Hello everyone,
It has been so good to see our local pubs and restaurants open for outside catering and the shops bustling again. More to come, as from the 17th of this month indoor eating and drinking is allowed and all our local exercise classes can happen in reality rather than with Zoom recordings. There are too many to mention but do check the website for Joe May’s Tai Chi, Dru Yoga with Hilary Bellhouse; PilatesinStroud, Helen at Befit Dance, Kishori yoga etc. (Please, organisers of other groups, contact us at info@minchlife.com so we can promote you.)
Looking ahead, do get tickets for Shakespeare’s Henry Vth, by the Festival Players, open air theatre coming to Horsfall House on 16th June, Open Gardens on 20th June and Cogfest on 27th June. Also, Giffords’ Circus is coming to Minchinhampton Common from 19th August to 31st August. Tickets are going fast so do book early. For further information on how to book please look at our Events Calendar here.
A date for your diaries! MinchLife will be hosting a street party for Saturday, 18th September, 2021 – Covid19 and the relevant regulations allowing of course! We will be closing the High Street and the festivities will include entertainment and live music. Watch this space!
Calling all local tradespeople!
MinchLife Directory has more than 150 local businesses and organisations listed online for the residents of Minchinhampton Parish to find what they need. However, we need more tradespeople to join – it’s completely free, and will make you accessible to people from Minchinhampton and the surrounding areas. To take a look, click the link here. To enter your own business, please create an account first, or drop us a line for help, and we’ll get you online!
Community News
M & B Stores
The shop is now opening up again allowing customers back inside. As it’s been a while since people have been allowed in the shop, a few areas have changed and items have moved. Please don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff where a product is, if you are unable to find it. To help keep staff and customers safe please follow the One-Way System around the shop; arrows on the floor will help guide you around the shop. Three customers at a time to help keep social distancing.
Marking Day, Thursday 13th May
(News from Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Advisory Committee and Minchinhampton Parish Council)
The most important date in the graziers’ calendar is Marking Day, 13th May, the traditional day when livestock can return from the lower overwintering fields and sheds and begin to be released back onto the commons to roam and graze. With cows and other livestock roaming the commons once more, it is important we all protect them by driving carefully. We should aim to give the animals their own ‘social distance’, passing wide and slow in vehicles and respecting their personal space when we are on foot.
Please can we beg dog owners to clear up the mess left by their dogs, particularly now as the arrival of the cattle approaches? Dog faeces can contain a nasty little parasite called Neospora whose eggs can live on grass for months. Sadly while having no apparent ill effects for the dog it causes cattle to abort their calves which is distressing for all concerned. Even if the calf survives it is infected for life and passes the parasite on to future generations. Watch your dog and clean up after it, thank you! We should all ensure we take all plastic, dog and other waste home with us, taking care not to even abandon it temporarily to collect later – to protect our bovine and equine friends.
Further information on the work of the Advisory Committee can be found here.
The National Trust’s Stroud Landscape Project to create wildlife corridors between, for example, Woodchester Park and the commons, was warmly welcomed when it was outlined to Minchinhampton Parish Council. Find out more here.
Alfie and Friends
Many local residents will have noticed that Alfie (the donkey) and the ponies have been residing in Burleigh over the winter months – where Alfie temporarily found a new donkey friend. It is planned for them to return to the common on 13th May. Alfie now has his own Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alfieandpals/ where you can keep up with his news!
Minchinhampton Market House
Please see here for detailed news regarding the proposed restoration and refurbishment of the Undercroft paving and ironwork.
Stuart Singers
Stuart Singers are delighted to share a new recording ‘On Holy Ground’ which is one of their core repertoire and a favourite of their audience. Recorded in March 2021. Words and music by Geron Davis, Arrangement by John Leavitt. Choir Direction by Helen Sims, Music and production by Matt Sharp. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_t0mDC-aj8
What’s Going On?
Annual Parish Meeting
Minchinhampton Parish Council is holding the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday, 17th May at 7.00 pm. is the yearly opportunity for parishioners to hear about the activities of the Council over the past year and also proposals for the year ahead. There is also an opportunity to ask questions, etc. It is planned to hold this meeting by Zoom – for further information please look at the Parish Council website or email clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Dazzle Weekend Clubs
The ‘Dazzle Weekend Clubs’ are fun sessions for children ages 5-11 exploring themes through drama, craft and movement activities and team games. Fun, creative, educational (but don’t tell the kids!) workshops aimed at encouraging laughter, confidence, team work, individuality and a joy of learning. The next Weekend Clubs are on Saturday, 8th May at The Market House in Minchinhampton. Contact sarah@dazzleworkshops.co.uk for more information.
Mills Opening
22/23 May. Mills Opening! All being well the local mills will be open with strict social distancing. Each morning the Weaving Shed at Gigg Mill will be open for 3 tours between 9.30 and 12.30. Dunkirk Mill Museum will be open between 2 to 5pm each afternoon for 3 tours. Limited places must be booked: ring 01453 832589 for Gigg and 01453 766273 for Dunkirk. Visit the website www.stroudtextiletrust.org.uk for full information and further dates
Burleigh Court Hotel
The hotel’s alfresco fireside dining repertoire is expanding from woodfire pizza to include a Cotswolds Teppanyaki-style “grilling on an iron plate” experience. Guests will be able to cook and chat at their own table whilst sizzling up chef’s top-draw Cotswolds ingredients – to their own taste. Cook-at-table dining will be great for groups of up to six people. Every Thursday night, advance booking required. For further information click here.
This month’s events
Saturday, 1st May. 10am – 2.30pm. Minchinhampton Maker’s Market in the Market House Undercroft.
Saturday, 1st May. First adult fixtures at the Cricket Club. Stuart playing field.
Wednesday, 5th May. 2.15 – 4pm. Cotteswold Naturalists’ Field Club. Zoom Talk: Archaeology on the Chedworth Roman Villa site. Members only.
Thursday, 6th May. Local Elections. The Hub, Tobaconnist Road, Minchinhampton.
Monday, 10th May. 7.00 – 9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee. Zoom
Thursday, 13th May.Marking Day. Cows to be released on Commons from this date.
Monday, 17th May. 7.00 – 9.30pm. Minchinhampton Annual Parish Council meeting. Zoom.
Monday, 17th May.Next stage of lockdown easing – details to be confirmed by Government.
Friday, 21st May. 1.00 – 2.00pm. Madhu’s Rasoi Indian Takeaway. Box Village Hall. Further information and details of menu can be found here. Bookings at info@madhusrasoi.co.uk,
Saturday & Sunday, 22nd and 23rd May. Mills Opening. Bookings essential. Tel 01453 832589 for Gigg and 01453 766273 for Dunkirk.
Monday, 24th May. 7.00 – 9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council AGM and full Council meeting. Zoom.
Further details of these events can be found on our website, in the Events Calendar. Also, please remember a list of regular weekly events can be found on this page – for example, if you click on “Wednesday” at the top of the calendar you will see that the Market is taking place in the undercroft, and on “Thursday” you will find that Pete the Fish visits the Market Square. In this section regular exercise classes can also be found.
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. We are particularly keen to hear from all Clubs and Groups regarding their plans for the next few months.
A correction is needed please it is confusing but the annual parish meeting (assembly) is may 17th and the annual parish COUNCIL meeting is may 24th phew! Jo Barber , exhausted clerk!