It was lovely to see this rainbow over Podsmead recently. We had a good day of volunteering.

On Small Business Saturday it was good to give a shout-out to all the fabulous small businesses in Gloucester.

We can all play our part by supporting local shops when we can.

Only ever shopping at the same identikit chains will just ensure lack of choice and absence of that personal touch that small businesses provide.

Do pay them a visit when you can!

Upstairs Downstairs Antiques Centre Gloucester

Aladdin’s Cave The Eastgate Shopping Centre

The Ramblers Club

The Club at Tuffley Park

Idun Spirit

The Tailor of Gloster

Vinyl Vital Signs

Not everyone has the internet and it’s important that I am accessible to residents in lots of different ways.

So I’ve installed a postbox in Duke of Beaufort Court for residents to send me letters or notes. There will also be one in The Ramblers.

I am always keen to hear from residents about any issues they may have.

I will be holding advice surgeries in Podsmead on the dates above. If you cannot make the dates but want my help with an issue, please get in touch via the alternative methods listed on the poster.

Next week I will be undertaking another walkabout with PCSO Suzanne Sexton, and attending some meetings in the ward.

On Friday 8th November we attended with the Mayor, Sheriff and civic party, city council group leaders and Managing Director together with council staff, as we paid tribute to the staff members of the Gloucester Corporation (as it was then known) who made the supreme sacrifice in the First World War.

‘A city’s strength is not in her walls, nor in her ships, but in her sons’.

Play Gloucestershire do great work in our communities, bringing educational and fun activities to children around the county. I’m really pleased that they are back working in Podsmead on Thursdays from 4pm-6pm on Scott Avenue playing field. Thanks to all who support them with funding around the county especially Podsmead Big Local.

Charlie says: please clean up after your dog!

Podsmead is a good area for dog-walking, with lots of grass and fields.

After requests from residents I’ve asked for some extra signs to say please clean up after your dog, just as a reminder.

Walking Football is on every Friday, 7pm at the Crypt School.

I’ve been pleased to help facilitate a venue for this through my contacts at the school.

This is a really good example of social prescribing – activities such as team games, community choirs or dog walking that can be just as effective or even more so than just prescribing medicine from the doctor.

I’ve enjoyed attending this and hats off to Les and Podsmead Big Local for bringing it about.

I did another problem-solving walkabout with PCSO for Podsmead Suzanne Sexton.

We went all across the ward and logged issues as we went, and had several good conversations with residents.

We then stopped in with Les Jevins at the Big Local for a hot drink and a chat. It was great to hear of all the activities being planned.

If I can be of assistance please email Sebastian.Field@gloucester.gov.uk.

Suzanne can be emailed on Suzanne.Sexton@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk.

It was good to pop along to the Restart a Heart event at the Club at Tuffley Park and chat to the practitioners about their work.

It’s really important that as many people as possible know how to deal with cardiac emergencies and I will be looking to book in some training on this. There are more events planned in Podsmead and in Gloucestershire.

It was also good to look round the Club at Tuffley Park and see the renovations, and to have a coffee and catch-up with community stalwart Les Jevins.