Happy new year everyone! So much went on in our town in December – the performance of “Oliver” by Minchinhampton Players was a huge success and there were some wonderful concerts held in Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton – too many to mention. The town looked extremely festive but the wind and rain caused many of the small trees to droop! The annual tradition of carol singing under the Market House at mid-day on Christmas Eve attracted even larger crowds than usual and huge thanks to Mr Rod Harris for organizing (as he has done for 27 years) the singing and to Norma Mills and her band of musicians who accompanied the Community Choir. £240 was raised for Winston’s Wish, the children’s bereavement charity. Our Churches were extremely busy as usual with Carol Concerts, Crib Services, Midnight Mass and traditional Christmas Services. Our local pubs and restaurants were fully booked for all the celebrations.
Minchinhampton Players put on two Mummers’ plays in the Undercroft on 28th and 29th December. These plays are one of the oldest surviving features of the traditional English Christmas and despite the weather a good time was had by all.
January is usually a slightly quieter month in the Calendar but as you will see there is still a lot going on – including a disco and plays in the Market House, a Promises Auction – not to mention the start of the teatime concerts – see below.
Another new shop for Minchinhampton
Sarah Dance lives in Box. She used to work in offshore oil and gas but always wanted to start her own business and in December 2023 opened Bella’s Antique and Craft shop in West End, Minchinhampton. The business is thriving and she looks forward to welcoming residents and visitors.
Minchinhampton Teatime Concerts at Holy Trinity Church
These concerts start at 4.30pm and last around 50 minutes – tea and home-made cakes served from 4pm. Admission free with a retiring collection. James Gilchrist, the renowned tenor, opens 2024 with music such as Purcell’s Evening Hymn. He is accompanied by Lara James (baroque violin), Imogen Seth-Smith(cello) and Warwick Cole (harpsichord). There are also concerts planned for 10th February (CBSO Baroque Ensemble), 9 March (Flute through the ages) and 6 April (Old King Cole and his fiddlers three).
DON’T FORGET TO BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION via Longfield Community Hospice. Bookings can be made here until 9 January 2023. Trees will be collected from Minchinhampton between 13th – 16th January. Trees will be collected, chipped and used locally in an environmentally friendly way plus any donations will help those living in Gloucestershire with a life limiting condition.
Christmas Card Recycling
Cllr Chloe Turner is collecting cards to take to Cobalt Health (www.cobalthealth.co.uk) again this year. These are repurposed to make new cards, which are then sold to raise funds for the charity. Last year she managed to take a full car load up from our community which was a great result. Both Minchinhampton Community Library and Emma at Brookes Hair & Beauty have kindly offered to host collection crates, so if you would like to recycle your cards in this way and are able to drop off there, that would be very helpful. Cllr Turner can also collect from anyone who can’t make it to either of those places – please email her directly, at Cllr.Chloe.Turner@stroud.gov.uk, if you need this. .
From 2nd January, the Library is back to its usual hours, and Brookes will be open on Tuesday 2nd January, Friday 5th January, and Saturday 6th January and then usual hours (closed Mondays) thereafter. Last day for drop off: Monday, 9th January at the Library, Tuesday, 10th January at the salon.
Minchinhampton Community Library
On Friday, 12th January the Digibus is visiting the library. Their team trainers will provide free-one hour personalised one-to-one sessions specific to your requirements – let the friendly staff resolve all your digital issues and problems, iphones, ipads, mobile phones, tablets all types of devices, all types of problems and issues. Book your free session by calling into the library or ringing them on 01453 885497.
Minchinhampton Local History Group are back and had a very successful Minchinhampton War Memories evening on 10 November. £1,439.47 was raised for the British Legion. A Christmas party was also arranged for the children and a social event featuring Minchinhampton Christmases.
The History Group is holding their AGM on Friday, 26 January at 7.30pm at the Market House and they welcome past and new members. The fee for membership is £12 for the year. Minchinhampton Local History Group welcomes support and looks forward to having displays, walks, talks and events in 2024 – these will be featured on the Minchinhampton Local History Group website, MinchLife website and Facebook – also on posters. Emails will be sent directly to members. To join, email redgary66@outlook.com or visit the Website – here.
Notes from the Market House
In December what a great evening we had with David Mynne and his one-man production of “A Christmas Carol”. We are sure to have David back in the future! On Christmas Eve it was a pleasure for the Market House to once again provide the venue and, with the help of MinchLife, the sound equipment for the Carol Singing which was attended by so many of the Minchinhampton community.
We wish you all the very best for 2024! To start the New Year’s season on Saturday, 20th January we have a Disco Soul Night with KC our resident DJ. For the children on the afternoon of Sunday, 28th January is a puppet theatre production of “The Snow Queen”. All children attending this will be able to make and take home their own puppet.
Cotswold Club, Minchinhampton
Have recently redecorated their skittle alley which is now looking good. It is home to several local teams and there is availability for a couple of new teams if any are looking for a new home. Also available for social events. Please contact the club for further details.
Dazzle Dance Classes
Five new ladies dance courses at Minchinhampton Market House are starting in January. Country Chicks, Dance & Stretch & Bollywood. Telephone 07979 848280 or email sarah@dazzleworkshops.co.uk for further information.
The Crown, Minchinhampton
Our local pub serves delicious seasonal food in a lively atmosphere and a bar team to be reckoned with. The Crown has become a local favourite as the place to eat, drink and celebrate. Special events in January:
Wednesday, 10 January 11.00am-1.00pm– Walk in Wednesday Networking Meeting. Foster local business connections, enjoy tea, coffee, and cakes as you mingle with fellow local professionals. In the spirit of community, donations will support Minch School.
Thursday, 25 January 7.00-10.00pm – Burns Night Quiz
The Long Table, Brimscombe
Works to change the world through food. They provide frozen ready-meals to people who need them and so much more. Delicious hot food is served and is always pay as you can. Special events in January:
Saturday, 6 January 7.30 – 9.30pm Black Dog Way: Q & A hosted by Edith Bowman – to raise awareness of the documentary about Steve who became homeless aged 49.
Saturday, 20 January 6.00 – 11.00pm. An audience with Corinne Bailey Rae. A fundraising event to support Joseph who has terminal cancer. More details on both events here.
The Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road
The 17th century former coaching house has an updated pub style menu and cocktails are available every day but from Monday – Thursday between 12.00 and 7.00pm you pay for one and get two! Special events.
Saturday, 13 January and Saturday, 27 January – Saturday Brunch Club with Os Grilos (The Crickets) Virtuoso latin guitarist Steve Franks and vocalist Gilly Leeper perform unique and heartwarming arrangements of romantic Bossa Nova, buzzy Samba, Classical, Jazz & Pop from Brazil, France, Spain, the USA and the UK. A wonderfully diverse repertoire from the 1930s to today.
Forthcoming Events for your Diary
Saturday, 3 February 7.30-9.30pm “Three Men in a Boat” at the Market House, Minchinhampton. Tickets £15.00 available now online here or at M & B Stores (cash only) nearer the time.
Sunday, 11th February and Sunday, 18th February. Snowdrops Festival in aid of Horsfall House.
Saturday, 24th February. 7.00pm Minchinhampton Baptist Church Charity Quiz in aid of Horsfall House.
Further Afield
What’s on at the Cotswold Playhouse
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
7.30 pm on 25, 26, 27 Jan and 1, 2, 3 Feb 2.30 on 28 Jan and 3 Feb
Tickets £17 (£9 under sixteen)
Chase away those New Year blues by joining us in the quaint market town of Wingeinampton, to meet the heroine of our tale – the beautiful Snow White – together with a host of colourful characters, including the lovable Nurse Nettles and her appropriately named son, Muddles! Cheer on our heroes, boo at that nasty Queen, and help Fairy Liquid and the famous dwarfs save the day! This show promises to be a fun-packed adventure with comedy, music, dance and song – and not forgetting all those traditional panto ingredients. So, book your seats early for a real, post-Christmas treat.
10 February. The Ringmaster at 2.30 pm. Tickets £10 (8 for under 16s). This unmissable adventure for all ages challenges love, friendship, and determination – all wrapped up within their childhood dreams.
16 February. Connections. 7.30pm. Tickets £14. The Uncaged Theatre Winter Showcase.
Four new writing pieces, by female-identifying writers, each lasting 30 minutes with a 15-minute interval. The plays explore themes such as troubled relationships, blurred boundaries, contemporary challenges faced by women, and the comedic but poignant upheaval caused by a forgotten friend in an ordinary family.
Bookings online here or phone 0333 666 3366
Events
For further information of these events and details on how to book, please go to our website here.
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.
Tuesday, 2 January and Wednesday, 3 January 9.30am-3.30pm Christmas Multi-Sports Camp Minchinhampton Community Hub, Tobacconist Road. For children aged 6-12 years. £30 per day. Booking/further information from Steve Perkins 07925 930260 or email thecatchacademy@gmail.com.
Wednesday, 3 January 10.00am-1.00pm Around Minchinhampton Commons. Cotswold Voluntary Warden Guided Walk. Difficulty: Easy. Distance: 5 miles. Start point: Opposite the Amberley Inn, Amberley. Please do not use Inn car park.
Wednesday, 3 January 2.30-4.30pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute Coronation Hut, Dr Brown Road. Speaker Paul Evans will bring Humorous Poems, Readings and Monologues.
Guests and visitors warmly welcomed.
Thursday, 4 January 10.30am -12.00noon Hampton Probus: Inside Intelligence from Roentgen Rays Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 5 January 10.30am – 12.00noon Holiday Lego Session. Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Suitable for children aged 3+ . Children to be accompanied by an adult.
Friday, 5 January 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar, Box Village Hall
Saturday, 6 January 10.00am-12.00noon Coffee Morning, Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 88900
Saturday, 6 January 4.30-5.30pm Tea time Concert Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. James Gilchrist opens with sublime music such as Purcell’s Evening Hymn. He is accompanied by Lara James (baroque violin), Imogen Seth-Smith (cello) and Warwick Cole (harpsichord). Free admission and refreshments. Retiring collection in aid of the Organ Fund. Further information from Warwick@corelliconcerts.co.uk
Monday, 8 January 10.30am-12.00noon Poems in the Porch Room. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Welcomes all, but especially people who are living with memory problems. Contact Jo Smith on 01453 834714 for further information.
Monday, 8 January 2.30-2.00pm Poetry & Words (Minchinhampton Folk Club), Cotswold Club, High Street. This meeting will be subsidised by the Folk Club so there will be no entry charge but please support the Cotswold club by using the coffee machine or the bar for drinks. Cake will be provided!
Monday, 8 January 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee. Trap House, West End. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Thursday, 11 January 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: G F Handel. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com
Thursday, 11 January 7.30-9.30pm Amberley Gardening Club: Innovation, Automation – how your garden and house plants are produced in the 21st century, with a look at some new plant introductions. Amberley Parish Rooms. For further details about joining Amberley Gardening Club, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Friday, 12 January 10.00am – 4.00pm Digibus: Personalised one-to-one Sessions. Minchinhampton Community Library. Resolve all your digital issues and problems. Call into Library to book your free session, or telephone 01453 885497 during opening hours.
Saturday, 13 January 10.00am-2.00pm Healing Workshop Minchinhampton Market House. Shiatsu Massage, Accupressure Techniques, Energy Breathing Movements and Guided Meditation. £50 (concession rate £45) Last day for booking will be 6 January. Bookings and further information: ireneschofield@yahoo.co.uk or 07952 231055
Monday, 15 January 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Finance Committee. Trap House, West End. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Monday, 15 January 7.30-9.30pm Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Annual General Meeting (plus drinks and nibbles). Minchinhampton School Hall, School Road.
Tuesday, 16 January 2.30-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: Tales of a Country Auctioneer. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £2 from members and £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge.
Tuesday, 16 January 7.00-9.30pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. Book of the month: Isaac and the Egg by Bobby Palmer. For further information contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707.
Wednesday, 17 January 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. “Winter” will be the theme for this month’s book discussion. This can be interpreted as you wish.
Wednesday, 17 January 7.00-9.00pm Ethical Banking: An easy win for Sustainability Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Join MinchCan and Minchinhampton Eco Church to learn more. Email: canminch@gmail.com for further details. To help with arrangements please email Jennie.south@btopenworld.com to let her know you are coming.
Thursday, 18 January 10.30am -12.00noon Hampton Probus: Al Bowlly (Britain’s first pop star) Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 18 January 12.00noon-3.00pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: AGM and A Strange Way to Make a Living The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. Speaker Professor Stefan Buczacki. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Friday, 19 January 12.00-2.30pm Friday Lunch The Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. All welcome to a two-course hot lunch with coffee, or tea, and all donations will support a a new project working with the Bishop of Masasi. Sign–up sheet at the back of the church to help with planning, and if you have particular dietary needs. For further information contact: Linda or Stephen Jarvis 884545.
Friday, 19 January 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar, Box Village Hall
Saturday, 20 January 7.30-11.00pm Soul Music Night (Disco featuring DJ KC) Market House, Minchinhampton. Tickets £10 online here or from M & B Stores, Market Square (Cash only)
Wednesday, 24 January 7.20am -5.00pm Ian Jarvis Coach Trip: Mini Factory Cowley Production Tour and time in Oxford city centre Coach £27, Mini factory tour £15 (senior) – Total £42 per person. Contact bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 833131, 07403 899599 or 07802 357478
Thursday, 25 January 9.30-11.00am Stroud Businesswomen’s Network Meeting Minchinhampton New Golf Course, off Hampton Hill. Non-members who would like a free introductory meeting please email enquiries@stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk
Thursday, 25 January 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Rudyard Kipling. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com
Thursday, 25 January 7.30-10.00pm Crown Burns Night Quiz The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. Only £1 per person entry. Book a table now to avoid disappointment email crownminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk or phone 01453 608010
Friday, 26 January 7.30-9.30pm Minchinhampton Local History Group AGM. Market House, Minchinhampton. All welcome to join as members of the Minchinhampton Local History Group (£12 per annum).
Saturday, 27 January 6.00-10.30pm Promises Auction Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton (Option to dine before the auction at 6pm, or arrive at 7pm for auction) Supper tickets £10 from the Market Stores. For more information please contact mirandajutsum@gmail.com
Saturday, 27 January 7.30-10.00pm Graffiti Classics (Air in G Event) Box Village Hall. Hilarious all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy show. Tickets £15.00, available online here.
Sunday, 28 January 3.00-4.30pm The Snow Queen Puppet Theatre (Theatrix Arts) Market House, Minchinhampton. Tickets at £10 will be available shortly from M & B Stores (cash) or online here
Monday, 29 January 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Committee. Baptist Church Office Room, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Thursday, 1 February 10.30am -12.00noon Hampton Probus: Iconography Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
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.
Anne and Janet
info@minchlife.com