Please note that this newsletter includes a couple of late amendments since it was issued by email on 30 September. These changes have been highlighted in red.
Dear all,
As many of you know the Street Party on 18th September was not only a success but great fun. Thank you all for joining us. A message from our Chair, Lou Buckley:
“Minch Life is a group of people who work voluntarily to try to bring the community together with events and information to enhance what is already a fabulous community (see www.minchlife.com). If you think you would like to join in and contribute some time to this, please get in touch, we’d love to have you!
Thanks to those who bought raffle tickets – your donations will help to secure the future of the Country Fayre in 2022. Thanks must also go to all the committee members for their hours of hard work, to Alan and Joe for their technical support, to Brough for being an amazing host, to Tom, Steve, Duncan, John and Jon for volunteering on the day, our medic volunteers also, and to Richard for once again scaling the ladder for bunting duty!
Finally, of course, thank you to all the wonderful prizes donated by local businesses and our sponsors M and B Stores, Murray’s Estate Agents and TSL Accountants.”
Holy Trinity also hosted a four-day event of Arts and Flowers and this too was extremely popular and successful. Kathy Hurst said “Thank you so much to everybody who came and supported our recent Art & Flower Exhibition in the Church. A special thank you to the local Artists who lent us their paintings and Sculptures and to the Flower Guild ladies for the lovely flower arrangements. We hope everybody enjoyed the show.”
Minchlife are now thinking about Christmas lights – ideally electric ones this year as the solar ones didn’t exactly shine. Any ideas again gratefully received.
Horsfall House Charity Walk took place on 5th September. Duncan Woods, head of Fundraising says:“An enormous thank you to the 250 who joined us on our Charity Walk this year, to all your supporters and everyone who donated so incredibly generously. We had a really successful day and I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. The Charity Walk will be back again in 2022 but at its customary time of year in the Spring”.
Minchinhampton Gardening Show September 2021 – a message from Pete Smith MGC Secretary
“There was a sense of returning normality on the morning of the show, when all the exhibits were in place, and the judges were quietly going about their business. This was in marked contrast to the hectic gathering of leaves, branches, (foliage) birds’ nest, flowers, herbs, tomatoes, grapes, apples, crab apples, tape, wire, oasis, vases, koala bear, and kitchen trays in the semi-darkness 3 hours earlier. And all that effort was in vain – plenty of seconds and thirds, and even a few firsts where there was no competition, but still no cup!
I have to admit that throwing together a display doesn’t win prizes, but it helps entertain the children, and some adults, though only a few spotted the pied kingfisher, and even fewer identified it. And who identified the nest as that of a blue tit, abandoned earlier in the year when it was cold and foraging was too difficult. I’d like to thank all those who helped with the show, from Mr Moss and his staff at the school to those who donated cakes to sell, the judges, Sandy our presenter, and all the exhibitors, and a thank you to all those who came and enjoyed the event, and said how much they appreciated it.”
Minchinhampton Market will move inside the Market House from 6th October. As most of you know it takes place at the Market House every Wednesday from 8.30 – 11.30am. There are stalls for cakes, plants, preserves, fruit and vegetables in season and a range of crafts such as glassware, pottery, greeting cards and needle craft. Email: french@brodlandsminch.co.uk.
A new pre-school, baby and toddler group called Minchkins will be meeting every Tuesday during term time from 9 am – 10.45 am.
Minchinhampton Youth Club is up and running again at the Hub. A Kids’ Club is starting for years 2 – 5 on Tuesdays from 19th October 5.30pm – 7pm. Years 9+ on Tuesdays 7.30pm – 9pm. And Years 6 – 9 on Wednesdays 7pm – 8.30 pm. Christmas crafts, sports and activities. http://minchyouthclub.com/
Minchinhampton Fitness Hub is a community gym which is charity run, accessible and affordable with high quality equipment, classes and personal training. More info https://www.minchfitnesshub.co.uk/ or email Jon.taylor@psalms.uk.net. First week free. No joining fee or long contracts.
Minchinhampton Rugby Club are now holding girls only groups: Mini Lambs U9/10/11s; Lambs U12/13s; Junior Ewes U14/15s and Ewes U16/17/18s. A warm welcome awaits all the girls and their families at our weekly sessions, every Sunday between 1-2.30pm at our lovely ground Hollybush in Crackstone, GL6 9BA. Please contact Thomas.nurse@yahoo.co.uk for more information.
Holy Trinity Bellringers will be attempting a quarter peel on the 3rd October, starting at 3.00pm. It should last about 45 minutes! There is great technical detail needed in the change of ringing, and it requires terrific stamina, mental and physical. The whole town should be able to hear it!!
ps. Obscure fact – Minchinhampton Church tower gets a mention in the Oxford English Dictionary for the word “dream-holes” which describes the openings in the sides of the tower to let the sound out.
Minch CAN has obtained funding for hundreds of saplings/whips & tree guards, as part of the local CPRE project to offset ash dieback losses. They will be looking to plant the trees across the parish over the autumn & winter, and have willing volunteers ready to get started (more always welcome), but there is a shortage of land to put them on. Are you a landowner with an acre or more, who might consider giving a home to a small plantation? They will be native trees, species TBC but could include fruit trees if that was your preference.
Do get in touch to find out more. https://minchcan.org/
Minch CAN is running a Christmas swish event on the 20th November- this is primarily a community clothes’ swap event. They need Christmas jumpers, evening wear, clothes hangers and rails (borrowed or given for the last two). And also looking for volunteers for it. Please put the date in your diary! Funds raised will be divided between the primary school, the Market House and Minch CAN. Minch.can@gmail.com
Ian Jarvis has asked us to remind you to contact him by the beginning of October if you wish to go to the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 26th November. Mary Berry will be doing a live show. Ian Jarvis – tuk841@gmail.com There was a coach trip to Bath Christmas market on 8 December but the market has been cancelled. They will now go to Cribbs Causeway instead. If you’ve booked and would rather not transfer (cost is identical), then no problem at all; the Jarvis’ will refund/dispose of the cheque. But what not to like – at Christmas – about a trip to the Mall: 150 shops, plenty of cafes and restaurants, and a chance to get all your Christmas present shopping done in one fell swoop. What’s more, there’s plenty of room underneath the coach for bringing things back.
Ladies’ dance party ‘80’s Prom!’ to be held on Friday, 24th November at the Market House from 7.30 pm. Only 25 spots at the party of the year so book early this month. https://www.dazzleworkshops.co.uk/
4 special days of creativity, games and performing at Dazzles October half term children’s theatre workshop. It has been two years since Dazzle has been able to offer the unique and popular show build format combining scenery, props and costume creation with drama skills, dancing and end of workshop performance. Only 20 places available on this workshop held in the beautiful Minchinhampton Market House. https://www.dazzleworkshops.co.uk/event/west-side-jungle-october-half-term-theatre-workshop/2021-10-28/
Duplicate Bridge: Thursday 14th October 1.45pm for 2.0pm start (and every Thursday) at Minchinhampton New Golf Club.
A new Beginners’ Bridge Course starts on Monday, 18th October at 7.00 pm at The Priory Inn Hotel, London Road, Tetbury. The course is run over 20 weeks and the cost is £7 per session or a one- off payment of £120 (this will include full notes of every session. Email: Jimedwards811@gmail.com
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.
Thursday 30th September. 7 – 9.15. Tetbury Music Festival. Minchinhampton Parish Church. Musick al’Italliana. English and Italian Trio Sonatas from the Seventeenth Century
‘operatic Ambition in chamber form’
Including works by Henry Purcell, John Blow, Nicola Matteis and Arcangelo Corelli, Elizabeth Kenny, Jane Gordon, Rob Howarth, Jonathan Manson and Matthew Truscott To Book: http://tetburymusicfestival.org or 0333 666 3366
Friday, 1st October. 7pm – 9.15 pm. Tetbury Arts Festival. Minchinhampton Parish Church . . Two Quartets in Concert:
Heath Quartet Oliver Heath, violin, Sara Wolstenholme, violin, Gary Pomeroy, viola, Christopher Murray, ‘cello
and Eusebius Quartet: Beatrice Phillips, violin; Venetia Jollands, violin;
Hannah Shaw, viola; Hannah Sloane, ‘cello To Book: http://tetburymusicfestival.org or 0333 666 3366
Friday 1st October. 7.30 – 10pm. A night of uplifting and inspiring music at Beaudesert Park School by Bristol based musicians Natalie Holmes and James Oram. Tickets are just £10 (free for U16) and include a drink. https://beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk/beaudesert-news/professional-live-music-concert-in-october
Saturday, 2nd October 10 – 2.30pm. The Makers Market – local crafts – Market House, Minchinhampton. Contact: Frances Gibbs 07929 786416 frances868686@gmail.com
Saturday, 2nd October 2.30. 4.30 pm. Ugg ‘n Ogg the World’s First Dog. Box Village Hall. Comic tale. Perfect for families and dog lovers of all ages. Ring Roger Ogle on 01453 839041 for tickets.
Saturday 2nd October. 4.30 – pm. Music at Minch; Teatime Concert at Holy Trinity Church. Warwick Cole (cello) and Simon Over (piano)
To celebrate the half century since his first cello lesson, Warwick Cole plays some of the music he has encountered along the way. Music by Vivaldi, Bach, Pärt, Bartok and others. There will be a retiring Collection.
Sunday 3rd October. 11.30am. Traidcraft. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church. For the first time in 20 months the stall will be back. Usual groceries.
Tuesday 5th October. Hampton Probus. Cotswold Club, High Street. Dr. Ben Codling will be talking on the Coroner part 2. Members only. Anyone interested in joining contact dhartridge@whitecase.com.
Wednesday 6th October. 2.30 – 4.30 pm. Minchinhampton W.I. Scout Hut. The speaker is Alistair Ferguson talking on “Our Life and Adventures at Lake Turkana”. All welcome bridgetasdiv@hotmail.com
Friday 8th – Sunday 10th October. 10am – 5pm View and Buy artwork. Box Village Hall. Art produced by members of this local Group. Classes are on Thursdays from 1.45 – 4.15pm. Boxartgroupuk@gmail.com
Saturday 9th October. 10 – 2pm. Minchinhampton Community Apple Pressing. Market House. Handmade apple press. Free event. Just bring your apple crop and join in. Recycled containers available or bring your own bottles. philipwalters15@gmail.com
Thursday 9th October. 7.30 – 11pm. Market House, Minchinhampton. Roaring Twenties Evening Event raising funds for Jenny and Jenni’s volunteer expedition to Zimbabwe in March 2022! All money raised will go to working with the children, manual work at the game reserve, and bringing supplies out to the village. Jazz Friday Big Band (who appeared at the Street Fair). Tickets £8 to include a free drink. Jenniweir1@gmail.com.
Monday 11th October 7 – 9.30 pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee. Venue and Agenda to be announced. https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Tuesday 12th October 8pm. Open Meeting for Minchinhampton History Group. The Hub. To discuss the future of the Group. Contact: Pat Carpenter (Acting Chair) by email to Sarah Cole sarahcole01@outlook.com
Thursday, 14th October 9.30am – 2.30 pm. Burleigh Court Hotel. Foraging Course including lunch. Booking: https://www.burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk/foraging-courses-at-burleigh-court/
Thursday 14th October 10am – 12. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church. Minchinhampton Probus. Martin Dence talking about Sir Peter Scott john.fynn@hotmail.co.uk
Thursday 14th October 12.30pm. Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Group. Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. This month Alexia Clark will be talking about the “History of Stroud Museum”. New members welcome. For more details contact bthadfield@btinternet.com Please remember that all lunches have to be booked in advance so do contact Biddy Hadfield before turning up at the Old Lodge.
Thursday 14th October*. 1.45 – 4.30pm. South Cotswold Bridge Club. Duplicate Bridge. Minchinhampton New Golf Club. Contact: Jimedwards811@gmail.com PLEASE NOTE For this week only because of a large Pro-Am Golf tournament at the New Course, we will be playing at the OLD COURSE CLUB HOUSE ( This is next to the Old Lodge on Minchinhampton Common). From Thursday 21st October we will then be back permanently at the New Course ClubHouse.
Thursday 14th October 7.30 – 9pm. Amberley Gardening Club: Barks, Stems and Evergreens for the Winter Garden. Amberley Parish Rooms. There will also be information on planning for a display of spring bulbs. Entry free Christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Friday 15th October.1 – 1.30 pm. Madhu’s Rasoi Indian take away. £25 for a meal for two. Box Village Hall. Full menu on the website minchlife.com . Order by the 13th October. To book madhusrasoi@gmail.com
Friday 15th October. 12 – 1.30pm. Meals for Masasi. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church. All proceeds will go towards a bee keeping project based at the boys’ school in the Diocese of Masasi, Tanzania. Hot lunch followed by coffee and tea. All welcome. There is a sign up sheet at the back of the Church. Linda Jarvis. 01453 884545.
Saturday 16th October. 10am – 4pm. Holy Trinity Churchyard. Working Party. Please come along to help tidy up the area ready for winter. Please bring your own tools.
Monday 18th October. Minchinhampton Parish Council Finance Meeting. 7 pm – 9.30pm. Venue to be announced https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Wednesday 20th October. Minchinhampton WI Scrabble 2pm – 4.30 pm. Women’s Institute Members only. Minchinhampton Community Library.
Thursday 21st October. Cotteswold Naturalists’ Field Club. 2.30 – 4.30. The Hub, Tobacconist Road. “Is there such a thing as a perfect tree?Jane Rowe 01452 813228
Sunday 24th October. 10am – 1pm. Walking and Wildlife Group. Bussage. Meet at Bell Lane Car Park, Minchinhampton to combine cars. Led by Nick. Contact karencolebourn@gmail.com to be added to the list.
Monday 25th October. 7 – 9.30pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Full meeting. Venue to be announced. https://www.minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Wednesday 27th October. 9.15am – 5.30pm. Ian’s Coach Trip to Oxford Town Centre and Ashmolean Museum. Pick up from Market House, Minchinhampton. Coach £20 per person. Ian Jarvis tuk841@gmail.com
Thursday 28th October. 10am – 12. Minchinhampton Probus at the Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church. David Head talking about “The RAF and the Cold War” (the Vulcan, Victor, Valiant). John.fynn@hotmail.co.uk
We don’t normally publish events outside Minchinhampton but in view of the difficult climate for the arts and the fact that the Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud is so popular we print below details of their performances:
Friday 1st October 2021 7.30 pm. Tickets £12 Select Society presents
Divorced, Beheaded, Died: an Audience with King Henry VIII
The year is 1544 and King Henry on a Royal Progress provides an opportunity for his loyal subjects to have ‘audience’ with their Sovereign.
In the course of this, His Majesty recounts the events of his long reign and invites his subjects to petition or question him. A lively Q & A is assured!
Friday 8th October. 7.30pm. Tickets £12
Beyond The Horizon presents
Macbeth
Shakespeare’s Scottish play is brought to life in breathtaking fashion by the critically-acclaimed Beyond The Horizon. An overpowering adaptation that will have audiences on the edge of their seats.
Tues 19th to Saturday 23rd October. Tickets £13 and £8 (under 18s)
The Cotswold Players present
Nell Gwynn
by Jessica Swale & Music by Nigel Hess
This production reached Dress Rehearsal on the very night that the first lockdown was announced in early March 2020!.
Set in 1660s London, the play is a wonderfully entertaining homage to an extraordinary woman and her remarkable life. Full of comedy, plenty of live music, love and heartache,
Friday 30th October at 7.30pm. (Tickets £12)
Just So Theatre presents
The Killer Question A dark comedy thriller by David Payne.
Book online at cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets or phone 0333 666 3366
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.