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

July 1977

MORE than 300 cub scouts from 14 packs across the Northavon and South Gloucestershire area competed in a mini sports day at The Ridings playing fields in Chipping Sodbury.

The event consisted of ‘It’s a Knockout’, tug-o-war, and a cake competition for the boys whose ages ranged between eight and 11.

Acting district commissioner Hugh Levers presented cups and certificates to winning teams, with the Frampton pack claiming the overall victory for It’s a Knockout, Pucklechurch walking away top in tug-o-war, and Andrew Whitehead from Frampton Cotterell and Duncan Latimer from Raysfield winning the cake competitions.

Chipping Sodbury public relations officer Shirley Voisey said that given the event was such a success in its first year of running, they would definitely be repeating it next year.

July 1987

EDUCATION chiefs in Avon agreed to buy a £400,000 site in Wickwar to build a replacement primary school for the village.

The move was being made to accommodate the rising number of primary school age children in the area, with numbers expected to increase from 80 to 210 by the end of the century.

County council officers admitted that the current school, built in the 19th century, did not meet the present day standards.

They said there were clear deficiencies in teaching and ancillary accommodation, hard play space was below standard, access and car parking was unsatisfactory and the playing field was detached and needed to be hired.

Members of the schools sub-committee agreed to approve the purchase of the four acre site behind houses in Back Lane, referring the matter to the land and buildings sub-committee.

Councillors agreed to wait two months for comments from interested parties.