CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AS IT USED TO
Discovering a thoughtful or interesting gift at this time of year can be rewarding, and there is a very good chance you could make that find in Tewkesbury.
After another well supported and very busy Christmas Lights Switch On, local shops, fairs, pubs, restaurants and markets showcased terrific ranges of food, drink, decor, party and present ideas.
Tewkesbury offers much from works of arts, ladies and gents clothing, to quality gift shops and tasty locally sourced food and drink.
There are other amazing outlets too, including the Tewkesbury Abbey Shop (within the abbey itself), the craft markets at the Town Hall - and the Beckford Collective at the Old Post Office (in the attractive village of Beckford).
Tewkesbury Malthouse Emporium, opposite the new Designer Outlet Centre on the Ashchurch Road (A46), is remarkable for its range of gifts, collectibles, vintage merchandise and home decor.
Everything you need
to make the season bright is right here on your doorstep. For a truly memorable
Christmas party or festive night out, the town's restaurants offer fine cuisine from around the world. Our pubs provide great atmosphere with spirit - and the Roses Theatre’s pantomime provides much mirth, as well as great live shows, cinema and community events.
Have a great time this year - there’s nowhere better to spend the festive season than in Tewkesbury.
Church Street Gifts (above) and The Abbey Shop (below)
Service
by Sarah Gilmartin Paperback £9.99
It is not often when finishing an author's second novel I close it and think that is as good as the first, but Sarah Gilman has succeeded. Her first book, "The Dinner Party" proved popular with our customers. It was featured in Tewkesbury Direct in August 2022.
The theme of food is even more present in "Service" as the setting is a restaurant in Dublin and the events that went on there some 10 years earlier. The minutiae of menus and individual dishes seemingly recalled with amazing clarity.
There are three principal characters who take it in turns to recount the events from their own perspective or memory. Hannah, a University student earning some cash during the summer. Daniel, the chef and his wife Julie; they have two sons who are always in the background of Julie's chapters and fleetingly in their father's.
Daniel and Julie are a successful couple; Daniel having forged his career from humble backgrounds, similar to Julie's, but they have made good, and the restaurant is one of "the places" to go and eat. The staff are worked hard, but can earn good money in tips. There are a lot of waitresses and other staff all of whom play essential parts within the book whether they are in the kitchen or serving the public. Also featured are asides on some of the clientele eating there; all these "extras" add to the main theme of the book.
Daniel has been accused of sexual assault and is due to appear in court. Julie finds the charges naturally hard to cope with, but while closing her husband out and distancing herself from him, she remains supportive and accompanies him to court. How this affects their two children, which you can imagine must be
difficult for the boys to cope with especially at school, is portrayed well.
It is Hannah's recollections and how her memories unfold that lead the story. Daniel as the head chef dominates the establishment, while other senior staff also have their own influence. Hannah learns her trade as a waitress, enjoying the lifestyle and experiences she is gaining after her rural upbringing. She is sometimes favoured, other times seemingly humiliated. The after hour parties, once the last guests go home, is where the staff let their hair down. Drugs and booze ever present.
Each of these three principal characters direct the storyline forward. Hannah's always back in the past during her student life, reflecting on her youth while she is now divorcing her husband. Daniel and Julie remember the past but their focus is very much on the here and now, avoiding the intrusive press, or some of their acquaintances, with the court case ever present.
Sarah Gilmartin brings all the events together clinically, the background to what did or did not happen some ten years earlier being revealed to her reader, the book gaining momentum as the court case unfolds.
Selected by: Ian B. Nicholson Alison’s Bookshop High Street Tewkesbury
Fifth Generation for Tewkesbury Family
Little Paisley Rose Neate has become the latest addition to one of Tewkesbury’s oldest families, the Perrys.
Five generations got together recently to welcome her into the world, and posed for a momentous photograph.
Great grandfather Steve Perry is the former Chairman of the Tewkesbury Fair Society.
Steve stood down in January after serving for almost thirty five years.
Tewkesbury Fair Society was founded in 1989, and was established to keep the centuries old mop fair alive and actively promote it
in the town’s best interests.
Steve now has more time to enjoy spending time with his family, all of whom live locally,
including Paisley Rose’s great, great grandmother, Pat Perry. What a lovely photoand thank you, Steve, for sharing it with us.
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR ANY TREATMENTS OR VALUE
So why not treat the one you love? Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Five generations of the Perry family: (Left to right) Great Grandad Steve Perry, Nana Stephanie Boulton, Mum Roseanne Perry Boulton, Great Great Nanny Pat Perry and baby Paisley Rose Neate.
TEWKESBURY FLOWER CLUB MEETING
Tuesday 10th December at Bushley Village Hall, GL20 6HT Doors open at 1.30pm and the meeting starts at 2.00pm. No experience needed just a relaxing afternoon watching a demonstrator arrange beautiful flowers. Entrance for visitors is £6. Come and join us!
FESTIVE COLLECTION AT
TEWKESBURY’S BLACK BEAR
Tewkesbury Arts & Drama Society, the Tewkesbury Pub Singers and Tewkesbury-Ham Actors’ Troupe are joining forces for a special performance of their Christmas show.
The ‘Festive Collection’ presentation will take place at the Black Bear, at the junction of the High Street, Bredon Road and Mythe Road, from 3om until 8pm on Sunday 8th December.
Everyone is welcome to come along and join the performers for a relaxed afternoon of song-along carols, stories, poems and songs.
Parking is available nearby in Spring Gardens and Oldbury Road car parks.
Tewkesbury Borough Council is offering parking in its car parks on Saturday 7th and Saturday 21st December.
Car parks owned or managed by TBC include Bishop’s Walk, Gloucester Road, The Vineyards, St Mary’s Lane, Rails Meadow, Oldbury Road and the Vineyards. Usual parking restrictions apply.
Work & Leisure Vehicle Body Repairs
Damp Repairs Habitation Checks
Insurance & Private Work
Caravan & Motorhome Body Repairs
Solar Panels & Cameras
Leisure Vehicle Servicing
Spray Painting & Full Re-Sprays
Plastic & Fibreglass Refurbishment Internal Refurbishment
Units 3 & 4 Highfield Business Park Tewkesbury Road Gloucester GL19 4BP 01684 295353 (24hrs) enquiries@pjlane.co.uk
A great time, to get adventure ready
Traditionally this is the time when many lay their Caravan or Motorhome up for the Winter.
Checks in February may reveal issues that will need sorting before embarking on the first trip out of the new year when repair shops will naturally be busy, it makes sense to have those issues sorted now.
Owners may have paintwork needing attention or scrapes dings and rubs from some unavoidable situations found on tight roads and car parks.
Local leisure vehicle repair specialists, PJ Lane are ready to help in all matters including: bodywork repairs, including full resprays, motorhome and caravan servicing, internal refurbishment, damp testing
and repair, installation of cameras and solar panels, insurance and private work.
PJ Lane has an envious reputation, and new owners Josh Corbijn and Rebecca Ives, continue to improve the services on offer.
To get off to a flying start on your next adventure pop in now, and have a chat with the technicians at PJ Lane, Units 3 & 4 Highfield Business Park, Tewkesbury Road, Deerhurst GL19 4BP, at the traffic lights, five minutes from Tewkesbury, on the Gloucester road, Tel 01684 295353 (24 Hours) or email enquiries@pjlane.co.uk
Pick up a copy of our catalogue or take a look on www.alisonsbookshop.co.uk
Thank you to all our customers for supporting us over the last 25 years alison’s bookshop, 138 - 139 High Street, Tewkesbury
WI Newtown is pickled tink!
Could we get closer to our roots? In September we met Auntie Caroline and her amazing range of preserved goods. Her business started as a hobby, whilst living in Japan.
As a child, she ate jars of pickled onions at bedtime; the obsession lasted through her teenage years; at uni she joined an “eat a jarful” where the joyful winner promptly drank the vinegar too.
Working in Japan, teaching, writing books, and publishing, she developed new recipes for her own vinegars - researching their effectiveness of course by eating the results.
Back in England, a neighbour began to commission her jars for a charity, and she set up her business, Auntie Caroline’s.
After the 2011 tsunami, she went back to Japan for months at a time each year, whilst still building the business here, which by 2023 grew to 25 thousand jars a year, and has funded much of her Japanese humanitarian work. All this whilst selling at farmers’ markets, online and at talks like this one.
We met pickled onions of a huge variety of recipes, alongside honey from specific flowers, walnuts, eggs, garlic, limes, plums, Scotch Bonnets [barely edible] and several jams. Caroline’s Mum makes pretty cloth bags, sized to carry three jars, to encourage sales. Which it does. And Caroline’s pickles obsession is still as strong as most of her produce.
All you ladies are welcome to join our very friendly WI meetings at Wheatpieces Community Centre, on 2nd Wednesdays of each month. Contact Julie at Newtown WI, call 01684 301267 or email PullenJ53@sky.com
ROSES ANNOUNCE BIG GIVE CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH
Registered charity, The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, has announced a fundraising campaign as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations next year.
PILATES COURSES STARTING IN JANUARY
ST ANDREWS CHURCH, CHURCHDOWN - MON 6thJAN
9.30am -10.30am, Next Step
BREDON VILLAGE HALL, BREDON - TUES 7thJAN
9.30am-10.30am and 10.30am -11.30am, Next Step
5.00pm-6.00pm, Gentle Pilates 6.00pm-7.00pm, Next Step
BUSHLEY VILLAGE HALL, TEWKESBURY - WED 8thJAN
9.30am -10.30am, Next Step
APPERLEY VILLAGE HALL, TEWKESBURY - WED 8thJAN
5.00pm-6.00pm, Gentle Pilates 6.15pm-7.15pm, Next Step
WHEATPIECES COMMUNITY CENTRE, TEWKESBURYTHURS 9thJAN
9.30am-10.30am, Next Step
Next Step courses are for 12 weeks and cost £96.00 Gentle Pilates courses are for 8 weeks and cost £64.00 (Limited spaces available)
PILATES IS SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE
If you are interested in any of the courses please contact Shelley for more information on 07432 852744 email positivepilates@gmail.com www.positivepilateslocal.co.uk
I’ve
Rosie Alvis
The aim is to raise £50,000 in just one week through the ‘Big Give’ - to fund an innovative, community-focused creative wellbeing programme.
The campaign supports a cause that deeply resonates with the community, designed to bridge gaps in underfunded mental health services across North Gloucestershire and South Worcestershire.
With this programme, The Roses Theatre will offer creative resources to improve mental wellbeing, partnering with NHS, schools, and local arts organisations.
Reaching their goal of £50,000 is no small feat, but thanks to Big Give and generous donations from loyal supporters, they are halfway there with £25,000 already secured.
However, to unlock these matched funds, they must raise the remaining £25,000 through public donations.
The Big Give challenge will run from Tuesday 3rd to Tuesday 10th December, during which time every dona-
tion will be doubled, making each contribution even more impactful.
“This is more than just a fundraising goal,” says Jessica Brewster, Director of The Roses Theatre.
“We’re aiming to make a real, measurable impact on mental health in our region by providing creative, supportive
outlets to those who need them most. Together, we can make a lasting difference.”
The wellbeing programme will raise awareness of the mental health benefits of arts and creativity.
For more information about the programme, visit the website www. rosestheatre.org/creativehealth
DECEMBER RECORD FAIRS
If classic vinyl, casettes and CDs are your thing, then you are well provided for with a series of Record Fairs in and around Tewkesbury this month.
You’ll discover collectible recordings and literature in the Function Room at the Yorkshire Grey Inn (11am5pm) on Thursdays 5th, 12th and 19th December. There is plenty of free parking, with food and drink available at the bar of the pub in Earls Croome, near Upton-upon-Severn, WR8 9DA. Entry is Free.
On Sunday 8th December Wheatpieces Community Centre at Walton Cardiff will host a record fair from 10am until 3pm. There is free parking onsite (GL20 7SP) and admission is £1.00
From Us To You This Christmas
Bredon Cricket Club Annual General Meeting
The 2024 AGM took place on Sunday 10th November at the cricket club. Chairman Neil Hall reported that on the whole it was a successful season for the club. The First XI’s season was almost a mirror image of the previous year with a poor start and then a much improved second half of the year. We badly missed a couple of influential players, plus injuries to others along with poor availability meaning that the club struggled to put out two strong league teams. Neil went on to thank the team captains for their efforts last season and stressed the importance of recruiting new players for the 2025 season.
The junior section of the club continued to thrive with massive numbers attending our All Stars/ Dynamos sessions on a Friday evening. Our U11 and U13’s also showed improvement
throughout the season. Special mention must go out to our U15’s, who won their section of the Cotswold Hills league and unfortunately had their play off final cancelled due to rain.
We held a cricket coaching week for junior members in August and a school’s festival in June and it is vital that we continue to nurture the junior section of the club. With this in mind,
the club have appointed a club coach, Connor Andrew for the 2025 season.
Last season saw the re-birth of ladies cricket at the club and we are keen to develop this next
Shaun Taylor –Approved Buyer
year after successful festival and coaching sessions in 2024. We once again held our Old Boys Lunch and it is important that we don’t forget our past. August saw a new initiative with a Chairmans Trophy game against Tewkesbury which we hope will become an annual event.
Off the field it has been a busy year starting in March with fund raising activities, including an auction and silent disco, which raised a substantial amount of money for the club. May saw the annual Tower Run which goes from strength to strength. June witnessed yet another successful Golf Day raising funds for the James Hopkins Trust.
We continue to develop our sustainability and lower our carbon footprint with the installation of solar panels. Once the cricket season ends, we will offer all year-round facilities with junior football and rugby using the club during the winter months.
We would like to take this opportunity to
thank our sponsors and everyone who has supported the club. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Bredon Cricket Cub for 2025 and beyond then please contact our Chairman Neil Hall neil@hallonline. co.uk
We are an important part of the local community and attract over 10,000 visitors each year. As the oldest club in the village, next season will see us celebrate our 135th anniversary. At the meeting the team captains for 2025 were elected. They are as follows: Sunday XI – Luke Plane; Midweek Captain – Adam Howard; 2nd XI – Gareth Allen and 1st XI – Seb Soukup.
Winchcombe Christmas Festival is celebrating in style with a multi-day event
m Christmas Festival & Market - Friday 6th December, 5pm – 8pm
Enjoy a Friday evening packed with atmosphere. Sparkling Christmas trees line the streets of Winchcombe town centre where shopkeepers, pubs, cafe-owners, stallholders and local people get into the festive spirit of Christmas.
This is a festival for all the family with lots to see and do. There are over 40 market stalls laden with gifts, festive food, late night shopping, carol singing and live music to get you in the Christmas
spirit.
The town is lit up with over 70 real Christmas trees, and street entertainers, Morris dancers, choirs, bands and community groups all add to the merriment
m Christmas Market - Saturday 7th December,10am – 5pm
More festive fun and opportunities for Christmas shopping on the Saturday. The Christmas Market continues on North Street with festive singers and street performances throughout the day to continue the
Christmas atmosphere.
A wonderful chance to shop for some unique Christmas gifts with many, locally produced and unusual items on display across the 40 market stalls as well as Winchcombe’s very own independent shops.
Stop for a bite to eat at one of the many eateries in Winchcombe and spend a very merry day out in this gem of a Cotswold town. Keep up-to-date on stallholders, entertainment and announcements at www. facebook.com/winchcombechristmasfestival
m Winchcombe Christmas Market
TEWKESBURY
BATTLEFIELD GUIDED WALKS - Sunday 1st December, starting at 10.00am. Two hour walk covering around two miles. Stout footwear is recommended. Walks are free, but donations to the Battlefield Society are welcome. Start from Abbey Lawn Car Park.
PERRYGROVE DOWN THE CHIMNEY SHOWS: 14th-24th December, 9am-3pm. Perrygrove Railway, Coleford, GL16 8QB. Take a steam train ride in the Forest of Deanto meet Mrs Claus and help Santa down the chimney! Stories and laughter, gifts for children. Booking via perrygrove.co.uk
LATE NIGHT
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN BROADWAY: Friday 6th December, 4.30pm-8.30pm. Christmas lights, music, mulled wine, festive food. Father Christmas and reindeer too. For more details see. broadwaycotswolds. co.uk
SUDELEY CASTLE & GARDENS - Until Monday 30th December. Magical after-dark illuminated trail around the grounds of historic Sudeley, former home of
Queen Catherine Parr. Winchcombe GL54 5LP. Details and tickets from sudeleycastle.co.uk
ENCHANTED LIGHT TRAIL: Selected dates during December. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, GL54 5FL. Pushchair friendly trail with thousands of lights, animal interactions, firepits, marshmallows and festive treats. Bookings and more details from cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk
SANTA EXPRESS: Until 23rd December, 10.00am-5.00pm, various trains. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. An enchanting adventure as passengers are transported by a decorated steam train from Cheltenham Racecourse to ‘The North Pole’ and back to meet Santa and his elves. All children receive a present and refreshments are included. Advance booking is essential. www.gwsr.com
WESTONBIRT
NATIONAL ARBORETUM
Christmas at Westonbirt. until - Tuesday 31st December. Brand new illuminated trail at Westonbirt National Arboretum near Tetbury, GL8 8QS. Over a million twinkling lights and sea-
sonal sounds filling the air with festive fun. Tickets and details forestryengland.co.uk
ICE SKATING IN
CHELTENHAM: Until Sunday 5th January. All-weather skating rink in Imperial Gardens, behind the Town Hall. Details from visitcheltenham.com
PAINSWICK
ROCOCO GARDEN: The Enchanted Garden By Night - until Thursday 2nd January. Painswick’s famous Rococo Garden is transformed as night falls with an enchanting display of twinkling lights to captivate all ages. Every corner holds a surprise. Rococo Garden, Gloucester Road, Painswick GL6 6TH Details and tickets from rococogarden.org.uk
CLEARWELL CAVES Christmas at ClearwellThe Very Hungry Polar Bear. Until Tuesday 31st December. A magical Christmas outing for the whole family, in the caves of Clearwell beneath the Forest of Dean. Meet Santa, with stalls selling gifts and decorations. Underground Café selling hot drinks. Clearwell, Near Coleford GL16 8JR. Tickets and more details clearwellcaves.com
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Christmas at The Roses Theatre
m Tewkesbury Town Band Christmas Concert & Market - 7th December, 7:30pm
Join Tewkesbury Town Band for their annual Christmas concert!
Tickets: Full price £15, Concessions £13, Children FREE.
m K2Togs Christmas Market - 8th December, 3:00pm
Join resident knitting group K2Togs for their annual sale!
Browse and purchase a selection of beautifully hand-knitted and crocheted items, perfect for gifts or a treat for yourself.
Every purchase you make supports a great cause, as all proceeds will go directly to The Roses Theatre Trust, helping continue to support our local community.
m The Roses Choir’s Christmas Showcase8th December, 5:00pm
Join us for our annual and fabulous Christmas Choir performance in aid of The Roses Theatre Trust!
Mulled Wine & Mince Pies available.
You can also stay afterwards for our special Christmas Quiz, where there will be a chance to win festive prizes.
Probus Club visits the Jet Age
In November, a large contingent of members of Tewkesbury and Bredon Hill Probus Club enjoyed yet another of our external visits, this time to the Jet Age museum adjacent to Gloucestershire Airport which had been opened especially for us and with three extremely knowledgeable guides to take us around the exhibits.
The museum celebrates the great contributions that Gloucestershire companies have made to the design and manufacture of famous aircraft.
The Gloster aircraft company was set up more than 100 years ago and together with its successor companies produced many famous aircraft, a large number of which are on display in the museum.
Gloucestershire still has of course several thriving companies in the aircraft component industries including instrumentation, landing gear, hydraulics and undercarriages and the museum also commemorates their history.
We started our tour of the museum in the front fuselage of a Trident airliner and we were delighted to be able to sit in the captain’s and co-pilot’s seats on the flight deck, imagining we were flying an airliner over the Gloucestershire countryside.
In the main hangar of the museum, we explored the wonderful aircraft displays including not only jet powered machines but some historic open cockpit biplanes. The display features a number of aircraft from both before and during the fifties and sixties such as the Gloster Meteor, the Gloster Javelin and many others which were operational at the time and throughout the Cold War.
Of particular excitement for overgrown schoolboys was the opportunity to squeeze into the cockpit of the Gloster meteor and experience what it must have felt like to be the pilot of one of these planes flying at 600 miles per hour engaging with enemy aircraft.
There are many other exhibits including the various uniforms and helmets worn by RAF personnel, a display of the Gloster company’s very brave test pilots, ejector seats, propellers and for the fascination of the engineers in our Club, some of the magnificent and incredibly complex jet engines that powered these historic aeroplanes.
After the visit we all enjoyed an excellent convivial lunch at a local hostelry.
By Chris Brown for
Tewkesbury and Bredon Hill Probus Club m Probus member trying out the flying machine m Probus member ready for take off!
tewkesbury@activeplumbingsupplies.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty in Twyning
Twyning
In this version of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, King Norbet and his wife Queen Dorothy are finally granted their wish for a daughter.
When she is born they don’t invite the bad fairy, Carabosse, to the celebration.
Annoyed that she and her cat, Spindleshanks, are not invited the bad fairy curses the Princess Aurora to prick her fin-
ger on a spindle and die! Fortunately for the King and Queen, Fairy Peaceful has not granted her wish yet and is able to alter the bad fairy’s curse.
Instead the Princess Aurora is cursed to sleep for a hundred years, to be woken by the kiss of a true Prince.
The pantomime will take place at the Village Hall from Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th December at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. Doors will open half an hour before each performance.
Tickets are now available from the website www.twyningplayers.org
Real Christmas trees & wreaths in stock now
• Christmas decorations, lights & cards
• Houseplants, planters & amaryllis
• Bedding plants & filled hanging baskets
• Trees, shrubs & hedging plants
• Containers, lawn, plant & garden care
• Logs, kindling wood & winter car care
• Bird tables, specialist feed & feeders
Gretton Road, Gotherington GL52 9QY
- Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm
Steam Railway Mince Pie Special
These popular Yuletide Special heritage trains start running on Friday 27th December, right through to Wednesday 1st January.
Climb aboard a beautifully restored vintage steam train and experience the charm of a bygone era, combined with the festive spirit that will warm your heart.
As you step onto meticulously preserved carriages, be transported back in time to an age of elegance and grace. Feel the enchantment in the air as the train whistle blows, signalling the beginning of your scenic adventure through the stunning Cotswolds countryside. As you glide through
picturesque landscapes, indulge in a mince pie and hot drink from the on train buffet.. Check out GWSR.com for details.
WINTER EXHIBITION by Tewkesbury Art Society
Friday 6th & Saturday 7th December 10am - 4pm at Town Hall, High Street, Tewkesbury
A great selection of affordable, original artwork and cards - perfect for that special Christmas present. Free admission. Our event this year will be sponsored by SR Tyres of Tewkesbury and Steaming Mugs coffee shop, Tewkesbury. Get ready to embark on
DECEMBER EVENTS At John Moore Museum
To reserve your place at these events please call 01684 297174 or email education@johnmooremuseum.org
m A RENAISSANCE CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Join us this festive period with the Gloucestershire Waites as they bring the Old Baptist Chapel to life with the sound of historic music. The Waites of Gloucester are modelled on the band of musicians run by the City of Gloucester in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Introducing people to a range of instruments they may never otherwise have seen, and which sound distinctly different to modern ears.
Date and Time: Saturday 7th December at 2.30pm
Tickets: £10
Location: Old Baptist Chapel, Old Baptist Chapel Court, Church Street.
m A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS: LIVING HISTORY
The Merchant’s House will be brought to life this winter, as our costumed re-enactors welcome you in, and tell you the story of the house and Christmas in the Medieval era! Discover what food was feasted upon, and how they kept themselves entertained during the twelve days of Christmas.
Dates and Times: Saturday 7th December and Sunday 8th December at 11am to 4pm
Tickets: Free entry
Location: Merchant’s House, Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5SN.
five days a week.
01684 273344 sales@allfasttewkesbury.co.uk
It’s the AGM! How lovely! We had an interesting year to review. 60th anniversary party; some lovely trips out - recently to Berkeley Castle for the Strictly Come Dancing Costume Exhibition; and our regular Book Club, Knit&Natter, and Crafts Group.
We are making plans to have a seasonal celebration lunch in January.
Of course there were some AGM formalities, too, including welcoming several new members, expressions of gratitude to the many members who organise our admin and keep our events running smoothly, and a wee bit of voting. There’s a lot of that about lately…
And our new motto for 2025? WIse women working together [See what we did there?]
Please join us anytime by contacting Julie on 01684 301267 or PullenJ53@sky.com
Enquiries 07779 088529
A Complicated Burgage Plot: Part 2
The development of the burgage plot into an important industrial building came in 1847 when Mayor and MP, Humphrey Brown a Gloucester barge owner, bought “The range or pile of building formerly used as a theatre, subsequently as a school for Sunday School Children belonging to Trinity Church, and converted it to a Silk Factory, (with machinery) Cottages or tenements”.
Sadly there does not seem to be an illustration. The new premises stretched from the 131 High St to Oldbury Road.
The MP’s aim was to reward voters by providing a textile factory which would help solve the unemployment of stocking weavers in a difficult period.
One of the buildings had formerly been the Chequers Pub and, in 1848 when the Mill was being built, was “discovered the remains of a 34-year-old human being under the foundation of a wall”.
However, within 10 years the MP himself was
caught up as “an accomplice in one of the most gigantic frauds ever perpetrated”. He lost his seat
and was sentenced to six months in the‘Queen’s Bench Prison’.
“His health, however broke down, was soon released and, shortly afterwards, he died – it is believed – of a broken heart.”.
The factory was later bought by a budding industrialist, Thomas Walker, which will take us to Part 3 of this complicated history.
Oldbury Road to the rear of
High Street in 1908
Bangladeshi Food
Cross House, Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5AB www.crosshousetavern.pub
WED 4th DEC:
Open Celtic Folk Music Session, Royal Oak, Main Road, Bredon GL20 7LW (Music starts 8pm)
WED 4th DEC:
Alex Steele Trio with singer Penny Powell, Fox & Hounds, Church Street, Bredon GL20 7LA foxandhoundsbredon.co.uk
A family run Italian Restaurant
Six festive questions to test you:
1: Which song by a British comedian topped the UK singles chart Christmas in 1971?
2: According to tradition, Santa’s sleigh is pulled by eight reindeer. Which one is missing from this list? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Donner, Blitzen?
WED 4th DEC:
Bad Manners
Christmas Party, The Guildhall, Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL11NS gloucesterguildhall.co.uk
SAT 7th DEC: Tewkesbury Town Band Christmas Concert, The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX www.rosestheatre.org
SAT 7th DEC:
A Concerto for Christmas - Premiere Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham GL52 3JE cheltenhamtownhall.co.uk
SUN 8th DEC:
The Roses Choir
Christmas Showcase, The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX www.rosestheatre.org
SUN 8th DEC:
Kate Rusby. The Forum Theatre, Grange Road, Malvern WR14 3HB malvern-theatres.co.uk
THURS 12th DEC: Grace Petrie, The SubRooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE thesubrooms.co.uk
3: Which British-born movie star died on Christmas Day 1977?
4: The Christmas Tree erected in Trafalgar Square each year is an annual gift to London from which European city?
THUR 12th DEC: Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band, Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester WR1 3LD worcestertheates.co.uk
SAT 14th DEC:
Xmas Bash 3 - Spunge, 4ft Fingers and Johnny Clash live on stage. The Watson Hall, Barton Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5PX tewkesburytowncouncil. gov.uk/events
TUES 17th DEC: The Lorna & Laister Christmas Show, The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX www.rosestheatre.org
WED 18th DEC: Open Mixed/Christmas Folk Music Session, Royal Oak, Main Road, Bredon GL20 7LW (Music starts 8pm)
WED 18th DEC: St Agnes Fountain (Christmas Folk Band), Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester WR1 3LD worcestertheates.co.uk
5: Which 1946 Christmas movie stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore and Henry Travers (the latter as Clarence the Angel?)
WED 18th DEC:
The Limelight Sessions with Jasmine Jethwa, Melle & Tom Mary, The Guildhall, Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL11NS gloucesterguildhall.co.uk
THURS 19th DEC: Rick Wakeman Yuletide Christmas Show, Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA cheltenhamtownhall.co.uk
THURS 19th DEC: Festive Folk with Julie July and Friends, Number 8 Arts Centre, High Street, Pershore WR10 1BG www.number8.org
THURS 19th DEC: Green Matthews Gaudete! (Folk Music), The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX www.rosestheatre.org
4: What is the name of Father Christmas’s wife?
SAT 21st DEC: The Flowers Band Christmas Concert, Number 8 Arts Centre, High Street, Pershore WR10 1BG www.number8.org
TUES 14th JAN: German National Orchestra, Town Hall, Cheltenham GL50 1QA cheltenhamtownhall.co.uk
WED 15th JAN: Open Mixed Folk Music Session, Royal Oak, Main Road, Bredon GL20 7LW (Music starts 8pm)
FRI 17th JAN: Bach to Bacharach, The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX www.rosestheatre.org
ANSWERS: 1. Ernie (The stestFa Milkman in the West) by Benny Hill;
2. Cupid (Rudolph was a 20th century addition to the line-up!);
3. Charlie Chaplin; 4. Oslo (Norway);
5. It’s A Wonderful Life; 6. Mary Christmas!
Authentic Bangladeshi Food
Our Special Seasonal Gift
We invite you to dine at Tipu Sultan on Christmas Day for FREE!
Enjoy the spirit of the season, a lunch of five courses, as a thank-you for the support given to us by our customers. Pay for nothing, although drinks will need to be bought, and a kindly tip for our staff would be appreciated as they will be giving up their free time.
You will need to book your table now.
“Remember, Christmas Day is for celebrating with family and friends, not to be stuck in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. All are welcome.
Christmas and a Happy
Tipu
A Quiz Question?
How much has been raised at the monthly Pub Quizzes at the Railway Inn in Ripple during 2024?*
The quiz evenings held at the Railway Inn are very popular, always raising money for good causes.
In 2024 the following charities from monies
CHRISTMAS FAMILY CONCERTS
Mon 23rd December at Cheltenham Town Hall. Imperial Square, GL50 1QA, at 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
THE GRUFFALO AND THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD by Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler. Composed for orchestra by Philip Mackenzie, with narrator.
THE SNOWMAN by Raymond Briggs, Live accompaniment to the animated film.
Tickets £15-£32 available online from cheltenhamttownhall. org.uk or from the Box Office. Pleas see website for opening times.
raised at each quiz included: Worcester Cancer Aid
• Motor Neurone
• Acorns Children's Hospice
• Mariposa Trust
• Bowel Cancer UK
• Upton Museum
• Tewkesbury Town Band
• Multiple Sclerosis Licensees Jon and Roger Barnfield will wel-
come new faces to the Quiz nights in 2025. On Saturday 28th November (12.30) at the Railway Inn, there will be a family-friendly fundraising event, with miniature steam-powered road vehicles getting steamed up for the benefit of the Midlands Air Ambulance.
*Answer: The sum raised in 2024 is £6524
and their
Trinity Church Hall at 7.15pm. A bring and share buffet and historical quiz devised by Steve Channing. For more details visit tewkesburyhistory.org
The Railway Inn
D-Day 80th anniversary commemorated as The Longest Yarn comes to Tewkesbury Abbey.
The Longest Yarn is an 80m 3D depiction of that fateful day, 6th June 1944, in wool art. With 80 displays, each measuring one metre in length, depicting scenes of the world’s largest amphibious invasion, The Longest Yarn is something quite unique and not to be missed. The scenes include the build-up to D-Day in England, the horrors on the Landing Beaches and the bloody inland battles.
Created with guidance from professional historians to be accurate, each scene has been selected by the creator to depict the story of this momentous day in history. Some of the scenes depict actual WW2 veterans that were in the theatre of war in Normandy on 6th June plus the lesser-known events in local towns and villages in Normandy. 180 knitters from across
the world, including the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France and even people with NATO stationed in Europe, have joined in to help make this project happen.
Tansy Foster, who came up with the idea and has lead the operations from France said:
“One of my favourite scenes that will be on display is the depiction of the famous moment Lord Lovat and Piper Bill Millin crossed Pegasus Bridge, and another is when he plays his pipes on
Sword Beach. Piper Millin’s son donated his father’s favourite jumper to us which we unravelled (frogged) and used the wool to knit the figures of Piper Bill – it’s given a real poignancy to these scenes.”
Free entry donations welcome. December 7 - January 9 (some closures apply please see our website for details). Join us to honour history through art! More details: www.tewkesburyabbey. org.uk/the-longestyarn/
Small Things Like These 12A WED 4 DEC 7.30PM & WED 11 DEC 4.00PM S
Juror #2 12A MON 9 DEC 11.00AM & THU 12 DEC 7.30PM
Tewkesbury Town Band Christmas Concert SAT 7 DEC 7.30PM
Jimmy White’s Whirlwind Tour
THU 6 FEB 7.30PM
Andre Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver MON 9 DEC 7.00PM & FRI 13 DEC 2.00PM
Paddington in Peru PG SUN 15 DEC 6.00PM, MON 16 DEC 2.00PM TUE 17 DEC 11.00AM, FRI 20 DEC 2.00PM S MON 23 DEC 10.00AM SF
Gladiator 2 15 MON 16 DEC 7.30PM, TUE 17 DEC 2.00PM WED 18 DEC 7.30PM
The Wild Robot U FRI 27 DEC 10.00AM & FRI 3 JAN 10.00AM
Moana 2 PG SAT 28 DEC 10.00AM, MON 30 DEC 10.00AM THU 2 JAN 10.00AM
It’s A Wonderful Life U TUE 17 DEC 2.30PM & FRI 20 DEC 2.30PM
White Christmas U WED 18 DEC 7.00PM & MON 23 DEC 11.00AM
Wicked PG SUN 29 DEC 10.00AM & SAT 4 JAN 10.00AM SF Sensory Friendly S Subtitled screening
INTRODUCING THE BRAND NEW RANGE OF WORCESTER BOSCH CLIMATE 3000I REVERSIBLE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS
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■ Based in Tewkesbury with offices in Northway
■ Many primary spare parts carried by engineers for boiler breakdowns
THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY 1963
By Ian Boskett
TUESDAY 10th DECEMBER at 7pm
Stimulate Your Retirement At Tewkesbury & Bredon Hill Probus Club
Probus Club offers retired and semi-retired professional and business men the opportunity to enrich retirement by joining like-minded people for congenial conversation, sharing experiences, listening to a wide variety of interesting speakers and occasional visits to places of interest.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN DECEMBER:
3 Dec - The Older Drivers Forum (with Alexandra and Nigel Lloyd Jones)
10 Dec - A Dickensian Christmas (with Phil Collins and Mike Bottomley)
17 Dec - Christmas party
24 Dec - No meeting (Bank holiday)
Meetings are held at 10.15 a.m. in Bredon Village Hall. Every interested person will receive a very warm welcome. Please contact our Secretary, Steve Tucker on 07803 907243 for further information or visit our website at: www.probusclub.net/tewkesbredon/
MVS POPPY DAY FOR SEVERN UNIT AND REMEMBRANCE PARADE
This year Severn Unit members supported their own member Will Fish who is also the Deputy Poppy Appeal organiser for Tewkesbury and ran the Poppy Appeal stand for the day at Dobbies Garden Centre Tewkesbury.
Between them they were pleased to have raised the sum of £578. On Remembrance Sunday the Unit took part in the Parade through the Town and attended the Service at Tewkesbury Abbey. Following this, wreaths were laid at the War Memorial after an outdoor service and 2 minute silence at 11.00 a.m.
Head of Unit Nic Price said “This is always a very poignant and moving occasion and this year’s parade was very well attended and the streets were packed with onlookers.”
Dobbies Garden Centre Tewkesbury on their Unit’s “Poppy Day”.
Tewkesbury Art Society
Winter Art Exhibition
The Tewkesbury Art Society will be holding its Annual Winter Art Exhibition in Tewkesbury Town Hall on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December. Entrance is free.
This years event is being generously sponsored by two local businesses, ‘Steaming Mugs’ coffee shop in Barton Street, and ‘SR Tyres’ in Northway Lane.
The exhibition displays a variety of works by over 20 local artists, all members of the society. Styles vary from the traditional to the more abstract using a variety of mediums. There will also be a few tables offering a range of crafts and cards produced by our members. It is a perfect occasion to purchase that unique Christmas gift for someone special.
Tewkesbury Art Society meet weekly on a Tuesday morning between 10am and noon in the Town Hall. During these sessions we not only work on our own painting but we also have regular demonstrations and workshops by professional artists. New members are always welcome, so why not pop into the exhibition or, call in and meet us during one of our weekly sessions.
m Jess Gardner and Head of Unit Nic Price with McTavish the Scottish Terrier on duty selling poppies at
m Severn Unit on Parade through Tewkesbury.
Fully project-managed in-house bathroom installations
Professional stress free service with a specialist bathroom installer • Modern & Traditional bathroom suites • Shower installations
• Tiling/Paneling • Karndean flooring • All electrics certified
Baptist Church, Station Road
Sunday 1st 4pm Carols and Readings at the Old Baptist Chapel, Church Street
Sunday 15th 10:30am Our Children’s Church present ‘Star’
Friday 20th 6pm Family presentation by the 4Front Theatre company ‘Not Getting Inn’
Sunday 22nd 10:30am Family Carol Service
Christmas Day 10:15am Christmas Day Service
Holy Trinity, Oldbury Road
Sunday 15th 6.30pm Carol Service
Christmas Eve 3pm & 4.30pm Christingle Service with Puppets
Christmas Day 10am Family Celebration
Priors Park Community Church , Queens Road
Sunday 1st 3:30pm Advent Special Sunday 8th 3:30pm Lighthouse Club Nativity Play “The Little Angel”
Sunday 15th 9:30am Breakfast 10:15am Christingle
Sunday 22nd 3:30pm Carol Service
Christmas Eve 6pm Carols by Candlelight
St Joseph, Chance Street
Christmas Eve 7pm Christmas Mass
St Mary's Parish Church, Twyning Sunday 15th 4pm Christmas Carol Service
Saturday 21st 10am Carol Singing –village shop
Christmas Eve 5pm Christingle (doors open at 4.15pm)
Christmas Day 9:30am Family Communion
St Mary the Virgin, Tewkesbury
Abbey Sunday 1st 6pm Advent Carol Service Tuesday 10th 6.45pm Schola Cantorum Carol Service Sunday 22nd 6pm Christmas Carol Service
Christmas Eve 4pm Christingle (doors open at 3.15pm)
11.30pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 10.30am Christmas Day Mass
St Nicholas Ashchurch
Sunday 22nd 6:00pm Carol Service
Christmas Eve 4:00pm Christingle 11pm Midnight service
St Nicholas Kemerton Christmas Day 10:30am Family Service
Sycamore Chapel, Sycamore Road
Saturday 7th 7:30pm Pamoja Gospel Choir Christmas Concert
Sunday 8th 3-6pm Christmas Family Fun Event
Sunday 15th 6:30pm Carol Service & Nativity
Sunday 22nd 10.30am Service with carols
Christmas Eve 5pm Christingle 11:30pm Midnight Service
Christmas Day 10:30am Service with Communion
Tewkesbury Methodist Church, The Cross
Sunday 22nd 3:15pm Tea/coffee and mince pies and 4pm - Carols by Candlelight
Christmas Day 10:30am Family Service
Twyning Chapel, Hillview Lane
Sunday 15th 4pm Candlelit Service of Lessons and Carols
Monday 16th 6pm Twyning
School Carols in Church
Saturday 21st 10am Carol Singing at the Village Shop (TBC)
Christmas Eve 5pm Christingle
Christmas Day 9:30am Family Communion
Is it carrots for Rudolph, sugar mice in your Christmas stocking, brussels sprouts or a terrible Christmas jumper?
I wonder what ‘The thing’ is which has to happen to make it a proper Christmas? We all have our own traditions and Christmas is a time to celebrate those with family and friends.
For many, those traditions will include carols, nativity plays and candlelit church services. Events that give us an opportunity to stand back from all of the shopping and planning and to remember the child at the heart of this story. Jesus is, of course, the reason for the season. The one who comes to be with us as the Christ child, revealing the risks that God is prepared to take to reach out to each one of us.
It is a wonderful story of shepherds, angels and kings. It’s also a story of light, hope and joy A story which has reshaped our world for over 2000 years and which can reshape us if we choose to reach out to the baby in the manger and take hold of those ‘glad tidings of great joy’.
As you look at the listings of all of the church services this Christmas, I'm sure that you will find one that will fit with your plans for the festive season; whether it is attending an advent service as we wait for the big day, a Carol service as you sing your heart out or a candlelit Christmas Eve service where we allow ourselves to dare to believe that all of this is true.
Wherever you choose to worship this Christmas, a warm welcome awaits you and an opportunity to focus on the one person without whom Christmas would never have happened at all. Wishing you every blessing for a happy holy Christmas! Revd. Canon Nick Davies, Vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey
Support Small and Love Local this Christmas
If you’re looking for gifts that mean more, visit The Beckford Collective in the centre of Beckford Village. This hidden gem invites you to skip the high street crowds and discover something truly unique!
Featuring the work of over 20 talented local artists and makers, this charming shop offers a delightful array of handcrafted cards, gifts, original art, jewellery, pottery, candles and diffusers, bunting, bookmarks, tote bags, and seasonal décor— all perfect for adding a personal touch to your Christmas gifting.
Every purchase at the Collective supports local talent, with each sale bringing a joyful “happy dance” from the makers themselves. When you shop here, you’re not just buying a gift; you’re also supporting the dreams and passions of local artisans. And unlike mass-pro-
duced items, each piece in the shop has a story, a personal touch, and a lot of heart.
Open from Thursday to Monday, 10am until 3pm (Friday to Sunday during January & February), the shop is looked after by one of the artists or craftspeople whose work you’ll find inside. Often, they will be creating while they are in the shop and love talking to customers about their work.
The Old Post Office café is the perfect pitstop with fresh coffee and a range of teas, cakes, breakfasts and lunches. The café is open daily from 9am until 4pm, and you can sit inside or in the pretty courtyard where you’ll find the Collective shop. For more information, visit @thebeckfordcollective on Instagram or
CHiL Products
Sponsors Tewkesbury Town Colts U12 Team
Tewkesbury’s leading trade counter, CHiL Products, has proudly sponsored the Tewkesbury Town Colts U12 team, providing them with brandnew training jackets for the 2024/25 season. The team, managed by CHiL counter assistant Jon Wagstaffe, is off to a remarkable start, currently leading the Evesham Youth League after winning all seven of their opening games.
Jon shared his gratitude, stating, “Grassroots football thrives
thanks to the dedication of volunteers who give their time to support our community’s youth. In these tough financial times, having a local business like CHiL step up to help with essential needs is a tremendous support and truly appreciated.”
Facebook, or email thebeckfordcollective@outlook.com.
About the Creative Collective Shop: The Beckford Collective brings together the work of local artists and makers from Beckford and surrounding areas, offering unique and handcrafted items that reflect the talent and creativity of the community.
Our Slatted cladding o ers a stylish and lightweight solution, ideal for those seeking a contemporary look with minimal e ort.
Its easy installation and excellent durability ensure a robust and polished appearance from all angles.
In contrast, Shiplap cladding combines traditional looks with modern style, featuring sleek lines and a flawless finish. Both options provide versatile, durable and attractive choices for enhancing any building’s exterior.
m Tewkesbury Town Colts in their new training jackets
OSTEOPATHY ADVICE with Katie Hogg, Two Rivers Osteopathy
This is certainly a usable adage when it comes to joints. Joints are made up of two bones which are held together by ligaments and tendons. Between the bones is cartilage, which covers the ends of the bones and joint fluid. The more we articulate (move) our joints the more the joint fluid will lubricate the joint.
The more we are able to articulate the joints the more comfortable the joints are and the more we are able to move. There are 350-60 joints in the human body (depending on which school of thought you adhere to). They range in different sizes, directions of movement and require-
ments of movement. Many of the joints work together and cannot be attributed individual specific movement, however, the joints all articulate with certain movements.
unison to gain the movement required. All joints have a maximum range and using your joints to this point, but not beyond, will maintain health of the joints.
The foot for example has 33 joints between 26 bones. However, there are only 4 distinct movements. We can therefore see that these movements require multiple joints to be working in
Once disease and injury has taken place in the body, as well as posture, weight and hormone changes and lifestyle, the body’s joint may not fully articulate. Maintaining these will
mean you are able to keep your function of your body, and flexibility.
Osteopath, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Yoga and Pilates instructors are all able to either actively (you do the movement) or passively (the practitioner does the movement) articulate the joints in order to maintain or increase movement in a joint. This will maintain health of the joints and manage with age related deterioration.
Dragon Vets Tewkesbury is fully equipped with a sterile operating theatre, digital radiography, ultrasonography and laboratory equipment. Drop in and have a look around. You will see many of the same friendly faces from our main surgery at Dragon Vets Cheltenham. You can book your visits and pick up pet supplies, food or medications at either surgery if it’s more convenient.
m Katie Hogg
SweetPea’s! Local veterinary nurses Claire
and delicious dog food
SweetPea’s has been created by local veterinary nurses, with over 40 years experience, Claire Ditchburn and Lucy Gooding, knowing that choosing the right food for your dog is the most important thing you can do for their health.
Feeding them natural, healthy, nutritious and balanced food will give them a longer, happier life with fewer health complications.
SweetPea’s comes in four tasty recipesChicken, Salmon, Duck or Lamb with Sweet Potato. Packed full of fruits, veggies and botanicals, they are all-natural and balanced.
Claire says “All the recipes are available to buy on line, or why not come and have a chat
with our expert team at any of our pop up locations. We offer tailored nutrition plans, along with body condition and health assessments.
Find us at Tewkesbury Market, Coombe Hill Farm Shop, Cheltenham Farmers Market and Bennets, Willow Barn Worcester.”
m SweetPea’s Claire Ditchburn and Lucy Gooding
A thriving market town, trading is rooted in Tewkesbury’s heritage
As an historic market town, Tewkesbury has been an important hub for traders to sell their wares for many hundreds of years. That legacy continues through to the present day with regular weekly and monthly markets as well as special themed markets adding to the vibrancy of our town.
Every Wednesday and Saturday there is a general market in the Spring Gardens Car Park with a variety of stalls selling fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, clothes, dog food/ treats and home wares.
Several times a year, Tewkesbury High Street is closed to traffic and is transformed into a Fine Food & Arts n Crafts Market.
Our local markets have many benefits, including:
Supporting our community! Shopping at local markets helps the community thrive by supporting small independant businesses.
Tewkesbury markets offer unique, handcrafted, or locally sourced products that you might not find in larger stores.
You get a personalized service! Our market traders like to get to know their customers personally, and have many returning regulars.
Environmental impact! Local markets can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods by prioritizing locally sourced and seasonal products.
Cultural and tourist hotspots! Markets can
These businesses contribute to job creation and revenue that supports our local services.
showcase the unique flavors, crafts, and traditions of a locality.
Community experience! Tewkesbury market is a place where the community comes together. You can chat to traders, pick your own fresh fruit, vegetables, and meet the owners of businesses.
Building relationships! You can build relationships with the people who provide the products and services, such as your friendly butcher, fishmonger or greengrocer.
Pop along and support our local market!
Find us every week at Tewkesbury market or shop online!
At SweetPea’s we know that choosing the right food for your dog is the most important thing you can do for their health. Feeding them a natural, healthy, nutritious and balanced food will give them a longer, happier life with fewer health complications.
Wholesome, Natural Goodness
SweetPea’s dog food recipes are grain free and perfectly balanced to provide an optimum blend of nutrition & delicious taste…
No artificial additives, colours or preservatives
Gentle on sensitive tummies
Suitable for growing puppies, adults & senior dogs
Hypoallergenic, reducing the risk of allergies & intolerance
Balanced omega 3 & 6 for healthy skin & glossy coat
Glucosamine & chondroitin for mobili support & joint health
Botanical herbs & antioxidant for good gut health & immune support Made in the UK with ethically sourced ingredients
Claire & Lucy Veterinary Nurses
Own Brand Recipes
THE 2025 COURTNEY WORLD HOLIDAY SHOW
January is traditionally the time that most people book their holidays for the coming year. This year Courtney World Travel are holding a holiday show at the Watson Hall on Saturday 25th January. We are bringing 18 specialist Tour Operators to Tewkesbury for the first time ever!
So if you are not sure where you want go why not come and talk to our operators. We’ve tried to cover all areas from Latin America, the Caribbean, the USA, Canada, Europe, the Far East, Australasia and the Pacific.
We have also covered all types of holiday from independent trips, wedding and honeymoons, luxury breaks, escorted tours, adventure holidays, family holidays, cities and cruising.
Our Travel Experts from Courtney World will also be on hand to offer advice, between us we have years and years of knowledge and have travelled to all areas of the globe.
So don’t stress about choosing a holiday, come down to the Watson Hall on Saturday 25th, have a glass of bubbles and chat with our Tour Operators, and pick up brochures for inspiration.
We only work with ATOL bonded companies so you can rest assured these operators and their holidays are financially secure.
Door open at 10.00am and close at 4pm. Once you’ve been round our show, why not take a walk in our beautiful historic riverside town and enjoy the shops and grab something to eat in one of our historic pubs or fabulous restaurants and cafes.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
By Stephanie Jepson
OUR PHARMACY IN CHURCH ROAD, BISHOPS CLEEVE IS OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR
We offer a range of services including the new Minor Ailment Service.
We can supply free of charge, subject to criteria, a range of treatments for coughs, colds, eye infection, constipation etc.
Don’t suffer, pop in and see us. Badham Pharmacy 23 Church Road Bishops Cleeve Tel 01242 672653
THE WHITE LION
The White Lion was an inn from the coaching period but never a rival to the Hop Pole, the Plough or even the adjacent King’s Head. Standing at 38 Barton Street it was, and is, an imposing and well-appointed building but it lacked the ostentation of its rivals. It had no grand central arch for the coaches to clatter through. Access to the yard was at the side, through an arch, and most of its travel business seemed to be hiring out horses and traps.
The earliest reference found is from 1969, when landlord James White was denying a rumour that there was small-pox in the Inn. It doesn’t seem to have given an easy living as there were at least twenty-four landlords through the nineteenth century.
In 1810 the property was advertised for sale. It contained two parlours, nine bedrooms, a large dining room, stabling for forty horses, a pig-sty, brewhouse, malthouse, two separate cottages and a large yard suitable for independent businesses. A substantial property. It was sold again in 1847, and now its facilities included a coach house and a newly-built bakehouse. The yard was almost a separate commercial venture, at different times accommodating a wheelwright, a baker and, from 1887, Jane Davis’s haulage business.
Life was much as other inns of the period. Entertainments and auctions were frequent and meetings of town societies used the various rooms. The Bethel
Unity Friendly Society was based there. The Foresters met there for a while, and regularly paraded from there to
Chartist meeting was banned from holding a meeting in the inn by the landlord, Joseph Roberts, to the great delight of the Tory press, who saw Chartism very much as a step too far in emancipation.
the Abbey. There was an upset in 1868 when their secretary, William March, ‘borrowed’ £28 from the funds. He was treated leniently, being jobless, heavily in debt and with a wife and six children to support. He was fined £5 and ordered to repay the stolen money. As with all inns of any standing, food was as important as alcohol, and dinners were highlights. The White Lion’s ranking in the second division was emphasised when the town celebrated Princess Victoria’s twenty-first birthday in 1837. A large party of gentlemen dined at the Hop Pole, a substantial dinner was provided at the White Lion for between three and four hundred of the labouring classes. At fourteen other public-houses, poor people were fed, all at the expense of their wealthier neighbours. These were all men, of course. The women of the town were provided with tea and refreshments in the market house.
In the same year, a
Cadet Corporal Max Burn from the Army Cadets (ACF) Tewkesbury Detachment has been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant Cadet for Gloucestershire.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet is seen as the aide and representative of the cadet forces to the British Royal Family and the Lord-Lieutenant in an administrative county of England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Cadets can be selected from the Sea Cadets (SCC) and Air Training Corps (ATC) and Combined Cadet Force (CCF). They are selected for their exemplary service, leadership, commitment and achievements in their cadet training. Max will hold the position for the next 12 months.
Max will now be accompanying the Lord-Lieutenant on Royal, Civic and Military duties for the next year.
the fire brigade the fire would have spread to East Street. Luckily, the building was insured and quickly back in business. The Town Council were reimbursed £13 for the use of their fire engines.
Hiring out horses and coaches brought its own hazards with lost and injured horses, and on one occasion a Mr Westfield suffered severe head injuries when a hired trap he was driving back from Worcester in the dark when was in a violent collision with a hansom from the Bell Hotel, which also caused the death of a horse.
In May 1871, the inn caught fire and was badly damaged. But for the prompt efforts of
By the end of the century, the White Lion was being described as a beerhouse, not an inn, and trade was clearly getting difficult. The brewing plant was sold in 1891, by which time the Tewkesbury Brewery
Company were the owners. In 1896 they in turn were taken over by Arnold, Perrett & Co, based in Wickwar.
The end came in 1917 when the magistrates used the Compensation Act to take its licence away. Arnold Perrett re-
ceived £947 compensation and Thomas Curtis, the last landlord, £50. Mr Curtis then bought the site for £375, but not for its old use. The sign painted on the front façade faded slowly, along with memories of the inn.
Mike Spearing Heating Ltd is now Storm Heating Ltd, reflecting the exciting growth of this family-run business. The new name represents the company’s evolution and the strong, united family of people who make it all possible.
Storm Heating Ltd continues its commitment to being your trusted local heating company, offering expert solutions for gas, oil, and now renewable energy needs as the business expands. This change marks a new chapter in delivering reliable, innovative, and sustainable heating services to our valued customers.
m The White Lion
GARDENING MONTHLY - with Tim Hoskins
Heartfelt thanks to all my lovely customers for their tremendous support this year. Nigel Sligh, owner
Animals Only, Unit B, The Northway Centre Northway Lane, Tewkesbury GL20 8TW 01684 273050 www.animalsonly.co.uk plenty of free parking
Reflections on influences
As the year draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the contrasts between two very different worlds that I work in and so shape my gardening philosophy: the untamed, earthy chaos of the Glastonbury festival, and the polished, moneyed perfection of the Chelsea Flower Show. Both have taught me valuable lessons.
Glastonbury, with its sprawling, free-spirited landscapes, represents the sort of gardening that makes you feel like nature is just doing its thing- wild, messy, and revelling in youthful rebellion.
Glastonbury features the sort of gardens where a patch of wildflowers looks effortlessly beautiful, but in reality, the weeds are probably winning and you’re just too tired to care.
That said, there’s something comforting in knowing that nature doesn’t need to have it all together, so why should you?
My own garden always has an air of
deliberate neglect about it, with plants growing in slightly too close proximity, and the odd dead leaf lying around like some kind of rebellious statement. “Low maintenance” is the new “I just can’t be bothered.”
On the other hand, there’s Chelse a- where gardeners somehow manage to make plants look like they’ve been given botox and a spa day.
Everything is perfectly placed, perfectly pruned, and seems about as natural as a reality TV star’s smile. Chelsea shows you what happens when you take gardening seriously -
every plant is a diva, every shrub a supermodel, and the soil seems to have been curated by a team of experts who’ve never heard of mud.
While I admire the skill involved in making a garden look like it’s been assembled by elves with a fine-tooth comb and the design ideas can be truly novel, I also can't help but think: who actually ever maintains this level of artificial perfection?
The real trick, I think,
is finding a middle ground between the idyllic, sometimes hashed together wildness of Glastonbury and the over-the-top precision of the Chelsea chic look.
I think cynicism, humour and the confidence to do what we like are key. Have a great Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025.
Tim Hoskins
Tim Hoskins
Thoughtful and creative Christmas Shopping
THERE IS JUST SO MUCH TO SEE AND CHOOSE FROM UNDER ONE ROOF
The Malt House Emporium is a gargantuan store with a range of wonderful home décor, giftware, art, antiques & collectables. Where else can you shop for an antique grandfather clock or a Christmas body & bath gift set under one roof?.
Take a browse around the two floors (a handy lift is suitable for those customers with mobility issues) where you will be almost overwhelmed by the array of items for you to choose from.
There is furniture from antique dining tables through to modern custom-made bars
plus a good smattering of home décor across the whole store that’s unique and beautiful.
Quirky items are scattered among various vendors including cheeky novelty gifts but others that sell thoughtful and handmade gift ideas.
Being such a large
store with over eighty small businesses under one roof you also have the sometimes-blessed relief of a lovely cosy bistro/coffee shop where you can enjoy something to eat or drink and rest before continuing your shopping quest.
The bistro is very popular, especially on
weekends so they have recently expanded this area, and the orangery style décor and relaxed vibe make this a lovely little place to stop off, whether you’re shopping or not.
The menu isn’t huge, but I’d recommend the homemade pies, soups and quiches which are
delicious.
You can often hear the thrum of chatter from the bistro across the ground floor above the fabulous music that’s always playing around the store.
Planning on shopping for unique and thoughtful gifts for your friends and family this year?
The Malt House Emporium should be high up on your list of places to check out as you are bound to find something perfect and as a bonus you are not only supporting one local business but many cottage businesses in one welcoming and unique shopping store.
Shopping has to start at the Malthouse Emporium
JAZZ AT THE FOX & HOUNDS
It was a busy time at the Fox and Hounds November jazz night with a visit from the Will Powell Quartet.
December’s event, on Wednesday 4th, features a welcome return visit of international pianist Alex Steele’s Trio (pictured above on their previous visit). Accompanying them will be singer Penny Powell. Music is from 7.30pm as usual. Contact the pub for more details or to book a table in the Fox’s popular restaurant. See the website www.foxandhoundsbredon.co.uk
‘Best of British’ comedy for Christmas
Laughter Lane Comedy is delighted to be bringing some of the very best of the
dy circuit to Bredon’s Hardwick this Christmas.
Five comedians will take to the stage at Croft Farm Waterpark on Thursday 19th December, from 8pm.
Daisy Earl is a former Scottish Comedian of the Year, Chortle Best Newcomer and Scottish Variety Award Winner.
She has supported big names including John Bishop and Jason Manford on tour.
Daisy is a regular UK live comedy favourite and has performed sellout runs at The Edinburgh and Adelaide Comedy Festival.
Sally-Anne Hayward is one of the finest talents on the UK comedy scene. She is a frequent tour support for Sarah Millican, a regular compere at Glastonbury Festival and a former winner of Best UK
Compere and Holsten Pils ‘Fans of Comedy’ Award.
Thomas Green is one of Australia's best exports. He has a natural likability combined with a killer charm that has quickly made him one of the most sought after headliners on the UK live comedy scene.
Lyle Barke was selected to MC the prestigious Bound & Gagged AAA show at The Gilded Balloon for the 2023 Edinburgh Festival. He has quickly become a circuit favourite - playing some of the most prestigious clubs in the UK.
Completing the lineup is Lovell Smith - an ex-bodybuilding champion who started comedy mid 2019, and has rapidly made a name for
LOCAL SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH SIGHT LOSS
A sight loss advice hub has been set up at Tewkesbury Baptist Church in Station Road.
Local community sight loss advisors will be providing information, advice and support on the third Friday of every month.
Organised by Sight Support West of England and partner charity Insight Gloucestershire, the Tewkesbury Community Advice Hub aims to provide practical help to people living with sight loss in the local area.
Drop in between 10am and 11am, or call 01242 22170 to book an appointment between 11am and 1pm. You can also email info@insight-glos.org.uk
For more infomation about the services available, visit www.sightsupportwest.org.uk
himself as one of the most exciting new voices in UK Comedy.
Lovell won the prestigious Midlands Best New Act Award and has a cheeky persona that keeps audiences in stitches. For tickets, go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/ whats-on/nr-tewkesbury/croft-farm-waterpark/
Scottish Comedian of the Year, Daisy Earl
CONSULT THE EXPERTS
To advertise in this section please call 01242 621346 or send an email to tewkesburydirect@googlemail.com or visit our website for more information www.tewkesburydirect.co.uk
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This month’s ‘there and back’ walk takes us past the famous landscape park at Croome, created in the 18th century by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, writes Jack B.Walker.
Park, with care, at the roadside near the impressive arched gateway at Croome Court. (National Trust members may use the nearby car park, but please check winter opening hours).
Although our route crosses National Trust land, it is via public footpaths and therefore no
ADAM’S FOLLY
entry fee is payable.
Look for a five bar gate on the left, and go over the adjacent stile into a thicket. (1). Follow a concrete pathway which leads across some rough ground and eventually out into the wider parkland.
To your right you can see the elegant Rotunda, one of many architectural curiosities in Croome Park (2).
Rotunda (viewed from inside Croome Parkadmission fee payable to see this aspect)
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Keep straight ahead along the path along a broad ridge.
To the right (west) there are sweeping views across the landscape park towards the Malverns.
Croome River, an ornamental stretch of water, snakes across the parkland and in the distance the classical facade and columns of the Temple Greenhouse may be seen.
Below, to your left, you can see the government buildings and installations of the former RAF Defford airfield, an important station for radar research during the Second World War.
Keep straight ahead and go through a gate (3) into a small wood. Exit through another gate and walk across a field to reach a stile (4)
Cross this and head towards a metal gate and
into a meadow (5). Here the path descends and bears slightly left, down to a road. Turn right, (6) and walk on to Dunstall Common, carrying on until you reach what looks like a ruined building (7)
This is Dunstall Castle - one of the three ‘eyecatchers’ outside Croome Park, designed to delight the onlooker’s eye from various points around Croome landscape park.
This particular structure was designed by Robert Adam in 1766 as ‘whimsical folly’ with elements of both a castle and a church included.
Ironically, the folly was in real danger of collapse until being restored by the National Trust in 2010 and its towers are open at certain times of the year.
The Panorama Tower - also situated outside the NT grounds and the most distant of the ‘eye-
By Cate Cody
Distance: approx 2.75 miles.
Car Parking: by the roadside near the entrance to Croome Court (NT members car park nearby).
Refreshments: Choice of pubs, cafés and restaurants in Pershore. National Trust Café at Croome Park: see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome
catchers’ from Croome Court - is also open to visitors from time to time.
Retrace your steps across the common and park, back to the car.
There is a National Trust café, next to the visitor centre at Croome Park, check opening
times, which are restricted in winter months. In Pershore (five miles away) you will find a good selection of cafés, restaurants, pubs and shops. There are also pubs in nearby Kinnersley and Defford - but reduced winter opening hours may apply.
Vrajesh Ruparalia and the staff of Tewkesbury Dental would like to wish everyone the greetings of the season and to say thank you to the many new patients that have joined the practice in 2024 www.tewkesburydental.co.uk
WHAT’S GREEN ON THE LOCAL
DAYTIME DANCE - with Cate and George; Fri 13th Dec, 1-4pm at the Watson Hall. Dancing encouraged, but only optional if you’d just like to enjoy the music, watch the dancers, or have a chat and a cup of tea! Free event - all welcome. There will be someone to say hello when you arrive, so you can come on your own or with friends.
TEWKESBURY NATURE RESERVE - Lots going on: Natural Christmas Decor Workshop: FREE sessions making foraged wreaths, festive bunting and more out of natural and recycled materials, Sunday 8th December 10.30-12.30pm or 2-4pm. Email 3w@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk to book your place. Wildlife Walk and Talk: Join us for a walk on (or around) the reserve, learn about the wildlife and enjoy a cuppa! Tuesday 10th 10:30am12pm. Check our socials or email 3w@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk for details. Cosy Nature Craft Group: FREE beginner-friendly art evening, 16th Dec 6pm- 8pm. Email 3w@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk to book. Volunteer Days: Come and get involved on the reserve! 2 working parties every month to cut scrub and drink tea! Email: volunteers@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk
TEWKESBURY REPAIR CAFÉ - There won’t be a December session, but the monthly Repair Café will begin again in January 2025.
THE LONGEST YARN - D-Day 80th anniversary commemorated as The Longest Yarn comes to Tewkesbury Abbey. The Longest Yarn is an 80m 3D depiction of that fateful day, 6th June 1944, in wool art. 7th Dec – 9th Jan, 9.30am – 3.45pm, free entry
SCENE
PRIORS PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD PROJECT -
This initiative brings together weekly garden groups composed of dedicated volunteers who will cultivate herbs, vegetables, and fruit. The fresh produce will support both the pantry membership, cooking classes and the broader community. The project aims to teach participants essential skills in planting, growing and cooking as well as contributing to the development of the garden space. The garden will feature raised wooden bed planters made via the Community Woodworking Sheds Project and using entirely upcycled materials. CCP, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve and Cllr Cody have all supported this new project. If you are interested in volunteering with the garden projectplease either call 01684 290069 or email info@ppnp.co.uk
FREE FESTIVE WILLOW WREATH SESSIONMonday 2nd December, 2pm in the Library. Part of the “Do One Thing” project. Email carmen.orr@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk to confirm a place.
PLASTIC FREE TEWKESBURY - Has a useful, local and up-to-date recycling guide. www.plasticfreetewkesbury.com
STONEHILLS COMMUNITY GROUPIf you live on the estate, please get in touch with catecody99@gmail.com
GLOUCESTERSHIRE RECYCLESFor information and useful tips on recycling,visit www.gloucestershirerecycles.com
with Jack B. Walker
The
Dunstall Castle - Robert Adam’s 1766 folly
UTILITA ARENA, BIRMINGHAM
7 Dec: Human League
12 Dec: Pete Tong
13 Dec: Sam Fender utilitaarenaham.co.uk
NEC BIRMINGHAM
7-8 Dec: FitFest 2024
14 Dec: Culture Club
20-22 Dec: Elf (Musical) www.thenec.co.uk
CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL
5 Dec: Russell Kane 11 Dec: Sarah Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Ivo Graham cheltenhamtownhall. org.uk
EVERYMAN
THEATRE, CHELTENHAM
Until 12 Jan: Aladdin Until 4 Jan: The Elves &
The Shoemaker everymantheatre.org.uk
PLAYHOUSE, CHELTENHAM
6 Dec: A Big Band Christmas Show
From 13 Dec: Jack and The Beanstalk cheltplayhouse.org.uk
THE HENRICIAN, EVESHAM
13 Dec: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 15 Dec: Bretforton Silver Band Christmas Concert www.henrician.org
MARKET THEATRE, LEDBURY
16-26 Jan: Beauty and the Beast themarkettheatre.com
MALVERN THEATRES
4 Dec: Rat Pack Live at Christmas (tribute) 12 Dec-15 Jan: Sleeping Beauty malvern-theatres.co.uk
NUMBER 8 ARTS, PERSHORE 9-14 Dec: Puss In Boots www.number8.org
RSC STRATFORD 3 Dec-18 Jan: A Midsummer Night’s Dream www.rsc.org.uk
SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER From 14 Dec: Hansel & Gretel 16 Jan: Sleeping Beauty worcestertheatres.co.uk
