Hello everyone,
Minch Fayre seems a distant memory but MinchLife have now been able to finalise the accounts and, despite the heat which kept some of the crowds away, and caused the postponement of the Fun Dog Show and other activities, we managed to make a profit. We have reserved some working capital for the next Fayre in 2025 but have distributed the surplus to local charities – the Market House, Horsfall House, Longfields, Minch Guides, Minch Scouts, GARAS (a refugee charity), Sunflowers and Nkokoto Link.
We recently had a meeting with the Parish Council and are hoping to organise a get-together with them for all the Minchinhampton organisations, clubs and societies in order to attract greater involvement from within the community. The next Fayre is 13th September 2025 so do please email info@minchlife.com with any ideas, opinions or suggestions.
As we write this the large Christmas tree is alight in the Churchyard – supplied by MinchLife. We are very pleased to say Holy Trinity have donated £50 towards the cost of that this year and we are very grateful to them. The Clements also allow us to plug in to their electricity. The lights will be on a timer so they go off at 11.30pm in order to keep costs down and also because of light pollution and the dark skies initiative to which the Church has signed up.
Dave and Pip Robb have yet again donated the small Christmas trees for the High Street and MinchLife so appreciate their generosity. Please do make sure you visit them at the Scout Hut and get your trees from them as a way of saying thank you. Richard Leech, Josh Ford Loveday, Nigel Parry and others have again been up ladders doing the hard work of trimming the trees and putting on the lights. The High Street residents kindly allow us to plug into their supplies. Hopefully all this will be done by the beginning of December.
“Oliver” produced by the Minchinhampton Players has completely sold out! It runs from 30th November – 2nd December and involves a large cast including two Olivers and two Artful Dodgers. Four performances must be exhausting for one and all but booking early seems to be the message!
There are a great many Christmas Fayres held at this time of year. The one in Holy Trinity on 25th November was a great success and the Community Choir sang to add to the atmosphere. Do try to visit Horsfall Christmas Market on Saturday, 2nd December from 10am – 2pm. Horsfall particularly needs our support as Social Services’ funding does not cover the true cost of the residents’ care as many of you know – the shortfall has to be covered by fundraising and events such as the Christmas Market. There is also a Christmas Market at George Pearce House from 11am – 2pm on the same day at the Glebe in Minchinhampton. Longfield Festive Fair is on Friday, 1st December from 6pm – 9pm.
Do take your children along to the History Group’s Christmas Party on 20th December – adults are allowed too! There will be a battle between the Mighty Minch and the Grinch! This will be followed by an Old Minch Christmas – a social including a look at Christmas past in Minch. More details below.
Register your Christmas tree for collection by Longfield Hospice
Please donate in order to have your tree collected and recycled to support Charities in your Community. Click here for further information and to register. Longfield need the support of local businesses and volunteers to donate vans and drivers for the collection period – 13th – 16th January. If you would like to help contact events@longfield.org.uk or telephone 01483 886868.
News from the Market House
November’s concert with Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne was a great success with Andy Popplestone, a regular at Minchinhampton Folk Club, providing the support.
In the lead up to Christmas on Saturday, 16th December is a one-man production of “A Christmas Carol”. This is by David Mynne who last time he was here performed his take on The Canterbury Tales. Be prepared for another hilarious evening!
Looking a little further ahead into 2024 we have booked both theatre and musical events. Of particular note for the children is a puppet theatre production of “The Snow Queen” on Sunday, 28th January.
News from Horsfall House
Ford Love Day Estate Agency, covering Stroud and the surrounding valleys, has chosen Minchinhampton based Nursing Home and Care Centre, Horsfall House, as its charity of the year because of the ‘service Horsfall House provides’. Staff at the Minchinhampton based estate agent are gearing up to organise fundraising activities in a bid to raise awareness of the service Horsfall House provides, both on site in its Minchinhampton home, but also to the local area through its Home Care and Meals on Wheels’ services. Josh Ford-Loveday, Director at Ford Loveday Estate Agency said, “we have supported the work of Horsfall House for a good number of years, and now seems only fitting to ‘formalise’ our relationship and name Horsfall House as our charity of the year.”
News from Minchinhampton Community Library
For those of you who remember the AONB Cotswold Lion which published local warden accompanied walks, the library is now holding a printed list of nearby walks. There is one in Painswick on Wednesday, 13th December, another at Charlton Kings on Wednesday, 27th December and one on Wednesday, 3rd January around Minchinhampton Common. Call into the library for further details. The library also stocks the local publication “Good on Paper” which is a free independent monthly guide to arts and culture in our area. Don’t forget local clubs and organisations are welcome to display their posters and handouts for upcoming events.
By popular demand, Knit & Natter is now being held every Tuesday, from 2.15-4.00pm. Just turn up with your knitting, crochet, embroidery etc. We are hoping to hold a Friendship Club in the near future (possibly on a Thursday or Friday morning), pop into the library to express an interest. We are also holding school-holiday Lego sessions on Saturday, 30th December and Friday, 5th January from 10.30-12.00noon.
A note from Sophie Patel – owner of House of Zhuzh – a new business in Minchinhampton
House of Zhuzh is a beauty salon located in Tetbury Street. We offer beauty treatments that will aid your relaxation and enhance your natural beauty. We pride ourselves by welcoming all members of the public, including those local and those from surrounding areas and our aim is to ensure everybody is left feeling well looked after and cared for! It is also worth noting that we are stockists of the fabulous Aveda range of skincare and hair care, and currently have some beautiful Christmas gift sets and products for those that are stuck on what to get for that special someone this year. Pop by our salon to book yourself in and have a browse, our doors are always open! Alternatively, contact us at sophie@houseofzhuzh.co.uk
A note from Cucina Di Amalfi – formerly the Kitchen
Since opening at the beginning of October, we have continued to serve a wide variety of tasty breakfasts, cakes and light lunches. We have introduced some delicious “Italian Specials” alongside our fully licensed bar. Pre-ordered pizzas are now available to take away from Monday to Saturday. We offer a warm and friendly atmosphere in which to relax over a coffee, or to enjoy an Italian alternative over a glass of good wine. Bookings for our Christmas menus are now available. Traditional English Christmas Dinner or an Italian option of Risotto. £15 – £20 a head. We would like to thank all of our customers for the warm welcome we have received and to wish them all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Minch Community Choir will be singing at the Crown Inn on Friday, 1st December and at noon under the Market House on Christmas Eve.
The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton
Thursday, 7 December 11.00am-11.00pm – National Christmas Jumper Day
Thursday, 28 December 7.30-10.30pm – Festive Quiz
Note that the pub will be closed from 3.00pm on Friday, 15th December for a private party, but open on Christmas Day from 12.00noon until 4.00pm.
Live Music at the Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road
Friday, 8th December – Tom Hall
Saturday, 16th December – Bob Porter Project
Saturday, 23rd December – Cygnet Duo
Friday, 29th December – Winter Blues Hog Fest with Rich Dickinson’s Driving Force.
Sunday, 31st December – Os Grilos New Years Eve
The Long Table, Brimscombe Mill, GL5 2QN
Working to change the world through food. Always Pay-as-you- can. Lunch: Tuesday – Saturday 12 – 2pm. Dinner: Thursday – Saturday 5 – 7pm. Coffee and cake: Tuesday – Saturday from 10am.
Festive Shindig – Saturday, 2nd December 6pm – 8.30pm. Advent Fayre and live music from The Many Coated.
Winter Party – Saturday, 9th December. 6pm – 9pm. DJ Will Mendoza.
Burleigh House Hotel, Burleigh
Festive Afternoon Tea 1-30 December – Burleigh Court is offering Festive Afternoon Tea Seasonal cakes, minced pies and delicious savoury bites on a three-tiered platter. Bookings here.
Advent Jazz Lunch Sunday, 3 December – Jazz Trio Three Bob will be playing all-time Christmas favourites. Come y’all – 12:30 to 3:30. Bookings here.
Fundraising Dinner for the Long Table with Live Jazz – Tuesday, 12 December. For more information & bookings click here.
Supper Club Thursday, 28 December – End the year on a culinary high note with Chef’s choice dishes in an intimate setting. More information here.
Forthcoming Events for your Diary
Promises Auction – Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Saturday, 27th January 2024
Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton is busy organising a fun and fabulous Auction of Promises which will be held in the church on Saturday 27th January. With an option to dine before the auction at 6pm or arrive at 7pm when the auction gets underway, the choice is yours. You can bid and get your hands on a range of fantastic lots, kindly donated to us as promises to be auctioned. Just a few of the amazing promises:
• Woodchester Valley wine tour
• Dining out vouchers
• Champagne tea at Calcott Manor
• Church bells ringing just for you
• A large holiday house in Scotland
• Beauty Treatments
And much more….!
Supper tickets are £10 from the Market Stores. 6pm start, Auction 7pm. For more information please contact mirandajutsum@gmail.com
Dates from Ian Jarvis
Oxford Mini factory – Wednesday, 24th January 2024. Two groups of 15 (30 people in total) for tours – please inform asap if you wish to go.
Ian’s interesting fact gleaned from his last visit: – Around 90 employees with 1,200 robots make the cars. There are three shifts a day running for 22h a day, 5 days a week. If you stand at the end of the line, a new mini drives off every 68 seconds! It’s a sight to behold.
Lunch at the Fox Inn at Great Barrington with time in Burford. Tuesday, 13th February, 2024.
Chester holiday. Sunday, 23rd – Thursday, 27th June, 2024. Five days and four nights at the 4star The Queen at Chester hotel, dinner, bed and full English breakfast from £620pp. The cost of entry to the attractions is included.
More information on all trips, please contact bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 833131, 07403 899599 or 07802 357478
Further Afield
A solo exhibition of sculptural ceramics by Grant Sonnex
Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd December 1000 – 1600. 4 Church St, Nailsworth – opposite St. George’s Church. More information here.
Stroud Goodwill Evening is Friday, 1st December. A wonderful evening of bonhomie, markets, late open shops and family entertainment. From 6pm for the lantern procession. Live music from the Jazz Friday band (seen at Minch Fayre) starting at 7pm.
Events at The Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud in December
Amahl & The Night Visitors
Saturday 9th December at 7.30pm. Tickets £22 (Concessions £20)
Opera Anywhere presents two magical operas, sung in English and perfect for family audiences.
As a curtain-raiser there is also a performance of the comic-opera “The Telephone” as part pf this festive double-bill.
Ghost Stories for Christmas
Saturday 16th December at 7.30pm. Tickets £14
Join resting actor Alfred St John Merrimoon as he regales his audience with unsettling tales of seasonal spooks, winter wraiths and Christmastime horrors.
Bookings: Online here or Box Office 0333 666 3366
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.
Thursday, 30th November – Saturday, 2nd December 7.30-10.00pm (and matinee on Saturday 2.30-5.00pm) Oliver!Presented by Minchinhampton Players. Minchinhampton Market House, Market Square. Tickets £12 (cash) available from the Market Stores, Minchinhampton. SOLD OUT
Friday, 1st December 6.00-9.00pm Longfield Festive Fair Longfield, Burleigh Lane Stalls for early Christmas presents, warm mulled wine and mince pies. Entry is free. Visit Santa in grotto (£4.50) from 6.00-8.00pm.
Friday, 1st December 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall
Saturday, 2nd December 10.00am-12.00noon Coffee Morning, Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 88900
Saturday, 2nd December 10.00am-2.00pm Horsfall House Christmas Market Horsfall House, Windmill Road. Stalls and tables selling Christmas themed goods. Tombola and Raffle. Free entry.
Saturday, 2nd December 10.30am-1.30pm and 3.00-6.00pm Wreath Making Workshops Minchinhampton School Hall, School Road. £23.00 Contact: christmaswreathworkshops@gmal.com or tel Helen on 07791 015447 or Laura on 07970 051380
Saturday, 2nd December 11.00am-12.30pm Pamper & Scamper Christmas Walk & Party Meet at the Crown Inn, High Street, Minchinhampton. One hour walk and Christmas Buffet, Dog Secret Santa & Quiz. Contact 07908 096635
Saturday, 2nd December 11.00am-2.00pm Christmas Market George Pearce House, The Glebe, Minchinhampton. Stalls and much more. Everyone welcome.
Sunday, 3rd December 12.00noon-3.00pm Winter Wind Down: Yoga, Massage and Aromatherapy Box Village Hall. £35 per person, Contact Emily on 07792 747383 (emilyhewitt1315@gmail.com) or Rachel on 07974 685162 (rachel@wildfloweraromatherapy.co.uk) to book your place.
Monday, 4th December 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.
Tuesday, 5th December 6.00-7.30pm CPRE Gloucestershire Christmas Carol Concert Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Carols, Readings & Cadenza Choir. Adults £10, Children 3-16 £5. Tickets available here
Wednesday, 6th December 3.15-5.00pm Messy Church, Christingle Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Christmas crafts, song and worship. Tea, cake and soft drink. Donations to Children’s Society. All children must bring an adult.
Thursday, 7th December 10.30am -12.00noon Hampton Probus: Railways to Royalty Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 8th 6.00pm Box Village Hall Christmas Lights switch on Box Village Hall. Christmas songs, children’s carols and of course the usual seasonal drinks and refreshments. Please do come along and bring as many children as you can find.
Friday, 8th – Saturday, 9th December 7.30-9.30pm Sing Joy!: Stuart Singers Christmas Concert Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Tickets £12 from M & B Stores, or online here. Under 16s free with an accompanying adult on Saturday.
Friday, 8th 7.30-10.00pm Flight of the Swans (Preview) Market House, Minchinhampton. A film by WWT and Annabel Vine. Migration of Bewick Swans from their breeding grounds in Russia to the Severn Estuary. Entry free, but prebooking here essential. SOLD OUT.
Saturday, 9th 9.00am-12.30pm Special Christmas Market Market House, Minchinhampton.
Saturday, 9th 10.00am-6.00pm Christmas Fayre & Market Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road.
Saturday, 9th 7.45-10.00pm Meat Draw and Arkwright’s Quiz Cotswold Club, High Street. Tables of 4, £1.00 per head.
Sunday, 10th 11.30am -1.30pm and 2.00-4.00pm Light up a Life Longfield Hospice, Burleigh Lane. Wellbeing Centre. Call 01453 886868 for further information. Event now FULLY BOOKED.
Monday, 11th 12.30-2.00pm Poetry & Words (Minchinhampton Folk Club), the Cotswold Club, High Street. This meeting will be 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. Cake will be provided!
Monday, 11th 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 clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Tuesday, 12th 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Finance Committee. 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, 14th December 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Arthur Ball “Panama”. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com
Thursday, 14th December 12.00noon-3.00pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: Woman and Climate Change The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. Speaker Jessamy Baxter. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Thursday, 14th December 7.00-9.30pm A Christmas Fantasia: Cappella Singers Concert Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton Including Vaughan Williams atmospheric Fantasia on Christmas Carols and festive music by Byrd, Guerrero, Pearsall and Walton. Tickets £16 in advance from Ticketsource, £18.50 on the day. www.cappellasingers.co.uk or from choir members. Free for carers and school students. Further information: 07969 789938
Thursday, 14th December 7.30-9.00pm Amberley Gardening Club: Christmas Social Amberley Parish Rooms. Opportunity to make Christmas decorations. Bring plate of food to share. For further details about joining Amberley Gardening Club, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Friday, 15th December 12.00-2.30pm Friday Lunch The Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. All welcome to a two-course hot lunch with coffee, or tea, and all donations will support a 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, 15th December 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall
Friday, 15th December 7.30-10.00pm Christmas Bingo Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton
Saturday, 16th December 7.30-10.00pm “A Christmas Carol” The Market House, Minchinhampton. David Mynne performs Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Tickets £15.00 from M & B Stores (Cash) or online here.
Sunday, 17th December 5.30-6.30pm Candlelit Festival of Christmas Lessons & Carols. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.
Monday, 18th December 9.30-11.00am M.A.P.S. Meeting (Minchinhampton Additional Needs Parent Support Group) Minchinhampton Baptist Church, Tetbury Street. Welcoming all parents & carers of children with additional needs diagnosed/undiagnosed from Minchinhampton & beyond.
Monday, 18th December 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Committee. Trap House, West End. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Tuesday, 19th December 9.00am-5.00pm “Box of Delights” at RSC, Stratford upon Avon with Ian Jarvis Coach £27, RSC £42 – Total £69 per person. Contact bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 833131, 07403 899599 or 07802 357478
Tuesday, 19th December 2.30-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: The Berkeley Estate in the 18th Century. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £2 from members and £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge.
Tuesday, 19th December 7.00-9.30pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. Book of the month: A Cornish Christmas Murder by Fiona Leitch. For further information contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707.
Wednesday, 20th December 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. “Sci Fi/Fantasy” will be the theme for this month’s book discussion. This can be interpreted as you wish.
Wednesday, 20th December 4.00-5.30pm Children’s Christmas Tea Party Market House, Minchinhampton. Organised by Local History Group. Free, and open to all children accompanied by adult (best 3-8 but all welcome). Tea, Coffee and Bar.
Wednesday, 20th December 7.00-10.00pm An Old Minch Christmas Market House, Minchinhampton. Organised by Local History Group. Illustrated talk, with slides and readings. Entry £5 a head, which includes a glass of mulled wine. Bar and Minch pies will be served.
Thursday, 21st December 10.00am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: Christmas Social: Tasting of Sugar Cane Flavours. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 22nd December 7.45-10.00pm Christmas Quiz Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton.
Saturday, 23rd December 7.30-10.00pm “Under a Christmas Star”: Thames Head Singers Concert Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Pre concert drinks from 7.00pm
Tickets £12, under 16s free. Book online here or 0333 666 3366
Saturday, 23rd December evening Bottle Draw Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton
Sunday, 24th December 12.00noon-1.00pm Community Carols Undercroft, Market House, Minchinhampton. Minch Community Choir.
Sunday, 24th December 10.00am Joint Benefice Service, 3.00pm Crib Service and 11.00pm Midnight Mass Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.
Monday, 25th December 8.00am and 10.00am Eucharist Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton
Wednesday, 27th December and Friday, 29th December evening Mummers Play by Minch Players Undercroft, Market House, Minchinhampton. More details will be posted on our website here nearer the time, or on MinchLife Facebook.
Thursday, 28th December 7.30-10.30pm Festive Quiz The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. Bookings: bookings.crownminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk
Saturday, 30th December 10.30-12.00noon. Holiday Lego Session Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Children to be accompanied by an adult.
Friday, 29th December 10.30am-1.00pm Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group: Minchinhampton Commons. Meet at Bell Lane carpark. Contact: karencolebourn@gmail.com for further details.
Sunday, 31st December 8.00pm-1.00am New Year’s Eve Party with KC’s Disco. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Entrance Ticket only. Tickets £5 members, £10 non-members from bar in advance.
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.