Dear all
It is cheering to see the blossom everywhere and to know Spring is nearly here. Although it is not until May we are putting details of the Coronation parties taking place in the area. We will be putting the bunting up in the High Street early in the month and it will stay there until after MinchFayre on 9th September. Plans are going ahead well for the Fayre but if you would like to take part in any way do go to https://MinchLife.com. At the top click on “Events” and you will see Country Fayre 2023. There are four choices “Volunteer”, “Perform”, “Stalls” and “Cater”. As you know all proceeds after expenses go to help local charities.
Sadly Stafford Cottage has now closed it’s doors. It will be much missed and I am sure everyone would join us in wishing Ruth and her team all the very best in the years ahead and thank you for all you have done for Minchinhampton. Horsfall House are taking over the premises and opening a Charity Shop which I am sure will be well supported.Julie’s Hairstyles has also now closed and moved to Nailsworth, as has Minchinhampton Dentist. Salon no. 3 has also closed it’s doors – Michelle is working as a mobile stylist – but it is sad to see commercial premises disappear
Minchinhampton Coronation Party
Minch Life are delighted to bring you the Coronation Party on Sunday, 7th May 2023 to celebrate His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation! We will be closing the High Street for the day and having live music playing from 12 noon until 6pm. Everyone welcome to bring their own picnics, tables and chairs from 10.30 am. There will be a bar in the Undercroft.
Amberley Coronation Party
The King’s Coronation Celebrations at Amberley will include a hog roast and live band. Bring your entire family, children and dogs very welcome.Hopefully there will be beautiful sunshine and this will be an outdoor event. If it rains, it will be moved inside to The Parish Rooms. Bring your own drink, there will be no bar. Veggie option available instead of hog.Adults £10, under 12’s £7 to include a Hog Roast Bap & Band.
Please buy tickets in advance online:https://buytickets.at/rachelmorgan/865223
Box are also holding their own fun that weekend.
Community News
Warm Spaces and Pop-up Pantry
These have now closed but many people were helped by having somewhere warm to go and getting food on a pay as you can basis. Many thanks again for all the donations and to the volunteers who worked there.The library will continue to provide free hot drinks/charging facilities and will also continue with other activities (such as jigsaws and games)
Horsfall House News
Horsfall House are opening a Charity Shop on 12th April he team of wonderful volunteers will welcome good-quality donations from that day. Regular opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 09.30-17.00 and Saturday 09.30-13.30.Registration is now open for Horsfall’s inaugural Charity Golf Day at MGC on 14th July and to reserve your team and/or sponsor a hole contact Adrian Hutchinson 07770467561 or hutchajx@gmail.com. This is a new venture and a great way of supporting fundraising if you are a golfer or promoting your business or society by sponsoring a hole.
The Crown
Having been closed for refurbishment, the Crown will have an official relaunch on 5th April, although there will be a soft opening from 1st April. Tickets have sold out for the opening party but Simon,the new landlord, hopes everyone will visit the pub to meet him, see the new decor and enjoy the Spring menu. He has great plans for activities. The first is a Community dog walk on 22nd April in collaboration with Jess, owner of Pamper and Scamper – see diary below. Lots of other ideas in the planning stage!
Minchinhampton Community Library
During the school holidays the library are holding two free-of-charge craft afternoons for children, aged 3+. Drop in on Tuesday 4th April and Thursday 13th April from 2.00-4.00pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult. On the other days there will also be Easter themed colouring sheets, and a mini-paper Easter Egg hunt (no chocolate involved!)The library is also exploring the idea of starting a new Knit & Knatter club. If you are unable to knit, you may wish to come along anyway with another similar craft – crochet, embroidery, etc. If you are interested, please leave your name and phone number with one of the library volunteers. It is likely that the club would meet in the daytime, during a normal library session – possibly Tuesday or Thursday afternoon. Suggestions for other clubs have been put forward – duplo/lego sessions for children, chess club; again if anyone is interested please speak to a library volunteer.
Minchinhampton Players
The next production will be “Chance Encounters” on 6th – 8th July. Terry Robinson is the new Chairman and is keen for diversification of the Group’s activities and hopes to attract new members across all age groups. Do use Messenger on the FB page or email minchplayers@outlook.com.
“Big Help Out”
As part of the Coronation Weekend, The Big Help Out is a national day of volunteering on Monday, 8 May. As the community library is run entirely by volunteers, they are currently considering how they can become involved and whether to open specially on that day. The Library are wondering whether local charities or organisations in the area, who rely on volunteers, would be interested in using the library space during the week while the library open. (Representatives from the organisations could then explain to visitors about their volunteering needs, and encourage people to ‘Lend a Hand; make a change.’ Please email the Secretary@mclt.org.uk if you wish to become involved.
Forthcoming events for your diary
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.
Sunday, 26th March – Saturday, 15th April 9.30-5.00pm Experience Easter. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Explore displays and tableaux depicting the story of Easter
Saturday, 1st 7.30-10.00pm The Lives and Deaths of the Real James Bond Market House, Minchinhampton. Local author Brian Lett presents where Ian Fleming got his inspiration from for James Bond, M and those special gadgets. Tickets £10.00 from market Stores or online here. https://minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk/the-lives-and-deaths-of-the-real-james-bond/
Monday 3rd – Wednesday, 5th 9.30am-3.30pm Easter Multi Sports Camp. Community Hub, Tobacconist Road. For children aged 6-12 years. £30 per day. Contact: Steve Perkins 07925 930260 email thecatchacademy@gmail.com
Monday, 3rd 10.30-12.00noon 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.
Tuesday, 4th 2.00-4.00pm Craft Session for Children aged 3+ Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Just turn up, free of charge.
Wednesday, 5th 2.30-4.00pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: Garden Birds. Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. Guests and visitors are always welcomed. For more details, contact 884606.
Thursday, 6th 10.30am-12.00noon. Hampton Probus: The Cotswold Way: 100 miles of history. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 6th 11.00am-1.00pm M.A.P.S. Launch Party Easter Extravaganza (Minchinhampton Additional Needs Parents Support). Community Hub, Tobacconist Road , Minchinhampton. Children’s entertainment, arts & crafts, and a sensory area, plus maybe more! Tickets free, but to keep track of numbers tickets need to be booked here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maps-easter-extravaganza-launch-party-tickets
Good Friday, 7th 10.30-11.45am Good Friday Messy Church Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian
Good Friday, 7th 6.30-8.00pm Box Bar. Box Village Hall. An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Good Friday, 7th 7.30-10.30pm Arkwright’s Cash Bingo. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Book sales 7:15pm. Eyes down 7:45pm. All in – £15 for 10 x 6 game books. All welcome as guests can be signed in.
Easter Sunday, 9th 6.15-7.00am Dawn Service on Minchinhampton Common. For further information contact admin@minchchurch.org.uk or telephone 01453 889004
Easter Sunday, 9th 7.30-10.30pm Arkwright’s Easter Quiz. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton
Tuesday 11th – Wednesday 12th 9.30am-3.30pm Easter Multi Sports Camp. Community Hub, Tobacconist Road**. For children aged 6-12 years. £30 per day. Contact: Steve Perkins 07925 930260 email thecatchacademy@gmail.com** Owing to a double booking, the 12th April will most likely be held at Minchinhampton Rugby Club.
Tuesday 11th – Thursday 14th 9.00am-3.00pm Four Day Theatre Workshop (Dazzle). Market House, Minchinhampton. For ages 6-11. Performance for family & friends at 2.30pm on Friday 14th. Sold Out.
Wednesday 12th-Thursday 14th Easter Tennis Camps Minchinhampton Tennis Club. Age 5-14. For further information and booking www.aburrowtennis.co.uk
Thursday, 13th 10.00am-12.00pm Minchinhampton Probus: “Harry Ferguson” the inventor who revolutionised farming. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com
Thursday, 13th 2.00-4.00pm Craft Session for Children aged 3+ Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Just turn up, free of charge.
Thursday, 13th 8.00-11.00pm Songbook Session: James Oliver (the telecaster master). Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road. Tickets £15.00 per head. Tickets available from www.ticketebo.co.uk/jamesoliver
Thursday, 13th 7.30-9.00pm Amberley Gardening Club: Beyond the Garden Gate. Amberley Parish Rooms. For further details about joining Amberley Gardening Club, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Friday, 14th 7.00-10.00pm Games Night. Box Village Hall
Friday, 14th 7.30-10.00pm Minchinhampton Movie Night: Elvis Market House, Minchinhampton. As this is a fairly long film (153 minutes) we will be dispensing with our usual ‘B’ movie format and providing a short intermission approximately half way though the main feature. Tickets £6 from The Market Stores (cash only).
Saturday, 15th 4.30-5.20pm Teatime Concert: The Perfect Family Ensemble. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. A programme of music from the 17th Century featuring Monteverdi Schutz, Charpentier and Purcell.Admission free with retiring collection.
Saturday, 15th 7.30-10.30pm Swing from Paris (UK Jazz Quartet). Market House, Minchinhampton. Tickets £15.00 from the Market Stores (cash only) or online here. https://minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk/swing-from-paris/
Monday, 17th 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 deputy clerk to confirm details. Email: deputyclerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Monday, 17th 7.30-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Archaeological finds in the soil. Minchinhampton School. For more information please contact the Secretary John Fivash tel: 01453 764956 email: johnfivash@btinternet.com
Tuesday, 18th 7.00-9.30pm. Minch Book Club. Table 14, The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. April’s book is “The Binding” by Bridget Collins. Contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707.
Tuesday, 18th 7.30-9.30pm Box Gardening Club: Exedra Nursery and Gardeners World. Visitors welcome (£4 per talk). Contact: Email BoxGarden@box-village.com, or Mark Rogers. 01453 833558, Gill Ogle 01453 839041
Wednesday, 19th 9.30-11.30am M.A.P.S. Meeting (Minchinhampton Additional Needs Parents Support) Baptist Church, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton. Support group for parents/carers/family members of children with any type of additional need/disability/neurodivergence. Anyone who feels as if this group would benefit them is welcome!
Wednesday, 19th 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club. Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Biographies will be the theme for this month’s book discussion.
Thursday, 20th – Monday, 24th A trip to Hampshire with Ian and Kate Jarvis. For more information email bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone 01453 833131.
Thursday, 20th 10.30am-12.00noon. Hampton Probus: Pathology in the Real World. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 20th 12.00noon-3.00pm. Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: The Long Table. The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Friday, 21st 11.00am-1.30pm Find Your Best Path Through Menopause (Women’s Wellbeing Masterclass & Lunch). Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. £49.00 per person Bookings https://www.tickettailor.com/events/burleighcourthotel
Friday, 21st 12.00-2.30pm Friday Lunch The Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. All welcome to a two-course lunch. All donations will support a new project working with the Bishop of Masasi. Sign–up sheet at the back of the church to help with planning, and if you have particular dietary needs. For further information contact: Linda or Stephen Jarvis 884545.
Friday, 21st 6.30-8.00pm Box Bar. Box Village Hall. An enjoyable social hub for the village.
Saturday 22nd. 11am – 1.30pm. Community dog walk organised by The Crown Inn in collaboration with Jess who owns Pamper and Scamper starting at the pub with complimentary tea and coffees then a walk led by Jess finishing off back at the pub. With all walkers getting exclusive vouchers for a yet to be confirmed discounted light lunch offering (soup and sandwich potentially ) we will also use the walk to raise money for Save our Spaniels a charity close to Jess’ heart. If interested please email crowninnminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk.
Monday, 24th 7.00-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Meeting. Baptist Church Office Room, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Wednesday, 26th Theatre Trip: Mozart’s Magic Flute performed by Welsh National Opera. Contact cajbs@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 07789 480210 for more information about future trips.
Thursday, 27th 9.30-11.00am. Stroud Businesswomen’s Network Meeting. Minchinhampton New Golf Course, off Hampton Hill. Non-members who would like a free introductory meeting please email enquiries@stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk
Thursday, 27th 10.00am-12.30pm Minchinhampton Probus: The RAF at 100. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com
Thursday, 27th 6.30-10.00pm Burleigh Court Supper Club. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. 7 course tasting menu. £75 per person. Bookings here. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/
Friday, 28th 4.00-6.00pm. Ping Pong & Games Club. Box Village Hall. All ages welcome. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, 29th 10.00am-12.00noon. Coffee Morning Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 889004
Saturday and Sunday, 29th and 30th 1.00-5.00pm Amberley Cow Hunt
Sunday 30th 10.00am-1.00pm. Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group: Westonbirt. Meet at Bell Lane Car park to carshare. Contact: karencolebourn@gmail.com If the weather is very poor, we will cancel by email by 9.00am.
What’s on at the Cotswold Playhouse in April
Seeds Of Memories
Saturday 15th April – Tickets £10 (£8 Concessions)
Recently it has felt like grief is all around us. Seeds of Memories is a wistful and uplifting show packed to the brim with puppetry and poetry. It offers a gentle exploration of losing a loved one and dealing with grief through the magic of the memories they leave behind. Created by Black Hound Productions for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this piece is supported by the egg, Theatre Royal Bath Young Creatives Scheme. Please note this production is approximately 45 minutes in duration.
Jack Boskett – From Railways to Royalty
Saturday 22nd April – Tickets £13
The Cotswold Players’ in-house photographer Jack Boskett goes behind the scenes and tells the stories alongside his most iconic images. Marking an accolade of 13 years as a professional photographer, his work is widely recognised in national papers and magazines. This varied lifestyle has led him to photograph Railways, Royalty and everything in-between. A very entertaining evening.
More information on both productions from www.Cotswold playhouse.co.uk or 0333 666 3366
A date for your diaries:
Friday 12 May 2023– RHS Malvern Spring Festival with Ian Jarvis.Coach £21, Group Entry Ticket £27- Total £48 per person(Coach-only option for RHS members wishing to secure their own ticket)Tel 833131 or bus@abbeyhall.info.
As always, please do get in touch if you would like us to add anything to our newsletters or if you see any alterations or omissions.
Anne and Janet
info@minchlife.com
