Gloucestershire Echo, The

Spy Base Staff Face Anger Over Parking

GCHQ staff have annoyed residents by taking up parking spaces in a street near their Oakley base. The employees' car park outside the listening post, off Imjin Road, has been inaccessible over the festive period due to snow and ice.

Were You Right in Bumper Quiz?

Extra Gifts for Animals

ANIMALS in shelters had a more comfortable time than usual over Christmas, thanks to Tewkesbury Borough Council. Staff and councillors helped their furry and feathered friends by donating unwanted pet products for animal shelters in the Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and Stroud areas.

Bechtolsheimer's Joy As Records Are Broken

LAURA Bechtolsheimer had every reason to be delighted after the famous Olympia International Horse Show went ahead despite the snow. The Ampney St Peter Olympian, winner of an unprecedented three silver medals for Britain at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in October, was competing in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup qualifier with her top ride Mistral Hojris.

Olympia Star Lives Up to Billing in Hartpury Show

TOP names headed to Hartpury College's pre-Olympia Showjumping Spectacular including 2010 Olympia Puissance winner Ben Maher. The 26-year-old, who rode at the Beijing Olympics, lived up to his status as favourite by winning the Equimat Bronze Tour final. He came from the final draw in the jump-off to slice a fraction off the leader's time riding the bay mare Lets Fly.

Loss of Stars Is Cause for County Concern

YOU will be hard pressed to find a Gloucestershire cricket fan who will be looking upon the forthcoming season with anything but a sense of dread. A far from success-filled 2010 campaign has been further soured by the departure of a host of big-name stars, with the fearsome bowling attack of 2010 ripped apart. Put simply, with the ball Gloucestershire were terrific - they had one of the best attacks in the domestic game - but with the bat they were terrible.

Band Leads Ceilidh

Group Set to Screen Controversial Classic

STANLEY Kubrick's 1971 film A Clockwork Orange (18) was controversial on its release but is regarded as a classic today. Gloucester Film Society is bringing it back to the big screen on February 8. It's showing at the Guildhall from 7.45pm.

Sharing Sundial's Spotlight

A QUIRKY comedy told through the use of masks, puppets, live music and clowning kicks off the 2011 programme at the Sundial Theatre. Want, by the Thingumajig Theatre Company, is at the Cirencester venue on January 13.

First Festival to Show Off Town's Range of Talent

A WEEK of song, dance, prose and painting is taking place in Winchcombe next year. The town is holding its first ever Festival of Music and Arts over six days in May.

Film Strictly Ballroom 5pm, Bbc2 [...]

Royal Institute Lectures 8.00pm, Bbc4 [...]

Peep Show 10pm, Channel 4 [...]

New Centre to Focus On Art and Photography

UNIVERSITY of Gloucestershire bosses have unveiled their plans for a new education centre. The Hardwick Campus is set to be turned into fine art and photography studios under the scheme.

Piglets, Parties and a Poll to Remember ; Review of the Year 2010 Apr-Jun

As we approach the end of 2010, reporter Joe Lane looks at stories that made the headlines in Gloucestershire this year. Today is the second instalment, covering events from April to June. BISHOP'S Cleeve was brought to a standstill in April when a hit- and-run driver caused havoc.

Number 1s

1960: In December, Elvis Presley looked certain to make it a clean sweep at the top of the charts with It's Now Or Never, but was toppled at the very end of the month by I Love You, by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. 1970: Dave Edmunds' classic I Hear You Knockin' enjoyed six weeks at the top over the festive season. It was only supplanted in the new year by Grandad, performed by Dad's Army star Clive Dunn.

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Five People Rescued After Blaze Wrecks Top Offices

In a special seasonal Life and Times, reporter Joe Lane takes a look back on Christmases in the county over the past half a century. IN 1960, Christmas was followed by the news that part of Cheltenham's Municipal Offices had been destroyed by a fire that broke out on Boxing Day morning.

Your Stars

Don't worry if a close one has chosen to spend time away from you. It is not that they don't want to be with you, they can't. Let them sort out their own problems first. Phone now to hear how Saturn promises a better future. If you continue to nag in this way you will only leave a bad taste in a close ones mouth, when it comes to the time for making decisions next month. Cancerians help you to close that deal. Phone now for a message from Uranus you need to hear.

As Much in Love Today As We Were the Day We Met

A GOOD sense of humour and the ability to pull together in times of adversity. Those are the essential ingredients for a happy marriage, according to Whaddon couple Claude and Doreen Bullingham, who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Boxing Day.