| Hello everyone, Spring is around the corner and we have had several sightings of the Northern Lights over the Common! Horsfall House Fundraising team would like to thank the snowdrop gardeners of Hyde who opened their lovely gardens and also the volunteers and cake makers. A special thank you to all the 200 visitors who have donated a total of £1,600 so far. Swift Group is working with Chloe Turner and Stroud Valleys Project to get more swift boxes up in Minchinhampton this year, ideally before the swifts return from Africa – although that might be a bit optimistic! Stroud Swift Group has been monitoring the swifts in Minchinhampton for four years and the numbers here show a worrying decline. They are hoping that people will be interested in buying or making their own boxes, as well some sponsored boxes from local businesses. They have also got a very kind local person who is happy to put boxes up for a modest charge. If you are interested please contact stroudswiftgroup@gmail.com First Aid Course There are a couple of spaces available for a first aid course on Saturday 25th March from 9am until 4pm. Please email n.j.williams@hotmail.com if you’d like to find out more or to book your space. The course title is ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ but it’s a really good general first aid course for anyone that wants to be a little more aware of what to do. The cost is £35 which includes the day’s course, your certificate and tea/coffee all day! We have used the trainer before and he’s accredited by the First Aid Industry Body. Community News Warm Spaces and Pop-up Pantry The Minchinhampton Warmspaces team have pulled together a list of cosy places where you can sit and have a cup of tea and a chat. Please click here for more information. The Pop-up Pantry is open every Tuesday from 10.30 – 11.30 at Minchinhampton Youth Centre in Tobacconist Road. If you can’t make it on a Tuesday, limited stocks of pre-packaged bags of store cupboard essentials are now available for collection during the Sunday afternoon sessions in the church and during morning sessions at the Library. Please send any feedback you might have to minchpantry@outlook.com. Do tell anyone who could benefit from these great facilities. Donations. The Pop-up Pantry would be very grateful for donations again now please – any of the following if possible: tea, coffee, hot chocolate, rice, nappies, loo roll, flour, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, puddings (ie.syrup puds etc). Unopened and in date please. Drop in to Henry’s when the cafe is open, or to the Pantry on a Tuesday. Long Table The Pay as you can lunch and dinners every Saturday are proving very popular. The Long Table are also hosting a couple of films from the Stroud Film Festival which runs from 3rd – 19th March. More details on films can be seen on their website here and at Stroudfilmfestival.org. Minchinhampton Theatre Trips A message from Chris Stevens: Our first trip to Cheltenham for a performance of the Exotic Marigold Hotel is on Thursday 2nd March and I am sure everyone will enjoy this. Our next trip is to The Hippodrome in Bristol, apparently the biggest stage outside the West End. We are going to a performance of Mozart’s Magic Flute performed by Welsh National Opera at 7.15pm on Wednesday 26th April – there was not a matinee available. We have 20 seats, so if you would like to come please email me soon. I have not worked out the theatre and coach cost yet, but will do so very soon. cajbs@hotmail.co.uk 07789 480210 The Crown Hot food will be back at The Crown from Friday, 3rd March, of course that includes their much loved Sunday roasts. The barn area will still be closed until April so make sure you get booked in. Forthcoming events for your diary Saturday and Sunday, 29th and 30th April 1.00-5.00pm Amberley Cow Hunt Preparations for Amberley Cow Hunt 2023 are in full swing, and this year they are looking for local businesses to sponsor a cow. The event is attended by hundreds of people from all over the county. If you are interested please email Jess at PTA@amberley.gloucs.sch.uk for more details. Coronation Street Party This will be on Sunday 7th May. Minchinhampton High Street will be closed from 10am – 7pm and this is an early reminder for the High Street to make sure there are no cars parked there that day. We will be putting up bunting early in May and will leave it up until after Minch Fayre on 9th September. MinchLife will be running a bar in the Undercroft, and Henry’s and the Crown will be serving food. Bands will play from 12 midday until 6pm and everyone is encouraged to bring their tables, chairs, food etc and make the party swing. We will give more details nearer the time! The Scouts and other organisations are keen to be involved in the Big Help Out and will promote this at the Coronation Street Party. I am sure other organisations will come forward but in the meantime we encourage everyone to think about how they could help the community through volunteering. The Big Help Out will be held on Monday, 8th May and is being organised by The Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as the Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the United Kingdom. The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. In tribute to His Majesty The King’s public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend. Further Afield Saturday, 4th March. 7.30pm. The Stuart Singers will be singing “Spring Cornucopia” in St George’s Church, Nailsworth. Tickets £12 . Tickets available here. Saturday, 18th March. 7pm. Stroud Choral Society are performing J.S.Bach St John’s Passion at the Parish Church in Cirencester. Tickets £25, £20 and £5. Under 18s free. Tickets available from Shiny Goodness in Nailsworth and onine here. 29th March to 1st April at 7.30pm. Ladies on the Costa. Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud. Tickets £13. Five women. Five stories. Told by expatriates from different backgrounds now living and working on the Costa, these fascinating tales – funny, relatable and sometimes sad – highlight the fantasies, foibles and fables of five women and their families. Bookings here. 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. Wednesday, 1st 2.30-4.30pm Women’s Institute Meeting Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. Guests and visitors are always welcomed. For more details, contact 884606. Thursday, 2nd 10.00am-5.00pm. Matinee: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel excursion with Ian Jarvis. Coach Trip to Cheltenham. Tickets £50.60 per person. Contact: 01453 833131 Thursday, 2nd 10.30-12.00noon. Hampton Probus: My life on the Severn. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk Thursday, 2nd 6.30-10.00pm. Antiques Hunt organised by Nailsworth Rotary. Box Village Hall. Tickets: £10, payable in advance, and this includes a drink on arrival (no charge for displaying items). Proceeds to Nailsworth Youth Club and the Marah Trust. For further information nailsworthrotaryclub@gmail.com Thursday, 2nd 6.30-9.30pm A Night for Wine Buffs & Food Lovers. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. £69 per person. Bookings here. Friday, 3rd 11.00am-2.00pm A Practical Introduction to Kitchen Gardening. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. Course and kitchen garden lunch. £49 per person. Bookings here. Friday, 3rd 2.00-4.00pm World Day of Prayer 2023 for Minchinhampton, Box, Amberley and Rodborough. St Marys Church, North Woodchester. Friday, 3rd 6.30-8.00pm Box Bar. Box Village Hall. An enjoyable social hub for the village. Friday, 3rd 7.30-10.00pm. Movie Night: The Banshees of Inisherin. Market House, Minchinhampton. 7.00pm doors open. Tickets £6 (cash) from the Market Stores. Saturday, 4th 10.00am-12.00noon. Coffee Morning Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 889004 Saturday, 4th 7.00-10.00pm Community Choir Concert: Music from the Moovies. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Tickets: £5 per adult, £2.50 per child available from the Market Stores, Minchinhampton (cash). Doors open at 7pm. Licensed bar. Raising money for Stroud Refuge. Saturday, 4th 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. Sunday, 5th 1.00-4.00pm Festival of Girls’ Rugby. Minchinhampton Rugby Club, Hollybush Farm, Hampton Fields. Tournament of under 12s, and open session for girls (any age) 1.00-2.30pm Contact: Tom Nurse 07598 989967 Monday, 6th 10.30am-12.00noon. Poems in the Porch Room. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Welcomes all, but especially people who are living with memory problems. Contact Jo Smith on 01453 834714 for further information. Monday, 6th 7.00-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Special Full Council: Meeting re Playground Improvements. Baptist Church Rooms, Tetbury Street. To discuss major improvements to the Parish playgrounds. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Further information: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk Wednesday, 8th 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. Visit from Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum, and SEND clinic ran by SENDIASS. Anyone who feels as if this group would benefit them is welcome! Thursday, 9th 10.00am-12.30pm Minchinhampton Probus: Fakes and Fortunes, Art and Antiques, Forgers and Dealers” Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com Thursday, 9th 7.30-9.30pm Amberley Gardening Club: Climate Change for Gardeners. Amberley Parish Rooms. For further details about joining Amberley Gardening Club, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com Friday, 10th 7.00-10.00pm Games Night. Box Village Hall. Saturday, 11th 4.30-5.20pm Teatime Concert: Bassoon through the Ages Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Matthew Dodd (accompanied by Warwick Cole) takes us on a journey from the 16th century to the present day. Admission free with retiring collection. Sunday, 12th 3.00-5.00pm The Sand Dragon. The Market House, Minchinhampton. Theatrix Arts are performing this magical story with songs and music, loads of puppets, changing scenery, and a magic trick or two. Then meet the puppets and create your own Sand Dragon Puppet. Bring £1 to make a puppet. Tickets £8.00 (cash) from the Market Stores, Minchinhampton or online here. Monday, 13th 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 Wednesday, 15th 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club. Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Theme for this month’s book discussion The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Wednesday, 15th 7.00-9.00pm Stroud Film Festival Screening: King of Kong. The Long Table, Brimscombe Mill. Doors open 5.00pm for Dinner & bar. Tickets here. Thursday, 16th 10.30am-12.30pm Hampton Probus: The Joy of False Memory. Cotswold Club, High Street. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk Thursday, 16th 12.00noon-3.00pm. Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: A Career in Policing The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com Thursday, 16th 7.00-9.30pm Everest and Beyond: Life on the Edge. Beaudesert Park School, GL6 9AF. An evening with mountaineer and adventurer Kenton Cool. Tickets: £25 +£2.80 Fee (Includes a glass of wine), Children under 16: £10.00+£1.55. Bookings here. Thursday, 16th 7.00-10.00pm. Quiz at the Crown. The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. £1.00 per person entry with cash prize. Bookings: 01453 608010 or call in. Friday, 17th 1.00-4.00pm Florestry Workshop. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. Two hour Workshop and Champagne afternoon tea. £75 per person. Bookings here. Friday, 17th 12.00-2.30pm Friday Lunch The Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. All welcome to a lighter Lenten lunch of soup and bread, with jacket potatoes and cheese. 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 17th 6.30-8.00pm Box Bar. Box Village Hall. An enjoyable social hub for the village. Sunday, 19th 7.30-10.30pm The Fogues “Overseas” (four-piece ballad group from Co Cork). Market House, Minchinhampton. Tickets: £15.00 from the Market Stores (cash), or online here. Monday, 20th 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 deputy clerk to confirm details. Email: deputyclerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk Monday, 20th 7.30-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Pot Plants in the Home. Minchinhampton School. For more information please contact the Secretary John Fivash tel: 01453 764956 email: johnfivash@btinternet.com Tuesday, 21st 2.30-4.30pm Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: 400 Years of Stroudwater Textiles. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £2 from members and £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge. Contact: Email: janeerowe2015@gmail.com Tel: 01452 813228 Tuesday, 21st 7.00-9.30pm. Minch Book Club. Table 14, The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. March’s book is Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes. Contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707. Tuesday, 21st 7.30-9.30pm Box Gardening Club: The Landscape Trust. Visitors welcome (£4 per talk). Contact: Email BoxGarden@box-village.com, or Mark Rogers. 01453 833558, Gill Ogle 01453 839041 Thursday, 23rd 9.00am-5.00pm Ian Jarvis Coach trip to Worcester City Centre (and optional Royal Worcester museum). Coach £24.25, Royal Worcester museum option £5.75- Total £24.25/£30.00 per person. More info here or contact Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 83 3131 Thursday, 23rd 10.00am-12.30pm Minchinhampton Probus: AGM Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com Thursday, 23rd – Saturday, 25th 7.30-10.00pm (and Matinee Saturday 2.30-4.00pm). Jack and the Beanstalk by Box Players. Box Village Hall. All tickets for the evening performances are £10. Matinée tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children. Tickets available from Chris & Geraldine Ames (01453 832345). Saturday, 25th 10.00am-2.00pm Churchyard Working Party. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Please come along (for all or some of the time) to help tidy up the area. Please bring your own tools if possible. Tea, coffee, etc, doughnuts and croissants will be provided late morning. Sunday, 26th 10.00am-1.00pm. Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group: Box Woodland Flora. Meet at Box Village Hall. Contact: karencolebourn@gmail.com If the weather is very poor, we will cancel by email by 9.00am. Monday, 27th 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 Tuesday, 28th 7.30-9.00pm Box Village Society AGM. Box Village Hall. 7.30 for 8.00pm Wednesday, 29th 7.30-9.00pm Royal British Legion Branch Meeting: A Career in the WRNS. Cotswold Club, High Street. Visitors welcome. Contact: rogersims@aol.com Thursday, 30th 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, 30th 9.30am-2.30pm Wild Food Foraging Experience including lunch. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. £69 per person. Bookings: here. Thursday, 30th 6.00-7.00pm Minchinhampton Centre for the Elderly AGM (Horsfall House) Dr Booth Day Centre, Horsfall House, Windmill Road. Those wishing to attend please give written notice by completing a form available from Horsfall House. Thursday, 30th 6.30-10.00pm. Burleigh Court Supper Club. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. 7 course tasting menu. £75 per person. Bookings here. Friday, 31st 4.00-6.00pm. Ping Pong & Games Club. Box Village Hall. All ages welcome. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Friday, 31st 4.00-5.00pm Architectural Happy Hour. The Long Table, Brimscombe Mill. Eva and Charlie Pontikas Glenton from Rural Space Architecture presenting on “Enhancing Your Forever Home” . Food from 5.00-7.00pm. Pay as you can. 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 |
