Hello everyone,
We hope that you all were not too affected by the recent gales, Dudley, Eunice, Gladys, and Franklin. Now they have passed, the town and commons are looking more spring-like by the day. Covid restrictions have eased considerably but there are still quite a lot of cases locally so please continue to show caution.
Minchinhampton Market is now back on Wednesdays from 8.30 am – 12 noon, with food, craft and plant stalls in the Market House and most of the groups and clubs are now back in action.
Tom Long’s Post is also back – visit the Parish Council’s website to download your free copy.
As many of you know the Crown pub has changed hands and is now owned by Youngs. They already own pubs in the area – several in Cheltenham and Bristol and the Bell at Stow in the Wold, The Blue Boar at Chipping Norton and Double Locks in Exeter. At present the menu is the same and we understand that the staff are not changing.
Road Closure
For those who have not yet seen the signs, Cirencester Road, from Blue Boys corner to the Ragged Cot junction, will be closed for road patching on Wednesday, 9 and Thursday, 10 March from 7.00am-7.00pm. This may have an impact on traffic in the centre of Minchinhampton.
Lilies for Loved Ones
There will again be a display of lilies in remembrance of someone special at Easter, in Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. If you would like a loved one added to the list, please contact Kathy Hurst on 01453 882960, kathy@63windmillroad.co.uk. Donations towards the cost will be gratefully received.
Parish Magazine
John Mounsey has taken over as Editor of the Parish Magazine. He is keen for the readership to play a more active role and has included some new features such as a Night Sky feature and Pet of the Month. He plans to include readers’ photographs and would welcome ideas for new features. Jch.mounsey@gmail.com
Minchinhampton Market House
Last month Chiz Harward dug test pits in our undercroft. He found mediaeval pottery and traces of a wall. We will start the re-paving work after Easter. There will be a slow and patient excavation of the paving to discover what was there before 1698! We hope that we will be able to offer you a chance to see and listen to Chiz as he tells us all about what he may discover in the period from April through to July this summer. Thanks to you we have over £70,000 to carry out the flooring, lighting, power. We need another £30,000+ to complete the access, restoration of cast iron railings, and seating. Click here to learn more
Minchinhampton Community Library
It has been lovely to see so many people coming back to the library, and due to popular demand they have now extended the opening hours to include Thursday afternoons from the beginning of March.
The opening hours are now as follows:
Monday 2 – 4.30pm
Tuesday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm
Thursday 2 – 4.30 pm
Friday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm
Saturday 10am – 12 noon
Parking in Stroud
Stroud District Council are proposing to increase parking charges in Stroud by 12.5% in their budget. If anyone would like to sign a petition to stop parking prices rising in Stroud please click here:
Cotswold Club
The Cotswold Club is changing their opening times on a Friday. The new opening times will now be 12 noon-11.00 pm starting from Friday, 25 February. Please note this is a trial.
Longfield Community Hospice
Longfield are holding several fundraising events this month, a Spring Lunch at Egypt Mill on Thursday, 10 March, Skydiving for Longfield on Saturday, 19 March, a Wingwalk Challenge on Tuesday, 22 March and their Spring Ball on Saturday, 26 March. For more details see here.
Minchinhampton RFC are the Stars!
RFU are making a promotional film aimed at getting players back into the game as well as encouraging new players. As a huge compliment to Minchinhampton RFC, this was filmed at our Hollybush ground a fortnight ago. It featured a lot of our players taking part in game simulation, interviews and training with Mike Tindall (in Minch kit!), with filming by BBC, ITV, BT sport and Getty images.
Provisional airing of some of it could be on BT sport rugby tonight on Sunday 6th March.
As part of this whole exercise, there was also an article included in the match programme for the England Wales game last Saturday, describing how Minchinhampton’s club is buzzing with a junior section of 400 boys and girls and the senior section fielding two regular sides.
Burleigh Court Hotel
Are holding a night for wine buff & food lovers on Thursday 24 March 6.30 – 9.30pm. Five well-crafted artisan wines from boutique vineyards will be showcased paired with a fabulous dinner tasting menu. £65 per person. More information can be found here.
Mother’s Day Weekend Lunch & Afternoon Tea. Enjoy a lovely locally sourced roast lunch on Mothering Sunday 28 March or homemade Afternoon Tea on Saturday 27 March in the beautiful settings of Burleigh Court. Book your table here.
Advance Notice:
Minch Life are proud to be hosting a Jubilee Fayre on Sunday, 5 June from 1pm to 11pm on the school playing field. We’ll have live music, a bar and some entertainment for the children, entrance is free, please bring a picnic and relax, enjoy the atmosphere, and celebrate the platinum jubilee!
Makers’ Market
The next Makers’ Market, local crafts, returns after a short break, next month, on Saturday, 2 April, from 10.00 am – 2.30pm in the Market House, Minchinhampton. It will then take place on the first Saturday of every month. For more details contact: Frances Gibbs 07929 786416 / frances868686@gmail.com
Experience Easter
From Sunday, 4 April until Sunday 24 April, in Holy Trinity church, Minchinhampton, there will be a series of displays depicting the Easter story. Visit the church anytime.
Stuart Singers
The Stuart Singers will be performing their Spring Concert with the Wyndham Singers, a Devon male voice choir on Saturday, 9 April at St. George’s Church, Nailsworth at 7.30pm. This is to mark their 30th Anniversary of performing and rising money for local charities. Tickets £12 here
Events
For further information of these events and details on how to book, please go to our website https://minchlife.com
Also, please remember a list of regular weekly events can be found at the top of the Events’ page – click on a day of the week and you will see what is taking place, where and at what time. For instance, the weekly Community Coffee Morning (with weekly notices) is held every Monday from 10.00am-12.00 noon at the Cotswold Club, High Street.
Monday, 28 February, 7.00-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Full meeting. The Baptist Church Office, Tetbury Street. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Wednesday, 2 March, 2.30-4.30pm. Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: Fairford Stained Glass, Scout Hut, Dr Brown’s Road. New Members welcome. For more information, call Secretary on 884606
Thursday, 3 March, 10.30am -12 noon. Hampton Probus: 30 Years before the Frying Pan. Members with guests by Invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 3 March, 7.15-9.30pm. Stuart Singers Rehearsal, Minchinhampton Primary Academy School. More information from Membership Secretary, victoria.hulse@ymail.com
Thursday, 3 March, 7.30-10.00pm. Film Night: ‘Making the Pelicantata’ (Stroud Film Festival). Market House, Minchinhampton. This will be followed by 2 short films related to the present day Minpins Youth Choir and an interview with Roald Dahl (never seen on TV). Tickets £6.00 from the Market Stores or online here.
Friday, 4 March, 10.30-11.30am. World Day of Prayer 2022. A women-led, global, ecumenical movement. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Tel: Jo Smith 01453 834714.
Friday, 4 March, 7.15 pm Eyes down 7.45 pm. Arkwright’s Cash Bingo. Cotswold Club, High Street. £15 for 10 x 6 game books. All welcome as guests can be signed in.
Friday, 4 March, 7.30-10.00pm. The Zodiac Concert. Richard Smith plays Piano Favourites old and new. In aid of Horsfall House. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Tickets £12.00 from Market Stores or online here.
Saturday, 5 March, 4.30-5.30pm. Teatime Concert, The Perfect Family Ensemble. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. 17th-century music by Blow and Purcell. Entry free with retiring collection.
Saturday, 5 March, 7.30-10.30pm. Music Quiz plus Draw. Cotswold Club, High Street. Guests can be signed in.
Monday, 7 March, 10.30am-12.00 noon. Poems in the Porch Room. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Welcomes all, but especially people who are living with memory problems. Contact: Jo Smith 01453 834714
Tuesday, 8 March, 7.30-9.30pm. Royal British Legion Meeting: County Supported Branch Status and what it means for the Branch in Minchinhampton. Cotswold Club, High Street. Visitors welcome.
Thursday, 9 March, 10.00am-12.00 noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Planning for and Landings on D-Day. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. New members welcome. Richardandmarysmith@gmail.com
Thursday, 9 March, 7.30-9.00pm. Amberley Gardening Club: Visual Tour of Gloucestershire and Cotswold Gardens. Amberley Parish Rooms. Visitors welcome.
For membership details, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com.
Saturday, 12 March. 11.00-11.45am. Minchinhampton Market House AGM. Market House. https://minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk/
Saturday, 12 March. 1.00-4.00pm. Bike Jumble sale. Minchinhampton Primary Academy School. To book a sellers table email scottychalmerscycling@gmail.com. Entry £2.00.
Saturday, 12 March, 7.00-10.30pm. Charity Quiz Night. Cotswold Club, High Street. £10 for a team of up to 4. All ticket money goes to Charlie’s Cancer Charity based in Gloucester.
Sunday, 13 March, 11.45am-3.00pm Vision Sunday. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. More details here.
Monday, 14 March, 7.00-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee. The Trap House, West End. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to request details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Tuesday, 15 March, 8.00am-5.00pm. Coach Trip to Abergavenny and Market with Ian Jarvis. Coach £22. More information contact: ian@abbeyhall.info or 01453 833131.
Tuesday, 15 March, 2.15-4.00pm. Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: A Royal Pilgrimage through Gloucestershire: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Thomas Cromwell. Box Village Hall. Visitors welcome. £4.00 (members £1.00). For more information contact Jane Rowe 01452 813228.
Tuesday, 15 March, 7.30pm. Box Gardening Club: Box and Longford House and Longford House – ‘Two brothers’ houses, gardens and landscapes’. Box Village Hall. Visitors welcome (£4.00 entrance fee).
Thursday, 17 March, 10.30am-12.00 noon. Hampton Probus: Fraud Prevention. Members with guests by Invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 17 March, 12.00 noon – 3.00pm. Minchinhampton Ladies Luncheon Club: The Loss of the Titanic and a Wiltshire family Mysteries and Myths. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. Bthadfield@btinternet.com.
Friday, 18 March, 12.00noon-2.30pm. Friday Lunch Club. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Sign–up sheet at the back of the church to help with planning. For further information contact: Linda or Stephen Jarvis 884545.
Friday, 18 March, 1.00-1.30pm. Madhu’s Rasoi Indian Takeaway. Menu here. Box Village Hall. £25 meal for 2. Bookings by Wednesday, 16 March. 01453 755934 E: info@madhusrasoi.co.uk
Monday, 21 March, 7.00-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Finance Committee. The Trap House, West End. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to request details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Monday, 21 March, 7.30-10.00pm. Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Organic Gardens. Minchinhampton Primary Academy School. New members welcome.
Thursday, 24 March, 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: AGM. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. New members welcome. Richardandmarysmith@gmail.com
Thursday, 24 March, 6.30-9.30pm. Wine-Tasting Event. Burleigh Court Hotel. Bookings at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/burleighcourthotel/646828#
Friday, 25 March, 7.15 pm Eyes down 7.45 pm. Arkwright’s Cash Bingo. Cotswold Club, High Street. £15 for 10 x 6 game books. All welcome as guests can be signed in.
Sunday, 27 March, 10.00 am-2.00 pm. Walking & Wildlife Group. Meet at Bell Lane Car Park (to car share where possible). Please contact karencolebourn@gmail.com to be added to the circulation list.
Monday, 28 March, 7.00-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Meeting. Venue to be confirmed. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to request details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Thursday, 31 March, 9.30-11.00am. Stroud Businesswomen’s Network Meeting. Minchinhampton New Golf Club. Non-members who would like a free introductory meeting please email enquiries@stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk
Saturday, 2 April, 10.00am-2.30pm. Minchinhampton Makers Market. Market House. Local crafts. Contact: Frances Gibbs 07929 786416 / frances868686@gmail.com
Saturday, 2 April, 10.00am-3.00pm. Churchyard Clearing Day. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Come for all or just part of the time – all offers of help most welcome. Bring own tools.
Saturday, 2 April, 4.30-5.30pm. Teatime Concert, Organ Recital. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Music by Bach, Mendelssohn and Boëllmann. Entry free with retiring collection.
As always, please do get in touch if you would like us to add anything to our newsletters or if you see any omissions or alterations. If you know of any newcomers to the town, please do tell them about MinchLife and this newsletter.