Your guide to everything that’s going on in your area

APPERLEY & DEERHURST

» We are lucky to have two lunch clubs which meet monthly at Apperley Village Hall.

The Open Door Club meets on the third Thursday and the Severnside Senior Citizens meets on the first Tuesday of every month.

For details see the community groups and organisations section atapperleydeerhurst.co.uk.

» Ecumenical Lent course Seeking Shapes for Living will be taking place on Thursday s at 2.30pm from March 14-April 11 at Apperley Methodist Church.

For details contact therevkaymundy@gmail.com. » Ann Wiseman Ann@wisemen.co.uk

LECKHAMPTON & CHARLTON KINGS

» Charlton Kings Men’s Probus Club meets at 9.30am today at Sacred Hearts Church Rooms with Ronald Gallivan’s humorous talk of life in Medieval England and the black death.

Next week Tony Condor will give a talk about the tall ships which were first seen in Gloucester Docks in 1827.

If you are interested in joining this friendly club, contact Peter Russell on 01242 238521.

» A farmers’ market selling a wide range of local produce will be held on The Promenade tomorrow from 9am-2pm

» Friends of the Air Ambulance hold their fund raising coffee morning at Emmanuel Church rooms from 10am tomorrow

» The Film Society is showing the third James Bond film Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery, at Sacred Hearts Church Rooms at 7.45pm tomorrow. Doors open from 7pm and tickets cost £5.

» The Bacon Theatre presents Bye, Bye Baby, a celebration of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, at 7.30pm.

On Saturday at 7.30pm is The Johnny Cash Story starring Jamie Rodden.

Tickets from the Box Office on 01242 258002.

» There is a full parish council meeting in the Stanton Room at 7pm on Monday. All members of the public are welcome.

» Allotments are available at Ryeworth, Haver, Croft and Sappercombe. Contact the parish office on 01242 250087

» At the lunchtime concert in the Town Hall on Tuesday, soprano Rebecca Rudge – accompanied by pianist Kit Perone Wright – will sing songs by Ivor Novello, Henry Mancini and others.

The concert begins at 1.05pm and lunches are on sale from noon.

» The local history society meets on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Baptist Church for their annual general meeting followed by a talk about Cheltenham Minister by Geoff North.

» Charlton Kings Flower Club meets at 7.30pm on Tuesday in the Pavilion at Balcarras School.

Brigette Manton will give a demonstration based on the idea of make do and mend. New members are very welcome.

» Emmanuel Ladies Probus Club meets from 10am on Wednesday at Emmanuel Church Rooms.

Dennis Halliday will give a talk entitled Here and There Alphabet.

Visitors and new members are always welcome.

» The Regency Probus Club for men meets from 10am on Wednesday, February 27 at Cheltenham Bowling Club.

Contact Geoff Harmsworth on 01242 672409 if you would like to join this friendly club.

» The next coffee concert is at Holy Apostles church on Saturday, March 2.

The Enigma Duo of Laurence Kempton (violin) and Katherine Thomas (harp) will join forces with Hannah Davey (soprano) and Warwick Cole for a programme of songs and instrumental music by Elgar and Frank Bridge.

Coffee and homemade cakes are served from 10.30am with music beginning at 11am. Free admission with a retiring collection. » Rose Ashton 01242 262042 ashton.r@btinternet.com

» Before their half term break, Cubs carried on with their team work instructions and games.

Beavers spent some time playing games then stood in a horseshoe while two new members were invested. Scouts played crab football and spent some time working on their Navigator badge, drawing a map of an Island, with several map symbols included.

Cubs are back on Monday, and have been invited to visit the church. Beavers and Scouts meet next Friday. » Preschool had a Valentine disco in Century Hall.

» Angela Collorick-brush organised a packed quiz night,which has raised £1,600 for Spinal Research.

» The county Scouts cooking competition takes place in the Century Hall on Sunday, February 24, organised by Jean Buxton.

The two winning teams of four of this event will be eligible to attend the South West competition on March 10, also in our halls.

Both events start about 10am and guests are invited to quietly walk around to view, without speaking to the busy young teams cooking away.

» Romanian families are meeting up again on Saturday, February 23 in Millennium Hall with a separate birthday party in Century Hall. » Paul Calleja-gera 07770 480272 paulcg@shurdington.org

BIRDLIP AND BRIMPSFIELD WI

» Next month’s meeting falls on the spring equinox, March 20, at 7.15pm at Brimpsfield Village Hall. The guest speaker is internationally recognised gemmologist Helen Plumb.

Last month the walking group enjoyed sunshine for a walk along the canal at Eastington towards Fromebridge.

They are hoping for similar weather on the planned walk around the Witcombe Reservoir and the remains of the Roman Villa.

The cinema group also had a busy schedule which included the films Mary Poppins Returns, The Favourite and Beautiful Boy

We welcome visitors (£3) and secretary Denise is happy to answer questions on 01453 766222.

UP HATHERLEY AND THE REDDINGS.

» The next meeting of the Reddings Ladies’ Group is on February 26 and is Bee Keeping with Mike Sumner.

Meetings are held at the Reddings Community Centre, North Road West on alternate Tuesdays at 8pm. Our Group welcomes all ladies and their friends.

If your group has been disbanded and you’re looking for a friendly evening get together, then please contact Kathy Ursell on 01452 714240 for more information about this year’s exciting Programme, or just pop along and join in the fun.

» The Hatherley Health Walk takes place on Wednesdays, 10.15am for a 10.30am start in front of the Hillview Social Centre/library in Hulbert Crescent.

Walks usually last about an hour, and all are welcome. » Carole Whyborn carolewhyborn@googlemail.com

BENHALL

» Just a few more days to ride on the 35 metre high giant observation wheel in Imperial Gardens before Light Up Cheltenham ends on February 24.

The wheel operates from 3pm every day with extended operating times at weekends and half term.

The 10 minute ride costs £5 for an adult and £4 for a child and a family ticket is £15 for a 10 minute ride.

Through February a number of buildings including the Queen’s Hotel and Municipal Buildings have been lit up.

» Everyone is welcome at the National Hunt coffee mornings on a Tuesday morning 10am-noon.

Go along when you can and stay as long as you wish, some stay for lunch.

There will be someone to welcome you and introduce you to others. Ample parking.

» If you have any events or news you would like included in this column please email me and I am very happy to include any week. » Jan Febery jan-dave-febery@msn.com

BISHOP’S CLEEVE

» There will be a service for the World Day of Prayer at the Methodist Church on March 1 at 2pm. Everyone welcome.

» Cleeve Chorale are holding a spring concert at St Michael and All Angel’s, Bishop’s Cleeve on April 6 at 7.30pm. The programme includes Bach’s Jesu Christ Mein Lebens Licht and Handel’s Acis and Galatea with soloists, including Hannah Davey, and orchestra.

Tickets, including refreshments, £12 (under-16 free) from George Lewis Footwear, Woodmancote Newsagents, Gotherington Stores or ring 01242 674114.

» The Bishop’s Cleeve U3A’S very own music group, MU3AC will be perfoming a summer gig, supported by the Skiffleites on Friday, May 17, at Cheltenham Rugby Club Newlands Park, Southam Lane, near Bishop’s Cleeve.

The concert is in aid of the James Hopkins Trust, donations on the night will be collected in aid of the James Hopkins Trust.

The James Hopkins Trust provide care for babies and children up to the age of five who have a life limiting or life threatening condition while supporting their families.

The Trust currently supports more 90 children in Gloucestershire.

Entry is free, to obtain tickets contact 01242 675748.

» The theme for Bishop’s Cleeve Street Fair in June will be a celebration of 50 years since the space landing.

We hope this will encourage engagement across the whole of our community and are sure this will be a wonderful opportunity for fancy dress.

Looking back to 21 years ago, when the community had the first street fair, we had an amazing carnival procession.

It would make the fair a fitting celebration of 21 years if we could mark the occasion with a procession. I would welcome expressions of interest to those who wish to support this.

Please contact pss.badham@ badhampharmacy.co.uk.

» Young people aged 11-19 who want to make a difference to the community you live in can come along to the Bishop’s Cleeve Youth Council in the Parish Council Offices on the first Sunday of every month from 5-7pm.

» Lloyds’ mobile bank based in the car park on the green, Bishop’s Cleeve, is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-12.15pm and 1-2.45pm.

» Cleeve Ladies Probus Club meetings take place at Bishop’s Cleeve Tithe Barn at 9.45am.

On March 5, the talk will be on garden lore, with speaker Pam Slater.

The following meeting on March 19, the subject will be hearing dogs, with speaker Marleen Watson.

» Cleeve Carers and Friendship group reaches out to people who may not be carers but are home alone or would simply like to meet others.

Meetings take place at 2pm at St Michael’s Hall.

On March 12 Wendy Hopkins will talk on the workings of the parish council.

The group is looking for an organiser to run the monthly minibus trips. Anyone interested, contact 01242 672029.

» Bishop Cleeve Methodist Church Wednesday Fellowship welcomes new members both men and women to all meetings which take place in the Church Hall at 2pm.

February 27, National Star College. March 13, Members own

» The Methodist Church Bishop’s Close (off Tobyfield Road) Bishop‘s Cleeve, GL52 8NT has organised the following Saturday Coffee mornings, running from 10am-noon, to which everyone is welcome.

March 3, Macmillan coffee morning including cake stall, great raffle and more. Join us for friendly conversation over tea/coffee in aid of this great cause. All proceeds to Macmillan.

April 13, Free books coffee morning. A free book, or two, with a cup tea/coffee and conversation, cakes and more.

» Bishop’s Cleeve WI meets monthly at the Tithe Barn on Tuesdays at 7.15pm.

The meeting on March 19, will cover beginner photography tips & techniques, with speaker Janine Kilroe.

The competition will be a photograph you have taken.

Other activities include, monthly walks on the first Tuesday of every month, book club, knit and natter, craft workshops, outings and theatre visits.

For more information contact 01242 677520.

» Gotherington, Woolstone and Oxenton WI meets at 7.30pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month at Gotherington Village Hall.

February 27, long walk to Rome, speaker Chris O’grady.

For more information contact 01242 317276 or visit gwowi.org.uk.

» Play Gloucestershire hosts after school sessions in Bishop’s Cleeve during term times. Tuesdays Longlands play space 5-7pm, Wednesdays Sunrise Avenue 6-8pm, Thursdays Finlay Way Park Play Space, 6-8pm.

» The following youth clubs are run by the Community Mentoring and Support branch of the Parish Council.

Bishop’s Cleeve Junior Youth Club for eight to 13year olds takes place in Bishop’s Cleeve Community Centre, (near the Library) on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm, admission £1.

Senior Youth Club for ages 13 and over held in the Sports Pavilion, Cheltenham Road on Monday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

» Bumps and Babies sessions at Bishop’s Cleeve Library every Tuesday 10.15-11.30am entry £1 per family.

» Gotherington Baby and Toddler Group, sessions held at Gotherington Village Hall, Malleson Road, on Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am to 11.30am. All welcome, £2 per family, first session free.

» St Michael’s Centre hosts Praise and Play sessions in term time, Mondays 9.45-1130am.

» St Michael’s Oasis Parent and Toddler Group is in St Michael’s Centre in St Michael’s Hall, every Thursday afternoon, offering supervised play for children and opportunity for parents to take part in interesting discussion and socialise. For more information contact 07941 676161.

» Do you have difficulty getting to your local library?

Bishop’s Cleeve Library Club which meets on the third Tuesday of the month can meet your needs as transport can be provided for more information contact 01242 672217. » The Citizen’s Advice service holds sessions in the parish office on Mondays from 10am-2pm.

The library can also offer access to the Citizen’s Advice service via Skype, to book a session at the library contact the library staff or ring 0845 235420.

» St Michael’s Hall hosts North Cotswold Foodbank sessions every Friday from 9.45am to 11.15am.

Donations to the foodbank can be left at Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Council office, hours of opening Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9am-3pm, Wednesdays 10am-3pm.

The Independence Trust representative is Andrew Wood who is a mental health outreach worker. Contact him on 01242 512812.

WOODMANCOTE

» Southam Art group are hosting an art exhibition and coffee morning in Southam Village Hall on Saturday March 2, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Entry £2 to include refreshments, (children free). There will be art for sale on the day.

» Woodmancote Probus Club meetings take place on Tuesdays at Woodmancote New Village Hall, starting at 9.30am with refreshments followed by the talk at 10.30am.

On February 26, the subject of the talk will be Industrial archaeology in your home, and it will be given by speaker Bill King.

» On Thursday, February 21 at Woodmancote School, the Cheltenham & Gloucestershire National Trust Centre is hosting a talk on the Siege of Gloucester 1643 by Paul Drinkwater. Entry £3 to members, £4 to visitors.

» Woodmancote WI meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of the month in Woodmancote Village Hall.

On February 21, there will be an Indian cookery demonstration by Versha Patel.

For more information about future meetings contact 01242 672791 » Ann Lewis maggieann1949@hotmail.com 01242 702573