Hello everyone,
Many people in our neighbourhood will be worrying about the increased cost of living. As you might expect there are talks going on between all the local organisations – the Churches, Community Hub, the Library, Minchkins, Youth Club, Cotswold Club, Parish Council, MinchCan and of course MinchLife – on how best to help with warm spaces and other initiatives. Plans are in their infancy, but Chloe Turner is, as you know, very involved with SDC and the district-wide project which will result in an action plan coming out over the next couple of weeks. She is on MinchLife Committee. Please do email info@minchlife.com if you, or anyone you know, needs help. SDC have pulled together many of the local resources for anyone who is struggling. https://www.stroud.gov.uk/housing-benefit-universal-credit-and-council-tax-support/cost-of-living-support.
Thinking of Christmas …
Tracey Clements (wife of our verger, Darren) has had the idea of creating a community advent window event around Minchinhampton. Households and businesses can choose a number and decorate a window (1–24) and each night a new window will be revealed. There will be a “trail map” for people to see.
A workshop giving ideas and ‘know how’ to those wanting to take part will be offered run by’ ‘Art sparks’ (Tam and Liz, two local artists who work in various schools including Minchinhampton Primary). They have run a winter wonderland window project before and so have the experience and knowledge.
The last window will be at the Church on 24th December. Please email info@minchlife.com if you would like to have more information or to take part.
Dave Robb has again very kindly agreed to donate Christmas trees for the High Street as he has done for many years. MinchLife is extremely grateful for this generosity and we will be arranging for them to be put up and lit and also for a large tree in the Church grounds.
News from Patient Participation Group (Minchinhampton PPG)
1. From the recent AGM of the Patient Participation Group: Following planning consent for building the new medical centre, work on costings is progressing, in preparation for tenders from builders. Given current economic conditions, this process is not as straightforward as previously. However, it is hoped that NHS funding will be appropriate to meet needs.If you wish to have the minutes of the AGM emailed to you when ready, please email Ian McPherson iansmcp@gmail.com All patients at Minchinhampton Surgery are automatically members of our PPG.
2. Vaccinations to protect against flu and recent variants of Covid 19 are proceeding at Minchinhampton Surgery on Saturdays by appointment only, following invitation. See the Surgery website here. At the same time people are receiving invitations from the national NHS to book for certain vaccinations at other centres in the area. The latter are independent of the Minchinhampton Surgery NHS arrangements. Note, the PPG patient transport drivers need extra help to drive those needing transport to any of these vaccination clinics, in Minchinhampton and in the wider area. If you are interested in offering to drive some patients to and from these clinics, please ring 01453 887314.
News from the Market House
You may have seen the work going on in the Market House undercroft. You will see a pause in the work now. The paving stones are away to be restored and new ones are being cut from matching traditional stone. For a more comprehensive report please see link here. In the update you will also see that there is a request for more volunteers and for donations/fundraising.
News from the Crown
The refurbishment has been pushed back now until January (exact dates not yet available) so the Crown will no longer be closing in October/November.
Minchinhampton Community Library
During summer, three craft afternoons for children were organised at relatively short notice. As they were very popular, there will be two more free craft afternoons during half-term, with a Halloween theme. Drop in on Tuesday, 25th October and Thursday, 27th October from 2.00-4.00pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The library hours are as follows: Monday 2 – 4.30pm; Tuesday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm; Thursday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm; Friday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm and Saturday 10am – 12 noon. Free membership of the library is available to everyone and our books, including new titles, are free to borrow. If you are not a member, just call in, join, and borrow up to 20 items immediately. Bring ID and proof of address.
Theatre Coach Trips
Many of you will remember fondly the theatre trips that Anne Brookes used to organise. Sadly, since her death there hasn’t been anyone to take this on. Chris Stevens, who lives on the Cirencester Road, has decided to restart the visits and hopes this will be welcomed by many people. She has been planning this with Katie and Ian Jarvis. She would appreciate it if anyone interested could contact her at cajbs@hotmail.co.uk or on 07789 480210. She would like to know what type of theatre you would prefer and whether you would like a matinee or evening performance. This will help her build a mailing list.
The first trip will be to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on Wednesday, 1st March at 2pm. Tickets are £35 per person. Please let Chris know if you would like to go on the coach by Friday, 18th November (preferably earlier). She will then be able to let you know the cost of the coach.
Bereavement Journey Course
This course is for anyone who is bereaved or experienced similar loss, whether recently or dating back several years. Based on Christian principles, the course is for anyone with or without a Christian faith. Attendance is not advisable for those who have been bereaved in the last three months.
For more information look at website link here, and download registration form.
Contact: Naomi 01453 886997 or Vicki on 889004
Dates: 27 October, 3 November, 10 November, 17 November, 24 November and 1 December. From 7.00-9.00pm at Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.
New Winter Ladies Beginners Bollywood Dance Classes
Starting in November. Upbeat, theatrical, fun and creative! Bollywood dancing is a colourful, dynamic and highly theatrical dance style seen in Indian films. It combines classical forms of dance including traditional Indian, folk, salsa, belly-dance while also incorporating more contemporary western forms such as hip hop, jazz and disco.
Mondays, 6.15-7.15pm at the Market House. 6 week course £40.00
There are reduced places available on each course at 50% discount for those who are struggling to afford the course cost. Please message sarah@dazzleworkshops.co.uk. For bookings click here.
Catching, Movement & Balance Programme – Ages 2-5
Prepare your child for a life of activity, sport & fun. Develop hand-eye co-ordination, balance & control through games, challenges and play. 45 minute sessions, 8 week programme. Taster morning at Minchinhampton Community Hub on Tuesday, 4 October 10.00am-12noon. Contact Steve Perkins 07925 930260 or email thecatchacademy@gmail.com
Half Term Multi Sports Camp
Need to fill a day or two of half term holidays? Multi Sports Camp are back at Minchinhampton Community Hub from 24th – 28th October from 9.30am-3.30pm. Another fun-filled camp focussing on fundamental ball & movement skills for children 6-11 years. Throwing, catching, hitting, dodging, laughing and learning! £35.00 per day, £150 for the week. For further information/booking contact Steve Perkins 07925 930260, or email thecatchacademy@gmail.com.
From the Cotswold Playhouse
11th – 15th October. 7.30pm. £13.
The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood
Rural Suffolk. 1759. A young woman has been found guilty of a horrible murder, and sentenced to hang. When she claims to be pregnant, 12 women are plucked from the community to decide whether she is telling the truth or just trying to escape the noose, while a crowd outside bays for her execution.
30th October, 2022. 7.30 pm. £10.
Stroud Short Stories – An evening of short stories on the theme of TIME – written and read by Gloucestershire authors
More info from cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk.
22nd – 26th November. Pressure by David Haig Cotswold Playhouse.
An intense real-life thriller centred around the most important weather forecast in the history of warfare.
Please book here for the Cotswold Playhouse events.
Forthcoming events for your diary
Sunday 13th November. 6.00 pm. Remembrance Sunday. ”Memorials to the Missing”. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. A rehearsed reading of Memorials to the Missing, a short play for the radio by Stephen Wyatt. Originally broadcast on Radio 4 in 2008, this moving piece dramatises the struggles of one man, Major General Sir Fabian Ware – who is buried in Amberley churchyard – to set up the Imperial War Graves Commission, the world’s first organisation designed to honour a country’s war dead, irrespective of rank, race or creed. Tickets available shortly from Minchinhampton Market Stores, £10 to include a glass of wine; all proceeds to go to The Organ Fund and The British Legion.
Saturday 19th November. 7.00pm. Karaoke evening at the Market House, Minchinhampton, in aid of MinchLife. This was a huge success last time – do come along!
Wednesday 30th November. 8.30 am – 4.30 pm. A trip to the Mall at Cribbs Causeway with Ian Jarvis. Book early. Email info@abbeyhall.info.
30th November – 3rd December. Minchinhampton Players present Cinderella, The Beanstalk and the Magic Lamp.
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, 1 October. 10.00am-3.00pm. Care for your Singing Voice. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Suggested donation £15-£20. Extra proceeds in aid of Church Organ Restoration fund. To register contact Leonora Rozee at ljrozee@gmail.com
Saturday, 1 October. 10.00am-12.30pm. Makers’ Market. Market House, Minchinhampton. The cake stall is back along with flowers, jams, glasswork, cards, pottery, up-cycling, sewn goods etc
Sunday, 2 October. 8.30am-5.00pm. Teak Tables and Chairs Sale. Market House, Minchinhampton.
Monday, 3 October. 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. Important: This month please contact Jo Smith on 01453 834714 before attending.
Tuesday, 4 October. 10.00am-12.00noon. Catching, Movement & Balance Programme – Taster morning. Minchinhampton Community Hub. For ages 2-5 (parental support encouraged). Contact: Steve Perkins 07925 930260. Email thecatchacademy@gmail.com
Wednesday, 5 October. 2.30-3.30pm. Minchinhampton WI – “In the Wake of Scott and Shackleton”. Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. Visitors and new members, always welcomed. For more information, contact the Secretary on 884606.
Wednesday, 5 October. 3.15-5.00pm. Messy Church. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Refreshments, Craft activities, Celebration worship. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Thursday, 6 October. 9.30am-2.30pm. Wild Food Foraging including lunch. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. £69 per person. Bookings here.:
Thursday, 6 October. 10.30am – 12.00noon. Hampton Probus: The Beehive. Speaker Howard Pitts. Cotswold Club, High Street. Members with guests by Invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 6 October. 7.30-9.30pm. Faith in Context (Artists & Scientists). Speakers Dr Chloe Reddaway and Revd Dr Gerald South. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Donations on the evening welcome.
Friday, 7 October – Sunday, 9 October. 10.00am-5.00pm Box Art Group Exhibition. Box Village Hall. Lots of work by local artists, much of it for sale.
Friday, 7 October. 6.00-10.00pm. Pop-up-Pub Night. Artisan Ales, Aston Down Business Park, GL6 8GA. When the Brewery becomes a pub. Cask Beer £3.50 per pint, wine £3.50 glass. 07780 449102
Saturday, 8 October. 10.00am-12.30pm. Coffee morning. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. A get together for everyone. If you would like to come along but need transport, please contact the church office. (01453 889004)
Saturday, 8 October. 7.30-11.00pm. 80s Music Night. Cotswold Club, High Street. £2 Members, £3 Non-Members
Monday, 10 October. 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 confirm details. Email: deputyclerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
Tuesday, 11 October. 2.30-4.00pm. The Life of Sir Peter Scott (NSPCC Teatime Talk). Tickets £10.00 to include afternoon tea. Tickets available from Jane Fearnley 01453 872296 or fearnley@globalnet.co.uk. All proceeds to NSPCC.
Wednesday, 12 October. 7.00-8.45pm. Death Café. Cotswold Club, High Street. (People come together to share their views and experiences around death). Please book by contacting Richard by email: richardfh2008@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 07737 021449.
Thursday, 13 October. 9.30am-2.30pm Wild Food Foraging including lunch. Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh. £69 per person. Bookings here.
Thursday, 13 October. 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: The Magic and Mystery of Glen Miller (Bill King). Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. tony.e.simmonds@gmail.com
Thursday, 13 October. 7.30-9.00pm. Amberley Gardening Club: Garden Design in China and the UK. Speaker: Jonathan King. Visitors welcome. For membership details, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com.
Friday, 14 October. 2.00-2.30pm. Madhus Rasoi Indian Takeaway. Box Village Hall. Menu here. £25 meal for 2. Special Diwali Starter Box £10. Bookings by Wednesday, 12 October. 01453 755934 E: info@madhusrasoi.co.uk
Saturday, 15 October. 8.30am-3.00pm Autumn Fair. Beaudesert Park School, Entry £3 on the door for adults (children U16 go free), all proceeds will go to local charity Read for Good.
Saturday, 15 October. 10.00-3.00pm Churchyard Clearing Day. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Bring your own tools if possible, to trim, clip, weed, chop etc. Tea, coffee etc., will be provided.
Saturday, 15 October. 7.00-10.00pm Charity Quiz Evening (in aid of Horsfall House). Market House. Teams of four and tickets £6, available from Market Stores.
Saturday, 15 October. 7.30-10.00pm Capriol Chamber Orchestra. (Strauss, Mozart & Haydn) Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. £12 (concessions £10), £1 reduction on tickets purchased prior to concert evening. Tickets available in advance from the Sub Rooms Box Office tel: 01453 796880. Card payment on door.
Sunday, 16 October. 2.00-3.30pm Skate & Scoot Minchinhampton Community Hub, Tobacconist Road. For pre-school and primary children. Bring your own skates and scooters. £2.00 per family and £1 per extra child.
Monday, 17 October. 7.00-9.30pm Minchinhampton Parish Council Finance Committee. The 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, 17 October. 7.30-10.00pm Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Tool Sharpening for the Terrified. Minchinhampton School. New members welcome.
Tuesday, 18 October. 2.30-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: Alfred Williams and the Folksongs of the Upper Thames. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £1 from members and £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge. Contact: janeerowe2015@gmail.com
Tuesday, 18 October. 7.30-9.30pm Box Gardening Club: Lost the Plot. Box Village Hall.
Thursday, 20 October. 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
Thursday, 20 October. 10.30am-12.00noon. Hampton Probus: Political Stands. Speaker Mike Warburton. Cotswold Club, High Street. Members with guests by Invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 21 October. 12.00noon-2.30pm. Friday Lunch for the Masasi Bee-keeping project. 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. Donations.
Friday, 21 October. 7.15-10.30pm. Arkwright’s Cash Bingo & Raffle. Cotswold Club, High Street. Eyes down 7:45pm. All welcome, guests can be signed in.
Thursday, 20 October. 12.00-3.00pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: Four hundred years of Stroudwater Textiles. The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Tuesday, 25 October. 2.00-4.00pm Arts & Craft Session (free). Minchinhampton Community Library. Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wednesday, 26 October. 8.30am-4.30pm A trip to Bristol Blue Glass with Ian Jarvis Coach £20, Entrance £8.50 – Total £28.50 per person. Contact: Ian Jarvis 01453 833131
Thursday, 27 October. 10.00am-12.00noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Marsha Lees “My Life in Russia before Perestoika and after (1957–97). Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. tony.e.simmonds@gmail.com
Thursday, 27 October. 2.00-4.00pm Arts & Craft Session (free). Minchinhampton Community Library. Children must be accompanied by an adult
Thursday, 27 October. 7.00-9.00pm Bereavement Journey Course (1st meeting). Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Contact: Naomi 01453 886997 or Vicki on 889004
Thursday, 27 October. 7.30-10.00pm Kenny’s Kwiz at the Crown. The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. £1.00 per person entry.
Friday, 28 October. 4.00-6.00pm. Ping Pong & Games Club. Box Village Hall. All ages welcome. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, 29 October. Times tbc Halloween Fancy Dress Party. Cotswold Club, High Street. For more information contact the club.
Sunday, 30 October. 10.30am-2.00pm. Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group: Walk to France Lynch. Please contact karencolebourn@gmail.com to be added to the circulation list.
Sunday, 30 October. 2.00-3.30pm Skate & Scoot Minchinhampton Community Hub, Tobacconist Road. For pre-school and primary children. Bring your own skates and scooters. £2.00 per family and £1 per extra child.
Sunday, 30 October. 8.00-10.30pm. Open Mic Night. Cotswold Club, High Street. Come and show your talents!
Monday, 31 October. 12.00noon-1.00pm Sunflowers (Suicide Support Group). Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.
Monday, 31 October. 7.00-9.30pm. Minchinhampton Full Parish Council. Baptist Church, Tetbury Street. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to confirm details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
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