Alex Sykes is in no mood to wind down as the football season reaches its final fortnight.
Four Calor League Division One West games separate Wood from their summer break, but Sykes is keen to add two more to the list.
With his side in sight of a play-off spot, Wood joint boss Sykes knows victory against Godalming Town on Tuesday night will ramp up the pressure on rivals for the top five.
And with rich experience of previous promotion and play-off campaigns under his belt, Sykes is happy to still be involved in the shake-up.
"Sometimes when you get to April there can be a case of winding down for the end of the season, but there is no case of that with us," Sykes said.
"I am really keen to extend the season and so are the lads and we know that it's still in our hands with the games we have to play.
"Before Saturday's game (a 2-1 win at Fleet) we had targeted four wins out of five and that's not changed now."
Goalkeeper Tom King, who missed the trip to Fleet, returns to the squad, as does Forest Green youngster Dan Martin.
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Shortwood United joint boss Alex Sykes keen to extend the season
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Gloucester man faces charge of stealing canal boat at Saul
A MAN alleged to have stolen a canal boat is set to stand trial.
Bernard Leslie Smith, 51, of Byron Avenue, Podsmead, Gloucester, is charged with stealing the Cushie Butterfield from Saul Junction in August last year.
The vessel, worth between £16,000 and £17,000, is also alleged to have suffered approximately £10,000-worth of damage.
Smith appeared before Stroud Magistrates' Court this morning, where the bench passed the case on to Gloucester Crown Court for a hearing on May 16.
Saul Junction is where the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and the under-restoration Stroudwater Navigation meet.
The charge, under the 1968 Theft Act, is that between August 1 and 25 last year, Smith stole the Cushie Butterfield belonging to Arthur Roger Best from Parkend Bridge, Castle Lane, Saul.
No pleas have been entered at this stage.
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Longlevens close on Gloucestershire County League title
Longlevens could be crowned champions of the Gloucestershire County League with a win against Berkeley Town on Saturday.
A 2-1 victory over Ellwood saw James French's side move to 67 points and into an almost unassailable position in top spot.
Victory for Longlevens at Hanham Athletic on Wednesday night would mean that only King's Stanley would be able to catch James French's men on 70 points.
The leaders didn't have it all their own way on Saturday as Ellwood had the better of the early exchanges and led 1-0.
Darryl Addis has already forced Mark Harris into a good save before Gary Wildin hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the net to give the Foresters the lead.
Dave Rich almost levelled the scores before the break but a good save by Dane Adams denied the Longlevens man.
The equaliser came just two minutes into the second half with Brad Martin netting at the far post after a fine Shaun O'Connor cross.
The winner came at the midpoint of the second half as Nick Humphreys turned sharply on the edge of the box and fired low past Adams.
At the other end of the table, Berkeley Town are trying to complete a great escape after looking doomed to relegation all season.
The Hunters claimed a 4-2 win against Bristol Academy to pull within two points of Yate Town Reserves with four games of the season remaining.
Hosts Yate took the lead on two minutes as Marcus Thatcher set up Toby Waterman to score.
Berkeley levelled on 11 minutes with a superb strike from the edge of the box by Sam Gillison, only for Dave Sims-Burgess to fire the Academy back in front four minutes later.
Berkeley's Joe Blakeney levelled the scores before the break and further goals from Sam Strickland and Paul Brooks in the second half ensured that the points returned to the Nuclear Power Station ground.
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April Meeting: Simon Claisse happy with race entries for Cheltenham Racecourse
Director of racing Simon Claisse said he was happy with the quality of the early entries for the 14 races at the April Meeting.
The two-day fixture, which starts on Wednesday, features seven races each day with the first race due off at 2.05pm.
The meeting – the final one at the course this season for professional jockeys – is relatively low key compared with the Festival but is still expected to attract top owners, trainers and riders.
Among the leading trainers expected to have runners are Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Jonjo O'Neill and Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Claisse said: "The entries look strong and I'm pleased with them.
"It's the last chance for professional jockeys to ride here, as the season draws to a close for them.
"But we've got two valuable cards and expect to have some very decent racing but perhaps without the frenetic pace we have off the track that we're used to in March."
The development of the new grandstand is under way with the aim of it being ready in time for the 2016 Festival.
It means the area around the Tote terrace – the annual members' bar at the Festival – will be cordoned off and the Lawn Bar will not be available for owners and trainers.
Other facilities will be provided and information about them will be included in the racecard.
The area around Hurdler's Hall, the See You Then Bar and the Betfred betting shop at the top of the paddock will also be closed to the public.
There will be catering outlets and bookmaker pitches in front of these areas to replace the facilities.
Claisse said: "Work started last week on the Tote Terrace and they've made excellent progress with that.
"There will be no work going on during the two days of racing, but there will be some hoardings that racegoers will be directed around."
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Mission accomplished, but Gloucester City still have a job to do, says boss Tim Harris
TIM Harris is not a man for resting on his laurels, despite being able to declare mission accomplished in Gloucester City's battle to avoid the drop from Skrill North.
Saturday's battling point against Vauxhall Motors secured City a sixth season of Conference North football – something that looked a pipe dream when Harris took over at the end of February.
But a run of six wins, two draws and only one defeat since taking the reins full time have propelled City up the table and secured their place in the division with four games remaining.
City welcome rock-bottom Workington to Whaddon Road tonight (7.45pm) for the first of four games that Harris believes will offer his side a good test of their credentials.
"When I took charge if I had been offered the chance to be safe in the league with four games to go, then I would have taken it," Harris said.
"It was a tall order to do and to get 20 points from the games we've had has been a testament to the efforts of the players in that time.
"And while it may be a case of job done, it's also a time when the hard work starts too.
"We now have four games against teams all of whom have different challenges ahead of them, from Workington at the bottom to Telford who are pushing for the title.
"Those four games are great tests for the character of my lads, of how we deal with playing in different situations."
Injury-hit City started poorly against Vauxhall and were two goals down approaching half-time before Jack Harris headed home to start a fight back.
Nat Jarvis' first City goal earned a share of the spoils and despite still being short of midfield options, Harris will be demanding much better for the visit of the basement boys.
Adam Mann returns to the squad to beef up the attacking options, but the game has come just too early for striker Charlie Griffin and loan midfielder Joe Hanks.
"It was going to be a tall order on Saturday because we were unbalanced but we fought back to gain a point, which was a positive," Harris said.
"Despite being unbalanced there was no excuse for the performance in the first half on Saturday and we know we have to be much better than that."
Tonight's game will be free for all supporters under the age of 18 as City trial an offer that will be available throughout the 2014/15 season.
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April Meeting: Fergal O'Brien targeting more success at Cheltenham Racecourse
Fergal O'Brien is targeting more success at the April Meeting at Cheltenham as he bids to sign off the best season of his burgeoning training career in style.
He is preparing for the start of the two-day fixture on Wednesday after chalking up 43 winners this term, his highest tally since he left his role as Nigel Twiston-Davies' head lad to set up on his own at Cilldara Stud in the autumn of 2011.
O'Brien, who rents the Fossebridge stable from top jockey Timmy Murphy, underlined his training prowess to a wider audience when saddling 33-1 shot Alvarado to finish fourth in the Grand National at Aintree 10 days ago.
He is aiming to reinforce his growing reputation with more success at the April Meeting, when course winners Bradley and Down Ace are among his likely runners.
"I'm very pleased with how this season has gone," he said.
"We had a quiet patch in the middle during the really bad weather and didn't have many runners, but they've started to run a bit better again lately, so I'm happy.
"If someone had said at the start of the season that we'd have 43 winners, we'd win two Listed races with two different horses, been fourth in the Grand National, had a treble on a Saturday and a double at Cheltenham, you'd take it every year.
"You always wants to do better but we've probably done as well as we can really.
"I don't think we've missed many opportunities, and the horses have been running well, so it's been a good season.
"Last year we had 28 winners from around 25 horses and I didn't do any point-to-pointing this year so we had about 40 horses.
"We had a great summer/autumn last year and that all helped.
"I'm very lucky that I've got patient owners and the horses are starting to come right now and it's paying dividends.
"We've got great facilities here and Timmy Murphy is a good landlord and I'm lucky to have the backing of Chris Coley.
"Without Chris things wouldn't have happened so easily,"
Bradley is set to run in the Auriga Network Handicap Chase (3.50pm) over about three miles on the second day of the April Meeting, Thursday.
The five-time winner gained his second Cheltenham success a couple of years ago and bounced back from a below-par run at Uttoxeter to finish fifth behind Hey Big Spender at Ascot last time out.
O'Brien is hoping Bradley will put his best foot forward again on Thursday, when he could again lock horns with Hey Big Spender.
"He ran great last time at Ascot in a decent-enough race," said O'Brien. "He's better going right-handed but he's got good form around Cheltenham."
Down Ace won six races in a row before coming up short at the Festival, finishing 13th behind the brilliant Quevega in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.
Seventh at Newbury last time out, she has a chance to regain winning form for O'Brien in the OLBG.com Supports Mares' Jump Racing Mares' Handicap Hurdle on Thursday.
O'Brien: "She was disappointing at Cheltenham – I don't know why – but didn't run too badly next time at Newbury.
"If we hadn't run her at Cheltenham she might have been a bit closer at Newbury, but she's a lovely mare."
While his stablemates compete for more silverware, Alvardo has already started his holidays following his heroics under Paul Moloney for owners the Rucker family at Aintree.
A winner at Cheltenham in November, the nine-year-old used his staying power to good effect to bely his long odds and finish behind only Pineau De Re, Balthazar King and Double Seven.
"That was fantastic," said O'Brien. "He's a wonderful horse and he's always been very talented.
"He won a nice race at Cheltenham on a Saturday – he is a good horse.
"For the Ruckers and jockey Paul Moloney to have been placed in the race six years in a row is pretty phenomenal as well.
"I started with Tim Forster and he had three Grand National winners and when I was at Nigel's for all those years we had a couple of Grand National winners and that's what we all love doing."
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Paramedic's sexual misconduct case thrown out on technicality
CRIMINAL charges against a paramedic who had a sexual relationship with one of his patients have been dropped on a legal technicality.
Mark Camp, 58, was charged with misconduct while in public office following the brief relationship last year.
Prosecutor Janine Wood told Gloucester Crown Court a case in the Court of Appeal in February had established that a paramedic could not be deemed as someone holding "public office".
She requested the charges against Mr Camp of The Links, in Coleford, be dropped.
Defending, Joe Maloney said Mr Camp had since resigned from his job with the ambulance service after the allegation was made.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC ordered defence costs of £420 be paid for the defendant's previous appearances at court.
Mr Camp's employer, the South Western Ambulance Service, said he had been dismissed from his position, as he had not formally tendered a letter of resignation.
Melanie Glanville, senior communications officer at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The trust carried out an internal investigation into the incident and the findings led to the paramedic being dismissed from the service."
Mr Camp was approached by the Citizen to comment on the court ruling, but declined.
Mr Camp said he wanted to "put the incident behind him".
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was also asked for a comment on the incident, but declined.
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The 'managed closure' of mines in England stir memories of the industry's heyday in the Forest of Dean
MEMORIES of the mining heydays of the Forest of Dean have been reignited as two deep pits in the North of England are set to close this year.
When "coal was king" around 7,000 men and boys were involved in mining operations across the district and it has been said there were more people working below the ground than there were above before the last deep pit was closed on Christmas Eve in 1965.
And as the Government recently announced the "managed closure" of UK Coal pits in North Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, which will result in the loss of 1,300 jobs, Forest historian John Belcher has reflected on his family's connections with the industry.
"The closure of the last deep pit mine had a terrible impact because we were suddenly without industry and the standard of living went down," said Mr Beltcher, 72, who is holding an exhibition on mining and the Forest at the Dean Heritage Centre.
Mr Beltcher said his maternal grandfather worked at Foxes Bridge colliery coal mine for 58 years from the age of 12, where he started as a 'hod boy' charged with dragging coal out on sleds and he later became a shaft inspector.
Mr Belcher said: "He reckoned it was such a large area underground that he could stand underneath his house and if he could go straight up he would get home for tea much quicker."
After 50 years, his grandfather Jim Fox was presented with a certificate in recognition of "50 years loyal and efficient service to the mining industry and the country."
Mr Belcher added: "That is what you got when you finished; a piece of paper and not a pension.
"It was unusual to go on until the age of 70 but he lived until he was 96 and the strange thing was he smoked a pipe all of his life, and he was never without one in his mouth or in his hand."
Mr Belcher said coal mining was an extremely important industry in the Forest for around 200 years before employees at Northern United worked their last shift in the district of Dean on December 24, 1965.
In the nineteenth century, there were said to be more than 300 workings in the Forest alone and many people also worked digging up iron ore or quarrying stone.
Much of this mineral wealth was brought down on the new railways tracks laid to Lydney Docks where it could be shipped out by the barge-load along the waters of the Severn.
Millions of tons of coal were taken from the ground but the industry came to an end after supplies were close to being exhausted and what was left of the fossil fuel was so difficult to reach and expensive machinery had to be used to extract it.
The Government decided the pits should close if they were not making a profit, which Mr Belcher described as a tragedy and said unemployment hit a 12 per cent low.
The Forest's last iron mine also closed in 1946.
Mr Belcher added: "Coal was the most important industry in the Forest – everything became coal orientated. The Forest was a very strange place at one time as it was between two rivers with heavy industry in among the trees and we were very insular and inward looking. We didn't like people from the outside and people from the outside didn't like us. I think people in Gloucester still think we live in trees now.
"We still have 500 years-worth of coal in Britain but they don't like it because it is dirty.
"I think the coal industry will be dead in this country in a few years' time and all of the pits will be gone."
The Government has recently announced that is loaning UK Coal £10million for the "managed closure" of pits in Kellingley, North Yorkshire, and Thoresby, Nottinghamshire, which are expected to be wound down by next year.
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Frenzy as Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis visits Gloucester
Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis made his own pitch when he turned up in Gloucester city centre today to offer food to people on the Cross.
The 54-year-old was filming for The One Show with James and Becka Oram, the new owner's of Hedley's cafe, in Westgate Street.
But his appearance caused a frenzy on the Cross and people gathered around to catch a glimpse of the popular TV face and self-made millionaire who is behind firms such as stationery chain Ryman, lingerie shop La Senza and homeware specialist Robert Dyas.
He handed out free samples of Hedley's food to help them with their market research. Under the glare of a TV camera, city centre visitors were asked what they thought of the grub.VIDEO: Frenzy as Theo Pathitis comes to Gloucester
Cynthia Tyne, from Barton, munched on a chorizo wrap but she was more interested in meeting Theo. She said: "I've never met anyone famous before and I loved watching him on Dragons' Den.
"It has made my day. I was only stood on the Cross waiting for someone so this was a bonus. The wrap was very good too."
Theo took out some time out of his hectic filming schedule to chat to the Citizen. He said: "Gloucester looks lovely in the sunshine. I'm delighted to be here helping to put the city on the map.
"It is good to see so many people out today helping to put money into the shops.
"I'm just here doing a bit of market research. They are a small business and they have taken a risk by selling their house to invest in it with the hope of turning it into a national success."
Theo, who left Dragons' Den in 2012, will be returning in six months time to see how the couple have got on at the cafe.VIDEO: Theo hands out food on the Cross
One onlooker who tried to get a glimpse of him said: "I tried to get a photo but being seven months pregnant I couldn't catch him."
Another said: "I can't believe that's Theo. He looks younger than on the telly. He seems like a really nice guy too."
He posed for pictures with adoring fans and wandered freely around the Cross inviting people to sample the food.
Hedley's is one of four businesses being featured on The One Show.
James, who took over the cafe in January, said: "It has been great to have Theo with us. He's full of useful ideas.
"The good thing is that people seemed to like the food and they thought our cakes were well priced."
James and his wife Becka say they have big plans for Hedley's cafe.
Having moved from London and taken over the popular cafe in Westgate Street in January, the couple have already set their sights on expanding the business and opening up new branches across Gloucestershire.
James said: "We want to come to the country with our two children, Louise, who is seven, and Scarlet, who is 10, so this seemed like the perfect spot.
"We are really excited to have taken over the business.
"The tourists know how to find us but we are keen to show off the cafe to more people who are in Gloucester.
"Westgate Street has been hit lately with a few cafe closures which is unfortunate but we know that people do love an independent coffee shop."
The business is also much more than just a shop front – they also run a catering and buffet department with a fleet of vehicles from a base in Brockworth.
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Fishmonger Malcolm Smith: Why I'll quit Eastgate Market
POPULAR fishmonger Malcolm Smith says he is considering quitting Eastgate Market in favour of a market which has headhunted him – as the row deepens over whether the market should move or stay.
Eastgate Market traders are being presented with three alternative locations as The Eastgate shopping centre bosses push ahead with a plan to replace them with a TK Maxx store.
But traders are adamant that they do not want to be moved upstairs as they feel it will kill their businesses.
But Mr Smith, who has a veteran of the market, having run a stall there for 35 years, has been approached by a market in Pontypool, Wales, to jump ship. He has been offered rent half the price of Gloucester in a market that has just enjoyed a £2.5million revamp.
He said: "I don't want to leave Gloucester because I am the only independent fishmonger now but I have to think about our future and Pontpool is a market for the future. They are investing in the future of their market – why can we do the same in Gloucester?
"We have had some very good years here in recent times but if we are moved upstairs we will close down in no time at all."
Miriam Bubb, spokesman for the market traders, said: "It would be a real shame to lose Malcolm and it makes you wonder if other traders will also be approached.
"This market has survived in this location for 45 years. We want to protect the city's heritage and we don't believe moving upstairs will do that."
Gloucester City Council has said it will present three options for relocating and the associated costs for traders by the end of May. In June they will conduct research on the streets of Gloucester, and after that traders will have to make their final decision on whether to stay or move.
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Elderly woman sought by police over theft of £60 decanters from charity shop
POLICE want to talk to an elderly woman in connection with the theft of two crystal decanters from a charity shop in Kendrick Street, Stroud in February.
The items, valued at £60, were taken at noon on Monday, February 24. She is described as white and 60 to 70-years-old. She was wearing a threequarter length raincoat and was pushing a square shopping trolley.
Anyone who recognises the woman captured on the town's CCTV system is urged to call 101, quoting incident 391 of February 24.
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Pensioner given curfew for killing Churchdown grandma in crash
Pensioner, Fredrick Bowers, has been given a three month curfew after causing the death of a 'kind hearted grandmother.
The 70-year-old said he did not see Kathleen Wood, 86, when she was walking across the zebra crossing near Tesco in Churchdown on November 19, last year.
Bowers of Station Road in Newnham was banned from driving for a year at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
He said he was genuinely remorseful for the crash on Cheltenham Road East and pleaded guilty to causing Mrs Wood's death by driving without due care and attention.
Prosecutor Teresa Perry said retired Bowers was driving his red Peugeot 206 in the morning on the B4063, where the zebra crossing had been installed four weeks earlier.
She told the court: "She was using that crossing and it was her priority and unfortunately while she was crossing he did not see her and drove across it without stopping.
"Unfortunately she suffered serious injuries and died as a result of her injuries.
"He remained on the scene and told police that he did just not see the pedestrian and the first he knew was when the lady hit the windscreen.
"Witnesses had said they had seen the pedestrian and they were surprised he had not slowed.
"He was genuinely remorseful for his actions and said he did not see the lady crossing."
She said Bowers failed an eye test at the scene, but passed one later, which was put down to the stress and trauma of the smash.
Ms Perry added there was no suggestion he was speeding and his car was in roadworthy condition.
She read a victim statement, from Mrs Wood's daughter, Yvonne Tyler, she said her mum had lived in Parklands for the past nine years and they had a very close relationship.
The court heard the grandmother of six was a member of the St John's Church congregation and saw her daughter every day.
The statement read: "While she was 86 she was independent and would often help others.
"She was of surprising good health and never complained about aches and pains.
"She was not only my mum, but my best friend.
"She was very kind and she was always on my side.
"I am finding it very difficult to understand and accept – she will not get the opportunity to see my daughter get married this year.
"I feel she has been taken away from us and the driver has taken her away."
Defending David Adams told the court it was clearly a very sad and tragic case.
He said: "This is a gentleman who has been driving for around 50 years. He has no previous driving convictions and no points on his licence.
"My view is this is a case that can be dealt with a community order.
"He has never been in trouble before and there is a low risk of reconviction.
"There has been an interim driving ban and this gentleman has expressed the view he is not contemplating driving any time soon."
District judge Joti Bopa-Rai said: "Obviously this is a difficult time for the family. I am sorry for their loss and no matter what I do nothing is going to bring this lady back.
"There is no bad driving going over the speed limit it appears to be a momentary lapse."
She told Mrs Wood's family: "I do have sympathy with the family and I would like to pay the court's respect to the lady who has gone.
"This gentleman's car was roadworthy, there was no sign of bad driving, he was in the speed limit and it seems he made an error.
"When it is a case of momentary lapse of concentration then I have got to look at a community level sentence."
She ruled out unpaid work because of Bowers' age and ill health and said supervision would be of no benefit in the case.
She ordered he was the subject of a three month curfew, from 8pm to 7am, and pay £60 victim surcharge and barred him from driving for a year.
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Dog-napper fears after owner believes pointers stolen near Stroud
DOG-nappers may be operating in the Stroud area.
A dog walker told police she was walking her English Pointers along King Charles Lane in Slad when she lost sight of them around a bend.
One began to bark and a vehicle was heard with its engine running. She told police that the barking became muffled and as the vehicle was heard to drive off the barking got quieter as if the dog was in the vehicle.
One of the dogs was later found near King Charles Lane and the other was found on Steanbridge Lane after approximately 45 minutes of searching on Sunday, April 6 and the dog that had been barking was very distressed, said police.
Both dogs are black and white English Pointers of pedigree show stock. Dog walkers are urged to be vigilant. Information on how to secure a dog can be found on the rural crime section at www.gloucestershire.police.uk
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Fire crews race to Amberley house blaze
FIRE crews raced to the scene of a blaze in Amberley on Sunday.
Although no-one was hurt, the ground and first floors were said to have been severely damaged.
After being called out at 2.13pm, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was on the scene at 2.25pm, with two crews from Stroud, and one each from the retained stations at Painswick and Nailsworth.
The cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious.
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City centre bollards have landed at last
VAN drivers who flout the pedestrian-only rule in the city's Gate streets will soon be blocked by automatically rising bollards.
The bollards are currently being installed in Eastgate Street, near Primark and Mecca Bingo.
Other bollards will be installed in Northgate Street, Westgate Street and Southgate Street in the next fortnight.
Manual bollards have already been installed in the side streets further along Eastgate Street, such as Kingsbarton Street, which will be used on Friday and Saturday nights to make the nighttime economy safer.
Justin Hudson, owner of Butlers bar, in Eastgate Street, said: "I am absolutely overjoyed that this is happening at long last. It is long overdue.
"My customers are delighted. The feedback we have had is 100 per cent positive. It means they are going to have a better night out because it will be safer. It is a wonder that no one has been knocked down yet.
"These bollards will free the road up of cars and it will help to reduce anti-social behaviour in the evenings, which the traders are having to deal with."
The daytime automated bollards in the Gate streets are being put in to make the shopping streets safer between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Councillor Paul Toleman (C, Westgate), who originally came up with the idea as city centre champion for Gloucester City Council, said: "It is on days like this when the weather is so nice that we want to be able to create an outdoor cafe culture, which is no good if you have vans hurtling down the street.
"These new bollards will put pay to that and we can get on with creating the right atmosphere in our city centre streets."
The installation of the bollards on Eastgate Street has led to some temporary road closures.
The scheme has cost Gloucester City Council £100,000 and the money has come from the City Centre Investment Fund, a £2million pot of money from the sale of land at St Oswald's to make way for the Tesco store.
The new traffic restrictions were approved by councillors in February 2013 to restrict access by all vehicles, except emergency services and certain specific exemptions, between 10am and 4pm seven days a week.
In a report to councillors, Anthony Hodge, head of regeneration, said: "The main objective is to create a much more clearly defined and enforceable pedestrian zone so that a safer and more attractive shopping environment is maintained."
Only yesterday two vans were seen driving through the Cross, weaving their way through busy streets of pedestrians.
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Champions Newent see off the challenge from Bristol Saracens
Newent 17
Bristol Saracens 5
Newent made sure of the Gloucester Premier title and another promotion after beating their main rivals for the crown.
The second-placed 'Green Army' needed to beat leaders Saracens by a margin of more than seven points to claim top spot on superior points difference and they did so in emphatic style with their 20th victory in 22 fixtures.
The home side were on the scoreboard as early as the third minute when inside centre Ross Webb knocked over a penalty from the 22 for 3-0.
Good defence by Saras then kept Newent out at a five-metre scrum moments later.
More good pressure let Webb double his side's tally on 28 minutes when he knocked over a second penalty from inside Bristol's 22.
Newent scrum-half James Dean then set up the first try of the contest three minutes later when he shot up the blindside at a scrum and sent over left wing Will Mansfield in the left-hand corner.
Webb could not add the tough extras from out wide, leaving it 14-0 at the break.
The home team made a great start to the second period when they snatched a long Bristol lineout, after the visitors had kicked a threatening penalty into the corner.
Newent had more defending to do inside their half on 52 minutes.
They passed the test with flying colours after clearing the ball to safety following more Saracens pressure.
Newent's rearguard was under pressure again on 55 minutes when Bristol kicked another penalty into the corner. More good defence again saw the ball cleared away.
Bristol grabbed their only points of the game two minutes short of the hour when their forwards rumbled over the whitewash with a catch-and-drive lineout.
The Saracens fly-half could not improve the score, leaving it 14-5 to Newent.
Webb made sure of victory with just two minutes left when he knocked through another penalty from the 22.
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Bream clinch title with victory over Old Colstonians
Old Colstonians 24
Bream 64
Bream travelled to Bristol to play Old Colstonians knowing they had to win to stand any chance of promotion to Gloucester Premier.
They did not disappoint the coachload of supporters, with big games from player-coach Dave Emery and fly-half Curtis Russell.
Four first-half tries by Russell (2), Emery and wing Joel Lesperance set the standard for what was to come .
Bream were guilty of missing some tackles, which allowed Colstonians to stay in the game with two tries in the first half.
After a stern talking-to from coach Emery, Bream started the second half in a different frame of mind .
They started to dominate territorially and their forwards were beginning to get on top of the Colstonians pack.
Colstonians were warned several times by the referee for misdemeanours and in the end he awarded a penalty try.
A purple patch saw Bream run in three more tries from Andrew Cooper (2) and centre Lee Turley.
Bream then relaxed and allowed Colstonians in for two more tries.
But Bream were not going to let Colstonians spoil the party. Russell was still causing havoc in the Colstonians defence with his searing runs and he added one more try to his tally.
The ever-present Zowie Preest then bagged one to keep himself at the top of Bream's try-scoring table.
Coach Emery said: "I am pleased with the way we have gone about our business this season and a big thank-you to the boys who have helped out, especially over the last four weeks or so with injuries."
Captain Rich Thomas said: "I am really proud of the boys for their effort and hard work this season to get the results we needed."
With the news coming through that Longlevens had beaten Cheltenham Saracens, Bream were soon celebrating not only promotion but winning the Gloucester One title as well.
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Scarecrows bring cash and visitors to Chalford
SCARECROWS are bringing visitors and cash rolling in to Chalford.
Organisers may have to print more maps after 200 were given out over the weekend to people eager to spot all 76 scarecrows.
Already £700 has been raised - last year's event paid for an outdoor table tennis table in the village.
"We have had 1,000 maps printed and already 700 have gone," said one of the organisers, Debbie Young. "People are coming from all over and really enjoying it."
The trail opened on Saturday, April 12 and runs daily until Easter Monday, April 21. Maps will be on sale from Vale House, High Street, Chalford from 10am until 5pm.
Businesses including Pangolin Editions, put out scarecrows too.
Tea, coffee and cakes will be served at the Peter Joy estate agency-sponsored event, and prizes have been donated by Giffords Circus and Lavender Bakehouse.
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Longlevens spoil the party for Cheltenham Saracens
Longlevens 45
Cheltenham Saracens 38
Cheltenham Saracens gained the losing bonus point needed to achieve promotion to Gloucester Premier, but third-placed Longlevens produced an amazing second-half display to dampen their party following six second-half tries and snatch victory in the final minutes to remain unbeaten in 2014.
In the wake of their Junior Vase semi-final match this Saturday at Battersea Ironside, Longlevens still had their minds focused on gaining promotion against Saracens, who they beat 34-22 in the opening game of the season.
The hosts welcomed back Jake Kitson following five weeks out with a knee injury to provide a timely boost.
However, the visitors produced a fine first-half display, which saw their powerful pack score four tries.
While Longlevens' defence was strong, pressure told and following two yellow cards for Mark Hancock and Dave Edwards, tries were conceded.
Before the break, Longlevens managed to work an opening for wing Harry Yorke to dart through and dive in near the posts to give them hope.
Longlevens came out fighting and two quick tries from Tom Evans and a length-of-the-pitch interception try from fly-half Ross Preedy raised their spirits.
However, Saracens came back at Longlevens with another try from their full-back, effectively killing the game off.
The last 15 minutes saw Longlevens run everything at their opponents with Tom Griffith's carving up the backline with ease and eventually being rewarded with a fine solo try.
Yorke then added another try to put Longlevens level with five minutes remaining.
Longlevens' hearts were in their mouths when they conceded a kickable penalty almost instantly from the returning kick-off, which the Saracens fly-half slotted to send their large travelling support into jubilation.
The party was spoilt with minutes remaining when elusive full-back Tom Evans avoided a handful of tackles to create a three-on-one overlap, which sent Griffiths free to offload to Yorke, who beat the cover defence and secure Longlevens victory.
Mike Hagan was again in fine kicking form, slotting five of seven conversions mostly from the touchline.
Longlevens take on Battersea Ironside this weekend for a place at Twickenham on May 5.
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Teenagers should 'clean up' their social media profiles when applying for jobs
TEENAGERS are being advised to create a positive online presence to impress future employers or universities.
With many employers now looking at social media profiles, careers advisers are warning youngsters to be aware of what they post online.
It needs more than a tidy CV for the next generation of job-hunters, with parents being advised to make sure their offspring are aware of how they are presented in the online world.
Steve Weldon, student guidance manager at Gloucestershire College, said his team offer advice to students on how to make the most of their web presence.
"Teenagers need to constantly realise that everything they post online is available for people to see," he said.
"They need to ensure that their social media profiles only show employers what they want them to see.
"They have to give off the right impression online.
"Employers do look at it."
However, Mr Weldon also said that social media is a great way of enhancing chances of getting a job by using it to network, set up video CVs or create a profile on LinkedIn.
"It is a double edged sword," he said.
"But it comes down to profile branding which is a growing term.
"Understanding that everything you put online is all part of building your own brand and that needs to be something that is positive."
In a recent survey by arbitration service Acas, 45 per cent of those involved in hiring staff said they were already using social media tools in recruitment, including screening candidates by viewing their profiles.
Mark Owen, chairman of the Gloucester branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said more and more firms are looking at social media during the recruitment process.
"It's not something that I have done however without a shadow of a doubt more businesses are doing it," he said.
"Recruiting someone is a serious investment in a company.
"The repercussions of getting it wrong are huge on both sides.
"Everybody should be aware of their online persona and the way they portray themselves online.
"Young people need to think twice about what they put out there for the world to see.
"At the same time employers should remember that they were young once."
Peter Carr, deputy chief executive, GFirst LEP added: "Young people need to carefully consider the images and content of what they post on social media sites as it could potentially be viewed by prospective employers to help assess their suitability for the role in terms of their personal capabilities, skills, education, experience and conduct in the workplace.
"If any young person aged over 18 would like some support or advice with applying for work and training please contact our Employment and Skills Team on 0800 002 9838."
How can parents help?
Understand how your teenager is presenting themselves online by following these key steps:• Search for your teenager's name online, along with their home town, school or club and see what appears – if any of their social media posts show up in the searches, advise them to change their privacy settings to 'friends' only• Assess what different types of devices your teenager has access to, for example games consoles, computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and web cams – ensure these are securely managed• Know which social networking sites your teenager is using, for example Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online chat – help them optimise privacy and security settings.
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