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

May 1977

A 15-year-old Hanham boy stole clothes from a friend in order to run away from home, Staple Hill Juvenile Court heard.

Inspector Rowley Willetts, prosecuting, said that the boy went to his friend’s house and stole jeans, three shirts and a leather belt.

The boy’s father said that his son had taken the clothes to run away to London, but quickly changed his mind once he realised that life outside his home was neither glamorous nor exciting. 

The teenager was given a year’s supervision order and was told to pay £6 compensation for the clothes that had not been recovered.

VANDALS caused over £100 worth of damage when they smashed the windows of a bulldozer parked at the new golf course at Trench Lane, Almondsbury, back in May 1977. Police were said to be investigating the incident.

TWO raids took place within a matter of days at a Cribbs Causeway petrol station. 
Petty thieves caused over £500 worth of damage during the second raid and left with a haul of just £5.98.

May 1987

AN Oldbury-on-Severn man was among more than 100 people who were invested into the Order of St John at a ceremony in London in May 1987. 

Roy Badman, of Shepperdine Road, was appointed as a Serving Brother in the Grand Priory Church, St John’s Square on May 21.

The award was approved by the Queen and was intended to honour Roy for his 20 years of service with St John’s Ambulances. 

DETERMINED thieves sliced through steel shutters with a chainsaw at a Cribbs Causeway electrical store.

They escaped with 20 camcorders worth £10,000 and caused significant damage to the main doors.

A stolen Vauxhall Cavalier used as a getaway car was later found abandoned in Southmead.