Gloucestershire Echo, The

Verity Jumping to Help Shelter

ANIMAL-LOVER Verity Smith will be taking a leap of faith in aid of Cheltenham Animal Shelter. The 31-year-old has signed up to do a sponsored bungee jump to help fund the centre's Pounds 100,000 site redevelopment.

Training Centre Backed

A NEW training centre could be created in Cheltenham after planning bosses gave it their backing. Open Daws Training has won permission formally to change the use of 27 Rodney Road.

Residents Raise Pounds 30,000 to Rebuild Lives in Haiti

MORE than Pounds 30,000 has been donated by Gloucestershire residents to people in Haiti who were struck by a devastating earthquake. A year ago a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, and while charities have been using funds donated by Gloucestershire residents, Unicef UK says more help is still needed.

Shop Owner Warns of Road Island Dangers

A FARM shop owner has hit out at proposals to change the road layout outside his shop, saying it could lead to fatal accidents. Keith Humphris, owner of Greatfield Farm Shop on Up Hatherley Way, is opposing a bid from civic leaders to install a pedestrian island to help customers access his store.

Stalemate Could Be Broken As Village Votes to Keep Hall

A MAJORITY of Twyning people have voted to keep their existing village hall and not spend hundreds of thousands of pounds building a new one. The outcome of a vote on the controversial subject, which has divided opinion in the village for years, means the stalemate on the issue should finally now be broken.

Council Makes No Promises On 40% Carbon Cut Demand

PUTTING solar panels on the roofs of Cheltenham's council buildings could save taxpayers money and reduce pollution. And using and selling electricity generated by the sun may be a key part of the borough's energy strategy.

Thornton Ready for Pady Ride in King George

ROBERT Thornton is set to ride Cheltenham Festival runner-up Forpadydeplasterer in the William Hill King George VI Chase. The Guiting Power jockey has been lined up to partner the 12-1 shot at Kempton on Saturday unless the gelding's regular rider Barry Geraghty becomes available.

Broekman the Hero in Ten Goal Thriller

CIRENCESTER 3 NORTH CHELTENHAM CHURCHES 7 CHRIS Dagnall fired NCC ahead from wide on the left after 12 minutes. Within a minute an attack down the right wing saw a delicate ball flighted in by Adam Cox.

Mason Enjoys His Purple Patch in Brazilian Jujitsu ; Jujitsu

ALASTAIR Mason has become only the second fighter in the South West to achieve a purple belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, writes Ryan Wood. The 43-year-old from Barnwood, who is also black belt in karate, was awarded his belt by three-time World Champion Beraulio Estima.

Sailor Harsent Gets a Shot at Ocean Voyage

CHELTENHAM sailor Paul Harsent has been selected to join the British Keelboat Academy (BKA) squad for the 2011 sailing season. Harsent's dream of competing in the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race has moved a step closer after being named in a squad that boasts some of the most promising new big boat sailing talent in the country.

Web Debate

The story: A SENIOR policeman has hit out at judges and magistrates, blaming a recent spike in Cheltenham burglaries on soft sentences. Detective Inspector Steve Bean told the Echo lenient punishments were partly to blame for a 57 per cent year-on-year increase in burglaries over the Christmas period. Comments: IT'S ridiculous, they won't change. Most of the sentences are more criminal than the crimes are!

Glorious Gloucestershire: Kay Young Captured [...]

Enjoyable Fair Meant so Much to so Many People ; Letters

More Money for Reduced Waste Service ; Letters

CHELTENHAM Borough Council's leaflet "New garden waste collection service" tells us that: (1) our domestic bin waste is to be collected fortnightly - so a reduction in service of 50 per cent (2) our current green bag garden waste service is not to be collected at all - so a reduction of service of 100 per cent. However, CBC will allow us to take green waste to the recycling centre at our own expense and dump it in our tip free of charge.

Don't Tar Entire Breed of Dogs with Same Brush ; Letters

TO Guy of Cheltenham ("Monitor breeding of aggressive dogs", Letters, January 8). Yes, I agree in monitoring the breeding of aggressive dogs but every dog can be aggressive no matter what the breed.

Remembering Hospital's Unseen Members of Staff ; Letters

SEVERAL times I have read letters of "thanks" to the doctors and nurses at local hospitals but never any thanking the "backroom men and women" in the various labs, who analyse samples, blood tests etc helping doctors confirm their diagnosis. My daughter works in microbiology and she is a hard worker and a very conscientious member of a very dedicated team, who made it to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital through the recent atrocious weather.

Wheelchair Users Should Have Been Asked Views ; Letters

A Happy 100th ; Reporting Local Life Since 1873 Comment

APPARENTLY we'll know when it's the right time to slow down. And if we're looking for someone's lead to follow, we could do a lot worse than Marjorie Warren.

Count Cost of Costa Carefully ; Reporting Local Life Since 1873 Comment

IT will be no surprise to anyone that Costa Coffee is looking to move into Montpellier in Cheltenham. It's just strange that the chain didn't open there many years ago.

Thanks to Our Milkmen and Ladies for Dedication ; Letters

I WOULD like to say a huge thank you to all the milkmen and ladies at Cotteswold Dairy for their excellent and loyal service over the Christmas period, despite the horrendous weather conditions they were working in. A special thanks to my milkman John who didn't let any of his customers down once, even if it meant parking his float at the bottom of the hill and then trekking on foot through snow and ice with several heavy crates to ensure all orders were met!