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

January 1986

THE NEW owner of Thornbury Castle made an appeal to the town’s residents, asking for information on the historic building’s history.

Mr Maurice Taylor explained that he hoped to compile a complete dossier on the castle in his library and wished to make copies of any documents or photographs that the townspeople might have, saying he would be prepared to buy the information if necessary.

AN ALARMING increase in rape and sexual assault prompted the creation of a women’s self-defence course.

The six week course at Yate Leisure Centre was designed to give a basic introduction to a range of simple techniques, led by trained instructors who were both karate black belts.

SIX local pupils were offered places to read for degrees at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Four sixth formers at Rednock School were offered places at Cambridge, while two pupils, one from Rednock School and one from Katharine Lady Berkeley School achieved entry to Oxford.

January 1996

MEETINGS to discuss plans to establish Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Pilning and Severn Beach were held, with villagers urged to lend their support.

Parish councillors agreed to leaflet every home in the parish to inform householders of the meetings at both village halls.

WINTERBOURNE Society was delighted at the decision not to develop Filton Airport, and British Coal’s decision to abandon local exploration.

“The last two years contained serious threats to the local environment,” said the group’s chairman, Mr Gyles Harris.

January 2006

PUCKLECHURCH Trading Estate sold for £16.1 million in what was one of the biggest industrial deals in the South West in recent history.

The estate and the more recently built Beaufort Trade Park, comprises 20 acres of freehold, multi-let industrial units, giving the buyer Slough Estates International a total building area of around 260,000 sq ft with scope to build 40,000 sq ft of new industrial units.

NORTHAVON MP Steve Webb was applauded for his use of technology in encouraging participation in politics.

Academics from Bournemouth University praised the Liberal Democrat MP for building good two-way dialogue with his constituents through email consultations.

A TWO week roadshow began for young people in South Gloucestershire to cast their votes for the UK Youth Parliament elections.

The Rolling Polling Bus was also used by eight of the candidates as part of their campaign trail.