This week in Gloucestershire has been eventful, with murals, art installations, farming hurdles, and excavations making the headlines. Blessed with mostly favorable weather, our reporters have been venturing across the Gloucestershire countryside, connecting with farmers as they harvest and discuss the trials of farming in 2024.
Cotswold farmer and TV’s Countryfile host, Adam Henson, mentioned that this season is particularly hectic, with arable farmers racing to gather their crops—an effort heavily dependent on the whims of the weather.
“Let there be light”: This week in our city, the Submergence Gloucester exhibit debuted, offering free immersive light and sound experiences at the Eastgate Shopping Centre. Situated in a vacant store between H&M and JD Sports, the exhibit will run until the end of August, with accompanying workshops also available.
If the name sounds familiar, you might recall it from when it dazzled 51,000 visitors at Gloucester Cathedral back in 2020.
The Grand Unveiling: The latest images of The Forum, the £107 million development at the core of Gloucester city centre, reveal its progression toward completion. Scaffolding has been dismantled from both One Cathedral View and Two Cathedral View, giving the public a glimpse of the structures.
The façades draw inspiration from the iconic cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral, echoing the city’s rich architectural heritage.
The Famous mural: The newly-painted mural of a horse on the side of The Famous in Cheltenham is to stay after retrospective planning permission was granted this week.
Pop-Up Play Days: With school holidays still in full swing, The Venture in White City has been bustling with free activities as part of the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme. While the ticketed events in Gloucester city have already sold out, there are still opportunities for all to enjoy, including pop-up play days and outdoor cinema events.
Excavation Excitement: Archaeologists and volunteers are currently excavating the site of a kiln used in constructing Corinium, Roman Britain’s second-largest town, now known as Cirencester. After three years of dedicated work, they report that the site has “surpassed all their expectations.”
Farm Life Continues: At Hartpury University, heifers are relishing their morning feed after milking, even as most students enjoy their summer break. The farm remains active year-round, ensuring the animals are well cared for regardless of the season.
Pig Club Innovation: Stroud Brewery has come up with an inventive solution for managing its waste by partnering with local hobby farmers. The Thrupp Community Pig Club repurposes used malt from the brewing process as feed for its three pigs. This malt provides essential fiber and protein while helping to reduce costs for the eight families involved in feeding and caring for the pigs, including topping up their water.