LECKHAMPTON & CHARLTON KINGS

Cheltenham Horticultural Society meet from 7.30pm tonight, Thursday November 10, for their AGM at Century Hall, Bishops Road, Shurdington. » Jenny and Judith would like to thank all who supported their coffee morning at Emmanuel church on Saturday October 29. Thanks to all the hardworking volunteers, those who baked the fantastic cakes and the local traders for raffle prizes including the Exmouth, Bodymatters, the Wheatsheaf, 5 Alls and the Co-op Bath Road. The final total raised for Cobalt was £1,545!

» During COP26 last year two Cheltenham grandmothers, Annie Knight-elliott and Miriam Frings, led a daily Vigil near the War Memorial in Cheltenham Promenade to draw attention of the importance of a successful outcome of the Glasgow COP for every one of us.

Others joined them in bearing witness, handing out cards which said ‘Rethink, Re-imagine, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice’ and suggestions for what action people might take to help avoid climate change.

‘Footprints’ on material were also made available for people to sew or write on their ideas. These were pinned on a map of the globe and have now been made into a majestic tapestry quilt which has been displayed at St Andrew’s, SS Philip & James and is currently at Cheltenham Ladies College.

Since last year the Vigil has been maintained in the same place on the 26th of each month and now with COP27 now taking place in Egypt it will be maintained daily on the Promenade during the period of the COP until November 18 - between 12.30-1.30pm each day. All are welcome to join the people holding the Vigil.

» It is T4U Christmas shoebox time again. Last drop-off dates are: Charlton Kings Baptist Church, 38 Church Street, GL53 8AR - Monday November 7 to Friday November 11, 2pm to 4pm and on Saturday November 12, 10am to noon.

» Cheltenham Flower Club meet in the Pump Room from 12.30pm on Monday November 14. The demonstration from 2-4pm is entitled “What’s it All About” and will be presented by Vanessa Wellock. Tickets for visitors cost £7.

» The Elias String Quartet perform a concert of music by Haydn, Florence Price and Beethoven at 7.30pm on Tuesday November 15 in the Pump Room.

» Trinity Ladies Probus club meet from 10.30am on Wednesday November 16 in St Mary’s Parish Centre. Monica Farthing will give a talk about the work of our local National Star Centre. Visitors and friends are very welcome.

» Regency Probus Club Cheltenham for retired men meet from 10am on Wednesday November 16 at the Bowling Club in Suffolk Square for coffee and a get together. The talk will be given by Alan Smith who will discuss the life of Rex Warneford VC.

Contact secretary Paul Havard on 07970 836907 or 01242 231002 for more information. Visitors and new members are very welcome.

» Cotswold Savoyards are performing “The Gondoliers” at The Playhouse Theatre from November 8 to November 12 each evening at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday November 12 at 2pm.

» Cheltenham Choral Society are singing Rossini’s Petite Solenelle and Schubert’s Mass in G at 7.30pm on Saturday November 12 at the church of St Philip and St James, Grafton Road, Leckhampton. Tickets for both these events can be bought online from The Playhouse Theatre or their Box Office - 01242 522852.

» The work in Charlton Kings on five veteran ash trees on the boundary of Lillybrook golf course and Charlton Kings Common continues today and tomorrow, November 10 and 11, and again on November 15 to November 17 to try and preserve and protect them for the future.

Many of these trees have developed hollow trunks with large amounts of dead and rotting wood. This wood is the essential habitat for certain invertebrates and fungi and therefore we have a responsibility to try and preserve these trees. A specialist contractor has been employed to carry out the work and this will involve burning some of the canopy wood and stacking the rest on site. Footpaths will remain open. More interesting information about the background to this type of work can be found on Charlton Kings Parish Council website.

» Musica Vera Chamber Choir will be presenting their next concert “On the Wings of a Dove” on Saturday November 19 at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Prestbury. The programme includes choral music by Mendelssohn, Bach, Handel and Brahms and tickets can be obtained from The Playhouse Theatre or at the door on the night.

» Advance notice of Betheseda Church and Scouts Christmas on Saturday November 26 from 10.30am to 2pm. Lunches will be served from noon and there will be many stalls where you can buy Christmas gifts.

» Charlton Kings Choral Society are performing a concert of music by Vaughan Williams and Holst on Saturday November 26 at 7.45pm in St Philip and St James Church, 60 Grafton Road, Leckhampton GL50 2DL. Tickets cost £18 (under 25’s in full time education £10) and can be bought from 01242 526636. Visit www.ckcsonline.org.uk for more information.

» Rose Ashton 01242 262042 ashton.r@btinternet.com