What’s On

Cheltenham Chess Club meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm. Playing face to face is more fun than the online alternative, so why not come along and enjoy a social game of chess with us. All strengths are welcome, from the beginner to the more experienced player. We have a comfortable and relaxing playing room with a club library, and also a bar on site. There is also ample free car parking at the club. Venue: The Victory Club, Burlington House, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham GL50 2SY. For more details contact Paul on 07568 488800.

Prepare to enter a magical new world – the nutcracker in this ballet may be a handsome prince in disguise. The ultimate fairy-tale where goodness and beauty triumph. An unforgettable journey in the run-up to Christmas and an ideal introduction to audiences of any age to the magic that is classical ballet. 7.30pm. Tickets from £22. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. For more information, please visit www.rosestheatre.org

This production tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster. £20 (£19, children £15). 2.30pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside, dreams lie in tatters, hopes are dashed, and hearts broken. With nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other. £16.50 (£14.50). 7pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

St. John’s Players present the stage version of the film ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ (that starred Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant) and her hilarious journey to perform at Carnegie Hall. She was dubbed the worst singer in the world. St. John’s Hall, Churchdown, GL3 2DB. 7.30pm. £10. Concessions: £8. Box Office opens 10th October –call 01452 713952. Bar. Car park.

An intimate insight into Noel’s extraordinary bionic world and the animals who have inspired him along the way. Noel will share a rollercoaster ride of successes and failures, demonstrating why love really is all that matters – and how our animal friends can teach us very important life lessons, which can make us better people. 7.30pm. Tickets £37. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA. For more details, please visit www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

Soumik Datta is an award-winning musician, producer and television presenter. He plays the 19-stringed sarod and combines Indian music with spoken word, arts activism and electronica. The full-length production creates a tapestry of refugee stories, electric sarod, strings and animation. It’ll be a sensory feast that challenges social injustice through an uplifting, musical lens. Tickets: pay what you choose. 7pm. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1NS.

Share your festive events in our December 2022 issue. The first five listings* for festive events that we receive for each of our edition areas** will be included free of charge to make sure we have lots of fun and interesting events for our readers to attend this Christmas season! Please send your event details to info@thelocalanswer.co.uk

*Maximum 40 words. The name and date of the event are included in the word limit (you can also include a description, timings, ticket prices, contact details, website address, etc.). **Edition areas: Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cotswolds, Stroud District and North Gloucestershire (Tewkesbury/Winchcombe/Bishops Cleeve). Each listing is only guaranteed to appear in the edition area most relevant to the event location. Inclusion in additional areas is at the discretion of the editor. Events must be of a festive nature. If you miss out on a free listing, don’t worry – listings start from only £30+VAT to be included in 20,000+ magazines.

Churchdown Art Group are holding an Art Exhibition at The Churchdown Community Association, Parton Road, Churchdown, GL3 2JH. Come along and support the local artists. Refreshments will be available. Entrance is free and there is free parking on site. 10am-5pm.

The trailblazing, life affirming drag extravaganza taking the UK by storm. Featuring mind-blowing live vocals, and not a lip-sync in sight! Join these death-dropping divas as they slay the biggest hits of all time and serve up the sequin-clad pop party we’ve all been gagging for! 7.30pm. From £22. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. More details at www.rosestheatre.org

Flo & Joan are climbing out of their pits, armed with a piano and percussion section to bring you a brand-new show of their critically acclaimed songs and comedy. Their unique, sharp-tongued style has taken them around the world with multiple sell-out tours. Tickets £22.50. 7.30pm. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1NS.

We can’t wait to be back at one of our favourite venues for a one-off Christmas market. We will be open at 10am at Dumbleton village hall for you to come and browse a selection of stalls from crafters, artists, food and other handpicked local small businesses. Entry to the market is free! For more details, please visit www.createcheltenham.com

Send a shoebox of gifts to a Ukrainian child this Christmas. Operation Christmas Child is sending 2/3 of UK boxes to Ukrainian refugees. Donate a box and/or help out at the processing centre at St. Andrew’s Churchdown. For more details visit the website: stastb.church

Amaze your friends with a hand designed and printed Christmas card this year, with artist Beth Jenkins. This easy workshop will show you everything you need to make your own original printed cards, from design to print. £40 per person. 10am-1pm. Book online: wwt.org.uk/slimbridge

Open on selected evenings from 4pm to 9.30pm. There’s magic around every corner on Westonbirt’s Enchanted Christmas trail! Father Christmas’ elves have made their way to the arboretum to decorate for Christmas. But they’re running slightly behind schedule… will the trail be ready on time? You will witness the wonder, hilarity and general commotion that comes with playful elves creating Westonbirt’s spectacular illuminated trail. Advanced booking essential. To book tickets please visit forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/ enchanted-christmas

Experience the magic of Christmas onboard a jumbo jet! Visit Cotswold Airport this winter and participate in the world’s first grotto experience onboard the Boeing 747 “Negus”. Let the elves show you how Negus is helping to save Christmas Day in this immersive theatrical production. For more information and to book your tickets, please visit www.theflightbeforechristmas.com

At Holy Trinity, Longlevens, GL2 0AJ. The Festival runs from Saturday 26th November through to Friday 2nd December from 10am to 4pm each day. Sunday from noon to 4pm. The Christmas Fayre is in the Church Hall on Saturday 26th November from 12 noon to 2pm with stalls, raffles, tombolas and refreshments. Queries: 01452 500229.

Do trees really help fight climate change? In this fascinating talk, Patricia Thornley, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, evaluates the science of planting trees to save carbon, discusses other forest and deforestation related controversies and shares some of the ways trees benefit all of us. 7.30pm. Free. Community Hub at FRONT, Sixways, Charlton Kings. charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk

Britain’s Top Crime Investigator Criminologist Mark Williams-Thomas is a multi-awardwinning TV Investigative Reporter & Former Police Detective. He’ll share his vast experience of investigating some of the most notorious cases and killers in what promises to be a truly eye-opening and entertaining talk. He will take you on a personal journey to discuss the mind of a murderer, human fascination with killers and the cold-blooded cases which haunt him the most from around the world. Tickets £20. 7pm. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1NS.

Come along to the Shelter for our popular Festive Fayre where you can meet Santa in his grotto, shop from local traders and enjoy some entertainment, games and tasty food. There will be a pop-up photoshoot for pets and family plus face painting and much more. 4.30-7pm. For more details please visit www.gawa.org.uk

Come and enjoy a lovely evening at our floodlit traditional Nativity Display on the Church Green, and visit the Christmas Tree Festival in the Church afterwards. Fantastic lights and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Refreshments are available including homemade cake. 3pm-7.30pm Hucclecote Methodist Church, Carisbrooke Road, Gloucester GL3 3QP. (The Nativity will stay until Christmas).

The naughty elves have gone missing in Batsford Arboretum, find them to win a prize! £3 per child. Admission fees apply to children and accompanying adults (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-inMarsh, GL56 9AT. For more details, please visit www.batsarb.co.uk