MinchLife ask you to save the date – Sunday, 5 June 2022 for our Jubilee Fayre. With huge thanks to Nick Moss and Minchinhampton Academy it will be held in the grounds of the school so the whole town can gather for a picnic and Jubilee pudding on the playing fields and have a good view of the stage for all the live entertainment and fun. More news to follow but the entertainment will start at 1 pm until late. This will be instead of Minchinhampton Fayre in September.
Please also put the Cogfest in your diaries – Sunday, 22 May 2022. Apart from the usual activities and excitement the Police will be present to mark your bike to prove ownership and prevent theft.
Minchinhampton Academy Solar Roof Project
Gloucestershire Community Energy Coop recently invited the community to invest in a solar photovoltaic installation at Minchinhampton Church of England Primary Academy. Working with the school and Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust, they will install a 52kWp system on the roof of the school, reducing their energy costs and helping their transition to net zero. We are delighted to announce that the share offer target was reached yesterday. If you are interested to know more about this project click here.
News from Minchinhampton Market House: Digging up the undercroft
Last week Chiz Harward of Urban Archaeology dug test pits in our undercroft. He found mediaeval pottery and traces of a wall. Why dig? To find out what was there before the paving. Why? We hope to attract more of you to use of our market house and its undercroft. So we restore the floor of the undercroft, improve lighting, power, and put in facilities that will attract you. We have Listed Building Consent for this project. The Parish Council support our plans for it. Thanks to you we have over £70,000 to carry out the project. We need another £40,000 to complete it. Do you want to know more? Can you help? Contact Tim Mowat at 01453-883369 or timmowat@gmail.com
Enlarging Minchinhampton Benefice
The parishes of Amberley and Minchinhampton with Box were joined together as a benefice around twelve years ago. The parishes of Avening and Cherington are now in vacancy and there is a possibility of them being added to the current Benefice. Please see this letter from the Rector of Minchinhampton Holy Trinity Church.
Stroud Hospital League of Friends
The Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) and Jubilee Ward have been undergoing a major refurbishment which has resulted in temporary closure and disruption (although a booking system remains). It will be re-opening soon. The League of Friends contributed £515,000 to this project and In total they have distributed £800,000 in 2021 including helping Horsfall House with its free respite bed. A full report can be read at stroudleagueoffriends.org.
Minchinhampton Community Library
The opening hours are as follows: Monday 2 – 4.30pm, Tuesday and Friday 10am – 12 noon, 2 – 4.30pm, and Saturday 10am – 12 noon. However, in March it is planned to open Thursday afternoons 2 – 4.30 pm – check the website for confirmation on times. We are always looking for extra volunteers, although there is currently a waiting list for training. If you love books, and are able to pick up new computer systems easily, give the library a call on 01453 885497, or come in and see us, during opening hours. You only need to commit yourself to one or two sessions a month – although if you have more time available it would be much appreciated.
New – Ballet for Adults
A new ballet class started on 21 January in the Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. It will continue on Fridays at 7.00 pm in term time. It’s for adults 18+ and suitable for beginners or those who have done some ballet previously (or as a child). For more details please contact Jennifer Sibland. 0781 8293999.
New Players Needed
Minchinhampton RFC are looking for new players to join MinchGirls, who are going from strength to strength. The younger girls, aged 7 to 11 train from 11.15am until 12.30pm, whilst the older girls have their session at 1pm until 2.30pm. For further details please contact Tom Nurse at thomas.nurse@yahoo.co.uk
Calling the Men of Minchinhampton…
If you like to sing, why not pop along to the Community Choir on a Monday night? We are growing in numbers, but could do with more male voices. All ages and abilities welcome. 7.30 pm in Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Contact chair@minchlife.com or just turn up on Monday. (obviously new ladies are also welcome!)
Bridge
If you are a bridge player, you may be interested to know that Rodborough Bridge Club would like to welcome new members. They are a sociable club with various standards of play and meet on Monday evening at 6.30 for 6.45 pm at Minchinhampton Golf Club. You may try before you join at £3 per evening. Contact sec@rodboroughbridgeclub.co.uk for more information.
Also, South Cotswold Bridge Club have an Improvers Bridge Course starting this coming Friday, 4 February at 10.00 am at Minchinhampton New Golf Club. Please see here the programme of lessons, each one consists of part theory and part play of prepared hands. The course is open to both club members and non-club members. The cost of each lesson to include full notes is £5 for members and £7 for non-members. Each lesson lasts nearly 3 hours.
Dazzle Holiday Club
During February half-term Dazzle Holiday Club for children aged 5-11 years will be held at the Minchinhampton Community Hub at Tobacconist Road on Tuesday to Thursday. Craft activities/Sport sessions/Free Play/Outdoor Games/Drama fun/End of day big screen movie & hot chocolate. Choose from 8.45am-3pm or 5.30pm collection. 10% sibling discount, priority booking for all three days available to book from Wednesday morning and single days from end of next week. https://www.dazzleworkshops.co.uk/
Another two dates in early March for your Diary
Film night at the Market House on Thursday, 3 March at 7.30pm. It will be a one-off different format, as we have been asked to contribute to the Stroud Film Festival with one of our local documentaries, ‘Making the Pelicantata’ film, which follows the progress of the locally formed Minpins Children’s choir, leading up to a World Premiere performance along with the Stroud Choral Society at Bath Abbey. The Pelicantata is based on Roald Dahl’s much loved children’s book, ‘The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me’ illustrated by Quentin Blake. This will be followed by 2 short films related to the present day Minpins Youth Choir and an interview with Roald Dahl (never seen on TV). Tickets £6.00 from the Market Stores or online here.
Zodiac Concert, Friday, 4 March at 7.30pm at the Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Richard Smith plays Piano Favourites to raise much needed funds for Horsfall House. Tickets £12 available at the Market Stores or online at https://horsfallhouse.co.uk/fundraising
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, 2 February, 2.15 for 2.30pm Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: ‘I wish our Home Secretary had been at Hampton School Minchinhampton in 1894’ or How I Came to Write a Local History Book. Talk by Kate Jarvis. Zoom meeting. Members have already been sent an email giving meeting passcode. For further information please contact Jane Rowe, tel. 01452 813228 (with answerphone) or email: janeerowe2015@gmail.com
Wednesday, 2 February, 2.30-4.00 pm. Women’s Institute: History of the Postcode. Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. New members very welcome. Please call the Secretary on 884606 for more details.
Thursday, 3 February, 10.30 am-12.00 noon. Hampton Probus: “I know my rights!” Cotswold Club, High Street. Members with guests by invitation. Webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 4 February, 10.00 am. South Cotswold Bridge Club: Improvers Bridge Course commences. Minchinhampton New Golf Club. For further information email Jim Edwards, jimedwards811@gmail.com
Friday, 4 February, 7.15 pm Eyes down 7.45 pm. Arkwright’s first Cash Bingo Night of the year. Cotswold Club, High Street. £15 for 10 x 6 game books. All welcome as guests can be signed in.
Saturday, 5 February, 4.30-6.00 pm. Tea-time Concert. Minchinhampton Holy Trinity Church. The CBSO Baroque Ensemble will be playing music by Handel, Telemann, Uccelllini and CPE Bach. No tickets required … just come. There will be a retiring collection with either cash or card donations.
Sunday, 6 February, 9.30 am. Stroud & District Motor Club: Cotswold Clouds Classic Trial at the Ladder. For Spectator information click here.
Monday, 7 February, 10.30 am-12.00 noon. Poems in the Porch Room. Porch Room, Minchinhampton Holy Trinity Church. Welcomes all, but especially people who are living with memory problems. For more details contact Jo Smith 01453 834714
Wednesday, 9 February, 9.00-10.30 am. Pre-prep Open Morning. Beaudesert Park School. For families looking to join the Reception class in forthcoming years. Register in advance on 01453 832072 or online: https://beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk/about-us/admissions
Thursday, 10 February, 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Minchinhampton Probus: Dry Stone Walling. Porch Room, Minchinhampton Holy Trinity Church. New members welcome. Richardandmarysmith@gmail.com
Thursday, 10 February, 7.30-9.00 pm. Amberley Gardening Club AGM and Quiz. Amberley Parish Rooms. Visitors welcome. For membership details, please contact Christopher Bailey at christo.p.bailey@outlook.com
Friday, 11 February, 7.30-10.00 pm. (Doors open 7.00 pm) Johnny Coppin with Paul Burgess, in collaboration with Minchinhampton Folk Club. Minchinhampton Market House. Tickets £15.00. Sold out but check https://minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk/folk-concert/ to join waiting list.
Sunday, 13 February, 1.00-4.00 pm. Snowdrops at Hyde in aid of Horsfall House. Shuttle bus from the Market House. Parking limited. Entry by voluntary donation. https://horsfallhouse.co.uk/fundraising
Monday, 14 February, 7.00-9.30 pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Planning Committee. Trap House, West End.
Wednesday, 16 February, 8.30 am-12.00 noon. Minchinhampton Market returns (after Christmas break) Minchinhampton Market House.
Thursday, 17 February, 9.15 am – 4.30 pm. Coach Trip to SS Great Britain with Ian Jarvis. Coach £20; Entrance £13.50 – Total £33.50 per person. Contact Ian Jarvis on 01453 833131 or ian@abbeyhall.info
Thursday, 17 February, 10.30 am-12.00 noon. Hampton Probus: History of Stroud Museum. Cotswold Club. Members with guests by invitation. Webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 17 February, 12.00 noon – 3.00 pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: Bringing Art to Prisons. The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield in advance. Bthadfield@btinternet.com.
Friday, 18 February, 1.00-1.30 pm. Madhu’s Rasoi Indian Takeaway. Menu here. Box Village Hall. £25 meal for 2. Bookings by Wednesday, 16 February. 01453 755934 E: info@madhusrasoi.co.uk
Monday, 21 February, 7.30-10.00 pm. Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Medieval Gardens. School Hall, Minchinhampton Academy. New Members welcome.
Thursday, 24 February, 10.00 am-12.00 noon. Minchinhampton Probus: The Royal International Air Tattoo – from Small Beginnings” (Fairford). Porch Room, Minchinhampton Holy Trinity Church. New members welcome. Richardandmarysmith@gmail.com
Sunday, 27 February, 10.00 am-2.00 pm. Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group: Cotswold Water Park. Meet at Bell Lane Car Park (to car share where possible). Dogs on leads due to birds. Please contact karencolebourn@gmail.com to be added to the circulation list.
Monday, 28 February, 7.00-9.30 pm. Minchinhampton Parish Council Full meeting. Venue to be confirmed. Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should email the clerk to request details. Email: clerk@minchinhampton-pc.gov.uk
As we have said before, we don’t normally publish events outside the parish of Minchinhampton but in view of the difficult climate for the arts and the fact that the Cotswold Playhouse is so popular we print below details of their performances:
Book online at https://www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets or phone 0333 666 3366.
Cotswold Playhouse
4 – 5 February at 7.30 pm. Glitter and Twisted present Sing Happy. Two fun-packed nights of funny and uplifting theatrical performances, featuring a talented cast of actors and singers.
17 – 19 February at 7.30 pm. Hexagon Theatre Company present Circus of Desertion. A retired professor is preparing for an interview with a journalist to discuss his celebrated career. The man who comes to interview him however has another agenda – one that will lead Colin to re-evaluate his past actions and try to make amends for his mistakes. The journey ends in a devastating revelation as the past returns to haunt him.
10 February at 7.30 pm. Greedy Pig theatre Company present Be. Feminine/Masculine. Why can’t we just Be?
Hexagon are thrilled to be performing this intriguing new play that was written especially for the company by local author TD Presland.
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