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Newsletter – 1 April 2022

Hello everyone,

We have been very lucky to have had a taste of Spring lately – although as we have been preparing this Newsletter we have seen several flurries of snow!   Covid is still making its presence felt in this area so do continue to take precautions and self-isolate for five days after a positive test, or if you have symptoms.   It is hard to keep positive with all the terrible news from Ukraine but so many organisations locally have arranged events to help support the people of Ukraine and these have been well supported.  Chloe Turner offers advice below on how you can help if you wish to.
 
Homes for Ukraine:  (A message from Cllr Chloe Turner)
Many of us locally will be desperately concerned for those caught up in the war in Ukraine. Those considering sponsoring an individual or family fleeing the conflict can sign up to the government’s scheme at www.gov.uk/homes-for-ukraine.   Incoming Ukrainians will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years, and to access benefits, healthcare & employment. Sponsors are expected to provide rent-free accommodation for at least 6 months.
 
Having registered as a host, you can look for a match via a charity such as www.resetuk.org  or https://www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/, or through your friendship group.  Ukrainians trying to find hosts directly via social media could be at risk from traffickers, so going through an established body hopefully puts some safeguarding in place.
 
The local councils will be involved initially with safeguarding issues such as DBS checks for adult applicants and property safety checks. There is a lot more information on the website  https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/your-community/ukrainian-support/
 
Many Ukrainians will hope to wait out the war in UK cities or towns, with established Ukrainian communities and good access to services, transport and employment opportunities. However, there may well be some who’d rather have temporary sanctuary in a quieter, more rural location such as ours. There is a Facebook group for the Stroud area, providing advice and support to the many local households who are applying to host: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807543106869827/.  Chloe Turner (chloe.turner@gloucestershire.gov.uk) is happy to be a local point of contact – do let her know if you have questions or have successfully matched with a Ukrainian guest or guests, so that we can provide them with a local community.
  Minchinhampton GP and Dental Surgery
Minchinhampton Surgery has finally been granted permission by Stroud District Council to build a replacement medical centre on Vospers field (land north of Cirencester Road).
  Henry’s Henry has a new communal table – it is great.  It’s so nice to have people back inside eating, drinking and chatting away.  The idea behind the new look Henry’s is to create a welcoming community space where people can enjoy a drink, cake, pasty or brunch sitting in the window looking down the high street.  Henry’s have recently extended their opening hours, creating a whole new menu for both breakfast and lunch, and generally giving the place as much energy as possible as we roll into spring 2022.
 
Henry’s is also going mobile soon in the form of a Suzuki Jimny equipped with a coffee machine!  This will be available for local pitches, events, and anything else that takes their fancy.   (It will be there at the Jubilee Celebrations on 5 June.)
 
Minchinhampton Players
Following the success of ‘Home Grown Too!’,  Minchinhampton Players are now hard at work on their next production; rehearsals are on Thursday evenings in the Market House. Called ‘The Marble Staircase’, it’s written by their very own Alan Vaughan and is described as ‘a different sort of play’.  Details will be announced in next month’s Newsletter.  Suffice it to say that the cast of over fifteen members, including four school-aged members, are looking forward to performing on Thursday, 23 June through to Saturday, 25 June in the Market House. Tickets and further details to follow.  Anyone willing to help on the evenings of the performance, please email the team at minchplayers@outlook.com
 
A message from Hilary Kemmett
Over the past two years we have all needed something to make us smile.
So here is “Lockdown Breakout”, a limited edition of humorous verse, making fun of the virus and supporting the Church Organ Fund.    To obtain your copy at £3.50, please contact fleurietoo@btinternet.com or leonora.rozee@gmail.com.
 
Minchinhampton Community Library
It has been lovely to see so many people coming back to the library, and due to popular demand they have now extended the opening hours to include Thursday afternoons.     
Monday 2 – 4.30pm
Tuesday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm
Thursday 2 – 4.30 pm
Friday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm
Saturday 10am – 12 noon 
Please note that the library will be closing for Easter at 4.30pm on Thursday, 14 April and will be reopening on Tuesday, 19 April.  There are plenty of new books available for loan, as well as a good range of second-hand books and jigsaws for sale – donations of which are very welcome.
 
Plus Pilates
New Pilates class starting at Minchinhampton Scout Hut, Dr Brown Road, Monday 25 April 1.30-2.30pm.  Benefit from improved flexibility, core strength and hour to yourself.   Contact  michelle@pluspilates.net for further details.  Limited space so must be booked in advance.
 
Stroudwater Textile Trust
The new season of the opening of Dunkirk Mill Museum and the Weaving Shed at Gigg Mill at Nailsworth opens on the weekend 23, 24 April. The mills will open on the first and third weekends, Bank Holiday Mondays and the last Wednesday in the month until the end of September, except for the Platinum Jubilee Weekend.  Booked tours at the Weaving Shed are at 10 and 11am, and at 2 and 3pm at Dunkirk. Parking only for the disabled at Dunkirk, walk along the Cycle Trail and allow about 20 or 25 minutes. Details for booking and payment at www.stroudtextiletrust.org.uk .
 
  Advance Notice:  
Minch Life are proud to be hosting a Jubilee Fayre on Sunday, 5 June from 1pm to 11pm on the school playing field.  We’ll have live music, a bar and some entertainment for the children, entrance is free, please bring a picnic and relax, enjoy the atmosphere, and celebrate the platinum jubilee!
 
Gemma Pitman:  Living in the Landscape
Exhibition:  Wednesday & Thursday, 4-5 May 9am-3pm, Friday, 6 May 9am-7pm, Saturday & Sunday,  7-8 May 10am-3pm.
Venue: The Setting Gallery, Three Storeys, Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth GL6 0JE
Gemma is a local artist with her inspiration firmly rooted in nature. She uses mixed media to explore her love of colour and the landscape. Woven into her work are themes such as heritage, nature conservation and local culture. ‘Living in the Landscape’ looks at the flora and fauna that make up the unique landscapes of Minchinhampton and Rodborough
Commons.  20% of original artwork sales will be donated to the Stroud Landscape Project that manage these Commons.
 
Coach Trip to RHS Malvern Spring Festival
Friday 06 May 2022
Spring is springing, bulbs are sprouting, lambs are gambolling – and Ian Jarvis is heading to the Three Counties, Malvern, for a celebration of all three.  If you haven’t yet booked your ticket, don’t miss out:  Ian Jarvis needs to place his order with the show by 8 April.
Coach £20 & Entrance £25 – Total £45 per person.  (Coach only for RHS members wishing to secure their own ticket)  Bookings: contact:  ian@abbeyhall.info or 01453 833131
 
And here’s something to look forward to – a 2023 holiday in Hampshire!
Ian Jarvis has sent advanced notice (more detailed information will be available in due course).
Holiday dates: departing Thursday, 20 April; returning Monday, 24 April.
Accommodation: four nights, dinner, bed and full English breakfast, at the 4-star Hampshire Court Hotel: 
Trips included: A tour round the Bombay Sapphire Distillery,  National Motor Museum, Beaulieu (Admission includes entrance to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House & Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey, The Secret Army Exhibition and unlimited rides on the Monorail & Veteran Bus), A steam train ride on the Watercress line Railway from Alresford:
 
Please also put the  Cogfest in your diaries – Sunday, 22 May 2022.  Apart from the usual activities and excitement the Police will be present to mark your bike to prove ownership and prevent theft.
  Events
For further information of these events and details on how to book, please go to our website https://minchlife.com
Also, please remember a list of regular weekly events can be found at the top of the Events’ page – click on a day of the week and you will see what is taking place, where and at what time.  For instance, the weekly Community Coffee Morning (with weekly notices) is held every Monday from 10.00am-12.00 noon at the Cotswold Club, High Street. 
 
Saturday, 2 April, 10.00am-2.30pm.  Minchinhampton Makers Market.  Market House.  Local crafts.  Contact: Frances Gibbs 07929 786416 / frances868686@gmail.com
 
Saturday, 2 April, 10.00am-3.00pm.  Churchyard Clearing Day.  Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.  Come for all or just part of the time – all offers of help most welcome.  Bring own tools.
 
Saturday, 2 April,   4.30-5.30pm.  Teatime Concert, Organ Recital. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.  Music by Bach, Mendelssohn and Boëllmann.  Entry free with retiring collection.

Sunday, 3 April, 2.30-4.30pm  Easter Egg Hunt, Minchinhampton Primary Academy PTA
 
Sunday, 3 April, 7.30-9.00pm.  Concert in Aid of Ukraine.  (Music from Central and Eastern Europe)  Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.  By Students of the University of Cambridge.  Tickets £12 adults, Concessions and under 25s £10.00 online at Eventbrite or at door.
 
From Monday, 4 April until Sunday 24 April, 9.30am-5.00pm.  Experience Easter.  Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.  A series of displays depicting the Easter story.   Visit the church anytime.
 
Monday, 4 April, 10-.30-12.00 noon.  Poems in the Porch Room.  Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.  Welcomes all, but especially people who are living with memory problems.  Contact:  Jo Smith 01453 834714.
 
Wednesday, 6 April, 2.30-4.30 pm.  Minchinhampton Women’s Institute:  Queen of Mercia.  Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road.   New members and visitors welcome.  For more details contact the Secretary on 884606.
 
Thursday, 7 April, 9.30am-2.30pm.  Wild Food Foraging including lunch.  Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh.  £69 per person.  Bookings:  https://www.burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk/wild-food-foraging/

Thursday, 7 April, 10.30-12.00 noon.  Hampton Probus:  A Career of Lucky Breaks.  Cotswold Club, High Street.  Members with guests by Invitation.  For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
 
Friday, 8 April, 12noon – 2.30pm.  Friday Lunch Club.  Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.  There is a sign–up sheet at the back of the church to help with planning, and if you have particular dietary needs. For further information please contact: Linda, or Stephen Jarvis 884545.
                                          
Friday, 8 April, 7.15-10.30pm.  Arkwright’s Cash Bingo.  Cotswold Club, High Street.  All welcome as guests can be signed in.
 
Saturday, 9 April, 7.30-10.00pm.  Stuart Singers Spring Concert with the Wyndham Singers.  St George’s Church, Nailsworth.  This is to mark their 30th Anniversary of performing and rising money for local charities.  Tickets £12 here
 
Saturday, 9 April, 7.30-10.00pm.  Thames Head Singers:  Songs and Sonnets for Spring.  Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Under 16s free. Tickets £12 in advance or £13 on the door.  Buy online at bit.ly/ThamesHeadSpring or call 0333 666 3366
 
Monday, 11 April, 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 deputy clerk to request details.  Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
 
Thursday, 14 April, 10.00am-12.00 noon.  Minchinhampton Probus:  “Aftermath – the peace 1919 – 1939.”  Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. New members welcome. Richardandmarysmith@gmail.com
 
Thursday, 14 April, 12.00 noon.  Minchinhampton Ladies’ Lunch Club:  Medical Herbalism.  The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common.  New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
 
Thursday, 14 April,  7.30-9.00pm.  Amberley Gardening Club:  Plants of the season – Paul Green of Green’s Leaves nursery Newent.  Amberley Parish Rooms.   An all-round talk showcasing what is looking good.  No Power Point, just lots of real plants in pots you can purchase afterwards.    Visitors welcome.  For membership details, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com.
 
Good Friday, 15 April, 10.30-11.30am.  Messy Church.  Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.  Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
 
Good Friday, 15 April, 1.00-1.30pm.  Madhus Rasoi Indian Takeaway.  Box Village Hall.  Menu here.  £25 meal for 2.  Bookings by Wednesday, 13 April.  01453 755934 E: info@madhusrasoi.co.uk

Saturday, 16 April, 10.00am-12noon.  Bunny Trail, Box Village Hall.  £4.00 per child.  Refreshments 11.00am-1.00pm.

Saturday, 16 April, 8.00-11.00pm.  Music & Cocktails at the Club:  Boogie Bop Boys.  Cotswold Club, High Street.  Music from the 50s and 60s.  Tickets £5.00 for members, £10 non-members available from Club or on night (includes free cocktail).
 
Easter Sunday, 17 April, 7.30pm  Arkwright’s Music Quiz.  Followed by Members and Guests Draw at 9.00-9.30pm.  Cotswold Club, High Street. 
 
Monday, 18 April, 7.30-10.00pm.  Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Gardens that are Defensive of Climate Change.  Minchinhampton Primary Academy School.  New members welcome.
 
Tuesday, 19 April,  2.15 for 2.30pm  Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club:  A History of Botanical Illustration from Cave Drawings to the Present.  Visitors welcome.  For further information please contact Jane Rowe, tel. 01452 813228 or email: janeerowe2015@gmail.com
 
Tuesday, 19 April,  7.30-9.30pm.  Gardening with and for wildlife. Box VillageHall.  Visitors entrance fee £4.00
 
Wednesday, 20 April.  7.30-10.00pm.  Around the World in 80 days (Rain or Shine Theatre Company).  Minchinhampton Market House.  Tickets:  £12.00. Adults, £8.00 Children.  From Market Stores or online (with booking fee) http://minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk/around-the-world-in-80-days/
 
Thursday, 21 April.  10.30am-12.00 noon.  Hampton Probus:  The Beehive.  Cotswold Club, High Street.  Members with guests by Invitation.  For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
 
Friday, 22 April.  7.15-10.30pm.  Arkwright’s Cash Bingo.  Cotswold Club, High Street.  All welcome as guests can be signed in.
 
Friday, 22 April.  7.30-10.00pm.  (Doors open 7.00pm)  Minchinhampton Film Night Returns:  West Side Story.  (the new Stephen Spielberg film)   Market House, Minchinhampton.  Tickets (£6.00) available from Market Stores. 
 
Sunday, 24 April.  10.15am-2.00pm.  Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group:  Houndscroft Wood.  Meet at Bell Lane Car Park at 10.15 to car share or at 10.30 at the first car park west of the Hythe on Rodborough Common.  Please contact karencolebourn@gmail.com to be added to the circulation list.
 
Monday, 25 April.  7.00-9.30pm.  Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Meeting.  Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to request details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
 
Wednesday, 27 April.  9.00am-5.45pm.  Coach trip to Wells Cathedral, Bishops’s Palace and Street Market (in lieu of Longleat), with Ian Jarvis.  Coach fare £22.00.  More information contact:  ian@abbeyhall.info or 01453 833131.
 
Thursday, 28 April, 9.30am-2.30pm.  Wild Food Foraging including lunch.  Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh.  £69 per person.  Bookings:  https://www.burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk/wild-food-foraging/
 
Thursday, 28 April.  10.00am-12.00noon.  Minchinhampton Probus:  Ripping Yarns and Wizard Wheezes.  Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. New members welcome. Richardandmarysmith@gmail.com
 
Thursday, 28 April.  9.30-11.00am.  Stroud Businesswomen’s Network Meeting.  Minchinhampton New Golf Club.  Non-members who would like a free introductory meeting please email enquiries@stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk
 
Saturday, 30 April – Sunday, 1 May.  Amberley Cow Hunt.  Amberley.  Come and hunt the cows, eat wonderful cakes and drink tea.
 
As we have said before, we don’t normally publish events outside the parish of Minchinhampton but in view of the difficult climate for the arts and the fact that the Cotswold Playhouse is so popular we print below details of their performances:
Book online at https://www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets or phone 0333 666 3366.
 
Productions at the Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament Street, Stroud
5- 9 April at 7.30 pm. ‘Charlie’ by Philip Douch.  £13.  A disabled boy dies. What happens to families when love is pushed to its limits.
15 April at 7.30 pm. ‘Nhair’ by Connie Hancock.  £10.  Light-hearted one woman show.
 
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
   
 

3 thoughts on “Newsletter – 1 April 2022”

  1. Does the Minchinhampton Youth Club still exist? I was a founder member in 1960, whena small group of us from Marling and Stroud High School would meet every Friday evening in the sitting room of what I believe is now called the Old Rectory, but which was the Rev Trowbridge’s home at the time, to drink coffee, play records and chat. A public meeting was held in the vestry room, Under the chairmanship of rear Adml Sir Richard Bevan (RN retired), a committee was formed and a local businessman, John Scott, volunteered to be unpaid youth leader.We moved into a more permanent situation in the old Baptist Institute in Chapel Lane, which we refurbished and kitted out for various youth activities. Following the publication of the Albemarle report by the government at the time, monies were made available from central and local government to support youth activities, and we were able to secure £10,000 from the Department of Education, and £5000 from the Education Department at Gloucestershire County Council, towards the £20,000 cost of construction of the new youth club In Tobacconist Road.We raised the balance I local fundraising activities and attracting donations locally. We were required to leave the Baptist Institute at about this time, and my mother together with a Mrs Gibb, would run monthly dances in the Market house in order to ensure that the club continued to exist in some form or another. A piece of land had been left in trust to the Parochial Church Council for the specific use of the young people in the town, and this was taken as the basis for the new youth club, architect Arnold Browning a local Minchinhampton architect. I served on the first management committee as Youth representative and treasurer while the new club was being constructed in the early 1960s. When I moved away from Minchinhampton in 1965, my mother Ethel Chandler, already a committee member, took over the treasurership and continued until she moved away in 1988/89. She was a formidable member of the committee who drove through the construction of the adjacent social club, the five-a-side court and various other extensions and improvements to the original building. She left Minchinhampton, the tree was planted in the grounds of the youth club in recognition of her 35+ years of service.My wife and I are planning to visit the area in June this year and I would really like to know what has happened to the club, if it still exists, or if the building is now being put to further use.

    1. Anne Parry

      Dear Tim

      That is really interesting and thank you for commenting and telling us about the Youth Club. It is now being run by the Churches and I think Howard Gilbert the rector would be the best person to answer. I shall forward your email to him. The building is still being used and is now a hub with sporting activities going on.

  2. Does the Minchinhampton Youth Club still exist? I was a founder member in 1960, when a small group of us from Marling and Stroud High School would meet every Friday evening in the sitting room of what I believe is now called the Old Rectory, but which was the Rev Trowbridge’s home at the time, to drink coffee, play records and chat. A public meeting was held in the vestry room, Under the chairmanship of rear Adml Sir Richard Bevan (RN retired), a committee was formed and a local businessman, John Scott, volunteered to be unpaid youth leader.We moved into a more permanent situation in the old Baptist Institute in Chapel Lane, which we refurbished and kitted out for various youth activities. Following the publication of the Albemarle report by the government at the time, monies were made available from central and local government to support youth activities, and we were able to secure £10,000 from the Department of Education, and £5000 from the Education Department at Gloucestershire County Council, towards the £20,000 cost of construction of the new youth club In Tobacconist Road.We raised the balance I local fundraising activities and attracting donations locally. We were required to leave the Baptist Institute at about this time, and my mother together with a Mrs Gibb, would run monthly dances in the Market house in order to ensure that the club continued to exist in some form or another. A piece of land had been left in trust to the Parochial Church Council for the specific use of the young people in the town, and this was taken as the basis for the new youth club, architect Arnold Browning a local Minchinhampton architect. I served on the first management committee as Youth representative and treasurer while the new club was being constructed in the early 1960s. When I moved away from Minchinhampton in 1965, my mother Ethel Chandler, already a committee member, took over the treasurership and continued until she moved away in 1988/89. She was a formidable member of the committee who drove through the construction of the adjacent social club, the five-a-side court and various other extensions and improvements to the original building. She left Minchinhampton, the tree was planted in the grounds of the youth club in recognition of her 35+ years of service.My wife and I are planning to visit the area in June this year and I would really like to know what has happened to the club, if it still exists, or if the building is now being put to further use.

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