In 2008 The SPJARA Residents Association was given a National Lottery grant to renovate a very neglected area of the local streetscape known as the ‘Norwood Triangle’. From their research they showed that a tramroad used to run down from Leckhampton Hill and through the triangle bringing building materials to the south section of the town.
The trading areas that are now The Bath Road, Tivoli and The Suffolks then grew up around the triangle, becoming the busy hubs of activity that they are today.
The line defined by the rail road is now Leckhampton Road, which was probably built at same time as the tramway. At The Norwood, the tramway veered to follow Norwood Road. The Gloucester and Cheltenham Tramroad also brought Forest of Dean coal from Gloucester Docks to coal sidings off Norwood Road until its route via Westal Green was closed in 1861, and became present Queen’s Road and Andover Road in Tivoli.
They also discovered that the tramroad was opened on the 2nd July 1810 and found a report from the Cheltenham Chronicle of 5th July, 1810 talking about a dinner that was held at The Plough Hotel in celebration for 50 local gentlemen ‘of the first respectability!’.
When the renovation was completed they decided to replicate the event and to invite 50 persons ‘of first respectability’ to a dinner at the Daffodil.
Since the renovation the triangle has been used for a number of community events including the 2011 Royal Wedding Street Party.
