The return of the Festival of Light to Gloucester has been welcomed by the Liberal Democrats.

GLoucester City Council announced the return of the festival, which will run from November until February next year, and will see the light installations bring colour to the city as the nights draw in over winter.

Among the highlights will be Shadowing that will turn three ordinary lampposts in the city centre into magical illuminated stages where visitors can dance and play with their shadows. 

Designed by award-winning digital artists Chomko and Rosier, it will see the lights record and play back the shadows of those who pass under them.

The installation launches on October 29 in Berkley Street, Southgate Street and St Mary De Crypt corner, as well as at Blackfriars Priory when the street lights turn on after dark. 

Another highlight will be Breathing Room by Anna Berry, which is a walk-in kinetic light installation creating a unique sensory experience. 

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said: “It is good to see some art installations coming to Gloucester and they look imaginative. 

“I hope this will draw people into the city. Every council needs a decent programme of cultural events and art installations.”

Councillor Sebastian Field, Lib Dem culture spokesman, added: “It looks like a good programme and I hope it will be a success. 

“My only criticism would be that it doesn’t look as if we are using any local artists. 

“In a time of post-Covid recovery it would be good practice to involve some Gloucester or Gloucestershire-based artists as this would put more money back into the local economy. 

“But we are supportive on the whole.”

For further information please contact Cllr Jeremy Hilton 07771 794407 or Cllr Sebastian Field 07708 345857.

From the Sherbourne Cinema in Kingsholm to the ‘Ghost Sign’ in Barton, to Llanthony Lock in Hempsted – what makes your city special? Gloucester City Council is asking local residents to nominate buildings, unique landmarks, parks and other heritage assets to be included onto Gloucester’s local list.

The local list provides a record of assets that have special local architectural and historic interest, as well as contribute to Gloucester’s character. 

The list also highlights heritage assets that are most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats; therefore helping to preserve Gloucester’s history for future generations.

Once nominations have been received a panel involving members of the local community, local heritage bodies, and the city council will decide whether a nominated asset should be included onto Gloucester’s local list. The panel will then make their recommendations, and Cabinet will provide final approval.  

If you would like to get involved in researching and surveying sites, or to nominate a local asset please contact Nana Pierre at nanapie@gloucester.gov.uk.

For more information visit the locally listed sites webpage.

There will be an afternoon tea in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Sunday 10th October at 2pm, in the Whitminster Inn, Whitminster, Gloucester, GL2 7NY. Tickets cost £15.

More info from Chris and Jenny Brooker: rogertime123@hotmail.co.uk.

After residents and local agencies alerted me to the poor condition of the play area matting on Scott Avenue, I reported it to the council’s parks and open spaces officer.

An inspection was carried out and the play area matting has now been replaced.

I am pleased that this has been done. City council play areas are inspected each week but the council are responsible for dozens in the city, and sometimes things get missed. Do report to me any play areas that you notice needing attention in Podsmead.

This week Gloucestershire Live have carried a report together with my statement, about the play park at Earls Park. As mentioned, it is hoped this can open in early October.

There will be a coffee morning in The Ramblers, 62 Milton Avenue, Podsmead on Monday 27th September at 10am, until 12noon.

This is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, as part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Do go along if you are free.

Whilst delivering leaflets in Podsmead I noticed that in some of the blocks of flats, the signs on the front door were for a different building.

I have raised this with Gloucester City Homes and been informed by them that they will look into this matter and get back to me.

I have suggested which signs need to be swapped and where we might need a new one created or the names & numbers newly etched.

I have submitted a series of written questions to cabinet members in advance of the full council meeting this week.

The questions and answers are below.

Written questions are primarily to obtain factual information about aspects of council business or your ward.

I can ask verbal supplementary questions on the night.

Yesterday I was contacted by Gloucestershire Live regarding the play areas at Earls Park. I gave the following statement:

The two play parks at Earls Park, at Manu Marble Way and Neven Place, are currently in the ownership of the developer Matthew Homes and are their responsibility. Once the parks are adopted and handed over to the city council, the council will then be responsible for the maintenance of the site.

I work proactively with Matthew Homes on behalf of the residents of Earls Park. In July I had a site meeting with management, including the Managing Director, and I shared the details and action points of this meeting on my website, https://sebastianfield.mycouncillor.org.uk/2021/07/16/earls-park-site-meeting/
and my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/cllrsebastianfield

As well as urging a number of actions which have been carried out such as blocking off the illegal cut-throughs, arranging for missing street nameplates to be installed and updating on highways issues, at this meeting I again raised the matter of the parks which were fenced off and unavailable for use.

I pressed the management to get these parks open as soon as possible, in time for the summer. I was told that this should be done within two weeks, but obviously this has not happened. I have continued to press Matthew Homes on this matter and it is a source of frustration for me and residents that the parks are not yet open. I have contacted Matthew Homes to relay resident concern and frustration, and to enquire what is causing the delays.

I have spoken personally to the Managing Director today, who has informed me that the delay is due to the safety signage not being delivered yet from the manufacturer. Without this safety signage, the site is not insurable and the parks cannot be opened.

The MD informs me that Matthew Homes have been pressing the manufacturer and checking in regularly, and has just been told that the signage will be delivered by October 7th, and installed soon after. He is also looking into the matter of the grass growing through the matting, with the site team. Once the parks are opened, though, they will be maintained by the city council parks team anyway.

I am disappointed that Matthew Homes have not been able to get this site open yet but hope that we can get the parks in use by half term.

The delays are very frustrating for all, but I would rather the safety signage was in place and the parks were opened with all safety precautions taken.

I will keep checking in with the developer and the council to ensure this timetable is kept to as far as possible, and I will continue to speak up on behalf of local residents, as I always have done. I am always contactable and happy to hear from residents of Podsmead on any issue.

Gloucestershire Highways have carried out works to pavements outside Poet’s Pantry and the shops on Scott Avenue, after I reported these areas.

I am taking action all across Podsmead. Do get in touch if you see any highways issues that need reporting.

I reported the fly-tipping on Keats Avenue after it was spotted on the community litter pick.

It has now been cleared away and I am pleased to see this.

Fly-tipping costs councils and their partners thousands of pounds every year to clear up. Gloucester City Council and Gloucester City Homes work with enforcement agencies to deter people from doing this.

There are lots of options for recycling materials, booking bulky waste collections, donating items or disposing of them via charities. We must all work to reduce fly-tipping and ease the burden on our councils.