Hello everyone,
As we write this “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” is taking place at the Market House courtesy of Minchinhampton Players. Last month, we were asked not to publicise the event as it is always over-subscribed, so for those of you lucky to get a ticket do enjoy the show, it is spectacular- huge congratulations to them all!
Again MinchLife is very grateful to Dave and Pip Robb for donating the small Christmas trees in the High Street and supplying the large tree outside the Church. We would also like to thank the Baptist Church and Holy Trinity for joining us in paying for the large tree. Hopefully the Minch Lights Christmas Tree Lighting event on Sunday, 30th Nov will go smoothly. There will be festive carols and a bar supplied by the Crown so do come along – the carols will be at 4.30pm followed at 5.00pm by the switching on of the lights. Please note that between 4.00pm and 6.00pm the High Street will be closed between its junction with Butt Street, West End, and Bell Lane. During this time, no vehicles will be able to enter or exit the area. Please plan your journeys accordingly to avoid delays. Again, please do support the Robbs at the Scout Hut by getting your tree there.
We were hoping to put in details of when Father Christmas visits our area (apart from Christmas night of course!). According to Facebook (Nailsworth Santa Sleigh) his sleigh rides will be announced on the Group chat on Monday, 1st Dec, including a visit to Minchinhampton. We will put details on our events calendar as soon as we know, and may we take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas.
The MinchLife newsletter was getting longer and longer and it has been decided to reduce its length considerably. We will try not to duplicate talking about specific “going’s on” in the body of the email – they are all in the section “Events”. We will only put one-off items from the local hostelries rather than details about takeaways, discounts etc. Janet and I have done a small straw poll to ascertain whether people still want to know about theatre productions at the Barn, Cotswold Theatre etc; and concerts in Wotton, Tetbury, Malmesbury and other “Further Afield” events. People have commented that they still want them included but it is difficult as there are far too many venues to include. ie The Goods’ Shed, the Subscription Rooms, Prema, Ruskin Mill and many others. So far we have included events that our readers have asked us to promote (often residents of Minchinhampton are in the choirs, orchestras etc), but we would really like you to give us your opinions. Should we continue to do this, or would it be helpful to just include links to venues that are out of our area? Please email info@minchlife.com with your views.
A New Chapter on the High Street – Visit Minch Porium!
Bringing his passion for second-hand treasures, vintage finds, and music to life in a whole new way, Jason, a familiar face to many, has taken over the much-loved shop previously run by Horsfall House Charity Shop. Jason is taking the reins and running it as an independent shop, full of collectables you never knew you needed! There will also be some selected pieces in the shop, to support local charities. Jason says, ‘This is a new chapter, I’m excited to see how the shop evolves, as I’m still figuring out the direction it might take.’ Jason creates a friendly and fun atmosphere, which makes the shop a warm and welcoming place to spend time, so we hope you will find plenty of reasons to pop in.
Stroud Rotary Community Awards
A programme to support organisations within the Stroud area with a grant of up to £500. If a small grant would make a difference to your community project, apply for a Stroud Rotary Community Award. Nothing is too small to be considered.
For more details go to: www.stroudrotary.org.uk or email community.awards.stroud.rotary@gmail.com. Closing date for applications is 6.00pm on 31st Jan.
Register your Tree for Collection – Longfield Hospice
Recycling from 10th – 13th Jan. Registration closes 6th Jan. Your tree must be ready to collect by 8.00am. Dispose of your tree sustainably. Donate a sum of your choice and in return your tree will be collected. Bookings here.
The Big Sort – 29th Dec – 15th Jan
Cobalt Medical Charity will use your old Christmas cards. More information here and next month we will give collection points in Minchinhampton.
The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton
Wednesday, 3rd Dec 6pm – 9pm. Locals’ night
Friday, 5th Dec 7pm – 7.30pm. Stuart Singers’ Christmas Carols
Wednesday, 17th Dec 7pm – 8pm. Community choir carols
Saturday, 20th Dec 9am – 11am. Breakfast with Santa
Friday, 26th Dec 7.30pm. Monthly quiz night
Wednesday, 31st Dec New Year’s Eve. 7 course tasting menu.
Bookings and more information here or telephone 01453 608010
Burleigh Court Hotel, The Roundabouts, Brimscombe
Saturday, 6th Dec 1pm – 4pm. Wreath making in the Burleigh Bothy.
Booking and more information here or telephone 01453 883804.
The Long Table, Brimscombe
Friday, 5th Dec 6.00 – 10.00pm. Christmas Ceilidh. Dobunni Band
Saturday, 6th Dec 11.00am – 1.00pm. Mini Makers’ Market
Friday, 12th Dec 6.00 – 10.30pm. Sanctum/Curtain Twitcher+Grandad+Iridal
Saturda,y 13th Dec 6.00 – 10.00pm. Winter Jazz Feast
Thursday, 18th Dec 6.00 – 10.00pm. The Sanctuary Series: Jonathon Porritt
Friday, 19th Dec 6.00 – 10.00pm. Winter Songs Feast
Booking and more information here
Amberley Shop and cafe
Sunday, 7th Dec 2.30 – 3.30pm. Sing along a Carol
Further afield
St George’s Church, Nailsworth
Saturday, 6th Dec. 7.30pm. Christmas Concert featuring Stroud Area Wind Orchestra. Free entry with refreshments and raffle.
Barn Theatre, Cirencester
1st Dec – 4th Jan. A Christmas Carol
Bookings and more information here or 01285 648255.
Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud
Friday,12th Dec. 6.30pm. A Wonderful Life (U) 6.30pm. Tickets £18. (£5 concessions)
Friday, 12th Dec. A Christmas Carol. 7.30pm. Tickets £14. A one man show.
Saturday, 20th Dec. 2.30pm. The Santa Show – where magic comes alive. Tickets £12.
Saturday, 20th Dec 7.30pm. Sinderella. Tickets £19. The Stratford Theatre Company.
Bookings and more information here or 0333 666 3366
St Laurence’s Church, Stroud
Friday, 12th Dec 7.30pm. Christmas Concert with Stroud Choral Society. Bookings and more information here.
Friends of Tetbury Hospital
Friday, 12th – Sunday, 14th Dec Christmas events as listed in MinchLife November newsletter. Full details here.
Tinkley Gate, Woodchester Park
Full details of events in December here.
Dates for your Diaries (further afield)
Nailsworth News Performing Arts Group. Miss Saigon musical. Wednesday 22nd July 2.30pm. Bristol Hippodrome. Transport provided at small cost. For full details and tickets please contact Susan Staniforth at susanstaniforth@hotmail.co.uk or ring 07891436917
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.
CANCELLED: Sunday, 30th Nov – 10.30am-1.00pm Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group
Sunday, 30th Nov – 4.30-5.30pm Switching on the Christmas Lights Market Square, Minchinhampton The Crown will run an outside bar. Lights switch on at 5pm The Community Church Choir will sing.
CANCELLED: Sunday, 30th Nov – 7:45-10.00pm Arkie’s Quiz
Monday, 1st Dec – 6.30-10.00pm Minchinhampton Gardening Club Christmas Social The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. For further information please contact John Goodwin at
johngoodwin99@outlook.com
Monday, 1st Dec – 8.00-10.00pm Pints and Perspectives Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. A friendly discussion exploring life’s big questions. All welcome.
Tuesday, 2nd Dec – 2.30-4.30pm Afternoon Fellowship Group – Christmas with Leslie Hale Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton All welcome. More information from Gillian Warren, 07399 515775.
Tuesday, 2nd Dec – 6.30-7.30pm Light up a Life (Longfield Hospice event) Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. An evening of reflection, carols and readings by candlelight. It’s a special opportunity to pause, share memories, and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us.
Wednesday, 3rd Dec – 2.30-4.30pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: Lost the Plot Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road, Minchinhampton Speaker: Fiona Warren. For more information, contact Sandy (President) emery31@btinternet.com, Christina ( Secretary) gooch764@btinternet.com or Joy (Minch Life liaison rep) joyburr005@gmail.com
Thursday, 4th Dec 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: Christmas Meeting Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 5th Dec 12.00noon-3.00pm Stroud Businesswomens Network Festive Lunch The Ship Inn, Brimscombe Non members welcome – but reservations required in advance). More information and booking here.
Friday, 5th Dec 6.00-9.00pm Stroud Farm Country Stores Festive Event Cirencester Road, Hyde. 20% off all clothing, rugs, leather work, and dog beds. Shopping Drinks and Nibbles.
Friday, 5th Dec 7.40-8.20pm Stuart Singers’ Christmas Carols Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton
Saturday, 6th Dec 10.00am -12.00noon Coffee Morning Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 889004
Saturday, 6th Dec 10.00am-12.00noon 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, 6th Dec 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.30-5.30pm Wreath Making Workshops Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road, Minchinhampton. Booking essential. Places still available. Contact Helen on 07791 015447 or Laura on 07970 051380 or email christmaswreathworkshops@gmail.com
Saturday, 6th Dec 12.00noon-3.30pm Minch School PTA Christmas Fair Minchinhampton School Santa’s Grotto, Treasure Hunt, Music, Mulled Wine, Games, Raffle and more. Bring your friends, smiles and pocket money.
Saturday, 6th Dec 7.00-10.00pm Box Gardening Club Christmas Party Box Village Hall
Sunday, 7th Dec 7.45-10.00pm Arkie’s Quiz Night Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. £4.00 per team of four.
Monday, 8th Dec – 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, 8th Dec – 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, 8th Dec – 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee. Venue to be announced. MPC have been made aware of a proposed new housing development on Cirencester Road by Cotswold Homes. To provide residents with the opportunity to learn more, Cotswold Homes will present their proposal at this meeting followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, during which members of the public are welcome to speak. Please let our Assistant Clerk know if you plan to attend. Email: assistantclerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk Phone: 01453 731186
Tuesday, 9th Dec – 10.15am-12.15pm Scrabble Group Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Free event. Just come along, newcomers welcome.
Tuesday, 9th Dec – 3.15-4.30pm Messy Church: Christingle Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton A family friendly advent event. Free supper for all. Christingle candles, Catapult Shooting Stars, Gingerbread biscuits. All children must bring an adult.
Wednesday, 10th Dec – 9.00am-5.00pm Coach Trip to Wells City, Bishops Palace and Market with Ian and Katie Jarvis Coach £25.00 Tel: 01453 833131 or 07403 899599/07802 357478
Wednesday, 10th Dec – 2.30-4.00pm Just Sing! Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. For those who enjoy singing but don’t want to join a choir. All welcome. Note this is the last session before Wednesday, 11th February.
Thursday, 11th Dec – 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Soloman’s Might 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.
Thursday, 11th Dec – 7.30-9.30pm Amberley Gardening Club: Christmas Social Amberley Parish Rooms. Guests welcome. For more information about Amberley Gardening Club please contact christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Friday, 12th Dec – 10.00am-12.30pm 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
Friday, 12th Dec – 6.30-9.00pm Christmas Painting Session Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton Paint a Christmas Highland Cow! £16.50 per person. All materials supplied. Limited spaces so book early.
Friday,12th Dec – 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Friday, 12th Dec 7.30-9.45pm and Saturday 13th Dec 4.00-6.00pm Stuart Singers Christmas Concerts: Songs from around the World Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Concerts supporting local charities ‘The Door’ and Stroud hospital’s ‘League of Friends’ (FOSS). Tickets £12.50 are available from the Market Stores, Minchinhampton or online here.
Saturday, 13th Dec 11.00am-2.00pm Pamper & Scamper Christmas Party Meeting on Minchinhampton Common for a walk across the commons, followed by a delicious buffet lunch at the Crown. There will be a dog quiz and Secret Santa! Tickets are £15 per person and please bring a wrapped Secret Santa gift for another dog at the party. Message Jess on What’s App if you would like a ticket 07908 096635.
Saturday, 13th Dec 7.15-10.00pm Prize Bingo Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton Book Sales 7,15, Eyes Down 7.30pm Members and guests welcome (guests must be signed in)
Saturday, 13th Dec 7.30-11.00pm Christmas Disco Market House, Minchinhampton Tickets £10 online here or from the Market Stores (cash only)
Sunday, 14th Dec 3.30-5.30pm Christmas Movie Matinee:It’s a Wonderful Life Market House, Minchinhampton Doors open 3.00pm Free Mince pie & cup of tea or mulled wine. Tickets from the Market Stores £7.00 – cash only.
Sunday, 14th Dec 7.45-10.00pm Arkie’s Music Quiz Night Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. £4.00 per team of four.
Monday, 15th Dec 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 confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Tuesday, 16th Dec 9.00-10.45am Santa coming to Minchkins – Christmas Party The Hub, Tobacconist Road. Please sign up in advance – contact Lizzie Brucekins on Facebook.
Tuesday, 16th Dec 2.30-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists: Christmas Entertainment Utrillo Jazz Duo Box Village Hall Contribution of £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge. For more information contact cnfcmembershipsec@outlook.com or on the website here.
Tuesday, 16th Dec 7.30-9.30pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. Book for discussion: The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page For further information please contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707
Wednesday, 17th Dec – 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. “Short Stories” is the topic for this month’s book discussion. This can be interpreted however you want.
Thursday, 18th Dec – 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: The Revolution in R & D Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Non members welcome. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday,18th Dec – 12.00-3.30pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: The World of Magic and a Magic Cabaret (Speaker Bob King) The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Thursday, 18th Dec – 7.00-9.00pm Angelus ad Pastores – English Wind Consort Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Four centuries of festive music with early wind instruments of Renaissance Europe. Tickets £20 (£18 concessions) online here – includes programme and winter themed refreshments.
Friday, 19th Dec -12.00noon-2.30pm Friday Lunch Club 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.
Friday, 19th Dec 7.00-8.30pm Film Night/AGM – Minchinhampton Local History Group Market House, Minchinhampton Consuming Christmas – a lighthearted & unreliable history of Christmas advertising with film maker Alan Vaughan. No ticket required – free to all.
Saturday, 20th Dec 7.30-10.00pm A Classical Christmas Concert with the Thames Head Singers and Capriol Chamber Orchestra Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Doors open 6.45pm. Tickets £18.00 (free for under 18’s) available online here or from M&B Stores, Minchinhampton. Box Office 0333 666 3366.
Sunday, 21st Dec 7.45-10.00pm Arkie’s Quiz Night Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. £4.00 per team of four.
Monday, 22nd Dec – 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
Wednesday, 24th Dec – 12.00noon-1.00pm Christmas Eve Community Carols The Undercroft, Market House, Minchinhampton. Download the carols here
Sunday, 28th Dec – 10.30am-1.000pm Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group Meet at the Bell Lane Car park. Please contact karencolebourn@gmail.com for further details.
Wednesday, 31st Dec – 8.00pm – 1.00pm New Year’s Eve Bash Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton Sing in the New Year at an extra special karaoke night with the one and only Keith Allen! £10.00 per ticket.
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