LOOKING back on some of the stories the Gazette has reported through the years...

August 1977

DURSLEY and Cam would become “trading ghost towns” if plans for a proposed new supermarket at Kingshill were accepted, a local councillor claimed.

Cllr Brian Addle told Cam Parish Council that he would like to see Stroud District Council being urged not to accept the plan to convert the formal Regal Cinema into a supermarket. 

“From the traders’ point of view, people in Cam are going to be seriously affected,” he said.

“I’m not against competition for local traders, but I think we as a council should look at it from a long term point of view.”

But Mr Addle received little support from other members of the council, with fellow councillor Bob Tocknell saying that the problems created by traffic were for Dursley Council, adding that he could not see Cam ending up with no shops, or as a “trading ghost town”.

The council turned down Cllr Addle’s suggestion to object to the plans.

August 1987

A SPECTACULAR balloon fiesta was announced to take place in Thornbury.

The first time such a unique event would be held in the town, it was set to be one of the major fundraising activities for the Thornbury community project.

“With the possibility of at least six balloons taking part, the event is being staged in the field adjacent to Thornbury Castle,” said Doug Daniels, spokesman for the arts festival.

Mr Daniels said the arts festival was indebted to the owner of Thornbury Castle, Maurice Taylor, who had been of considerable help.

Shirley Holloway, chairman of the arts festival, said the balloonists were thrilled at the prospect of staging the fiesta in Thornbury.