Our focus should be on tackling inflation
AS Cheltenham’s MP I make no apology for judging Government announcements on what they deliver for our town.
So I disagreed with the plans to cut the top rate of tax for the highest earners.
Three of the neighbourhoods I represent are in the bottom 10 per cent of UK household income per head.
In my view the focus must be on driving down inflation, which affects the poorest most, rather than tax cuts for the most well-off. So I welcome the change of heart.
I also warmly welcome the so-called IR35 reforms.
Under these changes, Cheltenham workers providing their services via an intermediary such as a personal service company will once again be responsible for determining their employment status and paying the appropriate amount of tax and NICS.
Sounds a bit technical and niche? Not a bit of it.
This is a real positive for a great many self-employed people in our town, particular those who provide high-skilled services to clients like GCHQ.
These contractors are an essential part of our economy, and indeed security.
By returning responsibility to individuals, that in turn will free up time and money for businesses that engage contractors to spend on other priorities.
Second, I welcome the fact that the Air Balloon was named high up on the list of over 130 infrastructure projects to be accelerated.
I am increasingly confident that work will begin in the next 12 months.
This project will save lives, cut pollution and boost Cheltenham’s economy.
Third, the plan for investment zones could be a real boost to the Cheltenham
Cyber Park. We need to look at the small print, but early indications are that it could further drive jobs and opportunity in our town.
So although the whole world faces a difficult few months, I am increasingly confident that the long-term outlook for our town is bright.
CHELTENHAM
» As part of Community outreach, All Saints Church is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays 2pm-7pm and Saturdays from 10am-7pm. All welcome to come into one of Cheltenham’s most beautiful Churches for private prayer or just to sit for a moment of quiet.
» The following Organ recital will take place in All Saints Church on Saturday October 22 at 7.30pm. Organist Dr Peter King. Entry £10, at the door. All welcome.
» All Saints Bookshop Swap. Coming to a church near you, in October. Books needed now, to swap, read, borrow. Drop off at All Saints (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 2pm-7pm.
This is a new venture, as part of an outreach to the general public. If you feel so inclined, leave a small message in the book you are donating, saying what you thought of the book.
Everyone welcome to the Church come in and see one of Cheltenham’s hidden gems.
BISHOP’S CLEEVE
» Free Flu vaccination is being offered to anyone aged over 65, at Badham’s Pharmacy, 23 Church Road, Bishop’s Cleeve, GL52 8LR. No need to make an appointment just walk in. For more information telephone 01242 672653, email: pharmacy.frn12@nhs.net
» Events at the Tithe Barn Bishop’s Cleeve. Rendezvous at the Tithe Barn presents, Friday December 9th, Peter Gill & The Good Time Charlies present
A Swingin’ & Rockin’ Christmas Evening, A Perfect start to the Festive Period. Pay on the door £15. For more information contact Kelvin Freer on 01242 604546 email kelvinfreer@ hotmail.com
» The Methodist Church in Bishop’s Cleeve has launched a Friendship Club. The club will meet in the Methodist Church, off Tobyfield Road, every Monday 2-4pm. Also the Methodist Wednesday Fellowship has resumed its regular fortnightly meetings at 2pm.
October 12, A Cyprus wedding - or two.
October 26, Soroptimists International. November 9, Rev Steve Ward. November 23, Rev Jayne Webb. December 7, Chris Bird. December 21, Christmas Outing. All welcome are welcome.
» Bishop’s Cleeve Players next production is Who Shot the Sheriff, a murder mystery by Chris Martin. The play will be performed in the Tithe Barn, Bishop’s Cleeve on Friday October 14, at 7.30pm and again on Saturday October 15, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Refreshments available. Tickets £10, obtainable from George Lewis Shoe Shop or online at www.bishopscleeve players.co.uk
» 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 at: admin@ thedramaticvillagers.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 run a Befriending Course or Pastoral Assistant’s course. Contact Angie (admin.stmichael@gmail.com) for further information.
» Bishop’s Cleeve Library are offering the following services. Monday open 1-5pm, Tuesday open 1-5pm, Wednesday open 10am-5pm, Thursday open 9am-5pm, Friday open 9am-5pm. Saturday open 9am-3pm. OPEN+ not available at present.
Activities for the very young have resumed. First Steps for babies from 6months old, 1-2.30pm every Friday. Toddler time for those up to 3 years old who are confident walkers. Toddler time takes place every Tuesday 9am-10.30am. For more information about library services contact: bishopscleevelibrary@gloucestershire. gov.uk or phone: 01242 672217.
» Fund-raising events for the Cobalt Charity in October are Pegasus Court Card sale, October 27, 10.30am - 1.15pm. This annual card sale at Pegasus Court on St Stephen’s Road, Cheltenham needs volunteers to sell Christmas cards, calendars and other festive offerings.
Coffee Morning Emmanuelle Church Leckhampton, Saturday October 29, 10.30am onwards. Join the fun with this annual coffee morning in aid of Cobalt, cake and book stall, tombola and raffle as well as coffee and cake. Volunteers not needed, just come and enjoy!
For more information contact 01242 535922 or email kirsty.bradbury@ cobalthealth.co.uk
» Cleeve Chorale are welcoming new members, rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at Woodmancote Village Hall 7.45pm-9.45pm and the choir welcomes tenors, basses, altos and sopranos.
Please email info@cleevechorale. co.uk or visit cleevechorale.co.uk for more 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, toiletries, female sanitary products, baby wipes, nappies and laundry products.
» Gotherington, Woolstone and Oxenton WI, host monthly meetings on Wednesdays, in Gotherington Village Hall at 7.30 pm.
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 host meetings in the Tithe Barn on the third Tuesday of each month, 7.15pm- 9pm. 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, host meetings at Woodmancote Village Hall on Thursdays at 7.30pm.
October 20, The Wonderful World of Latin America.
November 17, Annual Meeting, our 60th birthday.
» Woodmancote Probus Club host meetings on Tuesdays at Woodmancote New Village Hall. Meetings start at 9.30am, followed by the talk at 10.30am. October 11,Suffragettes. October 18, Crimean War. October 25, Photography of Mini Beasts.
November 1, Birds and Wildlife of Cleeve Common. November 8, Cuba. November 15, Machu Piccu. November 22, All at Sea. For more information contact 01242 702573.
» Ann Lewis 01242 702573 maggieann1949@hotmail.com