Can you spare an hour a week to help a child learn to read?

Read with me (www.readwithme.org.uk) is delighted that our volunteers are now back in local primary schools hearing children learn to read. There are many children who have missed out during lockdown and some need immediate help to ensure they catch up and can take part fully in all lessons.

We need as many volunteers as possible to be able to make sure that no child in Gloucester falls through the net. At the moment 1 in 5 children leave primary school unable to read properly. Many are never heard to read at home.

If you can give an hour once or twice a week to hear children read please get in touch. If we can hear a child read twice a week we can usually make a major difference.

You’ll need to complete a simple DBS for and we’ll give you full training and support.

Read with me provides this service free to schools and all our costs are met by fundraising.

If you can help or would like to find out more call : Linda at linda@readwithme.org.uk or call 07791 110906, or Rachel at rachel@readwithme.org.uk, call 07791 110910.

Heavy rain in Gloucester

The heavy rainfall over the last couple of days has caused some issues in Gloucester with flooding and other hazards.

Please take care and if there is an emergency highways problem to report, there is helpful advice below from Gloucestershire Roads:

If a highways issue poses an immediate danger to public safety please call our emergency number 08000 514 514.

Emergency highways issues are classed as follows:

Objects on the highway network (i.e. a fallen tree)
Faulty temporary or permanent traffic lights (i.e. stuck on red)
Exposed cables
Multiple street lighting faults
Flooded roads
Potholes (over 75mm deep) – non emergency potholes can be reported online

You can always contact me to let me know of any issues with flooding in your road or garden. Photos are really helpful.

E-scooter trial in Gloucester

A trial of e-scooters started in Gloucester on October 1st.

They are currently illegal in the UK but the Department for Transport has made an exemption for scooters in trial areas. I asked a question about them in full council last week and will be monitoring the issue.

E-scooters could be good for the environment in terms of low-carbon, but not if they distract from walking and cycling. This is a Gloucestershire County Council scheme but being trialed in the Gloucester City area. I hope it’s done safely as many have concerns. I have been in touch with the RNIB and Guide Dogs over this issue.

The county council Q&A is accessible here: thinktravel.info/e-scooter/

Street signs

The current style of street sign in Gloucester is the blue and white as above.

I regularly log damaged, faded or missing street signs as it is important that they are kept up.

I have raised the top sign with the council as it needs attention.

The other two are of the old style. I think they are rather nice but would like to know what residents think. If you want to let me know please drop me a line, or to report another damaged or missing street sign.

Redwood Close

I have reported some Highways issues in Redwood Close for inspection and repair. I will report back as and when they are attended to.

There have also been some requests for tree works in this area and surrounding roads. I will be pointing out some of the issues to the council’s tree works department.

If you know of any Highways issues or tree works that need doing please let me know.

Ash Lane Action Day

Last weekend some local volunteers spent some time clearing some of the rubbish and dead wood from the path between Stroud Road and the Widden rugby field.

A resident contacted me about the path, the amount of rubbish and overgrowing bramble.

I had originally asked if the council could clear the path, but after a search I was told it is not public land. It is owned by the trust that manages the rugby fields, and they were happy for work to be done on the path.

I asked Lisa Jevins and the Podsmead Clearance team if they could do some clearance work, and they very kindly volunteered their time and skills.

We carried out a litter pick of the path, cleared some dead wood away and trimmed back a few branches. It should now be much more user friendly, and the amount of plastic and cans removed will be better for the wildlife.

The next thing is to look at managing the area long-term, and we have a few ideas about this. If you would be interested in helping, please let me know.

I would like to say a big thank you to Lisa and the PCT for all they did on the day, especially on a weekend. It showed the community spirit we have in Podsmead.

Tuffley Park

I have recently been in touch with city council officers over the poor state of the grass at Tuffley Park play area.

The park is managed by the city council. It is regularly inspected, and repairs are carried out to equipment and grass as needed.

The play park was installed a few years ago thanks to an investment from Podsmead Big Local. They are currently working on some improvements to the play area at Milton Avenue. Last year I identified £20K of section 106 money in the council accounts which will assist in this.

If you know of any play equipment that is damaged in Podsmead, please let me know.

The ‘other’ C

During the pandemic, cancer hasn’t gone away and if anything it’s made it harder to get people the treatment and care they need in a time of Covid restrictions.

That’s why it’s brilliant that Macmillan are continuing to provide care and support during this difficult time.

I was pleased to support the Macmillan coffee morning organised by Podsmead Big Local in Podsmead.

They raised over £100 thanks to volunteers and cake makers, and this money is vital to continuing Macmillan’s work.

Thank you all so much.

Wall at Tuffley Park

At the wall along Tuffley Park after it was damaged in the summer

I have checked in with the city council as to where we are with fixing the wall at Tuffley Park.

This officer dealing with the wall has informed me that he is preparing tender documents and getting the works tendered.

I am keen that we get the wall repaired quickly in the short term, as it is a safety risk currently.

Longer term, we could look to do something more imaginative here. I hope to be in a position to use some of my tree allocation along this boundary, and put some fencing in as well.

Local residents have responded well to this suggestion, but of course the main obstacle will be the cost of the fencing. I wonder if we could look at sponsoring the removal of a section of wall, and then sponsoring a replacement fence panel or tree!