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Gloucestershire in Pictures: Statues galore

News imageCheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity Five colourful lion sculptures lined up on a forecourt outside Cheltenham Racecourse. The nearest lion has green main and a light blue floral design on the body. The next nearest lion has an orange main and dark blue body and the others are green, purple and orange.Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity

It has been a busy week in the county with brighter conditions bringing renewed optimism, even as temperatures dropped for the start of the new month.

Talking of optimism, Cheltenham Town have appointed local hero Steve Cotterill as their new boss in the hope that he will lead them to safety in League Two.

In other news, the Lions at Large said their farewells before they go up for auction, apple pressing is in full swing in Bishops Cleeve, and a new sculpture has shown its face in Pittville Park.

Here are the best pictures from across Gloucestershire this week.

News imageCheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity Four lion statues lined up overlooking Cheltenham Racecourse. The nearest is brown and getting further away, they are painted orange (with black main), purple (with yellow main) and black (with gold main).Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity

Roaring success: It is time to say farewell to the Lions at Large, which have held pride of place in Cheltenham and Gloucester since July.

The sculptures had a farewell event at Cheltenham Race Course on Friday and will be going under the hammer to raise funds for a new state-of-the-art cancer centre in Cheltenham next Thursday.

News imageSteve Cotterill stands holding a Cheltenham Town Shirt with training pitches and a hillside visible in the background.

Local legend: Steve Cotterill returned to Whaddon Road on Tuesday, raising fan hopes that Cheltenham will push on after a wretched start to the season.

With the club rock-bottom of League Two, Cotterill will look to emulate his earlier successful spell at the club where he won three promotions and the FA Trophy.

News imageImage of a man and a woman in a barn surrounded by buckets of apples. The man is standing over an apple press while the woman is leaning over a bucket of apples.

Big squeeze: With a bumper crop of apples this year, after a long, hot summer, anyone with apples to spare headed for the Big Squeeze at Bishops Cleeve on Sunday.

The annual apple pressing event, now in its 13th year, invited people to bring along their own fruit for pressing and take away a bottle or two of fresh juice.

News imageWeatherWatcher/Red Robin Pink berries hanging from a tree in a park. Various trees and a blue and white skyline can be seen in the background.WeatherWatcher/Red Robin

Berry heaven: We are still a couple of weeks away from peak autumn colour across the county, but there are signs of what is to come if you know where to look.

Many thanks to our WeatherWatcher Red Robin in Moreton in Marsh for this lovely picture.

News imageA wooden statue standing on a lawn in front of a series of buildings painted with green nostrils and red lips.

Sitting proud: A new two-sided sculpture has been unveiled in Pittville Park in Cheltenham.

Carved by local artist Natasha Houseago, the artwork is part of a sensory garden project paid for and implemented by Friends of Pittville in collaboration with Cheltenham Borough Council.

News imagePaul Nicholls A open-top race car lurches forward with its front wheels in the air. The driver and a passenger, both wearing hats, are huddled behind a low windscreen as mud flies up.Paul Nicholls

Award contender: Local photographer Paul Nicholls has been shortlisted in the British Photography Awards 2025.

His image of the Stroud and District Motor Club Classic Reliability Trial was one of two to make the cut, with the winners being announced at a ceremony in November.

News imageGloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service An award with the words "winner" on it, standing in front of two certificates which read "UK Fleet Champions Awards 2025"Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Award winners: Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service took home the Road Safety in the Community Award at a ceremony in Leeds.

The service's prevention team won the award for helping to teach young people with special educational needs how to stay safe in real-life situations.

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