Ö÷²¥´óÐã

A colleague was somewhat surprised when he went to the Sainsbury's store at Gloucester docks on Friday.

Just before he went in he decided to use the cash machine. In goes the card, the PIN number is keyed in and up pops an unexpected option screen.

"Would you like these instructions in Welsh?"

Well the answer was no ... although surprisingly the "no" button was also labelled in welsh.

What's going on... has the border moved whilst we weren't looking, is Sainsbury's Gloucester trying to tap into the welsh speaking market many miles away, did the machine notice my colleague's surname was "Jones"... or has someone at HQ simply pushed the wrong button?

It reminds me of the news several years back when bi lingual english / welsh signs went up in the lake district as the contractor thought "Cumbria" was in Wales just like "Cwmbran" is !!

On Friday's show I spoke to Benjamin Lydon from Stroud. He works for a translation company in Libya and talked to me with great passion about the situation there.

He got on the boat after being advised by the British Embassy to escape by sea...have a listen to his thoughts.

It's an old chestnut I know but we couldn't resist!

This innocuous place on the A40 causes so much strife. Over is pronounced two ways and whichever way we say it produces a spicy response.

I read out the following email this morning...have a read and then look at the responses to the email below. Fell free to comment!

Hi Mark, thanks for a brilliant show, it wakes me every morning on my clock radio and the diversity of its topics makes it very entertaining and informative.

Only one gripe though, I continue to listen to your show in my car on the way to work and invariably am told about the heavy traffic between the Highnam roundabout and the A40 at Ooooover. I lived in Gloucester for most of my life and still work there but never have I heard the pronunciation Oooover ! My workmates are all Gloucester folk born and bred and they have never heard the pronunciation either.

If it is Oooover, then why don't we have Oooover Farm Market, The Wharf House at Oooover, and the Oooover carvery ?

Please can you clarify as I'm gritting my teeth every time that I hear it!!
All the best and keep up the Brilliant start to the day, (apart from Oooover that is).
Here is the response...

- Hi Mark...Gloucester born and bred, and have always known it as Uver, not Over, in the 43 years I've been here...Michael St Michael's Square
- David in Cirencester says his family were from Newent and it was always called Oooover. It's good to keep the old traditions alive eg Down Amney - new people call it Down Ampney, as it's spelt, but all the locals call it Amney
- Rob in Brockworth says just because parents used to call it ooover when they were young, that doesn't mean its correct!! He claims he only hears it on the radio now.
- A text says we've called it oover since the 1940s.
- Lesley in Quedgeley said she was taught it was ooover by her grandparents.
- Graham from Gloucester said his mum taught him how to pronounce it and says if it was good enough for her, its good enough for him!
- A lady caller said in the 1940s everyone called it oover hospital.
- Connie Smith grew up in Westgate Street and it was always Oooover - the reason over farm is different is because it's new!

Claire's solution is to say "over " on Mondays and Tuesdays, and "Oooover" on Thursdays and Fridays. We're not sure what to do on Wednesdays ...

We've asked the tourism chiefs in the county to number crunch the latest for us...and there were a couple of surprises. Gloucester Cathedral came out top with 375,000 visitors a year...Beechenhurst Lodge in the Forest of Dean zoomed in at no 2 with 300,000...Westonbirt Arboretum with 285,692 at no 3...5th was Keynes Country Park...part of the Cotswold Water Park.

It was number 4 that stumped most people...it took a while to get Beechenhurst into the list...but it took 2 and half of guesses to complete the top five. Here are a selection of the guesses and the elusive answer at the end.

Prinknash Abbey...May Hill...Severn Bore...Tewkesbury Abbey...Gloucester Docks...Batsford...Slimbridge...Beatrix Potter Museum...Cattle Country...Clearwell caves...Saul Juntion...Toddington...Westbury Court Gardens...Hidcote...Chedworth Roman Villa...Symonds Yat...

The answer...Robinswood Country Park with 279,000!

Any surprises there for you? cummings@bbc.co.uk

Thanks to Symon for his discovery after the recent Severn Bore. He writes...

"As the water continued to rise I noticed something moving in a clump of grass. If you think you need an expensive camera with a long lens to take a picture like this...think again."

Thanks to Nigel Phillips for these photos and optimistic words:

"Spring has now arrived. Despite all of the early signs I feel it never really appears in Gloucestershire until the first Severn Bores of the year which were this weekend, another 10 metre tide Monday morning. 8.56 at Newnham and 10.11 at Stonebench. Follow this with frogs doing what comes naturally when the warmer weather arrives, its taken the frogs in my pond in Quedgeley 7 days since they first paired up to lay frog spawn which appeared in the pond Saturday morning with more today. My bees are now flying every day, they waited until 2pm today before venturing out to collect pollen. I have seen slow worms and newts as well on the allotment in the last 10 days. The leaves are also showing on the blackcurrant bushes and elder, later this week I expect the Hawthorn buds already bursting, to break as well, all we need is a more sunshine!"

Keep them coming...cummings@bbc.co.uk

Paul Archer from Cirencester is about to take a very expensive cab ride! He is the one in the middle in the picture above and is about to start an 8 month, 35 thousand mile world record attempt.

Paul has quit his job in the City, and along with two mates is set to drive a classic 18 year old London Cab around the world...crossing Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, China, South Asia and Australia.

The three will pass through 36 borders and 10 time zones, battling freezing temperatures in the Arctic and searing heat in the Sahara. If successful it would be the longest taxi journey in history...and the most expensive!!! A rough estimate is 30 thousand pounds...although if on high tariff - it would be 200 thousand pounds.

The team are raising funds for the .

Paul will keep sending updates and photos for the blog and will join me once a week on the show with updates from across the globe.

If you do, you must be at least in your 40s, because it was back in February 1971, 40 years ago, that Britain "went decimal" and hundreds of years of everyday currency were turned into history overnight.

On 14 February that year, there were 12 pennies to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound. The following day all that was history and the pound was made up of 100 new pence.

Do you remember the methods you were taught to get your head around it? Why was the six pence called a tanner? Let me know your memories and funny stories of that time all those years ago! cummings@bbc.co.uk

Here are some of the comments from Monday's show
John on the email says a three penny has 12 sides although some say two sides (front and back)

Simon in Cinderford asks if any listeners know why six pence were called tanners.

Angela in Tewkesbury still has the old 10 shilling note she was given one every Saturday as pocket money

Cynthia in Cirencester worked in a shoe shop when decimalisation came in and they were all sent on a course at the chamber of commerce to be trained.

Robert in Churchdown says when he was a child he was encouraged to fill a Smartie tube with three penny bits because when full it held 80 coins which is £1.

Basil in Minsterworth says if you dip "thrupney" bits into coke or Worcester sauce it cleans them

Cindy in Cheltenham has several "thrupney"bits but they've become discoloured. can anyone advise how to get them back to their original colour?

Dusty in Highnam says his wife worked in a bank during the time of the change of currency. she managed to collect a complete set of the old coins and he still has all of them today and says the "thrupney" bit has 12 sides all in all.

Ian in Dursley says the last time the farthing was legal tender was 31st dec 1960.

Stuart in Hartpury says he can remember back in the 50's working at the markets as a young lad in Lancashire...he said back then 50p was known as "Wilson's washer" after the Prime Minister.

Pat in Tredworth can remember a few weeks before the decimalisation, all the penny chewing gum and chocolate vending machines being taken away. they use to sit outside shops but they all went eventually.

Thanks for all your photos for "The gallery of hope".

If you manage to snap any signs of spring this weekend I'd love to add them to our blog.
Saturday looks as though it will be fine.

I've heard reports of lambs frolicking in fields near Gloucester...and a blackbird was spotted trying to make a nest in Nailsworth!

Any sign you see of the earth beginning to wake up please email me your evidence. Many thanks to Robin Warren for his snowdrops in Lydney churchyard...robin at Lydney Harbour...daffodils and crocus in Bathurst Park...plus others

"Tenacity"...."keep the faith"..."work conquers all" and even "she shall grow up in heavenly light"?!..

Just some of the school mottos which proudly decorate school crests and emblems across the county...

On Wednesday's show we celebrated some of the different mottos and symbols which represent Gloucestershire's schools...

CHURCHDOWN SCHOOL - Tenacity

CHOSEN HILL SCHOOL - Beacon of Excellence

PATES GRAMMAR CHELTENHAM - Patebit tum quod Latuit- That which is hidden shall be revealed

CHELTENHAM COLLEGE - Labor Omnia Vincit ("Work Conquers All")

CHELTENHAM LADIES COLLEGE - CÅ“lesti Luce Crescat (May she grow in Heavenly light)

ST EDWARDS SCHOOL CHELTENHAM - Strive for the best or Quantum Potes Aude

SIR THOMAS RICH'S SCHOOL GLOUCESTER - Garde Ta Foy - the school motto is in Old French, it means Keep the Faith.

BROCKWORTH ENTERPRISE SCHOOL - Learning for Success

ST PETERS HIGH SCHOOL - Tu es Petrus - You are the rock

MARLING SCHOOL - "Abeunt Studia in Mores" "Let us go forward through study to character". ...

WESTONBIRT SCHOOL - "Bono malum superate" = Overcome evil with good.

WYCLIFFE COLLEGE - Bold and Loyal

THE COTSWOLD SCHOOL - Friendship - Knowledge

WHITECROSS SCHOOL LYDNEY - "Excellence and innovation"

CIRENCESTER KINGSHILL SCHOOL - "Striving for Excellence".

SEVERN VALE SCHOOL - Challenging All to Suceed

SIR WILLIAM ROMNEY'S SCHOOL, TETBURY - To be the best that we can be

And you also called with your own.

- Ken in Cheltenham attended Cirencester County Secondary in the 50s and their motto was simply "forward"
- George in Hucclecote went to Lyndon Secondary and the motto there was "stand tall and be seen"
- Dennis in Bourton on the Water and Joy in the North cotswolds both attended Northleach Grammar - whose Motto was 'flecti, non frangi' To be bent, not broken.
- Dave in Frampton on Severn went to Newent Secondary school the motto there was "I plank my trough" which was especially amusing in the canteen!
- Ray emailed the show - says he went to strand grammar in london the motto there was "advance"
- Jane in Popeshill says that East Dean Grammar in Cinderford's motto was "like the tree we seek the light"
- Pauline in Stonehouse attended Maiden Hill school in Stonehouse - their motto was "founded upon a rock"
- Annabelle in Cheltenham went to Malvern Girls College their motto was "she who conquers herself, conquers all"
- Val in Gloucester use to attend Pates Grammar School in Cheltenham the motto was "honour not honours"
- Chris in Bishops Cleeve says Tewkesbury secondary modern school for boys had a motto of "seek and serve"
- Connie in Gloucester says when she attended the High School for Girls the motto then was "service not self"
- John on the email use to attend Wycliffe College in Stonehouse - their motto was "bold and loyal"
- Michael in Gloucester says some time ago his family had emigrated from Gloucester to South Africa - the school motto was "aim high"
- Gerry in Cirencester can remember his: "manners maketh man". he says that's the only thing he can remember learning at school.
- John says his was "friend forever"
- Katie in Stroud says her Kensington school motto was "I am, I can, I ought and I will."
- Mike in longlevens went to Sir Tommy Rich's back in the 50's when the motto was "keep your faith"

Gloucester's Railway Triangle moves a step closer, again.

Your thoughts on the latest development:

- Alan in Cheltenham says we don't need another supermarket. we should use the land for something useful.
- Frank on the text says 400 jobs? is that really a net increase or will this just suck jobs from other parts of Gloucester?
- Don in Hucclecote says the city should be breaking it's neck to include a leisure interest for younger people in Gloucester, maybe the ice rink is the best idea?
- A Gloucester resident says we don't need another food outlet, this will cause more traffic on Eastern Avenue making life for the residents unbearable.
- Paul in Cheltenham says can we publish details of the campaign against the possible opening of a Morrisons as soon as they become available, society needs to take a firmer stand against more big supermarkets opening, if you watched the programme called the people's supermarket you will understand.
- Basil in minsterworth says we've got enough supermarkets in Gloucester, but adds if a sports stadium was built there the traffic would be terrible.

I will be cheering on Mike Tindall and the boys at The Millennium Stadium for the Wales V England international ...surrounded by Welsh fans...one of which will be my wife! One of us is going to have a miserable weekend.

Have you ever found yourself in with the opposition supporters? Have you ever had the experience of having to mute your joy when your team score?

I would love to hear your stories...cummings@bbc.co.uk. I will record my adventures and play them back on the Breakfast Show on Monday morning.

updated mon 7th

Hi Mark

In my teens (I am now 60) I supported Reading. I was very excited when my boyfriend and I had managed to get tickets to watch Reading play Manchester United at Reading. We arrived donning out Reading Scarves (luckily not shirts) only to find the tickets were right in the midst of the Manchester united fans! - Needless to say the scarves were hidden rapidly and my boyfriend told me to not shout and scream (which I normally did) when, or rather, if Reading scored. Sadly, if I remember rightly, and it was a long time ago, there was not much chance to shout and scream but it was difficult to be in a crowd of people who were shouting and screaming when a goal had been scored against out beloved Reading.

Jean, Cheltenham

It is real tough times for many trying to make a living out of the pub trade. Today we asked for examples of places who have bucked the trend and why they are managing to get the punters in.

Feel free to add to the list of Gloucestershire's finest boozers! cummings@bbc.co.uk
Jamie says the Noel Arms in Chipping Camden is top notch...she loves it's historic feel, cosy atmosphere and they sell great wines.

Tanya says the Malt Shovel in Ruardean is the best pub in the forest always busy, good beer and food and good service.

Jane in Huntley says the Farmers Boy on the A40 at Longhope is fantastic it's a traditional pub with log fire and have even started selling pies which really works.

Hayden has rang back to say the rose inn in pagan hill is fantastic because they always have an event of every week often raising money for charity and they have a skittles alley!

Mark on the email says the best for him are the yew tree at Clifford's Mesne, the old spot in Dursley and the five mile house at Duntisbourne Abbots.

Janet in Cirencester says the Drillman's Arms pub on the Gloucester road in Cirencester is brilliant... always such a warm welcome, good food and it's always busy.

Chris says in Prestbury the Royal Oak has cheap, good food and is always packed.

Steve says the Kings Arms in Prestbury says there's a skittle alley and they have comedy nights which are bringing people in. diverse evenings seem to work.

Mary says that the Puesdown Inn in Northleach is always busy...they have a pizza restaurant.

Viv Hargreaves the Editor of The Forester Newspaper couldn't resist joining in. These are the ones she feels are doing a good job...

1/ Red Hart at Blaisdon within cycling distance and Guy Wilkins always makes her laugh
2/ Saracens Hhead at Symonds Yat - wonderful place to stop and refuel on canoe trips
3/ Ship Inn at Newnham - Adrian Eyles is always a perfect host
4/ The Ostrich at Newland - Kathy Horton's pub is a brilliant spot to go to after playing in the concerts at the cathedral of the forest
5/ The Boat at Redbrook - another great place to refuel on canoe trips

You'll be able to type in any postcode on a police website...and see what kind of crime happened over the last month.

But do you want to know?

We've done a bit of research in Gloucestershire...this was from December 2010.

GLOUCESTER TOWN CENTRE
OVERALL
All crime and ASB 827
ZOOMING IN....On or near Northgate Street †
Burglary 1, Anti-social behaviour 3, Other crime 5, Violent crime 1

CHELTENHAM TOWN CENTRE
OVERALL
All crime and ASB 641
For example...St Georges Road
Anti-social behaviour 2, Burglary 2, Other crime 1

CIRENCESTER TOWN CENTRE
OVERALL
All crime and ASB 147
For example..On or near Castle Street †
Anti-social behaviour 2, Burglary 1, Violent crime 2, Other crime 1

STROUD TOWN CENTRE
OVERALL
All crime and ASB 149
For example....On or near Church Street †
Anti-social behaviour 8, Violent crime 4, Other crime 8

CINDERFORD
OVERALL
All crime and ASB 64
For example...On or near Dockham Road †
Anti-social behaviour 4, Burglary 1, Other crime 1

TEWKESBURY TOWN CENTRE
Overall
All crime and ASB 65
For example...On or near Alexandra Way †
Anti-social behaviour 2, Other crime 4

If you fancy a look...www.police.uk... then type in street, village, or postcode...but would you want to do it? Cummings @bbc.co.uk