduled to come out of contract at the end of the current campaign and thus the major opportunity to rebuild presented itself. Davies' hands were clearly tied with what he could achieve in terms of recruitment and retention last summer but the squad he is assembling for next season will be very much his own. As expected the new arrivals have been the headline-grabbers but Davies has also managed to hold on to some of the most prized assets in English rugby. While the financial balance of the squad has been refocused on the pack and the highest-profile signings have been forwards, Davies has penned fresh terms with the likes of Billy Twelvetrees, Henry Trinder, James Simpson-Daniel and Charlie Sharples in the backs. Davies said: "Lots of people have forgotten some of the big signings we have made, and John Afoa and Richard Hibbard are certainly right up there, but also the re-signings. "People like Billy Twelvetrees, Charlie Sharples, Sione Kalamafoni, Henry Trinder and the list goes on and on. "The people that we wanted to retain within the squad we have pretty much done so and they are quality players. "We face a lot of competition to hold on to the quality players we already have, let alone new additions and when you look at the balance of our signings and re-signings it's been a very productive year. "There's always a challenge with France and particularly with someone like Sione, we could easily have lost him to France. "They were offering a lot more money than we could but he decided to stay and that's a credit to this place and the environment we're trying to create." Thankfully for Gloucester, and the other Aviva Premiership clubs, Stuart Lancaster's policy of only selecting home-based players is decisive. Davies has faced, and continues to see the opposite, in Wales but is grateful that it is not the case this side of the border. He said: "European-wise it's a challenge but domestically there's a salary cap which is policed and there's not a huge discrepancy. "That's been vitally important as well as the policy of only selecting English-qualified players for the national team. "Stuart deserves a lot of credit for what he has done, he's helping us all and you see the complete opposite of that in Wales. "That helps us retain players but also adds to the quality of the competition." Gloucester's recruitment drive is by no means over and another three signings are likely ahead of the club's renewed assault on the Premierhship. But the ever-astute director or rugby is already planning beyond next season, in line with the strategic plan for success he presented to the board several weeks ago. He added: "There's still a little bit of room for movement and we will continue to have a look, even to the stage where we are starting to look at next season and beyond because what you do off the field is just as important as on it these days in professional rugby. "Like last year it is very difficult when you're on the back foot but thankfully those guys we brought in have been good signings. "Now it's all about planning and making sure the structure of the squad reflects how we want to play, and our strategy moving forward. "We've been able to do that to a large extent this year and can continue to do that moving forward. "There's a good infrastructure in place."Signings: John Afoa, Richard Hibbard, Mariano Galarza, Greig Laidlaw, Aled Thomas, Mark Atkinson, Tom Isaacs, Steve McColl, Tom Palmer.Re-signings: Rob Cook, Darren Dawidiuk, Sione Kalamafoni, Shaun Knight, Sila Puafisi, Charlie Sharples, James Simpson-Daniel, Elliot Stooke, Henry Trinder, Billy Twelvetrees.

Gloucester Rugby: Holm Truths on the Cherry and Whites recruitment and retention

RESIDENTS are celebrating after years of putting up with faulty street lights. Bellway Homes built more than 300 properties on the old NHS site of Coney Hill Mental Hospital eight years ago but essential work has long been needed to broken lighting and the roads. Contractors got to work on the lighting yesterday. City ward councillor Phil McLellan said: "I have had so many complaints from people living in this area about lighting not working. Some of the roads are starting to dip as well. "People have been in limbo because it has taken so long to get it fixed." Bellway Homes, which is still responsible for for the highways and lighting there, started repairing the lights yesterday. Resident Richard Waller said: "I am glad that the lighting has been repaired, it is a shame that it has taken a while though. "Hopefully residents in the area will feel more secure now. "I have noticed some of the footpaths need attention, because the weeds are starting to come up now." Bellway Homes still have responsibility for maintenance in the development because it has not been adopted by Gloucestershire County Council. Mr McLellan said: "Last year I know Gloucestershire County Council wrote to Bellway Homes to sort out the adoption process but nothing has come of it yet. "I am fed up with the excuses and lack of action in seeing the estate adopted by the county council. "I have sent a letter to the managing director of Bellway Homes West. "I have to say he has been very helpful in moving this process forward. "He has arranged for all the street lights to be checked and the four found to be faulty were due to be repaired yesterday. "He has contacted the council to arrange a series of inspections on roads so Bellway Homes can undertake any remedial work prior to adoption." Bellyway Homes has confirmed that they will monitor the development. Paul Minnis, manager director for Bellway Homes Wales and West Division, said: "I am pleased to report that the four streetlights have been repaired. "We will of course monitor the situation while we progress the formal road adoption process." However Gloucestershire County Council has said the development needs to meet a certain standard before it can be adopted. Councillor Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood, said: "Before the county council adopts roads within new developments, we need to make sure that they are being handed over in an acceptable condition because we will take on all future maintenance liabilities and costs. "We understand the frustrations of local people, but to do this work ourselves would be expensive and it's not fair for council taxpayers to foot the bill when it's a developer responsibility."

THE Gloucestershire School Spring Games took place at Cheltenham College yesterday under the watchful eye of newly unveiled mascot Old Spot. More than 400 pupils from 35 schools all over the county took part in the county finals, which is part of Active Gloucestershire's School Games. Primary school students were battling for medals in Quicksticks hockey and High5 netball, secondary school pupils with special needs or disabilities contested boccia and the softball was played by sixth form and college teams. The School Games aims to give every young person the opportunity to take part in competitive sport, and Active Gloucestershire children and young people officer Kirsty Dunleavy was very proud to see the county efforts come to fruition. She said: "Part of the government initiative was to get every young person involved in competition and that's what our funding needs to be used for. "So we've got a Games network of teachers, students and volunteers making it happen in each district and then Active Gloucestershire run the highest quality county event we can so that any young person who gets through to this level has the best experience. "We know there are four events on today, 10 teams in each event, two teams from each district and that's just at county level. "Beneath that there was a qualification competition and however many schools from each district taking part, so the pyramid of participation is huge. "It's enormous. Hopefully every young person in Gloucestershire will have been part of the School Games at one level or another. That's our ethos." Active Gloucestershire also unveiled the winner of the curriculum mascot competition, Blockley Primary School pupil Archie Fletcher. The nine-year-old created winning design Old Spot taking inspiration from the Gloucestershire countryside. He said: "I was thinking of typical Gloucestershire things and thought of farms. "Then I thought of the Gloucester Old Spot and I put the Gloucestershire flag on him to represent the county. "He has shorts and trainers, so he is an active, jogging pig who does sport. I forgot his tail in the original design but we added it on! "I was speechless when I was picked as the winner. It was just incredible!"

Gloucestershire School Games spring into life with new mascot

BILLY Twelvetrees has urged his Cherry and White team-mates to fight fire with fire in Gloucester's Premiership clash with Exeter Chiefs on Saturday. The England centre returns to captain Nigel Davies' men at Sandy Park and has issued a rallying call to his troops Exeter scalped Gloucester during the last West Country derby between the sides and Twelvetrees is under no illusions that the visitors will have to muscle up to deliver in Devon. He said: "Exeter play some good rugby and obviously beat us at Kingsholm, so we have something to motivate us going down there. "Both teams want to play a good brand of rugby and if we want to be in the top six at the end of the season we have to win games like this. "It's going to be a gain-line battle, you have to physically front up, go toe-to-toe and just really go for it. "We have to win the contest at the breakdown, really go at them in defence and take it to them in attack. "It all starts up front and we have to turn up. We have to get on the front foot to give the ball to the boys out wide." Twelvetrees missed last week's bonus-point victory over Newcastle Falcons due to a knee infection but he is relishing his return to Cherry and White following his Six Nations heroics and has vowed to lead by example. He said: "The knee is absolutely fine, I'm ready to go and looking forward to being back in a Gloucester shirt. "You look forward to getting back to your club, it's where you feel most comfortable and I was looking forward to seeing the boys and getting back into training. "It was a bit sore last week but I have rested up and rehabbed and now I'm looking forward to getting back out on the field. "I will do what I always do and play as hard as I can and to the best of my ability for the team and to put boys in the right positions. I try to lead by example, I absolutely relish the opportunity and love captaining the boys here – it's a great honour." Twelvetrees is just one of five changes to the Gloucester side, with fellow Red Rose stars Ben Morgan and Jonny May also handed starting spots, having come off the bench against the Falcons. Elsewhere Jimmy Cowan and Will James come in for injured duo Dan Robson and James Hudson, while Lua Lokotui returns to the bench, having recovered from the pectoral injury he suffered in November. Just two points separate the two teams in the league table and a win would see Gloucester move towards the all-important seventh position which is set to come with a play-off for the final qualifying spot for next season's top-tier European competition. Exeter have been dealt a blow ahead of the encounter with the loss of England star Jack Nowell to the shoulder injury he sustained in the club's heavy defeat to Leicester Tigers. Ben White also misses out through injury and is replaced by Cheltenham-born Tom Johnson. Twelvetrees admits the loss of Nowell is a boost to Gloucester's chances but insists they have other threats all over the field. He added: "He's a very talented player, he's extremely powerful, has great foot-work and a great mind for the game which is very important and makes you stand out. "But their whole team is a big threat, they use the ball very well and look to create phases to break teams down. "But it's all about us and how we can nullify that and get the ball in our hands." Exeter: Luke Arscott; Fetu'u Vainikolo, Ian Whitten, Phil Dollman, Matt Jess; Henry Slade, Dave Lewis; Ben Moon, Jack Yeandle, Hoani Tui; Dean Mumm (Capt.), Damian Welch; Dave Ewers, Tom Johnson, Kai Horstmann. Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Carl Rimmer, Alex Brown, Don Armand, James Scaysbrook, Haydn Thomas, Gareth Steenson, Sam Hill. Gloucester Rugby: Rob Cook; Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall, Billy Twelvetrees (capt), Jonny May; Ryan Mills, Jimmy Cowan; Nick Wood, Darren Dawidiuk, Shaun Knight, Elliott Stooke, Will James, Sione Kalamafoni, Matt Kvesic, Ben Morgan. Replacements: Koree Britton, Yann Thomas, Sila Puafisi, Lua Lokotui, Gareth Evans, Tavis Knoyle, Freddie Burns, Henry Trinder.

Gloucester Rugby: Billy Twelvetrees issues a battle cry upon his return to Cherry and White colours

Forget the no make-up selfie craze – heavy metal fan Aron Randall is taking things to new extremes by cross-dressing for a whole week to raise money for Cancer Research UK. A schoolgirl, a secretary and a French maid are just some of the outfits that 24-year-old Aron, from Cinderford, will wear as he goes about his daily business this week. The security guard, who is working on a building site in Cinderford, has had his body waxed, had fake nails and eyelashes applied and had a spray tan in preparation for the challenge which starts today, Saturday. "It is for such a great cause so I am going all out for this," said Aron, who will also be dressing up as a Barbie girl and a rock chick. "I might have to put on some protective clothing while at work but other than that I will be in a different women's outfit every day. I have always been the sort of person who doesn't care what other people think about me so I am not worried if people give me funny looks and think it is weird. I am actually really excited about it. I think it will be quite liberating." Aron was inspired to take on the challenge of dressing up as a woman for a week after seeing friends taking part in the no make-up selfies craze on Facebook. Women were encouraged to take photographs of themselves with no make-up on to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Aron has set up a Facebook page dedicated to his challenge, which has already attracted more than 3,000 members, and he will be uploading photographs and video diaries throughout the week. He is also encouraging people to nominate him to do various tasks while dressed as a woman in exchange for a donation. "It can be anything from doing the housework to trying to get a man to buy me a drink in a bar," Aron said. So far Aron has raised £115 but he is hoping to raise more than £500 by the end of the week. "The charity doesn't get any funding from the Government and relies on donations," said Aron, who lost his nan to lung cancer at Christmas when he was a child. "Waking up on Christmas morning to hear that news was horrible. "It doesn't matter who you are, you or someone you are close to will be affected by cancer at some point in your life." To donate text ARON89 with the amount to 70070 or donate at Aron Randall's Just Giving page

From heavy metal to heavy makeup Aron Randall cross dresses to live life as a woman for a week

ELVERS are back on sale at a Gloucester fishmonger for the first time in more than 30 years. This year's bumper catch of the baby eels in the River Severn means there are more than enough to go around, so Malcolm Smith of MR Smith Fish Merchants is selling them in the city. "The last time I sold them was in 1979 when I sold 85kg in two hours," said Mr Smith, whose stall is in the covered Eastgate Market. "That was the last good day, until now." Priced at £9.98 per pound or £21.90 per kilo, today his entire stock, caught from the banks of the Severn, had sold by noon. "People are buying them for old time's sake, or for their parents - there is a whole generation of people who have missed the experience of eating elvers," he said. For the uninitiated, he suggests cooking them in the Gloucester way. "They should be scolded in hot water first - that kills them, then bacon should be fried in a pan and removed," he said. "Then the elvers should be fried for about a minute in the bacon fat before breaking a raw egg in to them." The result tastes like 'fishy spaghetti', he said. "The Spanish do them in olive oil with garlic and chillis," he said. Severn and Wye Smokery in Chaxhill has been selling elvers this week, after fishermen, Over-based UK Glass Eels and the Environment Agency reported huge numbers returning up the Severn. It's not known why elvers have arrived in such high numbers this year, but it's believed higher flows of fresh water into the sea can draw them in on their journey from the Sargasso Sea.

Elvers back on sale in Gloucester

ALDI bosses will be hoping that their plans for a new supermarket in Bristol Road will get the go-ahead at a meeting of councillors on Tuesday. The cut-price German supermarket is eyeing up a site on the corner of Bristol Road and Clifton Road, near to the former Morelands match factory. Gloucester City Council's planning committee will decide the fate of the 1,680 sq m planned store next week. A spokesman for Aldi said that it would offer 'something different' for a part of the city which does not currently have a large supermarket – although the site is less than half a mile from Sainsbury's at St Ann Way and Tesco Express in Bristol Road. They said: "We offer something different to convenience stores and do not see ourselves competing with these types of shops." The nearest rival to the supermarket would be Lidl, further down Bristol Road in Canada Wharf, although nearby convenience store Griffin's Friendly Corner Shop fear it will impact on their business. The plans have polarised people who live near the store – with a 577-strong petition and 58 individual letters being sent to councillors. Supporters say that the store would benefit the Stroud Road and Bristol Road community, the site has been an eyesore for more than 20 years and the cost of shopping at Aldi is attractive in a time when people are hard-pressed. People also want to see new jobs created, although it is currently unclear how many might be created. Those against the plans say they will affect trade for other businesses and there is no proven need for a new supermarket in the area. Town crier Alan Myatt has come out in support of Griffin's Friendly Corner Shop, which is just 150 metres from the proposed Aldi. There are fears that the new supermarket could hit trade at the popular convenience store, which has been run for five generations of the family. Mr Myatt, speaking in a personal capacity, said: "The Griffin's Friendly Corner Shop has been a lifeblood of the community for generations. "The jam will only spread so thinly in this area and it is important that we protect our family-run businesses as they are part of our city's heritage." Residents have shown their support for the convenience store. Janet Weston said: "Even though there is a local Tesco Express and Lidl close by, it is very sad that there has to be yet another big store going up putting the small businesses at risk. Last year I believe Griffin's celebrated 100 years of trade and I have shopped there for over 30 years. There is nothing that hurts me more then to see someone lose their business to big companies like Aldi." Jalaal Patel, from Stroud Road, said: "There are too many supermarkets and grocery store in Gloucester. What happened to protecting local small businesses such as corner shops? Has Gloucester gone corporate mad?" But planning officers are recommending that councillors approve Aldi's store vision. In a report to councillors, Bob Rustic, planning officer at Gloucester City Council, said: "The application has been met by considerable objection and petitions on behalf of Griffin's Corner Shop. The concerns relate to the possible impact upon this convenience store, which appears to be well supported by the community. In planning terms it should be noted that this property is itself located outside of a local centre and is not afforded any protection." Supermarket bosses also have to prove that their new Aldi store will not impact on other areas such as the proposed Kings Quarter regeneration site. Planning officers at Gloucester City Council have concluded that it will not have an impact because only one small food store is planning for Kings Quarter. In a report they said: "We conclude that there is unlikely to be a suitable opportunity within the development to accommodate an Aldi store." Aldi said they had ruled out moving into the former Marks and Spencer store, in Northgate Street, because it was too big and delivery access was poor – but planning officers do not agree with that argument because M&S formerly sold food from the site. Alternative sites at Blackfriars and Barton Street were also ruled out as possible locations for Aldi to move to. The supermarket already has a store on Bristol Road, in Quedgeley.

Fate of Aldi supermarket plans for Bristol Road to be decided

A one-man crimewave is behind bars. Prolific criminal Daniel Martin committed crimes across Tewkesbury and Gloucester was yesterday sentenced to five years in prison at Gloucester Crown Court. Daniel Martin, of no fixed abode was handed the jail term after pleading guilty to one count of burglary and one of attempted burglary. Martin asked for a further 59 offences to be taken into consideration. Martin's arrest was part of Operation Tudor, set up to proactively generate intelligence into crime in Tewkesbury. Police Sergeant Chris Barnes said "Daniel Martin is a one-man crime wave. Good police work from Operation Tudor officers, with assistance from the local community led to Martin's capture. "Martin was left with no choice but to plead guilty, at which time he decided to admit further offences, providing closure to the victims of crimes in Tewkesbury and Gloucester. I would like to thank the local community of Tewkesbury for their help in this enquiry and I hope that this outcome sends a strong message to any would-be criminals that if you commit a crime we will find you and we will prosecute you".

One man crime-wave Daniel Martin jailed for Tewkesbury and Gloucester burglaries

1.Delve into our county's historical past at the Richard III festival which kicks off today until Sunday. Cast your eye over the reconstructed head at Gloucester City Museum and hear various talks on the topics surrounding the well known figure. Tickets range between £2-£10 depending on the event. 2. Try your hand at clay pigeon shooting and archery at Prescott Shooting's Have a Go Day which starts at 10am. Ranging between £20-£25, sessions are open every half an hour. 3. Explore Stroud as part of their Tourism Day as part of English Tourism Week. Nearby hotspots such as Painswick Rococo Gardens, Slimbridge Wetland Centre and Dr Jenner's House will all be hosting their own events for tourist attraction lovers and families alike. 4. GL1 will be putting on a night of Superclash wrestling with Justin Liger and Roy Knight entertaining the crowds. 5. The county rises to the festival season with the annual Cirencester Hare Festival taking place this weekend. Visitors can hunt for all the hidden art sculptures this summer. 6. Westonbirt Arboretum are offering a fantastic opportunity to see our county's beauty on a hot air balloon ride. The times vary of the flights but could make the perfect Mother's Day 7. If you love The Beatles, then make sure you've got a ticket for the evening at Stroud Subscription Rooms. Tributes band All You Need is the Beatles will be performing on Saturday night and for fans, this is an evening of reminiscing. 8. Visit the restaurant of the week: The Tavern 9. Watch the film of the week: Captain America The Winter Soldier - the trailer's here 10. Try out our recipe of the week: Grilled Rack of Lamb with mango salad and mint chutney

10 Things to do in Gloucestershire this Weekend March 28-30

MUMS are special, but some stand out from the crowd and go that little bit further to look after their children. It has been a difficult year for Amy Brookes. Giving birth to her first child as a single mum and then losing her partner in a tragic road accident was a lot to deal with. But her mum Angela, a care worker, has been with her every step of the way - and that's why she is one of our My Mum competition winners and a bouquet of flowers, courtesy of Gloucester Florists, is on its way to Angela. Amy, who lives in Churchdown, wants to show her gratitude to her very special mum for Mothering Sunday. "We've always been close," she said. "We have had a brilliant relationship but we got closer when I found out I was pregnant in January 2011. "I wasn't in a relationship and knew I was going to be a single mum. She helped me to figure it all out. Mum was my birthing partner, now I've got as beautiful little girl, Ruby. "It was difficult being on my own. "I lived with mum for a while after I had Ruby. Then I had gallstones and was in a lot of pain. I had to go into hospital in December to have them out and mum looked after Ruby then." Tragedy struck in Amy's life in January when her partner of two years, Paul Cooke, 30, was killed in a car crash on the notorious A48. His Seat Leon collided with trees in Lensbrook, near Blakeney. It was then that Amy needed her mum more than ever as she struggled to come to terms with her loss. "When I lost Paul in a road accident, It was unimaginably hard to deal with," she said. "Ruby called him Daddy, and he took her on as if she was his own. We had been together for two years. It hit me hard. I've stayed with mum a lot since then. She is a care worker, leaving for work at 6am and not getting home until 9pm. She has taken days off work to help me. "Mum is absolutely amazing, inspirational. I'm so lucky to have her as my mum. She is working on Mother's Day, but we will take her out for a special meal the week after. She is not only my mum but my best friend. She has been my rock this year, a super star. She is definitely the world's best mum and Nana."

Leeds Metropolitan University 24 UWE Hartpury 28 Ian Clark's hat-trick helped UWE Hartpury win their fifth BUCS Championship after a pulsating victory over Leeds Metropolitan University at Twickenham. The Gloucestershire side were slick in attack and resolute in defence as they led for over an hour against a physically imposing Leeds Met outfit, who won the BUCS Premier League North on the way to the final. Leeds Met were equally as resilient and always stayed in touch, but Hartpury withstood significant periods of heavy pressure to regain the trophy they last lifted in 2012. Clark gave Hartpury the perfect start when he scorched over on the left after only 66 seconds following a turnover on the Leeds Met 22, with Gareth Thompson slotting the conversion. Leeds Met came straight back and piled on the pressure, forcing Hartpury to concede multiple penalties. The Yorkshiremen's persistence eventually told and former Hartpury student Alex Clarke darted over around the fringes of ruck for their first try. Will Cargill's subsequent extras restored parity. Clarke swiftly turned from hero to zero when he was yellow-carded for killing the ball. Leeds Met put in an admirable defensive shift while down to 14 men, but Hartpury made them pay with Clarke poised to return to the field. It came in bizarre circumstances as Thompson's miscued crossfield kick bounced kindly for winger Seb Rodwell, who barged over after a juggle with the ball. Thompson slotted a penalty with the break approaching to move Hartpury eight points in front at the turnaround. Leeds Met struck early in the second period, however, as number eight Jarrad Williams peeled off a driving maul five minutes into half to dive over for a seven-pointer with Cargill's conversion. Thompson's second penalty granted Hartpury some breathing space again, but they were soon reduced to 14 men themselves as Craig Jackson infringed under pressure. Cargill stroked over the three points on offer, but it was Hartpury who grabbed the crucial next try. There seemed to be little danger as Hartpury attacked on the Leeds Met 22, but a chasm of space suddenly opened up in midfield and Clark ghosted through untouched. Thompson's missed conversion kept Leeds Met within a score and they began to exert enormous pressure on their opponents. They thought they had finally breached the stubborn Hartpury defensive wall when Cargill crossed on the left, but referee Richard Kelly called the ball held-up after a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Alex Woodburn. Hartpury powered through the resultant scrum to clear their lines, and Clark appeared to have made the result safe as he latched on to a kick-through to complete his treble with six minutes remaining. Leeds Met were still not finished and some patient phase play released winger Dan Leake for a try, which Cargill converted expertly from the touchline to ensure a grandstand finish. Hartpury still had to repel yet more intense Leeds attacking from the restart, but they held on to seal a memorable win. LEEDS MET: A Ricci; D Leake, L Jones, L Peters, R Martie; W Cargill, A Clarke; M Beasley, C Maddison, S Rodman; L Edwards, S Bradey; L Paynter, J Longston, J Williams. Reps: J Greatrix, S Sait, J Ramshaw, J Cavey, P Gill, H Morgan, I Simm HARTPURY: J Carter; S Rodwell, C Jackson, G Boulton, I Clark; G Thompson, B Vellacott; D Merrey, N Taylor, J Litchfield; T MacDonald, R Cottrell; T Ailes, A Woodburn, A Chesters. Reps: C O'Connell, A Clarey, R Tunbridge, M Luxton, M Spencer, H Cochrane, M Harrison Referee: Richard Kelly (RFU)

Hartpury win BUCS Cup in thriller against Leeds Met at Twickenham

CONSUMER Groups and campaigners, and even power producers from Gloucestershire have welcomed the announced investigation into the working practices of the major utility companies. Ofgem the government regulator announced, in a report produced with the Office of Fair Trading , that it has asked the Competition and markets authority to look into the competitiveness of the energy market. In particular it wants the government body to see whether the big six energy companies are operating in a way that has disadvantaged consumers, with prices increasing year on year, profits increasing five-fold in three years and decreasing public confidence that they are getting a reasonable deal. Mervyn Hyde is a member of campaigning group 38 Degrees Gloucestershire, which has called for people to band together to 'buy in bulk' in order to get a better deal on power. Mr Hyde said: "It's one thing for people to get together to get a good deal, but that needs somebody to organise it, and there's quite a lot of work involved. "It would be better if the market was much more transparent and easier to understand for everyone so it isn't necessary to do this sort of thing. "When energy was nationalised everyone went on about the state monopoly and said the market would make it more open but in my opinion we've exchanged a democratically-controlled state monopoly for a corporate monopoly." And boss of Gloucestershire-based energy producer Ecotricity, Dave Vince was equally welcoming of the probe into the major energy companies. He said: ""The Big Six have a systemic advantage: they inherited huge numbers of customers at privatisation which they never had to win through normal commercial behaviour, like fair pricing or good customer service – which might explain the absence of such attributes among the Big Six. "Privatisation gave them a massive advantage which they abuse by charging their most loyal customers more for energy then they charge new ones, allowing them to cross subsidise more competitive offerings and make competition more difficult. This is probably the biggest problem, but it's also one of many. "It's taken three months for Ofgem to decide that we need a two year competition inquiry, 20 years after privatisation. At privatisation there were 12 companies with 100 per cent market share between them, today there are six companies who've got 98 per cent of the market. The fact that there's something wrong is plain enough, and has been for some time. "The root of these problems is the way the energy market was privatised, that's where the Big Six got their uncompetitive advantage. But the fact that they've gotten away with it for 20 years since then is something the regulator needs to answer for. Hopefully, this enquiry will include the role of regulation going forward."

Consumers and producers welcome Ofgem probe into big six energy suppliers

Green belt land earmarked for hundreds of homes at Twigworth has been removed from a controversial housing plan. Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester councils have reduced the number of homes to be built across the region between 2011 and 2031 from 33,200 to 30,500. As a result proposals to build more than 3,000 homes on green belt land at Twigworth and Innsworth have been amended to remove the Twigworth half of the site. Land earmarked for almost 800 homes at Chargrove Lane in Up Hatherley haave also been removed from the JCS plan. Campaigners have been calling for the three councils working on the housing plan, called the joint core strategy, to make changes to try to stop development on the countryside. And while changes have been made and two large green belt sites have been saved from development, the reduction in housing numbers is unlikely to be significant enough to appease many critics of the plan. Calls to reduce the number of homes earmarked for the fields off Shurdington Road in Leckhampton appear to have fallen on deaf ears with the councils actually deciding to increase the number of houses destined for the land. Leckhampton had been highlighted to take 1,075 new homes but in the updated version of the JCS it will take 1,124. A proposal to take land to the south of Cheltenham Racecourse out of the green belt has also been withdrawn in the latest version of the plan. As well as removing two sites from the plan the councils have also tinkered with the number of houses allocated for each of the remaining seven strategic sites. Changes have been based on consultation responses, discussions with stakeholders and through undertaking a more in depth analysis of the evidence, the councils have said. Andrew North, chairman of the strategy programme board, said: "We have been working extremely hard to ensure the feedback from the last consultation and the latest evidence available is incorporated, where appropriate, into this version of the Joint Core Strategy, which is now the version that we as officers feel is ready to be presented to the Planning Inspectorate. "Clearly this version of the plan has removed two sites and this was following a meeting involving councillors from the three councils at which it was agreed that if the objectively assessed need can, with sound reasons, be reduced, then there is the flexibility to remove certain green belt sites." The final version of the strategy is due to be discussed by each of the three councils at meetings on April 7, 8 and 9. If all three vote in favour of the plan it will then be presented to the public, probably in the summer. To find out more visit Gloucester Joint Core StrategyChanges made to the joint core strategy, how the final version differs from the draft: Innsworth: 1,250 homes (Twigworth half of development scrapped, was earmarked for 3,075 homes) North Churchdown: 532 homes (down from 845) South Churchdown: 868 homes (up from 639) North Brockworth: 1,500 homes (down from 1,548) North West Cheltenham: 4,785 homes (down from 4,829) South Cheltenham Leckhampton: 1,124 homes (up from 1,075) MOD site at Ashchurch (pictured): 2,125 homes (same as originally planned) Total number of new homes to be built on new strategic sites: 12,184 Number of houses already in the pipeline: 18,885 Total number of planned houses 2011-2031: 31,069 (slightly more than target of 30,500 – will allow councils some flexibility on how many homes are built on sites)

Thousands of homes wiped from Gloucestershire Joint Core Strategy - Twigworth saved

What is on your weekend playlist? Citizen sub-editor Mark Halliwell has put together his playlist which is a heady mix anyone in their 40s will remember fondly including The Smiths and Carter USM If you would like your Weekend Playlist included in the Citizen email your top 10 tunes to citizen.news@glosmedia.co.uk The Smiths - This Charming Man: The Stone Roses - I Am The Resurrection: The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary Sisters of Mercy - Temple of Love Carter USM - Sheriff Fatman Jesus and Mary Chain - Happy When It Rains: Echo and the Bunnymen - The Cutter Teardrop Explodes - Reward The Mighty Wah - Story of the Blues The Mission - Butterfly on a Wheel

Weekend Playlist: The Smiths, Carter USM and Teardrop Explodes - what's on yours?