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

1996

AVON’S accident prevention group called on MPs to support zero rating of VAT on child safety equipment.

The Avon Play It Safe Co-ordinating group, a subsidiary of the main group, announced it was also working with road safety officers to encourage the wearing of cycle helmets.

MOTORISTS jumping red lights were told they would be liable for a surprise prosecution following a move by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

As part of a drive to prevent thousands of accidents from people ignoring the signals, cameras would be installed at numerous traffic lights throughout the county.

AN AMERICAN Independence Day inspired theme took Thornbury Carnival by storm.

Cheerleaders and American football players joined a Dixiland-style band in the well turned out parade, with thousands then making their way to enjoy the festivities on the Mundy Playing Fields.

THREE thousand balloons were launched from four different locations – including Yate Shopping Centre.

The release marked the start of Avon County Council’s community leisure department’s play activities, with a summer of fun planned to help young people develop and learn new skills.

2006

POLICE announced they would offer money to people who could help prosecute graffiti ‘artists’ in Gloucestershire.

The problem was costing local councils thousands of pounds each year, so officers announced that anyone providing information that could help their investigations could receive up to £250.

THE number of violent crimes committed in Gloucestershire rose by nearly a quarter over the space of a year.

According to figures released from the British Crime Survey, commissioned by the Home Office, there were 11,642 violent crimes across the area between 2005-2006, including 476 robberies and 670 sexual offences.

A GROUP of travellers who had set up home near Wotton-under-Edge for three years were told to tidy up their site by Stroud District Council.

Despite having no complaints against the travellers on the Old London Road site, the council called the meeting to discuss living arrangements as it was concerned that “the site was getting bigger and bigger”.

A CHIPPING Sodbury teenager appealed to dog owners to be more responsible for their pets after his cat was mauled to death.

Daniel Parsons of Finch Road contacted the Gazette after a dog wandered into the family home and killed six-year-old Isis.