Hello everyone, There is a lot going on in the area in September but Saturday, 9th brings the 754th anniversary of Minchinhampton Country Fayre – everyone at Minch Life has been working so hard for this. Do come along to support this historical event which takes place from 12noon until 5pm, and encourage your friends to do so. The Fayre’s attractions include: Stalls down the High Street – lots of choice including crafts, jewellery, soft furnishings, handbags, sweets and gifts, pottery, stained glass, health products, cakes and dog treats, wines and so much more. Please remember the High Street will be closed so all cars must be removed before 9am on Saturday or, preferably, the night before. Pageant led by the Town Crier and a mysterious cow. The Car Parade will follow – this will celebrate 100 years of the motorcar including a vintage Rolls Royce, a ‘60s Austin Healey, an 80s Ferrari amongst others. Behind them will be the Children’s Parade – children from the schools, Guides etc. either in fancy dress or otherwise – there will be a prize for the best dressed and also for the best dance moves. (Please encourage any children to join in – it will leave Minchinhampton Academy at 12noon). The Parade will pass down Dr Brown’s Road to West End and the High Street – do come along to support everyone as they pass by. Once in the High Street the cars will be on display beyond the Market House. There will be live music and the Minch Community Choir from then until 5.00pm on the stage outside the Crown and up on the School field. Under the Market House there will be a display by Minchinhampton Local History Group. This will include local photos and documents (more from this Group on 30th September and this will include films). Moo Relay Race – this will start at 3pm and is for teams of four to run down the centre of the High Street carrying buckets of “milk”. There are categories for men, females and mixed groups etc. There will be a trophy and prizes. To find out more or enter click here. Holy Trinity Minchinhampton – Tea, Coffee and snacks will be available in the Porch Room until 3pm for the Ride and Stride around the Glos Churches. There will also be an exhibition by Martin Beaufort on information he has discovered about the graves in the Churchyard. At 4pm there will be a wedding – so the Church bells will be ringing! Minchinhampton Academy School Hall – The 40th Annual Gardening Club Show. The Flower and Produce Show Schedule is available from Minchinhampton retailers – it isn’t too late to enter and the show is open to everyone – not just members of the Gardening Club. Cups will be presented by John Bingle at 4pm. School Field: A large variety of entertainment including: Fun Fair Dog show by Five Valleys’ Dog Training School.Categories include Most handsome dog;waggiest tail;best old timer dog/bitch;best child handler and many more. Entry fee £2.50 per category or three categories for £6. Dogs can be entered by ringing 07487 710767 or on the day from 12pm until 2pm. The show commences at 1.00pm. Glider Simulator Walks with Hawks Sports’ Activities by Sportily Dance Shows by Ballyhoo Dance School, Katy Walton Dance School and the Morris Dancers Jazz Friday Big Band, Two Hats, Emily Jane Sheppard, and Nailsworth Silver Band. Children’s activities including Punch and Judy;Sublime Science; Showtime Shane, Face painting;Bat the Rat (a stall run by the Guides and Brownies) and more. A vast array of catering stalls – everything you could wish for: Thai food; Burgers; hot dogs;pizza;noodles;falafels, cakes and bakes and ice cream plus the Rugby Club’s Van du Vin Marquee bar tent with wines, beers and soft drinks etc. Minch Life are very grateful to our sponsors: Murrays; M & B Stores; Henry’s; Blueboys Garage; TopCon; Howard Tenens Logistics; Witney Futures, Greenaway Architecture, TSL, Golden Valley Automotive and Cotswold Autos Ltd. Thanks too to Minchinhampton Parish Council for their donation towards the cost of insurance and for agreeing to replacing some of the bunting. There will be a raffle with wonderful prizes and again we thank all those who have kindly donated. This Fayre is a free event and one of our few ways to raise money is from the sale of raffle tickets so please buy some! There will be a MinchLife stall on the High Street selling these and the raffle draw will take place at 2.30 – 3pm. We’ll look forward to seeing you there. Other news on that day – the Tour of Britain passes through the area at Crackstone at 12.30 pm. Pamper and Scamper Dog Walk from the Crown on 24th August raised £180 for Save our Spaniels Rescue. 15 dogs roared across the Common and they and the adults had a lot of fun. Join Jess for the next one in October. A note from Cotswold Gliding Club – In spite of three days of bad weather, including the passing of Storm Antoni on Saturday 6th August, the members of the Vintage Glider Club enjoyed six days of good flying at Cotswold Gliding Club on Aston Down airfield during its 50th Anniversary Rally. Over 70 vintage gliders were on display with most of them flying at some point during the 9 days of the rally. Solar Project at Minchinhampton Community Hub (formerly Youth Centre and Hub): We know it’s a tough financial time for many, but if you are someone looking for a climate positive local investment, the Gloucestershire COmmunity Energy Co-operative have a great new project on the way in Minchinhampton. You may have seen their previous successful installations at Minchinhampton Academy and at City Works in Gloucester – if not, lots of information here This new project at MCH will see PV panels and a heat pump installed at the Minchinhampton Community Hub – the sunny aspect of the pitched roof is ideal for solar panels. Also, replacing the building’s ageing gas heating system will cut its carbon emissions dramatically, from about 10 tonnes to 0.6 tonnes per year. GCEC are inviting investments of between £250 and £10,000 towards a total of £35K, with a closing date of 31 September 2023, and are offering 4% interest. Full details are available in their prospectus: To find out more or express your interest in investing, contact info@minchcommunityhub.co.uk. More information on their website: Minchinhampton Surgery Patient Participation Group (PPG) AGM All patients of Minchinhampton Surgery are invited to attend the PPG AGM on Wednesday 27th September at 7-00 pm in the Porch Room at Minchinhampton Parish Church (Holy Trinity). Speaker: David Rawlings (Stroud District Council Development Officer for Children and Young People) on promoting health for children and young people. The PPG committee and officers for 2023-24 will also be elected. Light refreshments will be available. If you plan to attend, please email the PPG secretary, Ian McPherson, in advance <iandsmcp@gmail.com> News from Longfield Hospice Have you made your Will yet? Make September the month you do. Make a simple Will from 1 – 30 September and 100% of all donations go to Longfield thanks to your generosity and the brilliant participating solicitors who are donating their time to benefit our hospice care. Click here for further information Minchinhampton Theatre Trips Just a quick reminder of the theatre trips needing to be booked and paid for in September: Calendar Girls the Musical in Cheltenham @ 2.00pm on 27th September, Cost for ticket and coach is £63.00 to be booked and paid for by 15th September. Simon Reeve’s talk in Malvern @ 7.30pm on 1st November. Cost for ticket and coach is £55.28 to be booked and paid for by 6th September. The Woman in Black in Malvern @ 2.30pm on 8th November. Cost for ticket and coach is £47.50 to be booked and paid for by 13th September. Hamilton in Bristol @ 2.30pm on 22nd May 2024. Cost for ticket and coach is £95.00 to be booked and paid for by 18th September Christine Stevens finds it helpful to know how many people are booking, so please email her letting her know you intend to book, then book and pay by the set date. Christine Stevens: sort code: 09-01-29 a/c no: 77855567. If you have any questions please email cajbs@hotmail.co.uk Minchinhampton Folk Club After a very successful and enjoyable Poetry & Words session during their 20th Anniversary Festival, it has been decided to make it a regular event, meeting on the second Monday of every month at the Cotswold Club from 12.30 – 2.00pm. Bring along your favourite poem, maybe something you have written yourself, bring a couple of books to swap, or just come along for a chat. All welcome. Cotswold Club Membership renewals are due on 1st September 2023. Members will have until 30th September to renew their membership. After this date a new application would have to be submitted and an additional admin fee of £10 paid. The Annual Subscription Fee remains at £20.00 for Members under 65, £10.00 for Members over 65 and affiliated members. Membership renewals need to be paid to Cosmina the bar manager, as she will ensure that the membership database is updated at the same time. The Long Table Dinners In case you didn’t know, the Long Table at Brimscombe Mill are open for pay-as-you-can dinner from Thursday to Saturday every week. The bar is always open serving beers from Deya and Stroud Brewery, wine from Stroud Wine Co as well as non-alcoholic options too. Thursdays (5-7 pm) (family dinner with Kids Stuff); Friday (5-7 pm) and Saturday (6-8 pm) Friday, 1st 5.00-7.00pm Akoustos – Easy listening/popular music from blues and soul, to country and rock. Pay as you can meal. Saturday, 16th 6.00-11.00pm Summer Sessions – Resident DJ Will Mendoza Check the website for further information. Burleigh Court Hotel Sunday, 3rd 12.30-3.30pm The BBC Three Jazz Lunch Friday, 8th 11.00am-2.00pm A practical introduction to kitchen gardening Friday, 15th 9.30am-2.00pm Wild Food Foraging Experience Thursday, 28th 6.30-9.00pm Burleigh Supper Club (7 course tasting menu) Friday, 29th 11.00am-1.30pm Women’s Well-being masterclass and lunch. More information on all these events on their website Ragged Cot Have 20% off all meals (applies only to food) between 18th September to 1st December, Mondays – Thursdays (excluding events). There are also regular Friday music evenings with Tom Hall, Gilmore n Jaz, Bob Porter Project, BBC and Cygnet Duo. Please check the Events section on their website here. Forthcoming Events for your Diary 9th October Edward Heath’s Arundel and Salisbury Cathedral and city with Ian Jarvis. For more information email bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone 01453 833131. 14th October. Autumn Fair at Beaudesert Park School. 8.30 am – 3pm. 14th October. Quiz for Africa at the Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton 28th October. Shakespeare’s Fool at the Market House. Further Afield Free Mill Visits for Heritage Open Days 9/10th September St Marys Mill, Chalford. Booked hourly tours 11 to 4. See the atmospheric basement of this beautiful mill with its waterwheel and large steam engine which will be turned by electricity. Hear the stories, see more machinery and much else. Only disabled parking on site; walk about 1km along the canal towpath. Booking essential www.stroudtextiletrust.org.uk 16/17th September The Weaving Shed, Gigg Mill & the Dunkirk Mill Museum. Booked hourly tours 11 to 4. Demonstrations and hands on experience of weaving at the refurbished Gigg Mill. See the powerful waterwheel drive historic textile machinery and understand the making of local cloth such as uniforms and snooker cloth at Dunkirk. Booking as above and other opportunities to visit until the end of September. Cotswold Playhouse 15th & 16th September – How I See Things by Sophia Spooner – £10. A sequence of monologues gives voice to the female experience. They explore topics such as mental health, materialism, relationships and sex. 3rd – 7th October – Private Lives £14 13th October – The Invisible Man. Tickets £12. 7.30 pm 14th October Circus Tales. 1pm – 4.30 pm. Free 19th– 21st October. Maggie May. £13. 7.30 pm 20th Anniversary of Tetbury Music Festival – more details – www.tetburymusicfestival.org The dates are – 23 September – 1 October 2023 28 September – 6 October 2024 Wild Wonder at Westonbirt – Children’s Book Festival Do your children love books? Would they love to meet their favourite authors and ask them questions? Then Wild Wonder at Westonbirt is the place to be! Workshop ticket prices include free entry into the arboretum so you can enjoy a whole day in nature. Click here for further information. 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 7.00-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall Saturday, 2nd 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 10.30-11.00 am and 11.15-11.45am Song & Story Session (for children aged 5 and under) Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Free event, all children to be accompanied by an adult. Sunday, 3rd Box Village Show, Box Village Hall. Monday, 4th 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. Wednesday, 6th 2.30-4.30pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: First Aid Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. Guests and visitors are always welcomed. For more details, contact 884606. Thursday, 7th 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: Throwing Light on Light Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk Friday, 8th 10.00am-12.00noon Police Information Point, Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road, Our local PCSO, Anca Preda, will be available to meet local residents providing crime prevention advice or discuss any community concerns they wish to raise. Friday, 8th 8.00-11.00pm Tina Turner Tribute & Soul & Motown, Cotswold Club, High Street. Ticketed event. SOLD OUT! Saturday, 9th all day Ride & Stride (sponsored bike ride or walk between churches in Gloucestershire and North Bristol) to raise funds for the restoration and preservation of local historic churches and chapels. Minchinhampton Holy Trinity Church will be open for refreshments from 10.00 am-3.00pm To take part register here. Saturday, 9th 12.30pm Tour of Britain passes through Crackstone. For more details see https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-seven/ Saturday, 9th 12.00noon-4.00pm Minchinhampton Flower & Produce Show 40th Anniversary Celebration Minchinhampton School Hall ******Saturday, 9th 12.00noon-5.00pm Minchinhampton Fayre ****** (for details see beginning of newsletter) Sunday, 10th 7.30-10.00pm Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare in the Garden), The Bear of Rodborough, Tickets: £18.00 https://www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/the-bear-of-rodborough/summer-theatre 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 deputy clerk to confirm details. Email: deputyclerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk Tuesday, 12th 2.15-4.00pm Knit & Natter Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Email secretary@mclt.org.uk Tuesday, 12th 6.30-9.30pm Stroud Imagines – The One about Travel! The Long Table, Brimscombe Mill. Three speakers discussing the future of travel. More information here. Thursday, 14th 10.00am-12.00noon Minchinhampton Probus: Pens to Cern Collider. 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 8.00-10.30pm Songbook Session: Steve Ferbrache. Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road. Singer/songwriter and frontman of The Achievers. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088203616326 Friday, 15th 9.00am-5.00pm Gin tasting river cruise plus time in Stratford upon Avon with Ian Jarvis Coach £27, Cruise £30- Total £57.00 per person For more information email bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone 01453 833131. Friday, 15th 7.00-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall Saturday, 16th 10.00am-12.00noon Macmillan Coffee Morning Cotswold Club, High Street. In memory of Marion Thomas Monday, 18th 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 Tuesday, 19th 7.00-9.30pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. For further information contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707. Tuesday, 19th 7.30-9.30pm Box Gardening Club: 50 Years of the best Gardening Tips. Box Village Hall Wednesday, 20th 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. “Young Adult” will be the theme for this month’s book discussion. This can be interpreted as you wish. Thursday, 21st 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: Religion in the Nailsworth Valley Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk Thursday, 21st 12.00noon-3.00pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: Black Sheep, a story of Rural Racism, Identity and Hope. The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com Friday, 22nd 6.30-9.00pm Concert with Eleanor Lang and Sister Sally Beaudesert Park School, GL6 9AF Tickets £10, Children under 16 go free! From www.eventbrite.com Saturday, 23rd 7.00-10.00pm Minchinhampton-Nkokoto Link Barn Dance Box Village Hall Live Music by Commonfolk featuring Becky Dellow and Jeff Gillett. £12.50 per person with supper included. Bar opens at 7pm. Music starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Market Stores or email nkokoto@yahoo.co.uk Saturday, 23rd 7.30-10.00pm Stroud Theatre Company: The Making of Lucy by Frank Hatt Minchinhampton Market House, High Street. Tickets: £10 from M & B Stores, or online here (with booking fee) Either Saturday, 23rd or Sunday 24th (to be confirmed) Pate’s Grammar School Opera, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. For more information contact admin@minchchurch.org.uk Sunday 24th 8.00am-5.00pm Five Valley’s Walk (includes Minchinhampton Common). Walkers can start or finish at any of eight checkpoints. Although the 21-mile route is a tough challenge, you can choose your distance and cover anything from 1.5 miles up to the full 21. For full information and registration click here. : Sunday, 24th 10.30am-1.00pm **May be cancelled** Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group Contact: karencolebourn@gmail.com to confirm if being held. If the weather is very poor, we will cancel by email by 9.00am. Monday, 25th 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, 26th 2.25-4.00pm Knit & Natter Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Email secretary@mclt.org.uk Wednesday, 27th 2.00-5.00pm Minch Theatre Group: The Calendar Girls in Cheltenham. Ticket and coach price £63.00. Payment due by September 15th. More information from Chris Stevens cajbs@hotmail.co.uk 07789 480 210. Wednesday, 27th 7.00-9.00pm Minchinhampton Surgery Patient Participation Group AGM, Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. If you plan to attend, please email the PPG secretary, Ian McPherson, in advance iandsmcp@gmail.com Wednesday, 27th 7.30-9.00pm The Royal British Legion Minchinhampton Branch AGM Cotswold Club, High Street. Details of the guest speaker will be published in due course. You do not have to be ex-services to join the RBL or attend meetings. For further information contact rogersims@aol.com Thursday, 28th 10.00am-12.00noon Minchinhampton Probus: Japan. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com Thursday, 28th 7.30-10.00pm The Crown Quiz Crown Inn, High Street, Minchinhampton. Only £1 per person entry. Bookings: email crownminchinhampton@youngs.co.uk or phone 01453 608010 Friday, 29th 7.30am-3.00pm Horsfall House Golf Day (rescheduled from 14th July) Minchinhampton Golf Club. £90.00 per person. For further information email Welcome@horsfallhouse.co.uk Friday, 29th 7.00-10.30pm Dursley Mail Voice Choir and the Stuart Singers Beaudesert Park School, GL6 9AF in aid of Stroud District Foodbank. Tickets £10 online here Saturday, 30th 2.30-6.30pm Minchinhampton Local History Group display Minchinhampton Market House, High Street. Displays of local photos and documents. Films from Alan Vaughan will be shown during the afternoon. Refreshments available for purchase. 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 |
