Issuu

Celebrating 50 years of the Tetbury Advertiser

Tetbury Probus

Tetbury in Bloom

Tetbury Lions

Springtime Feasts &

Family Fun

Supporting Our Community

the ambiance, every detail has been carefully considered to make Bistro 23 a destination worth visiting.”

at Bistro-23

Bistro 23: Tetbury’s Newest Culinary Gem

Opens This Valentine’s Day

A huge thank you to everyone who has visited us since our opening in February! We’ve been truly blown away by the support from the Tetbury community and are so grateful to be welcomed as part of this wonderful town. Your enthusiasm, feedback, and kind words mean the world to us, and we’re committed to making *Bistro-23* a place where locals can come together to enjoy great food and great company.

Grand

Opening on February 14th

Tetbury welcomes its newest dining destination, Bistro 23, set to redefine the local culinary scene with its ethos of “relaxed dining in a friendly atmosphere.” Nestled within the historic Ormond Hotel, Bistro 23 bridges the charm of the Cotswolds with contemporary dining, offering an inviting space for couples, families, and food enthusiasts alike.

Warm Hospitality at Its Core

from the children’s menu when accompanied with a full price adult meal).

Easter at Bistro-23

Kids Eat Free This Easter!

We know how important it is for families to enjoy quality time together, which is why we’re making it even easier to treat the little ones this Easter holiday. For the Month of April children under 12 can enjoy a delicious meal on the house when dining with a paying adult. Where there is something for every young foodie to enjoy. (* one child’s meal

Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century coaching inn, Bistro 23 reflects a commitment to the Tetbury community, with its construction led by local tradesmen and use of materials that honor the region’s heritage. This harmonious blend of history and modern hospitality promises diners a unique and surrounding countryside.

General Manager Matt Dellapia and his dedicated team aim to deliver an exceptional dining experience where warm smiles and attention to detail are at the forefront. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a celebratory family gathering, Bistro 23 is designed to cater to every occasion with charm and grace.

Easter wouldn’t be complete without a traditional feast, and our chefs have put together a spectacular menu to celebrate. Join us on Sunday, 31st March, for a special Easter lunch featuring locally sourced lamb, fresh spring vegetables, and indulgent desserts that are sure to satisfy. Our warm and welcoming setting is perfect for gathering with loved ones, whether you’re enjoying a leisurely lunch or raising a glass to the new season.

“Our goal with Bistro 23 was to create a space where people can come together, relax, and enjoy the best of what the Cotswolds has to offer,” shares Dellapia. “From the food to

Launching on Valentine’s Day, Bistro 23 invites diners to explore a menu that combines creativity, sustainability, and exquisite presentation. With its historical charm and culinary innovation, Bistro 23 is poised to become a beloved staple of Tetbury’s dining scene.

As we continue to establish ourselves in Tetbury, we’re looking for ways to support local clubs and community groups. Whether it’s hosting fundraising evenings, offering sponsorships, or creating partnerships that benefit the town, we want The Ormond to be a place that gives back. If you’re part of a local organisation and have ideas on how we can help, we’d love to hear from you, just pop in and have a chat!

Reserve Your Table

Book Your Table Today

Be among the first to experience Tetbury’s newest culinary gem. Reservations will be available soon at www.bistro-23.com or by phone at 01666 846 753 Whether for a romantic evening or a lively family dinner, Bistro 23 is ready to welcome you.

As Tetbury’s newest dining spot, tables are filling up fast! Make sure you don’t miss out on our Easter treats and *Kids Eat Free* promotion by reserving your table today. Call us on 01666 505690 visit our website www.bistro-23. com to secure your spot.

Don’t miss the chance to explore this exciting addition to the Cotswolds’ gastronomic offerings. Bistro 23 invites you to discover relaxed dining at its finest.

Spring is in full bloom at The Ormond and we can’t wait to welcome you for a season of great food, good company, and community spirit!

The Team

Editorial/Advertising copy to:-

Mary Roberts - Editor

Tel: 07814 850464

email: mary@wilprintdesign.co.uk

Tony Sykes - Accounts Rockside, Fox Hill, Tetbury GL8 8XA. Tel: 07813 091440

email: tony@tonysykes.com

Alan Greenway - Distribution Willowbank, Tetbury, GL8 8BT. Tel: (h) 01666 504715 (m) 07955 088580

email: alang196@gmail.com

3rd Apr Tetbury Probus

Host a talk on the “Duke of Wellington”. See article for details.

3rd Apr History of Tetbury Society

Host a talk by Alan Pilbeam on “Old paths of Gloucestershire”.. See article for details.

4th Apr

9th Apr

Copy date for the May Issue is Thursday 17th April 2025

Delivery - 3rd/4th May 2025

Please ensure that copy is submitted by the deadline. There is NO guarantee that late copy will be published. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage arising from any error, inaccuracies or omission from any copy or advertising in this publication. The Editor reserves the right to omit any item not considered suitable for printing. All reasonable efforts will be made to meet the wishes of our advertisers and contributors.

Media pack available from www.tetburyadvertiser.co.uk

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Produced by The Tetbury Advertiser Limited (VAT number 338322801), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tetbury Lions Trust; Charity number 1152090. www.tetburyadvertiser.co.uk

CHURCHES

Christ Church, The Chipping 01285 653655

St. Marys’ - C of E - Church St. 01666 500088

St. Michael’s - R.C. - The Green 01666 502367

COMMUNITY CONNEXIONS TRANSPORT

Suite 132, Corinium House, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood Point, Gloucester GL4 3HX

Tel: 0345 680 5029

COTSWOLD CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

TEL: 0808 800 0511

DOCTORS

Phoenix Tetbury, Long Street. Tel: 01666

502303 The Tolsey Surgery, High Street, Sherston. Tel: 01666 840270

HOSPITAL

Malmesbury Road. Tel: 01666 502336

OSTEOPATHS Tel: 01666 503599 & 01666 502214

DOLPHINS HALL COMMUNITY CENTRE

Bookings can be made at www.dolphinshall.org or email: contact@dolphinshall.org

Avening Primary School

Host a Quiz Night. See article for details.

Tetbury Film Society

Showing “Save the Cinema” at the Dolphins Hall 7.00 pm. See article for details.

13th Apr

Tetbury Bowls

Opening season event. See article for details.

13th Apr News from St Marys’ Palm Sunday Procession. See article for details.

15th Apr Tetbury WI

Host “She spied for freedom”. See article for details.

15th Apr

Tetbury and District u3a

Host a talk by David Boag on “Our Great British Mammals”. See article for details.

20th Apr St Marys’Family Communion

With Easter Egg Hunt. See article for details.

27th Apr Longfield Community Hospice

Host a pop up Bridal Gown sale. See article for details.

Friends of Tetbury Community Transport

April trips: To book 0345 680 5029

5th WORCESTER 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Sat 12th CHELTENHAM 9:00 am - 3:00

LIBRARY Close Gardens. Tel: 01666 502258 (Mon 10.00-1.00, Tue 10.00-5.00, Wed 10.00-5.00, Fri 10.00-6.00, Sat 10.00-1.00)

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Tetbury Town Council, Old Courthouse, Long Street. Tel: 01666 504670 (Mon-Fri 9am - 2.30pm) Council Info. Services, in Council Office. Email: reception@tetbury.gov.uk

Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester. Tel: (01285) 623000

NATIONAL EXPRESS Bookings taken at the Visitor Information Centre. Daily return service from Cirencester to Heathrow. www. visittetbury.co.uk

POLICE STATION The Old Courthouse, Long Street Tel: Emergency - 999, Non-Emergency101 (note new number).

RAILWAY STATION Kemble - 6 miles Enquiries Tel: 0845 748 4950

SCHOOLS - Sir William Romney’s, Lowfield Road. Tel: 01666 502378 St. Mary’s Primary, St. Mary’s Road. Tel: 01666 502275.

The Friends of Tetbury Community Transport Roger Bellairs, 07759 142577

The Robin - Bookable Bus Service Tel: 0345 263 8139

TETBURY CARES, www.tetburycares.org

Website to signpost local health services

TETBURY LIONS, www.tetburylions.com

Tetbury Town Crier Tony Evans, 24 Box Crescent, Minchinhampton, Nr. Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 9DJ. Tel: 01453 731355 Mob: 07969 302042

Email: tonyevanstowncrier@btinternet.com

VISITOR INFORMATION 33 Church Street. tourism@tetbury.gov.uk Tel: 01666 331222

Young by Name

A Chilly Perspective

An informal survey about seasonal reading told me that not everyone reads festive stories at Christmas. Some people read them to cool down on hot days. Conversely, they use tropical stories to warm them up midwinter.

There again, I’m currently reading books set in places so cold they make our chilly spring days seem balmy. The Conquest of Everest is by John Hunt, leader of the 1953 expedition in which Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Sherpa were the first people to reach its summit. Coronation Everest is by Times journalist Jan Morris (then James Morris), the expedition’s official reporter.

‘Climbing Everest was largely a matter of logistics,’ writes Morris in Coronation Everest, with classic British understatement.

What logistics they were! Local porters carried huge loads as the party ascended from camp to camp. Hunt’s mountaineers also bore packs of as much as 60lbs each.

scientific equipment for studies along the way. James Morris carried the tools of his trade: typewriter, paper, and carbon paper.

Hunt’s team took not only mountaineering equipment and camping gear for sub-zero high altitudes, but also photographic and

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To maintain their energy, they also had to carry vast amounts of food and drink. With scrambled eggs their breakfast staple, I was impressed that they seemed not to break their many dozens of eggs along the way. Then I realised that in 1953, fresh eggs were still on ration. Powdered egg must have been a more easily portable alternative. These days, as we go about our normal lives, we rarely need to carry very much very far. The heaviest loads I ever shift are bags of groceries, and then only from supermarket trolley to car boot, and from car boot to kitchen.

I’m embarrassed to remember feeling aggrieved as a child when my car-less mum expected my brother, my sister, and me to help carry the shopping bags home from the supermarket. Our arduous journey? A mere half mile from Blackfen’s Safeway. Knowing what I know now, if I’d been my mum, I’d have used the Everest team’s experience to put my complaints into perspective. Be grateful, I’d say, that you’re doing this on flat pavement at sea level, rather than across precarious ladders bridging crevasses above Everest’s “Death Zone”, which lacks sufficient oxygen to sustain human life for long.

Reading books like this, the chilly English spring seems a feeble reason to replace my own supermarket missions with home deliveries. But I draw the line at eating powdered egg.

Debbie Young www.authordebbieyoung.com

Tickets are now available for Debbie Young’s first play, The Importance of Being Murdered, a murder mystery evening, at Hawkesbury Village Hall on Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of April. Tickets include antipasti snacks on 25th and a two-course dinner on 26th. Advance booking essential. Please contact hawkesburydrama@gmail.com for more information and to reserve tickets.

Hardy Sherpas, acclimatised to physical exercise in the thin mountain air, carried even greater weights.

trip to Jersey. We wish them an enjoyable time. Claire Farthing has set up a group to raise money for Christmas lights. We have pledged to donate £500.

As from the 1st of March our donation to the Food Bank has been increased to £300 per month.

The visitors to Tesco Stores were incredibly generous to our bucket shake. A big thank you to everyone who donated towards the £405 raised.

All money raised goes towards the schools and those that qualify for help from the Lions. Our Easter Raﬄe tickets are on sale 1st prize £100 cash, 2nd prize a Hamper, 3rd Prize Easter plus many other prizes. Tickets on sale at Tetbury Hardware.

The Lions club were delighted that the family allowed us to share part of the ongoing celebrations. The female members of the Lions club are awaiting Dots secret to looking so incredibly elegant and active at 100. We can only wish!!

It was an honour that Malc Philby , the oldest sserving Lion, delayed going out

for Sunday lunch so could join Cllr Peter Coleman President of Lions and myself Vice President present Dot with a bouquet of flowers from our members. It was even more perfect that the sun shone for the whole day.

The Lions were pleased to give a grant of £500 to the jnr Rugby Club towards a

Our Quiz will take place at the Great Tythe Barn on the 16th of May. Tickets are £10 which includes a Ploughman’s Supper. Again all money to charities. Please contact Maggie Heaven 07747608990 who will be delighted to reserve a table for you.

Lion Maggie Heaven, Vice President Tetbury Lions Club

Tetbury in Bloom

Thank goodness for the sunshine and (slightly) warmer weather we had at the end

of March!

It certainly made a big diﬀerence to the early spring displays throughout the town, which I feel have looked their best-ever. For the next few weeks, the displays will continue to change, culminating in the arrival of hundreds of colourful tulips.

Last month, members of ‘Men in Sheds’ volunteered to refurbish the pergola in Anniversary Garden for which we are extremely grateful.

In 1977, after the grounds of Sir William Romney’s School (now the doctor’s surgery), was sold to developers for housing in what is now The Ferns, a small piece of land remained and this was developed into ‘Anniversary Garden’ by Brigadier Merick Nielsen, the founder of the original ‘Tetbury

in Bloom’, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the following years, the garden took on an air of being unloved so in 2007, to commemorate its 30th anniversary and to mark the late HM Queen’s 80th birthday, The Tetbury Civic Society decided to fund its make-over.

Eric Simpson, a former member of the current ‘Tetbury in Bloom,’ The Lions Club and The Tetbury Civic Society, took it upon himself to redesign and almost single handedly did all the work: constructing the pergola, creating new beds, and planting new shrubs and perennials.

Tetbury in Bloom has continued to care for the beds since that time and instigated having two additional benches installed so more people can sit and enjoy the garden. For more insight into what we have done here over the years, please visit our website: tetburyinbloom.org.uk and click on ‘What we do’ and look for ‘Anniversary Garden.’

The summer hanging baskets that we supply to residents and traders will very shortly go to the nursery to be planted up. Providing we don’t experience unseasonable weather during April or May, they should be on target for delivery in June. We still have a small number of baskets available to sell. If you wish to place an order: Please look at our advert below for details and then contact me on sue@tetburyinbloom.org.uk or ring me on 504213. You need to do so as soon as possible though before we sell out completely!

Sue Hirst, Team Leader, Tetbury in Bloom

AT JOLLY NICE...

WITH ORGANIC & ZERO DIG VEGETABLES FROM THE FARMSHOP, SPECIALITY COFFEE & GRASS FED NA TIVE BREED BURGERS FROM THE CAFE, REGENERATIVE & FREE RANGE MEAT FROM THE B UTCHERY, SEASONAL BLOOMS FROM THE FLORISTRY & LOCAL BREWS AT THE BAR.

FARMSHOP | DRIVE THROUGH | PLANTS & FLORISTRY | CAF E & BAR | EVENTS

Tetbury Men’s Shed

In February, we reported on the sad condition of the rose arbour…

…that has formed the entrance to the Anniversary Garden in Lennox Court. Maintained by Tetbury in Bloom, the garden was developed in 1977 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. With a kind donation of timber by Tetbury Town Council, our Men’s Shedders Steve, Dave and John have rebuilt this sturdy structure to its original design. The pressure treated timbers to replace the decaying beams were nearly five metres long and created a storage problem whilst they were being drilled and shaped ready for fitting in our workshop. Plans have recently been in the works to expand our storage space to take on larger projects.

Since our workshop was relocated to the site of the old Tetbury GWR station in July, we have been overwhelmed by the missions we have been offered and the materials and equipment that have been donated to us. It became obvious we would need more dry storage space for the timber and materials. So, we decided to make it our project for this year to build a timber extension to the rear of the workshop. The plans for the extension were passed by CDC Planning early in March and the work will be starting immediately. The members all have different skills to offer to the build but we rely on the generosity of friends to provide the materials. We have managed to salvage a useful quantity of timber from a demolition site in South Cerney which will be used for part of the structure, but any donation of timber or building materials would be welcome. The extra space we

will create with this build will enable us to take on more members and larger projects. If you would like to find out more about our project or support us with a donation, please go to www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/tetbury

We are busy making planters, nest boxes, bird tables and many more unique items for the garden from upcycled materials. Have a look at our website for Spring merchandise available from our online store.

Could you help us keep the Town’s amenities looking good? Do you like a challenge? Then come along to our busy workshop on Wednesdays between 9.30 am – 1.00 pm or Thursdays between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. Find out more, contact us on 07955 088580. More details of our activities and where to find us are on

our Tetbury Men’s Shed website www. tetburymensshed.co.uk

Attention Ladies! Don’t let the name fool you, many sheds around the UK have women members and there is no reason why men should have all the fun. Could you start the Tetbury Ladies shed?

Alan Greenway TMS Workshop

BERTIE B’S HOME & LIFESTYLE

History of Tetbury Society

The History of Tetbury Society’s March meeting was the 41st AGM.

The meeting was well attended. Members were pleased to hear our Chairman, Jane Haines, say that this had been another successful year. Our membership remains at around one hundred and seventeen, with new members roughly equalling the number who have died or moved away. Our annual subscriptions will not be raised, despite rising costs, particularly for speakers and travel. Jane reminded us that during the year we have taken part in town activities; the reinstated Woolsack Day, the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, Heritage Weekend, Holiday at Home, Goods Shed Wool Weekend and St Saviour’s Christmas Tree Festival. Many documents, photographs and artefacts relating to Tetbury are donated to the society each year and 2024 was no exception!

It had been a good year of meetings and visits. As well as the monthly talks and trips, the society had one extra meeting:

a visit to Doughton Manor. The new owners kindly showed us round before renovation started and we very much hope to see the finished product! The speakers’ programme, which contained lots of

variety, was reviewed. A highlight was Tudor Food and Drink and during the year we had insight into how people have made a living in Gloucestershire in the past. We also saw that, if we take time to look more closely, we can be very surprised by what Gloucestershire’s towns and countryside have to oﬀer. As we celebrated the 80th anniversary of D-Day Jane opened our eyes to ‘top-secret’ wartime Tetbury; the Americans making themselves at home here while getting ready for D-Day and using a room in the Malt House to construct a model of Omaha beach.

Our treasurer reported that thirteen of the members pay for the journal only and do not come to meetings. Membership fees increased last year and we have managed to get through the year with a surplus. We must all note that Lloyds’ treasurer accounts have not previously had any charges, but since January an administration fee per month has applied and over the counter services are also charged for. Members are encouraged to pay their subscriptions online, for which there is no charge.

Towards the end of the meeting the election of officers and committee was held. There was only one change. Sue Russell stood down as treasurer and David Walker was appointed as her successor. Sue was warmly thanked for all her years of service. All committee members were thanked for their help and support. We then all moved out of the church room into the back room where we enjoyed drinks and nibbles and lots of conversation.

Our next meeting is at 7.30 pm on the 3rd of April, when Alan Pilbeam will talk on ‘Old Paths of Gloucestershire’. For further information please see our website: www. tetburyhistory.com or contact Jane on 01666 504196.

Jane Haines

History of Tetbury Society

In a heartwarming celebration filled with laughter, reminiscence and joy,

one local family recently marked a momentous occasion as Dorothy Stringer, aﬀectionately known as Dot, celebrated her 100th birthday. The sun shone brightly as Dot, basked in the warmth of aﬀection and admiration from those around her.

Dot was born on the 2nd of March 1925 in Larkhill, near Tetbury. She married her husband Alf, who she met at a dance in the ballroom at The Snooty Fox Hotel. He was in the RAF and stationed at nearby Babdown airfield during the war. After marriage Dot

and Alf lived in Bath and London before returning to Tetbury in 1965, where Dot has lived ever since. She worked for John Phillips at E & J Phillips Ltd., both in the bakery shop and for his catering business for some thirtythree years. It is this job that meant so much to her that as she met so many local people and indeed Royalty during her years there.

She has two children, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces, all of whom are immensely proud of her longevity, sense

of humour and zest for life even at the remarkable age of 100, she is just so amazingly active!

Everyone has a Dot story as she always has time for a natter and always makes you feel so good with her bright welcoming manner, even just saying her name makes you smile. If anyone sums up the best in Tetbury, it is Dot. If anyone deserves the title of Mrs Tetbury, it’s Dot. Thank you Dot for being such an inspiration.

Kevin Painter

A thank you from Mr and Mrs Alan Greenfield

After and few very upsetting months Alan and Beryl would like to say a very belated big thank you to all the people that came to their aid after their car accident at the end of October between Avening and Tetbury.

The three gentlemen of the public, paramedics, police and firemen are all remembered for their extreme kindness.

Yours ever thankfully

Mr and Mrs Greenfield

With just a few weeks left of our winter indoor training, excitement is building as we prepare to head outdoors and get the 2025 season underway. It’s been fantastic to see so many players – both returning and new – taking part in our winter sessions, and there’s still time to join in before we make the move outside.

Final Weeks of Winter Training –Get Involved!

Our indoor training at SWR Sports Hall has been a great way for players of all ages and abilities to sharpen their skills over the winter. If you’ve been thinking about coming along, now is the time! Here’s the schedule for the final sessions: If you’d like to join, email us at hello@tetburycc.co.uk –we’d love to welcome you!

Outdoor Training Starts the 21st of April!

With the clocks going forward and longer evenings ahead, we’re moving outdoor training to the cricket ground from week commencing the 21st of April. This year, we have a brand-new training schedule, including a move to Friday evenings for youth training, making it more accessible

for families and players.

Tuesday Evenings (from the 23rd of April) –Men’s Training (all three teams) – 6.00-7.30pm

Friday Evenings (from the 26th of April)

5.00-6.00pm – U9s (Mixed), U11 Girls

5.00-6.30pm – U13 Girls, U15 Girls

6.00-7.30pm – U11 Boys, U13 Boys, U15 Boys

6.30-8.00pm – Ladies Softball and Hardball (alternative weeks)

Moving youth training to Friday nights will create a fantastic atmosphere at the club, giving families and players a great way to kick oﬀ the weekend! We’re also looking at introducing a ‘Mini Cricketers’ session on a Friday too, which will be targeted at those aged 5-6. If you’d be interested in joining this new group, drop us an email so we can register your interest.

The Season Begins!

After months of training, we’re delighted to say that the first match of the season takes place on Saturday the 19th of April. Fixtures are now out, so whether you’re playing or supporting, be sure to mark the key dates in

your diary! We’ll be sharing more updates on our website and social media, so keep an eye out for match details, club events, and more.

There’s never been a better time to get involved with Tetbury Cricket Club, whether as a player, volunteer, or supporter. We’re proud to be a welcoming and communitydriven club, and we’d love to see more people joining us for the 2025 season. For more details, email hello@tetburycc.co.uk, and let’s get ready for an exciting season ahead!

Tetbury CC Trustees

As I write we have had some lovely spring like weather which…

…makes thoughts turn to Easter and here at Christ Church we have already been experiencing the “run up” with Lent Studies by our minister the Rev Wendy and Lent Soup Lunches together with Tetbury Area Churches Together (TACT).

Easter starts with a service under the Market Building on Psalm Sunday where once again we join with TACT to bless the Psalm Crosses this is followed by our service in Christ Church at 10.30 am. On Maundy Thursday we are joining with friends at Ashcroft Church in Cirencester at 7.00 pm for a time of quiet reflection and Holy Communion.

Good Friday a service at 10.00 am remembering Jesus in the lead up to His crucifixion. This is followed at 11.00 am by the churches in Tetbury’s Walk of Witness through the town ending with much needed coﬀee and Hot Cross buns back at Christ Church.

Easter Sunday sees a service at 10.30 am of joyful celebration as we rejoice In the Resurrection. Do feel free to join us for any of these services we would love to see you.

Lent – the time where we think of Jesus alone in the desert praying that if it was God’s will He would not have to face the things that were to come. Then in total contrast we come to Psalm Sunday when He rides into Jerusalem and all the crowds are cheering and waving branches. After this adulation we think of the Last Supper with His disciples when He reveals to them that one of them will betray Him. This led to His capture, abuse and torture and finally the journey to the cross which we reflect upon on Good Friday. Lastly, of course, we come to Easter Sunday – a day of great celebration when Jesus rose from the dead to conquer sin and death for ever.

Our own lives can be a bit like the Easter season. Sometimes everything is going well and we are on top of the world and then within a short space of time things can change drastically – perhaps we suﬀer ill health, financial problems, anxiety or bereavement. Suddenly life seems lonely or bleak. Whatever our situation God will always be with us to help us through even the worst times if us will let Him.

It just remains to wish you a very Happy Easter. Enjoy the sunshine and the chocolate eggs and may God’s Blessing be with you.

Christ Church Leadership Team

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Growing Together: Our Vision for a Thriving Community Hub

Many of you know Tetbury Area Youth and Community Trust (TAYCT) for our work with young people—whether it’s through our youth clubs, mentoring, or holiday activities. But our mission has always been bigger than that. At our heart, we’re about bringing people together, creating spaces where everyone—young and old—feels welcome, supported, and connected.

That’s why we’re dreaming bigger.

Getting involved with the Friendship Café has shown us just how much our community values a safe, friendly space to meet and chat. It’s not just about a cup of tea; it’s about combating loneliness, supporting wellbeing, and strengthening our community bonds. But what if we could do more?

We believe Tetbury needs a dedicated community hub, a warm and welcoming space where people of all ages can come together. A place for parents and carers to share a coﬀee while little ones play, for local groups to meet, for workshops, support networks, and, most importantly, for friendship.

This is an ambitious dream, and we know we can’t do it alone. We want to hear from you—what does Tetbury need? What would make a diﬀerence in your life? And if you’re passionate about making this happen, we’d love your support.

Let’s build something special together. Get in touch at community@tayct.org.uk, visit our Facebook page “TAYCT Community” or our website www.tayct.org.uk to be part of the conversation.

Tetbury Area Youth and Community Trust Team

Tetbury Film Society

Tetbury Film Society needs you!

If you love film and would like to join the committee to help with the selection of the films and the smooth running of the society, please do get in touch on 01666 504746.

On Wednesday the 9th of April, after a short annual general meeting (AGM), Tetbury Film Society will be screening ‘Save The Cinema’ (Cert. 12A). Inspired by the magic

of cinema, this heart-warming film tells the true story of how hairdresser and theatrelover, Liz Evans, campaigned to save the Lyric cinema in Carmarthen from closure in 1993 by campaigning to hold a UK premiere.

As usual, doors open at the Dolphins Hall at 7.00 pm and the event begins at 7.30 pm prompt. Visitors are always welcome and tickets can be purchased on the evening at the very reasonable price of £6 which, on this occasion, includes a complementary glass of wine.

Tetbury Film Society has had a healthy season, with good membership levels, strong visitor numbers, and lots of positive feedback regarding our choice of films.

We work hard to bring the best in new

films to Tetbury. The committee is busy reviewing candidates for next season and has identified some exciting film choices; we just need to check that they will be available for us to licence for public screening.

Our first film of the 2025-26 Season will be on Wednesday the 10th of September 2025. Do make a note of the date in your diaries and please ask a committee member or check out our website www. tetburyfilm.org.uk for details of how to join. We’ve kept the price unchanged and we’re already accepting applications/renewals for membership for 2025-26.

In the meantime, have a wonderful summer.

Liz Farnham, Chair Tetbury Film Society Member of

Cinema for All

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As we live in an era when many of us are living longer,

a fact continually thrown at us by the media – we have to accept that with it comes a concern over keeping our faculties both physical and mental. The speaker at our March meeting, Professor Colin Terrell, presented us with some interesting facts about some quite simple ways of maintaining our brain health as well as our physical health.

The brain needs a litre of blood through it every minute and gentle exercise that produces a slightly raised heart rate is enough to ensure that the brain is fed enough to provide just that. Walking (with or without a canine companion) is one of the best exercises, because, for the most part, it is something we can all do, and at a pace that ensures that the heart is exercised too.

He also touched on diet. He made an interesting comparison between decline in the UK population and the Japanese, contrasting diets and exercise. Where we in the West see life as childhood, adulthood, old age, the Japanese describe life as child, adult, old and old-old. In the West the decline is consistent, in Japan health is fairly level throughout the first three ages with a sudden steep decline around 80-85, the old-old life phase. Exercise equipment in parks for the adult population are a common feature in Japanese towns and cities, with the added component of socialising, something that is equally vital to our continued well-being.

So, the walking group’s Thursday morning walk along the railway trail, with a variety of dogs and chatting, is just what the Professor recommended!

And we have a taster session of chair yoga scheduled for our September meeting, which will give us a chance to try out another form of exercise. We will also have

a demonstration of CPR and Defibrillators in July. This ties in with the resolution we voted to send to the AGM this year and the interest shown by members in familiarising themselves with the practice. It is not possible to have a full blown training session, but will, we hope, show everybody how they can help in an emergency having seen how both the Defib works and the process of attempted resuscitation.

On a lighter note, the craft group has been busy under the eagle eye of our President, Linda, whose crafting talents are inspirational, though apparently the initial macrame session making a key ring before attempting a wall hanging next time was not without its frustrations! A recent session making Fimo buttons was much more successful.

Our next meeting ‘She spied for freedom’ is on the 15th of April, we welcome members from both Tetbury and the surrounding villages. The next coﬀee morning at The Snooty Fox is at 10.30 am on Monday the 28th of April, the week after Easter. We’d love to see you at the coﬀee morning or the monthly meeting – lots of socialising is good for your brain health!

Rowena

Palser www.tetbury-wi.org.uk

Dolphins Hall and Recreation Centre

Spring is just around the corner, and there’s plenty happening…

…at Dolphins Recreation Centre as we continue to develop and enhance our facilities for the community. From upcoming events to ongoing redevelopment plans, here’s everything you need to know this month.

Exciting Progress on the New Build

We’re thrilled to share that the floor in the New Build has now been laid, and the partition wall dividing the main space has also been installed, meaning the building is really starting to take shape. This month, we also signed oﬀ work packages for additional ventilation and carpentry work on fire doors to ensure the project continues progressing towards a Summer 2025 opening. Over the next few weeks, skirting boards, architraves, and exterior landscaping will be completed, marking another step towards completion.

Finance and Funding Updates

Our financial position remains stable, thanks to the continued support and usage of the facilities by local organisations. Recent invoices have been issued to Tetbury Rugby Club, Tetbury Cricket Club, and Tetbury Bowls Club. The bar account is in a healthy position, and with careful budgeting, we are ensuring all aspects of the redevelopment stay on track.

General Updates

With warmer weather approaching, the recreation ground is becoming busier. However, concerns have been raised regarding damaged boundaries, leading to unintended access and disruption. The horses from the neighbouring field were regular visitors throughout February! We have been in conversation with the landowner to resolve this issue to keep our space safe and secure and he has agreed to install a new fence along the perimeter.

Our monthly trustee meeting saw the following topics discussed:

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Sports Pitches – Following the promotion of Tetbury Cricket Club’s 3rd XI, they can no longer use their temporary, plastic pitch solution. Their Vice Chairman attended the meeting to discuss potential natural solutions. This led to a wider conversation about the positioning of sports pitches and whether adjustments could be made to accommodate an additional rugby/multiuse winter sports pitch. An action was taken to arrange a multi-user group meeting to explore the possibilities of accommodating everyone’s needs.

Redevelopment Project – Trustees had a lengthy discussion about Phase 2 of the project, which includes the construction of a new Community Hall and the demolition of the existing building. It was agreed that re-engaging with all user groups was essential to ensure their needs and requirements are considered, especially as these may have changed since the initial planning of the multi-phase project.

Rec Usage requests were reviewed and approved, so expect to see plenty of activity in the Rec in the coming months.

Rec Maintenance – Given a 5% increase in costs this year, it was agreed that trustees would review the rec maintenance contract to determine whether it remains the best approach.

Bins & Recycling – Due to changes in recycling regulations, an additional glass recycling bin is now required. It was also noted that the existing bins are being misused, with incidents of fly-tipping and incorrect waste disposal leading to non-collection and additional costs. A friendly reminder to all: please only use the bins if you are using the facilities and ensure you are placing the correct items in the right bins!

As always, we appreciate the ongoing support from the people of Tetbury. Dolphins Recreation Centre is a place for everyone, and with your help, we’re creating a facility that will serve our community for generations to come. If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for being a part of our journey, we look forward to sharing more updates soon! For more information, please contact

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Greening Tetbury

‘There is no such thing as ‘away’ – when we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.’

Annie Leonard (Greenpeace)

Microplastics

We can’t deny that plastics have, in many ways, improved the lives of humankind. We’re so embedded in our modern lifestyles, it’s very hard to contemplate their negative consequences. The global players in plastic production have never put the planet’s health above profits. You and I are not to blame – it’s the system. If we do think about it, like Janus, we have one face looking to the past, and one to the future.

My photo shows small pieces of plastic litter that will eventually weather down to microplastics in the soil. Agricultural practices like the use of polymer coated slow-release fertilizers also put plastics in the soil – and so into the food chain, and our bodies. We can breathe in microplastics as well as ingest them, as they are becoming more prevalent in the atmosphere from a myriad of sources.

There is positive action we can all take to help the earth and our health:

Buy natural whenever possible: think wool, cotton, linen, hemp, glass

Look for preloved clothing made from natural materials

Try not to buy synthetic clothing and ‘fast’ fashion – when washed they put microplastics into our water systems – the tiny fibres don’t magically disappear. They

end up being ingested by aquatic wildlife.

Microwaving food in plastic containers is not a good idea. Microplastics go into the food during the heating process. Use glass containers instead.

If you’re a reader there are many books available to help us have more ecofriendly homes and lives, and to reduce the pollution burden on planet Earth.

Dates for your diary

4 May Dawn Chorus Walk, Meet at 4.30 am in The Goods Shed car park

8 May Greening Tetbury open meeting at 7.30 pm. St Michael’s Hall

7-15 June Great Big Green Week featuring

8 June 5.30 pm Sustainable Fashion Show, The Goods Shed

11 June 7.30 pm Towards Net Zero by 2050, a talk by John Andrews, The Goods Shed

14 June Count for Nature, 10-1pm, St Marys’ Churchyard

Plus, more events being planned.

Article and photo by Annabel Daldry Greening Tetbury Team

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From ballet and drama to musicals and concerts,

enjoy the variety of events whilst being chauﬀeured there and back in our comfortable coach.

*Thursday the 24th of April, ‘Swan Lake’, ballet, day trip, Cardiﬀ Millennium Centre. Time for lunch beside Cardiﬀ Bay before the performance. Matinée at 2.30 pm. Coach leaves the Chipping at 10.00 am.

Matthew Bourne’s innovative Swan Lake became the longest running fulllength dance classic in the West End and on Broadway. It is famous for breaking convention by replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble. ‘The sinister and sexuallycharged undertone of the production is punctuated with wit, humour and pathos, crossing boundaries between classical and contemporary dance’. ‘Incredible performances, truly spectacular’.

*Wednesday the 21st of May, ‘Spitfire Girls’, daytime visit, Malvern Theatre. Matinee starts 2.30 pm. Time for shopping and lunch. Coach at 10.00 am

New Year’s Eve, 1959. Decades after answering the call, two women separated by the war meet again as the rain hammers down on the windows of “The Spitfire Pub”. We’re transported back to a time when female pioneers defied expectations and soared through the skies. ‘Spitfire Girls’ is inspired by the true stories of the courageous women who dared to fly during WWII and the unbreakable bond that tied them together. *Invitations already sent to members

Saturday the 14th of June, ‘Death Comes to Pemberley’. Matinée at 2.15 pm, the Mill at Sonning. Coach at 10 am. Two-course lunch included in the ticket price. Invitations not yet sent to members.

World première of the dramatised version of ‘Death Comes to Pemberley’, PD James’s sequel to Jane Austin’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Set six years after the events of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, the story follows Elizabeth and Darcy as their life at Pemberley is disrupted by a shocking murder. When Elizabeth’s sister Lydia arrives in distress with news of a death in the woods, suspicion falls on her husband, George Wickham. As the investigation unfolds, hidden secrets emerge, and the stability of Pemberley is thrown into question.

Thursday the 31st of July, ‘Moulin Rouge The Musical!’ Bristol Hippodrome, matinée at 2.30 pm. Coach at 10.30 am. Invitations sent to members. Note: there will be some strobe lighting.

Enter the louche, hedonistic of the Parisian

district of Monmartre during the Belle Epoque at the turn of the early 20th century. Bohemians and aristocrats rub shoulders in pursuit of ‘truth, beauty, freedom and

love!’ Over seventy songs from Adele, Katy Perry, Sia, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and more, combine to create a pop score that’s unique in musical theatre while still rooted in character and storytelling. The result is a musical extravaganza unlike anything else.

Wednesday, the 10th of September ‘The Buddy Holly Story’, musical, Malvern Theatre, matinée. Invitations not yet sent to members. More information next edition. Coach leaves 10.00 am. Good old fashioned Rock’ Roll!

If you would like to join the Tetbury Theatre Group, please contact Diana Challis (Membership Secretary) 01666 502768 or Helen Price (Chairperson) 01666 503187, email: retreatcottage17@btinternet.com. Website: www.tetburytheatre group.co.uk

Linda Goodhew, Tetbury Theatre Group

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Go as a River

by Shelley Read

Torie grew up on a small peach farm by the river, on the edge of a small town in Colorado. Her mother was dead and without other feminine influence her life was spent serving the needs of the men in her life, their animals and their trees. A chance meeting at the crossroads, when a stranger asks for directions, changes her whole life.

She is carried away by feelings she never knew she had and, only vaguely aware of the prejudices of an isolated rural community, she ignores the danger threatening her happiness. When tragedy strikes it forces her to change the path which had been laid down for her – and she leaves the valley. Initially living alone in the forest she eventually realises that she will not survive on her own and has to make a heartbreaking decision.

By the time she returns home everything has changed. Her brother has gone, her father is ill and the farm itself is threatened by the government’s plan to flood the valley. Realising there is no future for her there, eventually she decides to make a new life for herself, taking the only thing that she wants from her old home, the peach trees. As she transforms from the girl who was Torie into the woman Victoria her love of the land she grew up in is a support in the trials that lie ahead. As she tries to overcome everything she has lost – her home, her family, her love – she seems unaware of the resilience she holds within herself.

This is a story of love, loss and the strength to carry on. Victoria goes on with her life as if she were the river she grew up with – buffeted and knocked off course by obstacles but growing stronger as it continues on its way. A deeply felt novel with a great sense of the land in which it is set. Recommended, but keep the tissues handy.

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At our meeting on the 20th of February, Martin Hudson,

one of our members, gave an account of his attendance at King Charles’ Coronation in May 2023. An email from The Cabinet Office inviting him to be a guest, took him by surprise. On checking that this was not a practical joke or a scam, he learned that he was one of four hundred holders of the British Empire Medal who had been invited to attend the Coronation in Westminster Abbey. The King had specifically decided that “ordinary” citizens rather than people from the upper tiers of the establishment should have the opportunity to witness the Ceremony. When the official invitation arrived in the post, it was a beautifully decorated document containing the coats of arms of both Charles and Camilla, with small animals, wild-flowers and fruits decorating the margins.

Martin described the day in detail: guests assembled in a huge marquee in Westminster Gardens for security checks and bearing in mind the length of the Ceremony they were about to witness, there were sufficient toilet facilities! The guests then moved to Westminster Abbey along a route lined by boy scouts and girl guides. Martin had arrived early and was surprised there were no reserved seats but he was able to find a seat near the front of the Nave, where he had a good view of the proceedings. The view of the whole ceremony was shown on large TV monitors

on the pillars in the Nave. There was time to talk to other guests while listening to music performed by the orchestra, organ, and choirs. Photography and the use of mobile phones was strictly prohibited. Everyone was given a booklet listing details of the VIPs and containing the order of service.

The principal guests, about two hundred of them, then processed to their seats in the Chancel. Martin spotted Boris Johnston, with his tousled hair, and Prince Harry, looking as if he would rather be somewhere else! Martin was impressed by the dignity and poise shown by Penny Mordaunt who

led the Procession, carrying the 8lbs 17th century Sword of State. Then followed the procession of faith leaders, (all faiths were represented) and representatives of “His Majesty’s Realms”. Finally, Charles and Camilla processed to their places. The dignified and impressive Ceremony continued with the presenting of the Holy Bible, and the Coronation Oaths and then reached its climax with the Anointing of the King, the Investiture and the Crowning of the King and the Queen.

Martin, a lover of classical music, was particularly impressed with the music throughout the Ceremony which ended with a thrilling sound of the National Anthem performed by the Coronation Orchestra, the Organ and several Trumpeters. It was a wonderful and moving occasion, one which Martin had been proud and honoured to attend. He will cherish the memory for years to come.

The next meeting on the 3rd of April will be about the Duke of Wellington. Further details at www.tetburyprobus.uk

(tetburyprobus@gmail.com)

Avening School is off to join the Circus!

Spring has sprung here at Avening School with daﬀodils bursting open in the school garden and local wildlife waking up from their winter sleep.

Spring term kicked oﬀ in style with our annual trip to Young Voice in Birmingham at the end of January. Our children sang as part of a choir of over five thousand school children and were accompanied by an array of musical talent including M.C.

Grammar and Strictly Come Dancing’s Tommy Blaize. Continuing on a musical theme, in February, we were joined by the Longborough Playground Opera who ran a workshop for the Owls class (y5/6) culminating in them performing in the chorus with some incredibly talented professional opera singers. It was an unforgettable experience and an insight into the world of opera.

Another visitor to our school in February was Tweedy the Clown who came to read from his new picture book Tweedy: the

clown who lost his nose. He entertained the whole school (including the staﬀ ) with his storytelling, circus skills and comical capers. Our event with Tweedy influenced our choice of theme for our World Book Day celebration. This year, we chose to celebrate books relating to The Circus and transformed our school into a Big Top for the day with activities from treasure hunts in the garden to making our own books, and included a very special visit from the School of Larks circus school who taught the children circus skills throughout the day.

As we look ahead, we have our annual school talent show, where the children have the opportunity to showcase their special talents and skills in front of the rest of the school. This year, for the first time, we are also inviting children to show oﬀ their creative skills by exhibiting their artwork for one another to enjoy.

Please join us for a fabulous night of fun and trivia at our annual FOAS quiz night on Friday the 4th of April at 7.00 pm in the Memorial Hall. Funds raised will go towards funding a new handwriting scheme that will benefit children across the whole school and essential resources such as whiteboards, pens and sand trays to support the children’s learning. Please join us if you can.

For more information about this busy place of learning, please see our school website: www.avening.gloucs.sch.uk

Avening Primary School Team

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…and General Manager, Richard Kingdom. He began his new role in December and has quickly gotten to know the Goods Shed’s board, the staﬀ team, volunteers and audiences.

Richard has always worked in the artsfrom touring with the theatre company he formed out of university, to working for the Arts Council – but joins the Goods Shed after having taken a career-break to build a house in Stroud where he lives with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, 11 and 13. Richard admits that he didn’t really

know the Goods Shed when he first saw the post advertised, but was quickly impressed by the arts centre’s story, of turning a derelict railway building into a thriving arts centre, run by a small staﬀ team and a whole community of volunteers.

He say: “I’ve loved arts centres ever since going to shows and workshops at South Hill Park in Bracknell where I grew up. When I had a theatre company, it was arts centres where we made and performed our work. From there I joined the Bluecoat in Liverpool where I programmed the arts

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centre’s theatre and music over the city’s year as European Capital of Culture. After a period with Arts Council England, I worked with the House touring network, brokering creative partnerships between theatre companies and arts centres. So now I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the team at Tetbury Goods Shed. The arts centre has already been on an amazing journey and as anyone who has visited can tell you, it’s a very special place; I’m excited to be part of the next phase of its life.”

“There are about as many ways to run an arts centre as there are arts centres, and so I didn’t want to arrive on day one and start imposing my own ideas. Instead, I’ve been trying to understand how the Goods Shed works, what makes it unique, and to spot the areas where I can begin to make the tweaks and changes that will help us make the most of our eﬀorts, from fundraising, to delivering our fantastic programme of events.”

We are delighted that Richard has joined us and we all look forward to welcoming you to the Goods Shed very soon. Check out our website: www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk for more information and details of whats coming in the next few months.

Richard Kingdom Tetbury Goods Shed Team

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Tetbury Bowls Club

Following the winter break from lawn bowls we

are very excited…

…at Tetbury Bowls Club to be only a few days away from the Club’s Opening Gala. This year’s season will start on Sunday the 13th of April and going by last year’s event we can expect over forty members playing their first friendly of the season.

Immediately following the Opening Gala the Club will be hosting a team from Cam who will play us on the afternoon of Thursday the 17th of April and then on Saturday the 19th of April we host an afternoon match against Bishops Cleeve. Spectators are always welcome to come along and take advantage of our raised balcony viewing area with comfortable seating.

We will be proudly wearing our new team colours for the first time on home soil. Amongst our ambitions for the coming year is to attract more playing members and social members. We need to keep a level of playing members as we have various leagues that the men and ladies play in. The ladies play in the Corinium League, made up of two rinks with a total of eight players, and Stroud Valley Ladies Triples, made up of two rinks of three players on each rink.

For the men we have a team in the Third Division and also a team in the Second Division of the South Cotswold Bowls Leagues. Each team has twelve players in groups of four. Maintaining a reasonable

Longfield Community Hospice

You may have seen our shops but how much do you know about your local Hospice?

Longfield Community Hospice, based in Minchinhampton, provides community hospice care for much of Gloucestershire, from diagnosis onwards.

As well as providing Hospice at Home end of life care, Longfield also oﬀers help and support to patients, families and carers through a range of Wellbeing, Counselling and Bereavement Support services at the hospice in Minchinhampton, all free of charge.

To help fund these services, we have many ways to donate money, as well as

number of players available for both the ladies and men is vital for our being able to field enough players.

We also have a men’s team that plays on a Sunday which involves twelve players. These games are played as part of the Gloucestershire Bowls Sunday League and are on a home and away basis.

For those not wanting to play is competitive matches we have numerous friendly matches throughout the season which are played both at home and away. The opposition comes from all surrounding counties and are played in a spirit of friendship and enjoyment of the sport. Our teams are made up of a mixture of ladies, men and juniors.

For those readers that are considering trying

bowls we have a number of dates where we will be encouraging members of the public to give lawn bowls a try. Our open days are on the 11th of May, 1st of June, 21st of June and the 20th of July. We will also be supporting Bowls England’s national “Big Bowls Weekend” at the end of May.

The after school short mat bowls continues at St. Mary’s Primary School, details of which are circulated by the school. We are fortunate that we have six sets of specially made Junior Bowls which were donated by The Lions and Feoﬀees when we started the Junior Section.

Our big spring clean takes place the weekend prior to the Opening Gala so expect to see coming and going in preparation to the start of our season.

Tetbury Bowls Club Committee

a continuous programme of fundraising events which you can get involved with through our website.

A few things that we have coming up are:

• Bridal Gown Sale popping up 24th –27th April in the Five Valleys Shopping Centre.

A chance to pop in, browse, try on, and buy from a large selection of new designer dresses at 75% oﬀ RRP.

• A chance to sign up to run the 2026 London Marathon in aid of Longfield Hospice. We have a handful of runners running for us this year and you can read Lizzie’s story on our website.

• Spring Raﬄe – Look out for our Spring Raﬄe tickets for a chance to win a cash prize whilst helping raise funds.

We are keen to be part of the community we serve and are happy to do talks to community groups or invite relevant groups in to see what we do.

If you are intrigued, do check out our website and help us to spread the word about the services we oﬀer to anyone who may need them. www.longfield.org.uk

Longfield Community Hospice Team

…particularly those who are unable to leave their homes. Did you know that at St Marys’ we have a dedicated team of six Pastoral Assistants, trained by the Diocese? They take regular Holy Communion out to the housebound and to the nursing homes in the parish. They also provide friendship and loving support to those who need it: as well as the sick or the bereaved. They are trained to do baptism visits and also wedding preparation. All our Pastoral Assistants are DBS checked and have completed thorough safeguarding courses for the Diocese of Gloucester.

We have a minister and pastoral assistant present at the Friendship Café on Thursdays in the Dolphins’ Hall and it has been such a joy to witness this community flourish over the past few years.

The Pastoral Care and Social Justice subcommittee of St Marys’ PCC meet regularly to discuss how we focus our ministry in our community, and part of our remit is to nominate charities for our monthly “Second Sunday Collection” in church, the cash donations on those days going to local, national and international causes; during Lent we support WaterAid. We have also helped people who have come here as refugees, having fled their homeland because of conflict and we have forged close links too with Tetbury Town

Council and with the Food Bank, one of our lay ministers, Sarah, having worked closely with the Food Bank distribution team.

As part of our focus on the community, as a church we also pray regularly for all those

Walk of Witness, beginning at St Mary’s Primary School. Follow the cross as it is carried through the streets of the town.

2.00 pm St Marys’ Church, The Final Hour with Holy Communion

St Mary’s CE VA

Primary School

Life at St. Mary’s Church of England Primary School

competition of favourite places to read a book! It was a day filled with laughter but also encouraged everyone to think about the importance of reading and how much enjoyment a book can bring.

is a journey filled

with learning, friendships and personal growth for everyone, children and staﬀ alike. The children have continued to flourish in our positive environment where everyone cares for each other and staﬀ encourage curiosity, develop confidence and courage in pupils.

As Spring arrives, the children have been reflecting on God’s wonderful world in Worship and we have celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a Pancake flipping competition and welcomed members of St. Mary’s Church into school to think about Lent and what it means to Christians.

In March, staﬀ and pupils dressed up as book characters for World Book Day and we held a reading relay and a photo

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Our Year 4 pupils attended a performance of ‘In the Net’ – an entertaining production that teaches children about staying safe online – the children were enthralled and the messages were delivered clearly but in a fun way.

Year 6 children showed great curiosity when staﬀ from the Sir William Romney science department lead a lesson on dissecting hearts as part of their studies on the circulatory system and Year 5 children have recently participated in the national

Bikeability scheme – learning to ride safely on the roads.

Our Year 4s have had an amazing two days at a PGL centre near Swindon where they participated in outdoor and adventurous activities as well as experiencing an overnight stay.

We are also delighted that we are starting our very popular pre-school ‘Saplings’ sessions again. This is an opportunity for parents of pre-school children to bring along their little ones and meet with other parents and early years staﬀ. The sessions will be held in our ‘Nest’ on Thursdays at 1.45 pm until 3.00 pm and will start after Easter. Everyone is welcome!

St Mary’s CE VA Primary School Team

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TETBURY HOSPITAL HIKE

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Start/Finish in the field near the church. Church Lane, Shipton Moyne, GL8 8PW.

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Walkers and runners to start between 10am and 11am.

The entry fee includes one hog roast and all accompaniments, or a vegetarian option:

£20.00 per adult

£15.00 per child 16 and under

Under 5’s FREE

Well behaved dogs on leads, are welcome too.

• Very rare opportunity to see glorious Estcourt Park by either running or walking through their beautiful private grounds.

• 2 route options available – 5 miles and 7 miles.

• All monies raised will go towards a new X-Ray machine.

• Live entertainment by Route 44.

• Great day out with family and friends.

• Route map and directions.

• Hog Roast served 12pm – 2.30pm.

• Bar open 12pm onwards to purchase wine and beer plus tea/coffee and homemade cakes.

• Free car parking.

Numbers are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

How to enter

Tetbury

After our half term break spending time with friends and family…

…and on projects in the garden we returned refreshed and renewed and full of enthusiasm to our weekly practices. We continue to work hard to do justice to Stainer’s, The Crucifixion as the date of our performance at St Marys’ grows ever closer. During the break a small group of us gathered together for a music sorting afternoon. What sounds like an onerous task with mountains of sheet music always turns out to be a fun and enjoyable afternoon and our eﬀorts are always rewarded with tea and cake when we finish. Special mention should go to Gail who does sterling work ensuring that we all have the correct music even when we sometimes forget to bring it to rehearsal. Thank you for your patience, Gail. We are always keen to welcome new members at any time but are currently in particular need of tenors and basses. Even if you have never sung in a choir before but like the idea, please give us a try. There is no audition required you just come along sit

where you think you’ll fit and start singing. Our weekly rehearsals take place at Christ Church Hall on the Chipping on the 1st Tuesday and subsequent Thursdays of each month at 7.00 pm. For full details, including next term’s dates, please see our website www.tetburycommunitychoir.co.uk . There is no charge for the first two sessions and it’s only £5 a week thereafter. Our prime objective is to have fun and hopefully

give pleasure to others when we sing and our inspirational and ever patient musical director, David Kyle and gifted pianist, Jonathan Adkins somehow manage to help us achieve this objective.

We hope that you might come to enjoy and participate in our oﬀering of Stainer’s the Crucifixion at St Marys’ Church on the 13th of April Palm Sunday at 6.00 pm.

Tetbury Community Choir Team

The expression “water under the bridge” refers to the passing of time.

Sometimes, when playing bridge, as time passes, it is a useful exercise to remind oneself of some of the basic rules. Responses to opening bids are important for setting up a game and the ABP (average bridge player) may sometimes forget these.

An opening bid of 1NT ( shows a balanced hand and 12-14 points - sometimes, in agreement with partner, more) with a balanced hand and 0-10 points, the response is Pass. With a balanced hand and 11/12 points, 2NT is called for. With more points, then 3NT or explore slam.

With 20-22 points, the opening bid is 2NT.

If you have a balanced hand and 15-19 points, bid 1 of your best suit and return to NT on next bid, 15-16 points, rebid NT at cheapest level, 17-18 points, rebid 2NT and 19 points rebid 3NT.

An opening bid of 3NT shows 7-card minor and little else. This is a pre-empt bid and is often called the ‘gambling’ 3NT for obvious reasons.

A reminder: Stayman - 2 Clubs telling your partner you have at least four of a major and asking for his/her best major. With a

long suit and even very few points, prefer to take your partner out of No Trump bid either by bidding your long suit or by using a transfer (September issue). 1NT is known as a difficult suit in which to play.

An opening bid of 1 of a suit, showing a minimum of 12 points, needs either support or an alternative offer, or a Pass. Opening with four-card suits only, bid the lowest ranking first, with five-card suits, bid highest ranking suit, otherwise bid longest suit first.

& Stroud Branch

Charity Bridge Night 4th June

Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane, GL7 1YE

ARRIVE: 6pm, start playing at 6:30pm

FORMAT : Chicago

PRIZES: Top 3 Pairs & Lowest Scoring

TICKETS: Book tickets online at www.cirenstroudpuk.co.uk/bridge-night-4th-june

£15 each (includes glass of Prosecco) Booking arrangements – as pairs

REFRESHMENTS: Tea and coffee available all evening for voluntary CASH donation

CONTACTS: Jim Edwards 07879 400 193 Karen Young 07586 532635

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Raffle tickets will be on sale for a variety of prizes

Free parking at the Church and opposite at Cirencester Carpets car park

Supporting people in our community living with Parkinson’s Disease

If the responding hand has less than 6 points, then Pass. With four of opener’s suit (for a ﬁt 8 cards are needed) and more than 6 points, then support opener’s suit at the appropriate level. 7-10 points respond at 2 level. A response at the 2 level is a minimum bid and should be passed. With 11-13 points, bid at 3 level. This is an invitation to game. A jump to 4 level shows only 6-9 points but at least ﬁve-card support . For a suit game, a minimum of 26 points are needed. If you cannot support opener’s suit but have 6-9 points, bid 1NT. Opener knows this is a minimum bid and does not mean you are wanting to play in No Trumps.

If you cannot support opener’s suit but have another suit and points or what you believe may be a better suit (a major over a minor), then you can oﬀer that suit.

A CHANGE OF SUIT IS FORCING FOR ONE ROUND. This means the opener MUST respond. A jump-shift, i.e. a response of 2 of a diﬀerent suit over a 1 opening, shows 16 plus points and a strong suit.

All this and more at South Cotswold Bridge Club www.southcotswoldbridgeclub.com or email: jimedwards811@gmail.com

Anita Stride, South Cotswold Bridge Club

Water under the bridge

Cirencester

Our March meeting speaker was Rhiannon Parker who…

…talked to us about Fraud Awareness, a problem that aﬀects us all and seems to be on the increase.

We have many plans for the next few weeks including a popular quiz devised by our member Shirley Hand. The quiz is open to any local teams and is always well attended.

A number of walks have been arranged including around Amberley and Rodborough looking at Arts and Crafts houses. We are also having a guided walk around Cirencester. We have resumed the walk of the Cotswold Way finishing the latest leg just north of the M4.

We are taking a trip to Dyrham Park in April to see their spectacular display of thousands of tulips.

On Saturday the 10th of May we are holding a session “Bystanders can be Lifesavers” where David Owen from the Kingswood and Wotton Defib Awareness Group is going to deliver CPR and de-fib training. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome. The session will be held in the Avening Memorial Hall at 10.00 am

Our theatre group enjoyed their recent visit to the Barn theatre to see the comedy play A Role to Die For. We have further reservations for future productions at this very successful theatre. Our February

speaker was from the Barn Theatre telling us all about how the theatre works and the many successes it has had.

Gwyneth Simpson, Avening WI

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As well as owning the Market House, Chipping Steps and the Millennium Green, we also own and maintain a number of other open spaces throughout Tetbury including, the Knapp on Charlton Road, the garden at the top of Fox Hill, the garden on London Road, part of Cutwell with Scavenge Lane, part of the Tetbury Trail, Herd Lane, Berkeley Wood and Preston Park.

This means that the majority of trees in public spaces throughout Tetbury are the responsibility of the Feoﬀees, including those in Berkeley Wood. The Feoﬀees have recently commissioned a company to assess the health of all the trees on their land as part of their due diligence for public safety and to ensure the trees stay healthy.

In addition, we are delighted to support Tetbury in Bloom, a wonderful volunteer group, who maintain not only our flower beds, but all flower beds and planters throughout the town, we are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated team keeping our open spaces beautiful all year round.

As well as this we own the Chipping Car Park and Lower Gumstool Hill, where car parking spaces can be rented. We currently have two parking spaces available for rent at Lower Gumstool Hill, if you are interested in one of these, please

Finally, I am pleased to advise that the following grants were made this month: £1,000, towards this year’s Woolsack Day and Races town event.

Dates for your Diary

Monday the 26th of May, Woolsack Day and Races - where there will be a display on the Feoﬀees and Thirteen

Saturday the 14th of June at 6.00 pm, Feoﬀee and Thirteen Community BBQ –this is a free community event

Saturday the 6th of September at 9.30 am, Annual Beating of the Bounds – meet under Bath Bridge and followed by the presentation of the Feoﬀee accounts in The Market House with coﬀee and biscuits

Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of September, Heritage Weekend, The Market House will be open with displays.

If you think we may be able to help you or if you are a member of a group who could be helped with a grant, please visit our website, www.thefeoﬀeesoftetbury.co.uk where you can also find out more about the work we do in our town. Finally, if you would like to volunteer to help us, please get in touch or speak to one of our members.

Lance Vick, Chairman

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Transport and Road Safety was a theme the children really enjoyed during March.

Races with little boats made from pot scourers and lolly sticks was a particular favourite, and part of our learning how to be safe near roads involved taking the children on a walk around Tetbury. We crossed three zebra crossings on the route out and

crossed them all again on the way back to playgroup! The children have taken their learning and been practising the rules of crossing the road in our garden, they drew a zebra crossing on the path with chalk, and those riding scooters and bikes stopped for their friends waiting to cross. When we have a theme like transport we incorporate it into many areas of learning, from craft to role play, to the songs we sing at circle time, the books we read, counting games, and even the baking we do with the children, they made and decorated some fabulous car-

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shaped biscuits, with chocolate buttons that made excellent wheels.

We’ve got some lovely daﬀodils growing in our playgroup garden and we’ve been looking at all the changes that happen in Spring with the children, we’ve also looked at the Hindu festival of Holi which celebrates Spring and colour, and talked about what makes Mum’s, Grannies, Nannies, Aunties, and other special women in our lives so special, for Mother’s Day.

A lovely lady called Chloe visited us towards the end of March, Chloe works for a company in Yate called ITC compliance Ltd. whose employees have volunteering days where they spend time helping at a local charity, Chloe helped do some Red Nose Day activities with the children and spent some time gardening. On the subject of gardening, if anyone local wants to get involved and is able to spare an hour or two to help, we’re holding our next weekend garden tidy-up on Saturday the 12th of April – a bit of weeding, planting, mowing or painting in return for cake and refreshments, please come along and help if you can (adults only please).

During the last few weeks and continuing into April the team have been busy updating particular areas of training, Karen and Linda with their Designated Safeguarding Lead training and Laura, Linda and Sandra with their paediatric first aid.

Thank you to those local companies and friends of playgroup who have already donated to our Easter raﬄe, if any local organisations are able to donate any Easter goodies we’d be very grateful, please just let us know or drop them in to us in The Ferns before Thursday the 10th of April. Alternatively, if you’d like to buy any raﬄe tickets to support playgroup just pop in when we’re open.

If you’re looking for a playgroup space for your child from September, you’re welcome to make an appointment to come in and look around, please email us at tetburynurseryplaygroup@ eygloucestershire.co.uk or give us a call on 01666 504855.

Tetbury Nursery Playgroup Team

Mayor’s Report

April has finally arrived and with-it spring. The daﬀodils are out, and the weather is starting to warm up with the promise of a good summer.

The town precept has been agreed and as a council will endeavour to provide the services our town deserves and continue to provide value for money.

During last month we celebrated the 100th birthday of one of our most valued towns people Dot Stringer. Known to many of us as just Dot, mum or grandma.

With such a monumental birthday we can reflect on all the changes that have happened to our town over the last one hundred years. The town has grown and with it brought much diversity and enhanced our community.

In March we hosted the Inspirational Awards at the Goods Shed which was a great evening, celebrating the many people who contribute to our community.

We also wish to acknowledge the new Tetbury Volunteer Hub which aims to recruit more volunteers for the many events the town Hosts. There will soon be a Tetbury Volunteer Hub website – I am told it is currently under construction – but in the meantime if you want more information, send an email to Sue Fudge at info@tetburyvolunteerhub. co.uk and she will answer any questions you might have.

We have had some disappointing news; Someone keeps removing the No fouling signs at the Goods Shed and signs for keeping dogs on a lead when they are near the children’s play area and the picnic area.

Dogs can be oﬀ the lead on the Tetbury Trail, but please respect the areas where children play. We love our dogs and want them to have freedom, but within reason.

If you see a dog oﬀ the lead, feel free to point out that in certain areas they need to be on the lead.

We are excited to announce the successful relocation of the Tetbury Visitor Information Centre! The transition went smoothly, thanks to the dedicated eﬀorts of our Grounds team and volunteers. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home at the Town Council Offices.

Peter Coleman Mayor of Tetbury

A paid-for feature

In last month’s issue

Joyce Jefferson wrote about the start…

…of Gloucestershire’s paid police force in 1839, Tetbury’s first police station in Church Street in 1840 and the policemen manning it. The story continues.

It was a long time before the new police force was properly established. In Tetbury, there was a rapid turnover of recruits, as

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some constables decided that policing was not for them and resigned after a few months and others proved unsuitable and were asked to leave the force. Others proved their worth and were promoted and stationed elsewhere. After general complaints about police behaviour in 1840, the Chief Constable wrote to all stations to remind the men that going into a public house to get a drink was not allowed and would result in instant dismissal, and also that their work was peacekeeping and undue force was not to be used when arresting suspected drunks or thieves. Looking at police records in the Police Archive in Gloucester and local newspaper reports, there appear to have been at least seventeen diﬀerent constables stationed in the town during the 1840s. Things were calmer by the 1850s.

We have no firm evidence for the Police Station remaining in 26 Church Street but the 1851 census tells us that it was in Market Place. Police Sergeant Edward Wheeldon lived there with his family. The enumerator placed the station in Market Place next door to ‘The Jolly Butchers Inn’ in Church Street. Mr Haywood’s cottage was next to the station, then ‘The Boot Inn’. Today, ‘The Jolly Butchers’ is Ellis and Killpartrick, opticians. We learned that street names ‘moved’ in the past, particularly Market Place, so had some discussion as to which side of the optician’s the station had been.

The Police Museum and Courtroom

We finally found a photograph of ‘The Boot’, being demolished in 1919, and the ‘Cats and Dogs Charity Shop’ is now on the site. So, in 1851, the police station and the cottage were sandwiched between two public houses, where ‘Bay Gallery’ now is.

In 1857, when reports were made on the condition of all police stations, Tetbury’s was described as ‘built up on all sides, had no cell and was unsuitable for conversion’. So the Police Committee agreed to start looking for new premises and eventually reported that they had leased premises for a new police station. The 1861 census shows us exactly where this was. It was the same building sandwiched between the same pubs but the cottage had gone. The extra space needed for a cell had been found! 1 Market Place remained Tetbury Police Station until the move to 26 Long Street in 1864, and more about that later!

The volunteers will be on hand to show you around the museum over the Easter Weekend. We will be open on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and the Bank holiday Monday.

For more information – visit our website www.tetburypolicemuseum.org.uk email: museum@tetbury.gov.uk

The Police Museum and Courtroom Team

Tetbury Volunteer Hub

Tetbury Volunteer Hub Launches With A Plea

For Your Help!

Have you ever been to Tetfest, or watched the Woolsack Races, or enjoyed the amazing fireworks display organised each year by Tetbury Town Football Club? Have you been to Tetbury’s Comic Con, or visited Oﬀ The Rails at the Goods Shed, or had a good laugh at the annual charity Santa Dash around town?

These are just a few of the events and activities that Tetbury delivers, all of which bring people together, encourage visitors, and put smiles on a lot of faces. For a small market town, we’re also pretty good

at looking out for each other – Tetbury Town Council’s initiative to take Christmas dinners to the elderly, for example, or Community Connexion’s eﬀorts to provide transport to people who would otherwise struggle to attend hospital appointments or visit the shops.

These various events and activities are really important, but they don’t happen by chance. To keep them going and make sure they are a success they need you, the people of Tetbury, to volunteer your time and help out in a variety of diﬀerent ways.

This is why I am launching the Tetbury Volunteer Hub, and I really hope you will give it your support.

The concept is simple: Tetbury Volunteer Hub acts as a central point where people can add their names to a volunteer list, which can be accessed by anyone in Tetbury who needs volunteer help for specific activities or events. It might be help with ticket scanning, or directing traffic in a car park, or it could be help with erecting fences, or litter picking or marshalling people to make sure everyone is kept safe.

There’s no obligation for volunteers to commit to a set number of days or hours a week, nor to tackle tasks they feel they are not suited to. In most cases volunteers will only be asked for a couple of hours of their time, and if they can’t help they’re entirely free to refuse.

Volunteering brings its own rewards and these shouldn’t be underestimated. If you are new to Tetbury, or are lonely, it’s a fantastic way to meet people and make new friends. The satisfaction you get from helping your local community is also important. When you volunteer, you become a valued part of a team, which is great for improving self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing.

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I believe there are plenty of generous, community minded people in this town who are willing to give up the odd hour or so of their time to help others and ensure that the events we all enjoy continue to thrive. If you are one of these people, please join this initiative because Tetbury needs you.

To get involved please follow this link and fill out a form: https://bit. ly/3FuyGHt. Or alternatively email info@ tetburyvolunteerhub.co.uk and I will send the form to you. Thank you!

Sue Fudge Tetbury Volunteer

Hub Team

Our next monthly talk on “Our

Great

British Mammals” will be provided by David Boag, wildlife photographer and author, on Tuesday the 15th of April 10.30 am at the Goods Shed. David will let us into the lives of British mammals, many of which are small, secretive and nocturnal. His images will enable us to get close views to enjoy their secret lives and discover many fascinating facts. Do come along and join us - refreshments are available too.

You can download our programme of monthly talks from our website www. tetburyu3a.org.uk/monthly-meetings

Our groups have been busy, now that Spring is here. Our Art Appreciation group looked at the work of Antony Gormley, in particular the Angel of the North in Gateshead. Our bookclubs have read and discussed “All the Beauty in the World” by Patrick Bringley, which oﬀered a rare insight into the profession of the museum guard; and “The Lost Bookshop” by Evie Woods, a mixture of fantasy and reality.

Our Gardening group braved the chilly weather for our first visit of the season, to see the snowdrops at the Arts and Crafts Cotswold Farm Gardens, near Duntisbourne Abbotts. And our History Group met for a really enjoyable and informed discussion of the deeds, misdeeds and legacy of the Prince Regent, later King George lV, whilst our Playreading group read through the “The Apple Cart” by Bernard Shaw.

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This is just a selection of our groups’ activities – we have over forty groups now.

If you would be interested in joining the u3a, take a look at our website www. tetburyu3a.org.uk to find out more, and details of how to join. Or come and meet us for coﬀee and a chat at the Goods Shed on Fridays from 10.00 am to 11.30 am.

Tetbury and District u3a Team

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Members of T’Ukes present a cheque for £500 to Longfield Hospice

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