Dear all
It was the 754th anniversary of the Country Fayre on 9th September and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. It was extremely hot – some say it was the hottest day of the year but that did not prevent Tony Evans, the Town Cryer, leading the 30 Vintage and more modern cars followed by children in fancy dress to open the show.
There was live music in the Market Square and on the school field cheering everyone on and a huge variety of stalls down the High Street selling everything from dog treats to hand made jewellery. On the school field there was a lot of entertainment for the children and adults including an energetic dance display by the Ballyhoo Dance School. Sadly the little ones that were due to dance from the Katy Walton Dance School had to call off their show due to the high temperatures and likewise it was too hot for the Five Valleys’ Dog Show – that had to wait until the 16th September in the Hub. The Minch Moo relay race took place for the first time and was hugely successful. Radio Gloucestershire was very taken with the idea and thought it outshone the Tour of Britain cycle race which passed close by that day! There was a wonderful trophy presented to the winners – this year it was the Holy Cows from Holy Trinity led by Howard Gilbert.
MinchLife are very grateful to everyone who has shown their appreciation and to all our sponsors, volunteers and raffle prize donors and to everyone who braved the weather to come!
Market House News – A note from Phil Hale
Minchinhampton is so lucky to have a facility such as the Market House and we endeavour to bring a variety of events for you to enjoy. The last weekend in September saw a sell out performance of The Making of Lucy brought to us by the Stroud Theatre Company who hope to return with another production next Spring. Over the next few months we have plays, concerts and discos to look forward to. These shows cannot happen without the services of volunteers and we need more help if we are to continue bringing quality acts to the Market House. If you feel you could help then please do contact us by email at events@minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk
The Market House is also a great venue for such things as dance classes, yoga, etc etc. If you would like to bring a class to Minchinhampton then contact enquiries@minchinhamptonmarkethouse.co.uk
Finally if there is something that you would like to see happening then please contact us with your idea and we can look into it.
The Kitchen – A note from Janet Payne and Sue Simmonds
A gentle reminder to those people who would like to give a donation to Peter and Assumpta from The Kitchen, Minchinhampton. 29th September was their last day. Closing date for donation is Friday, 20th October. Peter and Assumpta will be given a large card with love from the community of Minchinhampton with the names of those who have contributed. They have requested no presentation or ceremony. Bank transfer by BACS in joint names of Susan Simmonds and Janet Payne, details as follows: Account 30-98-29 12188563. Please add your name in the reference field. Other than bank transfer, donations can be by cash or cheque (made out to one of the names above). Receipts will be provided. For more information contact Janet Payne on 01453 884334 or Susan Simmonds on 01453 889321.
The Kitchen will now continue under new management – the handover has been taking place whilst Peter and Assumpta have been in situ.
Stroud Stands with Ukraine SSWU: Give a Ukrainian family a safe home – A note from Richard Baker
£600/month grant • Expert support
Many Ukrainian families are still in desperate need of a place of safety. Some families are still arriving from Ukraine and others have completed a six-month stay with a local Gloucestershire family and now need ‘move-on’ accommodation. Could you offer a couple of rooms, an annexe or do you have a second property you could rent out at a reduced rate?
Many Stroud families have already opened their doors and have found the hosting experience an overwhelmingly positive one. There are several organisations set up to help host families, including Stroud Stands With Ukraine (SSWU), a local network of volunteers helping Ukrainian guests and their hosts, so you won’t feel alone! Refugee guests are able to live and work in the UK for up to three years. Six to twelve months is the initial expected stay. Please contact team@stroudukraine.org.uk for more information.
The Bereavement Journey Course – Presented jointly by Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton and Minchinhampton Baptist Church (MBC)
Working with grief and loss of a loved one takes a long time. The Bereavement Journey® is a 7 Session programme which assists bereaved people or those who have experienced similar to process their loss. Each Evening begins with a light supper to get to know other participants. Then two informative videos are used interspersed by discussion in a small group and facilitated by trained volunteers. The next course starts on 19th October from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at MBC Church Centre, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton and costs £20 which is a contribution to course handbook and refreshments over the seven evenings. (Grants are available where this small charge would be challenging)
For more details and application form contact, Holy Trinity or the Baptist Church, Tel: 01453 996997 or 01453 889004 respectively. Websites: www.minchchurch.org.uk or www.minchbc.org.uk or email course@minchbc.org.uk Application forms on websites or from the Church offices GL6 9BP or GL6 9JU.
Minchinhampton Community Library
We have a variety of groups who meet regularly at the library. Our Social Book Club meets monthly on a Wednesday morning, the Knit & Natter Group (for those who love knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing and other similar craft activities) meet fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons, and lego club meet weekly after school on Thursday afternoons. We are hoping to start a new rhyme & storytime group for parents/carers with their pre-school children/toddlers in the very near future, but need extra volunteer help. We are also keen to start other groups, such as scrabble, chess, etc. Speak to one of our volunteers or email secretary@mclt.org.uk for further details or to express an interest.
Autumn Fair at Beaudesert Park School
Beaudesert Park’s highly anticipated Autumn Fair is returning on Saturday, 14th October, from 8:30am to 3pm. Visit the school to start your Christmas shopping with stalls including Three Boys Rock, Chalkstream Foods, Wall Circus and Sappho Interiors. Food and coffees are on offer in the Courtyard. The event is being sponsored by Linbury Doctors, Cocoon Care, Oliver’s Travels and Stroud Farm Services. Entry is £3.50 for adults (children U16 go free), all proceeds will go to the Guide Dogs for the Blind.
The Capriol Chamber Orchestra are a group of local musicians from the Stroud area who practise in the Hub. Minchinhampton is their home so do support their concert at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton on 7th October see Events list below.
Box Art Group are holding an exhibition at Box Village Hall on Friday 13th to Sunday 15th October from 10am to 5pm each day. Entrance free. Coffee and Cake available on Saturday 14th from 10am to 1pm. Original art and prints will be available for sale. Donations to local charities.
Free Bridge at South Cotswold Bridge Club
If you have played bridge in the past and would like to take it up again come and join friendly local bridge sessions on Thursday afternoons (1.30pm for 1.45pm start) at Minchinhampton Golf Club, Hampton Hill, where you will be welcomed to 3 free sessions. (Thereafter £3 per session and £5 annual membership). For more information contact jimedwards811@gmail.com, Tel 07879 400193.
The Crown, Minchinhampton
Our local pub goes from strength to strength and is well known for its Sunday roasts, Thursday steak nights. This month watch the rugby all day on 7th October, 2023.
The Long Table
Saturday, 14th October. 5pm – 11pm Harvest Moon. Guest bands, a growers’ and producers’ market and pay-as-you can food from 6pm – 8pm.
Saturday, 21st October. 6pm – 11 pm. Autumn Sessions. Special guest singer/songwriter Reuben Lovett brings folk rock. Pay-as-you-can seasonal food from 6pm – 8pm.
Saturday, 28th October. Halloween. Family focused Halloween celebrations and food. Dress up and come along!
More information here.
Burleigh Court Hotel, Burleigh
Sunday, 1st October. 12.30 -3.30pm. Three Bop Jazz Lunch
Thursday, 5th October. 6.30pm – 9.30pm. Harvest Festival/Wine and Food Tasting. £69.
Friday, 20th October. 9.30am – 2pm. Wild Food Foraging Experience. £59.
Thursday, 26th October. 6.30 pm – 9pm. Burleigh Supper Club. £75.
More information here.
The Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road
Live music events as follows.
Thursday, 12th October. Songbook jam session. See Events list below for more information.
Friday, 13th October. Gilmore’n jaz
Friday, 20th October. Tom Hall
Friday, 27th October. Cygnet Duo
Friday, 6th October. Os Grilos
More information on their website here with details of cocktail days, discounts on meals Monday to Thursday and Prosecco lunches.
Forthcoming Events for your Diary
Curtain-call reminder from Ian and Katie Jarvis. The December trip on Tuesday, 19th December is to The Box of Delights, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford. Coach £27. RSC £42 – Total £69 per person. Please contact bus@abbeyhall.info asap if you would like to go.
Further Afield
Cotswold Playhouse
Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 7th October at 7.30pm. Private Lives Tickets £14
Friday 13th October at 7.30pm. The Invisible Man Tickets £12
Saturday 14th October Circus Tales Roll up, roll up from 1pm, event ends at 4.30pm. Entry is free but by ticket only so please sign up for tickets via the usual Cotswold Playhouse booking page.
Thursday 19th – Saturday 21st October at 7.30pm Maggie May Tickets £13. Hexagon Theatre Company present an inspiring story of hope. Maggie and Gordon first met, dancing to Rod Stewart songs, in 1971. They’re still singing and laughing, but now Maggie is feeling foggy and some days the songs are all she can remember.”Sensitive, hilarious and emotional.
To book for all productions, please visit cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets or call the box office on 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.
Sunday, 1st 2.00-5.00pm Elsie’s Afternoon Tea Box Village Hall. Tea, Sandwiches, Cakes, Homemade Scone. Raising funds for volunteering in Ghana.
Monday, 2nd 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, 4th 2.30-4.30pm Minchinhampton Women’s Institute: Speaker Mike Jackson from the BBC Antiques Roadshow. Coronation Scout Hut, Dr Browns Road. Guests and visitors are always welcomed. For more details, contact 884606.
Thursday, 5th 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: The work of “The Door”. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Friday, 6th 7.00-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall
Saturday, 7th 10.00am-12.00noon Coffee Morning, Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton. All welcome. If you require a lift please call 01453 88900
Saturday, 7th 7.30-10.00pm The Capriol Chamber Orchestra. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Performing Beethoven (and Bruch). Tickets £12 (£10 for people in full time education, on Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support) from Sub Rooms Box Office tel: 01453 796880 or on the door (card payments now taken) Children under 16 free. £1 reduction on advance tickets. More information here.
Saturday, 7th 8.00-10.00pm Quiz Night. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. £1 per person, teams of 4.
Monday, 9th 9.00am-5.00pm Edward Heath’s Arundells, Salisbury Cathedral & city centre, trip with Ian Jarvis. Coach £27, Arundells £8 – Total £35 per person. For more information email bus@abbeyhall.info or telephone 01453 833131.
Monday, 9th 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, 9th 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, 10th 1.45-3.30pm Minchinhampton School (C of E Primary Academy) Open Afternoon. This is primarily for parents with children due to start school in Sept 2024 but prospective parents will be given a tour of the whole school. Tuesday, 10th 2.15-4.00pm Knit & Natter Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Email secretary@mclt.org.uk
Tuesday, 10th 7.00-9.00pm An Evening of Mediumship with Erin Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Reconnect with the loved ones in spirit. Tickets: £15.00 (Cash only) Please purchase from the bar. Over 18s only.
Tuesday, 10th 6.30-10.00pm MinchCan Social Supper Box Village Hall. (Doors/Bar 6.30, Meal 7.30pm) Delicious food prepared by award winning local chefs. Music, bar, fun and entertainment. Tickets are pay as you feel with a suggested price of £25. Bookings here.
Thursday, 12th 10.00am-12.00noon Minchinhampton Probus: The Story of a Violin. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com
Thursday, 12th 7.00-9.00pm Knit, Craft, Sew Minchinhampton Market House, Market Square. First knit, craft, sew, friendly get together over tea and cake. All welcome. If possible, please let Joy Buxton (on Facebook) know if you are coming.
Thursday, 12th 8.00-11.00pm Songbook Session: Mark Harrison Ragged Cot, Cirencester Road. Tickets £10.00 obtainable here.
Thursday, 12th 7.30-9.00pm 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, 13th – Sunday, 15th 10.00am-5.00pm Box Art Group Exhibition. Box Village Hall. Entrance free. Coffee and Cake on Saturday, 14th from 10.00am-1.00pm. Original Arts and Prints.
Friday, 13th 7.00-10.00pm Movie Night: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Minchinhampton Market House, Market Square. (Doors open 7pm, show starts 7.30pm). Starring Jim Broadbent, Penelope Wilton (and Tom Long’s Post!) The book of the same name was written by local author Rachel Joyce. Licensed bar – tickets from the Market Stores, £6.
Saturday, 14th 8.30am-3.00pm Autumn Fair Beaudesert Park School, GL6 9AF. Visit the school to start your Christmas shopping with stalls including Three Boys Rock, Chalkstream Foods, Wall Circus and Sappho Interiors. Entry is £3.50 for adults (children U16 go free), all proceeds will go to the Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Saturday, 14th 6.45-10.00pm Quiz for Africa Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. (Doors open 6:45 for quiz at 7.15pm) £10 per person inc supper. Teams of up to 6, but don’t worry if you can’t raise a team you will be buddied up with others. Tickets available from the Market Stores. More information tel 884545.
Monday, 16th 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
Monday, 16th 7.30-9.30pm Minchinhampton Gardening Club: Wildlife in the Garden. Minchinhampton Academy School Hall. For more information please contact our Secretary John Fivash tel: 01453 764956 email: johnfivash@btinternet.com
Tuesday, 17th 2.15-4.00pm Cotteswold Naturalists Field Club: Textile Conservation. Box Village Hall. Contribution of £2 from members and £5 from visitors is requested. Followed by refreshments at no additional charge.
Tuesday, 17th 7.00-9.30pm Minch Book Club The Crown, High Street. Book of the month: The cat who saved books by Sosuke Natsukawa. For further information contact: Rachel Montgomery at rachel@monty.one or 07715 303707.
Wednesday, 18th 10.30am-12.00noon. Social Book Club Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Comedy will be the theme for this month’s book discussion. This can be interpreted as you wish.
Thursday, 19th 9.30am-12.00noon Amberley School Open Morning Amberley Parochial School
Thursday, 19th 10.30am-12.00noon Hampton Probus: Antiques and Auctioneering. Cotswold Club, High Street, Minchinhampton. Members with guests by invitation. For further information contact: webmaster@hamptonprobus.co.uk
Thursday, 19th 12.00noon-3.00pm Minchinhampton Ladies Lunch Club: Creating a Seascape in Oils. The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Common. Speaker Jane Lampard. New members welcome but it is important to contact Biddy Hadfield before attending the lunch. bthadfield@btinternet.com
Thursday, 19th 7.00-9.00pm New: Bereavement Journey Course MBC Church Centre, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton. For more details and application form contact, Holy Trinity or the Baptist Church, Tel: 01453 996997 or 01453 889004 respectively. Web Sites:
www.minchchurch.org.uk or www.minchbc.org.uk or email course@minchbc.org.uk
Friday, 20th 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, 20th 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, 20th 7.00-9.00pm Box Bar Box Village Hall
Saturday, 21st 7.30-10.00pm 70s/80s disco with KC Minchinhampton’s own DJ Minchinhampton Market House, Market Square. Tickets £15 can be bought online here or from the Market Stores, Minchinhampton (cash only)
Tuesday, 24th 2.15-4.00pm Knit & Natter Minchinhampton Community Library, School Road. Email secretary@mclt.org.uk
Tuesday, 24th 2.30-4.30pm Teatime Talk for the NSPCC (John Nevil Maskelyne Gloucestershire Master of Magic, Mystery and Invention). Box Village Hall. Tickets £12.00 (to include tea) available from Jane Fearnley 01453 872296 or fearnley@globalnet.co.uk.
Wednesday, 25th 9.30-11.00am M.A.P.S. (Minchinhampton Additional Needs Parent Support Group) Meeting Minchinhampton Baptist Church, Tetbury Street. Welcoming all parents & carers of children with additional needs diagnosed/undiagnosed from Minchinhampton & beyond.
Thursday, 26th 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, 26th 10.00am-12.00noon Minchinhampton Probus: Roman Invasions. Porch Room, Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton. Meeting starts 10.30am. New members and guests welcome. Contact John Collinson john.ipp.uk@gmail.com
Thursday, 26th 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
Saturday, 28th 11.00am-1.00pm Walk with Pamper and Scamper The Crown, High Street, Minchinhampton. Come along with your canine friends and join Jess for the community dog walk.
Saturday, 28th 2.30-8.30pm Pyro Air Display, Fireworks & Bonfire Night Aston Down Airfield. Car ticket (up to 5 people) – £35, Car ticket (more than 5 people) – £44
Tickets and details here.
Saturday, 28th 7.30-10.00pm “Shakespeare’s Fool” Minchinhampton Market House, Market Square. Tickets £15 from the Market Stores (cash only) or online here.
Saturday, 28th 8.00-11.00pm Halloween Disco Cotswold Club, High Street. More details regarding tickets to follow here in due course
Monday, 30th 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
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