Dear all
Happy new year! We hope you’ve all had a happy and peaceful festive season. The town certainly looked very attractive – so many residents displayed wonderful windows for the Advent Trail and thank you to everyone who worked so hard. The High Street particularly looked very attractive, ”like fairyland” as one resident commented, but the main tree in the Churchyard has a bit of a lean caused by the strong winds.
Minch Life are working on a new improved website and once it is completed we hope even more of you will use it not only to check on events through the calendar but to use the Directory which lists all the local businesses, clubs etc. Clubs and activities which are held weekly are listed separately from the main Calendar.
We are now working on plans for the Fayre on Saturday, 13th September 2025. It is hoped this will be held solely on the Park/Common rather than in the High Street and the School grounds. We hope this will make it more cohesive and avoid duplication of bands etc. Please email info@minchlife.com if you have any ideas for stalls, different activities or would like to offer to help.
Longfield Hospice
Would like to thank all those who have supported their Christmas tree recycling campaign. Your donation will help patients and families get vital care and support, this Christmas and beyond. Thanks to donations like these they can continue to provide free care and support, at a time when people in our community need it most. If you need to contact someone about your Christmas tree collection please email events@longfield.org.uk or telephone 01453 886868.
They will be collecting between Saturday, 11 January and Tuesday, 14 January. They cannot confirm the exact time your tree will be collected, so please ensure your tree is put out for collection and clearly visible for our volunteers to collect from 8am on Saturday 11 January onwards.
Christmas Card Recycling
Drop your used Christmas Cards for recycling to either the library in School Road or Brookes Hair & Beauty in the High Street. The last day for drop off at those points is Saturday, 11th January. Please keep the cards whole and not cut them. The upcycling of greetings cards is a fantastic fundraising activity that helps Cobalt Health in Cheltenham continue to provide diagnostic imaging to local people in the three counties. The upcycled cards are great value and are lovingly created by their volunteers.
Greetings cards are available all year round and can be ordered online from their website here. Each card will help Cobalt to continue its work to support local people with cancer, dementia and other conditions.
Refuse Collection
People have been asking about this so just to confirm Saturday, 4th is the black bin collection and then normal services resume on Wednesday 8th.
Hot Press!
It has just been announced on the Surgery facebook pages that the new Minchinhampton GP Surgery on Cirencester Road will be open and running from Monday 10th February.
Pedestrian crossing on Cirencester Road
An e-petition is now available online and there is a paper copy in the Library. This has come about as there have been more than one incident involving school children crossing the road and near misses with cars. Please support this appeal for a pedestrian crossing for Cirencester Road on the residential section through Minchinhampton. Please click here to reach the petition.
News from the Parish Council
The Parish Council recently sent out a questionnaire to the community. The key priorities and concerns of residents and business owners form an important part in the development of the plan to improve Minchinhampton Town Centre. Just under 250 completed questionnaires were returned and, although this is a relatively small proportion of the total, it is still large enough to draw conclusions especially given the consistency of the responses. The main results of the survey were:
1. Not surprisingly the key issue is parking especially in the High Street and Bell Lane.
2. This was then followed closely by making more space for pedestrians in the town centre either through widening or extending pedestrian areas.
3. Other traffic calming and safety measures were of lower priority because opinions were split on the need for such measures.
4. Following the top priorities of parking and pedestrian space, the next most important were firstly safety in Bell Lane through lighting and extended pavement, and secondly the redevelopment of soon to be former Surgery site.
The individual comments made by residents and business owners were mostly a reflection of the issues found in the main body of the questionnaire. There were some comments and suggestions that may provide further opportunities and these will be considered as part of the plan. One example was to establish if HGVs could be excluded from the town centre.
It has been some time since the Neighbourhood Development Plan but the impact of the pandemic and funding have been delaying factors. However several of the issues raised in the questionnaire and NDP are already being addressed such as:
• Resurfacing and notice boards
• Speed limit reductions – the Parish Council has also been working on this for some 5 years and is hopeful of some progress on this in the near future.
• Plans have also been drawn up for low level lighting in Bell Lane and grants are being sought.
• The Parish Council is in negotiation to purchase the surgery site
• The significant investments made in the youth of the parish should also be noted with playground refurbishment and funding for the youth club
The next stage in this process is to draw up plans and options for consultation with residents and business owners. It is anticipated that these will be available in late Spring to early Summer 2025.
News from Minchinhampton Community Library
We have lots going on in our local library. During term-time, on Fridays from 11.00-11.30am, we have Croc n Roll, suitable for babies/pre-school children aged 0-5, with stories, music sessions, bubbles. Our popular Lego Club runs on Thursdays 3.15-4.15pm. With all our activities, all children must be accompanied by an adult. We have a well-established Social Book Club meeting monthly on a Wednesday and a popular Knit & Natter Group meeting weekly on Tuesday afternoon. We will be starting a new Scrabble group shortly – please speak to one of our volunteers or email secretary@mclt.org.uk if you are interested. Do remember that we offer a free, warm and welcoming space for the local community. You are very welcome to come along to stay warm, use our computers and wi-fi, re-charge your phone or laptop, try a jigsaw puzzle or even play a game of cards, and we have hot drinks available. And of course we have lots of interesting books to read!
News from the Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton
Prix Fix Menu: Monday, 6th January – Friday, 31st January 12:00pm – 9:00pm 2 courses £18; £22 for 3 courses.
Locals night: Wednesday, 8th January – 6:00pm – 9:00pm (delayed one week due to New Year’s Day). Bookings highly recommended.
Monthly Quiz night: Thursday, 30th January 7:30pm – 11:00pm
Test out your general knowledge with a pint and some proper pub grub. The quiz is £2 per person (cash only) to join and there is a £50 bar tab to grab for the winning team (6 max per team). 7.30pm start. All entry money for quiz will be donated to Minchinhampton Youth Club.
Six Nations: Friday, 31st January – 8:15pm – 10:00pm
FRANCE VS WALES 8.15pm
We will be showing all the Six Nations matches
Bookings: 01453 608010, email crownminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk or online here.
The Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road
Is a boutique country inn with a history of over 300 years with an AA Rosette award winning restaurant.
Live Music Fridays on the terrace from 7pm-9.30pm
Friday, 31st January. Cygnet Duo – an unforgettable evening with female vocalist and saxophonist Diane Arthur and piano player Chris Keir/Emma Breese.
For more information contact 01453 884643 or click here.
Burleigh Court Hotel
Burleigh Court is a 4-star boutique Manor House hotel and restaurant nestled in four acres of gardens with a wellness garden and stunning views.
25th January, 2025. The Burleigh & MacAllan Burns’ Night Dinner. 6.30pm. £129 per person.
The MacAllan is one of the biggest names in Scotch whisky and internationally renowned as the most excellent of all luxury single malt – a real treat. Expect a five-course dinner menu paired with five of the Macallan whiskies, including the divine limited edition Harmony.
If you do not enjoy whisky, we can offer wine alternatives.
Booking and more info here or telephone 01453 883804.
The Long Table, Brimscombe
Is working to change the world through food. They provide frozen ready meals to people who need them. It is open Tuesday-Saturday serving up amazing coffee and cakes along with hyper local, seasonal Pay As you Can meals. They never take bookings. More info here.
Thursdays are Family Night @ the Mill. 5pm – 6pm.
Tasty family friendly food and children’s entertainment.
5pm – 9pm. Kitchen and bar open.
Friday 3rd January 2025. 6pm – 8pm. Live Steve Ferbrache. Resident musician – delicious curry.
Saturday 18th January, 2025. 6pm – 10pm. Reuben Lovett. Folk rock.
Friday 24th January 2025. 6pm – 9pm. Steve Ferbrache. Friday night curry.
NB Tickets are on sale now for Good on Paper 10th Anniversary Party/Fundraiser to be held on Saturday 1st February. 5pm. 11pm. Good on Paper was launched in 2015 to provide a definitive guide to arts, music, theatre, film, dance, comedy, literature and spoken word events in Stroud to both its residents and visitors. Tickets. £25 online here.
Further afield
Cotswold Playhouse
Whipping It Up: Tuesday, 28th January to Saturday, 1st February @ 7.30pm Tickets £16
A quick-witted satirical farce set in the Whips’ office at Westminster.
It’s a week before Christmas, and the new Tory government is facing dissent over its latest Bill. With a majority of only three, the Whips’ office is out in full force, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep the strays in line.
Barn Theatre, Cirencester
Until 4th January. The Three Musketeers. Five star musical for all the family. 2.30 and 7.30pm on 2nd January and on 3rd January and 10.30; 2.30 and 7.30pm on 4th January.
18th January 7.j30pm. The Weakest Link with Anne Robinson.
Bookings here or telephone 01285 648255.
Dates for your Diaries
Events
1st and 2nd February. 10 – 4pm. Bridal gowns’ sale at Longfield Hospice. All new with an average price of £300 Register your interest here
12th February. Tewkesbury and Park Hotel Cream Tea with Ian and Katie Jarvis. 01453 833131. Coach £23 and cream tea £30.
15th February. Valentine’s Disco at the Market House. Tickets £10 online here or from the Market Stores.
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.
Tuesday, 31 December 8.00pm Sam Newman (Soul & Motown) at the Cotswold Club High Street, Minchinhampton. £10 for members, £15 for guests.
Thursday, 2 January 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: H Hook VC Rorke’s Drift Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 3 January 10.00am-12.45pm Ripple Effects of Grief: Support Group Longfield Hospice, Burleigh Lane. Join us for one-off intimate group-led discussion. For more information email bereavement.services@longfield.org.uk or call the Wellbeing Centre on 01453 733706.
Saturday, 4 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, 4 January 10.00am-12.30pm Repair Café Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Free monthly service organised by Eco Church and Minch Can. For further information contact canminch@gmail.com
Saturday, 4 January 4.30-5.30pm Teatime Concert: Oboe Through the Ages Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Admission is free with retiring collection. Tea and cakes are served from 4.00pm.
Sunday, 5 January 8.45-10.00am Parish Breakfast Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Join everyone for breakfast with a selection of cereals, croissants, bacon rolls, juice, tea and coffee.
Tuesday, 7 January 2.30-4.30pm Afternoon Fellowship Group: New Years Tea Party Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. For further details contact: Sue Fairley on 873136
Tuesday, 7 January 2.30-4.00pm Amberley Gardening Club: Setting Up a Wildlife Garden Amberley Parish Rooms. Speaker: Dr Sue Kinsey. Note that this is taking place at 2.30pm rather than the usual later time of 7.30pm. Guests are welcome at a charge of £4. For more information please contact christo.p.bailey@outlook.com.
Wednesday, 8 January 2.00-4.00pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: My work as a Missionary (Speaker Revd Sandy Emery) Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. For further information please contact Christina Gooch – gooch764@btinternet.com
Thursday, 9 January 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Gloucester Older Drivers Forum (Speaker Alexandra Lloyd-Jones) Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. For further information please contact Steve Hoskin on 07511 324088.
Friday, 10 January 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Sunday, 12 January 7.45-10.30pm Arkie’s Quiz Night Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Teams of 4, £1.00 per person.
Monday, 13 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, 13 January 12.30-2.00pm Poetry & Words (Minchinhampton Folk Club), Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. This meeting is 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.
Monday, 13 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
Tuesday, 14 January 7.30-8.00pm Cotswold Club AGM Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Nomination forms for the directors and committee are now up in the main room on the notice board.
Wednesday, 15 January 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. A book by the author Anita Shreve will be the topic for this month’s book discussion. This can be interpreted however you want.
Thursday, 16 January 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: E Jenner, Smallpox Pioneer Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 16 January 12.00-3.30pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: The Queens at War” Speaker: Douglas Butler. The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Thursday, 16 January 4.00-9.00pm A Visit to WWT Slimbridge with Ian Jarvis – evening with swans and supper Coach £22, Entrance inc supper £39.50: Total: £61.50. Contact bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 833131, 07403 899599 or 07802 357478.
Friday, 17 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. Sign–up sheet at the back of the church to help with planning, and if you have particular dietary needs. Donations accepted on the day. For further information contact: Linda or Stephen Jarvis 884545.
Saturday, 18 January 2.00-4.00pm Music and Movement for all the Family Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton In aid of Minchinhampton Surgery Charitable Trust. £1.00 or £2.00 on the door. Tickets from M&B Stores. More information 07791 030322.
Saturday, 18 January 7.30-10.00pm Victor and Albert (variety show) Market House, Minchinhampton. Purveyors of Fine Musical Comedy Tickets £15 can be bought online from the Market House website here Or Cash from the Market Stores.
Monday, 20 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, 20 January 7.30-9.00pm Minchinhampton Gardening Club AGM Minchinhampton School Hall, School Road. New members welcome. For more information please contact the Secretary John Fivash tel: 01453 764956 email: johnfivash@btinternet.com
Tuesday, 21 January 2.30-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists: A Gloucestershire Odyssey (The County’s History and Traditions) Box Village Hall Contribution of £2 from members and £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge. For more information contact cnfcmemberschipsec@outlook.com or on the website here.
Tuesday, 21 January 7.30-9.30pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. Book of the month: “The Girl with the Louding Voice” and/or “And So I Roar” by Abi Dare. For further information contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707
Thursday, 23 January 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: The Vietnam War (Speaker Tim Brain) Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. For further information please contact Steve Hoskin on 07511 324088.
Friday, 24 January 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Friday, 24 January 7,00-9.00pm Box Gardening Cub: AGM and Gardeners Question Time Box Village Hall. 7.00 for 7.30pm For further information contact: BoxGarden@box-village.com
Friday, 24 January 7.30-10.00pm Minchinhampton Local History Group AGM with talk – Photographs by E P Conway. Market House, Minchinhampton. Speaker Howard Beard. Tickets: £5.00 (£4 members) from the Market Stores or on the door. Licensed bar – card or cash
Saturday, 25 January 10.00am-12.00noon Community Litter Pick Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Litter picking equipment will be provided.
Sunday, 26 January 10.30am-1.00pm MinchLife Walking and Wildlife Group For more information please contact karencolebourn@gmail.com.
Monday, 27 January 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Council Meeting. The Baptist Church, Tetbury Street. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Thursday, 30 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
Friday, 31 January 10.00-12.30 and 2.00-4.30pm Free Digital Support: Personalised 1-2-1 Appointments with Digi-champion Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Book your space in advance by calling 01453 885497, email secretary@mclt.org.uk, or call into the library during opening hours.
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