Hello everyone,
I’m sure you would agree that Minchinhampton looks very pretty and festive this year and the Carols under the Undercroft were the perfect start to Christmas. Huge thanks to Rod Harris and the Community Choir – the numbers grow significantly every year.
Thank you too for all the comments about the newsletter – it seems most people wanted to hear brief details about events further afield but your opinions are always welcome.
The area is reeling from the sad and shocking news that a young mother and her two children died in the fire in Brimscombe on Boxing Day. Positive moves have been made to organise a just giving page to help Tom Shearman at this terrible time. A friend of theirs (Instagram @cotswoldcrochet2023) is hoping many people will knit or crochet a brightly coloured flower as a tribute to Nu, Eve and Ohner. Drop off has been confirmed at Bowbridge Arms, Kids Stuff, Brimscombe Mill and Made in Stroud.
Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton will be open from 11.00am – 1.00pm on Monday, 5th Jan for people to go for quiet reflection and a prayer tree will be available for those who wish to use it. Holy Trinity, Brimscombe is open daily and the Sanctuary at Brimscombe Mill is open from 2.00 – 8.00pm over the coming days.
Burleigh Court Hotel have taken the decision not to hold fireworks this New Year’s Eve as a mark of respect to all those who mourn.
Road Closure
Please note Dr Brown Road will be closed from Monday, 5th Jan to Friday, 13th Feb to allow for gas main replacements. Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained. For more information click here.
Longfield Hospice
Christmas tree collection between Saturday, 10th and Tuesday, 13th Jan from 8.00am – 5.00pm. Last date for registration is Tuesday, 6th Jan. Participate in this eco-friendly and charitable initiative to dispose of your real Christmas tree. In return for a voluntary donations Longfield’s team of volunteers will collect your trees from your home. Register here.
Christmas Card Collection
If you’d like your Christmas cards recycled to raise money for Cobalt Medical (Cheltenham medical charity) please drop them to the desk at Minchinhampton Community library between now and the end of the morning session on Saturday, 10th Jan. Opening hours are online here.
Cards must be whole (ie not cut for crafting, etc) so that they can be repurposed for new cards & fundraising. Please drop them off in a carrier bag or bundled with twine/elastic.
Alternatively take them direct to Thirlestaine Breast Clinic. To learn more, visit Cobalt’s website here, call 01242 535922, or email fundraising@cobalthealth.co.uk.
News from the Market House
Minchinhampton Market House will be starting regular screenings of National Theatre Live recordings in 2026. The first screening at the Market House will be ‘The Fifth Step‘ starring Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) and Martin Freeman (The Responder, The Hobbit) on Saturday 24th Jan at 7.30 pm. Tickets (£12.00) are available online here or cash from the Market Stores.
The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of ‘Hamlet’ will be screened at the Market House at 7.30pm on Saturday, 28th Feb 2026.
Minchinhampton Community Library
Please note that the library will be closed on Tuesday, 13th, Wednesday, 14th and Thursday, 15th Jan for redecoration. It is intended to open on Friday, 16th Jan.
New Leader needed for Nailsworth Society Theatregoers Group
The Nailsworth Society Theatregoers Group is a vibrant part of the overall Society, with regular visits being arranged to places such as Bristol Hippodrome, Theatre Royal Bath, the Millennium Centre Cardiff, Birmingham Hippodrome and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The trips include comedies, dramas, musicals, concerts and ballet. The group is now looking for a new leader to continue this programme of visits. If you are a regular theatregoer or have a keen interest in these types of events, please contact Susan Staniforth at susanstaniforth@hotmail.co.uk or ring her on 07891436917 for an informal chat. The role would be suitable for an individual or two people to share.
Amberley Shop and Cafe
Sunday, 25th Jan 2.30 – 3.30 pm. Musical Sundays. The Amberliz Trio.
Burleigh Court Hotel, The Roundabouts, Brimscombe
Monday, 19th – Thursday, 22nd Jan Transformational Reset Retreat
A Boutique Detox Experience.
Booking and more information here or telephone 01453 883804.
The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton
Monday, 5th Jan – Friday, 27th Feb 12.00noon – 9.00pm. Winter Set Menu.
Wednesday, 7th Jan 6.00 – 9.00pm. Locals’ night.
Friday, 23rd Jan 12.00noon – 9.00pm National Pie Day.
Sunday, 25th Jan 6.00- 9.00pm Burns’ night.
Friday, 29th Jan 7.30–11.00pm. Monthly Quiz night.
Bookings and more information here or telephone 01453 608010
The Long Table, Brimscombe
Friday, 9th Jan 6.00 – 11.00pm. Apres-ski Disco! Prepare to dance the night away to hits from the 80s and 90s. Don your thermals, goggles and ski outfits! Tickets required.
Friday 16th Jan 6.00 – 10.30pm. Sanctum/Zyggurat+Tullis Rennie. A night of sonic explorations.
Booking and more information here
Further Afield
The Barn Theatre, Cirencester
1st Dec-4th Jan A Christmas Carol.
30th Jan – 7th March. Men Behaving Badly – the Play.
One of the most successful British comedies of all times.
Barn Cinema, Cirencester
Saturday, 10th Jan 4.00pm Jay Kelly with George Clooney.
Saturday, 10th Jan 6.45pm. Pillion.
Sunday, 11th Jan 2.00pm Caravaggio.
Sunday, 11th Jan. 4.15pm. Blue Moon.
Sunday, 11th Jan. 6.30pm. It was just an Accident.
Sunday, 18th Jan. 2.00pm. Zootropolis 2.
Sunday, 18th Jan 4.15pm. I Swear.
Sunday, 18th Jan 6.45pm. Nuremberg.
Saturday, 24th Jan 3.00pm Eternity.
Saturday, 24th Jan 5.30pm. Hamlet
Bookings and more information here or 01285 648255.
Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud
Friday, 9th Jan 6.30pm. Film Night – What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (12) Tickets £8 (£5 children)
Friday 23rd – Saturday 24th & Wednesday 28th – Saturday 31st Jan 7.30pm, Sunday 25th Jan 2.30pm. The Wizard of Oz Tickets £18 (£10 under 16)
L. Frank Baum’s story has been delighting children and adults for generations, but this stage version created for the Royal Shakespeare Company sticks closely to the much-loved 1939 film which starred Judy Garland.
Bookings and more information here or Box Office 0333 666 3366
Dates for your diaries
Sunday, 8th Feb and Sunday, 15th Feb. 1.00pm – 5.00pm. Snowdrops at Hyde (Horsfall House event)
Thursday, 12th Feb. 7.00-10.00pm. Living Well to Die Well – a debate and discussion. Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. Free event.
Saturday, 14th Feb 7.30 – 10pm. Swing from Paris. An evening of Parisian flavoured music. Minchinhampton Market House.
Saturday, 21st Feb. 12.30 – 3.00pm. Ale Amble with Longfield Hospice.
Friday, 27th Feb 7.00- 10.00pm. “Pastures New” with Clare Balding and Longfield Hospice.
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.
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.
Friday, 2nd Jan 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Saturday, 3rd Jan 10.00am -12.00noon Coffee Morning Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 889004
Saturday, 3rd Jan 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
Sunday, 4th Jan 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.
Monday, 5th Jan 8.00-10.00pm Pints and Perspectives Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. A friendly discussion exploring life’s big questions – this month ‘What kind of community do you dream of living in?’. All welcome.
Tuesday, 6th Jan 2.30-4.30pm Afternoon Fellowship Group – New Year Tea Party Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton All welcome. More information from Sue Fairley on 01453 873139.
Wednesday, 7th Jan 2.30-4.30pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: A Visit from the WI Archivist Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road, Minchinhampton For more information, contact Sandy (President) emery31@btinternet.com, Christina ( Secretary) gooch764@btinternet.com or Joy (Minch Life liaison rep) joyburr005@gmail.com
Thursday, 8th Jan 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: The Lock Keeper, the Night Walker and the Distributionalist – Ivor Gurney and Will Harvey’s Gloucestershire friendship 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, 8th Jan 3.00-5.00pm (Note different time!) Amberley Gardening Club: Energy from Waste Amberley Parish Rooms, Guests welcome. For more information about Amberley Gardening Club please contact christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Saturday, 10th Jan 4.30-5.30pm Teatime Concert: CBSO Baroque Ensemble Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Music from Naples, including works by Pergolesi, Scarlatti, Mancini and others. Tea and cakes served in the porch room from 4.00pm. Admission free with retiring collection.
Sunday, 11th Jan – 7.45-10.00pm Arkie’s Quiz Night Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. £4.00 per team of four.
Monday, 12th Jan 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, 12th Jan – 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, 12th Jan 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 confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Thursday, 15th Jan 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: The Missing Link Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 15th Jan 12.00-3.30pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: Charlie Chaplin his early life (Speaker Paul Murphy) The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Sandy Emery before attending the lunch. emery31@btinternet.com
Friday, 16th Jan 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, 16th Jan 12.00noon-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.
Monday, 19th Jan 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
Monday, 19th Jan 7.30-9.00pm Minchinhampton Gardening Club: AGM Minchinhampton School Hall, School Road. New members welcome. For more information please contact John Goodwin at johngoodwin99@outlook.com
Tuesday, 20th Jan 2.30-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists: The Eurasian Hobby and its presence in the Cotswolds 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, 20th Jan 7.30-9.30pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. Book for discussion: “Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton For further information please contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707
Tuesday, 20th Jan 7.30-9.30pm Box Gardening Club: Formative Trimming or Hard Pruning Box Village Hall, Box. Visitors welcome £4 per talk. Contact: Email BoxGarden@box-village.com . For more information regarding Membership contact Gill Ogle 01453 839041
Wednesday, 21st Jan – 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. This month’s topic will be “a Booker from the Booker prize winner, or long/short listed”. This can be interpreted however you want.
Thursday, 22nd Jan 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Nicholas Parsons (Speaker Paul Murphy) 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, 23rd Jan 7.00-10.30pm Burns Night Ceilidh Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Live music and ceilidh with The George Buchanan Band. Tickets £15 per adult, children free. Available from the Market Stores or online here.
Friday, 23rd Jan 7.30-9.30pm Minchinhampton Local History Group: Minchinhampton Postcards (Talk by Howard Beard) Market House, Minchinhampton Doors open at 6.45pm. Tickets – £5 non-members and £4 for members of MLHG from Market Stores (cash) or on the door. Membership is available via Minchinhampton Local History Group website here.
Saturday, 24th Jan 7.30-10.00pm National Theatre Live: The Fifth Step Market House, Minchinhampton Doors open 7.00pm. Starring Jack Lowden (‘Slow Horses’) and Martin Freeman (‘The Responder’). Tickets (£12) are available online here, or cash only at the Market Stores.
Saturday, 24th Jan 7.15-10.00pm Wendy’s Cash Bingo Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Book Sales 7:15pm, Eyes Down 7:30pm Members and Guests are welcome (Guests must be signed in)
Sunday, 25th Jan 7.45-10.00pm Arkie’s Quiz Night Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. £4.00 per team of four.
Monday, 26th Jan 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, 29th Jan 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, 30th Jan 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, 30th Jan 7.30-10.30pm Keith’s Karaoke The Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton Karaoke chaos with your host Keith Allen. Come early to grab your seat.
Sunday, 1st Feb 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.
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.
Finally, may we wish you all a Happy and Peaceful New Year.
Anne and Janet
info@minchlife.com