Coffee morning, Filipino Day and St Ann’s Garden Party

Last Saturday was one of those days that perfectly sums up what I love about working in Gloucester — moving from conversations with residents to celebrating the incredible diversity of our city.

I began the morning in Barnwood, where a relaxed coffee meetup turned into a lively discussion with local residents. We covered everything from national policy to neighbourhood concerns, with plenty of lighter chat mixed in.

From there, I headed over to Filipino Heritage Day, organised by Gloucestershire Pinoys. The event was full of colour, music and food - a great celebration of the Filipino community’s contribution to Gloucester. It was wonderful to see families, performers and volunteers come together to share traditions and culture. Events like this show how much richness different communities bring to our city, and how important it is to create spaces where people can celebrate their identity.

To round off the afternoon, I made my way to the St Ann’s Garden Party, hosted by a group doing fantastic work supporting Gloucester’s Caribbean community. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with music, food and plenty of conversation. Their commitment to recognising and uplifting Caribbean heritage in Gloucester is invaluable, and it was great to spend time with people who are strengthening community ties and celebrating the contributions of Caribbean residents across the city.

Days like this remind me how vibrant, diverse and community‑driven Gloucester truly is. Whether it’s sharing concerns over coffee, celebrating heritage, or supporting local groups, the city’s strength lies in its people.