A (birthday) party political broadcast on behalf of The Raikes Journal

When The Raikes Journal relaunched it did so from ground zero, relying on its stories and a belief that independent local journalism would drive readership. A year on, this is where we are.

Dear readers,

Welcome to your first edition of The Raikes Journal of the week.

Last week we took a look at how the solution to the shortage of cyber skills might not be as simple as training more young people. It might, on the face of it anyway, be even simpler!

Still on the subject of skills, on Thursday we revealed how an exciting multi-million pound scheme has been hatched to build a new construction school beside Gloucester Quays.

And on Friday we were back at Gloucestershire Airport. We’re not alone in writing about how the airport is up for sale - its owners, Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council putting it on the market last year.

Seemingly unable to move without creating interest and drama, it has not emerged that the airport’s debt continues to grow - to £15 million, while it continues to fail to break even too.

But today’s main story is about The Raikes Journal. It’s a year on from our re-launch. We look at where we are.

Flying high and climbing is the short or it.…