Tewkesbury Direct Magazine June 2023

CROWDS TURN OUT FOR SUNNY BIG WEEKEND

A festival atmosphere filled Tewkesbury Town Centre on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May, as crowds packed the High Street to cheer on the participants of the Grand Parade - a highlight of ‘Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend.’

The fun continued by the riverside and on the water too.

Organiser Carol Crilly said: It was an absolutely fantastic weekend, which made all the hard work worthwhile

“Tewkesbury’s Boys Brigade won the parade, and The Dog Show organised by Cheltenham Animal Shelter was a triumph - and seems to get bigger every year!

“Another success at Victoria Gardens. It was wonderful to see it full of groups and families enjoying their picnics and listening to the music.

“But I think it was riverside that came into its own. The sun shone, the water twinkled, the entertainment was brilliant, and there was such a relaxed atmosphere.

“The boat parade was great to watch and the boat races were, as usual, extremely entertaining!

“The atmosphere and

weather! were fantastic over the whole weekend, and we have already been asked what the theme is going to be next year!

“Thank you to all the people that worked so hard to bring it all together.”

There was also a ‘Tewkesbury Then and Now’ photographic exhibition,’ which now continues in the abbey until 22nd June.

There’s more outdoor merrymaking over at Bredon Cricket Club too. Family Fun Fridays run weekly until 7th July, with a bar and interesting snacks available 5pm-8pm. Plus cricket!

You’ll find listings of many more summer events inside this issueso have fun!

Grand Parade at the Big Weekend

More pics on page 20

The Romantic

by William Boyd Paperback £9.99

A new novel from William Boyd is always something his devoted readers look forward to and they will not be disappointed by "The Romantic" which boldly declares it is by the author of "Any Human Heart". The comparison is very valid as the story follows the life of an individual across his lifespan of some 80 years.

Cashel Greville Ross, born in 1799 is introduced to the reader as a boy growing up in County Cork, in rural Ireland, an orphan, being bought up by his Aunt, Elspeth Soutar, governess to the two daughters of the Stilwell's, local gentry. A happy childhood which is then uprooted to Oxford when Elspeth's situation changes and finances improve. Here again Cashel seems content until he starts his lifetime of roving the world. Much happens in this section which the reader will want to discover.

His travels see him involved in the Battle of Waterloo; then out in India and Sri Lanka with the East Indian Army before returning to Europe and time spent mainly in Italy where he meets the love of his life, Raphaella. In Pisa he spends time socialising with Byron and Shelley before moving on to France becoming a writer himself, with some success, then returning to live in London and to reconnect with Elspeth and their Oxford roots.

Alongside his travels he meets a myriad of interesting people who enter the story some of whom return later in his life to much alter his circumstances and wellbeing. Cashel farms, eventually successfully, in America where he settles down and marries a local girl of Irish origins and becomes a father. However, his life always seems to have something to unsettle the equilibrium of the life he has established wherever he has settled forcing him always to move on to yet another experience or adventure.

His trip to Zanzibar with a fellow officer from his time in India another example of an itinerant life.

Much happens in this novel and to Cashel and his family, his loves and losses; Raphaella always somewhere in his thoughts, his travails drive the book forward to the next section of his life, sometimes sequentially, elsewhere jumping a number of years but always relentlessly onward to the next episode. Cashel is hardly ever alone after his time in America, he has, as constant company, Ignatz, who worked on the farm and becomes a faithful companion and servant. They share the good times and the bad there are many ups and downs.

I enjoyed "The Romantic," as ever William Boyd has written a book which reads well and is well written. He is recounting a story which the author informs us is based on some papers that came into his possession making his audience consider that all might not be fiction. Boyd's Nat Tate duping of his readership came to mind!.

Here we witness the events of the 19th century be it alongside Cashel or as historic background to the setting of that part of his life. A good holiday read with the paperback nicely timed for the summer.

Selected by: Ian B. Nicholson

DATES for your diary

GLADIATOR TRAINING DAYS CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA:

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th June. Join the gladiators at the National Trust’s Roman Villa in the Cotswolds

with civilian and military displays. Details nationaltrust.org.uk

CHELTENHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL:

Saturday 8th-Saturday 15th July. Various ven-

RETRO AMERICANA MARKET RETURNS

The Retro Americana Market returns to Cheltenham’s Pittville Pump Room this month, with added attractions for 2023.

In addition to live music and dancing, there will be a line-up of classic American vehicles, plus vintage and retro trade stands in and outside the classical Pump Room.

The event takes place from Friday 23rd until Sunday 25th June. Starting at 6pm on the Friday, there will be music from the 40s and 50s, a retro diner, barbecue and themed food and drink.

Saturday sees the vintage market open at 10.00am, with a full programme of music, dance and themed events running throughout the day until 5.00pm. Timings for Sunday are similar.

For the full programme, visit the website www.pittvillepumproom.org.uk

ues. Details www.cheltenham festivals.com

SUDELEY CASTLE, WINCHCOMBE:

Friday 14th - Sunday 16th July - Fantasy

Rajshahi

Forest Festival. Family-friendly festival with a weekend of lively entertainment and fantasy-themed experiences. Details and tickets from www. sudeleycastle.co.uk

GLOUCESTER

QUAYS FOOD

FESTIVAL:

Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd July.

Renowned food festival in Gloucester’s historic docks. Lots of stalls

with street food and delights to sample For more details event visit the website www. gloucesterquays.co.uk

More dates for your diary on page 49

Americana Festival at Pittville Pump Room

“Tewkesbury’s famous Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant”

“it’s

!

Ale and Steam Festival

GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE STEAM RAILWAY

On Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June,we are delighted to once again team up with our friends from the North Cotswold branch of CAMRA to bring you the 21st Ale & Steam event.

Why not join us and relax with a pint of real ale or cider while watching all the action on the rails.

As in previous years we will have bars available at both Winchcombe and Toddington stations, with an enhanced timetable on both the Friday and Saturday.

Frequent trains will operate between Toddington and Winch-

combe, shared between two steam locomotives and our ever-popular diesel railcar - allowing you to travel between the bars throughout the day. Although full details are not yet available, we are anticipating at least 25 ales will be available at Winchcombe and 15 ales at Toddington.

A good variety of ciders will also be available at both Winch-

combe and Toddington. Refreshments and soft drinks will also be available at Winchcombe and Toddington.

A late train will operate back to Cheltenham Racecourse on both Friday and Saturday.

A 5% discount is automatically applied to all tickets purchased online.

By Catherine Johnson, Marketing Manager

Kemerton WI Celebrates its Centenary

Kemerton WI celebrated its 100th Birthday in style. The WI held its first meeting on 11th April 1923 and current members celebrated with a WI Bring and Share party on Wednesday 12th. An event enjoyed by all, which included a Who am I? competition and guess the member from their crafty interpretation of themselves!

This was followed by a super afternoon of celebration on Saturday 15th April. This started with a church service celebrating friendship and support for others, followed by an afternoon tea of delicious cake and tasty sandwiches. For this they were joined by past members, guests from GFWI and other local WIs.

During the afternoon tea a wall hanging was unveiled. This was

made up of 3 views of Kemerton, which had been painted by 3 members, Jane Ware, Mary Yerburgh and Sarah Jammett. This was then transferred onto fabric for members to embroider.

Many members contributing to all 3 embroideries. Another member Jan Smith had made a spectacular cake, which was cut by our President Jayne Ford and our oldest member Bett Norris,

who is due to celebrate her own Centenary in the next few weeks.

Friends complete Three Peaks charity challenge

Friends Benji Phillips and Adam Howells have completed a grueling outdoor challenge to raise money for two very deserving causes.

Benji, who works at Clearway Doors and Windows, and Adamfrom AGP Autoservicetook on the task of scaling three peaks in three consecutive days.

“We set out on Saturday 15th April, starting with Ben Nevis in Scotland,” said Benji, who grew up in Bredon.

“We then travelled south to take on Scafell Pike in the Lake District, which is England’s loftiest peak.

“On the third day, we scaled Snowdon, at 1085m the highest mountain in Wales.

“We took up the challenge to raise money for two great causes; The Survivor’s Trust and Alzheimer’s Society, which have a close personal connection for each of us respectively.”

The friends raised £1405 by donations, and over £150 in Gift Aid.

“Anything you can give to either of these campaigns will be hugely appreciated,” said Benji. To find out more visit the charities’ websites alzheimers.org.uk or thesurvivorstrust.org

Forty years of excellence in bespoke doors and windows

Since 1983, Clearway have been helping customers make the most of their homes. To celebrate our fortieth year, we’re launching an exciting new range of products - like the new Lumina F82 Bi-fold doors. With larger glazed areas, enhanced insulation qualities, ultra-slim lightness and a panoramic view, these doors will flood your living space with light and warmth. We’re proud to welcome the F82 to our range, which includes:

• Aluminium and PVCu windows and doors in a wide range of styles and colours

• Sliding doors

• Bi-fold doors

• Secondary glazing

• Composite doors

• Sash and casement windows

• ‘Aluspace’ Art-Deco style internal screening

• Flat roof lights and lanterns

• Display cabinets

“Just wanted to email to thank you for the fab service we received from all sections of your company throughout the process of purchasing our new windows and doors. We saw the whole spectrum of customer service whilst our building work took place….yours is one of the companies that stood out in terms of great customer service. We will be heartily recommending you to others.”

JJ, Cheltenham (November 2022)

Showroom Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.00pm, Sat 9.00am-1.00pm

Clearway Doors & Windows, Manor Park Business Centre, MacKenzie Way, Cheltenham GL51 9TX

Summit meeting: Adam and Benji

UKRAINE - FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

The hometown of Ukraine’s Eurovision act was hit by Russian missiles moments before the band took to the stage in Liverpool. Are we surprised?

It is now estimated that between 11 and 13 thousand Ukrainian children under 11 and under occupation were abducted to Russia in late Summer on the pretext of a holiday in The Crimea. Are we surprised? Russia, as has been the case for 150 years has no regard whatsoever for liberty or humanity. Stalin in the late 1930s pillaged Ukraine of resources and labour and slaughtered over 3 million to aid his coming war effort.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian community resolve is as strong as ever. They are a free peoples and need the security of our support. The GOOD NEWS is that a series of fully-equipped second hand ambulances have been sourced ostensibly through the North Cotswold Rotary Club through Project Lifeline. The ambulances are serviced thoroughly and re sprayed cam-green and shipped to the front line areas.

Thank you to all who have donated Medicare, clothing, childrens toys etc and especial thanks to the Bredon Community, Marina Court, and Sensory Direct, for their immense contributions.

We must not give up on these oppressed free peoples. Please help, more is needed. Con-

tact Tim Wright, frogwellvct@gmail.com or tewkesburytri@gmail. com. by Tim Wright.

Coronation fun, at the Marina and Harbourside

The sun shone for our street party where over 80 people attended a Pig Roast lunch with delicious puds donated and baked by attendees.

Pip Bishop was the winner of the Best Dressed Jam Jar, with an elaborately decorated golden coach, knitted King and champagne cork horses – a great competition idea as the Jam Jars of course created great table decorations.

Top living history and vehicle event returns

One of the largest living history shows in the country returns to the are on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th

June

‘Wartime in the Vale’ returns to Ashdown Camp, just outside Evesham, and will have over 500 military vehicles on display.

The first national WW2 American Motorcycle meet will also form part of the event this year.

The family show will have a mix of military and civilian displays, with re-enactors creating a WW2 vibe to the proceedings.

There are dioramas, arena events, armoury displays, vintage, militaria and collectable stalls, food and a bar, plus live 1940s music and dance.

There will be a children’s fair, battle and pyrotechincs, plus a noon day gun.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is scheduled for a flypast too.

For ticket prices and more information, check out the event website ashdowncamp.com

DELIVERIES

• Same day dedicated vehicles across the UK and Europe

• Overnight parcels from £4.99

• All vehicles available from small van up to an artic

• Available 24 hours a day 7 days per week

Wartime in the Vale

Callus Peel Pedicure

Callus

forms

“DISCOVER THE REAL TANZANIA”

Massawe Adventures offers a mix of life experiences from Wildlife Safaris, Kilimanjaro Treks, Beach Holidays, and Golfing safaris as well as School Adventure experiences and Voluntary Work opportunities.

We can arrange everything that you need, for a tailormade holiday of a lifetime. Your next big adventure starts here.

John Rogers, alley historian, suggested that Well Alley, at the north of the High Street, is named after an old and significant well, used by the Romano-British inhabitants of the Oldbury. The Romans were certainly in the area: Tewkesbury Museum has finds from when the Roses Theatre was built. The well, which is long gone, was at the Oldbury end of the alley, behind a now-demolished toilet/washhouse block.

Well Alley has undergone significant change over the years and doesn’t conform to the original pattern of the cottages being behind the front house, which in the case of this alley is No 73.

150 High Street, Tewkesbury

Please can you help, we need:

Books, Audio Books, Large Print, Sheet Music, Puzzles, Pictures, Maps, Stamps, Coins.

Collection can be arranged. Volunteers also needed to help raise money for the local community & Cancer Research UK

Antiquarian and Rare Books

01684 438385

Open 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday REUSE

Any cottages on this plot have been demolished, if they ever existed. Enderley House, 72, High St incorporated the land into their garden before the OS first mapped the area in 1884. More recently, the garden has been replaced by the ATS tyre depot.

On the opposite side of the alley, though, there are two blocks of cottages with the luxury of front gardens. These date from the early part of the nineteenth century.

A document from 1833, from the sale of Hereford House, (alongside the Library) which had a very substantial garden, refers to “a garden late of said Henry Fowke and afterwards L.G. Senior - part of which was added to the former garden of the said L.G. Senior and the remaining part sold off in lots and built upon”.

This was Dover Cottages and the adjoining block.

House numbering in the alley begins at number 6. This is because cottages 1 to 5 have gone. They once formed a row at right angles to the alley, behind Summer’s Court. In 1956 a clearance order was made for these cottages, which were demolished in 1958.

The 1841 and 1851 census returns list William Sandilands living in the alley with his wife. Mr Sandilands had had a ‘boy’s own’ life. Leaving Tewkesbury to go to sea, he was press-ganged into the Royal Navy at Milford Haven and in 1805 found himself on HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

He was one of the sailors who carried Lord Nelson to the first aid post and features in Benjamin West’s epic ‘Death of Nelson’ painting.

Leaving the sea, he worked as a road mender in Tewkesbury. He was saved from destitution by a pension from Lady Nelson. He died in 1867, and has a memorial in Trinity Church. His story has been well researched by Sam Eedle, and can be read on-line in the Historical Society bulletins.

In 1953 Walter Semmens, speedway rider and café proprietor, of

3, Well Alley, hit the national headlines. He owned the chip shop in Oldbury Road but was also a speedway rider of some wealth and celebrity.

He appeared at Bristol Crown Court where it was alleged that he impersonated a doctor engaged in atomic research to inveigle his way into a Somerset farmhouse which he later burgled and stole £5,000 in £5 notes (worth £100,000 today). He was found guilty and jailed for four years. He didn’t seem to return to Well Alley.

Like all the alleys of Tewkesbury, Well Alley has had its share of family tragedies, but maybe less than most. Despite its historic well, water quality was a recurring problem. Piped water had arrived by 1899 but as late as 1931 there were problems with the supply pressure.

In 1952, though, the alley was highlighted in the ‘Register’: ‘Take a walk up Well Alley. There, a householder has laid out a fine garden in a comparatively confined space.

A lot of people have stopped to admire this garden, which is a fine example of what can be done.’ Praise indeed, and a standard which is still maintained.

m Well Alley

Local kitchen makeover business is endorsed as a Which? Trusted Trader!

Fresh Doors has been transforming kitchens in the local area since 2013 and as a local respected business with 5 Star reviews from their customers, has just been endorsed with Which? Trusted Trader status.

As such this gives Fresh Door’s customers full confidence that they are engaging with a company that meets a high level of integrity and standards in everything they do, from the initial quote to the contractors they use.

When you engage a Which? Trusted Trader you know that they have met acceptable stand-

ards for work, materials, insurance, financials and integrity in how they do business.

The Which? Dispute resolution Service also ensures that if you have any issues that weren’t resolved to your satisfaction you have another independent recourse too, ensuring that you can go into the often stressful business of home improvement with complete peace of mind.

Fresh Doors offers a complete customer service from start to finish – you are never just one of many!

Their love of good design, knowledge of interiors and ability to match your budget means that whether you are just changing your cupboard door fronts for a quick and easy makeover to designing, project managing and installing a full new kitchen from start to finish, they smooth the process for you and give you exactly what you were looking for!

They can even reuse your existing cabinetry, moving them, adding to them, putting new doors and side panels on - a budget saving and eco-friendly option which is something larger kitchen companies generally just won’t do.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Fresh Doors to anyone wanting to revamp their kitchen. Amanda and Kris were helpful and professional from the start, and they made sure I got what I wanted. The workmanship is of high quality and it was delivered with a smile. I’m very happy with the end result” Gill, Malvern April 2023.

Call Fresh Doors on 01684 439913 to get a free no obligation quote and start the journey to your fantastic kitchen makeover with a Which?

Trusted Trader!

Tewkesbury Flower

Our next flower arranging demonstration

2pm (doors open at 1.30) on Tuesday 13th June at which Elizabeth Graham will demonstrate “Floral Time Travel”.

We meet at Bushley Village Hall GL20 6HT. Entrance is £6, pay on the door. No experience is necessary just join us for a relaxing afternoon watching an expert arrange beautiful flowers. All the arrangements are raffled at the end of the demonstration.

TEWKESBURY FRIENDS OF THE EARTH - Current campaign is about pollution in the River Avon. There will be a pop up stall at the Back of Avon during the Big Green week June 10th to 18th.

TEWKESBURY REPAIR CAFÉ - Next session due Saturday 17th June. Held in Tewkesbury Baptist Church, 2-5 pm. Please double check before travelling.

with Cate Cody

dreds of thousands of shad used to migrate up the River Severn to reach their natural spawning grounds, however, weirs installed in the 1840s blocked this annual migration. Since 2018, the Unlocking the Severn project has delivered fish passes at four locations on the Severn. An innovative fish pass was opened at Diglis, Worcester in 2022 which is well worth a visit, see www.unlockingthesevern.co.uk/ for further information.

The Severn Rivers Trust has recruited volunteers to survey the Twaite Shad as the migrate at Upper Lode Weir, Tewkesbury which is contributing to data about this under studied rare fish.

Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Thai Cooking Classes (bookings only).

Thursday: Prospect Training, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Girl Guides.

Friday: Woodworking sheds, Prospect Training, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve. Please call 01684 290069 or email info@ppnp.co.uk for further details.

STONEHILLS COMMUNITY GROUP -

If you live on the estate, please get in touch with catecody99@gmail. com

CATE’S DAYTIME

DISCOS - Make friends and keep fit! Next dates: 20th June and 25th July, 1-4pm at the Watson Hall. Dancing encouraged, but only optional if you’d just like to enjoy the music and a cup of tea. Free event - all ages welcome.

THE SHAD RUN -

The Twaite Shad is one of the UK's rarest fish. It is a member of the herring family and spends most of its adult life at sea. Every Spring, hun-

PRIORS PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD PROJECT -

Monday: Prospect Training, Digi Drop Ins, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve.

Tuesday: Woodworking Sheds, Pop Up Library, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve. Thai Cooking Classes (every other Tuesday).

Wednesday: Pantry membership, CCP Drop ins, Digi Drop ins, Coffee and Create, CCP and PPNP joint creative group, history groups,

BNATURAL REFILL SHOP - Save unnecessary plastic packaging whilst supporting local, independent traders. Barton Street, Tewkesburywww.bnaturaloil. co.uk/refill/

TEWKESBURY GOES WILD - Cate is organising a whole month of (mostly) free outdoor events within the parish of Tewkesbury - walks of varying lengths and for different abilities, talks, children’s activities etc etc.

Building on the Wildlife Trust’s 30 days wild in June, we’re promoting being outside and discovering our local area. Look out for further information.

TWYNING£950,000 TWYNING£850,000

Situated within a beautiful, private 1.5 acre gardens, this detached bungalow is spacious and light. 4 bedrooms; 2 shower rooms & main bathroom; dual aspect lounge; separate dining room; insulated garden home office; detached double garage; EPC D; Tax Band G.

TWYNING£950,000 TOWNCENTRE£500,000

A fabulous Grade II* Listed home which has been completely taken back to bare beams and brick and renovated, repaired and refurbished to present a contemporary styled home embracing all the original materials and character of years gone by. 3 bedrooms, 2 shower rooms; large kitchen/dining/ living room; large triple aspect lounge; utility; guest wc. Parking and courtyard garden; EPC C Tax Band D.

TWYNING£950,000 WALTONCARDIFF£425,000

No onward chain – an individually built detached village home, built for the current owners in the 90s. Large triple aspect lounge; dual aspect kitchen/breakfast room; dining room/bedroom 4; three further double bedrooms; 2 ensuites; large family bathroom; grand entrance hall; sits centrally in its garden plot; attached double garage; EPC tba; Tax Band G.

TWYNING£950,000 TOWNCENTRE£525,000

Award winning architect design contemporary town house. Stunning views towards the Malvern Hills and beautiful sunsets; 4 bedrooms; Main bedroom with bi fold doors, balcony and ensuite; lounge with glass Juliet balcony; kitchen/ dining room; gated side access; beautiful garden; garage store; ground floor wc; parking, EPC B Tax Band D.

TWYNING£950,000TWYNING£950,000 GRETTONFIELDS£495,000MITTON£490,000

Semi rural chalet bungalow; main bedroom on the first floor with ensuite; 2 double bedrooms on ground floor; ground floor bathroom; dual aspect lounge; separate dining room; modern kitchen; home office/bedroom4; detached 39’ garage/workshop; attractive gardens; EPC D Tax Band E.

TWYNING£950,000 STONEHILLS£420,000

Detached modern home in this popular location within Manor Park; 4 good sized bedrooms; ensuite; lounge; separate dining room; modern kitchen/ breakfast room; guest wc; attached carport and single garage; lovely outlook; attractive gardens and ample driveway parking; EPC D: Tax Band E.

TWYNING£950,000 WALTONCARDIFF£400,000

Under 5 years old, this end terrace home is substantial. 3 double bedrooms; main with dressing room and ensuite; large kitchen/dining room; dual aspect lounge; guest wc; first floor bathroom; garage; parking; low maintenance rear garden; EPC B; Tax Band E.

TWYNING£950,000 TWYNING£378,000

No Chain and ready to move straight into. This is a surprisingly spacious 4 bedroom detached home. Main bedroom with ensuite; kitchen/breakfast room; utility; guest wc; lounge; conservatory; detached garage – wide plot with ample driveway parking; attractive low maintenance garden; EPC D; Tax Band E.

Modern detached home with 4 bedrooms; large main bedroom with ensuite; guest wc; utility; separate dining room; lounge; kitchen/breakfast room; garage store; attractive rear garden; ample driveway parking; upvc double glazed; gas central heating; EPC tba Tax Band E.

TWYNING£950,000 TWYNING£375,000

A spacious extended detached bungalow with attractive garden; 3 bedrooms; shower room; bathroom; living room; sitting room; conservatory; kitchen/breakfast room; garage; Flo Gas central heating; upvc double glazed windows and doors. EPC

Band

Beautifully light and spacious extended semi detached home, in an elevated position with a delightful rear garden. Large main bedroom with ensuite; 2 further double bedrooms; shower room; lounge; kitchen/dining room; garage store room; ample driveway parking. Walking distance schools and convenience shops. EPC C; Tax Band C.

Modernised and extended, this semi detached chalet bungalow is lovely. Large kitchen/dining room; lounge; two ground floor bedrooms; ground floor shower room; 2 first floor bedrooms and shower room; main bedroom with lovely bi fold doors and Juliet balcony. Driveway parking; attractive gardens backing onto field. EPC D; Tax Band D.

TWYNING£950,000 MITTON£375,000

TWYNING£950,000 ECKINGTON£825,000

“Excellent local estate agent, great area knowledge, friendly prompt service.”

TWYNING£950,000 STONEHILLS£350,000

TWYNING£950,000 TOWNCENTRE£335,000

TWYNING£950,000 NEWTOWN£335,000

This is a lovely detached home with the advantage of a garage to the side; open plan kitchen/dining/ conservatory with log burner; separate lounge; guest wc; 3 bedrooms; gas central heating; double glazing; attractive gardens; EPC D; Tax Band D.

TWYNING£950,000 TWYNING£335,000

Pretty town centre double fronted cottage; available with no onward chain; 3 bedrooms; bathroom with separate shower cubicle and bath; ground floor wc; utility; kitchen/dining room; lounge; private rear courtyard garden; driveway parking; Tax Band C; EPC D.

Immaculately presented, modern detached 2 bedroom bungalow with the advantage of gas central heating and upvc double glazing. Modern kitchen/ dining room; dual aspect lounge with patio doors to the garden; shower room; ample driveway parking; private gardens; EPC C; Tax Band C.

In ready to move into condition, this is a modern detached bungalow with a larger than average corner garden plot. Modern kitchen/dining room; lounge; 2 bedrooms; modern shower room; garage; ample driveway parking. EPC D; Tax Band D.

TWYNING£950,000 NEWTOWN£275,000

Refurbishment project; detached chalet bungalow within walking distance of the town centre; situated centrally within its good sized garden plot; garage; ample off road parking; Combination gas fired boiler; EPC E ; Tax Band D.

No chain and ready to move straight into. An end terrace double fronted modern home with 3 bedrooms; ensuite shower room; bathroom; ground floor wc; kitchen; dining room, lounge and conservatory. Garage en bloc and parking; low maintenance rear garden. EPC C; Tax Band C.

Beautifully presented semi detached chalet bungalow; 2 bedrooms; ground floor bathroom; kitchen/ breakfast room; lounge/dining room; rear porch; detached single garage; lovely rear garden backing onto school; long drive with ample parking; EPC D; Tax Band C.

TWYNING£950,000 TOWNCENTRE£225,000

Beautifully light, elegant 2nd floor % Share of Freehold apartment within this historic Manor House. Overlooking its own 4 acre grounds; modern kitchen/dining room; dual aspect lounge; contemporary styled bathroom; ensuite; 2 double bedrooms; garage; parking. Double glazing; central heating. EPC D; Tax Band B.

Available with no onward chain, a spacious mid terrace house with 3 bedrooms; kitchen; lounge/ dining room; conservatory; integral garage; garden shed; greenhouse; ample driveway parking; EPC tba; Tax Band B.

Located within an iconic row of pretty cottages, this mid terrace Grade II listed property offers great potential and opportunity. In need of updating, 3 bedrooms; kitchen; lounge; first floor bathroom; garden; gas central heating. Tax Band E.

A beautifully light and spacious first floor apartment within this development for the active retired over 55s; 2 bedrooms; modern kitchen; lounge/ dining room; shower room; good storage; excellent communal facilities; Tax Band B.

Modern, light and spacious this first floor apartment offers open plan living, within this popular development for the active retired over 55s. 1 double bedroom with fitted wardrobes; modern kitchen with integrated oven; dishwasher, fridge & freezer. EPC D; Tax Band A.

TWYNING£950,000 NEWTOWN£295,000

TWYNING£950,000 TWYNING£250,000

TWYNING£950,000 WEBBERHOUSE£155,000

TWYNING£950,000 NORTHWAYSSTC

TWYNING£950,000 NORTHWAY£235,000

TWYNING£950,000 SHEPHERDMEAD£145,000

WHAT’S ON at the John Moore Museum

m PLANT HUNTING FOR BEGINNERS

Description: Explore our gardens to discover the history, uses and folklore of plants in our beautiful gardens. Outdoor garden tour, sensible shoes recommended.

Dates: Thursday 8th

June & Saturday 24th

June

Time: 2.30-3.30pm

Venue: The John Moore Museum, 41/42 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5SN

Tickets: Adults: £3.50, Concessions: £3.00 & Children: £1.50

Includes entrance to the John Moore Museum and Merchant’s House Booking: call 01684 297174 or

email education@ johnmooremuseum.org

a classic beheading to the Brazen Bull… Speaker-Angela Dunsby of the John Moore Museum.

Date: Saturday 10th

June

Times: 11am

Location: Old Baptist Chapel Tickets: Adults-£6, Concessions-£4.50, Child-£2 Booking: call 01684 297174 or email education@ johnmooremuseum.org

m DEADLIEST DEATHS TALK

Description: Our ancestors were fascinated by a gory execution or two, the more brutal and painful the better! Join us on a gruesome journey, as we reveal some of the most ghastly ways to die in history, from

m LIVING HISTORY: TUDOR COSTUMED TOURS

Description: This living history tour will take you back in time to 1580, where Agnes, a Tudor housewife, will reveal her life and daily routines as you wander through the home she shares with her husband, Thomas. Hear Agnes talk about her childhood on a tenant farm, and of how she came to live in Tewkesbury as a merchant’s wife. You will see where Agnes sleeps, learn about a curfew, a trencher, and you may even get to see a Tudor ensuite!

Okay, a piss-pot but there is a story behind every object. Agnes looks forward to meeting you….

Date: Thursday 29th

June Times: 11.30am & 2.30pm

Location: The John Moore Museum, 41/42 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5SN

Tickets: Adults: £3.50, Concessions: £3.00, Child: £1.50

Booking: call 01684 297174 or email education@ johnmooremuseum.org

www.quedgeleycarpets.co.uk

Why choose Quedgeley Carpets...

We don’t pride ourselves

Mowbray Avenue £535,000

Rosefield Crescent £379,950

Severn Way £350,000

Situated within a close, overlooking the green, on the ever popular development of STONEHILS, this large detached FOUR BEDROOM home, REALLY is a must see. With double garage and huge amounts of off road parking and side access to beautiful rear garden.

Hillview Road £350,000

An opportunity has arisen to purchase this lovely FOUR BDEROOM semi detached home, which is located in the very popular village of Twyning. With plenty of internal space, off road parking and pleasingly private rear garden, this is one not too be missed.

Ashchurch Road £325,000

Beautifully presented EXTENDED THREE BEDROOM SEMI DETACHED HOUSE in the popular area of Newtown, close to local schools and other amenities, backing onto a play park. Planning permission for a fourth bedroom and to extend the family bathroom.

Ashchurch Road £330,000

A sizeable FOUR BEDROOM detached property with ample off road parking, private rear garden, in need of updating, but fabulous scope to make this your forever, family home.

Hardwick Bank Road £295,000

Village property in the lovely Apperley, if you dream of country living, with plenty of outside space and wonderful walks on your doorstep, then look no further. This THREE BEDROOM house, with wonderful large rear garden is certainly one for the family.

Springfield £325,000

Opportunity to purchase this stunning THREE BEDROOM semi detached property, on the popular residential development in Newtown, a short walk to Tewkesbury town centre. A larger than average corner plot, offering side access and scope to extend if required.

Langley Grove £273,000

This gorgeous characterful THREE BEDROOM semi detached property, packed full of period features, with off road parking and private rear garden and within walking distance to Tewkesbury town centre.

Queens Road £240,000

What a fantastic opportunity to purchase a lovely extended THREE BEDROOM home on the ever popular Northway development. Large kitchen, separate dining room, large living room and beautiful sunny rear garden.

Cromers Close £220,000

Queens Road is a THREE BEDROOM semi detached property located in the popular area of Priors Park, giving good access to Tewkesbury town centre, providing shops, amenities and local primary schools, with off road parking and large garden.

*** CHAIN FREE *** This is a fabulous example of a first home or investment property. This TWO BEDROOM home is in the popular residential area of Northway, with off road parking and side access to a larger than average rear garden.

This TWO DOUBLE BEDROOM EN SUITE PROPERTY in gorgeous Twyning is just ready to move into. With downstairs W/C, Kitchen/dining room and good sized living room, off road parking and side access to the rear garden.

Tolsey House £130,000

What an opportunity to purchase this fantastic ONE BEDROOM apartment, within a beautiful Tudor building, in the centre of Tewkesbury town, WITH PARKING!

Tewkesbury: The Ancient Grudge, 15 High Street, Tewkesbury, Gl20 5AL. Tel. 01684 275276

Walton Cardiff: 4 Columbine Road, Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury, GL20 7SP. Tel. 01684 295417 www.tagestateagents.co.uk | info@tagestateagents.co.uk

Tewkesbury Abbey Shop and Touching Souls Tea Rooms

Tewkesbury Abbey welcomes many visitors throughout the year, but the summer season sees visitors from all over the world. They come to experience the weekly Sunday services sung by the Abbey Choir and Schola Cantorum who sing Choral Evensong on weekdays.

The visitors enjoy the warm welcome in the Touching Souls Tea Room where they can enjoy a variety of coffees, sandwiches and home made cakes. The Abbey Shop is also an important place to visit to select a memento of the Abbey, postcards, or something from the comprehensive range of gifts for all the family.

The success of the Abbey depends on an enthusiastic team of volunteers who help with a wide range of tasks from flower arranging, bellringing, gardening as well as helping in the shop and tea room. If you feel that this is something that you

WHAT’S ON at Three Counties

Showground

m 3RD–4TH JUNE National Kit Car Show

m 8TH–11TH JUNE

Three Counties

Championship Dog Show

m 16TH–18TH JUNE

Royal Three Counties Show

m 25TH JUNE

Malvern Flea And Collectors Fair

m 1ST–2ND JULY

Truckfest West

Midlands

OUR PHARMACY IN CHURCH ROADS 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

would like to do, please do call into the Abbey and speak with one of the vergers, or pick up a form at the back of the Abbey.

Persona l | I ndepen dant | Specia li st

LANDLORDS...

TH E CHARLE S CA RT E R DIFFERENCE

Charle s Car ter Let tin g s ar e p ro ud to s ay w e ar e an award-w innin g , specia li st Lett in g s co mp any. We a r e n o t a n estat e agen t , w e d o n o t s ell p ro pe rty, i ns tea d , w e fo cus s ole ly o n p ro pe rty mana gement and l et tin g s only, me a ning car ing for y ou r r ental p r ope rty is our number o ne f ocu s and pr ior it y a t all tim es.

Personal in house Property Managers

Hassle free Easy Switch service

Cutting edge 360 virtual walk through tours

Advertisement on ALL major property portals

Detailed in-house property inspections

Independent professional inventories

Bespoke and tailored services

Self imposed limit of managed properties

100% letiings & property management

Covering The Three Counties

Already wit h an agent b u t would p ref er a mo re pe rsonal, fo cu se d ser vi ce?

We a re strea mlining ou r FREE Easy Swi tc h ser vi c e du e t o a high de mand o f la ndl ords m o ving a gen ts. This mea ns we deal with a ll the p a pe rwor k and hassle of swit ching mana gemen t c omp a ni e s s o that yo u d o n o t have t o.

01684 292154

in f o@c harlescarterlet tin gs.co.uk 102 Churc h S treet

Tew kesbury

Thousands of people enjoyed two days of fun in the town and by the riverside at Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend last month. Photos by Emma Hasa. See article on the front page.

We are delighted to have the opportunity to move into our brand new Pharmacy at 94, High Street Tewkesbury.

At our prestigious town centre location,we will be offering  free deliveries, advice, help with minor ailments, with huge ranges of health care for the whole family.

As a local family business,our hands-on culture,supports, our staff, listens to our patients,and tailors our business to meet the needs of the people.

We are proud to note, our patients in the town are pleased to see Badham Pharmacy expand into Tewkesbury town centre.  Peter Badham

The staff at our new High Street Pharmacy looking forward to helping our clients in the

The LOWER LODE Inn

ENJOY A DRINK AND GREAT FOOD WITH US DOWN BY THE RIVER THIS SUMMER

Try the Lower Lode, fabulous carvery for just £13.95

Or why not chill for a few days in the great outdoors with family and friends, on our Campsite?

If you are planning an event this year, we have availability in our Riverside Function Room, for parties, weddings, family events, socials, club meets, rallies, baby showers, reunions and groups.

Forthampton GL19 4RE 01684 293224

Only ten minutes walk from Tewkesbury Town Centre. By road from Tewkesbury take the A438 to Ledbury and turn off to Forthampton. At the duck pond turn left and follow the road to the end.

Fitting carpets in the homes of Tewkesbury for over 30 years

Manor Park Coronation Party

David Peet of Manor Park, Mitton writes, for our Coronation party, I temporarily re-named our lane and hopefully didn’t confuse too many Amazon drivers! Sadly, we had to move to our wet weather plan and have our party indoors, but it was a great success and enjoyed by all.

TEWKESBURY ABBEY

SUNDAY TOURS

Sunday Tour @ 12:30pm

Meet at the main entrance of the Abbey.

Tours last approx. 75 minutes.

Tickets £7 (Under 16’s free) available from The Touching Souls Tea Room or on the day.

Whether your fire is for warmth or a feature, traditional looking, modern or bespoke The Fireplace Gallery has a fire to suit your home.

With 2 large showrooms to visit for inspiration, and an experienced sales and installation team, we can supply and create exactly what you are looking for.

Distance: approx. 2.75 miles; steep ascents and descents. Caution: appropriate footwear should be worn to cope with the rocky paths up and down hill. Car parking: Daisy Bank Road car parks (free)

Refreshments: there are no facilities on the hill. Map: is not to scale. OS map 179 (Gloucester, Cheltenham & Stroud) is recommended.

LECKHAMPTON’S LOFTY HEIGHTS

With the lighter evenings now here, this walk along Leckhampton Hill’s craggy edge is ideal for a preor post-dinner stroll, with magnificent views to take in too, writes Jack B. Walker.

Park in either of two car parks in Daisy Bank Road at the foot of the hill. Exit the car park (1) and turn right along Daisy Bank Road, with Leckhampton Hill rising to your right.

From Victorian times the hill was popular for its fresh air and recreation, and for many centuries was quarried for its fine Cotswold limestone. You will pass several grand homes, and others built modestly. One bungalow housed a café between the wars.

Continue along Daisy Bank Road, which eventually becomes a track and carry on to reach the foot of Charlton Kings Common (2)

The track coming up from the left was once the main road from Cheltenham to Cirencester.

Turn right and follow the steep rocky path up the edge of the hill. Towards the top of the ascent there is a bench where you can take a rest and get a good view of Charlton Kings and beyond.

As the path flattens out, turn right and join

the Cotswold Way (3)

The views to the right over Cheltenham are quite spectacular on a clear day, with the whole town spread below, and beyond it the Malverns, and the hills of Bredon, Clent and Abberley.

take stone to the railway line at Charlton Kings. Descend with care

and turn leftat the bottom (6) to return to the car park.

Specialist

Keep following the Cotswold Way until you reach the sign pointing towards the Devil’s Chimney (4). Here turn right and follow the path as it curves downwards above the stone outcrop. Follow the steep path down (with caution) to reach the ruins of the old lime kilns. Walk ahead to the top of the main 1920s tramway (5),which was built to

•

•

Dressing

• Overseeding

• Turfing

• Seasonal Treatments

• Mowing

• Pesticide Application

• Complete Lawn Care

• General Garden Care and Maintenance

Two crunchy southern-fried chicken strips, made with 100 per cent chicken breast, are served on a bed of lettuce and mayo, in a lightly toasted brioche bun £5.04 with a soft drink £6.44 with alcoholic drink

Summer’s

a NEW selection of drinks for the season. Relax with a cocktail in our riverside garden!

The Royal Hop Pole

NEW CANDY ROSA by the glass or pitcher to share

NEW MONSTER ULTRA ROSA with zero sugar and only 14 kcal per can

NEW FLAVAR BLUEBERRY & LEMON vodka-based Schnapps from Sweden

NEW BABY GUINNESS mini-cocktail shot: coffee liqueur topped with Baileys!

The Devil’s Chimney and views over Cheltenham

Sign at Point 4

Test your powers of recall with this month’s Tewkesbury Direct with six of the best questions in our Pub Quiz

1: Who was born at Mon Repos, on the Isle of Corfu, on 10th June 1921?

2: Which writer and director’s work includes the plays Nuts in May and Abigail’s Party?

SAT 3rd JUNE: Malvern Big Band, The Market Theatre, Ledbury. themarkettheatre.com

TUES 6th JUNE : Outfit Groove (Music in Eric’s Bar), The Roses Theatre, www.rosestheatre.org

WED 7th JUNE: The Rod Kelly Jazz Trio, Fox & Hounds, Bredon.

3: Which UK quartet, comprising Cheryl Baker, Bobby G, Jay Aston and Mike Nolan, won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981?

4: Which country has three capital cities, including the legislative capital Bloemfontein?

5: Five English clubs have won the European

SAT 10th JUNE: Meatloud, The Watson Hall, Tewkesbury.

THURS 15th JUNE: Karine Polwart, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester.

FRI 16th JUNE: Tom Robinson, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester.

SAT 17th JUNE: Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Subscription Rooms, Stroud. thesubrooms.co.uk

SAT 24th JUNE: The McCartney Songbook, The Roses Theatre, www.rosestheatre.org

SAT 24th JUNE: Mica Paris, Subscription Rooms, Stroud. thesubrooms.co.uk

THURS 29th JUNE: Nell Bryden, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester.

FRI 14th JULY: Arrival - the hits of ABBA (tribute show), The Roses Theatre, www.rosestheatre.org

FRI 21st JULY: A Foreigner’s Journey, The Roses Theatre, www.rosestheatre.org

SAT 22nd JULY: This Carpenters Masquerade, The Watson Hall, Tewkesbury.

TUES 25th JULY: The Roses’ Choir Summer Concert, The Roses Theatre, www.rosestheatre.org

THURSDAY 27thSUNDAY 30th JULY: Appfest Music Festival: Original artists and World Class Tribute Bands. Acts include Republica, Gabrielle, The Feeling, Starsailor, The Real Thing,The Undertones, Space, Chesney Hawkes, Toploader. Hillworth Farm, Longdon www.app-fest.co.uk

FRIDAY 28thSUNDAY 30th JULY: Tewkesbury Live Music Festival, Various Venues, Tewkesbury.

TUES 1st AUGUST: Liz Simmonds (music in Eric’s Bar),

Cup/Champions League: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and which other team?

6: What is the primary ingredient of a falafel?

The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury. www.rosestheatre.org

THURS 10th -

SUN 13th AUGUST: Lakefest 2023 - with Johnny Marr, Clean Bandit, McFly,Embrace, Inspiral Carpets, Faithless, The Wurzels, The Beat, Gaz Coombes Dick & Dom, The Hoosiers and more Eastnor Castle Park. tickets lakefest.co.uk

SAT 12th AUGUST: Mike Weaver with Katie Grace Harris, The Sanctuary, Bethesda Methodist Church, Great Norwood Street, Cheltenham. Doors open 7.15pm. Tickets £10 on the door

SAT 12th AUGUST: 80s Mania (multi tribute concert show), The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury. www.rosestheatre.org

WEDNESDAY 21st JUNE £10 per team of four, 7.30pm

PIE NIGHT

THURSDAY 29th JUNE £13.95 per person, 8.00pm

RIPPLE FETE & DOG SHOW

SATURDAY 29th JULY

RAILWAY

OUTDOOR

SUNDAY 20th AUGUST

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night presented by The Festival Players at 7pm

ANSWERS:

1. ePrinc Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

2. Mike Leigh. 3. Buck’s Fizz.

4. The Republic of South Africa (RSA).

5. Aston Villa, in 1982. 6. Chickpeas.

Cross House, Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5AB www.crosshousetavern.pub

LIVE MUSIC to promote your event here, please use the contact form at www.tewkesburydirect.co.uk

INN, RIPPLE

Beautiful floral arrangements for all occasions, plants and gifts

LOCAL SONGWRITER MARKS BIRTHDAY WITH NEW ALBUM

Cheltenham-born singer and songwriter Mike Weaver’s stop-start career has spanned six decades. His new album, The Greyest Bits, has just been released to mark his 65th birthday.

The album, available as a CD or digital download, features fresh studio recordings of eight of the most popular songs he has composed and performed over the years, plus three new tracks.

Mike Weaver, who has lived on the lower

slopes of Bredon Hill for seventeen years, first sang live in the late 1970s. But he was a reluctant performer in those early days, preferring to write and share his music with small groups and friends in intimate surroundings.

Working as an illus-

PIZZAS CALZONE BURGERS

trator and journalist as his day job, Mike met and encouraged many musicians in the late 1970s and 1980s. He

festivals and other happenings in the Midlands and South West. He also became a popular support act, opening for a wide range of artists including O’Hooley & Tidow, Reg Meuross, Edwina Hayes, Canadian folk star Sarah Jane Scouten, Breton ‘power folk’ luminary Dom Duff and one of England’s finest songwriters, Steve Ashley

started his own marketing and publishing business in 1989, and largely withdrew from the music scene before quitting completely in 1997, when his twin daughters were born.

Fifteen years later he picked up his guitar and found his true voice. Encouraged by a few artists he’d supported through his newspaper columns and blogs, he began to write music again.

Live performances increased from 2013 as Mike grew in confidence, playing his original material at folk clubs,

The pure voice of Katie Grace Harris is featured on The Greyest Bits - along with the multi-instrumental talents of Lukas Drinkwater, who also recorded the album at Polyphonic Studios in Stroud.

Tewkesbury Fryer

Mike’s recent wrist injury has delayed The Greyest Bits launch tour after a first show in Bristol back in February. The next concert will be at Bethesda Methodist Church in Cheltenham on Saturday 12th August, where he will be joined by Katie Grace Harris. For more details, and tickets visit www.mikeweavermusic. com FISH

A view from St Faith’s Church, Overbury

Outdoor Summer Events for Overbury and Conderton

The neighbouring Bredon Hill villages of Overbury and Conderton have a busy programme of events this summer.

On Saturday 3rd June gardens around the villages will be open between 11am and 4pm. Admission is £5.00 and there will be refreshments and a barbecue available.

Open Farm Sunday is being held on 11th June.

Overbury Farms awardwinning team will be leading a walk to look at grassland flowers, farmland birds and some of the crops being grown on and around Bredon Hill. There will also be a talk on some of the machinery used on the farm. Places must be booked in advance. More information can be found on the website overburyenterprises.co.

uk

Preparations are well under way for Overbury’s popular street market too. This will take place between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 8th July, in picturesque Church Row.

Stalls will include crafts, plants, gifts, local produce and preserves, 'Going For A Song' paraphernalia, books, DVDs and bottles - plus bacon

butties, teas, live music and ice creams in Berkeley House Garden. For more information see www.overbury.org

There are lots of village Open Gardens in the Cotswold this month: SUN 4th JUNE:

Hill

Power SUN 10th JUNE:

and France

SUN 11th JUNE:

and France

SAT 17th JUNE

Campden

SUN 18th JUNE Chipping Campden

SAT 24th JUNE:

Campden

For more information visit the website opengardens.co.uk

Accident Damage and Car Body Repairs

AN AMAZING MOVE

Visitors to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Winchcombe, will be able to see a newly constructed, 150 year old building.

The former stone built weighbridge office from Usk railway station has been moved and rebuilt stone by stone, at Winchcombe, to form a new visitor attraction.

The building is located on a new platform dock, designed to recreate a scene from the past.

The project has been carried out by volunteer members of the railway and as the before photographs indicate, the future of this charming building, was somewhat bleak.

CAR BROKEN DOWN?

BROKEN DOWN?

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.

On Monday night (15th), after a gap of over three years due to Covid, the Crib Singles Knock Out Cup was held, this time at the Woodpeckers, Ashleworth.

The first round saw two quick 3-0 wins and two close matches of 3-2 wins. The latter style wins were again repeated in the semi final, one of which was a rematch of the 201819 Singles Final, but this time it was David Thomson (Cross Keys Inn) taking the honours from Dave Percey (Gardeners Arms). The 3-0 win in the final by David over Ali Hyett (Woodpeckers) was flattering as all three games were very close with nail biting finishes. Whilst this was the Woodpeckers first ever Singles Final, the Cross Keys Inn has dominated the last seven Singles KO’s, with four wins and two runners up trophies.

+VAT per month* Boiler Servicing

CAR SALES OVER 50 QUALITY USED V.A.G CARS ON SITE. ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 13 YEARS.

Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17.30 Saturday 08:30 - 16:30

SUNDAYS CLOSED

Vhub Service Ltd is the specialist Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda & Seat Service MOT and Performance Centre based here in Tewkesbury. Led by Dave Peters we specialise in full dealer level servicing and diagnostics and we are officially recognized by Volkswagen UK as being a fully registered independent Service and Maintenance Centre.

As a recognised Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda Repair Centre we are fully able to update your online Digital Service Record. We access your vehicle’s online Digital Service Record via our manufacturer registered Dealer Portals, allowing us to log all servicing works carried out on your vehicle.

From our advanced and fully equipped workshops we offer these in house services.

• Hunter 4 wheel alignment

• Adas – Erwin-Odis VAG diagnostics

• Air con R134A and R123yf

• In house MOT and loan vehicles

• EV Hybrid and Full Electric vehicle servicing

We have our own main dealer trained VAG technicians so you can rest assured your vehicle is in safe hands. Our well-equipped workshop has six ramps to accommodate our dedicated team of highly skilled technicians! And our clean and bright facility offers more than just an enjoyable working environment

– it’s also full of the latest professional tooling and equipment, for the very best value servicing and repairs on your VAG vehicle.

The Royal Oak Bredon, a vibrant, community success.

By local Bredon resident, Margaret Vernon

In the Winter of 2021, the future of the Royal Oak public house in Bredon looked uncertain, a rumour was circulating that it was going to be used for a housing estate

Then, a year ago, a young couple from Hull moved in and they have brought the Pub back to life. It is now a vibrant place in the middle of the village, open and welcoming everyday and it plays an important meeting place for all.

Proprietors Sophia and Rich started by spring cleaning throughout and installing new furniture fit for purpose. They are energetic, ambitious, welcoming, and work hard. They made the toilet areas into nice clean places to visit. The chimney was swept, and a real fire lit to warm up the winter months and create an attractive focal point. They established a Facebook page (royal oak bredon), that is updated frequently. They also market the weekly events on a blackboard and on window posters. Last summer about 40 or 50 local people wanted to re-establish the Bredon Pub Quiz which had been a well-attended Sunday night event before the Covid Lockdowns, so this happens now at the Royal Oak on the 2nd & 4 th Sunday each month from 19:15. Chips are provided

for each team, and there are chocolate and bottle prizes. Sophia & Rich are tech-savvy and the questions are displayed visually on the TV screen, as well as orally.

A local Pub memorabilia collector asked Sophia and Rich if they would store and encourage the playing of old regional Pub Games. This happened, and attracts participants from the locality and beyond looking for something different. It is a unique collection, and links the heritage of a modern, lively Pub with that of our ancestors.

Live Instrumental Folk Music Sessions happen at the Royal Oak every four weeks, drawing musicians from a wide radius, and there is a local audience. Other talented performers sing too, on invited occasions. A vinyl shop for records takes place every two weeks. There are also spontaneous, one-off events such as jewellery parties and Prosecco pamper nights.

This Pub is a great place to watch sports fixtures and News events with both Sky and BT available across five screens.

Continued on page 44

The Rotary Club of Tewkesbury’s

75th Anniversary

The Rotary Club of Tewkesbury has just had its 75th anniversary, making it the same age as the NHS (and also a bit short-staffed at present).

32 members and friends met up for an informal celebration dinner at Dumbleton Hall, with photos and memorabilia going right back to 1948. Members now in their sprightly 70s were seen in those old black and white photos with full heads of hair, slimmer waistlines, and, often, bow ties.

the Avon; “the largest sheaf of corn in the world” baked into a loaf from flour donated by Healings Mill; an Indian

There was also a live video link from the Rotary Club of Schagen in central Holland, which has been twinned with

bers are welcome to visit. As proof of this, there were about 100 banners from clubs in places like the USA, South Africa, and Australia, visited by Tewkesbury members.

There were also pictures of duck races on

Prince and Rotary member from the Simla club, and his ‘ travelling wife’, a new concept to most of us!

the Tewkesbury Club for 64 years now. Schagen is just one of 46,000 clubs in 200 countries worldwide which Rotary mem-

Tewkesbury Club isn’t quite as expansive these days, with only 13 members, but still packs a punch, having donated more than £56,000, in the last three years alone, to local, national and international charities.

By John Halstead Secretary

INTRODUCING THE BRAND NEW RANGE OF WORCESTER BOSCH CLIMATE 3000I REVERSIBLE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS

Air-to-air heat pump technology heats, or cools your home for a fraction of the cost. A viable alternative to oil or LPG central heating, reducing your carbon footprint and your heating bills.

RING NOW FOR GREAT DEALS ON AIR TO AIR HEAT PUMPS

✓ WARM ✓ EFFICIENT ✓ GREEN

FIT A WORCESTER BOSCH BOILER FOR OIL AND GAS AND TICK THE BOXES

GREENSTAR HEATSLAVE II

✓ UK’s most popular oil combi boiler

✓ For small, medium and large homes

✓ Fills a kitchen sink in 22 seconds

GREENSTAR iSYSTEM

8 GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE US

■ Up to 12 years guarantee on Worcester Boilers

■ Over 35 years experience in the boiler/heating industry

■ Working in partnership with John Lewis

■ Hundreds of Worcester boilers installed locally, both oil and gas

■ Approved insurance works carried out

■ Based in Tewkesbury with offices in Northway

✓ Our most popular boiler

✓ Suitable for all sizes of properties

✓ Can be used with Greenskies Solar Panels & Greenstar Hot Water Storage

01684 293556

info@countyboilers.co.uk www.countyboilers.co.uk 34 Highfield Business Park, Deerhurst, Gloucestershire GL19 4BP

■ All engineers emplyed by company and all C.R.B. checked

■ Many primary spare parts carried by engineers for boiler breakdowns

OILTANK INSTALLATION & REPLACEMENT

Groundworks undertaken to suit property, Pipework, Free Survey, Bespoke steel tanks fabricated to suit location

MITTON WI

Our May meeting was a small celebration of the Coronation with a scone and cream tea and a crown making competition. All the entries were beautiful, ranging from some clever crocheting to some dazzling paper creations.

We were then treated to a talk by James about his love of bee keeping and honey production. Did you know that bees travel approximately 55,000 miles (1.5 times around the world) and visit around 2 million flowers to make just one pound of honey. Many thanks James. Our next meeting will be 5th June, when Steve Goodchild will tell us all about the alleyways of Tewkesbury. July’s meeting will be Samantha from Tewkesbury Mustard. Mitton W.I. meet at Mitton Manor School 7.30pm every first Monday of the month (unless bank holiday). All welcome so come along and join us. If you would like more information please ring 01684 292385, Mitton-WI@gmail.com or look for Mitton WI on Facebook.

Beautiful home grown bedding plants, hanging baskets & planted containers

• Herbs, soft fruit & vegetable plants

• Cottage garden plants, shrubs and roses

• Trees, conifers and hedging plants

• Plant, lawn & garden care products

• Specialist composts & decorative gravels

• Barrels, plastic pots, terracotta & glazed pots

• Quality timber products

• Specialist bird care products

Gretton Road, Gotherington GL52 9QY

Open - Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm Sunday: 10am-4pm 01242 676722 www.gotheringtonnurseries.co.uk

Members of the Horticultural Trades Association Great Rewards CUSTOMER LOYALTY with our Scheme

The remarkable Art of Rob Rowland, Artist and Illustrator

Rob’s highly detailed work, immerses emotion, into past scenes,often with a human element , creating a virtual reality on canvas.

Rob, from Gloucester, was born and raised in the Midlands during the 50s and 60s in an environment of cobbled streets, gas lamps, back yards, canals and railway viaducts; and all he wanted to do was to work somewhere in the professional art industry. I considered special effects, cinema poster art and commercial art but took up the opportunity to work in a picture restoration studio. Rob went on to graduate from Gloucestershire College of Arts & Technology and a period as a freelance graphic designer followed before being employed in the art and design department of a national brewery designing and painting traditional inn signs.

Rob said; “It was while working on themes to coincide with the Great Western Railway 150th anniversary celebrations in 1985 that I became fascinated with

LOOKING TO SELL YOUR CAR?

Hi, I’m Shaun Taylor from Approved Car Buying Centre. It’s my job to make selling your used car as simple as possible. I’ve been buying vehicles now for 40 years.

THE FIRST STEP is to give me a call so I can get some details of your car and look at the current market value. We can then make an appointment to come and see you - date and time at your convenience. Once we have inspected your car and relevant paperwork, we will offer you our best possible price. If you are happy with our price, we can complete the transaction there and then.

We pay you direct into your bank account. We settle any outstanding finance agreements and notify DVLA of the sale of your vehicle online. The whole process takes around 25 minutes.

We have no admin fees or charges - you receive 100% of your valuation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A HELPFUL SERVICE

please call Shaun on 07836 777268 or visit our website at www.approvedcarbuyingcentre.co.uk

“Our

by just how easy it is to sell their car.”

07836 777 268

A gallery at the recent Steam Gala, held on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, showcased the paintings, by local artist, Rob Rowland.

m Rob is at work on a scene at Toddington Station, which could become the basis for a finished painting.

depicting railways in my own painting and later with other aspects of our industrial heritage.

I prefer not to analyse where my inspiration comes from but can guess that it derives from my childhood and upbringing. The era of the Industrial Revolution despite all of its moral and economic ambiguities, man working more closely with the earthly elements and the interweaving of nature and industry provide me with all the ingredients I need.

In 1991 I started to work independently. By now my interests had broadened into areas of marine and landscape due to major influences of the Victorian and early twentieth century period, particularly artists such as John Singer Sargent, Lamorna Birch and Stanhope Forbes of the Newlyn School.

Although I paint mainly in oils I do sometimes use watercolour, depending on the type of subject and how I want to express it. I have been a member of the Guild of Railway Artists since 1987 and of the Gloucestershire Society of Artists since 1982”.

Take time to find out more and to view the gallery of Rob’s work, click on to www.robrowland.co.uk.

Continued from page 37

Richard and Sophia also started to offer Pub Grub. This is hot, generous and delicious, and available at all times. It has been particularly successful when booked for special celebration days and Bank Holidays.

At Christmas the Royal Oak was adorned with lovely decorations which were either homemade or donated. It looked wonderful, and the Pub was crowded and appreciated.

Sophia and Rich have worked tremendously hard, open every day, all day, and they are still smiling! Gradually they are appointing new staff to assist, and it’s great to see that these hospitality employment opportunities are taken up by young local

staff in particular. In 2023 four upstairs bedrooms were converted and modernised into ensuite accommodation. This Bed & Breakfast facility has been appreciated as there are frequent bookings.

With this story of success, Sophia and Rich have not forgotten about others. They have catered for Bredon’s Warm Room Meals last winter and spring, and support village fund-raising schemes. Events are encouraged which

help various charities and there are charity boxes on the Bar. Additionally, Rich and Sophia have been accepted and validated to fund-raise for the charity Emmaus which they feel strongly about, having been companions in an Emmaus community themselves back in 2020. Congratulations on a tremendous first year, and we wish the Landlords and all those working with the Royal Oak continuing success.

Probus Club hears fun facts about the brain

One of Probus Club’s favourite speakers Dr Katy Bellamy visited us recently with another of her sometimes cerebrally challenging, but always entertaining talks.

Katy is a cognitive neuroscientist and is an expert on everything to do with how the brain operates.

As usual her talk fulfilled our expectations with a lot of audience participation, explaining how our memories work and how one person’s memory of an event can differ greatly from another’s, which explains why the police always try to quickly separate witnesses to an accident or a crime.

She explained the phenomenon of why sometimes time seems

to fly (“where did the time go”) whereas sometimes our memories of childhood are of seemingly long hot summers stretching into infinity.

Katy produced a typical mobile phone with a 64 gigabyte memory to demonstrate that whilst most people assume that the brain is just like a computer, it is nothing of the sort and works in a totally different way. Compared to the mobile phone, the brain has around 100 million gigabytes of storage which should assure those concerned about artificial

NEWTOWN WI

intelligence not to worry because of the human brain’s huge potential.

In contrast to a talk about the brain, Vince Williams told us of the history, structure and activities of the Mountain Rescue service in the UK.

He described their services as much more than just mountain rescue, as the teams are very involved in rescuing people at risk in urban floods and they support other emergency services in searching for missing children and vulnerable adults whilst giving support to their families.

Maybe not the best thing before you have afternoon tea, but we had a talk on ‘Unusual Cures and Blood Galore’. It was fascinating and it did not put anyone off enjoying their cream teas as we celebrated the coronation of King Charles III.

At our next meeting on the 14th June, weather permitting we will be having a ‘sunny day’ picnic in Victoria Gardens.

We are a very friendly group and would love to welcome you to our meetings which take place on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Wheatpieces Community Centre starting at 2 pm. If you are interested in joining us, just come along, we would love to see you, or you can contact Julie Pullen on 01684 301267 or by email at pullenj53@sky.com.

CELEBRATING TEWKESBURY VOLUNTEERS

4th & 5th June 2023

We also had a very interesting talk from David Head who told us of the history, the original construction and the current expansion of the Panama Canal.

David has some interesting thoughts about the possible impact of climate change and postulates that if the Arctic ice fields to the north of Canada gradually start to melt, this could mean that the old north-west passage could be reopened for ships to avoid them using the Panama Canal.

If you are a retired professional or businessman looking for something new to stimulate your retirement in a social environment, you would be very welcome to join us as a guest at one of our Tuesday morning meetings. For more information, please visit our website at www. probusclub.net/tewkesbredon/ or contact our Secretary Steve Tucker on 07803 907243.

Our events programme for the coming month is featured in this edition of Tewkesbury Direct.

By Chris Brown for Tewkesbury and Bredon Hill Probus Club

Would you like to help in a shop or the great outdoors, use your existing skills or learn new ones, find a new task to work on at home or one that involves being part of a team?

Come along and speak to local community volunteers and managers to find out what is on offer. Tell us what you want and we may be able to tailor-make an opportunity just for you.

Visit Tewkesbury Town Hall between 10-4pm for coffee, cake and a chat.

FIRST AID SUCCESS FOR SEVERN UNIT MVS

Twelve members of Severn Unit Maritime Volunteer Service were successful in passing their RYA First Aid Course.

Head of Unit Nic Price said, “Sue Baker from our Nene Unit came and gave the unit full instruction in many aspects of First Aid which covered a wide range of subjects ranging from CPR to dealing with sea sickness and hypothermia to bandaging wounds and it was an excellent course.”

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 JUNE

6 June – The Battle of Waterloo (with Sally Ferrers)

13 June – The world of Tudor and Stuart Medicine (with Kirstie Bingham)

20 June – Guided tour of the Needle Museum at Redditch

27 June – Fraud advice and safeguarding (with Danielle Sharples)

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/

Enquiries 07779 088529

We

leave you stranded.

m Severn Unit with Course Instructor Sue Baker and various “casualties” used to practice CPR

To advertise call 01242 621346 or visit www.tewkesburydirect.co.uk

BUILDING SERVICES

A. G. BONIFACE & SONS LTD

BUILDING CONTRACTORS

SPECIALISTS IN DISABLED BATHROOMS & SHOWERS

All types of domestic and commercial building including electrical and mechanical work Tel 01684 295754

Unit G4 Northway Trading Estate, Tewkesbury www.agbonifaceandsonsltd.co.uk

07496 686470

Property Maintenance

Domestic and Commercial

Over 30 years experience, all types of renovation, restoration and new work. email: markanthonycontracts@icloud.com

We supply and fit uPVC and Aluminium WINDOWS, DOORS CONSERVATORIES and ROOF LANTERNS in a range of styles and colours

Tewkesbury based - Established  over 10 years Kitchens, Second fix, decking, doors, balustrades, skirting boards, architrave, flooring, window repairs All Property maintenance considered Paul V. Harvey Tel: 01684 275195 or 07866 900 637

Firestone Rubber Roofing and Firestone Liquid 500 System Installers

Lifespan of 50 years 20 Year Guarantee

Firestone rubber roofing flexes and lasts under all conditions - the durable alternative to felt

Mythe Construction - for all aspects of PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT DESIGN AND BUILD

NEW BUILDS • EXTENSIONS

ROOFING • RESTORATION

07963 311157 or 01684 299912 CLEANING SERVICES

KITCHEN FITTING • MAINTENANCE

Mythe Construction Limited

Mythe Crest, Mythe Road

Tewkesbury GL20 6EB

Tel/Fax: 01684 290707

Mobile: 07826 948909

HARTELL NB CONSTRUCTION

Block Paving / Driveways / Patios / Fencing / Civil Engineering / Garden Maintenance / Groundworks

MAPLEDENE, FIDDINGTON, TEWKESBURY, GLOS, GL20 7BJ

TELEPHONE: 01684 292592

MOBILES: 07768 696639 / 07836 781922

Email: info@hartell.co.uk

TEWKESBURY BATTLEFIELD WALK: Thursday 1st June, 7pm-9pm. Meet Abbey Lawn Car Park. Details www.tewkesbury.org.uk

PRESCOTT SPEED HILLCLIMB: Mid-Summer Meeting, Sat 10th & Sun 11th June. Prescott Bike Fest Sunday 25th June. At

the famous Bugatti Owners’ Club uphill track near Gotherington. prescotthillclimb.co.uk

EASTNOR CASTLE: Outdoor Theatre, Sense & Sensibility, Sunday 4th June at 6pm. Eastnor SOS (Emergency Services Display, Sun 25th June, from 10.30am. Eastnor Castle, Ledbury. Further

information see website eastnorcastle.com

SHOWBOROUGH HOUSE SCULPTURE GARDEN: Open Thursday-Sunday until 18th June. Affordable Garden Art exhibition with over 150 pieces by 80 artists. At Twyning GL20 6DN. Details from website www.showborough.com

Roofing Services

IS YOUR CHIMNEY SAFE?

DOES IT LEAK? DOES IT NEED RE-BUILDING, RE-POINTING, REDUCING, CAPPING, COWLINGS, BIRDGUARDS, FLASHING REPAIRED/RENEWED FIREPLACE RESTORATION, ROOF REPAIRS EXTERNAL DECORATION UNDERTAKEN

Ring THE CHIMNEY MAN now FULLY INSURED - C.I.T.B REGISTERED 01684 273538 Mobile 07801 700254

To advertise call 01242 621346 or visit www.tewkesburydirect.co.uk

SECURITY SYSTEMS

F REEMA N

ELECTRICAL/SECURITY

INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC INSTALLATIONS

SSAIB REGISTERED COMPANY Established 21 years

BASED IN TEWKESBURY

INTRUDER ALARM, FIRE, CCTV, DOOR ACCESS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR TO ALL SYSTEMS, 24 HOUR CALLOUT

FOR ALL YOUR SECURITY NEEDS

TEL 01684 273248 MOBILE 07966 174648

EMAIL freemansecurity@btinternet.com

SEWING,TAILORING & REPAIRS

Service and Repair on all makes and models 01684 273667 07903 414735

leandaroberts@hotmail.com Est. 1976

JO FIGGETT SEWING & DRY CLEANING

at Monarch Drycleaners 8 Mitton Way, Tewkesbury GL20 8AN

• SEWING ALTERATIONS • REPAIRS

• CURTAIN/BLIND MAKING

• BRIDAL ALTERATIONS • HABERDASHERY

Tel (01684) 850496 or 07773 718786 jofiggett@yahoo.co.uk

TREE PRUNING & SURGERY

MATT HALE TREE SURGERY

01452 780831/07884 380406

www.matthaletreesurgery.co.uk

See our main advert on page 20

UTILITA ARENA, BIRMINGHAM

4 JUNE ATIF ASLAM

8, 10 & 11 JUNE ELTON JOHN

17 JUNE PETER GABRIEL

4 JULY IRON MAIDEN www.utilitaarenabham.co.uk

NEC BIRMINGHAM

2-4 JUNE UK GAMES EXPO

15-18 JUNE BBC GARDENERS’ WORLD LIVE

15-18 JUNE BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW SUMMER www.thenec.co.uk

CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

16 JUNE DREAMBOYS 2023

17 JUNE ULTIMATE R ‘N’ B 2023

27 JUNE KEITH BRYMER JONES LIVE www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

EVERYMAN, CHELTENHAM

13-17 JUNE TITANIC - THE MUSICAL

23-24 JUNE CECIL BEATON’S DIARIES

4-8 JULY THE BIRDS AND THE BEES www.everymantheatre.org.uk

PLAYHOUSE, CHELTENHAM

2 JUNE PAUL MAYHEW-ARCHER

7-10 JUNE ENTERTAINING ANGELS

15 JUNE HOWLERS COMEDY CLUB

14 JULY THE FLEETWOOD MAC SONGBOOK www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk

THE BACON THEATRE, CHELTENHAM

3 JUNE JERSEYS LIVE www.bacontheatre.co.uk

THE GUILDHALL, GLOUCESTER 17 JUNE THE UPBEAT BEATLES

WASHING MACHINE REPAIRS

25 JUNE MINI RAVERS

6 JULY THE LIMELIGHT SESSIONS www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

THE HENRICIAN, EVESHAM

4 JUNE MARK THOMPSON’S SPECTACULAR SCIENCE

10 JUNE THE HISTORY OF ROCK

24 JUNE FOREVER ELTON www.henrician.org

THE COURTYARD, HEREFORD

16 JUNE SHERLOCK’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

17 JUNE FLOTSAM & JETSAM

22 JUNE THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW www.courtyard.org.uk

MARKET THEATRE, LEDBURY

22-24 JUNE CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

1 JULY SENSE AND SENSIBILITY www.themarkettheatre.com

MALVERN THEATRES

6-10 JUNE THE VERDICT

4-8 JULY ABIGAIL’S PARTY www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

No.8 ARTS CENTRE, PERSHORE

5-10 JUNE GUYS & DOLLS (P.O.D.S) www.number8.org

RSC STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

UNTIL 17 JUNE HAMNET

UNTIL 24 JUNE JULIUS CAESAR

www.rsc.org.uk

SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER

FROM 7 JUNE THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS www.worcestertheatres.co.uk

MIKE PHILLIPS

Tel: 0774 706 2108 / 01684 561521 michealphillips@btinternet.com

14 Kingshill Close, Malvern WR14 2BP

WINDOWS & GLAZING SERVICES

UPTON GLASS &

24 HR EMERGENCY BOARDING AND RE-GLAZING SERVICE

An efficient, friendly local business

• Glass cut to size in our workshop

• UPVC windows, doors and conservatories supplied and fitted • Greenhouse repairs

• Same day replacement of broken

Stunning Cotswold Colour

For over twenty years lavender has been grown at a family farm high on the Cotswolds, near Snowshill.

Over thirty five varieties now cover over 70 acres, creating a stunning colourful landscape which will be open to the public from Wednesday 14th June until Sunday 6th August. There are superb walks through the fields and wildflower meadow, a woodland trail and cabin where lavender products made on the farm are sold. The oil distillery is also open for viewing.

For details and more information, visit the website www.cotswoldlavender.co.uk

WEBSITE DESIGN

All time high demand for Tewkesbury Food Bank

End of year figures for 2022/23 released by the Trussell Trust show demand for Tewkesbury Foodbank at a record level.

Project manager Michael Jones said: “In summary, we: redeemed a total of 1270 vouchers (compared to 869 last year, an increase of 46%), which is higher than the national average.

“We processed over 29,000 kg of stock compared to just over 21,000kg last year, and fed a total of 2996 people - 1867 adults and 1129 children.

“Over 27,000 meals were provided - 7,000 more than in 2021/22.

“We, and those we're able to help, owe a debt of thanks to our generous supporters, who all make this possible.”

If you would like to support or assist the foodbank in any way, please email projectmanager@tewkesbury.f oodbank.org.uk

Tewkesbury Foodbank is located at 76 Church Street, (opposite the bus stop in The Crescent). GL20 5RX. For further information call 01684 296824.