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FRAIZER Campbell's Premier League master class in finishing helped Crystal Palace to a comfortable win over Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn. A first-half hat-trick from the England international helped the Eagles sweep Rovers aside with just a week to go until their opening-day clash at Southport. Forest Green still face another visit from a top flight side when Arsenal come to town on Tuesday but there is still work to do for Ady Pennock's squad ahead of next weekend's Vanarama Conference opener. Campbell struck three times in the first half hour to ease Palace to victory, however, Forest Green saw summer recruit Elliott Frear hit the woodwork. But they were well-beaten by a side gearing up for a second season in the Premier League this term. Frear's attempt on goal from a wide angle after only three minutes forced Palace's Wales international shot-stopper Lewis Price into action. The visitors didn't have to wait long to hit the back of Rovers' net though as Campbell bagged his first. An excellent move was finished off by the former Manchester United man who swept home from close range. He then made it two shortly afterwards after finishing coolly after latching on to an excellent through ball. Although seeming unlikely even this early on, Frear almost dragged Rovers back into contention on 18 minutes as Palace failed to clear and he fired against the post. But former Manchester United, and Cardiff City striker Campbell ensured the game was dead and buried on half hour as he headed in while unmarked at the far post from a corner. A goalless second half still managed to entertain as a strong Palace side looked to add to their tally. It was Rovers' though who were busiest in an attacking sense at the start of the second period. Dale Bennett headed just wide from a Frear free kick and James Norwood blasted over after the former had set him up in the box. Jerome Thomas saw his thumped effort turned over by Rovers shot-stopper Sam Russell ten minutes into the half and Clovis Kamdjo headed over from Frear's corner. There were more attempts on goal to come for Rovers as a fine block denied Barry Bannan after a quick Palace break. The Scotland international midfielder almost powered in at the death only to be denied by Russell. While Campbell, one of Palace's star arrivals this summer, almost danced his way to a fourth, however, his strike at the death rolled just past the post. FOREST GREEN: @S Russell, D Pipe, L Oliver, D Bennett, J Jennings, E Frear, C Kamdjo, S Wedgbury, R Sinclair, J Norwood, J Parkin, C Stokes, M Kelly, L Hughes, E Oshodi, K Guthrie, L Rodgers Subs not used:@ A Bangura, D Wright, A Barry, P White CRYSTAL PALACE: @L Price, P Ramage, J Binnom-Williams, B Hangeland, P McCarthy, S O'Keefe, B Bannan, S Dobbie, J Thomas, A Guedioura, F Campbell, C Kettings, R Allassani, O Garvan, L Croll, M Egbo, M Ferrier Attendance: @1086 (148 away)

Forest Green Rovers suffer at the hands of Premier League outfit Crystal Palace

Unfit care staff can help lose weight thanks to a new mobile phone app being trialled at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Overweight nurses, doctors and other hospital workers in Gloucestershire are being encouraged to slim down as they go about their daily duties.

The new StepJockey app will help staff monitor how far they walk during their shift and comes in the wake of new guidance from NHS chief executive Simon Stevens.

He has called for incentives to be offered to 700,000 of the 1.3 million workers within the NHS who are overweight.

Mr Stevens has also suggested NHS sites should have more gyms and become 'cycle friendly' to tackle obesity.

The move comes as the NHS attempts to save money to fund the £30billion a year it is expected to need by 2020.

Staff who work in the tower block at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital have been trialling StepJockey to take part in a calorie burn challenge.

Joy Turk, who has been instrumental in getting the project off the ground said: "Every floor will feature the signs and indicate how many calories you will be burning.

"We are also using signs by the lifts to give people a small nudge to perhaps consider taking the stairs.

"Stair climbing can have a very significant impact on an individual's health over time. It is officially classed as a vigorous exercise and burns more calories per minute than jogging. Importantly, it is also a safe and easy activity to build into our working lives and results in health benefits that go far beyond weight loss."

The mobile phone app is a new way for employers of all types to promote health and fitness in the workplace and is backed by the Department of Health.

Smart signs to be used in conjunction with smartphones have been placed around the hospital with QR and Near Field Communications tags embedded as standard to help monitor progress.

Smart signs, which users can scan with their phones, allow rapid 'tap-and-go' calorie tracking with free iPhone and Android apps. Anyone can download the app for free.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "Going forward, we hope that seeing more staff using the stairs will encourage our visitors to use them too.

"If this pilot project is a success, we will look at spreading the word to areas in the rest of both hospitals."

"The StepJockey programme can be used for flat walkways and corridors as well as stairs, and as many members of staff know, it is amazing how much ground you can cover during just a day at work.

"It's interesting how quickly your fitness starts to increase – why not start by getting out of the lift a couple of floors before you need to, and then walking the rest of the way?"

Sam Summerfield, a Gloucester-based Slimming World consultant, said: "I think this is a marvelous way of looking at how activity can be increased in the workplace. Generally people benefit from moderate daily activity over 1 - 3 vigorous activity sessions a week. Looking at how members of staff can increase their own moderate activity in their own pace but with gentile encouragement and guidance is key to them wanting to do it for themselves and then opting to lead a more active lifestyle long term. What is even more fabulous is this is a way that the exercise can be introduced into a daily routine that would not require setting aside any extra time, thus making it harder to commit too."

App trialled at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to help get care staff into shape

GLOUCESTER City's pre-season preparations concluded with a 1-1 draw at Southern League Premier Division outfit Weymouth. New signings Chris Jones and Mark Preece made second-half substitute appearances as the Tigers played their final match before the kick off of the Vanarama Conference North campaign. Following heavy overnight rain, the match was played on a slick pitch and it was the hosts who attacked first and Tigers goalkeeper Mike Green was called into action within seconds off the kick-off. Two minutes in, good work from Adam Mann on the left fed Scott Wilson to shoot on goal but the young striker was off target from 18 yards. Wilson was on target six minutes into the game after reaching a Mann cross from the left, he wriggled past the challenge of two defenders to fire home from the angle of the penalty area. The former Yate Town and Cinderford Town striker was nearly on target again 60 seconds later but a last-ditch tackle denied him and the Tigers a second goal. Weymouth got back into the game within four minutes of City taking the lead as a mix up between defender Matt Williams and Green allowed Stewart Yetton an easy tap-in. The end-to-end nature continued and within 90 seconds Tom Webb had fired a 35-yard shot at goal which Terras goalkeeper Jason Matthews tipped over the bar. The half continued in an attacking vein with the visitors enjoying the lion's share of possession without being able to convert their dominance into a half-time lead. New signing Jones – a striker tempted to the club from Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints – made his bow in the second half in place of goalscorer Wilson. Fellow recruit Elliot Chamberlain also came on for Billy Jones as City resumed their attacking mindset from the whistle. Green was forced into a good save and as the ball sped up field Jones showed the first of many glimpses of the quality he will bring. Jinking past a number of mesmerised defenders the former Swansea City and Grimsby Town man fed fellow substitute Chamberlain, whose shot was well blocked. Chris Shepherd forced a good save from Green and George Rigg slammed the ball into the side-netting either side of a long-range effort from Charlie Griffin for City. Chamberlain had the two best chances to seal a win for City, first latching onto a poor backpass before seeing his shot well-saved by Matthews. Then after more good work from the impressive Jones, the former Wales Under-21 winger thought he had bagged the winner only to be denied by a desperate goalline clearance. City kick-off their Vanarama Conference North campaign with the visit of Bradford Park Avenue to Whaddon Road on Saturday 3pm. Weymouth: @ J Matthews, A Wells, J Wannell, S Krac, K Laird, E Palmer, C McPhee, S Colwell, S Yetton, G Rigg, C Shepherd.: J West, J Copp, A Kelly, C Laird, J Produmo. Gloucester City:@ MJ Green; S Avery, S Hamilton, M Williams, B Jones; S Wilson, A Connolly, T Webb, M Groves; A Mann, C Griffin.: MF Green, W Morford, E Chamberlain, C Jones, M Preece. Attendance:@ 340.

Scott Wilson on target as Gloucester City draw final pre-season friendly at Weymouth

ADY Pennock believes there is still plenty of work to do ahead of his side's league opener against Southport after he watched his Forest Green Rovers unit comfortably beaten by Premier League outfit Crystal Palace. Fraizer Campbell's first half hat-trick condemned Forest Green to only their second pre-season defeat and the Rovers boss recognises improvements are still needed. "They were very good. Premier League opposition or not the three goals are shocking," he said. "Twice they got in behind us which they shouldn't have and then there was a free header from the corner. "Other than that I thought we created chances and the attitude was first class. I was more than happy from what we got out of it. "The fans that came here saw some very good Premier League footballers. It showed the difference in the leagues but all credit to Palace as well because their attitudes were first class. It was a great test for us." One final pre-season outing on Tuesday evening against Arsenal lies ahead for Pennock's side ahead of their first Vanarama Conference fixture at Southport on August 9. And the door is certainly still open with regards places in the Rovers starting eleven for that trip to Merseyside at the weekend following his team's showing against Palace. "We created chances as well. I thought we started really brightly and we drew the second half," he added. "We showed some good character and there were some good performances out there. "Some players have played themselves into the starting eleven next week and there are some players who haven't. "I'll watch the DVD a couple of times. I'll watch it tonight and again tomorrow and go through the game, do my notes, and we'll work on our defensive shape as well as going forward as well so there is a lot to work on yet. "I was very pleased with everything that we've done except for the three goals obviously but I'm never happy about conceding goals." Tipped to be pushing at the top end of the division this season, Pennock fully believes his team has the quality to make a real impact in the club's 17th season in the Conference. "It's not all about one game. I believe we have got a very good squad," he said. "There is a good mix and more importantly there is a very good togetherness in the squad."

Forest Green Rovers boss Ady Pennock rues sloppy goals against Crystal Palace

THE Bishop of Gloucester has 'stepped back' from his post with immediate effect due to personal reasons after more than 10 years in the role.

He was due to retire in November but the sudden announcement on Saturday means his role at the cathedral has become unclear. While it's believed he is still technically the Bishop of Gloucester, he will not be carrying out all the duties associated with the position.

It had been thought that Gloucester would become the first vacant diocesan job since the vote on allowing women to be bishops was passed. However, it is thought likely that Bishop of Tewkesbury Martyn Snow will step in in the interim where necessary.

The Right Reverend Michael Perham, 66, who has been a strong advocate of women bishops, was due to retire once he had completed a farewell pilgrimage across his diocese. But in a statement released on Saturday, the Diocese of Gloucester said: "For personal reasons, the Rt Rev Michael Perham has stepped back from his ministry as the Bishop of Gloucester."

No further information has been made public about the sudden announcement.

When he announced his retirement, Bishop Michael said he had spent "happy, stimulating and fruitful years" in the diocese.

Bishop Michael is married to Dr Alison Grove, a palliative care consultant, and they have four grown-up daughters. A special service was due to take place on November 8 to celebrate his time as Bishop of Gloucester. However, church officials said they "did not know" whether this was still going ahead. In the order of service for the commemoratation the outbreak of the First World War at Gloucester Cathedral yesterday afternoon, Bishop Michael was listed twice.

He was due to lead a Litany of Remembrance and Penitence but this was performed by the Archdeacon of Gloucester. He was also to say the Blessing at the end of the service, but this was done by the Dean of Gloucester, the Very Reverend Stephen Lake.

Bishop of Gloucester 'steps back' from role

On Monday the name of every Gloucestershire soldier who was killed during the First World War will be read out one by one at Gloucester Cathedral.

On Sunday, to mark their sacrifice, a representative from every parish lined up to deliver the names of those of their respective fallen to be placed on the altar of this most sacred of county landmarks.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life, old and young, queued up to place their piece of paper in the hands of the Dean of Gloucester the Very Reverend Stephen Lake and the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter.

It was part of the commemorative service organised by Dame Janet to bring together people from across the county to remember the outbreak of the conflict 100 years ago. During the service, she spoke movingly of the impact this war had on the men and women here such as the mothers who lost their sons who were never to return but also of the war effort back home and the role so many had to play in keeping the home fires burning.

The service began poignantly with Sir Edward Elgar's Nimrod being played as more than 30 standard bearers made their way into the Cathedral. The congregation made up of civic dignitaries, serving members of the armed forces, cadets, British Legion members and many others, then heard a selection of readings carefully chosen to reflect this mood of remembrance and honouring those who paid the ultimate price for this war.

Included in the pieces was To his Love by Gloucestershire's own war poet Ivor Gurney who has a stained glass window dedicated to him at the Cathedral.

In his address, Mr Lake spoke of how this Great War started with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the events which spiralled afterwards.

He then brought the notion of conflict up to date referring to our world today and the problems in Gaza, the Ukraine and other nations and how warfare today is not one fought on the battlefield but in our houses and our streets hitting home the message of how the methods may have changed but we are still sadly at war 100 years on.

As the parish representatives handed over their list of names gathered from their war memorials and churches, some in the congregation bowed their heads, others dabbed away a tear but all took a moment to silently reflect the sheer scale of the impact of this war on Gloucestershire.

Poignant service ahead of reading name of every Gloucestershire soldier who fell in First World War

VOLUNTEERS and coaches play a vital role in community sport all across England and without the time, energy and commitment of these people many clubs, team sport sessions and coaching sessions would not be able to run. In short, volunteers and coaches make sport happen. Without this dedicated group of people, who willingly give their time to enable others to play the sport they love, a lot of weekend sport wouldn't exist. Last summer I wrote an article regarding the importance of volunteer coaching in order to encourage kids to play and get involved in sports outside of school entitled 'coaches make a big difference to all ages'. Training children has its challenges. Kids can sometimes be wild, scared, and sometimes lack concentration. Children often have a much shorter attention span and stamina than adults. The role of an expert coach is to be aware of these differences and to alter the training accordingly. I remain amazed at not only the skills the coaches show but the dedication. Coaches not only give up their weekends, time with their families, but also often time in the week organising fixtures, emailing players and parents and planning the next training sessions. It is not something that 'just happens' . Coaching is a great way to share your knowledge and enthusiasm with children. I can imagine it is really satisfying to see people develop their skills and you can have a real impact on their enjoyment and participation in sport. Equally rewarding if you are the one to discover the next David Beckham, Mike Tindall or Katy Mclean. Coaches are often the under acknowledged experts, behind, not just high profile sporting success, but motivating people of all ages to be active in the UK – they are often highly unappreciated for all they do. Both myself and my brother are very lucky to have found local sport with fantastic coaches who promote the sport, promote team work, and fun! I would like to dedicate this Kate's Pitch to all those men and women who get up every Saturday, Sunday morning and give up evenings in the week to keep us interested and fit! Particular thanks to Longlevens Under-Sevens coach Dave Knight, Under- Sevens and Eights coach Lee (inset) and Chris Fortey, Churchdown Panthers Under-Eights coaches Adam Davies, Fraser Rankin, and Craig and the Old Richians Girls Under-13 coaches Nigel and Simon.

Kate's Pitch: Volunteers play such a key role in sport

GLOUCESTERSHIRE Women lost their second game in a row after Leicestershire cruised to a 99-run win the ECB County Championship Division Three at Brislington. Batting first, the visitors racked up 204 for six in their 50 overs before bowling the home side out for 105. The match started well for Gloucestershire when, having won the toss, Rosie Tregear trapped Harriett Leach (6) leg before to leave Leicestershire on 22 for one. And she followed this up with two wickets in quick succession. Lucy Higham (12) was out with the score on 33 before Katie Midwood was clean bowled first ball to make it 34 for three. This brought Niki Patel to the crease and together with skipper Emily Marriott (40) the pair put on 77 for the fourth wicket. Charlie Phillips (1-37) bought an end to Marriott's innings with the total on 111 but Patel took over the aggressor's role, contributing the lion's share of a 66 run partnership with Anna Kingstone (13). She ended up unbeaten on 69 as Leicestershire finished on 204 for six Mollie Robbins (2-35) taking the last two wickets. In reply, Gloucestershire were always struggling to get up with the run rate and despite several promising partnerships they were never able to get on top of the visiting bowlers. Opener Emily Waldron made 21 but the top score came from 14-year-old Alice Hill scored 31 from 122 balls as she attempted to hold the innings together. From 118 for five the home side lost their last five wickets for 17 runs with Georgia Relf (5-30) taking four of them. Gloucestershire Women will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Hertfordshire at Thornbury Cricket Club on Sunday afternoon.

Gloucestershire women beaten by Leicestershire

DANIELLE Waterman has backed "silent destroyer" Alex Matthews to announce herself at the Women's World Cup with a bang. The ex-Hartpury student makes her World Cup debut alongside former lecturer Waterman as England take on Spain in France on Tuesday (3.45pm). And Waterman, who is one of just four players to have also started the opening triumph over Samoa, was always convinced the number eight, who studied for her A-Levels in Gloucestershire, was destined to shine on the biggest stage. She said: "Alex was in her second year at Hartpury when I started and right from the moment I met her I knew she would be an absolute star on the rugby field. She's a fantastic girl and a bit of a silent destroyer. "She was great at Hartpury, a class above and I was very fortunate to work with her. She brought real leadership to her year and was squad captain. She had a real presence not just on the pitch but off it as well. "I'm sure she will be outstanding for us; she's champing at the bit to be involved and is looking forward to the opportunity. "There's a lot of changes to the team from Samoa but we have had so much time training together that it doesn't feel like that at all. We have run with so many different combinations. "Ceri Large came on and did a fantastic job against Samoa and she's also really looking forward to taking her chance." England, still haunted by the ghosts of three consecutive defeats to New Zealand in the final, have never lost to Spain. But Waterman insists the Red Roses can ill-afford to underestimate their opponents, who were swept aside by Canada in round one. She said: "Spain are a team that never give up and that showed with them scoring against Canada in the last five minutes. "They tend to switch off mid-way through halves and you saw that with Canada who carved them up at the end of the first half. "But I played against Spain in my first Six Nations match and have come across them a lot in sevens. "Their sevens girls really are the leaders in the back line, they have excellent foot work and love to keep the ball in hand. "They really came flying out of the blocks against Canada so we're expecting similar and I'm sure they will be looking to address the switching off. "The coaches are looking at the entire pool but as players we're looking no further than this game. Anything can happen in the World Cup and we have to make sure we get the job done." But despite caution from her own double dose of heartbreak at the tournament and a season blighted by a broken foot and torn hamstring, the Sky Sports 'Living for Sport' athlete mentor admits her eye is on the prize. Waterman added "When we lost in the 2010 World Cup I knew it would take four years to make sure we were the best team and I that I was the best possible player I could be. I left my job at Hartpury in November to support that. "It drives you through those horrible fitness sessions and when it is wet and cold. It helps take you to the next level but it isn't your only focus because there is so much you have to do to get to that point. "Now we've definitely got the strongest 26 I have ever been involved in and the strength and depth definitely shows. We're very fortunate with England that we have so many Test matches with the autumn internationals and summer tours and Gary Street has been very strategic in developing the squad." Gloucester-born Natasha Hunt is also named on the bench, while Lichfield's Sarah Hunter captains the Red Roses. England Women: D Waterman; K Wilson, C Allan, A Reed, L Thompson; C Large, L Mason; C Purdy, V Fleetwood, S Hemming, J McGilchrist, R Essex, S Hunter (capt), M Packer, A Matthews. Replacements: E Croker, L Keates, T Taylor, H Fisher, N Hunt, R Burford, E Scarratt.

Danielle Waterman backs Alex Matthews to shine at Women's World Cup

GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S misfiring batsmen have been challenged to step up to the plate and earn their side a third successive Royal London Cup victory. The County top the fledgling Group A table after two wins from their opening three games and a win against Leicestershire on Tuesday would enhance hopes of earning a quarter-final spot. But director of cricket John Bracewell is aware that his side's batsmen have yet to hit form in the competition and has called on them to front up at the County Ground (10.30am). Gloucestershire chased down 193 to beat Yorkshire at Headingley with Will Gidman outstanding with both bat and ball before successfully defending 233 to beat Hampshire. And while the long-serving former New Zealand international (inset) has been happy with his side's efforts with the ball, he has called on his charges to step up and perform with the bat. "We have had three so-so performances and when you come out on top in those circumstances you wonder what really was a par score," Bracewell said. "But I think everyone agreed it was a 270-pitch against Hampshire and both sides fell well short of that, failing to take advantage of the wind being behind the batsmen when striking towards a short boundary. "Our bowling and fielding won us the game and it's now time our top order batting took some of the pressure off the bowlers." Gloucestershire targeted success in the Royal London One Day Cup at the start of the season, believing that their squad is ideally suited to the new format. With two new white balls offering assistance to the seam attack and a lack of power-hitters in their lineup, Bracewell believes his side can go far in the tournament. Alex Gidman could return after back spasm while wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick is now fully fit after his nightmare season blighted by a twice-broken finger. Will Tavare should keep his place in the side after scoring 77 against Hampshire and Bracewell has at least seven batting options from which to chose. Leicestershire head to Nevil Road on the back of a win against traditional one day stars Essex last week, but Bracewell knows his side have got what it takes to force a win. "If we play good cricket the Leicestershire match will look after itself," he said. "We believe our side is better suited to this competition than T20 because it is a subtle, rather than just a powerhouse game." "To see Will go in at a difficult time and score at a run a ball in the middle of our innings was very encouraging and showed some real skills. "We think Alex will be fit and if that is the case it will give us seven really competitive options for the batting positions. "He gets this sort of back problem at least once a season and it doesn't tend to last long so hopefully he will be available to face Leicestershire." Former Gloucestershire seamer Antony Ireland played a starring role as Leicestershire defeated Essex in a low-scoring thriller at Chelmsford last week. The ex-Zimbabwe international took four for 31 as his side successfully defended a total of 142 to claim their first win of the campaign.

County batsmen given challenge to step up the run power

PLAQUES are appearing on houses and buildings in Newnham on Severn to remember the men from the village who fought in the First World War. The commemorative plaques will remain in the village throughout the summer to mark 100 years since Britain entering the First World War. They have been organised by the Newnham History Group and will appear on houses in the village where the soldiers lived and other public buildings. Blue plaques represent the eight soldiers who survived the war and returned to Newnham, while black plaques immortalise the 41 men who left the Forest of Dean village to join the war effort and never returned home. Nigel Haig, treasurer of the Newnham History Group, said: "In this year of the centenary we decided that it is important to find as much information we can about the men from Newnham who took part in the war, because it happened such a long time ago now. "There has been a huge interest in the village for this project, which we're really grateful for. They have been really supportive." The project was first devised at the start of the year, and follows on from a First World War exhibition the history group held in Newnham's Armoury Hall on Saturday. Nigel said: "The community loved the exhibition a great deal and we had lots of people wanting to know about their family's involvement in the First World War." Anny Reid, county chairman of the Royal British Legion, said: "These plaques are there to mark the centenary of the Great War and it is particularly important for the youth that they understand the sacrifices that these men made for them. "Everyone's been very grateful for the plaques and people have been very interested to hear what history there is in the village."

Newnham unveils plaques to commemorate its First World War soldiers

Transport bosses will use the 2015 Rugby World Cup to create a "lasting legacy" of sustainable travel in Gloucestershire. The county council was awarded almost £1 million by the Department for Transport earlier this year after successfully bidding for funding. A large slice of the money will be used to promote Gloucestershire's key rail and bus stations during the World Cup which will see Gloucester used as a host city. Gloucester, Cheltenham and Lydney have all been highlighted as vital hubs which will play a major role in making sure people get where they need to go during the massive sporting event. There will be massive amounts of promotional work carried out in the run up to the tournament to encourage people to travel sustainably. And it is hoped this will help secure Gloucester and Gloucestershire's status as a location where major events can be hosted regularly. There will also be improvement works carried out to Gloucestershire's "gateway" transport hubs like Cheltenham Spa Railway Station. Councillor Vernon Smith (C, Tewkesbury East), cabinet member for highways, said: "Promoting sustainable travel is a vitally important project for us so we were delighted to receive the recent funding from the DfT. "Through our 'Thinktravel 2015 and Beyond' project we are aiming to boost economic growth, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality and public health by encouraging more people to cycle or walk. "We will use next year's Rugby World Cup as a catalyst to showcase the many benefits of sustainable travel. "The eyes of the world will be on Gloucester as a host city and we want to use this fantastic opportunity to create a lasting legacy by promoting the values of sustainable travel to people living and working in the county, as well as visitors." The money awarded to the county by the Department for Transport is ring fenced and can only be spent on sustainability projects. As well as the Rugby World Cup schemes, the county council will also use the cash to work with local employers to make Gloucestershire a more attractive place to work. That means getting more people out of their cars and onto their bikes or walking. Work will also be done to make it easy as possible for people to get to work without the need for a car. That will mean a number of new schemes like bike hire and bike vouchers. The county council was awarded £920,000 by the Department for Transport. A local contribution from councils and other organisations means the total pot of cash is worth just shy of £1.5 million. Shire Hall was previously awarded £4.9 million by the Department for Transport in 2012 to pay for sustainable travel projects for three years. The latest funding will allow the authority to continue its work until 2016 and beyond.

2015 Rugby World Cup will leave 'lasting legacy' of sustainable transport in Gloucestershire, Shire Hall hopes

MYSTERY continues to surround the 'stepping back' of Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham from his role.

Police yesterday confirmed there is no investigation on their part but Gloucester Diocese has continued to refuse to answer any questions, other than saying it is down to 'personal reasons'.

The Right Reverend Michael Perham was due to retire in November.

Members of the clergy and local vicars have been told not to discuss his move.

There has been speculation on social media on what could have happened to cause the Bishop to suddenly stand down on the weekend of the First World War centenary services.

He was due to play a part in the service of remembrance at Gloucester Cathedral on Sunday, but others stepped in.

While it's believed he is still technically the Bishop of Gloucester, he will not be carrying out all the duties associated with the position.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Gloucester said a process is under way to enable the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Reverend. Martyn Snow, to take up the duties of the Bishop of Gloucester in his absence.

He said: "It follows standard procedure set out in church legislation and is a process used on other occasions. It is expected to be formally ratified in the near future.

"As was stated on Friday, the Rt. Revd. Michael Perham has stepped back from his role as Bishop of Gloucester."

Mystery surrounds why Bishop of Gloucester has

TEENAGE soccer starlets in Gloucestershire are being given golden opportunities to demonstrate they can cut the mustard on the county stage. Gloucestershire FA are again entering Under-16s and Under-18s boys teams into next season's South and West Counties Youth Championship and are holding trials in order to give ambitious youngsters every chance of making the grade. Under-18s trial sessions take place on the 3G surface at the GFA's Oaklands Park premises in Almondsbury on Sunday, August 17 at 5.30pm, while the county's Under-16s hopefuls will be put through their paces at the same venue on Thursday, September 18 between 8pm and 10pm. Chairman of the GFA's county match committee, Sue Henson-Green, said: "It's a truly prestigious honour to play for your county and for some young lads it is the pinnacle of their young playing careers. "They are presented with ties on their first appearances and medals on their fourth appearances, and if they perform for their county eight times they are awarded with caps and it's wonderful to see the expressions on their faces when they're given them. "It's a good experience for the boys, teaming-up with players from other clubs and playing against people from other counties who they wouldn't ordinarily come across. "Apart from academy players, anyone who feels they have a chance of playing at county level, from schools, colleges or clubs, can take part, and coaches who feel their boys are up to the task can put them forward." Youngsters aspiring to gain places with Gloucestershire Under-18s have an added incentive to gain entry – the team are to face Hertfordshire at home in the first round of the FA County Youth Cup on Saturday, October 11, with a tie against Devon in round two up for grabs. The same side, who were narrowly pipped by Devon to the title last term, will face Wiltshire, Cornwall and Berks and Bucks in Section B of next season's S and W Counties Championship, while the under-16s will take on opposite numbers from those same counties as well as the likes of Gwent and Dorset. Anyone wishing to take part in either of the trials can contact Laura Faulkner on 01454 615888 (select option 4) or email her at laura.faulkner @gloucestershirefa.com. Call Sue Henson-Green on 07970 012820. CHILDREN have the opportunity to emulate their World Cup heroes at a footballing festival this summer. The Gloucestershire FA Youth Council have organised a Junior World Cup for children in school years five and six which will be held at the Gloucestershire FA headquarters at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury, on Wednesday, August 13, between 12:30 and 3:15pm. It is an opportunity to play football in a fun and enjoyable environment. Upon arrival children will be put into teams, with each given a World Cup nation to represent. Pete Haynes, Chair of the GFA Youth Council and organiser of the event, said: "It's our first festival and we want it to be a great success. "We want children to come along and play in a comfortable environment without the pressure of having to win. We're keen to get them playing football for fun." The Youth Council are also offering those between the ages of 14 and 21 the opportunity to support the festival as Young Leaders, as part of their Football Futures Programme. Leadership workshops on coaching, refereeing and event management will be held at the same venue, beginning at 9:30am. In the afternoon, attendees will lead the festival with the support of Youth Council members, as well as professional coaches and referees. More information and application forms can be found at www.gloucestershirefa.com

BREAM Amateurs Football Club Under-12s have enjoyed a season to remember. The talent-packed Forest of Dean club have racked up the trophies. They marched to glory in the Mid-Gloucester mini soccer league and in the Cinderford and Rock Sports FC six-a-side tournaments. Bream were also runners-up in the Mid-Gloucester mini soccer league champions league and Broadwell six-a-side tournament runners-up.

Bream Amateurs enjoy a season to remember

CANDLE-LIT vigils and a "lights out" event have led poignant ceremonies across Gloucester to mark 100 years since Britain entered the First World War.

Gloucestershire joined millions of people across the country to take part in 'Lights Out,' which saw people turning off their lights and leaving on either a single candle or light as a mark of respect to the historic date.

At the City of Gloucester War Memorial tonight candles were lit as more than a dozen people turned out to share stories and hear poems and prayers.

A vigil was also held at Quedgeley War memorial tonight by the Hardwicke and District Royal British Legion Women's Section, and the lights in Gloucestershire County Council offices at Shire Hall were switched off to allow candles to light up the reception.

The commemorations were held as vigils took place in Tewkesbury Abbey, and iconic landmarks in the country such as The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Mike Smith, who called the vigil at Gloucester's war memorial, said: "I'm so pleased that so many people came at short notice to pay their respects."

"The First World War changed not just the history of our country but the history of the world, and it is important that we remember the sacrifices made by these millions of people that joined up."

The 'lights out' theme was inspired by the famous words of wartime Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey as the outbreak loomed. He said: "the lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."

At the Gloucester war memorial poems including 'In Flanders Fields; by John McRae and 'For the Fallen' by Lawrence Binyon were read before period of reflective silence and prayers.

The candles on the memorial were put out at 11pm, the time that Britain entered the war a century ago.

Gloucester Town Crier Alan Myatt, who attended the event at Gloucester War memorial, said: "It's very moving to hear these readings and to stand at the memorial reflecting on what they did for us.

"Their sacrifice has given us the opportunity to say what we want, wear what we want, do what we want and think how we want in comparative safety. We should feel very very privileged."

Ex-serviceman Kevin Mealins, who also attended the vigil, said: "Because of them we live in a democracy and a civilised society without being dictated to. It's really good that the country can come together and pay their respects.

"I served myself during the Cold War and sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in, so I'm paying my respects to those who fought for our freedom."

Matson resident Tony Hubble, who also joined the remembrance at Gloucester War Memorial, said: "I'm here to remember my father, because although he served after the First World War this vigil is about remembering every service personnel who have fought for our country.

"There have been a lot of changes with the attitude to war in the last century, because there was a sort of honour in the First World War that doesn't exist these days."

Lights go out across Gloucestershire to mark 100 years since Britain entered the First World War

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The process is under way to enable the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt. Revd. Martyn Snow, to take up the duties of the Bishop of Gloucester in his absence. It follows standard procedure set out in church legislation and is a process used on other occasions. It is expected to be formally ratified in the near future. On Friday it was announced, the Rt. Revd. Michael Perham has stepped back from his role as Bishop of Gloucester.

Rt. Revd. Martyn Snow to take over the duties of the Bishop of Gloucester

A MURDER investigation has opened after a 44-year-old man died following an alleged attack in Berry Hill.

Police were called to the Hillcrest Road and Aston Close area of the village, near Coleford, at about 8.30pm on Sunday. The victim was found by police and taken by ambulance to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where he died a short while later.

It is understood officers may ask for more time today to question a 36-year-old man who has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Porter, said: "Police and scenes of crime officers remain at the scene whilst extensive enquiries are carried out.

"I would ask anyone who was in the vicinity of Aston Close or Hillcrest Road in Berry Hill, Coleford, between the hours of 6pm and 10pm on Sunday night to please contact Gloucestershire police on 101, quoting incident number 431 of August 3, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or email 101@gloucestershire.police.uk."

The incident left neighbours and community members in shock.

District and parish councillor Tim Gwilliam said: "It's such a waste and such a shame. One of the worst things is so many children being off school to witness the aftermath of these events, with police everywhere. We will support those who need us right now. It's what we do, we are Foresters and we look after each other."

One neighbour said: "This is the first time anything like this has happened here. My wife woke me up on Sunday night after she heard police sirens.

"In the morning police had put tape around the front of our house and we had to use the back door."

Another resident said: "I came home from work to find the police here. This is usually a quiet street."

Gloucestershire Police may ask for more time to question a man arrested on suspicion of murder after Forest of Dean death

It will be a slightly cooler start to many parts of Gloucestershire this morning. There will be heavy showers with some bright spells during the day. Britain could face the tail end of Hurricane Bertha as the storm skirts the coast of America before swinging out into the North Atlantic. Weather experts have said the strength of the storm will dip as it heads north and away from the warmer waters of the Bahamas. The earliest the storm could impact the UK is thought to be Sunday. Temperatures will reach 21C today This evening will continue to see some heavier rain and breezy winds.

Gloucestershire weather: Is Hurricane Bertha about to hit Gloucestershire?