It has been a busy day for storm reports, and I am grateful to residents for letting me know of any issues.
Scott Avenuetree – I have reported the fallen tree to the Parks and Open Spaces manager, who has added it to the cleanup list.
Scott Avenue street light – it looks like the street light took a hit from the tree on its way down. I have reported this to the street light team.
Podsmead Road bus shelter – I reported this to the bus stop team and they have confirmed that Clear Channel, who manage the shelter, will attend. It has now been taped over pending repair.
Halford House gutter – this has been reported to Gloucester City Homes for their awareness.
Please take care out there and do let me know of any issues.
Gloucestershire’s Local Resilience Forum has this morning declared a major incident due to the risks posed by Storm Eunice.
A red weather alert and flood warnings running along the Severn Estuary up to Longford have been put in place for tomorrow morning (Friday 18 February) from 7am, coinciding with the arrival of Storm Eunice.
Local agencies are asking residents in properties that are expected to flood to heed the warnings and take the necessary action. Residents across the county as a whole also need to be vigilant due to the high winds.
Staff from local councils and the emergency services will be knocking on doors this afternoon to ensure people who need to evacuate safely. Those who are evacuating are asked to pass on this notice and knock on neighbours’ doors if possible.
If you can, please stay with family or friends. Rest Centres are being set up by local councils for those who need them.
What to expect: • Flying debris resulting in danger to life • Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down • Uprooted trees • Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to public transport and flights • Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage • Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, including flooding of some coastal properties What you need to do: • If you live in a flood risk area, you are advised to leave your home and stay with family or friends if possible. • If you are unable to do that, you are advised to move to the nearest rest centre tonight.
If you are isolating due to Coronavirus, you should still leave your property – please wear a mask, stay in a separate room if possible, and open a window if safe to do so.
Some residents enquired about the type of trees being planted at Milton Avenue. I have made enquires of council officers and am happy to pass on the following information:
‘They are wildlife friendly shrubs native to the uk comprising:
I contacted Gloucester City Homes about the damaged railings on Byron Avenue. I have requested a repair and am told that it will be done within 28 days of their email response.
If you see any more damaged railings or similar in our area please let me know.
This road will be closed between Podsmead Road and Tuffley Crescent on Monday 28th February, between 9:30am and 3pm only, to allow for works by Severn Trent Water.
If you should require further information please contact streetworks@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
I went for a problem-solving walkabout with PCSO Suzanne Sexton and Kevin Lee, Gloucester City Council, Environmental Crime.
We looked at several areas including the back of the shops on Scott Avenue, the clothes bin by the alleyway through to Eliot Close, Milton Avenue and Stratford Close.
Kevin and his team will investigate any reports of fly-tipping and have been successful in issuing fines since the team was instigated. Fly-tipping can result in a £400 fine if you are caught.
The advice from the council is to report fly-tipping to environment@gloucester.gov.uk, or let me know and I will pass it on to the team. Please do not touch the fly-tipping yourself, both for health and safety reasons and for preserving evidence.
Unfortunately the fly-tipping by the clothes bin does not contain any evidence to identify a culprit, but there have been successful prosecutions at this location before.
My preference would be to have the clothes bin moved onto Scott Avenue or removed entirely. Council officers are contacting the charity to try to facilitate a solution.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has opened nominations for people who would like to apply to be a Batonbearer for the Queen’s Baton Relay in England. The criteria for a Batonbearer in England is someone who meets one or more of the following:
· Is always willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story
· Has made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity
· Is a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best
· Has taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community
The Queen’s Baton Relay will travel to every region in England, before arriving at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on 28 July. Nominations will be open until 14 February.
Gloucester’s Bright Nights festival will once again light up the city with an array of light installations that will welcome and delight visitors through the remaining winter months.
Launched in November last year, the festival is backed by local partners including Gloucester Business Improvement District and has been supported by funding from Arts Council England.
For the second part of the programme, which will run until March, Gloucester City Council has commissioned several exciting new installations bringing even more colour, light and joy to the city.
Highlights for 2022 include:
Windows Through Time
14 February – 1 March, Westgate Street
Award Winning Local artist, Jack Wimperis will be creating a new artwork highlighting the colourful past of this vibrant area. People have lived, worked, prayed, and played in Westgate Street since Roman times and each period in history has left its own mark making today’s street a precious historical record of how people lived in the past. To read more about the history of each of these windows, you can pick up a trail leaflet from the Cathedral Quarter’s HQ on Westgate Street.
18-20 February – celebrate the start of half-term with a number of activities on Westgate Street along including street performers. And St Stephen’s Church will throw open its doors for people to take a look inside this historic church which is rarely open to the public.
Glow Globes
February, various city centre locations
Discover ten giant Glow Globes dotted around the city, animated through snow and illuminated artworks. Scan the QR code on each one to watch the snow dance in the globes.
The art inside the globes has been created by South West artist Maya Wolf who took inspiration from local children’s favourite parts of Gloucester history of Gloucester. Each globe will tell its own story about the city’s past.
Luma
18 – 19 February, Gloucester Cathedral
Luma is a huge interactive robot; an 8m long, inflatable snail who loves an audience. She looms above visitors with a presence which is gentle, welcoming, and otherworldly. Made almost entirely made from fabric which allows her movement to reflect the flexible and contorting motion found within the animal kingdom. The joyful and hopeful artwork champions both nature and technology, and reimagines what robots can do.
Illuminated Swim
3-6 March, GL1
Inspired by the paintings of Rothko, multi-award winning designer Dr Tine Bech has created a beautiful artwork which you can swim in. Illuminated Swim is an immersive and playful light installation where participants can experience diving into a giant pool of light. Coloured clouds hover over the water, gently changing as people float, swim and play.
Tine is working in collaboration with Gloucester-based The Music Works team to design a soundtrack for the installation. More information on ticket booking to be announced in the coming weeks.
