The recent annual Kingsway Big Lunch gave some answers to an important question, helped by great weather.
Kingsway’s relationship with the rest of Quedgeley hasn’t always been happy: but the early perceptions are now long overtaken by the reality of good open spaces, plenty of facilities and flourishing voluntary and civic groups.
Let’s start with the Kingsway Residents Association (KRA) itself, which organised the event. With 50 plus stalls, entertainments and activities the KRA proves it’s in the Premier League of active residents groups in our City.
Then there’s the Kingsway Runners - open to all for fun runs on a Monday evening and more competitive ones on Saturday mornings: and the Harlequins RFC, with lots of opportunities for young people to get started.
New to me was the Kingsway Wildlife initiative, working with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, and about to be granted 400 new trees for the area by the Woodland Trust. Anyone who would like to know more do contact Sarah on kingswaywsg@gmail.com.
And it was good to see a strong turnout from the Air Cadets and St John Ambulance, who offered valuable lifesaving training. As a former RAFVR Cadet Pilot, I believe time with the Armed Forces or St John Ambulance instils great life skills.
Elsewhere it was good to see Jo Sutherland of the amazing Charlie’s cancer support group there, as well as Jaroslaw of the Polish Association, Trish’s plant stall, Brian’s Men’s Shed honey - and a well behaved poodle with a red rosette from the dog show.
All of which shows how well this Kingsway community event is supported, with help from sponsors like CGT Lettings. In ten years I’ve seen the area go from a building site to a popular and thriving community with good schools, sports and a big surgery coming soon.
Of course not all is perfect - too much speeding on Thatcham Avenue for example - but the Spirit of Community is alive and well in Kingsway. It’s a success many have helped build - and I much enjoyed coming to see the growing evidence again.
