“At last Chelteenham and Gloucester work to together to achieve something good for the county rather than bickering over which place is better or worse thsn the other. As someone who comes from outside the county I think the amount of bickering over such a trivial issue. Why can the two places work together more often. I'm sure more unity would be achieved particularly when the two places are so close together in terms of distance. In the county that I come from (Cambrigeshire) the two major population centres, Peterbouough and Cambridge 59 km 65km apart depending on whteher one uses motorways or not . This is equates to about an hours's travelling time which if we travel north takes us to somewhere north Birmingham or travelling south an hours south of Bristol. The way things go on now just creates more division between the two places.”

“I think what people fail to realise that "city of culture" is not just about what there is now, its about the potential cities have. It is designed to aid the regeneration of cities. Gloucester and Cheltenham have so much which could be done with them. I also agree re. the comment regarding including stroud in the bid, being close to the cities and also having loads of potential.

As for performance venues: Gloucester - Guildhall
Cheltenham: Town hall, also several theaters.
Plus many shopping malls, public squares etc.”

“Agreed Simon. Not quite sure what Paul was alluding to but not a particularly helpful contribution as you say.
I happen to agree with Rob that the stations and surrounding areas are shoddy at best. I just thought that his tone was demeaning hence my slightly more aggressive than usual reposte. Hardly 'picking a fight' is it?”

“Since when has a heated debate on an on line comments website been "picking a fight." ????

Grow up Paul, Gloucestershire and contribute something constructive yourself. I'm sure Rob & Neil are more than capable of having a civilised discussion on what is an important issue for both our city and the town next door.”

“Neil
Please stop picking a fight for no reason.
Rob has made some very good points about our City and your Town”

“Okay then Mr Condescending aka Rob.

1. Station area - this can be improved. Where have I said it can't? Information boards are a good idea but alone will not win the culture bid. What museum do you think should be opened? And then closed 6 months down the line due to lack of interest?!
You were the one that wanted the big town centre welcome. You then cited examples of Bristol, Sheffield, Newcastle & Birmingham. Big cities with a large number of rail stations. Of course these areas are going to have facilities in close proximity to their main entrance stations. I can guarantee you that there will be nothing of the sort at the smaller stations on the OUTSKIRTS of the metropolis areas you mentioned. See my point?

2. No need for the fingers in the ears comment. Not condusive to good debate. Just gets my back up.

If the stations are so important to the bid (which I believe is bound to fail anyway), why even bother bidding in the first place if it will fall at the first hurdle.”

“Neil,

I'm suggesting things wrong that you refuse to see because it's in the nature of most born 'n' bred type not to see such problems. As I gave Bristol as an example, they used the station area for business and for a museum. Who suggested moving town or station? You. How about thinking much more simple thoughts, such as improving the area around the station, having new museums and information points and creating a corridor to the town?

Just keep your your eyes closed and your fingers in your ears shouting la la la - good luck with that.

And if you think the welcome a city gives is unimportant then you've really missed a huge point of what the City of Culture is (mostly) about; tourism!”

“To be honest I must agree with rob, even cities that are on the same line as Cheltenham, such as birm worc etc all have train stations right in the city centre, its not a crime for an outsider to comment on their visit. I live in Cheltenham and appreciate it for its regency beauty but I can see its faults, the town centre is a terribly run down now, with only a few decent areas, at night there is a vast proportion of thugs and low life in relation to law abiding people whoa re just trying to enjoy a night out. Gloucester is a different kettle of fish because it is a city, and it could be so much better than it is, but all I see and read about is one daft idea after another, I don¿t personally like the quays, and think it could have been implemented for better, and I read to day in the paper the city is celebrating some new chairs outside a mobile burger van and excitement is brewing about a noddy train, get real as another poster has mentioned near by cities are investing millions in new buildings and culture. Where as our councillors seem to think they already have everything right, well step out from your ivory towers because both Cheltenham and Gloucester have got some miles to go yet.”

“So, are you suggesting that the station is moved to the town centre or the town centre is moved to the station? Good luck with either of those!!
I still don't see your point. I'm sure the success of the bid will not rest on the location (or lack of!) of the two stations.”

“I agree that Gloucester should be the next City of Culture - they can put visitors up at our brand spanking (pun intended) new sex hotel, feed them in the downstairs restaurant, ferry them around the new Docks development (mostly composed of hideous retro 60's architecture IMO), show them where the Queen stepped ashore to wave at the populace before leaving as quickly as possible and then ship them back out again via our state of the art railway station with its plastic flowers.

And if they take a small detour, visitors may, if they are lucky, find the Beatrix Potter and Folk Museums still open. Failing that, they can try the City Museum and Art Gallery (half an hour at the most?) or pop down to The Quays for AN other shopping "experience".

I can hardly wait for the result of the voting....”