If you have found a gold wedding ring at Gloucester Quays you could make a mother-of-two very, very happy.

Charlotte Booth, 29, a nurse at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital was sat on the bench outside TGI Fridays on Llanthony Road on Sunday just before 4pm when she dropped the treasured ring.

Made of white gold and gold and bearing no markings the ring has massive sentimental significance – as well as being a symbol of an enduring childhood love affair with husband Andy.

It was a ring chosen with her grandmother who was to pass away while the couple were on their honeymoon, imbuing the ring with even more emotions.

"Andy has been really good. He said 'I can replace 100 rings, but I can't replace you'," said Mrs Booth, who is due to celebrate her fifth wedding anniversary on April 3. 

"We met when we were at school aged 14 and have never been apart. We couldn't afford to get married for a while, but obviously now we are."

The couple - who met at Severn Vale School - have two children, Louis, 11, and Harry, 7.

"I never wear my rings for work, but I put them on if I go out," said Mrs Booth, nee Blackwell, who lives near Crypt School.

"My hands were a bit dry so I sat on the bench outside TGI's to put some hand cream on. I put the rings on my lap, the girls came along and we started talking. Then I stood up and went into the restaurant."

As soon as she realised a full scale search ensued which included the manager of the restaurant, and while the group was able to find her engagement ring her wedding ring remains missing.

"The manager was absolutely brilliant. I can't thank him enough. When we got back into the restaurant he gave us hot drinks and said he would do all he could – that he would check under the tables and chairs when we had gone and take them apart if necessary."

If you have found the ring please contact The Citizen on 01452 690792 or 01242 278078 or email andrew.merrell@glosmedia.co.uk

Injured Nev Codlin has left Cinderford by mutual consent so he can concentrate on getting himself back to full fitness.

An agreement has been made between the Cinderford winger and the club to let him go after five seasons at Dockham Road.

His last taste of action for the Foresters was during their home victory over Ealing Trailfinders but he had to be carried off after suffering a tear to an ankle ligament.

The set-back is his latest in a long line of injuries during the past eight months but Codlin is confident he can return to the game with a flourish.

He said: "It has been a frustrating season for me and this is something I have been thinking about for a long time.

"I would like a change and there has already been a lot of changes at the club this season. My plan is to get fit and fully refreshed and see what other doors may open up for me."

Codlin drew interest from Coventry last season, a club looking at a future in the Championship. The winger says he would relish a chance to impress at a club in the second tier of English rugby and is hoping to be fit to feature for the England Counties set-up this summer.

He added: "I will have many fond memories of playing with Cinderford and I would still like to play at this level for a while yet. I want to sort out my body and my head first and then I will see what opportunities are out there."

"Mad luck" saved 20-year-old Aaron Russel from being jailed after attacking a former schoolmate simply for liking an ex-girlfriend's Instagram photo.

Russel, of Campion Close, Robinswood, took to Facebook after he was spared prison at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday, saying: "Today was mad so close to going down but had some mad luck. Time to better myself."

He was in the dock for glassing Ben Ackeray in the face at H20 nightclub in Eastgate Street in August.

Russel struck his victim with a glass simply because Mr Ackeray had "liked" a photo of Russel's ex-girlfriend on the photo-sharing social network.

The court was told Mr Ackeray was a former school acquaintance of Russel's.

Prosecuting barrister Julian Kesner told the court: "The cut was just two inches from the victim's eye and a witness said that 'Ben was lucky his eye wasn't taken out'. The victim had put a 'like' tick next to a picture of the defendant's former girlfriend on Instagram and the defendant approached him in the nightclub.

"Mr Ackeray said to the defendant 'all right?' and Russsel said 'no it's not all right'.

"He then said 'I'm going to ram this glass in your face' and swung the glass at the victim and quickly left the club."

Defending lawyer Steve Young said: "My client has no previous convictions for violence and at the time he was in an unhappy relationship and had been using drugs."

Recorder Paul Grumbar said: "This was an absolutely appalling thing to do but I am going to give you one last chance. You are the first person I have not sent to prison for this sort of offence."

Russel was given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to pay £200 compensation, do 40 hours of unpaid work and be put on 18 months' supervision.

Nic Corrigan will put his team through the grinder in training as Cinderford seek more precision when faced with try-scoring chances.

Cinderford scored three times against Loughborough Students on Saturday but could not find that decisive bonus-point, which could make a difference in their safety bid come the end of the National One season.

Focus this week will be centred around soothing some white-line fever after the Foresters let torrid conditions get the better of them in the loose and squandered several prime opportunities.

On the other hand, Corrigan was delighted with the dynamism his outfit showed and believes their decision-making is improving with a solid platform from the set-piece.

Tries were scored by the side's back three contingent of Stef Hawley, Alex Frame and Mike Wilcox, which proves Cinderford are capable of an all-round performance on their day.

Corrigan said: "I think to get four points against Loughborough Students is a very good result. There was some really good industry in how we performed and I think we played to the game plan I wanted us to play.

"I am probably a little disappointed we didn't come away with that fourth try and we could have perhaps been a bit more clinical at time.

"But, in the conditions and against a good pack in Loughborough, I think we have done well for the win and I think we were good value for it.

"I do think we are moving in the right director although there is a lot of work to do. We maybe have to be a bit sharper in our speed and a bit more decisive and to make sure, right now, that we keep expressing ourselves."

He continued: "We are starting to play the way we have wanted to play. There were some good 22 entries today and what we are looking for in the green-zone is starting to happen.

"It was a particularly-good scrummaging performance and it was good to do that having decided that was where we wanted to take Loughborough on both physically."

Cinderford are persisting with what Corrigan calls a "entrepreneurial" style of rugby, taking advantage of the looser attacking style Loughborough brought to Dockham Road.

He said: "We've got a job to develop these players and make sure the game plan is representative of them as a team.

"Sometimes, we tinker with that but ultimately we want to play a very direct style of rugby that's built upon us being able to do basic things very well and time them.

"I think the players are starting to make the right decisions at the right times but there is still a lot of work for us to go through.

"We're looking forward to welcoming Francis Cummins, who will be joining us this week from a coaching point of view to support us and he will be refining some of the processes in the entry in the 22.

"Against Old Albanian, we are going to have to play on the line and really take the game to them but he responsibility is on us (to do that).

"Their result has helped us close the gap but it's not necessarily what we wanted. So, all-in-all, it has been a decent performance today but way to go and some enthusiasm and energy to bring to this structure."

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision which seriously injured three people in the Forest of Dean.

The collision happened on the B4228, in the Hewelsfield area, on the cross roads to Church Lane. 

Closures will affect the north side of the cross roads, which junctions with Church Lane, as well as the south side of the junction of Church Lane, leading from B4228. 

The roads in this area will be closed for at least 3 hour following the collision involving a van and a car.

Three people with serious injuries have been taken to Southmead Hospital; two by air ambulance and the third by road ambulance

Gloucestershire Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed a serious RTC this afternoon (16/02/15) to come forward.

Two Clayton Dee penalties were not enough for Gloucester Under-18s after Exeter Chiefs edged to an 11-6 victory in the fifth place play-off of the Premiership Academy Finals Day.

Dee struck either side of the interval to nudge the young Cherry and Whites into the lead following Declan Matthews early try for the Chiefs at Allianz Park.

But Tom Putt proved the difference, landing two second-half penalties to take the honours.

Exeter started the encounter brightly but both sides struggled to turn pressure into points with both James McFarlane and Dee off target.

But the Chiefs soon established their forward dominance and after nicking a Gloucester lineout Matthews barged through three would be tackles to score in the corner.

McFarlane was unable to add the extras and Dee chipped away at the deficit before booting his side into the lead.

But Gloucester were unable to add to their account in difficult conditions and Putt slotted two long-range effort to take the spoils despite a late fight-back.

Gloucester Rugby: R Forbes, M Tonks, O Thorley, E Creed, T Barbarinsa (T Seabrook 61), C Dee, H Bassett (M Churcher 48); A Serville, J Mullis, G Toye, T Jerrum, A Craig, H Lloyd-Jones (H Walker 47), T Reynolds (W Safe 50), H Germishuys

Pens - Dee (2)

Exeter Chiefs: E Tyler, B Janes, H Strong, N Sixton, H Cully, J McFarlane (T Putt 40), J Maunder (S Fox 16); O Dawe (L Hillar 55), L Trewhella (A Taylor 55), B Keast (J Stanley 45), K Westlake, C O'Shaughnessy, J Caulfield, N Bayet, D Matthews (A Brown 44)

Try – Matthews; Pens – Putt (2)

WITH previous leaders Cheltenham Civil Service out of action King's Stanley claimed top spot in the Gloucestershire County League with victory at Ellwood.

It may have been a different outcome if Ellwood had scored the penalty that was taken by Derek Roberts and brilliantly saved by Ashley Gale early on.

As it was, Matt Addis put the home side one up after 35 minutes to go into the break with the lead.

The visitors were not behind for very long as Luke Barstow headed home from a corner early in the second half.

A second from Andy Roberts on 60 minutes put Stanley into the lead, and five minutes it was 3-1 thanks to Jake Davies.

Sam Prior's goal on 75 minutes put Stanley in a very comfortable position, but five minutes from the end Addis netted his second of the afternoon for Ellwood.

Chipping Sodbury were held to a draw at home to Frampton United and are now level on points with Civil Service but have played four games more.

Gala Wilton hosted Rockleaze Rangers on a very bumpy pitch, the home side going ahead after 15 minutes when a corner was swung into the box from the right and debutant Joe Kelly headed it past helpless keeper Burgess.

It was 2-0 when Greig Artus headed home at the far post but Rangers got a goal back in the 63rd minute via a good break down the right by Luke Fricker and a superb cross for new signing Alex Fox to head home off the post.

Rangers were now looking the better side and they got their just reward on 85 minutes when Ed Freeman's defence-splitting pass found Fox to make it 2-2.

Third from bottom Bishop's Cleeve Reserves met Patchway Town, the team just below them, and it ended in a 0-0 stalemate with very few chance throughout the 90 minutes.

Kingswood's visit to Bristol Telephones turned out to be a very fruitful afternoon as they came away with the three points and a 5-2 scoreline.

Telephones got off to a dreadful start when their goalkeeper was unable to take the field, forcing outfield player Troy Watts to don the gloves.

Ryan Mudd put Kingswood one up in the first minute and Simon Clark added a second before Mike Grist headed home from a corner to make it 2-1 to the visitors at the break.

Dan Griffiths scored to make it 3-1 to Kingswood and a double strike from Frank Hitchings put the visitors well in control. Dhani Goulding then scored for the home side but they were well and truly beaten on the day.

Berkeley Town will need to pull something special out of the bag if they are to pull away from the bottom of the table by the end of the season.

Their 2-1 defeat at home to Thornbury Town leaves them five points adrift, and they fell behind on 25 minutes when Craig Lancastle cut into the box and fired a low shot into the corner of the net.

The visitors went 2-0 up on 43 minutes when the ball was squared to the edge of the box for Toby Bennett, but Berkeley pulled a goal back on 59 minutes when Joe Blakeney fired into the bottom corner.

Results: AEK Boco 2 Hanham Athletic 1, Berkeley Town 1 Thornbury Town 2, Bishop's Cleeve Reserves 0 Patchway Town 0, Bristol Telephones 2 Kingswood 5, Chipping Sodbury Town 1 Frampton United 1, Ellwood 2 King's Stanley 4, Gala Wilton 2 Rockleaze Rangers 2, Yate Town Reserves 2 Southmead CS Athletic 3.

Fixtures of Saturday, February 21: Ellwood v Chipping Sodbury Town, Frampton United v AEK Boco, Hanham Athletic v Berkeley Town, King's Stanley v Patchway Town, Kingswood v Southmead CS Athletic, Rockleaze Rangers v Bishop's Cleeve Reserves, Thornbury Town v Bristol Telephones, Yate Town Reserves v Henbury.

Les James League Cup semi-final: Cheltenham Civil Service v Gala Wilton.

A judge today admitted "taking a big risk" by freeing a Brockworth man who stabbed at his "terrified" pregnant wife six times in a drunken jealous rage.

A police officer called to victim Amanda Cooper's home home on December 5 last year said he had "never heard a scream like it before" during his lengthy career, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

Lee Johnsey, 40, of Avon Crescent, Brockworth, pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding mother-of-three Ms Cooper and assaulting her friend Maria Morgan on the same date.

Prosecuting barrister Julian Kesner said: "The defendant had had a lot to drink that evening and when he drinks too much he gets paranoid and thinks his wife is being unfaithful.

"On the night in question two friends – James Copeland and Maria Morgan – had called around and Amanda Cooper was crying.

"She said her husband had poured Coke over her head and had smashed the glass on the floor the day before.

"The defendant was clearly agitated and accused his wife of sleeping with two other men.

"Maria tried to diffuse the situation and took the defendant into the kitchen to talk, but he grabbed a seven-inch kitchen knife and held it close to Maria's throat

"Mr Copeland came into the kitchen and asked the defendant to put down the knife, which he did.

"The visitors then left and the defendant entered the living room where his wife was sitting on a sofa and hit her so hard on the temple that she said she saw stars. He told her to go upstairs.

"He followed her and punched her again and then threw a bedroom lamp at her.

"He went back downstairs, picked up the kitchen knife, went back up and started to prod her body several times with the knife.

"None of the wounds were significant fortunately but there were a lot of them – six in all – to the legs, arms and stomach.

"She was lying on the bed and tried to grab the knife from him.

"The neighbours called the police and the officer who attended, an experienced policeman, said that when he went up to the bedroom he heard the defendant's wife scream. He said he had never heard a scream like it before.

"The defendant was arrested."

The court then heard that Johnsey had 15 previous convictions for 27 offences, including assault, dishonesty, drink-driving and public order. Most of the offences were committed when the defendant was drunk.

Defending barrister Jason Coulter said: "My client knows that his behanviour was disgraceful and when he sobered up he was appalled at what he had done.

"Although he stabbed out at her persistently the nature of the injuries was superficial and he was not applying a great deal of force.

"But what now makes him shiver is that she was pregnant at the time, but neither knew that at the time.

"He is utterly appalled at this deeply unpleasant incident and entered an early guilty plea despite the fact that his wife does not support this prosecution and has not made a victim's impact statement.

"He is extremely remorseful and when he is sober is really a lovely chap."

Said Recorder Grumbar: "You behaved in a really worrying way and your wife must have been terrified.

"But your wife clearly still has affection for you and you have a baby due in August, but domestic violence cannot be tolerated.

"I am taking a big risk by giving you a suspended prison sentence, but if you breach any of the conditions you will surely go to jail."

Johnsey was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, an 18-month alcohol treatment programme, 18 months supervision and ordered to do 40 hours of unpaid work.

A losing bonus point away at Leicester is always deemed a good result when you scan through the fixtures at the start of the season.

But Gloucester will feel they had the chances to beat the Tigers, despite being under the cosh for much of the second half.

Taking your chances is always crucial in a game of rugby, but that is amplified at Welford Road where the opportunities can be scarce, particularly in Friday night's conditions.

Instead Gloucester butchered their one clear opening – with a forward pass from Henry Purdy to Mark Atkinson – and with it lost a great chance to seize the momentum in the game.

There was plenty to be positive about.

The Gloucester pack were in the ascendency for a decent chunk of the game – which is a significant achievement given recent history.

Trevor Woodman seems to be having an ever increasing influence on the forward eight.

The World Cup-winner may not have had an immediate impact when he came in last season, but gradually Gloucester's forward fortunes have turned around and I'm sure Woodman is delighted with what he is seeing.

James Hook seems to be coming into his own off the kicking tee. In difficult conditions he had an excellent day which meant Gloucester didn't really miss the influence of Grieg Laidlaw from scrum-half.

I go back to the kick Hook landed against Saracens. It really seems to have given him a boost with his kicking confidence.

Dan Robson is on a par with Laidlaw in terms of scrum-half play and it's a great shame he will leave for Wasps at the end of the season. If Hook had clicked into gear of the tee a bit earlier there could have been more starts going Robson's way.

Of course it was another former Gloucester player with mixed fortunes off the kicking tee who did the business for Leicester.

Freddie Burns had one season of knocking them over regularly for the Cherry and Whites, but has never found the required consistency since then.

We saw the best and worst of Burns on Friday, conceding the turnover which result in the missed chance for Atkinson.

Overall not a bad day for Gloucester. But it could have been so much better.

I would say 47-17 is pretty much a par score for England against Italy.

Jonathan Joseph scored two excellent tries, but you have to put it into perspective that it was at home against the weakest team in the Six Nations.

I need to see this England backline fire against the best teams before they can be declared anything near World Cup contenders.

Wales was a great start, but there was really nothing particularly wonderful or poor about the Italy game so you have to reserve judgement.

I have to say that George Ford is growing on me as a fly-half.

When he was first picked I thought it was the wrong decision, but he has looked assured of late and a real contender for Owen Farrell. I actually think it's Ford's shirt at the moment, regardless of Farrell's fitness.

You have to spare a thought for Ben Morgan while these Six Nations games are happening.

You get a sense the England pack is becoming settled which makes it very difficult to see someone like Morgan coming back in for the World Cup after so long out.

Billy Vunipola still hasn't shone, but he has looked better that he did in November and doesn't really have a challenger for the shirt at the moment.

I can't bring myself to call London Welsh at home 'a potential banana skin' because I think it would be an outright disaster if Gloucester were to lose this one.

Welsh are bottom, they've lost all their games and have one bonus point to show for their whole season.

There's no way they can be allowed to leave Kingsholm with even a stolen toilet roll from the men's toilet.

That said, Gloucester need to approach the game professionally and with a plan.

Often the Cherry and Whites can be guilty of not building their way into a game like this.

The aim should be to keep it tight early, get a lead in the game and only then start thinking about try bonus points.

If you start too loose you can get picked off and the longer an opponent stays in the game, no matter who they are, the more confident they become.

I fully expect Gloucester to do the business on Saturday afternoon at 3pm (for a change). But every games takes some winning at this level.

JUST like the character she is playing, actress Emma Hatton is defying gravity after landing the lead role in West End musical Wicked.

Emma, who grew up in Coleford, has been understudy for the part of Elphaba for 12 months before finally getting the starring role in the hit show.

"I knew the part very well, having performed as her in more than 100 shows over the year," said the former Lakers School pupil.

"The difference now is that I have the chance to make the part my own."

She added: "Of course, there is responsibility which comes with that as it is such a hugely popular musical across the world and the fans are very precious about it."

Emma, 31, came to musical theatre quite late in life. She had already received a degree in sports science and English from Loughborough University when she decided to take a gap year.

"I had always loved performing and musical theatre but had never really perused it professionally," said Emma, whose favourite song to perform is No Good Deed .

"So I decided I would apply to the London School of Musical Theatre for a kind of gap year between my degree and finding a job.

"Incredibly, I got in and fortunately after finishing my studies I just sort of fell into a job and I have been performing in shows ever since."

Elphaba is Emma's first leading role after she performed as part of the ensemble in We Will Rock You and Dreamboats and Petticoats in the past.

She is now performing eight shows a week at the Victoria Apollo Theatre in London, taking on one of musical theatre's most iconic roles.

Frozen star Idina Menzel is probably best known for playing the role in the Broadway production of the show and there is also talk of a movie of the show being made with Glee star Leah Michelle playing the role of Elphaba.

Emma is the triple threat – acting, singing and dancing every night on the West End but one of the biggest tasks she has to go through every day with the role is being turned green.

"Our three make-up artists have got it down to a fine art now so it usually only takes about half an hour to get the green base on then the make-up on top of that," explained Emma.

"The bigger task is getting it off. It can be days later and someone will point out that one of my ears is still a little bit green."

But she wouldn't change all the green ears in the world now that she has finally reached her dream.

"I have worked so incredibly hard to get here but now it's finally happened I'm still pinching myself," said Emma.

Lakers deputy headteacher John Barnard said he and his fellow staff were proud of her: "We're delighted about Emma's success and hope to see her soon."

THE funeral for a leading archaeologist who spent half a century excavating a Roman villa beneath his home near Stroud was held yesterday.

Farmer Eddie Price MBE uncovered 5,000 years of history at his farm in Frocester and had what is believed to be one of the longest-running archealogical digs in the UK.

As well as the villa, he excavated Bronze Age, Iron Age and Saxon settlements at Frocester Court Farm.

Over the decades more than 1,100 Roman coins were unearthed as well as 60 sets of human remains.

One of the most significant finds was a small bronze horse which is now on show at Gloucester City Museum.

Eddie had started excavating in 1960 after his plough struck stone foundations and worked with renowned archeologist Captain Gracie until his death in 1978.

Eddie died peacefully aged 91 at his home of 80 years on January 23.

As well as his MBE, the much-respected community man was given an honorary PHD, was made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities and was named a justice of the peace.

The philanthropist was known for renting out cottages cheaply so couples could save enough to get deposits on their first homes.

When he died, the family received almost 100 cards and many local businesses would not except money for things they needed for the funeral.

Friends and family gathered for a short walk down to St Andrew's Church from the farm, carrying Mr Price on a milk churn cart he had bought and pulled home on his motorbike in 1950, seeing daily use ever since.

His coffin was then carried by his six sons before being laid to rest, with his ashes placed in a Roman-style urn before being buried beneath the fields he knew so well.

The urn was made in Eddie's own Roman kiln where he had recreated pottery from the age.

His son Arthur said a nice moment had been Eddie's pet dog Burt jumping into the hearse and refusing to leave, meaning he came to the funeral with the rest of the family.

"We think it was a fitting send off," he said.

"He was always active and was keen on everything and very determined in whatever he did.

"In his heyday he was a very imposing man but well respected figure.

"People have been very kind."

Eddie, who was active up until the age of 89, is survived by his six sons and his wife Ruth.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 2 at St Michael's and All Angels' Church in Eastington at 11am.

Years of campaigning for a doctors' surgery in Kingsway have been boosted by a petition which went live today.

Gloucester MP Richard Graham launched the online petition after campaigning outside the Asda supermarket in the area on Saturday.

"The Rosebank practice is right to describe the St James's surgery in Quedgeley as completely over-stretched, so a new surgery in Kingsway is vital."

According to Mr Graham, the next steps are up to the practice and the developer. He added: "We all have a stake in a quick solution so I am urging residents to add their voice to the call for a GP surgery in Kingsway."

County councillor Barry Kirby (L, Kingsway) is fully behind the campaign. He said: "It is something we desperately need and, if I had been asked, I would have happily joined Mr Graham on the campaign."

To sign the petition click here.

GAY Pride in Gloucestershire promises to be bigger than ever before this year as it celebrates its 10th birthday.

The colourful extravaganza is expecting to attract around 4,000 people to Gloucester Park and costs about £10,000 to pull off.

Organisers are looking to make it even more special for its 10th year so held a launch party at the New County Hotel on Saturday which is the first of a number of fundraising events for the big day on June 13.

The shindig raised more than double its target, with a charity auction and raffle bringing in more than £575 alone.

Production manager Jason Peachey, 28, pictured, said: "It was absolutely amazing, 10 times better than we thought it would be."

For the first time Gay Pride Gloucestershire promises two stages this year at the park, which will be hosted by Jason as his alter-ego Baroness Peaches and fellow drag queen Plopalina of Swansea.

Headlining the spectacle will be English popstar Nicki French, who rose to fame with her number five hit in the charts, Total Eclipse of the Heart, and represented Great Britain in 2000 on Eurovision Song Contest.

She will be joined by one of the country's leading Pink tribute acts Zoe Alexander. Zoe hit headlines after reacting furiously to X-Factor judges during an audition in 2012.

As well as singers and entertainers on the stages, there will be a fairground for families and cabaret tent complete with coffee shop and seating to watch performances.

Jason said he was "thrilled to bits" with the line-up they had managed to attract for the event.

"It is really exciting. We have been working so hard on the line-up since before Christmas, with a lot of messaging and calls taking place," he said.

"We kept it a big secret. We have tried to keep it under wraps until the launch party and I think it was a surprise to many."

As part of the run-up to the big day, a group of nine singers, including Jason, is putting together a song and music video called Loud and Proud, which they believe will be the first ever song to be released in the charts by a pride group.

Work has already started on the summer dance track which they hope to have launched by the end of April. The day usually attracts crowds of around 3,000 but the wedding organiser said, because of the line-up and the fact it was the 10th anniversary, they expected to hit the 4,000 mark.

Details and dates for future fundraising events are to be released soon including a Britain's Got Talent-style talent show, with the two best performers getting the chance to do their act at Gay Pride.

The team are on the look out for volunteers to help on the day as well as any companies that might wish to sponsor the event.

For more information on how to get involved or to sponsor the event, visit glospride.org.uk

More than 90 per cent of patients who have visited Gloucestershire's emergency departments would recommend them to friends and family.

According to results released by the Friends and Family Test, Gloucestershire's hospitals have done exceedingly well, despite having to declare a 'major incident' at the beginning of January due to a lack of beds.

The results revealed that, nationwide, 86 per cent of respondents were likely to recommend their hospitals' A&E departments to friends and family. But that figure has risen to 90 per cent for Gloucestershire.

Janet Dix, from Matson Lane, Gloucester, said her husband, Michael, had been in and out of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital recently and had nothing but praise for staff.

She said: "I can't say anything bad about the staff at the hospital.

"From the emergency department, to the ward, to the people who bought Michael his food, they were all brilliant and are probably the only reason he is still alive.

"They don't get enough praise for the work they do."

It is an impressive achievement considering A&E wards across the country are busier than ever.

The Friends and Family Test, which was launched in April 2013, allows patients to give quick and anonymous feedback on the quality of care they receive from their NHS services.

The survey has quickly grown into the biggest collection of patient opinion in any health service anywhere in the world and gives staff the ability to react promptly as well as making swift and lasting improvements to care provided.

Health Minister Lord Howe said: "The Friends and Family Test has now had more than five million responses.

"This is a fantastic achievement and gives us a great insight into the NHS. "This is especially important over the winter when we know the NHS is busier than ever before."

The NHS in Gloucestershire has received an extra £12.4 million this winter to bring in more doctors, nurses and beds.

Lord Howe added: "By making these ratings public, we're giving patients the power to choose the best place for their care – and driving hospitals to raise their game."

FFT results are published each month on the trust's website and on NHS Choices.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "I am delighted our patients have shown their support for the excellent care and treatment available at our emergency departments.

"To know that more than 90 per cent of patients and users would recommend our A&E departments to their friends and family is really of great value to us and testament to the dedication of our hard-working staff.

"We also consistently receive messages of support and praise not only in our emergency departments, but in wards throughout both hospitals."

Kenneth Brown, from Gloucester, will appear before a judge next month in connection with an explosion in the Forest of Dean.

Brown, 43, of Park Road, in the city, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and criminal damage after the incident at High Nash, Coleford, on Saturday. He appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court yesterday and has been remanded in custody to appear at Gloucester Crown Court on March 12.

Police and fire officials have been investigating the cause of the explosion over the weekend.

Emergency service crews from across the county went to the property shortly after 7.30am on Saturday.

Nobody else was in the property at the time and nobody else was injured in the explosion. The adjoining house had to be evacuated.

People who live nearby say they were woken by a loud bang following the incident.

Neighbours say the explosion blew out an internal wall and have described the property as unsafe.

Another neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "I was asleep and when I heard the explosion. I was in shock when I saw what happened.

"It's a peaceful street so I didn't expect it to happen."

Police closed the road for much of Saturday so the house could be examined by structural engineers and the cause of the explosion is being investigated.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the explosion or seen anything suspicious before or after the incident.

Call 101 quoting incident number 65 of 14/01/15.

Agency staff have been laid off after a huge fire at the Dowty Propellers factory in Staverton.

The fire ripped through the factory on February 5, leaving it nearly destroyed and the 250-strong workforce concerned for their futures.

Executives from parent company GE Aviation are making arrangements to get everyone back to work.

And more than 100 permanent employees, including engineers and support workers, have moved back to work at the Bishop's Cleeve facility.

Another 50 are expected to join them by this Friday.

A spokeswoman for the company confirmed 11 temporary workers were let go, given one week's notice and two days of pay.

She said: "We are trying our best to look after permanent employees through this difficult time and getting operations back up and running.

"We are still retaining 15 contractors in engineering and quality roles."

The burnt out site is currently being secured to ensure safety. Structural engineers are assessing the building, and staff have not been allowed back.

"We have a large number of teams working simultaneously and have committed resources to get our operation back up and running as soon as possible.

"Over the coming weeks and months, we are working to align resources with a phased approach as some manufacturing operations come back online process by process."

Ten engineers have been deployed around the world to provide guidance to GE Aviation's customers.

Temporary facilities are being set up at the Bishop's Cleeve site to help overcrowding.

From this Friday, 11 logistics and inspection employees will start work in temporary cabins located in Cleeve, in addition to two more in Staverton.

"We are currently building the infrastructure to make this happen for short-term capabilities," the spokeswoman added.

Equipment and machinery from the burnt out factory will be retrieved over the next coming weeks, and those which can be salvaged will have to be cleaned and decontaminated before a decision is made.

The spokeswoman said: "We are in regular contact with employees to provide the latest information and assurance of our commitment to them.

"It is too early to discuss long-term rebuilding. We are focused on getting employees back to work and getting operations up and running.

"We are exploring all possible options to meet the needs of business and employees, including options in Gloucestershire."

Fire officers are now leading the investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Thornbury II 12 Drybrook United 31

DRYBROOK United overcame Thornbury seconds in the Gloucestershire Reserve Premier League in tough, sticky conditions, thanks to two Gareth Holdsworth tries.

The visitors started well by playing some free-flowing rugby and got their reward 10 minutes in when Connor Hale broke through from centre to set up Tony Hussey for the opening score.

Thornbury came straight back, however, and touched down through a driving maul but following this, the game became stagnated in the mud.

With 20 minutes gone, Drybrook lost Jim Rugman to injury with Craig Clarke coming on, and he soon made his presence known by running hard lines, eventually leading to a try, which Andy Milner converted.

Again, Thornbury came back and pressed hard, but an interception from Holdsworth in his own 22, resulted in a breakaway try which Milner converted for a healthy 19-5 half-time lead for Drybrook.

Thornbury shot out of the blocks the quicker in the second half and broke Drybrook down with a catch-and-drive lineout score, to get them back in the game.

This was short lived though, with Holdsworth again breaking through the middle to run in his second try of the game with Milner converting.

The game then went stale for a period with neither team putting a good run of play together until Hale had the final say when he ran in for a late try.

There were good performances from Holdsworth and Joe James as well as prop Craig Clarke coming back from injury.

It was also good to see young Jack Whiting make his first senior appearance and looked sharp and one to watch for the future.

Drybrook United XV: Rhys Evans, Tony Hussey, Connor Hale, Simon Rugman, Jack Freeman, Andy Milner (capt), Gareth Holdsworth, Connor Auker-Howlett, Andy Warren, Tony Suter, James Smith, Joe James, Jim Rugman, Jack Whiting, Neil Morgan. Replacements: Craig Clarke.

London Scottish 15 Cinderford United 24

CINDERFORD United produced an emphatic third quarter display to score 21 unanswered points and in doing so overturned a 15-3 half-time deficit for their fifth successive Zoo Shield win in a row.

The home side took the lead on 15 minutes as they attacked from deep to score close to the United posts. The conversion was secured.

A penalty by United scrum half Danny Pointon did claw three points back but Scottish reproduced their terrific score from earlier as their backs' pace exploited a creaking United scramble defence for a spectacular try that started from inside their own 22.

The conversion was missed but just before half time a successful penalty gave the home side a 12-point interval lead.

After an early second-half scrum 10 metres from the Scottish line was rocked backwards, a clever change of direction by number eight Jack Shields and Pointon gave centre Rob Winchle the space to score in the corner. Pointon converted.

United fly half Tom Law continually pinned the home back with some huge punts and from one the home side's full back fumbled into touch close to his line. Quick-thinking wing Nathan Green gathered, his rapid throw-in finding support runners, and two phases later second row Toby Farrier crashed over. Pointon's conversion gave United the lead for the first time.

Second row Milo Reynolds picked up a loose ball and showed impressive foot speed to score under the Scottish posts. Pointon converted and United held on to remain unbeaten in 2015. 

Police found a 37-year-old Sedbury woman surrounded by syringes full of mephedrone in her home.

Susan Soguklesme, of Saxon Place, pleaded guilty to possessing the class B drug, also called MCat, with intent to supply on June 30, last year.

Her partner Aaron Haile, 33, of Broadstone Terrace, Chepstow, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the drug between June 3 and July 30, 2014.

The prosecution accepted his basis of plea that he only provided his partner with the drug and did not supply it to others for profit.

Prosecuting barrister Julian Kesner told Gloucester Crown Court on Monday: "When police searched Soguklesme's home they found her in the toilet area surrounded by needles full of the drug ready for intravenous injection.

"Behind the WC was 23.9 grams of mephedrone, other quantities of the drug in wraps ready for sale and mobile phones, one of which contained a message indicating that the defendant was about to take delivery of the drug.

"Police also seized £180 in mixed notes in the bathroom.

"Haile supplied only her and is now not a drug user but his partner was a habitual user."

Defending lawyer John Twomlow said: "The amount found by police was not huge and some of it was for my client's own use.

"She has a long-standing drug problem but her partner no longer has a problem but has been trying to assist her in reducing the amount she takes."

Recorder Paul Grumbar said: "MCat is a filthy drug but Ms Soguklesme has had a lot of tragedy in her life."

She was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and placed on 12-months supervision with a drug rehabilitation programme.

Haile was given 12 months supervision and ordered to do 40 hours of unpaid work.