Hello everyone,
The Commons are looking particularly beautiful at the moment and, as you know, the cows come out on 13th May. Please remember to slow down when driving and, dog owners ,please pay special attention to clearing up after them.
MinchLife do not usually promote fundraisers but Vicki from the Crown has asked for support for her friend Shelly who is doing a wing walk on 12th May at Rendcomb Airfield raising money for British Heart Foundation and Alzheimers’ Society. This is to mark her 70th birthday in January. Alll support appreciated. https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/12874/shellys-wing-walk-2026/
The Bereavement Journey Course: A place to talk.
Presented jointly by Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton, and Minchinhampton Baptist Church(MBC) The next Course will run on Thursday evenings from Thursday 4th June – 16th July 2026 7.00 pm to 9.00pm. Working with grief and the loss of a loved one takes a long time. The Bereavement Journey® is a 7-session programme which assists bereaved people, or those who have experienced similar, to process their loss. Each session begins with light refreshments and the opportunity to get to know other participants. Two informative videos are then used interspersed with discussion in small groups facilitated by trained volunteers. Previous participants have commented:“Thanks for the care and thoughtfulness taken throughout each session.”“The Course was an exceptional experience and am very grateful to have been on it.”“Not only was it helpful and informative but nice to make new friends going through grief.”The course will be held in The Porch Room, Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. Registration costs £25 which is a contribution to the cost of the course handbook and refreshments over the seven evenings. (NB: Grants are available where this small charge would be challenging.)Application forms are available at Holy Trinity or the Baptist Church, or may be downloaded from www.minchbc.org.uk or requested by email to courses@minchbc.org.uk Completed application forms can be scanned and emailed back to courses@minchbc.org.uk or suefairley1@outlook.com, or posted to Minchinhampton Baptist Church, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton, Stroud. Glos. GL6 9JH.
Could you help shape the future of Horsfall House?
Horsfall House is looking to welcome a new Trustee to our Board – someone with a strong connection to our local community and an understanding of the positive impact our charity has across the area.We’re particularly keen to hear from individuals who can bring a community perspective, helping us stay in tune with the people we serve and the supporters who make our work possible. While the formal role description outlines the responsibilities of trusteeship, it doesn’t fully capture just how rewarding and inspiring the role can be. As a Trustee, you’ll help develop our strategic plans,safeguard our long-term future and play a meaningful part in ensuring outstanding care for our residents, day centre and home care clients.I f you’re curious but not quite ready to commit, we’d love to have an informal, no-obligation chat to tell you more about what being a Trustee at HorsfallHouse is really like. Deadline for applications: Sunday 31 May 2026. Interviews: planned for the week beginning Monday 15 June 2026. For more information, to download the Role Description, and to apply via our online application form, please visit: www.horsfallhouse.co.uk/become-a-trustee/
150 years of Stroud General Hosptal.
The Stroud Hospitals League of Friends is celebrating 150 years of Stroud General Hospital at its current site by presenting an exhibition about the history of Stroud Hospital and how it has developed over the past 150 years.
The exhibition highlights the importance of the hospital to the local community, which for most of its history was entirely run by GPs.
On display will be an extraordinary model of the hospital made by one of the porters, as well as nurses uniforms, medical equipment, posters, photographs and original drawings.
A slideshow will illustrate how the hospital has been extended and rebuilt over time. The exhibition takes place at the Museum in the Park, Stroud.
Dates are Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May. It is free to enter and open throughout the May half term holidays.(10am to 4.30pm Tuesday-Friday; 11am to 4.30pm weekends and Bank Holiday Monday).
Dr Simon Opher MP has agreed to open the exhibition on Saturday 23rd May with a small ceremony at 11.15am.
Longfield Hospice
A Compassionate Cafe is now open every Tuesday at the Hospice. This is a drop in cafe and open to everyone. There is no need to book, just turn up and stay for as long or as short as you like.
Hope Cafe for anyone suffering from chronic pain/symptoms This month it is Tuesday 19th May at Avening Social Club at 10am. The free course is run by Dr Anne Marie Marlow and physio, Cas Boddam Whetham. All queries on 07900 472999.
Protect our Space – 30 new homes on the Cirencester Road.
If you would like to object to the erection of 30 dwellings please comment before Saturday 9th May. www.protectourspace.org The Parish Council is objecting to this proposal and this website has the many grounds for objection listed.
National Emergency Briefing
A new film to ensure the UK is fully briefed on the climate and nature crisis. The aim of the film is to bring together people across the UK to hear the evidence and discuss how to respond – together with their MP. This film was shown at the Market House on Sunday 26th April , organised by the Greens, and there will be more screenings locally. More information www.nebriefing.org.
Amberley Inn, Culver Hill.
Bookings and more information enquiries@theamberleyinn.co.uk or 01453 872565
Thursday 28th May 7.30pm. Quiz Night. £2 pp.
Amberley Shop and Cafe Holy Trinity Church.
Tuesday 26th May. 10am-10.30am. Story Telling and Colouring
www.amberleyshopandcafe.co.uk.
Burleigh Court Hotel, The Roundabouts, Brimscombe.
Thursday 14th May. Hidden Gems of Europe: Wine Pairing Dinner. Booking and more information https://burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk or telephone 01453 883804.
The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton.
Our local has been nominated for Best Local. Please vote https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/?c=82314.
Wednesday 6th May. 6pm – 9pm. Locals’ night. A special set menu created by our talented head chef. 2 courses for £20.
Saturday 16th May. 11am – 10pm. World Whiskey Day.
Thursday 28th May. 7.30pm – 11pm. Monthly Quiz night. £2 per person with a £50 bar tab for the winning team.
Bookings and more information thecrown-minchinhampton.com or telephone 01453 608010,
Halfway Cafe, Common Road, Box.
Open again after the Easter holidays. 10.30 am – 3pm.
The Long Table and Brimscombe Mill.
The LongTable.:
Friday 1st May. 6pm – 8pm. Cooper and Toller. English folk songs.
Friday 8th May. 6pm – 8pm. Mansfield Smith. Music duo playing covers and originals.
Friday 15th May 6pm – 8pm. Josh Brown Simple vocals and familiar melodies.
Friday 22nd May. 6pm – 8pmm. Steve Ferbrache. Our resident musician.
More details: thelongtableonline.com
Brimscombe Mill.
Friday 1st May. 6pm – 8pm. Steve Ferbrache
Saturday 2nd May. 10am – 4pm. Wear Next Gear Amnesty and Pop up Shop.
Saturday 9th May. 10am – 12. Let’s Create in the Sanctuary. Family fun.
For more information click Brimscombe-mill.org.uk.
Further afield
The Barn Theatre, Cirencester.
28th April – 30th May, 2026 – Tickets £17. Double Double Thriller/mystery from the writer of Jersey Boys. Daniel Brocklebank and Faye Brookes.
Box Office 01285 648 255. Barn theatre.org.uk
Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud.
Friday 1st May. 7.30 pm. Tickets £14. Troubled Waters. An oral storytelling exploring freshwater worlds through river legend, folklore and myth.
Sunday 3rd May. 7.30pm. Tickets £16.50, Class. A play about politics, populism and a text message.
Saturday 9th May. 3pm. Tickets £14 (£12 children) Homes & Watson: The Curious Case of the Masked Magician. A marvellous entertainment by Peter Clifford and The Great Baldini.
Friday 15th May. 7.30pm. Tickets £14. What Ho Wodehouse. A light-hearted romp guaranteed to lift the spirits. Performed and scripted by actor Jonathan Goodwin.
Saturday 16th May. 7.30 pm. Tickets £16. What A Ship Show Satirically daft and set in a raft, it’s political catharsis but also a warning for the future.
Friday 22nd May. 7.30 pm. Tickets £8. Film Night – Cinema Paradiso (15). A classic of world cinema, the ending is considered one of the greatest in film history. Italian with English subtitles.
2nd – 4th May. 11am – 5pm. Jane Lampard Spring Exhibition. Goldwick Farm, Lower Wick, GL11 6DA. www.janelampard.com
3rd and 4th May. Woodchester Mansion. Steampunk May Day Celebration.
Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th May. RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
Sunday 10th May 7pm. Verdi Requiem. Painswick Music Society. Wycliffe College Chapel, Stonehouse. Wycliffe Choral Society and Orchestra. Phone 0333 666 4466. tickets@painswickmusicsoc.co.uk.
Sunday 17th May. Tetbury Hospital Hike, Estcourt Park, Shipton Moyne. Start and finish in the field near the Church, GL8 8PW. Walkers/runners to start between 10 and 11 am. Entry fee includes a bun. £20 per adult; £15 per child, under 5’s free. Well behaved dogs welcome. 2 route options – 5 miles and 7 miles. Rare opportunity to see Estcourt Park. All monies raised will go towards the new roof. Visit tetburyhospital.co.uk and click on Events. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Dates for your diaries
Saturday 6th June. 1pm – 5pm. Amberley Wine Walk. In aid of Longfield Community Hospice. Stop at a selection of gardens for a glass of wine
Sunday 7th June. Horsfall House Charity Walk. 9.30 am – 4pm. Gatcombe Wood, Avening Court, Box. 5 or 10 mile routes. Registration open. www.horsfallhouse.co.uk.
Saturday 13th June. Wotton Concert Series at St Mary’s Church, Wotton under Edge. Tickets available at the beginning of May. The London Mozart Players and violinist Julia Pusker to perform Schumann’s wonderfully haunting Violin Concerto in D. www.wottonconcertseries.co.uk.
Saturday 13th June 10am – 4pm Walk 4 Longfield & Summer Fete. 10 am – 4pm.
Sunday 14th June. 4pm. “Pickwick Papers” outdoor theatre at Manor House, Amberley.
Wednesday 17th June. Coach trip with Ian and Katie Jarvis to the Newt, Somerset
Saturday 20th June. NT Live: “The Playboy of the Western World” at the Market House
Tuesday 16th – Sat 20th June. 7.30pm. As you Like it performed by the Cotswold Players at Cotswold Playhouse. 0333 666 33666.
Sunday 28th June 2pm – 5pm. Minch Life Open Gardens
Events
For further information of these events and details on how to book, please go to our website 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.
Friday 1st May 5pm – 9pm. Woodfired Pizza in the Undercroft Market House, Minch. Bookings in advance would be useful Takeaways still welcome. – please contact: email: hello@midnightpizza.co.uk, tel 07800 742798 www.midnightpizza.co.uk.
Friday 1st May 6.30pm – 9pm. Cotswold Folk Session. Cotswold Club. Friendly folk session – tunes and a few songs. All abilities.
Saturday 2nd May. 10am – 12pm. Minchinhampton Repair Cafe Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Free monthly service organised by Eco Church and Minch Can. Further information canminch@gmail.com.
Saturday 2nd May 10am – 12pm. Coffee morning at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 889004.
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May. 1pm – 5pm. Amberley Cow Hunt. £2 per person. Follow a trail of decorated wooden cows, homemade cakes. Raising money for Amberley School and local charities.
Sunday 3rd May. 8.45am – 10am. Parish Breakfast at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton.All welcome.
Sunday 3rd May. 7.45pm – 10pm Arkie’s Quiz. Cotswold Club. £4 for a team of four.
Monday 4th May. Bank Holiday
Monday 4th May 11am – 4pm. Minchinhampton Local History Group Display in the Undercroft. Coffee, Cakes, book stall. Education re the streets, inns, people including Gladys Beale’s Collection re. BlueBoys School.
Tuesday 5th May. 2.30pm. Afternoon Fellowship Programme “Our Eco Churchyard” Jennie South. Porch Room.
Wednesday 6th May 2.30 pm. W.I. meeting “St. Roses School”. Coronation Scout Hut, Dr. Browns Road. For more information contact Sandy (President) emery31@btinternet.com or Christina (Secretary) gooch764@btinternet.com.
Wednesday 6th May. 6pm. Locals’ night at The Crown. Special set menu. 2 courses £20 and 3 courses £25. 01453 608010. Bookings.crownminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk.
Wednesday 6th May. 7pm. Patients’ Participation Group AGM. Porch Room. All welcome. Kevin Young ( Chair Cirencester and Stroud branch of Parkinson’s UK ) will be the main speaker.
Thursday 7th May. 10.30am – 12. Hampton Probus. Annual General Meeting.For further information: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk.
Thursday 7th May – Saturday 9th May. 7.30pm. Minchinhampton Players present “Give us a Sign”. A play by Tony Domaille, A hilarious comedy. Tickets £12 from The Market Stores. Out of work and bored at home, Ken decides to become a clairvoyant. Find out more at minchplayers.co.uk.
Friday 8th May 10am. Free Digital Support: Personalised 1-2-1. Minchinhampton Community Library. Book your space call 01453 885497, email secretary@mclt.org.uk, or visit the library when open.
Friday 8th May 6.30pm. Box Bar Box Village Hall. An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Saturday 9th May. 10am – 12. Let’s Create. Brimscombe Mill. For all ages. Pop up sessions.
Monday 11th May. 10.30 am – 12. Poems in the Porch Room, Holy Trinity, Welcomes all but especially people with memory problems. Contact Jo Smith on 01453 834714.
Monday 11th May 12.30pm – 2pm. Poetry and Words Minch Folk Club. The meeting is subsidised by the Folk Club so no entry charge but please support the CotswoldClub by using the coffee machine or the bar for drinks.
Monday 11th May 7pm – 9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee meeting. Members of the public wishing to attend should email the clerk. clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/council-meetings.html.
Monday 11th May 8pm – 10pm. Pints and Perspectives “Fully Human: What are we here for”– note new date because of Bank holiday.Cotswold Club, Minch. Share your thoughts and listen to those of others. Enjoy a pint with the priest and pastor of our Churches.
Tuesday 12th May 10.15 am – 12.15. Scrabble Group. Minch Community Library. 01453 885497.
Tuesday 12th May 7pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Finance Committee The Trap House, West End. Email clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk. Agenda on Parish Council website. Https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/council-meetings.html.
Wednesday 13th May. Cows return to the Commons.
Wednesday 13th May. 8.30am – 5pm. Trip to NT Stourhead, Wilts with Ian and Katie Jarvis. Coach £29. Non NT entrance £19,
Wednesday 13th May. 2.30pm – 4pm. Just Sing. Minch Community Library. For those who enjoy singing but do not wish to join a choir. Newcomers welcome. Phone David on 07557 640687,
Thursday 14th May. 10 am – 12. Minchinhampton Probus “Gloucestershire Inventions” Phil Collins. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church. New members and guests welcome. For further info please contact Steve Hoskin on 07511 324088
Thursday 14th May 6.30pm – 9.30pm. Amberley Gardening Club; Evening Visit to Trench Hill, near Painswick. For more info about membership and this event contact christo.p.bailey@outlook.com.
Friday 15th May. 12pm – 2.30pm. Friday Lunch Club. Holy Trinity, Minch. All welcome to a 2 course hot lunch with coffee/tea. Sign up sheet at the back of the Church to help with planning and to record particular dietary needs. Donations accepted. For more info contact Linda or Stephen Jarvis. 884545.
Friday 15th May 6pm – 9pm. Curry Night Cotswold Club. Fantastic curry at a bargain price with club priced drink. All welcome,
Friday 15th May 6.30pm – 9pm. Cotswold Folk Session. Cotswold Club. For all abilities.
Friday 15th May 7.30pm – 10pm. Minchinhampton Film Night. “Hamnet.” Oscar winning film. A powerful story of love and loss. Tickets £7, cash only please. Available Market Stores. Licensed bar.
Saturday 16th May. 3pm – 5pm. La Mattina presents – Chromatic Dissonance Holy Trinity, Minch. Harmonic playfulness of Byrd, Lassus, and Gesualdo, plus contemporary works by Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade and Joanna Marsh. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/la mattina.
Saturday 16th May 7.30pm. NT Live at Market House “All my Sons”. Tickets £12 online at https://minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk/all-my-sons-nt-live/ or cash at the Market Stores.
Sunday 17th May. 7.45pm – 10pm. Arkie’s Quiz. Cotswold Club. £4 for a team of four.
Monday 18th May. 7pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Council Meeting. If you wish to join the meeting mail clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk. Agenda will be on website. Https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov,uk/council-meetings.html.
Monday 18th May. 7.30pm. Minchinhampton Gardening Club: A Dutch Auction at Aalsmeer. Speaker Ian Sadler. Minchinhampton School. An insight into the world’s largest cut flower auction. Members and guests welcome.
Tuesday 19th May. 2.15pm. Cotswold Naturalists’ Field Club – Swifts, Swallows and Martins. Speaker David Cramp. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £5 from visitors is requested.
Tuesday 19th May. 7pm. Minchinhampton Nkokoto Link AGM. Porch Room, Holy Trinity.We will discuss our core educational projects, the rebuild of the Nkokoto Primary School, progress in grant applications and new procedures which the charity is putting in place. nkokoto@yahoo.co.uk.
Tuesday 19th May. 7.30pm. Minch Book Club. The Crown Inn. Book of the month – The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce. Contact Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one.
Tuesday 19th May. 7.30pm. Box Gardening Club: Fungi – an in depth look at the fascinating world of fungi. Speaker Lee Hayward. Visitor £4 per talk. Boxgarden@box-village.com.
Wednesday 20th May. 10.30 am. Social Book Club. Minch Library. A relaxing informal book chat over tea and coffee. This month’s topic will be a book by Tracy Chevalier.
Wednesday 20th May. 7pm. Open Meeting with the Trustees of Box Community Wood to launch the new publication. ‘The 18th Century Gloucestershire Landscape Garden hidden in Box Wood.’ Box Village Hall. Thoss Shearer has researched the history of Box Wood.
Thursday 21st May. 10.30 am. Hampton Probus: Palaces of India. Speaker Ian Crawley. Cotswold Club. webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk.
Thursday 21st May. 12pm – 3.30pm. MLLC – “Glorious Coloured Gemstones” speaker Helen Plumb. The Old Lodge. Contact Sandy Emery emery31@btinternet.com.
Thursday 21st May. 7.45pm. Minchinhampton Folk Club. Guest evening: Chameleon. Cotswold Club. Jan Newton and James Slater are Chameleon. Different genres.
Friday 22nd May. 10am. – 12.30. Free Digital Support: Personalised 1-2-1 Appointments with Digi-champion. Minch library. Ask in the library to book a time slot or telephone 01453 885497.
Friday 22nd May. 5pm – 9pm. Woodfired Pizza in the Undercoft. Orders and collections to be done at Henry’s. Takeaways welcome. hello@midnightpiza.co.uk. 07800 742798.
Friday 22nd May. 6.30pm – 9pm. Box Bar. Box Village Hall. Profits from the bar help to fund the village hall,
Friday 22nd May 6.30pm – 10pm. Bring a Basket Cabaret. Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. Picnic, relax, sing along. Tickets £10 from the Market Stores. Bring your own bottle or wine available to buy.
Friday 22nd May 7.30pm – 10pm. Minchinhampton History Society – The Shop at No. 6 High Street. Robert Smith. Market House. Tickets £5 cash only from Market Stores. Licensed bar.
Friday 22nd May. 7.30pm – 11pm. Keith’s Karaoke. Cotswold Club. Music, laughter and camaraderie. Showcase your talent whether you are a seasoned performer or a first time singer.
Saturday 23rd May. 7.15pm – 10pm. Wendy’s Cash Bingo. Cotswold Club. A fun filled evening.
Sunday 24th May. 3.30pm – 5pm. Pimms and Hymns evening at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. Come along and join in with your Sunday school favourites.
Monday 25th May. Bank Holiday.
Wednesday 27th May. 2.30pm – 4pm. Just Sing. Minchinhampton Library. If you enjoy singing but don’t want to join a choir, come along to this social singing group.
Thursday 28th May. 9.30am – 11am. Stroud Businesswomen’s Networking Meeting. Minchinhampton Golf Club.Hosted by Chair Sue Eskins, Visitors/guests invited for free meeting.
Thursday 28th May. 10am – 12pm. Minchinhampton Probus. “Air Traffic Control – a woman in a man’s world” Lynn Hilditch. New members welcome. Contact Steve Hoskin 07511 324088.
Thursday 28th May 2pm – 4pm. Half Term Craft session for children aged 3+. Minchinhampton Library. Free. Children to be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday 28th May. 9am – 12pm. TD Coaching presents Football Camp for school years 2 – 7. Minch School. £25. Tim Dowds 07806 824550.
Thursday 28th May7.30 – 10pm. Amberley Inn Quiz Night. Amberley Inn. £2per entry.Team of 6.
Thursday 28th May 7.30pm – 11. The Crown Quiz. The Crown, Minch. £2 cash per person. £50 bar tab to winning team. Extra money will be donated to Minch Youth Club.
Thursday 28th May. 7,.30pm – 10.45. Poker Night. Cotswold Club.£30 max chips. Keith Allen hosting,
Friday 29th May 7.30pm – 11pm. Blues Night at the. Club. Cotswold Club. Local talent and renowned musicians.
Saturday 30th May 8pm – 11pm. House Music at the Cotswold Club DJ James will entertain you.
Sunday 31st May 10am – 2.30pm. Walking and Wildlife Group – Strawberry Banks. More information karencolebourn@gmail.com.
As always please do get in touch if you would like us to add anything to our newsletters or if you see mistakes or omissions. If you know of any newcomers to the area, please do tell them about MinchLife and this newsletter.
Anne and Janet
info@minchlife.comHello everyone,
The Commons are looking particularly beautiful at the moment and, as you know, the cows come out on 13th May. Please remember to slow down when driving and, dog owners ,please pay special attention to clearing up after them.
MinchLife do not usually promote fundraisers but Vicki from the Crown has asked for support for her friend Shelly who is doing a wing walk on 12th May at Rendcomb Airfield raising money for British Heart Foundation and Alzheimers’ Society. This is to mark her 70th birthday in January. Alll support appreciated. https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/12874/shellys-wing-walk-2026/
The Bereavement Journey Course: A place to talk.
Presented jointly by Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton, and Minchinhampton Baptist Church(MBC) The next Course will run on Thursday evenings from Thursday 4th June – 16th July 2026 7.00 pm to 9.00pm. Working with grief and the loss of a loved one takes a long time. The Bereavement Journey® is a 7-session programme which assists bereaved people, or those who have experienced similar, to process their loss. Each session begins with light refreshments and the opportunity to get to know other participants. Two informative videos are then used interspersed with discussion in small groups facilitated by trained volunteers. Previous participants have commented:“Thanks for the care and thoughtfulness taken throughout each session.”“The Course was an exceptional experience and am very grateful to have been on it.”“Not only was it helpful and informative but nice to make new friends going through grief.”The course will be held in The Porch Room, Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. Registration costs £25 which is a contribution to the cost of the course handbook and refreshments over the seven evenings. (NB: Grants are available where this small charge would be challenging.)Application forms are available at Holy Trinity or the Baptist Church, or may be downloaded from www.minchbc.org.uk or requested by email to courses@minchbc.org.uk Completed application forms can be scanned and emailed back to courses@minchbc.org.uk or suefairley1@outlook.com, or posted to Minchinhampton Baptist Church, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton, Stroud. Glos. GL6 9JH.
Could you help shape the future of Horsfall House?
Horsfall House is looking to welcome a new Trustee to our Board – someone with a strong connection to our local community and an understanding of the positive impact our charity has across the area.We’re particularly keen to hear from individuals who can bring a community perspective, helping us stay in tune with the people we serve and the supporters who make our work possible. While the formal role description outlines the responsibilities of trusteeship, it doesn’t fully capture just how rewarding and inspiring the role can be. As a Trustee, you’ll help develop our strategic plans,safeguard our long-term future and play a meaningful part in ensuring outstanding care for our residents, day centre and home care clients.I f you’re curious but not quite ready to commit, we’d love to have an informal, no-obligation chat to tell you more about what being a Trustee at HorsfallHouse is really like. Deadline for applications: Sunday 31 May 2026. Interviews: planned for the week beginning Monday 15 June 2026. For more information, to download the Role Description, and to apply via our online application form, please visit: www.horsfallhouse.co.uk/become-a-trustee/
150 years of Stroud General Hosptal.
The Stroud Hospitals League of Friends is celebrating 150 years of Stroud General Hospital at its current site by presenting an exhibition about the history of Stroud Hospital and how it has developed over the past 150 years.
The exhibition highlights the importance of the hospital to the local community, which for most of its history was entirely run by GPs.
On display will be an extraordinary model of the hospital made by one of the porters, as well as nurses uniforms, medical equipment, posters, photographs and original drawings.
A slideshow will illustrate how the hospital has been extended and rebuilt over time. The exhibition takes place at the Museum in the Park, Stroud.
Dates are Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May. It is free to enter and open throughout the May half term holidays.(10am to 4.30pm Tuesday-Friday; 11am to 4.30pm weekends and Bank Holiday Monday).
Dr Simon Opher MP has agreed to open the exhibition on Saturday 23rd May with a small ceremony at 11.15am.
Longfield Hospice
A Compassionate Cafe is now open every Tuesday at the Hospice. This is a drop in cafe and open to everyone. There is no need to book, just turn up and stay for as long or as short as you like.
Hope Cafe for anyone suffering from chronic pain/symptoms This month it is Tuesday 19th May at Avening Social Club at 10am. The free course is run by Dr Anne Marie Marlow and physio, Cas Boddam Whetham. All queries on 07900 472999.
Protect our Space – 30 new homes on the Cirencester Road.
If you would like to object to the erection of 30 dwellings please comment before Saturday 9th May. www.protectourspace.org The Parish Council is objecting to this proposal and this website has the many grounds for objection listed.
National Emergency Briefing
A new film to ensure the UK is fully briefed on the climate and nature crisis. The aim of the film is to bring together people across the UK to hear the evidence and discuss how to respond – together with their MP. This film was shown at the Market House on Sunday 26th April , organised by the Greens, and there will be more screenings locally. More information www.nebriefing.org.
Amberley Inn, Culver Hill.
Bookings and more information enquiries@theamberleyinn.co.uk or 01453 872565
Thursday 28th May 7.30pm. Quiz Night. £2 pp.
Amberley Shop and Cafe Holy Trinity Church.
Tuesday 26th May. 10am-10.30am. Story Telling and Colouring
www.amberleyshopandcafe.co.uk.
Burleigh Court Hotel, The Roundabouts, Brimscombe.
Thursday 14th May. Hidden Gems of Europe: Wine Pairing Dinner. Booking and more information https://burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk or telephone 01453 883804.
The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton.
Our local has been nominated for Best Local. Please vote https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/?c=82314.
Wednesday 6th May. 6pm – 9pm. Locals’ night. A special set menu created by our talented head chef. 2 courses for £20.
Saturday 16th May. 11am – 10pm. World Whiskey Day.
Thursday 28th May. 7.30pm – 11pm. Monthly Quiz night. £2 per person with a £50 bar tab for the winning team.
Bookings and more information thecrown-minchinhampton.com or telephone 01453 608010,
Halfway Cafe, Common Road, Box.
Open again after the Easter holidays. 10.30 am – 3pm.
The Long Table and Brimscombe Mill.
The LongTable.:
Friday 1st May. 6pm – 8pm. Cooper and Toller. English folk songs.
Friday 8th May. 6pm – 8pm. Mansfield Smith. Music duo playing covers and originals.
Friday 15th May 6pm – 8pm. Josh Brown Simple vocals and familiar melodies.
Friday 22nd May. 6pm – 8pmm. Steve Ferbrache. Our resident musician.
More details: thelongtableonline.com
Brimscombe Mill.
Friday 1st May. 6pm – 8pm. Steve Ferbrache
Saturday 2nd May. 10am – 4pm. Wear Next Gear Amnesty and Pop up Shop.
Saturday 9th May. 10am – 12. Let’s Create in the Sanctuary. Family fun.
For more information click Brimscombe-mill.org.uk.
Further afield
The Barn Theatre, Cirencester.
28th April – 30th May, 2026 – Tickets £17. Double Double Thriller/mystery from the writer of Jersey Boys. Daniel Brocklebank and Faye Brookes.
Box Office 01285 648 255. Barn theatre.org.uk
Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud.
Friday 1st May. 7.30 pm. Tickets £14. Troubled Waters. An oral storytelling exploring freshwater worlds through river legend, folklore and myth.
Sunday 3rd May. 7.30pm. Tickets £16.50, Class. A play about politics, populism and a text message.
Saturday 9th May. 3pm. Tickets £14 (£12 children) Homes & Watson: The Curious Case of the Masked Magician. A marvellous entertainment by Peter Clifford and The Great Baldini.
Friday 15th May. 7.30pm. Tickets £14. What Ho Wodehouse. A light-hearted romp guaranteed to lift the spirits. Performed and scripted by actor Jonathan Goodwin.
Saturday 16th May. 7.30 pm. Tickets £16. What A Ship Show Satirically daft and set in a raft, it’s political catharsis but also a warning for the future.
Friday 22nd May. 7.30 pm. Tickets £8. Film Night – Cinema Paradiso (15). A classic of world cinema, the ending is considered one of the greatest in film history. Italian with English subtitles.
2nd – 4th May. 11am – 5pm. Jane Lampard Spring Exhibition. Goldwick Farm, Lower Wick, GL11 6DA. www.janelampard.com
3rd and 4th May. Woodchester Mansion. Steampunk May Day Celebration.
Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th May. RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
Sunday 10th May 7pm. Verdi Requiem. Painswick Music Society. Wycliffe College Chapel, Stonehouse. Wycliffe Choral Society and Orchestra. Phone 0333 666 4466. tickets@painswickmusicsoc.co.uk.
Sunday 17th May. Tetbury Hospital Hike, Estcourt Park, Shipton Moyne. Start and finish in the field near the Church, GL8 8PW. Walkers/runners to start between 10 and 11 am. Entry fee includes a bun. £20 per adult; £15 per child, under 5’s free. Well behaved dogs welcome. 2 route options – 5 miles and 7 miles. Rare opportunity to see Estcourt Park. All monies raised will go towards the new roof. Visit tetburyhospital.co.uk and click on Events. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Dates for your diaries
Saturday 6th June. 1pm – 5pm. Amberley Wine Walk. In aid of Longfield Community Hospice. Stop at a selection of gardens for a glass of wine
Sunday 7th June. Horsfall House Charity Walk. 9.30 am – 4pm. Gatcombe Wood, Avening Court, Box. 5 or 10 mile routes. Registration open. www.horsfallhouse.co.uk.
Saturday 13th June. Wotton Concert Series at St Mary’s Church, Wotton under Edge. Tickets available at the beginning of May. The London Mozart Players and violinist Julia Pusker to perform Schumann’s wonderfully haunting Violin Concerto in D. www.wottonconcertseries.co.uk.
Saturday 13th June 10am – 4pm Walk 4 Longfield & Summer Fete. 10 am – 4pm.
Sunday 14th June. 4pm. “Pickwick Papers” outdoor theatre at Manor House, Amberley.
Wednesday 17th June. Coach trip with Ian and Katie Jarvis to the Newt, Somerset
Saturday 20th June. NT Live: “The Playboy of the Western World” at the Market House
Tuesday 16th – Sat 20th June. 7.30pm. As you Like it performed by the Cotswold Players at Cotswold Playhouse. 0333 666 33666.
Sunday 28th June 2pm – 5pm. Minch Life Open Gardens
Events
For further information of these events and details on how to book, please go to our website 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.
Friday 1st May 5pm – 9pm. Woodfired Pizza in the Undercroft Market House, Minch. Bookings in advance would be useful Takeaways still welcome. – please contact: email: hello@midnightpizza.co.uk, tel 07800 742798 www.midnightpizza.co.uk.
Friday 1st May 6.30pm – 9pm. Cotswold Folk Session. Cotswold Club. Friendly folk session – tunes and a few songs. All abilities.
Saturday 2nd May. 10am – 12pm. Minchinhampton Repair Cafe Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Free monthly service organised by Eco Church and Minch Can. Further information canminch@gmail.com.
Saturday 2nd May 10am – 12pm. Coffee morning at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 889004.
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May. 1pm – 5pm. Amberley Cow Hunt. £2 per person. Follow a trail of decorated wooden cows, homemade cakes. Raising money for Amberley School and local charities.
Sunday 3rd May. 8.45am – 10am. Parish Breakfast at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton.All welcome.
Sunday 3rd May. 7.45pm – 10pm Arkie’s Quiz. Cotswold Club. £4 for a team of four.
Monday 4th May. Bank Holiday
Monday 4th May 11am – 4pm. Minchinhampton Local History Group Display in the Undercroft. Coffee, Cakes, book stall. Education re the streets, inns, people including Gladys Beale’s Collection re. BlueBoys School.
Tuesday 5th May. 2.30pm. Afternoon Fellowship Programme “Our Eco Churchyard” Jennie South. Porch Room.
Wednesday 6th May 2.30 pm. W.I. meeting “St. Roses School”. Coronation Scout Hut, Dr. Browns Road. For more information contact Sandy (President) emery31@btinternet.com or Christina (Secretary) gooch764@btinternet.com.
Wednesday 6th May. 6pm. Locals’ night at The Crown. Special set menu. 2 courses £20 and 3 courses £25. 01453 608010. Bookings.crownminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk.
Wednesday 6th May. 7pm. Patients’ Participation Group AGM. Porch Room. All welcome. Kevin Young ( Chair Cirencester and Stroud branch of Parkinson’s UK ) will be the main speaker.
Thursday 7th May. 10.30am – 12. Hampton Probus. Annual General Meeting.For further information: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk.
Thursday 7th May – Saturday 9th May. 7.30pm. Minchinhampton Players present “Give us a Sign”. A play by Tony Domaille, A hilarious comedy. Tickets £12 from The Market Stores. Out of work and bored at home, Ken decides to become a clairvoyant. Find out more at minchplayers.co.uk.
Friday 8th May 10am. Free Digital Support: Personalised 1-2-1. Minchinhampton Community Library. Book your space call 01453 885497, email secretary@mclt.org.uk, or visit the library when open.
Friday 8th May 6.30pm. Box Bar Box Village Hall. An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Saturday 9th May. 10am – 12. Let’s Create. Brimscombe Mill. For all ages. Pop up sessions.
Monday 11th May. 10.30 am – 12. Poems in the Porch Room, Holy Trinity, Welcomes all but especially people with memory problems. Contact Jo Smith on 01453 834714.
Monday 11th May 12.30pm – 2pm. Poetry and Words Minch Folk Club. The meeting is subsidised by the Folk Club so no entry charge but please support the CotswoldClub by using the coffee machine or the bar for drinks.
Monday 11th May 7pm – 9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee meeting. Members of the public wishing to attend should email the clerk. clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/council-meetings.html.
Monday 11th May 8pm – 10pm. Pints and Perspectives “Fully Human: What are we here for”– note new date because of Bank holiday.Cotswold Club, Minch. Share your thoughts and listen to those of others. Enjoy a pint with the priest and pastor of our Churches.
Tuesday 12th May 10.15 am – 12.15. Scrabble Group. Minch Community Library. 01453 885497.
Tuesday 12th May 7pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Finance Committee The Trap House, West End. Email clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk. Agenda on Parish Council website. Https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk/council-meetings.html.
Wednesday 13th May. Cows return to the Commons.
Wednesday 13th May. 8.30am – 5pm. Trip to NT Stourhead, Wilts with Ian and Katie Jarvis. Coach £29. Non NT entrance £19,
Wednesday 13th May. 2.30pm – 4pm. Just Sing. Minch Community Library. For those who enjoy singing but do not wish to join a choir. Newcomers welcome. Phone David on 07557 640687,
Thursday 14th May. 10 am – 12. Minchinhampton Probus “Gloucestershire Inventions” Phil Collins. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church. New members and guests welcome. For further info please contact Steve Hoskin on 07511 324088
Thursday 14th May 6.30pm – 9.30pm. Amberley Gardening Club; Evening Visit to Trench Hill, near Painswick. For more info about membership and this event contact christo.p.bailey@outlook.com.
Friday 15th May. 12pm – 2.30pm. Friday Lunch Club. Holy Trinity, Minch. All welcome to a 2 course hot lunch with coffee/tea. Sign up sheet at the back of the Church to help with planning and to record particular dietary needs. Donations accepted. For more info contact Linda or Stephen Jarvis. 884545.
Friday 15th May 6pm – 9pm. Curry Night Cotswold Club. Fantastic curry at a bargain price with club priced drink. All welcome,
Friday 15th May 6.30pm – 9pm. Cotswold Folk Session. Cotswold Club. For all abilities.
Friday 15th May 7.30pm – 10pm. Minchinhampton Film Night. “Hamnet.” Oscar winning film. A powerful story of love and loss. Tickets £7, cash only please. Available Market Stores. Licensed bar.
Saturday 16th May. 3pm – 5pm. La Mattina presents – Chromatic Dissonance Holy Trinity, Minch. Harmonic playfulness of Byrd, Lassus, and Gesualdo, plus contemporary works by Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade and Joanna Marsh. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/la mattina.
Saturday 16th May 7.30pm. NT Live at Market House “All my Sons”. Tickets £12 online at https://minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk/all-my-sons-nt-live/ or cash at the Market Stores.
Sunday 17th May. 7.45pm – 10pm. Arkie’s Quiz. Cotswold Club. £4 for a team of four.
Monday 18th May. 7pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Council Meeting. If you wish to join the meeting mail clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk. Agenda will be on website. Https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov,uk/council-meetings.html.
Monday 18th May. 7.30pm. Minchinhampton Gardening Club: A Dutch Auction at Aalsmeer. Speaker Ian Sadler. Minchinhampton School. An insight into the world’s largest cut flower auction. Members and guests welcome.
Tuesday 19th May. 2.15pm. Cotswold Naturalists’ Field Club – Swifts, Swallows and Martins. Speaker David Cramp. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £5 from visitors is requested.
Tuesday 19th May. 7pm. Minchinhampton Nkokoto Link AGM. Porch Room, Holy Trinity.We will discuss our core educational projects, the rebuild of the Nkokoto Primary School, progress in grant applications and new procedures which the charity is putting in place. nkokoto@yahoo.co.uk.
Tuesday 19th May. 7.30pm. Minch Book Club. The Crown Inn. Book of the month – The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce. Contact Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one.
Tuesday 19th May. 7.30pm. Box Gardening Club: Fungi – an in depth look at the fascinating world of fungi. Speaker Lee Hayward. Visitor £4 per talk. Boxgarden@box-village.com.
Wednesday 20th May. 10.30 am. Social Book Club. Minch Library. A relaxing informal book chat over tea and coffee. This month’s topic will be a book by Tracy Chevalier.
Wednesday 20th May. 7pm. Open Meeting with the Trustees of Box Community Wood to launch the new publication. ‘The 18th Century Gloucestershire Landscape Garden hidden in Box Wood.’ Box Village Hall. Thoss Shearer has researched the history of Box Wood.
Thursday 21st May. 10.30 am. Hampton Probus: Palaces of India. Speaker Ian Crawley. Cotswold Club. webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk.
Thursday 21st May. 12pm – 3.30pm. MLLC – “Glorious Coloured Gemstones” speaker Helen Plumb. The Old Lodge. Contact Sandy Emery emery31@btinternet.com.
Thursday 21st May. 7.45pm. Minchinhampton Folk Club. Guest evening: Chameleon. Cotswold Club. Jan Newton and James Slater are Chameleon. Different genres.
Friday 22nd May. 10am. – 12.30. Free Digital Support: Personalised 1-2-1 Appointments with Digi-champion. Minch library. Ask in the library to book a time slot or telephone 01453 885497.
Friday 22nd May. 5pm – 9pm. Woodfired Pizza in the Undercoft. Orders and collections to be done at Henry’s. Takeaways welcome. hello@midnightpiza.co.uk. 07800 742798.
Friday 22nd May. 6.30pm – 9pm. Box Bar. Box Village Hall. Profits from the bar help to fund the village hall,
Friday 22nd May 6.30pm – 10pm. Bring a Basket Cabaret. Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. Picnic, relax, sing along. Tickets £10 from the Market Stores. Bring your own bottle or wine available to buy.
Friday 22nd May 7.30pm – 10pm. Minchinhampton History Society – The Shop at No. 6 High Street. Robert Smith. Market House. Tickets £5 cash only from Market Stores. Licensed bar.
Friday 22nd May. 7.30pm – 11pm. Keith’s Karaoke. Cotswold Club. Music, laughter and camaraderie. Showcase your talent whether you are a seasoned performer or a first time singer.
Saturday 23rd May. 7.15pm – 10pm. Wendy’s Cash Bingo. Cotswold Club. A fun filled evening.
Sunday 24th May. 3.30pm – 5pm. Pimms and Hymns evening at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. Come along and join in with your Sunday school favourites.
Monday 25th May. Bank Holiday.
Wednesday 27th May. 2.30pm – 4pm. Just Sing. Minchinhampton Library. If you enjoy singing but don’t want to join a choir, come along to this social singing group.
Thursday 28th May. 9.30am – 11am. Stroud Businesswomen’s Networking Meeting. Minchinhampton Golf Club.Hosted by Chair Sue Eskins, Visitors/guests invited for free meeting.
Thursday 28th May. 10am – 12pm. Minchinhampton Probus. “Air Traffic Control – a woman in a man’s world” Lynn Hilditch. New members welcome. Contact Steve Hoskin 07511 324088.
Thursday 28th May 2pm – 4pm. Half Term Craft session for children aged 3+. Minchinhampton Library. Free. Children to be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday 28th May. 9am – 12pm. TD Coaching presents Football Camp for school years 2 – 7. Minch School. £25. Tim Dowds 07806 824550.
Thursday 28th May7.30 – 10pm. Amberley Inn Quiz Night. Amberley Inn. £2per entry.Team of 6.
Thursday 28th May 7.30pm – 11. The Crown Quiz. The Crown, Minch. £2 cash per person. £50 bar tab to winning team. Extra money will be donated to Minch Youth Club.
Thursday 28th May. 7,.30pm – 10.45. Poker Night. Cotswold Club.£30 max chips. Keith Allen hosting,
Friday 29th May 7.30pm – 11pm. Blues Night at the. Club. Cotswold Club. Local talent and renowned musicians.
Saturday 30th May 8pm – 11pm. House Music at the Cotswold Club DJ James will entertain you.
Sunday 31st May 10am – 2.30pm. Walking and Wildlife Group – Strawberry Banks. More information karencolebourn@gmail.com.
As always please do get in touch if you would like us to add anything to our newsletters or if you see mistakes or omissions. If you know of any newcomers to the area, please do tell them about MinchLife and this newsletter.
Anne and Janet
info@minchlife.com