THE University of Gloucestershire has prepared a programme of handy activities to help welcome new arrivals to the county, as the school holidays draw to a close.

Most notably, on Friday, August 29 the university has organised with Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust to offer free health checks at the new City Campus as part of Blood Pressure UK’s national ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign.

The team will be offering people simple health checks, including blood pressure, and chatting to them about changes they can make to their lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, improving their diet or increasing exercise. The checks are free and open to all with no booking required.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday August 26, Dr Katie Forrester, University of Gloucestershire illustration lecturer, will lead a rubber stamp art workshop inspired by her sculpture Queen Aethelflaed, part of the Lions at Large trail.

Participants will create their own designs using stamps celebrating the Anglo-Saxon warrior queen, who is closely connected to the history of the county.

Dr Forrester said: “It’s hugely exciting to be running this workshop in our new City Campus and providing members of the public with a reason to visit.”

On Saturday, August 30, City Campus will host part of the Kings Square Takeover, which is the largest-ever rugby-themed event in Gloucester city centre.

As well as live screenings, games, entertainment, and appearances by Gloucester Rugby players across the city centre, City Campus will host a series of talks organised by the Gloucester Rugby Foundation, and a ‘Glos Girls Can’ panel discussion organised by Active Gloucestershire.

The news comes following the grand opening to the public of the highly anticipated new City Campus. Prospective students from the Forest of Dean were able to view the campus on Monday, August 18.