The Gareth Bale to Manchester United rumours won't go away. The Real Madrid wingman played a huge part in the Spanish club's success last season, scoring in the finals of the Champions League and Copa del Rey  - competitions that the Spanish giants won. He has been in good goalscoring form again this season as Carlo Ancelotti's side stormed to the top of La Liga. However, it has been well documented that Bale has not always enjoyed a great on-field relationship with talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis van Gaal is believed to be preparing a £120 million bid.

Liverpool misfit Rickie Lambert has fallen further down the pecking order at Anfield following  Daniel Sturridge's goalscoring return yesterday. The former Southampton star has struggled for goals and starts since his £4 million summer move and Crystal Palace and Hull are waiting to pounce.

Another player who has made his name on the south coast, Jay Rodriguez, could be on the move. Former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino would love to take the 25-year-old to Tottenham now that the once-capped England forward is close to full fitness after a knee ligament injury. Pochettino, who has impressed the bigwigs at White Hart Lane with his reconstrution of the Spurs team, has reportedly been given a £60 million war chest. Rodriguez, should he move, would account for £20 million of that.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus  has moved a step closer to the Premier League by revealing that he would like to work with Arsene Wenger. Arsenal are not short of midfielders but Wenger is believed to be considering  activating a £20 million release clause in his contract that comes into play in the summer.

A troubled teenager who had threatened to kill herself on numerous occasions finally succeeded when she hanged herself in the bathroom of her supported accommodation in Stroud, an inquest heard.

Vicky Bailey, 18, was found by a Stroud Care Services worker in her shower cubicle at her flat in Westward Road on April 22, last year.

In a written statement, the worker Joanna Bullingham said: "I was taking her medication to her but when I knocked on the door there was no response.

"I had a set of keys so I entered her ground floor flat and shouted 'hello Vicky', but there was no reply.

PC Andy Turner told Gloucestershire Coroner's Court on Thursday he was on duty and by coincidence was passing the property when he saw a paramedic outside and realised something was wrong.

He said: "There was a wooden chair on its side in the shower cubicle and the deceased was lying on the floor.

"I searched the flat but could not find any notes."

The inquest heard that the young student had self-harmed in the past and had threatened to throw herself off bridges and high buildings.

Consultant psychiatrist Rosemary Richards said: "She has been sectioned in the past under the Mental Health Act and has spent periods of time in Wotton Lawn Hospital.

"She has made numerous threats of suicide and has self-harmed.

"She was detained by the police for her own safety on a number of occasions and once walked on to a railway line.

"Vicky was diagnosed as suffering from emotionally unstable personality disorder and in April, 2014, she called the Crisis team to say she had overdosed and they responded.

"She often had an intention to take her own life but would ring for help."

Senior coroner for Gloucestershire Katy Skerrett said: "Vicky has had an ongoing battle with mental health problems and her behaviour peaked and troughed, but she was showing signs of improvement.

"She made numerous attempts of self-harm and my conclusion is that, albeit fleetingly, she intended to take her own life."

The Butcher's Arms in Eldersfield has made a list of the top 50 gastropubs in the UK, but it is still behind an eatery which describes itself as a 'grotty rundown pub by the sea.'

The 16^th century pub near Gloucester reached 34^th in the 2015 Top 50 Gastropub awards, and is Gloucestershire's only contribution to the list.

Topping the list was The Sportsman in Seasalter, Kent, which has had a Michelin star despite describing itself as a 'grotty rundown pub by the sea' on its Twitter page.

Elsewhere on the list, the Pony and Trap in Somerset and the Pipe and Glass in East Yorkshire completed the top three, while London only just made the top 10 with the Truscott Arms in Maida Vale. 

The top 50 are:

1. The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent

2. Pony & Trap, Chew Magna, Somerset

3. Pipe & Glass, South Dalton, East Yorkshire

4. Plough Inn, Longparish, Hampshire

5. The Star at Harome, North Yorkshire

6. Freemasons, Wiswell, Lancashire

7. Royal Oak, Paley Street, Berkshire

8. Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market, Norfolk

9. Gurnards Head , Zennor, Cornwall

10. Truscott Arms, Maida Vale, London

11. Harwood Arms, Fulham, London

12. Hardwick, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

13. Bull & Last, Highgate, London

14. Hinds Head, Bray, Berkshire

15. Kingham Plough, Kingham, Oxfordshire

16. Canton Arms, Stockwell, London

17. Anchor & Hope, Waterloo, London

18. Scran & Scallie, Edinburgh

19. Treby Arms, Sparkwell, Devon

20. British Larder, Bromeswell, Suffolk

21. Cornish Arms, Tavistock, Devon

22. Beckford Arms, Fonthill Gifford, Wiltshire

23. Greyhound on the Test, Stockbridge, Hampshire

24. Vintage, Leith, Scotland

25. Red Lion, Britwell Salome, Oxfordshire

26. Jack in the Green, Rockbeare, Devon

27. Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon, Wales

28. Nut Tree, Murcott, Oxon

29. Lady Ottoline, London

30.Wellington Arms, Baughurst, Hampshire

31.Cross, Kenilworth, Warwickshire

32.Longs Arms, South Wraxall, Wiltshire

33.Smokehouse, Islington, London

34.Butchers Arms, Eldersfield, Gloucestershire

35.Olive Branch Clipsham Rutland

36.Broad Chare, Newcastle

37.Anchor, Walberswick, Suffolk

38.Rat, Anick, Northumberland

39.Masons Arms, Knowstone, devon

40.Eagle, Farrington, London

41.Parkers Arms, Clitheroe, Lancashire

42.Three Daggers, Edington, Wiltshire

43.Angel at Hetton, North Yorkshire

44.Glynne Arms, Hawarden, Flintshire

45.Friends of Ham, Leeds

46.Swan at Wedmore, Somerset

47.Fox, Willian, Hertfordshire

48.Old School Bar & Kitchen, Mount Hawke, Cornwall

49.Wild Rabbit, Kingham, Oxfordshire

50. The Parlour, Kensal Green, London

Train tickets will be made 'simpler, easier and clearer' as part of the first redesign in more than 30 years.

Important information such as station names, permitted routes and time restrictions will be made clearer with larger print, and travellers buying an advanced fare will be issued with just one ticket with no separate reservation coupon.

Concerns have previously been made that too many customers face penalty fines after losing one part of the traditional two-ticket reservation.

The Department for Transport said the move would reduce the risk of ticket holders being caught out and they want ticketing across the country to begin mirroring the Oyster Card system in London. 

Lydney 25 Southend 20

Lydney clawed within four points of National Two South safety following a fiery Regentsholme affair writes Will Wood. The Severnsiders held on for the last quarter a man down after lock Charlie Danniel was sent off for punching, before director of rugby Duncan Bell joined him in the stands after blasting officials when Saxons blindside Mike Guess stamped on a Lydney player off the ball at halfway.

The visitors, who are directly above Lydney in the table, grabbed the first points when fly-half Brad Burr landed a penalty from in front of the posts on nine minutes.

The scores were level when Lydney centre John Rodgers raced 60 metres into Southend's 22, before winning a penalty in front of Southend's sticks, which full-back Tony Wicks slotted to tie things up after 13 minutes.

The game's first try went Lydney's way on 29 minutes.

Wicks sent a penalty into the corner after Southend came in at the side and Lydney pounded their whitewash.

The ball was spun down the backline allowing fly-half Brad Barnes to slip through and score, with Wicks pushing Lydney 10-3 ahead.

Saxons' blindside Guess was then binned on 35 minutes for punching.

Wicks fired the kick into the corner, before setting up camp on Southend's whitewash.

Lydney replacement Harry Brown burrowed his way over from the ruck for his side's second score.

Wicks could not improve, leaving Lydney 15-3 ahead.

In first-half added time, Southend brought the teams within a score at the break.

Forwards drove down the sideline, before backs were released where Burr's grubber bobbled behind the defence and inside centre Chris Vaughan dotted down three minutes into added time.

Burr's conversion pulled it to 15-10 at half-time.

Southend carried on at the start of the second period where they had left off at the end of the first, with their second try on 47 minutes.

After winning a penalty, Burr booted into the corner. The catch-and-drive took play to Lydney's line where loosehead Harry Hudson touched down.

Burr's conversion built a 17-15 lead.

The flashpoint arrived on the hour with an off-the-ball incident prompting the touch judge to inform the referee he had spotted Danniel throw a punch, with the lock sent off.

Bell took his frustrations out on the officials, with the former Bath prop sent into the stands.

It seemed to motivate Lydney as they scored their third try on 74 minutes.

The home side were awarded a penalty in Southend's 22, and instead of going for the posts, Barnes took a quick tap and launched over to score.

Wicks' conversion pushed the home side 22-17 ahead.

Bonus points were now important, with Southend hunting any consolation.

With Lydney five points ahead, it meant Southend would leave with a point.

On 78 minutes, Wicks had the chance to cancel it out when his side were awarded a penalty 43 metres out, but it sailed wide.

Two minutes later, Wicks had a second shot, this time closer to the posts, and he made no mistake, pushing his side 25-17 ahead.

Southend rose to the challenge and won a penalty of their own four minutes into added time.

Burr kept his cool and landed the kick from Lydney's 22, pulling his side within five points and rescuing a bonus point , to Lydney's, and Bell's frustration.

LYDNEY: Tony Wicks; Josh Hannam, Josh Innes, John Rodgers, Chris Holder (captain); Brad Barnes, Eamon Rees; Zen Szwagrzak, Mike Wallis, Ollie Day; Charlie Danniel, Dave Bennett; Matt Boobyer, Tim Longton, Chris Rovery. Reps: Will Goodrick-Clarke, Harry Brown, Jack O'Comnell, Tia Lakabuka, Jim Massey.

SOUTHEND: Danny Cleare; Billy Driver, Sonny Gay, Chris Vaughan, Mark Billings; Brad Burr, Rhys Powell; Harry Hudson, James Kellard, Sam Fombo; David Jackson, Kris Chesney (captain); Mike Guess, Marcus Bloomberg, Craig Strachan. Reps: Aston Bevans Royston, Adam Ferrier, Jason Fardell, Chris Shields, Sam Nash.

Sightings of the new Apple Watch have been made by tech junkies ahead of its highly-anticipated release in April.

Apple have given their new wrist-based device to hundreds of its employees to 'field test' it to iron out any last minute bugs and issues.

But the emergence of the new gadget has not gone unnoticed by geeks on the MacRumours forums, who have posted photos of the Apple watch in use in the real world.

The Apple Watch is expected to have features such as fitness tracking, be capable of receiving phone calls and text messages and act as a viewfinder for an iPhone camera.

Ireland have been named as the new favourite to win the Six Nations by bookmakers William Hill.

The odds for Joe Schmidt's men have been cut from 2/1 to 15/8.

England are now the second favourites at 2/1 due to injuries to key players such as Owen Farrell and Ben Morgan, with Wales at 3/1.

But it looks very close, with odds of 4/6 that no team manages to win the Grand Slam.

For the opening game on Friday, William hill are offering odds of 4/7 for a Wales win, 6/4 for England, 18/1 for a draw.

"Ireland were the form team of the Autumn Internationals and with England's Injury list growing by the day – punters have piled into Ireland," said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.

Gloucester City 2 Lowestoft Town 0

GLOUCESTER City picked up a vital three points in an ill-tempered affair against Lowestoft Town.

A late first-half penalty from Billy Jones and a brilliant solo goal from Femi Orenuga secured victory for Tim Harris' side despite playing for 40 minutes a man down after new signing Sahr Kabba was dismissed for an off the ball incident.

However, the sides were level on numbers in the 55th minute as Lee Smith picked up a red card after a lunging challenge.

The Tigers' afternoon could've been even better but Harry White will have nightmares over a goal-line miss after being excellently played in by Orenuga; but on a similar note, Lowestoft's Omar Sowunmi will wonder how he didn't convert from four yards.

The win was vitally important in a six-pointer as Gloucester extended the gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

The Tigers started the game at a thunderous pace, with Kabba making a bursting run that Erkan Okay recovered well.

Kabba was at the heart of the action again with an excellent header from six yards out that went wide.

The frenetic pace continued and the next opportunity fell to the Trawlerboys' Jake Reed but goalkeeper Paul White spectacularly saved from four yards.

Then came the moment of contention, as hotshot Kabba was dismissed on the advice of the linesman, who spotted something off the ball, much to a bemused Tigers team and bench.

However, the 10-man Tigers line-up committed themselves to the cause and should've gone into the lead but Harry White unbelievably blazed over the bar from a metre out.

Another open goal came and went, this time for Lowestoft, where Sowunmi fired wide from four yards much to the Tigers' relief.

The end of the half was mired in more controversy as White was brought down clumsily by Ashlee Jones, who only picked up a yellow card for his last man challenge.

But, it was a formality from the penalty spot as Jones slotted past his namesake for his third goal in four games.

As City looked at facing a second half with only 10 men, they received a lifeline when Smith was dismissed for a two-footed tackle on Chris Knowles; luckily for the Tigers, Knowles was fine.

Almost immediately City took advantage of the parity through the excellent Orenuga who took the ball from deep and sneaked it through Jones for a second.

Tom Webb was a man on a mission after beating four Lowestoft defenders but messed up the final finish.

The outstanding Lewis Hall could've added a third but for an excellent save by the Lowestoft goalkeeper.

Brought on as a substitute late on, Frenchman Mo Diop impressed on his home debut with an unconventional run past five Lowestoft men but after playing in Hall Jones recovered well.

It was a truly dominant display from the Tigers who recorded a much-needed victory.

Gloucester City: P. White, M. Green, B. Jones, J. Harris, S. Avery, C. Knowles, F. Orenuga (A. Connolly 68), T. Webb, H. White (M. Diop 78), S. Kabba , L. Hall. Subs not used: M. Richards, C. Griffin, J. James.

Lowestoft Town: A. Jones, O. Sowunmi, J. Ainsley, E. Okay (R. Eagle 78), D. Gleeson, S. Gaughran, L. Smith, R. Jarvis, J. Reed (D. Mason 68), D. Crow, S. Bammant (A. Fisk 59). Subs not used: B. Woods-Garness, J. Jessup

Attendance: 419.

Two, four, six, eight, who did these cheerleaders appreciate? Topps Tiles.

The Black Panthers Allstar Cheerleading squad celebrated the opening of the new store in Stroud's London Road.

Kerry Stallon is part of the shop's management team and also performs with the Bristol-based cheerleaders.

Newly formed Stroud cheerleaders, LCS, also took part in the event.

Kerry said more than 100 shoppers came through the doors on Topps Tiles' opening day on Saturday.

She said: "We are new to Stroud and so it was fantastic to see how many people turned up."

The DIY store moved in to the former BVM Moto site, which moved to Merretts Mills Industrial Estate in Woodchester.

The Forest of Dean is spoilt for choice with country pubs.

But if you venture off the beaten track and take the small country lanes into Blaisdon, you can find a gem of a traditional English pub which is drawing loyal customers from across the county and beyond.

The Red Hart Inn has stood since the 16th Century and has established itself at the heart of the village with its annual community events, popularity with ramblers and cyclists and a good reputation with nearby bed and breakfasts.

It is a small rustic country hostelry which is being warmed in these winter months by its stove fire, and it has a growing reputation for real ales and food.

The menu has eye-catching additions including pheasant and grilled cod, and a solid fan base for its Sunday lunches.

Foreign visitors from nearby bed and breakfasts and camp sites are using The Red Hart as an introduction to a traditional English pub, and it has also drawn a loyal following from Quedgeley and Cheltenham.

It is for these reasons that the Campaign for Real Ale made The Red Hart its pub of the year for 2014 in the Forest of Dean district.

Co-landlord Sharon Hookings said it is a place where there's no such thing as a stranger.

She said: "Mostly people come for food because we have a good reputation for it, but it's important that we remain a drinkers' pub as well because that's the way we get the atmosphere.

"It's somewhere everybody knows everybody. It's like social networking but without the internet, which is the way it should be.

"We're friendly and welcoming. We get to know them and make them feel comfortable."

In the summer, The Red Hart brings Blaisdon together with its Saturday night barbecues and helping to organise the Blaisdon Village Fete.

Throughout the year it also hosts funerals, christenings, and annual celebrations such as St Valentine's Day.

Sharon began working in pubs when she was 19 after growing up around the British Legion in Hardwicke, which her mum used to run.

The pub is also breeding pigs and will serve its own homemade ham in October.

After travelling the world, working on a cruise ship, Sharon ended up at The Red Hart helm almost by accident.

Sharon came to the former Whitbread cider pub only for an initial six months while she and her husband looked to realise their dreams of opening a coffee shop.

But nine years later she has made The Red Hart her own, introducing charity events such as quizzes and a bonfire later in the year for the young farmers and the Dean Forest Hospice in Coleford.

Despite her globetrotter past, Sharon is now firmly at home at The Red Hart Inn.

She said: "I felt the vibe and the atmosphere of the place and being a local girl it felt just like home.

"There's no place like home. I think it's the best place in the world."

Wells 43 Matson 22

Matson are still deep in trouble in South West One West after letting a 17-point lead slip.

They had the best of the early encounters and their endeavours were rewarded after eight minutes.

It followed a steal at the lineout by Ben Stokes who made good distance before passing to Farrell Gwillam.

He flicked on to Aaron Tonks, who then released Ryan Woodhouse to go over in the corner for a try. Woodhouse also converted.

Ten minutes later, following further Matson pressure on the home side who were trying to run the ball from midway in their own half, the visitors stretched their lead.

An interception by Jervan Brown 25 metres out saw him go under the posts and Woodhouse converted.

Five minutes later, Woodhouse converted a penalty to put the visitors 17-0 after the home side were punished for not releasing.

From this point, the home side started to get their act together and immediately hit back with a well taken unconverted try to reduce the deficit.

The home side continued to dominate for the latter part of the first half and it was only dogged and determined defence by the visitors that ensured Matson led 17-5 at the interval.

The pattern of play by the home side during the closing minutes of the first half gave a clear indication of what the visitors could expect in the second half.

Immediately from the restart, the home side gathered the ball and drove through the centre of the Matson defence for a converted try and within two minutes an almost identical move saw the home side touch down again for a converted try to put them 19-17 up.

Matson, not learning from the warning signs, and with indiscipline and lack of shape, conceded a further pair of converted tries and suddenly within 15 minutes of the restart the home side were ahead 33-17.

Matson then came back into the game and pressurised the home line for a considerable time but with over-complication at the lineout, failed to capitalise on their domination until they finally realised that the traditional format of gain and drive at the lineout should be the preferred option which was rewarded with Jack Knight touching down for an unconverted try to make the score 33-22.

The remaining 15 minutes proved a scrappy affair with both sides frustrated by some questionable refereeing decisions but they proved most productive for the home side who added a further converted try and penalty to give them a 43-22 victory. It was an outcome which was considered by many to be an unlikely outcome given the first half pattern of play.  

Birdwatchers went head-to-head at Slimbridge's Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust to see how many species they can spot.

The festival of birds took place as bird numbers peak in the Gloucestershire reserve as teams and individuals competed to record as many birds as possible.

On a good day at Slimbridge visitors can see up to 100 species of birds.

The less competitive got the chance to have a go at swan bill sketching, wild bird feeding and dog decoy demonstrations.

One Show star Mike Dilger, falcon expert Ed Drewitt, and Mya-Rose Craig, 12, who became the youngest person to see 3,500 species of bird, all attended the event.

James Lees, reserve warden, said: "The Bird Festival is a chance for us to really showcase what a fantastic day out Slimbridge is for wildlife lovers."

Andy Murray's hopes of winning his first Australian Open title have been dashed.

World number one Novak Djokovic proved too strong for the battling Brit in Melbourne today.

The first two sets were incredibly tight with Djokovic winning the first on tie-break and Murray winning the second, also on a tiebreak.

But after Djokovic won the third set he ran away with the match, winning the fourth set to love.

It was his fifth Australian Open title and his eighth Grand Slam.

Hartpury 34 Darlington Mowden Park 19

Hartpury continued their good record against clubs from the north east with this hard-fought and well-deserved victory writes Andrew Beacham. Both teams came into the match on the back of good recent results.

Darlington had won their previous four in National One while Hartpury, fresh from good wins at Esher and Fylde, were looking to make it eight in a row.

Having fielded a settled side in recent weeks, Hartpury were forced to deal with the loss of key personnel for this encounter.

Out went last week's hat-trick hero Dan Thomas, along with Steph Reynolds, Joe Batley and Lewis Ludlow – all required for Gloucester's LV=Cup clash with Ospreys.

However, the college were able to call upon the occasional services of England Sevens flyer Dan Norton – forming a potent-looking back three with Mat Protheroe and Jaike Carter.

Also making a welcome return to the bench was Scotland Under-20 scrum half Ben Vellacott, missing for the whole season so far through injury.

Darlington's decent start to life in the division has been built around a powerful set of forwards and they made their presence felt in the opening exchanges.

Indeed, they may have expected more from a series of scrums close to the Hartpury line but eventually it was the hosts who were able to turn up the power and turn the ball over.

The previous week, at Fylde, the damage was largely done in the first half and so it was to be here as Hartpury rocked the visitors with three tries in six minutes to take control of the game.

The first came in the 18th minute. In a stiff breeze and in their own half, Darlington risked a lineout throw towards the tail. The ball was overthrown and number eight Seb Negri was able to drive forward, the move being carried on by prop Des Merrey.

After another surge in-field, the ball was cleverly switched back towards the right hand side. Protheroe took Jackson's pass on the 22 and quickly realised that the defenders in front of him were mainly front five forwards.

Faced with that mismatch he needed no second invitation and good feet saw him behind the posts to score.

Better was to follow shortly after. Darlington drove forwards but Steve Uren's tackle forced the fumble. Spotting an open field, Hartpury again attacked to the right, winger Carter making ground before straightening his run to fix the home defence.

Protheroe was again in support, although he still had plenty to do. This time it was sheer pace that saw him get outside the defence and beat the covering Robinson on his way to the corner.

Gareth Thompson, in another faultless kicking display, added the extras with an excellent touchline conversion.

Protheroe and Carter were both involved in the third. The youngster launched a high ball that bounced on the Darlington 22. Winger and full-back somehow made a hash of dealing with it and Carter's superb chase allowed him to capitalise with a further five points, again improved by Thompson.

The Darlington full-back had his misery made complete on the stroke of half time. An inside ball released centre Craig Jackson through a yawning gap in the visiting midfield. Robinson was the last line of defence but was left motionless as Jackson stepped past him and over by the posts.

A bonus point and a 28-0 lead was a comfortable half time scenario for the hosts. Darlington, now assisted by a diagonal cross-field wind, did respond in the 48th minute when their scrum drove over for Cox to touch down, but Hartpury rose well to the challenge.

With flanker Tom MacDonald, excellent in recent weeks, leading by example they gave as good as they got, as the game became something of an arm-wrestle.

Indeed forward pressure, including a mighty scrum that demolished the Darlington eight, brought two further penalties that Thompson dispatched with ease.

Darlington did cross twice in a frantic late attempt to salvage something from the game, but tries from Kill and Johnston were too little, too late as they contemplated the long journey home without any sort of consolation.

Hartpury make a similar journey next week, visiting strugglers Tynedale, before big matches against leaders Ealing and Coventry to test their growing confidence.

Hartpury: M Protheroe, J Carter, S Leonard, C Jackson, D Norton, M Burton, W Thompson, D Merrey, C Fortey, W Thompson, R Bartle, J Voss, T MacDonald, S Uren, S Negri. Reps: W Tanner, T Brockett, W Safe, B Vellacott, J Forrester

Darlington: H Robinson, T Kill, C Mitchell, T Hodgson, L Johnston, G Connon, S Stuart, G Nesbit, M Thompson, R Appleby, R Conquest, B Gledhill, G Van den Dries, J Maud, A Cox. Reps: C Maddison, S Ukozwe, G Hedgely, G Law, A Nixon

Referee: P Davies

Attendance: 365

Star Man: Tom MacDonald (Hartpury)

England's Glory is set to be brought into "the 21st century" under new management.

The London Road pub was taken over by business partners Owen Stapleford and Debbie Hudson just before Christmas.

The duo says it has a vision to turn the popular Gloucester city centre pub into a venue for larger functions, as well as revamping its menu.

New furniture and a refurbished function room are also on the cards for England's Glory, which is popular with nurses from the nearby Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Owen and Debbie, who both come from Bristol, said England's Glory regulars have reacted well so far to the change of management.

"It's still about being a community pub, but we just want to bring it into the 21st century," said Owen.

"It's been absolutely brilliant since we've take over.

"We have a lot of regular drinkers but we want them to use us for food as well. A lot of them wouldn't have eaten in England's Glory before.

"We want to make England's Glory their first stop for food, without leaving our regulars behind."

Carveries are now being offered instead of regular Sunday roasts, and 92 people tried the pub's new end-of week offerings last Sunday.

The function room is set to be revamped so it can accommodate wedding receptions and other large events.

A popular Sunday night trivia quiz has also been started, and England's Glory will also introduce its own version of the black rock grill, in which customers can watch their steaks being cooked in front of them.

Owen and Debbie have been business partners for almost eight years and have managed pubs in Salisbury and Oxford.

Owen has also managed pubs in Stroud, was at the helm of the Wickwar Social Club in Gloucester, and also managed a nightclub in Bristol.

He said: "We want to make the best of the pub we've got and we hope that we're here for a long time.

"We want to be here to drive the business forward."

TOASTING a hugely successful month on and off the pitch, Forest Green manager Ady Pennock has called on the club's supporters to crank up the noise and keep the club in the Vanarama Conference promotion shake-up.

Rovers saw off relegation battlers Nuneaton Town thanks to Jon Parkin's seventh goal in four league matches, a result that lifted the men from the New Lawn into the play-offs zone.

Thrilled with his side's form – plus the January captures of Charlie Clough, Corby Moore, Stuart Fleetwood and James Marwood – Pennock is unlikely to be a major player on transfer deadline day.

Instead his mind has already turned to this weekend's clash with Grimsby Town, who are one place and four points better off in the current standings.

Pennock said: "I really appreciate the fans who turned up (on Saturday) in the freezing cold – it was windy and horrible and they came in their numbers.

"But Grimsby will be a huge game, so I want them to bring a friend or two friends with them next week.

"I want the place to be rocking. Grimsby will bring good support and I want us to see if we can match them vocally, appealing for everything."

Four league wins in a row have made Pennock and Parkin the stand-out candidates for the respective manager and player of the month awards, although it was not always plain sailing against Liam Daish's Nuneaton.

"I love 1-0 wins and conditions weren't great at all, so I'll take that all day long," Pennock said.

"It was one of those games where you just have to get the three points, and although there wasn't a lot of excitement in the match I thought we managed it really well.

"Now we've got a massive game against Grimsby next week. It's lovely to be in the play-offs going into February, and it's a credit to everybody here, but there's still a long way to go yet."

On Parkin's incredible hot streak, the Rovers boss added: "He's in great form and has turned the fans round.

"I can remember hearing people behind me shouting and hollering at him but he's worked ever so hard and has been different class for us."

One man who will play no further part in Forest Green's campaign is striker Lee Hughes, who has completed his expected return to Kidderminster Harriers.

The 38-year-old's contract has been terminated in order for him to move back to Aggborough, where he began his professional career and scored 70 goals in 139 appearances between 1994 and 1997.

Pennock said: "I'd like to thank Lee for his professionalism both on and off the pitch. It's a fantastic move for him and his family.

"Unfortunately due to the form of the other strikers he was unable to play as often as he would have liked. I wish him all the best."

After 41 years in the software engineering sector working on aircrafts and torpedoes retirement would seem like an ideal time to relax.

However 74-year-old Chris Tormey couldn't think of anything worse.

"For me retirement was the time to actually do the things I enjoy," said Chris who retired in 2000 at the age of 60.

These things included a course in dog grooming, becoming vice chairman of his parish council and building a demonstration track for the Model Electronic Railway Group.

He also took on the local magazine The Chimes, which has almost doubled in circulation since his time at the helm.

As a result Chris, who lives in Aston Ingham near Newent with his wife Anne, has just been named South West Winner in the prestigious British Laterlife Challenge 2014/15.

The challenge recognises the new concepts and lifestyles of the over 50s and 60s.

The judges were looking for people who were making the very most of their retirement years in a number of areas, including contributing to society, learning new things and of course having fun.

"I was absolutely elated to find out that I had won," said Chris, who was one of the runners up in the competition back in 2009.

"It's nice to think that even in retirement you can still be recognised for the work you do.

As well as the recognition for his achievements Chris was also given a bottle of champagne and £150 towards a Red Letter Day – which will be an experience such as hot air ballooning which himself and Anne can do together.

His story will be used to inspire others across the UK who find the transition from full time work into retirement challenging.

Challenge organiser Tony Clack said: "In the end Chris's entry stood out. His zest for life and enthusiasm are a wonderful example to others that retirement years can be fulfilling and fun."

For all you American Football fans that managed to stay up until four this morning to watch the Super Bowl– I hope you think it was worth it as you struggle through another Monday.

The New England Patriots fought back in the fourth quarter of the game to beat last year's winners the Seattle Seahawks in a 28-24 victory.

New England's quarterback Tom Brady was named MVP after throwing all four of the touchdowns his team scored.

It is Brady's third Super Bowl win, and also his third MVP, after missing out on the Vince Lombardi Trophy the last two times he appeared in the final of the competition.

Insurance company Nationwide had the most talked about advertisement that played during the Super Bowl XLIX – but for all the wrong reasons.

The 'commercial' featured a photogenic little boy telling viewers all the things he will not do in life, including getting married and travelling the world, because he died in a household accident as a child.

The ad which Nationwide said cost $4.5million to make, has the strapline: "The number one cause of childhood deaths is preventable accidents."

Advertisement space during the American Football event is hot property, with a 30 second spot costing millions for those that want it.

But many were surprised by what is a usually positive break to be confronted with the morbid advertisement.

I can't believe Nationwide killed a kid.

— Joe Kaiser (@TheJoeKaiser) February 2, 2015

Esurance got Walter White, Nationwide killed a kid. Definitely getting my insurance from Esurance

— Rob Kosciuk (@RobKosciuk) February 2, 2015

Up until that play call, the worst thing about the Super Bowl was all those dead kids. #Nationwide

— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) February 2, 2015

More than £1million has been wasted on a failed plan to vacate an ageing police base in Gloucester in favour of building new offices.

The plan to shut Bearland and build a new base in its place in Eastern Avenue was first proposed by the old Gloucestershire Police Authority, but has now been discarded as too expensive.

Despite that, it cost £1,131,785 before the doomed plan was halted, a Freedom of Information request has revealed - the equivalent of more than 50 police constables' annual salary.

Costs include £900,000 for the purchase of the Eastern Avenue site and £134,500.46 to demolish the fire station which once stood there.

More than £97,000 was spent on other costs including £30,000 for 24/7 security at the site and £40,000 in solicitors fees.

The Taxpayers' Alliance branded it an "appalling waste of taxpayers' money".

Chief executive Jonathan Isaby said: "The only saving grace is that even more cash wasn't frittered away.

"With budgets especially tight right now, it's crucial to ensure that every single penny goes towards frontline services, and that means keeping police on the beat in local communities stopping and preventing crime."

The former Police Authority approved the acquisition in May 2012 despite Bearland being leased to the police by Gloucestershire County Council at a peppercorn £1 a year rent.

The move was thought to be well advanced, with details as fine as how many lockers were to be installed all but finalised, according to some police officers.

But the plan, which would have cost £3.4million in total and would have seen the new station virtually finished by now, was scrapped in December by Gloucestershire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl.

He said the proposal was not affordable and may have led to the closure of Barton Street police station.

Mr Surl said: "I reviewed the proposal soon after I took office and it became clear it was never going to be affordable – especially in the current economic climate with the likelihood of the police having to cut millions more from their budget in the next few years.

"Remaining at Bearland provided much better value for money for the taxpayer.

"Keeping Barton Street and maximising its potential at the heart of Gloucester's most diverse community is a far better option operationally and financially.

"Apart from the cost of buying the site, which was incurred before I was elected, the only money spent on Eastern Avenue since has been on security and necessary surveys, searches and inquiries. Eastern Avenue is a valuable brownfield site which we still own. It remains an investment and I see no point in making an unnecessarily hasty decision on its future."

THE COSTS

Cost of Eastern Avenue site £900,000

Cost of demolition £134,500.46

Asbestos survey £720.00

Transport and flood assessment £2,750.00

Topographical survey £925.00

24/7 security of site £30,177.00

Desk study and ground investigation £4,649.02

Architectural study £1,250.00

Planning advice £16,221.25

Solicitors £40,542.39

Environment Agency £50.00

Total: £1,131, 785.12