GLOUCESTER Athletic Club's Richard De-Camps has been in sparkling form in recent weeks.
He sat off some erratic pace-making to place fourth in the men's 800 metres at the British Milers Club Grand Prix event in Trafford registering a new personal best time of 1.54.42.
De-Camps then followed that with an even better time of 1.54.04 has he landed fourth place again at the BMC event in Oxford.
"I'm really happy to chip a few more tenths off my best, but frustrated not to dip under 1:54. Hopefully that will come in the next week or so", he said.
Rose-Anne Galligan was also in action at the Trafford meeting, placing fifth in the women's 800 metres in 2:04.37.
Galligan then travelled home to her native Ireland to compete in the National Championships where she was runner-up in the 800 metres final in 2.09.14.
Gloucester Athletic Club members scooped a host of personal bests at the Midsummer Open Meeting at Cheltenham.
In the rarely-run 150 metres, Dayna Willoughby, Alidia Vaile, Christine Campbell, Jada George and Ian Willoughby all set new best times, while there were new personal bests in the 300 metres for Kelly Constable and Matt Powell.
In the 800 metres, Jude Dowdeswell took nearly three seconds off her personal best while training partner Briony Bishop lowered her 1500 metres best time by a second. Versatile Tara Sladen also set a new best time in the 300 metres hurdles.
Megan Teague continued her rich vein of form when setting a new personal best in the triple jump and there were event wins for Charlotte Stallard and Ellen Thrall (hammer) and Tom Beckett (triple jump).
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Runner Richard De-Camps in sparkling form
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Apple Mac geek suspected of stealing magazines in Stroud
A COMPUTER geek has been stealing hundreds of pounds-worth of magazines from the same newsagent for three years, it is believed.
Police officers believe specialist Apple Mac computer magazines worth a total of £600 have been stolen from the WH Smith store in King Street, Stroud by the same man since 2011.
In the latest incident, shortly after 10am on Wednesday, July 9, a man picked up a copy of iCreate, ripped the barcode off and walked out without paying.
Investigating police have released two images of a man who they hope can help with their inquiries.
He was described as white, 6ft tall, of medium to heavy build, in his 60s and with short, white hair. He was wearing blue jeans, a navy jacket, a white striped shirt and sunglasses clipped to his shirt.
Anyone who recognises him should call 101, quoting incident 139 of July 9, and ask to speak to PC 1252 Gillan.
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Fish and chips with your pint, sir? Churchdown pub opens up in-house chippy
ENJOYING a pint and a portion of 'popcorn cockles' is hoped will catch on at a Churchdown pub.
Not only does the Bat and Ball, in Church Road, now boast its own posh chippy, but it was declared open by the lead singer of the Chip Shop Boys last week.
Singer Tommy Lewis, who lives in the village, performed at the pub, which wants to move away from the "deep fried Mars bar" image.
Chef Chris Lovell said: "The idea is that somebody can come and have a pint and a fresh fish nibble.
"We are trying to take it down a fresher route and get away from the deep fried Mars bar image, if you like. But this is without being pretentious and the prices are exactly the same but we are trying to bring something in a little better."
Fresh fish from Brixham, in Devon, is being prepared with a range of batters which are made with a range of ingredients including guest ales and sparking spring water which results in a crispier finish.
Deep fried cockles are also on the menu as is the 'day boat board', a platter of "more expensive" fish including sea bass and mullet.
Angie Burdus, landlord at the Bat and Ball, which she has run for 15 years, said: "We had the Indian restaurant in here and it has just been sat vacant for a while and it was about doing something with it.
"There is a need in the village for a fish and chip shop down this end. We have an Indian and a Chinese, but nothing here fish and chip-wise."
She said her customers are enjoying the range of fish and chip products, including the popcorn cockles which are proving popular.
Angie added: "I have seen them but I have not been brave enough to try them; they are the chef's own recipe."
She said the pub "was rocking" when Tommy Lewis turned up.
"The Fish and Chip Boys are a very, very popular local band," she added.
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Family day out at Head for Heights for the James Hopkins Trust
GLOUCESTERSHIRE families have been invited to a high-flying challenge for charity.
Rod Baber who runs Head 4 Heights, is holding the Family Climbing Challenge to raise money for the James Hopkins Trust.
The event will be held at the Cotswold Country Park where visitors can enjoy an exhilarating range of climbing, jumping and swinging activities, all in complete safety.
The James Hopkins Trust in Barnwood provides essential respite care for sick children and their families across the county.
The event will take place on August 13 from 10am until 5pm. To book a place, call 01452 612216.
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Replacing Gloucestershire's street lights with LEDs will save Shire Hall £17m over 25 years
Replacing tens of thousands of old street lights with 'green', cost cutting LEDs will help Gloucestershire County Council save millions of pounds.
Shire Hall chiefs are hunting for a contractor to take on a mammoth street light replacement and maintenance project worth £32 million over a maximum of 12 years.
The authority has already voted in favour of switching the county's out-dated orange lights with energy saving LEDs and now it needs someone to do the work.
The modern form of lighting uses less than half the energy of conventional sodium lights and the county council believes making the change will help save £17 million over the next 25 years.
At the moment the authority spends £2 million a year on its street light electricity bill.
The cost of replacing the existing lights with LEDs will cost about £21m and it is hoped the majority of the work will be completed within the next three to five years.
Councillor Vernon Smith (C, Tewkesbury East), cabinet member for highways and flood, said: "LED street lighting is now mainstream technology that councils up and down the country are investing in.
"It is environmentally friendly and we can focus the light so it can be reduced or increased where there might be a criminal problem, for example.
"It gives us flexibility and it will also reduce maintenance costs by 70 per cent.
"Using LED lights will also reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent.
"Wildlife organisations are overwhelmingly supportive too."
The county council is responsible for approximately 60,000 street lights.
Several thousand LEDs have already been installed across Gloucestershire thanks to a pilot programme.
Some concerns have been raised that the LED lights can be too bright or too dim.
The council has stressed they can be adjusted and Mr Smith said anyone with a problem light should contact the authority to find a solution.
Mr Smith said: "If there are any issues with the lights because of criminal activity or safety reasons or if it is next to a school or hospital, we will work with the community."
The county council is hoping to award a contract to its winning bidder by April next year.
The contract will be for an initial six year period and the county council will have the option to extend the deal for another six years.
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Council leaders to call on Government to fund £255million A417 'Missing Link'
COUNCIL leaders in Gloucestershire will lobby the Government to help fund their bid to fix the Missing Link.
The leaders of Gloucester City Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council will be asked to sign a letter requesting £255million for a dual carriageway between the Cowley roundabout and Brockworth on the A417.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited the A417 Air Balloon roundabout last week to see first hand the road which has become notorious for accidents, congestion and tragic deaths.
The stretch was named by the Highways Agency on a list of roads in the South West earmarked for improvement but the decision on whether the scheme will be taken on is yet to be made.
Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "We are well behind this campaign because although the road is outside of Gloucester, it has a big impact on the city.
"It affects our businesses and the economy of Gloucester. For example on the Gloucester Business Park it puts off businesses locating there because transport is difficult."
Jeremy Hilton, who raised the issue in a city council meeting last week, pictured, said: "The importance of securing the money cannot be underestimated. It is the main road between Gloucester and the south east of England."
The state of the road is also affecting businesses in Gloucester. Jim Rodgers, depot manager for haulage company Freightroute, based in Bristol Road, Gloucester said: "It's a brilliant idea to improve that stretch of road. If we have a time sensitive delivery to make and we get delayed then our customers won't appreciate us being late and we could lose money."
David Cooper, manager of Cooper RJ, which is based near to the A417, said: "It's absolutely vital for us that this work is done. There's always lots of traffic that trickles down to the roads near us.
"Most mornings drivers can be delayed for up to 20 minutes, and it's bad for businesses and people getting to work. There are also far too many accidents."
Tewkesbury Borough Council's leader Coun Robert Vines said: "I am delighted to pledge our support for the Missing Link campaign, and I hope our request for the funding needed for this solution will be taken very seriously by the Government."
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Brutality and horrors of First World War told in book of photographs found in Gloucester
STARK reminders of the brutality and suffering of the First World War have been found by a Gloucester resident.
A copy of Covenants with Death first published by the Daily Express in 1934, was found by Albert Hughes when he was having a clear-out at his home in Westgate Street.
The book, edited by TA Innes and Ivor Castle, has hundreds of photographs showing fighting in trenches, battles at sea and English homes destroyed by air raids.
Some of the more brutal pictures in the book depict dead bodies left in the trenches, prisoners hanging from trees and victims of famine.
Since finding the book, Albert, 90, has appealed for museums to take copies of the images for their exhibits. Albert, whose father served in the First World War in the Worcester Yeomanry, said: "I want to share this book with as many people as possible because I know I'm not going to be around for much longer.
"When I found the book I was quite surprised and I thought if I don't show people this book before I go then it's gone forever."
Albert, followed in his father's footsteps and fought in World War Two.
He also saw Belsen concentration camp during his service.
He said the book brings back memories of his own experiences.
"My father didn't say all that much about his experiences in the war," Albert said.
"All he told his children was how damp it was and we never asked questions.
"Children these days want to know about these things and ask more questions.
"It's enlightening to see nowadays so hopefully some of these pictures will be able to educate them."
On the cover of the book, the inscription says: "The purpose of this book is to reveal the horror, suffering and essential bestiality of modern war, and with that revelation, to warn the nation against the peril of foreign entanglements that must lead Britain to a new Armageddon.
"All the pictures are taken from authentic photographs."
Readers are given a warning before they reach the last 15 pages of the book of the "inescapably horrible" photos which end the album.
The warning reads: "But they are essential to a full view of the World War of terror.
"It is important that young folks growing up understand that they reproduce actual happenings when foreign nations go to war in the flood tide of hate."
Copies of the book are available to buy at online retailers for up to £80.
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The Adventures of Sinbad: With Gloucester Rugby star James Simpson-Daniel
Pre-season is taking shape
WE are now into the full swing of pre-season and it's great to be back in the squad environment, especially with plenty of optimism ahead of the big kick-off.
I had two weeks off where I went on holiday to Barbados but I was back at Hartpury more or less three weeks before anyone else trying to rehab my ankle.
Gradually all the boys started coming back in and it was only 10 or so of the international boys who were missing.
The boys were off last week but again I was in working on my ankle.
But they have all come back this week and we are pretty much up to full ranks which is great.
Paddy Anson took charge of the first few weeks and we got through a lot of conditioning work, then Nick Walshe turned up to a few sessions and he introduced the ball and started doing some skills stuff.
John Muggleton arrived last week and he's taking charge of this week with a big focus on defence.
Nick and John both seem like really good guys.
John is very self-assured and confident and he just wants to pass his experience onto the guys.
He has showed us the stats of last year and what is and isn't acceptable.
He has done some sessions this week and seeing the boys' faces and hearing what they were saying you can tell they have been very good.
He wants us to have so much information and preparation in terms of defence that there will be no excuses.
It is going to be detail, detail, detail so when you get to the match the guys will hopefully have much more confidence in what they are doing.
It's been pretty tough so far but you still feel there is more to come.
Last year we had 'Front up Fridays' where we went off to the Brecon Beacons and Yorkshire for army sessions and those kind of things.
Those days were very mentally challenging.
We have had nothing like that so far but the training has been very hard.
The boys have been completely flogged doing hill sprints. There's even been a few being sick.
All the sessions have been monitored with GPS tracking and heart rate monitors to make sure the boys are pushed to the limit.
That kind of thing might come in the next couple of weeks but they keep the details pretty quiet.
One of the first Fridays we were told the bus was departing at a certain time and straight away you started to wonder what lung-busting session we're letting ourselves in for.
Some of the boys were getting worried but when we arrived it was just a team building day – the kind of thing where you transfer logs through holes and build rafts.
It was a great day and while it wasn't particularly challenging physically it was tough and great for team bonding.
With so many new faces this year that is more important than ever, we need to break down any barriers and bond as soon as possible.
We need to get to know each other and to understand each other on the pitch.
Laurie Fisher is not here yet because the Brumbies are doing so well, Walshy is in and out and David Humphreys is not in until August 1.
We have to make sure we are comfortable with each other by the time they arrive because it is only a few weeks until our first pre-season games.New boys must still face initiations
THERE'S been a huge amount of change to the playing squad this summer but everyone that has come in has been great.
Greig Laidlaw came in and trained sooner than he was scheduled to because his wife was expecting a baby, and that just shows how much he wanted to be here.
He has massive respect from the boys for what he has done in his career and you can't help to compare him to Brush (Bryan Redpath).
He is a similar, small scrum-half and there are some comparisons in looks but we have to make sure we don't take the mick out of him like we did with Brush because he is a different personality. He is very professional and just goes about his job.
Then there are guys like John Afoa and Richard Hibbard who have been very open and up front from the start. Days like the team building are designed for exactly that and ensure all the guys open up.
There will definitely be some initiations for the new boys but there is some confusion over the head shave/milk challenge rules. There's talk of it not applying to those over 26-year-sold so we will see.
I'm not sure if Hibbard had it written into his contract that we couldn't do it but perhaps we will have to pull in the likes of Phil Vickery, Trevor Woodman and Andy Hazell to help.
If they start swinging there are some big boys so maybe we will have to get big John on side early and use his weight.
n I'm still on course to be there for the first games. The ankle has been testing but I'm getting there. I was running the other week and got a little bit of pain so eased off. It's just about getting the balance right between pain I have to live with and pain we have to get rid of.
We're all happy to play with knocks but we have to make sure it is right but I have done so much rehab and strength work that I don't think it will get a million times stronger. I'm still on target for the big kick-off
I'm still on course to be there for the first games. The ankle has been testing but I'm getting there. I was running the other week and got a little bit of pain so eased off. It's just about getting the balance right between pain I have to live with and pain we have to get rid of.
We're all happy to play with knocks but we have to make sure it is right but I have done so much rehab and strength work that I don't think it will get a million times stronger.
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Jonny May declares the best is yet to come
JONNY May has warned his rivals that his best is yet to come.
While the Gloucester wing, who scored 12 tries in 24 matches for the Cherry and Whites last season, enjoyed a breakthrough year on the international stage he was still not satisfied.
May started every encounter of England's Six Nations campaign but failed to fire on all cylinders upon his return to domestic action.
He still earned a place on the summer tour of New Zealand but was only selected for the first Test as Stuart Lancaster experimented with combinations.
But after reporting to pre-season training at Hartpury, following a well-earned break, the electric wing has declared he is desperate for more and can improve for both club and country.
He said: "It was a long season with the end being particularly intense, so my body definitely needs rest to get back to being 100 per cent.
"Looking back, it was a great season for me but I definitely have more to give, for Gloucester and for England.
"I know what I need to work on and I'm determined to be even better this year.
"I was a little disappointed to only play in the first Test but the coaches were clear that it wasn't a case of being dropped, it was a case of needing to see what others could do.
"They wanted to look at Manu (Tuilagi) and Ashy (Chris Ashton) on the wing.
"Come Autumn, they will pick on form and I'm feeling positive about my rugby and the progress I made.
"I pushed hard to get my starting place and I played six games in a row for England.
"It's like having a second club and I feel like a valued member of the squad now, but I still feel I haven't shown my best yet. The kind of person I am, I want more."
England suffered a double dose of heartbreak in the Land of the Long White Cloud, losing the first two Tests by a combined total of six points before the All Blacks twisted the knife in the third and final encounter.
But May is convinced England will benefit from the painful experience.
He added: "We went into that first Test against New Zealand as massive underdogs, missing all the boys playing in the Premiership final, but we did really well.
"We were kicking ourselves a bit because we had the opportunity to beat them in the first and second Test and those opportunities don't come along very often against a team like New Zealand.
"We may have lost the series 3-0 but we'll take a huge amount from it.
"We know they are not invincible and the fact we ran them so close twice will give our young team a lot of confidence"
May's Red Rose breakthrough completed a remarkable journey for the 24-year-old who gambled on a move to Hartpury College eight years ago.
The Swindon-flyer headed to the famous sporting institution to study a BTEC Dipolma in sport and it was here that his rugby career really took off.
He worked his way through the ranks and quickly established himself in the set-up winning the BUCS national universities title and the EDF Junior Vase with the Hartpury club side.
He has continued his studies while at Gloucester and is no rush to forget the college's contribution to his professional career.
He added: "When I came to Hartpury, I hadn't achieved much rugby-wise at all; county B squad at best.
"I improved massively while I was at college and winning those two finals at Twickenham with Hartpury was incredible.
"We barely lost a game that season, it was a really special time and my performances put me on Gloucester's radar.
"If I hadn't come to Hartpury, I honestly don't think I'd be where I am now.
"It was a risk at the time, doing a BTEC instead of A-levels, being the only person from my school to come to Hartpury and living away from home, but it has paid off massively for me."
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James Voss aims to follow in Jonny May's footsteps
AFTER following in the footsteps of Jonny May, James Voss is ready to hit the ground running at Hartpury College.
The second-row from Jersey became the first recipient of the Gloucester-Hartpury scholarship in the the summer.
He has been loving life in pre-season training with the Cherry and Whites and has now linked up with his Hartpury teammates and coaches.
He is enrolled in the same foundation degree in Sports Business Management that May undertook.
The unique scholarship covers Voss' accommodation and tuition fees to allow him the opportunity to pursue both rugby and education.
And he is relishing the opportunity to impress Gloucester while plying his trade with Hartpury in National League One.
He said: "Rugby is obviously what I want to do but it can be a very short career and I need to look at my options.
"I was told about the trial at Hartpury for the scholarship by my agent, and as it happened, I was playing in Bristol that weekend, so I stayed on to take part in the selection process.
"All I knew about Hartpury was that it was an established sports college but the trial gave me an insight into what life here could be like.
"It was an easy decision to accept the scholarship and get the chance to study and play here.
"It's definitely the best place to be as an elite sports person. You are surrounded by other people on sports courses and playing at a top level, so you really feel part of a community.
"The facilities at Hartpury are amazing and being involved with Gloucester - from the coaching to the gyms, the physio and the medical staff - it's a massive step-up.
"But I've been made really welcome by my team-mates and my coaches, and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone involved with the Hartpury set-up too.
"It's great being involved on both fronts, learning new skills that I can apply to my game.
"I'm ambitious and of course it's my dream to play in the Premiership but I just want to play at the best level I can and give it my all in every game I play."
It is hoped Voss will become the latest Cherry and White star to fall off the Hartpury conveyer belt
The likes of May, Billy Burns, Gareth Evans, Dan Robson, Tom Savage, Charlie Sharples, Elliott Stooke and Henry Trinder have all come through the system at the sporting college.
And Hartpury director of rugby Alan Martinovic (inset) reckons he has all the attributes to make that step up in the future.
He added: "James is a hugely exciting prospect and it's great to now have him on board.
"Of course, we already have a proven track record of working alongside Gloucester Rugby to ensure that players reach their full potential.
"The amount of students on our rugby programme who have gone on to play at the highest level are testament to that."
"The Gloucester-Hartpury scholarship is yet another important development in this hugely successful partnership.
"As well as supporting players with the potential to succeed in the professional game to develop their rugby career, it will help prepare them for life after sport - either through injury or retirement - by giving them a first-class education and the skills they will need to forge a career."
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Commonwealth Games open to huge cheers in Glasgow
The 2014 Commonwealth Games opened to huge cheers at Celtic Park tonight.
The stadium was packed as the moment many Scots - and people farther afield - have been waiting for since the end of the last Games in Delhi arrived.
The opening ceremony is the prelude to 11 days of top level sport which will see many of the best runners, swimmers and rugby sevens players on the planet take centre stage in Glasgow.
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Gloucestershire beaten by Worcestershire inside three days despite Liam Norwell's batting heroics
A RECORD-BREAKING finish added some humour to a horrible week as Gloucestershire slipped to a eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Worcestershire at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival.
Dominant for the best part of three days, Worcestershire were given an uncomfortable afternoon at the College Ground yesterday thanks to last-wicket pair Craig Miles and Liam Norwell.
The County Championship Division Two leasers still completed a convincing victory, but not before the large and loyal crowd had been treated to something special by that 10th wicket duo.
Coming together with 87 runs still needed to avoid an innings defeat, they not only ensured that Worcestershire would bat again, they did it in some style.
Dismissive of anything short or full, there was the odd cross-batted mow and moment of uncertainty, but there were some imperious strokes as well. And the locals loved it.
Norwell brought up his maiden half-century with a peach of a straight drive dismissing New Zealand paceman Mitchell McClenaghan, almost with disdain.
The burly Cornishman then broke the record for the highest score by a Gloucestershire number 11, beating the 61 made by Jon Lewis on the same ground and against the same opposition in 1999.
Then, with a savage back foot cut shot, Norwell took the partnership to 133 – the highest ever 10th wicket partnership for Gloucestershire: A record that had stood for 91 years.
Two balls and one crunching on drive later, Norwell was bowled by Charlie Morris for 78. He and Miles – who batted faultlessly for a career-best 62 – left the field to a standing ovation.
It was in sharp contrast to what had gone before. Needing to bat for two days in order to deny the Division Two leaders a win, Gloucestershire surrendered four wickets in the morning session.
Night-watchman Tom Smith had somehow made his way to nine before the pace and fire of Mitchell McClenaghan forced him to edge to Ben Cox behind the stumps.
In his next over the giant Kiwi struck an even more decisive blow after Will Tavare top-edged a pull having been done for pace and Charlie Morris ran from square leg to take the catch.
Alex Gidman then went on the offensive, stroking seven boundaries as he raced to 37 before misjudging the line from Jack Shantry and losing his bails.
Marshall then departed in the next over, edging behind for 15 as Worcestershire sensed an early finish while Will Gidman pushed one straight to Shantry at square leg off Morris' bowling.
Shantry claimed two more in quick succession, pinning Ian Cockbain on his pads for 15 and clipping the bails as Benny Howell shouldered arms having made his way to 24.
Adam Rouse added 15 before edging to Daryl Mitchell at second slip off Joe Leach and then Miles and Norwell did something nobody was really expecting.
Their stand finally broken at 137, Worcestershire were set 50 to win a target they appeared to be racing towards after smashing 28 off the first three overs.
Then first-innings hero Daryl Mitchell was expertly caught by Michael Klinger off Smith and Richard Oliver skied Benny Howell to Will Gidman in the covers to add further excitement.
But Tom Fell and Alex Kervezee saw their side home to a victory that leaves them in charge of the race for promotion from Division Two of the LV= County Championship.
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Dan Robson looking forward to Premiership Sevens at Kingsholm
Dan Robson reckons the Premiership Sevens provides the perfect platform to make a statement of intent as Gloucester embark on a new era.
Kingsholm has witnessed a summer of change as a new coaching team was installed alongside a major overhaul of the playing squad.
The wait for competitive rugby draws to a close next Thursday as supporters are given the first glimpse of some of the new arrivals.
Gloucester will be aiming to book their place in the Twickenham Stoop finals as they bid to defend their Sevens crown.
And Robson knows the shortened format of the game is an early opportunity to shine before the domestic season gets underway.
He said: "It's a great event every year, as a squad we thrive on it and it's a great marker for us throughout pre-season.
"Especially with it being at Kingsholm, the boys are getting up for it, preparations are getting underway and every one of us is looking forward to it.
"A lot of the new boys will potentially be involved, it's a great chance for them to be in familiar surroundings, get used to playing at Kingsholm and the fans, so it should be a great night of rugby.
"All the boys can't wait to get out there for the first bit of rugby this summer and it should be another great event.
"It really is a great showcase for talent. People always say that sevens is completely different to fifteen man rugby but in the environment we're in at the moment, it is a great stepping stone for lads, especially the younger boys in the squad to prove themselves at the professional and elite level."
And Robson, who has starred on the sevens stage during the past two seasons has pinpointed Steph Reynolds and Gareth Evans as perfect examples.
He said: "Take Steph last year first of all, he was electric and really impressed and sevens gives lads like him that platform.
"Last year, Gareth was immense throughout the sevens period, and he carried that performance level through and onto the fifteens game and it was clear to see that he really kicked on and impressed."
Gloucester will also compete in the World Club Sevens at Twickenham on August 16. Robson captained the Cherry and Whites at HQ last season and has fond memories.
He added: "Again, the World Club Sevens is a great event. I was unfortunate last year to miss out on the Premiership Rugby 7s, but playing at Twickenham in the World Sevens was a great experience for me.
"It was my first time playing at HQ and also for a lot of the younger boys too. It was a tough two days and I don't think many of them had experienced that type of grit over the two days.
"This year, we're fortunate enough to be invited back and involved and hopefully we can take a lot of confidence from the Premiership leg into the event at Twickenham."
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Tributes have been paid on social media after a couple found dead in Kingsway
Tributes have been paid on social media after a couple were found dead in the loft of their Kingsway home.
Robert and Ellen Griffiths, both aged 36, were discovered at their home in Shawbury Avenue, Kingsway, last Thursday when police forced their way into the house.
Mrs Griffiths' family members contacted police after failing to hear from either of the couple.
Suspicion was raised further after Mr Griffiths failed to attend court on charges of making and possessing indecent images of children.
Their deaths are not being treated as suspicious.
Two days before they were found in the loft of the house, a warrant had been issued for Mr Griffiths' arrest when he failed to attend Gloucester Crown Court to be sentenced.
He had pleaded guilty at an earlier magistrates' court hearing to 15 charges of making indecent images of children.
Mr Griffiths also admitted three counts of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.
On Facebook, Kerry Webb said: "I'm in shock. Ellen was such a lovely, lovely lady, (it is) such sad news.
"My thoughts are with the families and friends."
Clare Cave-Ayland also paid her own tribute.
She said: "Ellen was a beautiful person, so kind.
"She will be sadly missed, my thoughts are with their families."
Police were called to the address in Shawbury Avenue, Kingsway, on the evening of Wednesday, July 16.
Their deaths were confirmed by paramedics shortly after midnight.
An inquest was opened by Gloucestershire coroner Katy Skerrett yesterday and adjourned until January 25 next year.
Neighbours have expressed their shock after it emerged the 'quiet and unassuming' couple had taken their own lives.
A post mortem examination on both bodies revealed the cause of death in both cases was vasovagal inhibition due to hanging.
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Redundancies for all 12 staff at Gloucester's Unipart Automotive branch
TWELVE staff face redundancy at the Gloucester branch of national car parts chain now in administration with the loss of 1,244 jobs.
Administrators KPMG were able to find buyers for some of the 180 branches of Unipart Automotive, saving more than 360 jobs, but Gloucester and scores of its other shops nationwide face the axe.
All 12 staff at Unipart Automotive's Bristol Road branch have been told they will be made redundant.
Mark Orton, partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said: "Despite intensive efforts over recent weeks, a sale of the whole Unipart Automotive business could not be reached, and a buyer could only be found for 33 of the sites on a going concern basis.
"Unfortunately, the business had been experiencing financial stress for a number of years, so the level of cash and further operational restructuring required to rescue a more substantial part of the business posed too much risk for most interested parties.
"Our team of employment specialists will be supporting all staff on completing redundancy forms and putting them in touch with job seeker services.
"We will now be reviewing what options are available for the remainder of the business, such as selling leasehold interests."
Mr Orton is joint administrator together with Will Wright and Jonny Marston, also from KPMG.
Andrew Page, one of the UK's largest distributors of car parts, workshop equipment, tools and diagnostics, and The Parts Alliance, have stepped forward to buy the other businesses.
Headquartered in Solihull, Unipart Automotive operates a network of 180 branches and distribution hubs trading under the Unipart Automotive, Partco Autoparts, and Express Factors brands. It employs 1,813 people.
Andrew Page has acquires 21 branches and The Parts Alliance 12. A total of 361 staff employed across these sites have transferred to Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance with immediate effect.
A total of 208 members of staff have been retained to assist the administrators.
The Unipart Automotive distribution business, previously known as Partco, was sold by Unipart Group in 2011. Unipart Group retained a passive equity stake, and a condition of the sale was that Unipart Group exercised no control over the business.
Unipart Automotive Limited also directly supports more than 700 independent, owner-operated garages through its Unipart Car Care Centre programme, in addition to having 19 franchisees. These companies fall outside of the administration and will continue to operate as normal.
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M5 slip road closure for roadworks
OVERNIGHT road works will take place tonight and Monday and mean closure of an M5 junction.
Resurfacing the M5 northbound exit slip road at junction 14 near Falfield will take place between 8pm and 6am and will require the full closure of the northbound exit slip road.
It will also be necessary to close a 300 metre section of the hard shoulder and lanes one.
Dave Sanderson, of the Highways Agency said: "The resurfacing work is part of the Government's commitment to maintaining England's roads and will ensure smoother journeys as well as maintaining safety.
"The work has been planned to minimise disruption and that is why work will take place overnight when traffic flows are lowest but we would advise drivers to plan their journeys and allow slightly extra time."
Fully signed diversion routes will be in place during the closures.
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Couple died in A48 crash near Lydney after taking drugs, inquest told, but cause of collision unknown
A WOMAN driver and her boyfriend had been taking drugs before she lost control of her car and they were both killed, but the exact cause of the crash will never be known.
Two days before the tragedy Tania Manka, 46, had fallen asleep at the wheel of her car while driving boyfriend Shayne Witts, 29, the couple's inquest in Gloucester heard on Thursday.
Shayne's brother, Jordan, had warned him not to get in the car with her again – but he did not heed the advice and he and Ms Manka lost their lives in a collision with another car on the A48 near Lydney on December 27 last year.
The crash left the woman driver of the other car with serious injuries and she was in hospital for eight weeks.
Deputy Gloucestershire coroner David Dooley heard that Ms Manka, of Summerleaze, Lydney, was in general poor health with conditions including sleep apnea and asthma and was taking numerous medications. She was also a heroin addict and postmortem tests found she had morphine and methadone in her body at the time of her death. The morphine level was high and the drug had been taken not long before the collision. Mr Witts, of the same address, was found to have morphine, MCat and Ketamine in his body.
But the deputy coroner said there was no conclusive evidence to show why Ms Manka lost control of her car and the drugs she had taken may not have been the reason.
He recorded conclusions that both Ms Manka and Mr Witts died due to a road traffic collision. Mr Witts had been wearing his seat belt but Ms Manka had not.
Ms Manka's daughter Lauren told the inquest that her mother's relationship with Mr Witts was 'rocky' and they had an argument on Boxing Day, the first anniversary of their relationship.
"She was in poor health with myriad conditions," Lauren said. "She did not drink alcohol but she used illegal drugs including MCat and heroin although I thought she had given that up in the summer of 2013."
Shayne's brother, Jordan Witts, said: "Two days before Christmas I saw Tania driving while wearing an oxygen mask. I thought this was shocking. If she could not breathe then she should not be driving. On Christmas Day Shayne told me that Tania had fallen asleep at the wheel while driving and he had to grab her and shake her to wake her up. I said to Shayne he should not be getting in the car with her. He went quiet and didn't reply."
Valerie Preest, who was driving the 4x4 which was hit by Mrs Manka's Peugeot 308, had no recollection whatever of the collision.
Her injuries included a broken neck, fractured cheekbones, broken ribs and sturnum, and a collapsed lung.
"This is the second serious crash I have been involved in and I lost my fiance in a road traffic accident as well," she said. Collision investigator PC Darren Williams said the handbrake of Ms Manka's car was found to be on but that could have happened during the collision.
"I cannot give any reason why she lost control of the vehicle but due to her impaired state due to drugs and combined with her medical history that is the most likely explanation," the officer said,
However, Ms Manka's sister, Caroline Pickles, told the coroner that at 11.50am that day Tania had driven her to catch a train and had been fine.
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Appeal after woman sexually assaulted in Gloucester
A woman was sexually assaulted as she spoke on her mobile phone in the centre of Gloucester.
Police are appealing for information about the incident, which happened outside Prezzo on Southgate Street between 6pm and 7pm last Friday (July 18).
The 22-year-old victim was sitting down talking on her phone when she was approached by a man who gestured to her as if to ask the time. When she moved her phone away from her face the man took hold of her head and kissed her forcefully.
The man, who may have been watching the woman prior to the incident, walked away when the woman started shouting at him.
The offender is described as being of tanned appearance, in his 20s, with brown, shaven hair and stubble. He was wearing a light coloured t-shirt with a design on the front and dark jeans.
Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 508 of July 18.
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Mystery over death of St Peter's High School teacher Elodie Dufloux
MYSTERY will forever surround the death of a promising trainee teacher from St Peter's High School in Gloucester.
Elodie Dufloux will "always be remembered with great affection", staff at the Catholic school, in Stroud Road, said.
An inquest into the 28-year-old's shock death last November was held this week. She was French and had been training to become a modern languages teacher at the school for the previous two months.
But she suddenly and unexpectedly quit on November 25 and was found dead at home two days later.
A statement from St Peter's vice-principal Nicholas Johns said: "Elodie joined St Peter's as a trainee teacher of modern languages in September 2013. She was making very good progress, and we were in no doubt she would pass her training year and go on to become a successful languages teacher.
"The whole St Peter's community was shocked and deeply saddened by the news of her death. Prayers and a special Mass were offered for her, and for the comfort of her family.
"Although we did not know her for long, we will always remember Elodie with great affection."
Elodie was found hanged in her room at a shared house in Vine Close, Gloucester, on November 27.
The Gloucester inquest was told that something happened in her life over the weekend before her death which affected her badly. Senior county coroner Katy Skerrett said: "That Friday night, and on Saturday November 23 and Sunday November 24 November she withdrew into herself. She was worried about something but she did not wish to communicate what that was.
"Her behaviour started to change and on the Monday she suddenly without warning handed in her resignation letter to the school. The school were clearly concerned and a teacher attended her address on November 26 but for whatever reason, known only to Elodie, she refused to speak to her.
"It is quite clear that she had suddenly experienced a very stressful event. I don't know what that may have been and we will never know but it is clear she decided to take her own life.
"It was a tragic and premature death."
However the coroner said she could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that at the time Elodie hanged herself she intended to die. It was possible she could have been disturbed by one of her four housemates in her lodgings, the coroner said.
Therefore, she said, she had to record an open verdict.
A letter to the inquest from Elodie's parents and sister in France said: "We are devastated by the death of our daughter and sister which we are totally unable to comprehend. She was in no way depressed or suffering from any other form of anxiety.
"When we last spoke to her by Skype two weeks prior to her death she seemed very happy."
They said they would always treasure her memory.
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Vandals tear down Help for Heroes charity promo posters
ORGANISERS of a Help for Heroes event in Quedgeley have been left devastated after vandals tore down promotional posters and banners.
Organiser Steve Smith and committee members placed the posters nearby venue Severn Vale School to advertise the event which will take place on Sunday.
Steve said: "Thank you to whoever has torn down and disposed of the posters and banners supplied by Help for Heroes.
"We only put them up a week ago around the Quedgeley area.
"We have no idea who has done this, it is very sad. We have checked with the council and they did not take them down.
"The adverts were put up with consent and the day is raising funds for the military charity. Why they removed them is really beyond belief as they could easily have taken down the beer festival, Chinese Food Fair and many other events where the posters have been up and not taken down months after they took place."
Steve, who is also a parish councillor for the Fieldcourt Ward, has put up the last remaining poster near Green Farms, on the junction of Bristol Road and Merlin Drive.
He added: "The posters cost £60 a piece and we only had one remaining.
"So those who have removed the banners and signs should just think that some of the money being raised will be paid back for the lost reusable adverts to Help for Heroes. Last year we raised £2,000 from the event."
The event will take place on Sunday from 1pm until 5pm at the Severn Vale School in Qudegeley.
Visitors can enjoy entertainment, dog agility, martial arts, dancers, a fly past by a Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and many static exhibitions. This will be hosted on the school fields.
In the evening there is a concert based on Dads Army, music from Gloucester Excelsior Band, Songs of Praise led by the vicar of Quedgeley and a short Act of Remembrance to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War. This will take place inside the school.
Tickets for the evening are available from Dave Lugger on 01452 303269.
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