A summer of free music and entertainment with The Cheltenham Trust
» EACH summer The Cheltenham Trust hosts free events bringing live music, dance, children’s activities and entertainment to its venues for everyone to enjoy.
Thousands have taken part, and benefited, from the summer events which began during the Covid19 pandemic when social interaction was severely restricted. Over the years since, the charity has built on its programme of free activities, supporting the collective health and wellbeing of the community, and encouraging visitors to Cheltenham.
This week the trust has announced the first events of this summer’s programme which kick off over the May bank holiday weekend with music at the Garden Bar café bar in Imperial Gardens.
Popular jazz and swing singer Russell Jones, a former X-factor contestant, returns to the Garden Bar on bank holiday Monday, May 6, 2pm to 5pm. It’s the final day of Cheltenham Jazz Festival and dancers are welcome to come.
Russell was a member of the choir, Only Boys Aloud, and has performed with Ellie Goulding, The Saturdays and Conor Maynard. He has also sung on the cobbles of TV’S Coronation Street set for the Christmas special.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D Day landings in France during World War II. The trust is commemorating this landmark anniversary with the lighting of a beacon at Pittville Pump Room on Thursday June 6, followed by a community celebration on Sunday June 9, from 2pm to 5pm.
The Heritage Café, at the pump room, will transform into a wartime tea-room for the afternoon, serving afternoon tea accompanied by live music from vintage singer Miss Em and DJ Rob Mcelvanney and dancing from the era, a display of vintage cars and military jeeps, and dances from the 1940s. Children and adults are invited to come dressed in the style of the 1940s, an award will be presented for the best dressed of the era, during the event.
For the August bank holiday weekend the theme moves to Hawaii with a beach party at the Garden Bar with live music, barbecue and themed cocktails.
More details will be announced shortly so keep updated at www.cheltenhamtrust.org.uk and follow the trust on Facebook and Instagram.