SEPTEMBER began with world leaders debating whether or not they should send military intervention to Syria after a chemical weapon attack.

While anti-war protestors took to the streets in Stroud, MP Neil Carmichael backed the Government’s motion calling for possible military action in Syria because he believed it was necessary in upholding international law banning the use of chemical weapons.

Controversial plans were revealed for a Free Steiner School in Stroud which has the potential to cater for more than 800 pupils.

Bowbridge resident Helen Saunders launched a campaign called Stop Steiner in Stroud as she was concerned parents would be attracted to the school without a full understanding of the curriculum.

Plans to cull around 5,000 badgers in west Somerset and west Gloucestershire over the next six weeks in an attempt to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis came into force and anti-cull protestors tried in every way to prevent badgers from being killed.

SNJ reporter Hayley Mortimer rubbed shoulders with Queen rock star Brian May during a Wounded Badger Patrol through one of the pilot areas in Gloucestershire.

Members of anti-cull group Team Badger patrolled the cull zones on a nightly basis looking for wounded animals.

A major project to refurbish youth facilities in Painswick received the go ahead after villagers raised the final £15,000 needed to hit their target.

The Painswick Pavilion Project – which needed to raise a total of £120,000 – was orchestrated by the charity PSALMS to give the recreation ground in Lower Washwell Lane a much needed overhaul.

Work on the pavilion is expected to be finished by spring next year.

Meanwhile, Stroud claimed gold in Britain in Bloom for the second year running and all households in the district were sent a Stroud loyalty card in the mail offering customers a discount at more than 100 local shops and businesses.

Firefighters across the country also went on strike over national pension arrangements.