Hello everyone,
This month is even busier than normal in Minchinhampton and its environs. It seems every possible taste and interest can be met and there is something notable happening nearly every day of the week! With the help of the Parish Council and the Library, MinchLife have had agreement to place printed copies of the Newsletter in the Crown, The Club, Cucina Di Amalfi, Henry’s, The Surgery and the Library. This will allow the many visitors to the town to see what is going on in this thriving community and of course be there for those as yet unsubscribed to the newsletter or who prefer not to print out theirs – it is becoming rather lengthy.
As you will see below various popular events have clashed and caused last minute cancellations and disappointment. It would be extremely helpful if organisations and individuals could look at the MinchLife calendar before finalising arrangements for a concert/show etc so clashes are kept to a minimum.
We are sure everyone is looking forward to some better weather with the hope too that the fields, paths and Commons become less muddy ….
We wish you all a Happy Easter!
For details of Easter church services, please check the websites as follows:
www.MinchChurch.org.uk (Holy Trinity Minchinhampton and St Barnabas, Box)
www.MinchBC.org.uk (Minchinhampton Baptist Church)
www.BrimscombeChurch.org.uk (Holy Trinity Brimscombe)
www.AmberleyChurch.org.uk (Anglican/Methodist LEP)
https://www.stroudcatholicchurch.com/ (Roman Catholic)
Notes from the Market House
After a very successful start to the month with “Three Men in a Boat” and “Out of the Ashes” playing to full houses, unfortunately there was a slump in sales and after consultation with the artists we had to take the decision to cancel the other events. Going forward please note that to be fair to them we need to give the artists reasonable notice so it would help us tremendously if you could buy tickets as soon as possible.
We think that the low ticket sales may partly be due to clashes of our productions and other events in the town. It is great to see that Minchinhampton has so much going on! We try to avoid clashes by booking acts well in advance and checking the excellent MinchLife Calendar. With this in mind we have moved the Folk Duo planned for Saturday, 16th March to Friday, 15th March at 7.30pm.
Dates for your March diaries:
Saturday, 11th Antiques Road Show
Friday, 15th Sansome and Quinn Folk Duo
Saturday, 16th. Market House AGM 11.00am
Saturday, 23rd 60s/70s Disco with our resident DJ.
Tickets for events from The Market Stores or online here.
With regard to the AGM please email the Secretary
(secretary@minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk) with any Agenda items, offers to become a trustee, by Saturday, 9th March and for copies of the agenda and details of elected charity trustee nominations.
Lilies for Loved ones:
This Easter Holy Trinity will again have a display of lilies in remembrance of someone special. If you would like their name to be added to the list please contact Kathy Hurst – kathy@63windmillroad.co.uk. Donations gratefully received.
Minchinhampton Baptist Church are offering a series of talks on topics of local interest, health, self improvement and entertainment. These will be help in March, April and May. See Minchlife calendar and poster for more details. Free admission and the talks start at 7.30pm.
Minchinhampton Community Library
In the Easter holidays, there will be two craft sessions for children aged 3+, on Tuesday, 26th March and Thursday, 4th April 2.00-4.00pm. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Lego Club will not be held during the break.
Knit & Natter at the library has become extremely popular and is now at full capacity. (Please note that it will not be held on Tuesday, 26th March due to the Craft session.) Please can anyone who is interested in joining the group please contact secretary@mclt.org.uk in advance to check whether a space is available.
Horsfall House
The refurbished playground on Common Road/Box Lane, which is Horsfall House land, will be reopened on 12th March – just in time for the holidays.
Dogs on Commons
Just the annual reminder that it’s almost time for all dogs to be on leads on Minchinhampton, Rodborough and Selsley Commons to protect the skylarks and nesting birds. They’re so beautiful and populations have plummeted recently. It’s a legal obligation on Selsley Common from 1st March to 31st July and National Trust rules on Minch and Rodborough. Thank you furry friends (and owners) for looking out for our feathered friends!
Cotswold Gliding Club and the Stroud Valleys Project co-operate to plant trees and shrubs at Aston Down Airfield
Cotswold Gliding Club, which flies its gliders from Aston Down Airfield has been working together with Stroud Valleys Project to plant a number of trees and shrubs along the South West boundary of the airfield. The principal aim of the project is to provide multi-species of native trees and shrubs for the benefit of the local wild birdlife as well as providing beautification of the area and improving the gliding club’s carbon footprint. The species planted include Silver Birch, Field Maple, Viburnum, Hawthorn, Bullace, Cotoneaster, Spindle, Acer and Hazel.
Chris Godding, who initiated the project before he retired as Chairman of Cotswold Gliding Club, said, “I am delighted that Stroud Valleys Project agreed to support this project. We must offer it our grateful thanks for providing the trees and shrubs and especially to its hard-working team of volunteers who provided the labour for digging the holes and carrying out the planting. Although gliders fly without consuming any man-made energy, the winch or light aircraft that launches them consumes a small amount of fuel and this project will help to offset this.”
For more information about the Cotswold Gliding Club click here.
For more information about the Stroud Valleys Project click here.
Cotteswold Naturalists
Edward Jenner Talk in Box on Tuesday 19th March at 2.30pm. Box Village Hall. Come and hear Gareth Williams, Emeritus Professor at Bristol University, tell the remarkable story of Edward Jenner; a Gloucestershire lad, whose work in Berkeley literally changed the face of medicine. Jenner had a colourful life as a doctor, scientist, musician and poet- but was a disorganised experimenter who took over 30 years to put his now famous cowpox theory to the test.
Visitors are very welcome at the lectures; no booking required – please drop into the meeting or contact Susan Bennett on 07767014957 or susan.bennett4722@yahoo.co.uk for more information (£5 charge for visitors, £2 for members). For more information about membership please contact Clare Woodman on CNFCMembershipSec@outlook.com
The Crown, Minchinhampton
Our local pub serves delicious seasonal food in a lively atmosphere and a bar team to be reckoned with. The Crown has become a local favourite as the place to eat, drink and celebrate with Steak Night every Thursday, Roasts every Sunday. Now taking bookings for Mother’s Day.
Friday 2nd February – Saturday 16th March 6.15-8.15 – Six Nations Rugby
28 March – Crown Quiz
More details in the events listing below.
The Long Table, Brimscombe
Works to change the world through food. They provide frozen ready-meals to people who need them and so much more. Delicious hot food is served and is always pay as you can. Special events in March:
Saturday, 2nd March 6.00-11.00pm – The Fabulous Baker Brothers
Thursday, 7th March 4.30-5.30pm – Architectural Happy Hour
Friday, 15th March 6.00-10.00pm – Wilding Documentary, Stroud Film Festival
Saturday, 23rd March 6.00-11.00pm – The Achievers
More details of these events can be found here.
Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh
Floristry Workshop Wednesday 6 March 11am – 2pm. £79 per person. More information/bookings here.
Mother’s Day/Weekend 8-10 March at Burleigh Court are offering a complimentary glass of bubbly for all mums coming in to enjoy afternoon tea, dinner and roast Sunday lunch.More information here.
Supper Club 28 March: 7-course tasting menu. 28 March. £79 per person. More information here.
Forthcoming Events for your Diary
Wednesday, 10th April Visit to Alison Lister’s Textile Conservation studio in Bristol with the Cotteswold Naturalists. Numbers are limited, cost £12/person. If interested, please contact Susan Bennet on 07767014957 or susan.bennett4722@yahoo.co.uk.
Saturday, 13th April at 7pm Songs of rejoicing and reflection (Standish Consort) in Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. Tickets available online here (£15 in advance and £17 on the door, children 12-17 £5, under 12s free). Directed by Mark Wilson, Director of Music at Pembroke College, Oxford, the programme is a selection of works by Europe’s best Renaissance and Baroque composer including: Lamentations of Jeremiah by Tallis, Vigilante by Byrd and Hear my Prayer by Purcell. Standish Consort has a number of choir members, including regular soloists, who live in Minchinhampton so they are very local.
On Monday, 22nd April Minchinhampton Parish Council are holding the Annual Parish Meeting in the Market House. MinchLife will be making a short presentation and it would be excellent if as many representatives of clubs and organisations could attend with a view to the community working together.
Wednesday, 24th April Coach trip with Ian Jarvis to William Morris’s Kelmscott Manor.
Total £49 to include lunch. Contact: bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 833131, 07403 899599 or 07802 357478.
Saturday, 4th May Coach Trip with Ian Jarvis: Time in Malvern for lunch then afternoon matinee, comedy thriller Cluedo 2 at Malvern Theatres. Coach £22, Premium stalls ticket £37 – Total £59 per person. The cast includes West End and TV star Jason Durr, whose numerous credits include leading roles in Heartbeat and Casualty, playing Colonel Mustard; and award-nominated actress and star of Coronation Street, and ‘I’m a Celebrity’ favourite, Helen Flanagan, playing Miss Scarlett. Bookings ASAP. Contact: bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 833131, 07403 899599 or 07802 357478
Nailsworth Society
A trip to The Merry Wives of Windsor on Thursday, 29th August at 1.15pm. Pick up Minchinhampton Market House.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is an uproarious tale of mischief and double-dealing where the women get the last laugh. Tickets cost £39.50 for Nailsworth Society members and £41 for non-members. Transport will be available at a small cost depending on numbers.
Booking deadline is Thursday 14th March. For further information and to book please contact
Susan Staniforth at susanstaniforth@hotmail.co.uk or ring 07891 436917.
The Bereavement Journey Course
Presented jointly by Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton and Minchinhampton Baptist Church (MBC). The next course starts on Thursday, 18th April from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm in The Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Full details were given in February’s newsletter. For more information contact Holy Trinity, Tel: 01453 889004 or www.minchchurch.org.uk, or MBC Tel: 01453 886997 or www.minchbc.org.uk, or email courses@minchbc.org.uk. Application forms are available on both websites or directly from the church offices.
Further Afield
Stroud Film Festival is on from 22nd February – 17th March. More details here.
Saturday, 16th March 7.00-9.45pm Joseph Haydn Nelson Mass (Stroud Choral Society with the Bristol Ensemble) Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Cirencester. Tickets £25, £20 and £5 (under 13s free). Available on the door, choir members or from Cirencester Local Information Centre (Bingham House) or bit.ly/StroudChoralHaydn. (Lots of Minchinhampton residents in the Choir.)
What’s on at the Cotswold Playhouse
Thursday 19th – Saturday 23rd March at 7.30pm All My Sons
Arthur Miller’s All My Sons is based upon a true story. His first major commercial success, the show confirmed him as one of the finest playwrights of the twentieth century. This play contains adult and suicide themes that may be distressing for some audience members.
Tickets £15 To book visit 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 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.
Friday, 1st March 2.00-3.00pm World Day of Prayer Holy Trinity Church, Amberley. Local service organised by church members from Amberley, Box, Brimscombe, Minchinhampton, Rodborough and Woodchester. Play corner for children, refreshments afterwards.
Friday, 1st March 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall
Friday, 1st March 7.45-10.00pm (Book sales 7.15pm) Wendy’s Cash Bingo. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. £15 (chance of winning a free drink at the half-time interval as usual). Members and guests welcome.
Saturday, 2nd March 10.00am – 12.00noon Coffee Morning, Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 889004
Saturday, 2nd March 7.30pm Around the World in 80 minutes with Minchinhampton Community Choir Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. An evening of songs from around the globe. Doors open 7pm. Tickets £5 (cash only) from M & B Stores. Bar and refreshments available.
Monday, 4th March 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, 4th March 7.00-10.00pm Gentle Duplicate Bridge Session with South Cotswold Bridge Club The Day Centre, Horsfall House, Windmill Road. First Monday of a new series for less experienced bridge players. Table money £3.00 to include refreshments. Contact: jimedwards811@gmail.com
Wednesday, 6th March 2.00-4.30pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: Chatsworth and the Cavendish Family 1550-1850 Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. All welcome to come along.
Thursday, 7th March 10.30am -12.00noon Hampton Probus: Walking the Coast Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 8th March 10.00am – 4.00pm Digibus: Personalised one-to-one Sessions. Minchinhampton Community Library. Resolve all your digital issues and problems. Now fully booked but call into Library to book your free session in May or July, or telephone 01453 885497 during opening hours.
Friday, 8th March 4.30-6.00pm Will Tell and the Big Red Baron (Air in G Event) Box Village Hall. For children of all ages. Tickets £8.00 online here. https://airing.co.uk/rural-touring-whats-on/
Saturday, 9th March 4.30-5.30pm Teatime Concert: Flute through the ages Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Jonathan Morgan takes you on a whistle-stop tour from the Renaissance to the present to chart the evolution of the flute. Free admission and refreshments. Retiring collection in aid of the Organ Fund. Further information from Warwick@corelliconcerts.co.uk
Saturday, 9th March-Sunday, 10th March 10.00am-5.00pm Learn how to Build a Compost Toilet Hill House, Amberley. Come and help. If interested email budsandbrook@gmail.com Hill House supports refuges coming for sanctuary breaks to the countryside. More information here. www.hillhouseretreats.com
Sunday, 10th March 9.00am-5.00pm Minchinhampton 10K Minchinhampton School. This 10K road race, is a great pre-Easter event, on quiet country lanes in and around the beautiful Cotswold town of Minchinhampton. 8.00am registration opens, 9.00am Mini-Minch starts, 10.00 Minchinhampton 10K starts. Further information here.https://www.letsdothis.com/gb/e/minchinhampton-10k-17824
Monday, 11th March 9.00am-4.00pm Antiques & Collectibles Roadshow Market House, Minchinhampton. Free hot drinks & cakes. More information here.
Monday, 11th March 12.30-2.00pm Poetry & Words (Minchinhampton Folk Club), Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. 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 March 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
Wednesday, 13th March 11.00am Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Visit to Kapunda Plants, Hellebore Garden, Bath. £12.00 per head (including tea, coffee and cake) Own transport – but lifts and car sharing can be arranged, if required. New members welcome. For more information please contact John Fivash tel: 01453 764956 or email: johnfivash@btinternet.com
Wednesday, 13th March 7.30-9.30pm Minchtalks: Stroudwater Canal from Stonehouse to the Missing Mile Minchinhampton Baptist Church, Tetbury Street. An armchair photoguide to the canal by Andrew Franks. Free admission.
Thursday, 14th March 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: The Great Fire of London. 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 March 7.30-9.30pm Amberley Gardening Club: Peat Free Compost Amberley Parish Rooms. For further details about joining Amberley Gardening Club, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Friday, 15th March 9.30-11.00am M.A.P.S. Meeting (Minchinhampton Additional Needs Parents Support Group. Minchinhampton Baptist Church, Tetbury Street. Welcoming all parents & carers of children with additional needs diagnosed/undiagnosed from Minchinhampton and beyond.
Friday, 15th March 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 March 6.30-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall
Friday, 15th March 7.30-10.30pm George Sansome and Matt Quinn Folk Duo Market House, Minchinhampton. Tickets £15.00 (cash) available from the M & B Stores or online here:
Saturday, 16th March 11.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Market House AGM Market House, Minchinhampton. New trustees and volunteers welcome. The agenda and details of elected charity trustee nominations are available from the Secretary (secretary@minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk)
Saturday, 16th March 7.00-9.00pm Minchinhampton Surgery and PPG – Spring Song Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. An evening of music featuring Copious Notes and the Mozaic Octet. Cheese and wine bar. Tickets £15 cash only from surgery and M & B Stores. No card/phone payments can be accepted on the day.
Monday, 18th March 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
Monday, 18th March 7.30-9.30pm Minchinhampton Gardening Club: The Joys of Garden Design Minchinhampton School Hall, School Road. New members welcome. For more information please contact the Secretary John Fivash tel: 01453 764956 email: johnfivash@btinternet.com
Tuesday, 19th March 8.00am – 5.00pm Coach trip to Abergavenny centre and market with Ian Jarvis. Coach £23 per person. Contact bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone Ian (& Katie) Jarvis Tel: 01453 833131, 07403 899599 or 07802 357478
Tuesday, 19th March 2.30-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: Edward Jenner, the man who changed the face of the world. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £2 from members and £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge.
Tuesday, 19th March 7.00-9.00pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. Book of the month: The Birdcage by Eve Chase. For further information contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707
Wednesday, 20th March 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. “Sarah Winman” will be the author for this month’s book discussion.
Thursday, 21st March 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, 21st March 10.30am -12.00noon Hampton Probus: The Glosters at Waterloo Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 21st March 12.00noon-3.30pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: The Fight for Beauty. The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. Speaker Timothy Darvill. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Thursday, 21st March – Saturday, 23rd March 7.30-10.00pm (Matinee Saturday, 23rd March at 2.30pm) Babe in the Woods by Box Players Box Village Hall. Tickets £10 available from Chris and Geraldine Ames 01453 832345. Child concessions £5 available for under 16s Saturday Matinee only.
Friday, 22nd March 7.30-10.00pm Minchinhampton Local History Group: Hyde Court and its School Market House, Minchinhampton. A Victorian Education for Girls. A talk by Richard Davis. Tickets £5.00 from M & B Stores (Cash) or on the door. Membership available on the evening.
Saturday, 23rd March 10.00am-2.00pm Churchyard Working Party Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Come along for all or some of the time to help tidy up the area. Bring your own tools. Tea, coffee, doughnuts & croissants will be provided late morning.
Saturday, 23rd March 4.00-6.00pm Thomas Tallis Reimagined – Cantores Chamber Choir. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Tea and cake available. Tickets £15 (U18 and students £5) available here. https://www.cantores.net
Saturday, 23rd March 7.30-11.00pm 70s/80s Disco Night Market House, Minchinhampton. With resident DJ, KC. Tickets £10 from Market Stores, or online here.
Sunday, 24th March 10.00am-1.00pm Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group: Woodland Walk Led by Sue Parker and Judy Little Meet at Bell Lane carpark at 10am – then travel to walk in the beech woods near Cranham. Please contact karencolebourn@gmail.com to be added to the circulation list.
Monday, 25th March – Wednesday, 27th March and 4th April -5th April 9.30am-3.30pm Multi-Sports Camp Minchinhampton Community Hub, Tobacconist Road. Ball and Movement skills for children aged 6-12 years. £30 per day. Contact Steve Perkins on 07925 930260 or email thecatchacademy@gmail.com for further information.
Monday, 25th March 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Full Committee. 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, 26th March 2.00-4.00pm Easter Craft Session Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Suitable for children aged 3+ . Children to be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday, 28th March 7.00-10.00pm Crown Quiz The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton Only £1 per person entry. Book a table now to avoid disappointment email crownminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk or phone 01453 608010
Friday, 29th March 10.00-11.45am Good Friday Messy Church Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. A Story, games and crafts. Children must bring an adult and there is something for everyone!
Sunday, 31st March 6.30am Churches Together Dawn Service Tom Long’s Post Gather at dawn to celebrate the resurrection.
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
Please could you add me to the MinchLife mailing list? Thank you.
We will Gill, thank you. I presume you have seen the March edition?
Anne