As the development of housing and schools continues in Longlevens, it is a timely opportunity to take a nostalgic look at some of the developments that have contributed to the evolution of Longlevens from a village to becoming a suburban extension of Gloucester City.
What better way to do this other than by recording the recollections of the many residents, who have lived for all or most of their lives in Longlevens, and can vividly remember how the landscape has changed over the years.
Such a group of people are regulars at the Greyhound Pub, most have been born and bred in Longlevens community and are considered to be “Lifers”! Their chat, quite often revolve around the community and invariably leads to comparisons between the past and present. It was during a conversation about the current housing developments with Gerry and Brian Lewis that their background knowledge of Longlevens became evident and initiated the idea of recording some of their memories.
The Greyhound Pub is perhaps a suitable starting point as this Longlevens Pub was actually built on the site of the old Greyhound Stadium ,which was demolished around 1983. It was replaced by the pub, the adjacent housing estate and a garage which subsequently made way in 1997 for Maple Court, which is situated just along Cheltenham road.
The Stadium was built in 1933 and for 50 years held Greyhound Racing Meetings on Thursdays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays and always proved to be a very popular attraction. Opposite the Greyhound stadium stood the Gloucester City Football Ground; long before it moved to Horton Road, Meadow Park and more recently to Cheltenham. Supporters would travel by bus from all over Gloucester to watch a match in the afternoon and then make a day of it by staying on to enjoy an evening at the “Dogs”.
In 1964, after almost 30 years in Longlevens, the City football ground was flattened, to make way for the construction of the Manor Park Housing estate. The current infant’s school field on Paygrove lane was the location of Longlevens Primary School, before the junior school section transferred in 1969 to its current location in Church road. In this area too was the Longlevens Secondary / Senior School, known locally as the LSS, until 1988, when it became the College of Arts and Technology.
The ever popular King Edward VII (The Teddy) Pub on Old Cheltenham road was and probably, still is recognised as the village pub, however, going back many years, there was another hostelry directly across the road called the Globe which held that accolade previously.
It is fascinating to imagine some of the small businesses that have made way for the transition to the modern day Longlevens. For example at the junction of Church road and Innsworth was the Cross General Store which sold anything and everything! It also had a maze of hedges outside which were ideal for playing “hide and seek”! Local Butcher Nick Brown and the Post Office-Store now retail from this site.
In the Old Cheltenham road area a terrace row of buildings included : Hunts the Newsagent (now Tesco), Duffty the Cobbler (now Goodwins Funeral Directors), the “ little Wool shop” (now Alistair Bone, estate agent) and a Fish and Chip shop which has retained its status to this day in the form of Ruddy’s.
Whereas, the current Co-op store situated on Cheltenham road as always had a presence. However, at one time it had serious competition from the Sunnydale General Stores, which was located adjacent the Co-op and next the Melton Hairdressing Salon which only closed, following retirement in recent years.
Significant housing construction in Longlevens commenced with the vast Leazes Council estate in 1949, followed over the next decade by Housing projects, off Nine Elms road, Oxstalls Drive and Oxstalls Way, Beechcroft road and Paygrove lane. From the 1960’s onwards several larger housing complexes were constructed in the Little Normans, Brionne Way and at the point where we started this review - the Greyhound Area in 1984.
In future editions we will continue the nostalgic theme by looking at the role of the Holy Trinity Parish Church and the development of Sporting Clubs in our Community.
I hope this trip into some of the Longlevens archives has given you an insight into the overall development of Longlevens over the years. However, should anyone have any significant memories of note, that they would like to share with our Community, please let me know.
Contact: Dennis - barnsleyd@aol.com or 07880 784596
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Barnwood & Hucclecote Community Policing
Hucclecote Police Station is no longer in operation.
Our Local Policing Team is now based at
Gloucester Central Police Station,
223 Barton Street, Gloucester GL1 4HT.
With the transfer of our local Policing Team from Hucclecote Police Station to Barton Street, it is perhaps an opportune time to review our Local Policing Team (LPT), Contacts, Current Initiatives and some of the different ways that we can help to safeguard both the community and ourselves.
Let’s start by re introducing our Barnwood & Hucclecote Community Local Policing Team (LPT). The Community Policing Teams covering our areas are headed by Police Sergeant Karen Horsley, supported by Police Constable Andy Plant. The Community Police Officers designated to each Community are Kate Beck and Claire Long who look after Barnwood and Coney Hill, whilst Khim and Adam are responsible for the Communities in Hucclecote, Abbeydale and Upton St Leonards. You can see them patrolling your area and remember they are there to help safeguard both people and property, so don’t be afraid to approach them for advice or to pass on information as they are always receptive.
Despite what seems to be an ever changing policing force, our local Policing team remains in place and is undoubtedly committed to our communities, by focusing on priorities and implementing initiatives.
Current & Ongoing Initiatives
An example of a current initiative involved road speed checks on Barnwood road, working in conjunction with two civilians in the form of local Councilors Lisa Noakes and Taren Randall. The objective was to monitor vehicle speeds along a specific section of the road. During the check, several vehicle owners were warned for driving over 35mph in the 30 mph limit, even on this busy road! Therefore please note that further checks are planned in both the Barnwood and Abbeymead areas in the very near future.
Ongoing Initiatives Include: “Lock It or Lose It”! Following a spate of burglaries during last year the Gloucestershire Policing Teams promoted the “Lock It or Lose It” campaign. However, as we start a new year and to avoid any complacency, it is worth reiterating this critical message.
As the Police explained the problem has meant opportunist burglars, who have become very wise to it, have simply been trying doors in a number of areas across the city until they come across an insecure door. It was found that many of the burglars got in through unlocked front doors when occupants have been in bed asleep! Of course the impact can be devastating and cause huge disruption to people's lives. Insecure doors can also of course void your home insurance. Although the Police have caught a number of offenders, they still need us to be vigilant and “help ourselves”. By routinely checking doors and windows when going out or going to bed is a simple but effective deterrent in itself.
Here are a few useful tips to help us focus on security:
It only takes a minute to lock your doors and windows; to hide valuables and keep out of view, remembering to dispose of packaging for expensive items properly.
Being a victim of sneak-in burglary can have both emotional and financial effects. High value goods are costly to replace if stolen, and items such as phones and cameras often hold information with sentimental value such as photos, which cannot be replaced. Remember that many insurance companies will not pay out if your home has been burgled while insecure and finally don’t forget to lock up your garden furniture and tools.
More advice can be found at the crime reduction pages of www.gloucestershire.police.uk.
Neighbourhood Watch forms part of a safeguarding action for the whole community and is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves your local Policing Team, Community Safety departments of local authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals and families who want to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Neighbourhood watch or meeting personally with the Policing team, there are opportunities every month, either at the Barnwood Police Information Point, held on 2nd Monday of every month, at St Lawrence Church 1000-1100hrs. Or at the Hucclecote Library Police Information Point on the First Saturday of every month Police Information Point, Hucclecote Library - 11am - 12noon.
All members of our local community are welcome to the Meetings.
With the transfer of our local Policing Team from Hucclecote Police Station to Barton Street, it is perhaps an opportune time to review our Local Policing Team (LPT), Contacts, Current Initiatives and some of the different ways that we can help to safeguard both the community and ourselves.
Let’s start by re introducing our Barnwood & Hucclecote Community Local Policing Team (LPT). The Community Policing Teams covering our areas are headed by Police Sergeant Karen Horsley, supported by Police Constable Andy Plant. The Community Police Officers designated to each Community are Kate Beck and Claire Long who look after Barnwood and Coney Hill, whilst Khim and Adam are responsible for the Communities in Hucclecote, Abbeydale and Upton St Leonards. You can see them patrolling your area and remember they are there to help safeguard both people and property, so don’t be afraid to approach them for advice or to pass on information as they are always receptive.
Despite what seems to be an ever changing policing force, our local Policing team remains in place and is undoubtedly committed to our communities, by focusing on priorities and implementing initiatives.
Current & Ongoing Initiatives
An example of a current initiative involved road speed checks on Barnwood road, working in conjunction with two civilians in the form of local Councilors Lisa Noakes and Taren Randall. The objective was to monitor vehicle speeds along a specific section of the road. During the check, several vehicle owners were warned for driving over 35mph in the 30 mph limit, even on this busy road! Therefore please note that further checks are planned in both the Barnwood and Abbeymead areas in the very near future.
Ongoing Initiatives Include: “Lock It or Lose It”! Following a spate of burglaries during last year the Gloucestershire Policing Teams promoted the “Lock It or Lose It” campaign. However, as we start a new year and to avoid any complacency, it is worth reiterating this critical message.
As the Police explained the problem has meant opportunist burglars, who have become very wise to it, have simply been trying doors in a number of areas across the city until they come across an insecure door. It was found that many of the burglars got in through unlocked front doors when occupants have been in bed asleep! Of course the impact can be devastating and cause huge disruption to people's lives. Insecure doors can also of course void your home insurance. Although the Police have caught a number of offenders, they still need us to be vigilant and “help ourselves”. By routinely checking doors and windows when going out or going to bed is a simple but effective deterrent in itself.
Here are a few useful tips to help us focus on security:
It only takes a minute to lock your doors and windows; to hide valuables and keep out of view, remembering to dispose of packaging for expensive items properly.
Being a victim of sneak-in burglary can have both emotional and financial effects. High value goods are costly to replace if stolen, and items such as phones and cameras often hold information with sentimental value such as photos, which cannot be replaced. Remember that many insurance companies will not pay out if your home has been burgled while insecure and finally don’t forget to lock up your garden furniture and tools.
More advice can be found at the crime reduction pages of www.gloucestershire.police.uk.
Neighbourhood Watch forms part of a safeguarding action for the whole community and is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves your local Policing Team, Community Safety departments of local authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals and families who want to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Neighbourhood watch or meeting personally with the Policing team, there are opportunities every month, either at the Barnwood Police Information Point, held on 2nd Monday of every month, at St Lawrence Church 1000-1100hrs. Or at the Hucclecote Library Police Information Point on the First Saturday of every month Police Information Point, Hucclecote Library - 11am - 12noon.
All members of our local community are welcome to the Meetings.
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