WHERE I LIVE
Your guide to everything that’s going on in your area
UCKINGTON & ELMSTONE HARDWICKE
The church service at St Mary Magdalene, Elmstone Hardwicke, on Sunday, September 29, at 6.30pm will be a combined Benefice service of ‘Songs of Praise’.
Please note, there will be no morning service.
The next Afternoon Whist Drive will be held on Tuesday, October 1 in the village hall at 2pm. Entrance, raffle, refreshments and prizes only £1.
Come along and enjoy a friendly game of cards.
Every Tuesday from 10.30am-noon, there is a Chatterbox coffee drop-in at St Lawrence Church, Swindon Village
Singing group Go Vocal meets at the village hall every Thursday at 10.30am, led by Linda Corcoran.
New members are welcome. There is no need to read music and no audition.
Call 07833 510565 or email linda@ govocal.co.uk.
St. Mary Magdalene, Elmstone Hardwicke – village events for your Diary: Harvest Supper, Saturday October 5, 6.30pm, in church. Entry £10 adults, £5 children. Contact Ian on 07771 792 865; harvest thanksgiving service, Sunday October 6, 10.45am in church; curry evening, December 8 at village hall, Uckington; Christmas lunch December 8, at village hall, Uckington.
Uckington Parish Council meets in the village hall on Thursday, October 3, at 7.30pm.
There will be an opportunity during the meeting for members of the public to ask questions about the parish. » Anne Griffiths 01242 680602 APPERLEY & DEERHURST
The Apperley Quarter Marathon was held on Sunday, September 22.
Unfortunately it rained heavily during the morning, which helped to make life difficult for the runners and also for the marshalls and spectators.
Despite this, it was an enjoyable and successful occasion and it will have raised funds for Apperley Cricket Club and for the club’s charity of the year Sara (sara-rescue.org.uk).
Well done to all the runners, helpers and everyone who worked hard to organise the event.
There will be a service of Holy Communion at Deerhurst Church on Sunday October 6 at 8am and at Holy Trinity Church Apperley at 11am. All are very welcome.
If you know of anyone who has recently moved into the parish the Ministry Group would like to give them a welcome pack.
Contact Roger Taylor on 01452 780561 or email rogertaylor47@ googlemail.com. » Ann Wiseman Ann@wisemen.co.uk SHURDINGTON
Sadly, the table-top sale in aid of a new Second World War memorial in St Paul’s church did not go too well. Only about five tables were booked and very few locals turned up to purchase anything much.
Leckhampton Surgery were in the Century last Thursday and Saturday to give their patients the annual flu jab. I had mine, too.
They are now back on Thursday October 3, from 1pm, and their last one, on Saturday October 5, from 9am.
Six doctors and nurses did an excellent job, or should I say jab.
Shurdington Cubs spent last week learning all about fire safety under the direction of parent, Jon.
Games on the subject were also played. Thanks to Cherie for Akela’s support.
Beavers played games in the garden, being such a lovely day, and then went inside to make paper bookmarks under the expert direction of young Hannah. Photos on our village website.
Thank you to Joanna and a couple of parents.
Scouts are planning a weekend camp in October, so Friday they took down their tents and sorted them out.
Quite a lot to do as they have not been used for over a year. Photos again on our website.
Many thanks to John and Steve. They also welcomed a new Scout who lives in Shurdington. The total of Scouts has now grown to eight.
The monthly drop-in coffee morning for local seniors has been organised every first Tuesday of the month.
This is in the Sobey Suite from 10am to noon and is a free event, thanks to Clare Stewart. Good day to sit and talk and exchange news. The next one is due on Tuesday October 1.
We have been advised that the police vehicle should be at the community centre car park at some stage soon. » Paul Calleja-gera 07770 480272 LECKHAMPTON & CHARLTON KINGS
Bridget Ward would like to invite you all to her Macmillan Coffee Morning tomorrow (September 27) from 9.15am to 11.30am at Charlton Kings club, Church Street. Coffee and tea will be available. There will be stalls selling cakes, books, bric a brac and puzzles, plus a raffle and tombola. Donations of cakes to sell would be very welcome.
Cheltenham Friends of Midlands Air Ambulance hold their coffee morning from 10am to noon tomorrow at Emmanuel Church hall.
There will be a farmers’ market selling a wide variety of locally produced food and other items tomorrow (September 27), from 9am to 2pm, on the pedestrianised area of The Promenade, opposite Cavendish House.
Charlton Kings Film Society is showing the Polish film ‘Life Feels Good’ with subtitles at 7.45pm tomorrow (September 27) at Sacred Hearts Church hall. Doors open at 7pm.
The film is an emotional true story of a boy called Mateusz who has cerebral palsy during the political transformation of Poland in the 1980s. Tickets cost £5 and membership, although not essential, is available.
Betheseda Scouts are having an Autumn Bargain Books and Bric a Brac Sale at Betheseda Church, Great Norwood Street on Saturday from 10am to noon
Cheltenham’s Half Marathon is on Sunday.
The race begins at 9am from the Racecourse and finishes there later. The Racing Village is open from 7am.
There is a full parish council meeting at 7pm on Monday in the Stanton Rooms next to the Library.
All members of the public are welcome
At the Bacon Theatre this week: Johnny Coppin has a Reunion Concert at 7.30pm tomorrow (September 27); The Hits of Abba will be performed by Arrival, a tribute band, on Saturday at 7.30pm; The Pantaloons, a theatre company, perform ‘Othello’ on Wednesday at 7.30pm; the Vienna Festival Ballet dance ‘Snow White’ at 7pm on Thursday.
Tickets for all shows from 01242 258002.
The Georgian Spa Probus club for men meets on Tuesday (October 1) at Sacred Hearts Church rooms. David Humphrey will give a talk entitled ‘Very Large Craters’. If you are interested in joining this friendly club just drop in to give it a try. For more information, Contact Brian on 01242 672601.
The Regency Probus club for men meets from 10am on Wednesday at Cheltenham Bowling Club.
David Head will give a talk about Scapa Flow and the hidden treasures of the Faroes.
Contact Malcolm Howes on 01242 515998 for information on how to join this friendly club.
Trinity Ladies Probus club meets from 10am on Wednesday at St Mary’s Parish Centre.
Barbara Cooper will give a talk entitled “Psst... tell them you want a commission – from schoolgirl to air rank”.
Visitors and new members are very welcome.
Cheltenham Choral Society is recruiting new members and invites you to join it for rehearsals on Wednesdays from 7.30 to 9.30pm in the hall at Bethesda Methodist Church, Great Norwood Street, GL50 2AP.
The society has a new conductor, Alexander Thacker, and a new accompanist, Alison Howell. Rehearsals are currently for their next concert when they will sing music by Vivaldi, Mozart and Cherubini.
More information from cheltenhamchoralsociety.org.uk
The Leckhampton Players are presenting ‘Wild, Wild Women’, a tuneful, foot-stomping, outrageously funny musical romp set in the Wild West, from Tuesday, October 1 until Saturday, October 5 at 7.30pm each night. The venue is the Village Hall, Church Road. Tickets cost £10, to include a cheese board and biscuits. Book via 07867 884985 or via leckhamptonplayers.com/priority
There are a few tickets left for the Mayor’s Charity Auction with auctioneer Nicholas Granger, to be held at Sacred Hearts Church hall on Friday, October 4.
It promises to be a fun evening and you don’t have to be an ‘auction buff’.
Tickets are £10 each, including a buffet supper. Details from jennie. ingram@cheltenham.gov.uk or 01242 264108.
You can also pay online through the Cheltenham borough website.
As part of Cobalt’s charitable partnership with local auctioneers Chorley’s, they are running an amazing auction of promises in October with some very special prizes.
Bidding for the prizes opens on October 1 and the live auction will be held on October 11, from 11am, at Prinknash Abbey.
Prizes include a ski lesson with Eddie the Eagle, a Boeing 737 flight simulation, a year’s worth of free hairdressing at Stuart Holmes salon, a day in the studio for two people with a renowned local artist, signed Joanna Trollope books, a commissioned pet portrait and lots, lots more!
Further details on the bidding process can be found from the Cobalt website.
Everyone is welcome to go along to the auction itself, where there will be drinks and nibbles.
Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Timothy Carey, is giving a concert of music by Holst, Mozart and Vaughan Williams on Saturday October 5, at St Andrew’s Church, Montpellier, to celebrate Holst’s birthday.
Tickets cost £16 (under 16s free) from The Playhouse or The Wilson, or at the door on the night.
Emmanuel Festival of Decorated Chistmas Trees is held from December 6 to 8 in the church.
Entries are now invited from groups or individuals.
Entry forms from Sharon Wallington on 01242 570075 or email her at officeemmanuelchurchcheltenham@ gmail.com.
If you enjoy swimming and a challenge why not sign up for the Devil’s Aquathon at the Lido from 8am to 11am on Sunday October 6 and raise funds for Cobalt.
This is a tough swimming and running challenge.
The event starts with a 400m or 2k swim in the 50m main pool, followed by a 10k run to Devil’s Chimney on Leckhampton Hill before returning to finish in the Lido grounds. Sign up at sandfordparkslido.org.uk.
If you buy milk in plastic bottles you can now save the coloured plastic tops for Linc.
They are able to recycle them and raise money for this local charity, which helps people diagnosed with blood cancers.
Please remove any foil inserts or stickers and you can drop them off at the Edward Jenner Unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital or the LINC office, LINC Outpatients at Cheltenham General Hospital.
» Rose Ashton 01242 262042 ashton.r@btinternet.com BENHALL
Holst Birthday Concert – Saturday October 5, at St Andrew’s church, Montpellier, Cheltenham GL50 1SP. Conductor Timothy Carey, viola Ann Teresa Alves. Mozart: Overture Don Giovanni; Holst: Fugal Concerto, Song No 1, and Lyric Movement; Vaughan Williams: Romance from Sereanade A Minor; Mozart: Symphony No 39 in Eb Major. Next concert on Saturday, November 3.
Active Balance Exercise for the Over 50’s. Improve your balance in a supportive, sociable group. Led by a qualified specialist instructor, you can progress at your own pace from seated exercises to standing and mobile balance.
Stay afterwards for free tea and coffee and chat to your new friends.
Tuesdays 12.25pm- 1pm Level 1 (beginners); 1.30-2.30pm Level 2 (intermediates), St Phillip and St James Church Centre, Hatherley. For details contact Trish Tenn 07956 466617.
2.30pm, St Mary’s Parish Centre, Charlton Kings, Levels 1 & 2 – contact Jo-ann Hale on 07817 851214
1pm, Leisure@cheltenham – contact reception on 01242 528764
Wednesdays, 10.30am, Oasis Community Centre, Cassin Drive, Hesters Way, Levels 1& 2 – contact Jo-anne Hale
Thursdays, 11am-12 noon, St Luke’s Church Hall, Levels 1 & 2 – contact Dan Mcshee on 07760175132
12 noon, Leisure@ Cheltenham, Level 1 – contact 01242 528764
1-2pm, Highbury Church, Oxford Road, GL52 6DT, Levels 1&2 – contact Trish Tenn on 07956 466617.
*Bacon Theatre: September 28, The Hits of ABBA. Celebrate the music of one of the biggest selling and most iconic bands of all time.
Wednesday, October 2, Othello. Pantaloons relocate Shakespeare’s classic tragedy of jealousy and deception to a jazz-age setting.
Thursday, October 3, Vienna Festival Ballet: Snow White.
On Saturday, October 19, from 10.30am at Christchurch, there will be a coffee concert lasting about an hour with luscious cakes and coffee afterwards.
Admission by donation to the Fabric Fund.
This concert is given by the voluntary Choir of Christchurch, directed by Timothy Ingold, with David Ponsford accompanying on the organ.
Choral works performed by Boyle, Barnby, Durufle, Wood, Batten, Sumsion, Goodall, Faure, Harris.
Organ Solo: Mozart – Fantasia in F Minor. » Jan Febery jan-dave-febery@msn.com BISHOP’S CLEEVE
The latest draw for the St. Michael’s Centre 100 Club took place last week, with the numbers selected by Iain Brown.
The winners were: 1, Jean Mansfield; 2, Tony Leslie; 3, Marjorie Chart.
If you want to join the 100 Club or would like to purchase additional numbers (just £12 per year each), simply call in at the Church Office and leave your name and contact details. Someone from the 100 Club team will be in touch. The more people who join, the greater the prize money!
All profits go towards the upkeep of St Michael’s Centre.
Gotherington Singers, local women’s choir, is recruiting for new members.
If you enjoy singing, maybe consider joining the choir. No experience necessary.
Email Sally Newbury on sall. newbury@gmail.com or phone 01242 317276 for more information or go to gotheringtonsingers.co.uk
The next coffee morning at the Methodist Church in Bishop’s Close will be on Saturday October 12, from 10am to noon.
The morning will be an introduction to this years One World Week and its theme ‘Climate Changes Everything’. We invite any who wish to do so to bring a donation in kind for the local food bank.
Particular needs are tins of fish (tuna/salmon), tins of rice pudding, long life milk, long life fruit juice, crumble mix, biscuits, rice (pouches), chocolate, ketchup and mayonnaise
Bishop’s Cleeve Methodist Church Wednesday Fellowship welcomes new members, both men and women, to all meetings which take place in the Church Hall at 2pm. On October 9, it is getting to know your speaker with the Rev Rachel Leather.
Our annual ‘Big Squeeze’ apple juicing day will be on Sunday October 6, between noon and 3pm and will again be at Court Farm Shop on Stoke Orchard Road.
You are invited to bring your windfalls for pressing and take away a bottle or two of fresh apple juice (bring your own container).
We will be harvesting apples at Grangefield Community Orchard the previous day, October 5, from 11am. All are welcome to take part.
For more information, email transition.cleeve@gmail.com, ring 01242 244785 or visit our facebook page: facebook.com/transitioncleeve.
Baking, Making Shaking WI is a fun group launched in 2015 which meets on the first Thursday of each month at Bishop’s Cleeve Football Club, Kayte Lane from 8pm to 10pm.
Come along as a visitor and enjoy the speaker, tea/coffee and cake for only £3. Make friends and have a giggle.
On October 3, Motivation and inspiration from Pink Sky Design in Cheltenham.
Susie Mcguire has formed a social group aimed at people aged 60+ in the area.
The idea is to meet for cinema, theatre, meals out and general get-togethers.
If interested, contact Susie on 07887 713 156 or email susie.lee2@outlook. com. Come and join us – your ideas could make a difference.
Cleeve Ladies Probus club meetings take place in Bishop’s Cleeve Tithe Barn at 9.45am.
On October 1, there will be a visit to the Three Choirs vineyard.
If you would like to join this group please contact 01242 529664.
Cleeve Carers and Friendship group reaches out to those in the community who may not be carers but are home alone or would like to meet with others for friendship. Meetings at 2pm in St Michael’s Hall. This group is looking for an organiser to run monthly mininus trips.
Anyone interested, contact 01242 672029.
Bishop’s Cleeve WI meets monthly in the Tithe Barn, Bishop’s Cleeve, on Tuesdays at 7.15pm.
The meeting on October 15 will be on the History of Teddy Bears, with speaker Dr Gillian White.
The competition will be Your Favourite Teddy.
For more information, contact 01242 677520.
Gotherington, Woolstone and Oxenton WI meets at 7.30pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month in Gotherington Village Hall.
On October 23, the talk will be called Gloucestershire’s Queen – Katherine Parr, with speaker Mike Bottomley. WOODMANCOTE
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 October 1, it will be Introduction to Samaritans, with speaker Vicky Ward
Woodmancote WI meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of the month in Woodmancote Village Hall.
On October 17, the talk World of Puppets by Whisper and Shout.
For information about future meetings contact 01242 672791. » Ann Lewis maggieann1949@hotmail.com 01242 702573