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It was great to welcome the Mayor and Sheriff of Gloucester to the final Not so Secret Book Club. The Mayor read the children a poem and gave them all a Mayor’s award for their commitment to reading over the summer.

We were also really pleased to see community builders Agnes and Rae from Gloucester Community Building Collective, and Les Jevins from Podsmead Big Local.

We started the literacy scheme in Podsmead before lockdown with a view to helping local children to access reading. As schools start to go back we will look to do more events in Podsmead and the surrounding areas.

I would like to thank Ross Nicholl and The Club at Tuffley Park CiC for the use of the facilities during the summer, my wife Vicki Field for all the help with this project, and Linda Cohen for being the driving force behind the whole Read with Me enterprise. Thank you also to the parents and children who have attended and made it all so worthwhile, and to the many kind residents who donated books.

We will be returning in October half term and at other times before and after so keep checking in for news.

Gloucester City Council have launched a support grant for community groups who are struggling due to Covid-19.

Grants of up to £1000 could be awarded to help local groups.

The following extract is from the press release:

‘The money can be used to cover lost revenue from premises hire or cancelled fundraising activities. It can also be used to pay for IT and other technological measures which groups may have faced as a result of Covid 19.

Funding can also be used for Covid related costs such as putting up signage and social distancing measures.’

More detail can be found on the city council website at https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/community-living/community-grants/gloucester-city-recovery-funding/, and applications can be made by email to grants@gloucester.gov.uk

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I reported this area opposite Ashville Road to the council for clearing up.

The litter and weeds were swiftly removed, along with a supermarket trolley which had also been left.

I am grateful to the city council for their prompt action on this.

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Nearby, after requests from residents I asked for the hedgerow along the old railway bridge on Bristol Road to be cut back. I am hoping this will be done soon but will request an update in the next working week.

PCSO Suzanne Sexton and I had a rather rain ☔️ soaked walkabout in Podsmead – all in the service of the community!

We covered a number of issues in the local area including:

Travellers on Scott Avenue

Flood risk and recent vandalism at Milton Avenue

Reports of criminal activity in Podsmead Road, Tuffley Crescent, Neven Place and Manu Marble Way

Whilst out and about I also logged some casework for reporting to the authorities

If you ever have an issue for me or the police, do please get in touch.

On 20th September Read with Me is entering a team in the Wotton 10K – it’s a virtual event with small teams running in Wotton on the day and other runners taking part across the World.

It’s an emergency push to try and raise the funds for 100 primary school children to receive reading support in September.

Literacy is extremely important which is why we’ve worked so hard in the Podsmead area to bring reading opportunities to local children.

During the pandemic, children have really struggled and many have fallen behind. That’s why we’re trying to raise these funds.

So, to support the fundraising I’m going to join in, and run the 10K around Podsmead.

I’m hoping that making this public pledge will help me to train and get in shape before the event!

I’d really appreciate it if anyone who felt able to would sign up and help me out!

If you’d like to join the team to walk, run or even play a 10k game of tag rugby go to our fundraising page – donate £20 and say ‘I’m In’ – you’ll be signed up, sent all the instructions and after the event receive a lovely wooden medal.

We’re just having one fundraising page so please do what you can to encourage friends and family to donate.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/runwithme

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Well done to Gloucester City Council for repairing the wooden bench on Tuffley Park.

One of the issues I highlighted in my ‘virtual Spotlight’ during the lockdown.

I’m pleased it can be used and enjoyed again – observing social distancing of course!

I’m relieved to report that the stretch of pavement outside Weller Bungalows I reported over a year ago has finally been done.

Several times Highways have told me it was being done. It got marked up and even got the cone and tape treatment at one point – but still didn’t get done!

This is a great result for the community but there are many more patches and road surfaces that need attention. If you know of anywhere that needs sorting, please get in touch.

The trees on Cole Avenue are overhanging the footbridge from Podsmead over into Tuffley.

I’ve asked for them to be cut back and will keep pressing the council for action on these.

There is a backlog of tree works due to Covid. The tree team do a good job but I’d like to see more resources allocated to allow them to deal with more cases.

Nearby to the footbridge one of the poplar trees along Cole Avenue came down during the storm the other evening.

Long term we need to look at the safety issues of having tall trees like this along a highway.

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This Cityfibre panel on Byron Avenue had come loose and was unsafe.

I’ve been in touch with Cityfibre about it and am pleased to see it’s been fixed.

I spoke to them earlier today to thank them for sorting it out.

I have reported the highways issues in Newark Road to the county council.

Below is the text of my email:

Good afternoon

There are numerous highways issues in Newark Road, Podsmead.
I have attached some photos and it would be much appreciated if an inspection could be carried out.

Best wishes,

Sebastian Field

And the response:

Issue: General Carriageway issues
Location: Newark Road, Podsmead

Arrangements have been made to repair the identified issue and work will commence within the required fault repair time – please see the Highways Policy for further details.

We will keep you up to date with progress.

Thank you again for taking the time to report the above issue.