|
From
sporting highs and lows to big news events, Gloucestershire has
seen it all in 2003.
Peace
campaigners protested at RAF Fairford as B52 bombers took off to
bomb Baghdad in March.
And
in November Gloucester became the focus of international attention
with high profile arrest of a 24-year-old local man under the Terrorism
Act.
The
Queen visited Gloucester in April for the ancient ceremony of the
Royal Maundy.
 |
| ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
Gloucestershire auctioned the prizes when the cheeserolling
was cancelled |
And
May saw the county's madcap cheeserolling races at Cooper's Hill
cancelled - all because of an earthquake in North Africa!
The
traditional giant Double Gloucester cheeses used in the races were
instead auctioned for charity on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Gloucestershire.
Still
on a food theme, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Gloucestershire's resident chef Robert Rees
had an Indian adventure when he visited the sub-continent to promote
West Country produce.
In
October the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey was installed
as the University of Gloucestershire's first Chancellor.
And
November saw Elizabeth Hurley adding a touch of film star glamour
to the switching-on of Cirencester's Christmas lights.
Click
on the link below for our picture gallery of the year
It
was a year of real ups and downs on the sporting scene.
For
Cheltenham Town fans there was nailbiting then despair as they made
the play-offs but were relegated to Division Three on the last day
of the season.
And
it was a year the Robins had three managers - Graham Allner was
sacked in January, Bobby Gould quit in October after a home defeat
by Rochdale to be replaced by John Ward.
 |
|
Santa
was the envy of many when he got to kiss Elizabeth Hurley
she switched on Cirencester's Christmas lights
|
It
was a happier story for the Cherry and Whites when they won the
Powergen Cup Final in April - but after a fantastic season Gloucester
failed to make it a Twickenham victory double when they lost the
Zurich Premiership final to Wasps.
The
Gold Cup in March was won by Best Mate for the second year running
- and Gloucestershire CCC beat Worcestershire to lift the C&G
Trophy in August.
And
World Cup rugby fever took Gloucestershire by storm as Phil Vickery,
Trevor Woodman and Andy Gomarsall played their part in England's
unforgettable victory over Australia on November 22.
So
it made a fitting end when the trio were all awarded the MBE with
the rest of their team-mates in the New Year honours - and Gloucestershire
player-coach Mark Alleyne also received the MBE for his services
to cricket.
Click
on the link below for our picture gallery of the year
If
you would like to comment on this or any other story in this section
get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
|
2003
has been an unforgettable year in Gloucestershire in all sorts of
ways. 
