LECKHAMPTON

AND CHARLTON KINGS

» Charlton Kings Parish Council planning committee meet at 7pm tonight, Thursday, September 1, in the Stanton Rooms. All members of the public are welcome.

» On Sunday, September 4, JB’S Jazz Club return from their summer break. Meet at the Civil Services Club, Tewkesbury Road, for a session of live music played by Stolen Chocolate, who play a mix of jazz, blues and soul. Doors open at noon and the music is from 12.30pm until 3pm. The bar will be open and hot food on sale. Entry is only £5.

» Jay Cee Big Band will be the Band in the Park playing at the Pittville Pump Room bandstand on Sunday, September 4, from 2.30pm.

» Afternoon teas for local senior citizens will re-commence in the Stanton Room (next to the library) from Monday, September 5, from 1.30pm3pm. Brunch Club also for senior citizens is on Thursdays at the Baptist Church Hall. Arrive anytime from 11.15am. To book a place, email chairman@ckscwc.org.uk or telephone the secretary on 01242 250591.

» Trinity Ladies Probus Club meet from 10.30am on Wednesday, September 7, at St Mary’s Parish Centre. Caroline Pover will give a talk on the subject of “Pickles”. Visitors are very welcome.

» The Senior Citizens’ Social Club at Highbury Church Hall, Priory Walk, Cheltenham meets from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday, September 7. Telephone 01242 221170 for more information.

» Cheltenham Horticultural Society meets from 7.30pm on Thursday, September 8, in Century Hall, Bishop’s Road, Shurdington. Philip Aubrey will give a talk entitled “The answer lies in the soil”. He will discuss how well we understand the soil in our gardens. The structure, nutrients and ph, how to make some good garden compost and how to improve your soil, gardening skills and the environment.

» Sue Ryder Hospice holds its Autumn Fayre from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, September 10, in the grounds of Leckhampton Court Hospice. There will be a barbecue, pop-up bar, tasty treats, live music and entertainment, numerous stalls, face painting, bouncy castle and many family fun activities. Entrance fee is £2.50 but free for children under age 12.

» Musica Vera Chamber Choir resumes rehearsals in September and welcomes new members in all voice parts. Rehearsals are held from 7.30pm 9.30pm on Wednesday evenings during term-time, starting from September 7 in St Mary’s Church, Prestbury. For further details and to make contact, please telephone the choir secretary on 01242 222853.

» A free four-week Online Skills course will begin on Monday, September 12, until Monday, October 3, from 10am to noon in Charlton Kings parish conference room, which is in the same building as the parish council office.

The course is suitable for complete beginners and ipads/tablets will be provided. Places are limited to ten so to book a place or for more information contact Adult Education on 0800 5421655 or email learn@ gloucestershire.gov.uk

» There are currently three vacancies for parish councillors in this area. The parish council is particularly keen to hear from those with skills or experience in any of the following: accountancy or other financial background; working with young people; project management; sustainability, nature or green issues; gardening/allotments; planning.

These skills would fit very well into some of their many working groups. You must be willing to work as part of a team and be enthusiastic about improving your local area. You need to be over 18 and either live within three miles of the parish or work within it.

If you are interested in applying, or would like further information, please contact Joanna Noles, the clerk, on clerk@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov. uk or 01242 250087 or visit the Parish Office in Church Piece.

» An advance date for your diaries – Bridget Ward will be holding her 15th Macmillan Coffee Morning at Charlton Kings Club on Friday, September 30, starting at 9.30am. The usual treats of teas, coffees, cakes, books, puzzles, bric a brac, new items, tombola and of course a raffle. Everyone is welcome.

» The first Town Hall Lunchtime concert of the new season will be at 1.05pm on Tuesday, September 20, when pianist Chris Bebbington will play a selection of music by Chopin, Terraga and Chich Corea.

CHELTENHAM BISHOP’S

» Rose Ashton 01242 262042 ashton.r@btinternet.com » There will be a series of organ recitals taking place in All Saints Church on the following dates, at 7.30pm. September 17, Organist Dr Emma Gibbons. October 22, Organist Dr Peter King.

Entry £10, at the door. All welcome.

» All Saints Flower Guild is hosting a coffee morning in All Saints Church on Saturday, October 1, from 10am-noon.

This will be a Harvest-themed coffee morning. Apart from the usual refreshments there will be cakes for sale, plus a small produce stall (donations for both will be very welcome). For those who would like to, there will be an opportunity to help decorate the church with jam-jar flower and foliage arrangements (no flower arranging experience required).

The next event will be a Christmasthemed coffee morning on Saturday, December 10, at 11am. Watch this space for more information nearer the time.

CLEEVE

» The Dramatic Villagers are preparing to launch their new pantomime, Batman and Robin Hood. There are many opportunities to assist with this great production, both front and back stage. For more information contact 07823 883203, or online admin@ thedramaticvillagers.co.uk

» On Saturday, September 24, the Bishop’s Cleeve u3a will stage its annual Showcase event in Woodmancote Village Hall from 2-4pm.

This event provides an opportunity for the interest groups to display their work and engage with possible new members. So, come along for a chat to discover what the u3a can offer you, refreshments will be provided.

» The next event for Rendezvous at the tithe barn is Friday, September 9, from 8pm until 11.30pm with Rockology – from Abba to Status Quo and Mavericks to Dire Straits, playing only the biggest hits. Fully licensed bar open at 7.45pm, large free car park. Pay on the door £10.

For more information, contact Kelvin Freer on 01242 604546, or email kelvinfreer@hotmail.com

» The fundraising office for Cobalt Cancer Charity is now in the process of creating an online auction which will run from Friday, November 18, to Sunday, December 4.

To do this we will be asking local businesses and individuals if they can kindly donate gifts (lots) so that we can then auction them online to bidders from up and down the country to raise money to continue the good work we do.

Whatever you may be able to help with we would be extremely grateful. In turn, we would of course publicise any business support we get through our website, social media and our newsletter. Please email sarah. thompson@cobalthealth.co.uk

» Phone a Friend – do you have a little time each week to keep in touch with one or maybe two lonely folk who would value someone to talk to? Being a phone buddy can make all the difference to their well-being. You may like to chat and pray with or for them and perhaps even visit if you’d like.

If you would like to know more or would be interested in some training, the Diocese runs a Befriending Course or Pastoral Assistant’s course. Contact Angie (admin.stmichael@gmail.com) for further information.

» Bishop’s Cleeve Foodbank. Please can you take any donations to Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Office (next to Tesco’s car park) any Friday morning between 9am and noon. Please refer to the latest shopping list for further details of shortages on the donating food link at https://northcotswold.foodbank.org. uk and also details for making direct monetary donations.

» Badham Pharmacy has a special collection point to tackle hygiene poverty in the UK. Required donations include toiletries, female sanitary products, baby wipes, nappies and laundry products.

» Administrators for the Church Office. We are seeking two capable administrators to work in the Church Office. These roles are key to the effective and efficient functioning of the office, and our Ministry Teams, and often provide the first point of contact for the community.

One position is full-time, and the other is for 25-30 hours per week.

The persons appointed are expected to be supportive of our church’s mission and Christian ethos.

Please email admin@stmichaels bishopscleeve.co.uk for detailed job descriptions, stating which position you are interested in.

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

» For more information about all church activities contact Church Office, St Michael’s Centre, School Road, Bishop’s Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 8BA, telephone number 01242 673612 or online at the following addresses:

www.facebook.com/groups/ stmichaelsbishopscleeve/ www.stmichaelsbishopscleeve.co.uk www.achurchnearyou.com/ church/14402/

Biblewatch www.facebook.com/ groups/stmichaelbishopscleeve/

Children’s Ministry cafministry. stmichael@gmail.com

» Gotherington, Woolstone and Oxenton WI hosts monthly meetings on Wednesdays, in Gotherington Village Hall at 7.30pm.

September 28 – A Love Affair with Italian Cuisine by Pamela Holland.

October 26 – Just Gems with Helen Plumb.

November 23 – Craft Demonstration and Annual Meeting.

New members welcome. For more details, contact 01242 317276.

» The Bishop’s Cleeve WI hosts meetings in the Tithe Barn on the third Tuesday of each month, 7.15pm 9pm.

September 20 – Stroud’s Women’s refuge. October 18 – Hilarious hats. November 15 – AGM, auction and competition results.

For more information about meetings, contact www.bishops cleevewi.org.uk or 01242 676647.

WOODMANCOTE

» Woodmancote WI hosts meetings at Woodmancote Village Hall on Thursdays at 7.30pm. September 15 – Natural Willow Crafts. October 20 – The Wonderful World of Latin America.

November 17 – Annual Meeting, our 60th birthday.

December 15 – The Spirit of Christmas.

» Woodmancote Probus Club hosts meetings on Tuesdays at Woodmancote New Village Hall. Meetings start at 9.30am, followed by the talk at 10.30am. September 6 – Ukraine a History. September 13 – The Battle of Tewkesbury. September 20 – Our precious planet. September 27 – Bess of Hardwick Hall.

For more information, contact 01242 702573.

» Ann Lewis 01242 702573 maggieann1949@hotmail.com