Glorious Gloucestershire Esmond Lane took this picture of St Michael and All Angels Church, Bishop’s Cleeve

At our March meeting we had an interesting talk by Anthony Gerrard, a representative of the RNLI.

We are all used to seeing the Lifeboat stations at the seaside and assume that rescuing people in difficulty around our shores is their main and possibly only task. In fact, they do so much more both here in the UK and abroad.

One important aspect of their work is educating both young and old in how to stay safe when enjoying a day at the seaside. Abroad they help support organisations that try to prevent deaths in waterways. The WHO describes drowning as a silent epidemic. Of course, Anthony was rightly proud of all the new lifeboats that are being employed, some really impressive and expensive kit. The RNLI is entirely funded by donations.

Our next meeting is on April 24 and is a talk, ‘A Journey Through Gardening’, by Chris Evan from Dundry Nurseries. Chris is always a good speaker with lots of funny anecdotes about the nursey and The Butterfly Garden. Do come along and join us, visitors and new members will always receive a warm welcome. For more information contact cmhyett@virginmedia.com

» Dot Ward Pittville Townswomen Guild

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, CHELTENHAM

» Sunday services at 8am said Mass. 10.30am Solemn Mass. Evening services on Sundays at 5.30pm, will be a Choral Evensong on the first and third Sundays and said service on the second and fourth.

Week day services Wednesday 6.30pm Holy Mass. Thursday 11.15am, Eucharistic Service. Friday noon, Holy Mass. First Saturday of the Month, 10am Walsingham Mass.

» The Choir is looking to recruit new singers. All Saints Choir has a long history of offering a significant contribution to the church services by providing a wide range of sacred music.

We are looking for sopranos and tenors particularly, but other voice parts are very welcome. Committed singers, please come along on Friday nights at 7.30pm to sing with us and see if you would like to join us.

» All Saints Church is open for private prayer and for visitors, depending on the availability of volunteers. The Church Open sign will be put out when the Church is open, everyone welcome.

Services notwithstanding, the Church is usually open for private prayer and for visitors at the following times: Wednesdays: 3pm-6pm. Thursdays: 2pm-6pm. Fridays: 2pm-6pm. Saturdays: 10amnoon & 2pm-6pm. Sundays: 3pm-5pm

For information about all events in All Saints Church visit www.event brite.com/cc/ all-saints-churchcheltenham-events-445289

BISHOP’S CLEEVE

» The next event hosted by Rendezvous at the Bishop’s Cleeve Tithe Barn, will be on Friday May 10, 8pm-11pm.

The Badgers will be playing live, music from the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s. Tickets £12 on the night. Fully licensed bar and large free car park.

» Bishop’s Cleeve Carers and Friendship group meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm in the small hall in St. Michael’s Centre. Meetings to include talks, activities, outings and parties. All carers, ex-carers and friends welcome, entrance fee £1 to cover refreshments.

» Beryl and Val’s Marvellous Marmalades (and Jams and Chutneys), for sale at the Church Office in St Michael’s Centre.

Most jars are £2.50, some are £3.00 (cash only), proceeds raised are for St Michael’s Centre.

If you have any clean, empty jars, please bring these to the office so more jam and marmalade can be made. Office open, Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm, call: 07354 874617.

» Bishops Cleeve Methodist Church are hosting a Coffee Morning for Christian Aid on Saturday May 11 10am-noon. Plant sale, refreshments and other stalls. All welcome.

» As well as the usual social activities hosted by The Methodist Church in Bishop’s Cleeve, that of the Friendship Club, every Monday 2-4pm, and the fortnightly 2pm Wednesday Fellowship, a new Film Club will take place on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm, admission free to include refreshments, donations welcome.

This and all social events are open to all in the Community.

» Methodist Church Wednesday fellowship events. April 24, Lillian Faithful Homes. May 8, Mary’s meals. May 23, SSAFA.

» Cleeve Chorale are welcoming new members, rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at Woodmancote Village Hall 7.45-9.45pm and the choir welcomes tenors, basses, altos and sopranos.

Please email info@cleevechorale. co.uk or see cleevechorale.co.uk for more information.

» Gotherington Singers is a very friendly and sociable female voice choir. Singing is a great, fun way to improve your well-being and you don’t have to be able to read music or audition to join us. Why not give us a try? We meet on Mondays at 7.45pm at Gotherington Village Hall during term time. New members are always welcome so just come along – you will be made very welcome.

Everyone is invited to come and hear us at our coffee morning on Saturday May 11, 10am–11.45am at Gotherington Village Hall. Entry is free and drinks and cakes will be for sale (cash only please). For more information contact 01242 317276 or email sall.newbury@gmail.com » Picnic in Church. Sunday April 28. Join us for our picnic in church after the 11.15am service at St Michael’s, everyone welcome.

» Save the date, Saturday May 4, 7.30pm, an Auction of Promises will take place in St. Michael and All Angels Church.

» Women’s Breakfast. Saturday May 11 at 9am St Michael’s Church. Join us for our Women’s Breakfast where we share a delicious buffet breakfast and hot drinks. We’ll be joined by a guest speak talking about meeting God in our everyday life.

All women welcome, whether you are new here, just visiting or a regular member of St Michael’s – do come.

» Foodbank donations at St Michael’s Church. We are experiencing shortages of food items to go in our Food parcels.

If you are able to donate, the list of shortages is on our website : https:// northcotswold.foodbank.org.uk/givehelp/donate-food/

» 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

https://www.facebook.com/ groups/stmichaelsbishopscleeve/

www.stmichaelsbishopscleeve. co.uk

https://www.achurchnearyou. com/church/14402/

Biblewatch: https//www.facebook. com/groups/stmichaelbishopscleeve/

Children’s Ministry: cafministry. stmichael@gmail.com

» Baking Making and Shaking WI are an evening group, meeting at St. Michael’s Centre, School Road, on the first Thursday each month, 7.45pm for 8pm.

May 2, Trip to Garden Centre. June 6, Stress management and sleep.

Visitors (£3), and new members are always welcome. Please contact by email: bakingmakingandshaking@ gmail.com

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

May 21, Resolutions/talk on fraud awareness.

For more information about meetings, contact www.bishops cleevewi.org.uk or 07871 993919.

» Gotherington, Woolstone and Oxenton WI, host monthly meetings on Wednesdays, in Gotherington Village Hall at 7.30pm. April 24, 71 st Birthday party. April 27, Open Morning at Gotherington Village Hall 10amnoon.

May 22, The Honey Bee & Beekeeping.

For more information contact 01242 317276 or www.gwowi.org.uk Visitors always welcome.

WOODMANCOTE

» The Woodmancote Society always welcomes new members. For more information contact 01242 672541.

» Save the Date, Monday May 6, the annual May Day in Woodmancote celebration. The theme this year is “Pirates”. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes in many categories including best decorated bicycle.

The main parade will start from Woodmancote School at 1pm to arrive at Woodmancote park at 1.30pm. There will be a number of events and stalls on the field including a quiet area for children to draw and make a pirate hat.

» Woodmancote Probus Club host meetings on Tuesdays at Woodmancote New Village Hall.

Meetings start at 9.30am, followed by the talk at 10.30am.

April 23, Around the world in 80 images.

April 30, Domestic pest control, ”a sting in the tale”.

» Woodmancote WI, meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Please note change of event for May 16, You couldn’t make it up - The Mitford Family.

June 20, An evening with Clarins. July 18, Tales of a Travel Rep. August, no meeting.

01242 702573 maggieann1949@hotmail.com