Tewkesbury Direct Magazine June 2024

THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR BIG WEEKEND

The sun shone, the temperature soared, and a great time was had by all who turned out for Tewkesbury’s best ever Big Weekend last month.

Thousands lined the streets to watch the parade pass by, picnicked in the park (Victoria Gardens), and took part in all the activities throughout the town.

Circus skills were learnt, live music was danced to, and down by the riverside the stalls were busy and there was plenty of messing about on the river!

Katakanu boat racing was a particular highlight, and there was a rescue demonstration from the maritime volunteer unit too.

Visitors and residents alike enjoyed the guided walks of the town’s alleyways and courts.

Next on the itinerary for summer fun is the free Tewkesbury Live Festival, which will be packed with music to

suit all tastes - from rock and pop to blues and folk. There will also be music workshops and shows for young people. The event will be held over the weekend of 26th-28th July. The Three Counties Show at Malvern takes place this month (14th16th June) and as well as the usual attractions,

there will be visits from celebrities JB Gill, Kaleb Cooper and Matt Baker. Over in Broadway, there will be a gathering of the Cotswold Ferrari Owners’ Club on Sunday 9th June. At 10.30am, these stunning Italian sports cars will assemble near the war memorial and parade along the High Street.

The Big Weekend

Hungry Ghosts

by Kevin Jared Hosein Paperback £9.99

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Rural Trinidad in 1941. A group of families live together, yet apart, in a "barracks" which leaks. There is no privacy but that is the life they know and share. There is a close community spirit; tolerance of one's neighbours and support in hard times.

This is the lives of Hans, Shweta and their son Krishna who are the main focus of this unusual novel. We get to know each of them very well, while we witness the lives of their neighbours. The poverty of their existence plainly unfolds as the reader turns the pages.

Not all the characters are poor. Local farmer; Dalton Changoor and his wife Marlee enjoy comparative luxury overlooking Bell Village where some better off locals live. Hans and Shweta have unfulfilled dreams of moving there.

Dalton is not only a farmer but he never appears in the book as he goes missing early on and his disappearance has ramifications obviously for Marlee, but also for Hans who worked for him.

Why he has disappeared and how Marlee initially tries to cover up his absence results in her being threatened.

Marlee trusts Hans and offers him a well paid employment to act as a night-time guard on the farm. An opportunity that he cannot refuse as he sees this as an immediate solution to saving the money to buy a plot of land in Bell Village to escape the "barracks".

closer. This naturally causes tension with Shweta and Krishna. All of this is general knowledge to the other inhabitants of the "barracks" where nothing is private.

The other dozen or so residents within the "Barracks" add extra depth to this well reviewed book. Even the dog, called White Lady, are all intrinsic parts to the narrative as we learn what happened to Dalton, even why and how. Against this background the months gradually pass, the story progresses through life's ups and downs.

All of this is watched by the Lakhan twins who live a bit away from the "barracks" but being orphans they have had to learn how to survive on their own, but their lives and that of their late father are crucial to the events that happen on the Changoor farm.

The native language within the book reminds the reader of the hard life these people lived with limited schooling; all children having jobs to do to help keep their families functioning. The closing 80-100 pages see the denouement of the story unfold to complete a satisfying read. A strange tale, well told, of lives hard lived.

Selected by: Ian B. Nicholson

As Dalton's absence becomes public knowledge the lives of Hans and his family are put under pressure as his new employment impinges on family life. Marlee and he are drawn ever

Alison’s Bookshop Tewkesbury GL20 5JR

RE-ENACTORS RETURN TO EVESHAM VALE

One of the largest military vehicle and re-eactment events returns to the Ashdown Camp near Evesham this month.

Over 500 military vehicles from World War II together with period displays will re-create the atmosphere of the 1940s on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June.

There will be both military and civilian reenactors and dioramas, 1940s entertainment with arena events, an armoury and battle pyrotechnics, plus a flypast by aeroplanes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Vintage clothing, uniform and collectable stalls, food and a bar, and a noon-day gun all add to the authentic feel of the period.

Post-war vehicles will also be on display, plus

tanks, classic cars, oil engines and commercial vehicles.

1940s dance classes are also on site, and visitors are invited to join in the fun by wearing clothing from the times. There will be live entertainment throughout the day too.

Vehicle groups attending include the Alvis Fighting Vehicle Society and the Austin Champ Owners Club.

Ashdown Camp is at Knowle Hill, just outside Evesham, WR11 7EN.

For tickets and further information about the weekend, visit the website www.ashdowncamp.com - or search #wartimeinthevale

OUT AND ABOUT with Jack B. Walker

SHOWBOROUGH HOUSE SCULPTURE

GARDEN: Open from 10.30am-4.00pm Thursday-Sunday until 16th June. 150 pieces of affordable art by over 80 artists. Showborough House, near Twyning,

approx 3 miles north of Tewkesbury.

TEWKESBURY BATTLEFIELD WALKS: Thursday 6th June. Starting at 7pm from Abbey Lawn Car Park. Approximately two

miles, taking around two hours.

TEWKESBURY HIGH STREET FINE FOOD & CRAFT MARKET: Sunday 23rd June, 10am-4pm. Fine foods, gifts, arts and crafts in the heart of town.

TURNING THE PAGES: Sunday 30th June.Auction of collectable books and stamps. Viewing from 11am, auction at 2pm.Watson Hall, Barton Street.

Wartime returns to Evesham Vale

Tewkesbury Museum is returning home!

Now that the repair works are complete and the second staircase has been removed to enlarge the rear gallery (picture below), it is time for Tewkesbury Museum to move back home. We thank Tewkesbury Town Council for making our pop-up so welcome in the Town Hall since we moved out last September. Gradually, our collections will be brought back out of storage throughout the summer. And we will be open to the public from mid-May onwards.

The building to which we return is very different. The south

walls have been repointed and the roof has been felted and retiled. We have electric heaters everywhere – it will never be bone-achingly cold again! But the heaters will mean that we can’t put things in the same places that we did before, so we will have to redesign our exhibition spaces.

We will use the windows for ventilation and natural light. Historic England has asked us not to put the shields back in the first-floor windows or keep the blinds drawn. We will be able to enjoy the natural light that the original occupants of the house used to illuminate their fine textiles work. We will protect the artefacts in our displays by applying UV filter film to the glass in our cabinets.

Our walls have been patched/replastered and beautifully redecorated. We will need to install a proprietary gallery display system, to display items from our large collection of framed photographs and pictures.

The second-floor ceilings have been repaired. Our decorated mid-17th century ceiling looks as

good as new! The home of our museum will be a worthy artefact in itself. As a grade 2* listed building it has regional significance and we want visitors to enjoy it in all its glory!

events out of hours. Our former office will become our new reception, in the long-term providing a space in which visitors who cannot manage the stairs can enjoy our virtual museum.

While the Fairground and Battlefield displays will remain largely unchanged, we have an opportunity to update the remaining four galleries. Some of the plans we have in mind are:

On the ground floor, the rear gallery will be dedicated to temporary displays, and digital displays using touch screen technology. We will also furnish this room to accommodate meetings, classes and small social

On the first floor, we will provide our Roman-era resident, Octavia with a more comfortable display case and we will tell her story better. We can also make our archaeology displays more relevant to Tewkesbury and we can link them to the development of the town. We can also introduce Healings Mill, the Severn Ham, the Rivers and Flooding here.

On the Second Floor

we can create display spaces for Domestic Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury People, Education, Military and Medical, Civic Tewkesbury, Markets and our Antarctic hero, Sir Raymond Priestley. In the longer term we can introduce digital resources to make our displays interactive. The stairwell will be a great location for hanging a changing selection of our many pictures, and possibly also, in the longer term, our building models. At the same time, we are working to make the ground floor of our building fully accessible, so that everyone can enjoy it. Trustees are already applying for funds for this.

Do come and visit. Tell us what you think. Better still, come and join us as we continue in this exciting journey to provide a fitting future for Tewkesbury’s past.

BIKES REVVED UP FOR FEST

Motorcycling enthusiasts have a treat in store this month, when Prescott Bike Fest takes place on the famous hillclimb track near Gotherington.

In addition to all manner of bikes running the hill on Sunday 23rd June, there will be paddock specials, passenger experiences, a stunt show, arena displays and a food village.

Stunning bikes will also be on display in a static arena, and there will be a chance to meet

FORTHAMPTON COURT:

Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th June, 1.30pm-4pm. Charming and varied garden surrounding a medieval manor house (not open)within sight of Tewkesbury Abbey. Borders, roses, magnificent Victorian vegetable garden. Adults £7, children free. Homemade teas available. Off the A438 Tewkesbury to Ledbury Road at Forthampton, GL19 4RD.

TRENCH HILL, SHEEPSCOMBE:

Wednesdays in June, 11am-6pm. Three acre garden set in woodland with panoramic views. Teas. Sheepscombe, GL6 6TZ. findagarden.ngs.org.uk

TOWER CLOSE, SNOWSHILL, BROADWAY: Sat 1st and Sun 2nd June. 3 acre garden at the top of the Cotswold village of Snowshill. Steep ascent from the car park. Gardens surround a listed 17th century house. WR12 7JU. findagarden.ngs.org.uk

THE DELL HOUSE, MALVERN WELLS: Wed 5th June; pre-booking essential. 2 acre wooded hillside garden of a former rectory built in th 1830s. Green Lane, Malvern Wells, WR14 4HU. findagarden.ngs.org.uk

WARNDON COURT, WORCESTER: Sun 9th June. 2 acre garden surrounding a Grade II listed farmhouse. Circular route with rose gardens, terraces, two ponds and woodland walk.St Nicholas Lane, Worcester, WR4 0SL. findagarden.ngs.org.uk

the Bike Festival’s special guests.

This year’s event is supporting Severnside Freewheelers and the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes. Prescott is between Gotherington and Gretton (GL52 9RD).

Tickets are available online from prescottbike festival.co.uk

POPULAR

VILLAGE STREET MARKET RETURNS

The picturesque Bredon Hill village of Overbury is gearing up for the return of its annual Street Market.

The market, which has been running for over forty years, will take place in Church Row on Saturday 13th July, between 10am and 12 noon.

A wide variety of stalls will offer produce, plants, bric-abrac, crafts and refreshments - plus a raffle, bacon butties and tombola.

For more details, visit the website www.overbury.org

Bring the Outside in this Summer

(May 2023)

✓ Fully trained technicians

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✓ In house dealer standard equipment for full diagnostics and recalibration

✓ ADAS Camera Calibration Full System

✓ Odis and Erwin VAG diagnostics and Programming

✓ Hunter 4 Wheel Alignment

✓ Elsa TPI updates

“Do you know I’m better than any musician in Vienna? Do you?!”

Mozart is crude, arrogant, embarrassingly horny and altogether quite insufferable. Even more irritatingly, he’s an utter genius, with a sublime gift that can only have come from God.

Everyone in Vienna is desperate to meet him – all but Salieri, Court Composer and self-confessed mediocrity, who senses from afar the threat to his kingdom.

Life begins to imitate Art when the once-irrepressible Mozart becomes tormented by a mysterious masked figure, but as Salieri masterminds Mozart’s downfall he unwittingly precipitates his own moral and spiritual demise.

Oh, the drama! Who will ultimately triumph?

Following the tremendous success of La Bête and Brassed Off, Tewkesbury Arts and Drama Society return to The Roses Theatre with Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus this June.

Be prepared for a breathtaking spectacle as the action flows seamlessly from street to Court to Opera House, where the audience become the

show (no participation necessary, beyond rapturous applause).

Let the talented en-

semble cast, led by Director William Tombs, take you on an emotional journey of beauty, humour and despair, via some very awkward moments indeed.

Featuring exclusive live performances of Mozart and Salieri’s music, in new arrangements devised by Musical Director Vicki Wagstaffe, this show is - in the words of Mozart himself - going to be superb! Amadeus will be at The Roses Theatre 8th & 9th June at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Bishops Cleeve Street Fair

Once

will see Church Road lined with a huge variety of Stalls including a Teddy Bear Tombola.

Follow the mystery trail to find the Dog Show and then to the Library Car Park there will be an exciting Funfair.

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

In St. Michael’s Church there will be the nail- biting Teddy Bear Parachute jump. If you are looking for Games go to Tarlings Yard where there will be skittles and games. Venture to the Tithe Barn for more fun and across the road to Vistry where there will be a fascinating collection of Classic Cars.

If you want fun do not miss Sunday 9th June.

Powers of Attorney Court

Laburnum Cottage , 20 Church Road, Bishops Cleeve , Cheltenham. Telephone: 01242 676224

The Consulting Suite , Basepoint Business Park, Tewkesbur y. Telephone: 01684 276469 www.billinghamandpartners.co.uk

Brand new regional wine fayre comes to local vineyard

With the ever-increasing popularity of ‘English Wine Week’ taking place in June this year, a brand new regional wine fayre has been launched in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside.

The Bredon Wine Fayre, taking place on Saturday 29th June, is perfectly timed to promote the success of English Wine Week, and will host some of the finest vineyards in the country, in a spectacular location with one of the best views in the county.

This new event, held at Deer Park Hall, Worcestershire, WR10 3DN, is certain to become an absolute must in any wine lovers’ calendar.

Boasting not only award-winning wines from multiple vineyards, there will be fine local food and crafts. Informative talks will be given by wine growing and making experts, as well as sommeliers.

People will also be able to take guided tours of the beautiful vineyard on Bredon Hill.

As a multiple Decanter award-winning wine producer, Deer Park Wines produce

exceptional English still and sparkling English wines. Hugo Campbell Hill said:

"We offer many services here at Deer Park Hall, from our stunning wedding venue to our formal conference centre, and a range of tastings and tours from our Wine enterprise, as well as a unique English Safari tour.

"The quality of English wine has improved dramatically

recently, and we relish the opportunity to surprise people and change their perceptions of English Wine. For more information about Bredon Wine Fayre, visit the website

Deer Park Vineyard on Bredon Hill

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Get your Summer Fix in Spring

Purchase a 120 or 180 minute course and receive a FREE Bottle of Soleo Sunbed Cream

Our Hybrid Tanning Bulbs will provide you with a more natural and longer lasting tan result, as well as helping with collagen production

with our gorgeously scented tanning enhancing creams which we retail in sachets and bottles. We have a range of creams with various accelerator and bronzer levels. Sachets start from £2.00. Bottles start from £13.00.Book our sunbed online now via Fresha.com

Rachael is fully qualified in the following treatments: Remedial Massage, Soft Tissue Sports Massage including rehab and remedial advice, Pregnancy Massage, Reflexology, Facials and Body Exfoliations. She can also carry out any of our combination body treatments giving you that extra pamper feeling.

There have been some changes in Rachael's working days/hours which means we can offer slightly more flexibility for those who work during the week and just can't get away from the desk.

Tuesdays AND Saturdays will be available on alternating weeks.

The following dates and times are when Rachael will be working during May: Saturday 1st June 10am-4pm; Tuesday 11th June 10am-5pm; Saturday15th June 10am-4pm Tuesday 25th June 10am-5pm;Saturday 29th June 10am-4pm

To book please contact the salon via email, or call us on 01684 273014

Peter Pan a Tewkesbury Academy Production

In a swashbuckling display of talent and creativity, Tewkesbury Academy’s stage came alive with the timeless tale of Peter Pan.

Audiences of all ages were taken on a magical journey to Neverland, home of fairies and pirates and a unique ticking crocodile.

They followed the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, as he whisks the Darling children away from their nursery to the fantastical realm of Neverland, where adventure and mischief lay in store.

Led by Noah Green (Year 9) in the iconic role of Peter, Tinkerbell played by Phoebe Haddrell (Year 10) and Captain Hook, played by Samuel Tomkins (Year 13), a talented cast of more than 40 students from different year groups took part in this mammoth production.

The students put their talents to use in a wide variety of roles, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Everyone involved had been working tirelessly on this production, rehearsing extensively for more than three months, after school and even at weekends.

Morgen Taylor, Teacher of Drama at Tewkesbury Academy, said: “This production of Pe-

ter Pan has been a journey filled with creativity, collaboration, and sheer determination. I couldn’t be prouder

and talent displayed by our students. They truly brought the magic of Neverland to life on stage.”

We aim to service/repair your vehicle to the highest standard at the lowest price MOT Testing Class 4 Same Day Appointments Free Re-Test (within 10 working days)

WHAT’S GREEN ON THE LOCAL SCENE with Cate Cody

WILD ABOUT THE ABBEY - Come and enjoy a free, family friendly event, run by Tewkesbury Abbey and Tewkesbury Nature Reserve. Activities include wildlife identification, guided bird spotting and bug hotel making. All materials provided. Saturday 8th June, 10am to 12pm.

TEWKESBURY

REPAIR CAFÉ - Next session due Saturday 15th June. Held in Tewkesbury Baptist Church, 2-5 pm. Please double check before travelling. Bring electrical, toys, clothes, anything that needs fixing. Tools can also be sharpened. Tea and coffee available while you wait.

CATE AND GEORGE’S NEXT ‘DAYTIME DISCO’ - is Thursday 20th June, 1.00-4.00pm 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 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH - Presentation from Elle Bullimore at Tewkesbury Library on Monday 24th June, 7.30pm. All welcome.

TEWKESBURY NATURE RESERVENew Carers Social Group. Meet others, socialise, enjoy the outdoors and nature related activities on the Fourth Monday of the month, 10.00am-11.30am, contact 3w@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk

TEWKESBURY DEMENTIA ACTION ALLIANCEGet in touch if your organisation works in this field and would like to join the growing group.cate.cody@ gloucestershire.gov.uk

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

GLOUCESTERSHIRE RECYCLES - for information see the website www.gloucestershire recycles.com

TEWKESBURY GOES WILD - Look out for Tewkesbury Goes

Wild! events throughout July - free, but ticketed using Eventbrite. Tickets will be available mid to late June. Look for posters on noticeboards and via social media.

OUT AND ABOUT with Jack B. Walker

SUDELEY CASTLE AND GARDENS: Open daily 10am5pm.Historic home and last resting place of Queen Katherine Parr near Winchcombe. Father’s Day 16th June; Fantasy Forest Festival 19-21 July. Other events throughout the year. Winchcombe, GL54 5LP. Tickets and details from sudeleycastle.co.uk

FOREST OF DEAN SCULPTURE TRAIL: Open daily. start from Beechenhurst visitor centre (GL16 7EL) Four mile trail through ancient woodland, adorned with sculptures. Shorter routes available. Download a map before travelling as mobile signal can be patchy. More details from www.forestofdeansculpture.org.uk

Beautiful home grown bedding plants

• 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 -

9am

FRENCH ROMANTICS: THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR WITH ORGANIST DAVID BRIGGS

SATURDAY 15 JUNE 2024 AT 7PM at Tewkesbury Abbey

up with Midlands-born, world-renowned organist superstar, David Briggs, to bring a programme of French twentieth century choral and organ music. David will accompany the choral pieces and play two contrasting solos on the Abbey’s fine, historic Milton Organ.

Performers: The City of

Conductor: Adrian Lucas

Organist: David Briggs.

QUEDGELEY CARPETS

We

The music of these four composers will offer a listening experience perfectly aligned with the majesty and acoustic of Tewkesbury Abbey. The skilful playing of David Briggs at the console of a world-class organ will thrill as will the contrasting pieces for the choir.

Programme: Louis Vierne Toccata in Bb minor (Organ solo)

Louis Vierne Messe Solennelle Op.16

Maurice Duruflé Sicilienne (from Suite Op.5) (Organ solo)

Soloists Soprano:

Ticket prices £25. Students in full-time education £15 Under 16s free. Available from the Abbey Shop or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ city-of-birminghamchoir

If

The Choir has teamed

Pierre Villette Tu es Petrus

Marcel Dupré De Profundis Op.18

Birmingham Choir

Philippa Hyde, Tenor: Thomas Castle. Bass: Jolyon Loy .

The City of Birmingham Choir makes a welcome return to Tewkesbury Abbey under the baton of its accomplished musical director Adrian Lucas, for an evening of French music.

m City of Birmingham Choir at Tewkesbury

m David Briggs

TEWKESBURY & DISTRICT CRIBBAGE LEAGUE

Within the space of two weeks, the Berkeley Arms clinched their second piece of Silverware by becoming League Champions after a gap of 13 years.

The final two weeks of the Season saw both the Berkeley Arms and Bredon FC overtake the C Anchor team, who had slumped to just one win in the League after Christmas. The Berkeley Arms despite being beaten by Bredon FC in their final match, became League Champions thanks to their superior Game Difference. Bredon FC would have had to win by 21-4, but fell short with their 14-11 win.

It was a similar story for the C Anchor team in the Evan Akers, despite only winning two matches after the New Year, they had held top spot for 30 weeks, until the penultimate week, when Bredon FC beat them. That win proved crucial with both teams losing their final matches, allowing Bredon FC to take the Evan Akers Trophy and the C Anchor having to settle for Runners Up.

As for the other teams, last Seasons Double Champions, the Cross Keys Inn struggled for consistency, the Woodpeckers faded in the last months and the Anchor 1774 finally broke their duck in January and finished strongly with some late impressive wins.

LEAGUE TABLE

EVAN AKERS CHALLENGE TROPHY

CAN YOU FIX IT?

Hate waste, like fixing? Then join us at Tewkesbury Repair Café. Founded in 2017 we are part of a worldwide movement where people with repairing skills meet people with things to fix. It’s instructive, it’s fun and it’s good for the environment too as items are brought back into use, not thrown away.

What do we repair?

Most portable things, really. Clothes and textiles, furniture, electrical goods, tools, toys, bicycles, some clocks, computers etc.

We also sharpen cutlery and hand and garden tools We are looking for more repairers to join our team, allowing us to take on more repairs and widen our range.

We encourage our repairers to work together, and support each other.

If you are not a repairer, we also welcome volunteers for admin and

front of house roles, to meet clients, allocate work, take donations etc.

The Repair Café is run

entirely by volunteers, on a not-for-profit basis.

We meet once a month on a Saturday afternoon.

If you are “repair-minded”, with skills and experience, why not get in touch?

Either email us: admin_team@tewkesburyrepaircafe.co.uk or call in at one of our sessions: our next two dates are 15 June and 20 July.

We meet at Tewkesbury Baptist Church, Station Road, GL20 5DR, 2 to 5 PM.

Francis of Malvern Carpets and Flooring open in Church Street

A new shop opened on the 17th May heralding the return of a carpet and flooring shop to the town centre.

The business, has opened in the premises of the former, Newman Carpets and Flooring, a family business which held a fine reputation for friendly helpful service with Tewkesbury people for many years.

Francis of Malvern, a family home furnishings business, with over 90 years of trading decided that Tewkesbury would be a good place to open an additional flooring shop.

As with Newman Carpets, Francis has

the same set of values, aiming to continue with good advice, service and excellent fitting.

Former owner, Tracey Newman, is assisting in the new transfer of business and will be running

the shop for a limited period. There are hundreds of great carpets and floors to choose from manufacturers including; Brintons, Penthouse, Furlong, Corus, Manx, Axminster and Amtico. If you are looking for new look for your floor, pop into the shop and spend time browsing the many options with the best advice from the flooring trade.

Open Wednesday and Friday 10am til 4pm and Saturdays 10am til 2pm.

Rotary club news, and discovery meeting

The Rotary Club of Tewkesbury has been getting busy again, after a Covid lull. Here’s the proof: We will be running the Bonfire and Fireworks again this November, (though the date isn’t finally settled).

We will also be restarting the Classic Vehicle Festival next year, on 17th August 2025 at Tewkesbury Academy.

Rather sooner than that, we will be sending 48 kids from Alderman Knight School to Cattle Country on the 14th June for a KidsOut day; we have helped a junior darts team from the DD club with some smart shirts; we’ve sponsored the Roses Infinite Creatives young people, who are putting on a show on 12-13 July; our monthly Rotary quizzes at three local old folks homes go down well, especially if the questions are ‘naughty but nice’; we’ve also helped out with art materials for local mental health therapy; and one of our members, Bruce Anderson, has just cycled from Lands End to John o’Groats raising money for disabled sailing charities; and finally, just in case you thought Rotary was for men only, our next year’s President is Meg Anderson, who will be a breath of fresh air.

Come and meet her, and other members, on Monday June 3rd at 6.30pm at the Roses, when our Club is having an informal Rotary Discovery evening. Or contact our Secretary, John Halstead on 07759942503 or halsts@hotmail.com.

WHAT’S ON IN JUNE at the John Moore Museum

m WELLNESS WALK

AND NATURE CRAFT

Join us on a Wellness Walk through our natural spaces, as we reconnect to nature by listening to the birds sing and the sound of the breeze ruffling the leaves, feel the different textures to be discovered in the gardens, as well as the abundance of colour all around us. During the walk we will be foraging, as we will be creating sensory pouches to take home afterwards.

Date: Thursday 6th June

Time: 11am

Location: John Moore

Museum

Tickets: £5 per person

Booking essential:

Call 01684 297174 or email: education@ johnmooremuseum.org

m MEDIEVAL SPICE

MERCHANT’S - LIVING HISTORY

Discover what life was like for Medieval Spice Merchants, Edward and Annabelle Burton, living in Tewkesbury in the early 15th century. Which ingredients were available for purchase? How expensive were spices? Where in the world were the spices grown and sold from? What herbs were useful for cooking and medicine?

Date: Friday 7th and Saturday 8th June

Times: 11am

Location: The Merchant’s House

Tickets: Adults £3.50, Concessions £3 and Children £1.50.

m CREATIVE CROSSSTITCH

Join us to learn the art of cross-stitch which has been around for centuries. From a blank piece of fabric, an embroidery hoop and thread, you will design your own sampler with initials, name or decoration which can be hung up at home. Suitable for beginners and upwards. Spaces are limited to 12 participants, so booking in advance is essential.

Date: Saturday 8th June

Time: 2.30pm

Location: The Old Baptist Chapel

Tickets: £5 per person

Booking essential: Call 01684 297174 or email: admin@ johnmooremuseum.org

m TUDOR COSTUMED TOURS

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 en-suite! Okay, a piss-

pot but there is a story

behind every object

Date: Thursday 20th June Times: 11.30am &

2.30pm

Location: The Merchant’s House Tickets: Adults £3.50, Concessions £3 & Children £1.50

Booking: Call 01684 297174 or email education@ johnmooremuseum.org to reserve your place.

m MEDIEVAL PETS TALK

Pampered pooches, cossetted cats,

spoiled squirrels and mollycoddled monkeys?

Discover the fascinating world of people and their pets (familiar and exotic) in the Middle Ages. This talk explores who kept pets, how they were obtained, costs, pets and the law, housing, feeding and what happened if your beloved pet became ill. Plus their role as companions, and how they were represented in memorials to their

owners.

Date: Saturday 22nd June

Time: 11am

Location: The Old Baptist Chapel

Tickets: Adults £7, Concessions £5.50 and Children £3 - includes entrance to the John Moore Museum and Merchant’s House.

Booking essential: Call 01684 297174 or email: education@ johnmooremuseum.org

If

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Owner, Tony Webb explains: “What can we remove? Garden waste removal, old toys and paper removal, attic clearance, garage clearance, removal of unwanted machinery, furniture and appliances.

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as much as physically possible from each and every job. Please

note we do not remove builders’ rubble or toxic waste such as asbestos.”

We were helped by Peter Raggatt, whose father was the People’s Warden when the Bishop blessed it after its opening.

We were then very grateful for the help of Pat Webley, the Abbey’s Archivist, who revealed that it was originally funded by the sale of the Mason’s Arms pub (lately the British Legion).

The hard times after the war can be detected with the impressive design for the Church and Curate replaced by a REEMA (Reed, Malik & Co.) design, which was a system of building prefabricated reinforced concrete panels.

It was similar to the Northway Youth Centre.

We can also detect that this design, provided by Steve Pocock, also suffered cuts when we study our only photograph (left) from Facebook.

At long last, it was opened in

1955 with the compromise that it was mainly furnished for the community - with the Church only allowed temporary fittings.

We were lucky to hear of the experiences of former Sunday School teacher Erna Perry (née Hyde), but we would like memories and photos of church/mission events from readers.

Sadly in 1988, it was destroyed by fire. Sonia Boulton of PPNP event valiantly tried to enlist Bill Clinton’s help in rebuilding it as a centre for the aged, but it was taken over by a charity which has run it since 2008, - Voyage Care

Now named Theoc House “it provides sup-

port for ten individuals with an acquired or traumatic brain injury”.

We can only pass on our best wishes for its

success in

the tradition of social care in this part of the Park.

John Dixon

The blessing of the Mission Room

Theoc House today (built in 2008)

The original building plans

The actual Reema Design with our only photo (S.Pocock)

Tewkesbury Park celebrates a decade of remarkable transformation

This month sees the McIntosh family celebrate this impressive milestone at Tewkesbury Park. Back in 2014 and undaunted by the enormity of rescuing this historic property out of administration, saving some 80 jobs, they forged ahead with a comprehensive investment strategy to reposition Tewkesbury Park in the marketplace.

Fast forward a decade and the transformation has been remarkable, despite all the business and life challenges in-between. The property can now claim to be a true resort, offering 9 stunning historic suites alongside 84 individually thought-out bedrooms, many with private gardens, including 6 dog-friendly rooms with outdoor enclosed terraces.

Huge improvements were made to its wellness offer with an outdoor sun terrace, complete with Scandi barrel sauna and whirlpool hot

tub, alongside its indoor pool and steam room facilities. Treatment rooms were added and in line with the family’s desire to work with regional suppliers, a great partnership was forged with the Natural Spa Factory of Bath.

All guest public areas underwent a comprehensive makeover, resulting in inviting lounges that offer guests a serene atmosphere to enjoy the breathtaking views. Mint restaurant also underwent a remarkable transformation and has garnered acclaim for the excep-

The

tional cuisine crafted by Executive Chef Anuj Thakur and his talented team.

Keen to challenge in the world of golf, the family invested in their 18-hole Deerpark course and created a course which became host to the PGA Super-60’s tournament and now regularly features in the UK & Ireland’s Top 100 Golf Resorts.

The biggest challenge came in 2017 with the creation of the stunning Cotswolds meetings & events suite. It’s a

ing their sustainability with a move away from oil. Step forward a complete revamp of their energy production process, with the introduction of combined heat and power turbines. These now supply the entire resort with electricity whilst using the bi-product of heat to supply hot water and heating. Its proved to be a masterstroke.

“We’re all thrilled to mark such a significant milestone in our business journey.” explains Patrick Jones, General Manager, who joined

and Smarts Bifold Doors

tribute to their carefully-considered attention to detail, focused solely on the needs of their guests, that the McIntosh family created this state-of-the-art space complete a multi-scree video wall, now popular with conferences, car launches, meetings, events, weddings and celebrations. It boasts a floor-to-ceiling glass front with stunning, panoramic views and wraps together its complementary Berkeley Bar and terrace with outdoor dining options.

During 2023, as the entire hospitality industry was reeling from the rising costs of energy, the McIntosh family developed their own plan to address these business challenges, whilst simultaneously improv-

in 2015. Jones added “We had a vision for the property, and it’s been a real tribute to the determination, dedication and sheer hard work of every member of the team, past and present. The support of the McIntosh family with their meticulous planning and design contributions means that we have the tools to consistently deliver an exceptional guest experience and can take Tewkesbury Park to new heights in the years ahead.”

Now employing around 140 team members, Tewkesbury Park celebrates this milestone with a special event looking back over the last 10 years and turning their attention to new plans for the years ahead.

m 10 year celebrations at Tewkesbury Park

m Claire and Linda cutting the cake

Test your powers of recall with six of the best questions in this month’s Tewkesbur y Direct Pub Quiz.

1: Who was the longest reigning King of the United Kingdom?

2: Which English Football League team plays its home games at Edgeley Park?

3: Which actor played the part of Mr. Yunioshi in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany ’s?

4: Which English county has beaches at Kilve, Doniford and Blue Anchor?

5: Which dish, a staple of Sicilian cuisine, comprises stuffed Italian rice balls, coated in bread crumbs and deep fried?

6: Which composers symphonies include Eroica (Heroic), Fate Symphony, Pastorale and the Battle Symphony?

SAT 1st JUNE: Ferocious Dog, Subscription Rooms, Stroud. thesubrooms.co.uk

MON 3rd JUNE: Jazz in the Studio, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. everymantheatre.org.uk

TUES 4th JUNE: Mark Harrison, Roses Theatre. rosestheatre.org

WED 5th JUNE:

Open Mixed Folk Session, Royal Oak, Bredon. Music starts 8.00pm.

WED 5th JUNE: Rich Hughes Jazz Trio &singer Penny Powell, Fox & Hounds, Bredon. foxandhoundsbredon.co.uk

THURS 6th JUNE: Jools Holland, Malvern Theatre. malvern-theatres.org.uk

TUES 11th JUNE:

G4, 20th anniversary, Cheltenham Town Hall. cheltenhamtownhall.org. uk

WED 12th JUNE: Never The Bride, Cheltenham Playhouse. cheltplayhouse.org.uk

SAT 15th JUNE: Turin Brakes, Subscription Rooms, Stroud. thesubrooms.co.uk

TUES 18th JUNE: Paul Moran and the Smokin’ B Trio, Cheltenham Playhouse. cheltplayhouse.org.uk

WED 19th JUNE: Open Celtic Folk Session, Royal Oak, Bredon. Music starts 8.00pm.

WED 19th JUNE: Dragon Folk Club, Dragon Inn, The Tything, Worcester WR1 1JT. 7.30pm start.

FRI 21st JUNE: Showaddywaddy, Cheltenham Town Hall. cheltenhamtownhall.org. uk

SAT 22nd JUNE: Rick Wakeman and Friends Concert, Roses Theatre. rosestheatre.org

SAT 22nd JUNE: The Malvern Big Band, Ledbury Market Theatre themarkettheatre.com

SAT 22nd JUNE: Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Cheltenham Town Hall. cheltenhamtownhall.org. uk

THURS 27th JUNE: Lulu, Subscription Rooms, Stroud. thesubrooms.co.uk

SAT 29th JUNE: Aynsley Lister Blues, The Cube, Malvern.

malverncube.com

TUES 2nd JULY

Liz Simmonds and Flynn Cohen, Roses Theatre. rosestheatre.org

WED 3rd JULY:

Open Mixed Folk Session, Royal Oak, Bredon. Music starts 8.00pm.

TUES 9th JULY: Deborah Bonham Band, Ledbury Market Theatre themarkettheatre.com

WED 10th JULY: Raghu Dixit, Gloucester Guildhall. gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

SAT 13th JULY: Remi Harris, The Market Theatre, Ledbury. themarkettheatre.com

WED 17th JULY: Dragon Folk Club, Dragon Inn, The Tything, Worcester WR1 1JT. 7.30pm start.

FRIDAY 19th-

SUNDAY 21st JULY: Upton Blues Festival, Upton-upon-Severn. upton-blues-

festival.co.uk

SUN 21st JULY: Fisherman’s Friends, Llanthony Priory, Gloucester. gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

TUES 23rd JULY: The Roses Choir Summer Concert, Roses Theatre. rosestheatre.org

FRIDAY 26thSUNDAY 28th JULY: Tewkesbury Live, Various venues throughout the town.

THURSDAY 1stSUNDAY 4th AUGUST: App-Fest Gloucestershire, with The Boomtown Rats, Feeder, Scouting for Girls, Cast, Feeder, Nik Kershaw, Katrina, Chesney Hawkes, Nathan Evans, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriella Cilmi, Callum Beatie and many more. Hillworth Farm, Longdon GL20 6AX www.app-fest.co.uk

FRI 2nd AUGUST: 80s Live, Roses Theatre. rosestheatre.org

It’s the time of year when life in the garden is booming, which includes undesirables, writes Tim Hoskins. Everyone’s version of what is undesirable is different so I won’t pre-

Controlling ‘pests’

tend that my opinions are correct.

Let’s not forget that a weed is simply a plant growing in the wrong place, so everything is subjective.

If you want to be as cynical as me, remember that gardens are spaces for introduced species to the exclusion of native species.

There is little need to conduct much pest control in a healthy garden and in most instances there are alternatives to

chemical controls that are cost effective and take the same time to apply.

However, if someone tells me that all chemicals are bad, I point to a garden I installed on a former lawn site.

Instead of digging the ground over and incorporating soil improvers, as is traditional, I sprayed the site with glyphosate two months before planting, installed the plants straight into the ground and mulched.

BECKFORD OPEN GARDENS:

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June, 1pm-6pm. 13 open gardens, plant sales, teas and homemade cakes, cider garden Nature reserve. Details beckfordopenvillage.org.uk

KEMERTON OPEN GARDENS: Saturday 29th June, 10am-5pm.12 gardens open, refreshments, bar and entertainment. Cash event.

THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM, WESTONBIRT: Open daily. 15,000 specimens and 2,500 trees from all over the world. Self guided or guided walks, special events. Gruffalo trail for children. Refreshments. Near Tetbury. GL8 8QS. Details www.forestryengland.uk

For the first few years I was often asked by industry experts how I’d got the plants to establish so quickly and was happy to explain that my no-dig method had been the reason.

I didn’t apply any fertiliser, watering was minimal and aftercare was low because the biome was intact.

I’ve also never liked trapping things, although I’m very good at it.

When I was a fledgling greenkeeper, I’d deliberately set mole traps badly at times. The result?

Far fewer moles

because the intentional introduction of my scent put them off. Tip: put droppings into runs for longer term results.

I’m afraid I’m a bit more immediate with rats. I know people who have claimed to not mind the ‘odd rat’, but they have turned into infestations, without exception. They then got into their houses and caused serious damage. The best time to deal with rats is yesterday. As with every other aspect of our lifestyles, we need to do some thinking, draw a line and remember the only way to have no environmental impact is to not exist. Any garden is better than no garden.

Tim Hoskins

Tim Hoskins

your dog can get. Choose from Nature’s Instinct, Albion and Cotswold Raw.

OUT AND ABOUT with Jack B. Walker

Mobility aid collection.

By Andrew Turner

The collections of mobility aids for the PhysioNet Charity have been most encouraging and the Rotary clubs are very grateful for your support of the charity.

Our local collections from Tewkesbury, Pershore and Evesham have so far exceeded 200 different items ranging from walking sticks and wheelchairs to

a physio plinth. The most recent consignment went to Namibia and the photograph shows our colleagues at the Rotary Club of Chatsworth in Namibia unloading the container.

If you have any surplus mobility

aids and would like to donate them to this deserving charity please contact one of the Rotarians who can arrange collection.

Andrew Turner 07774 466209 or John Halstead 01684 273342.

Warners Parts Hub is a premier stockist offering a wide selection of both genuine and all-makes parts. We provide genuine parts and accessories for renowned automotive brands including Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Abarth, Jeep, Peugeot, and Vauxhall, all of which are backed by a comprehensive 2-year parts warranty.

As the area's designated Distrigo Parts Distributor, we offer full access to the cost-effective Eurorepar multi-brand range. This range comes with a 2-year parts warranty (excluding tyres) and an impressive 3-year warranty on batteries, ensuring you receive both quality and reliability across all products.

Your local Mannol Stockists for Oils, Lubricants, Additives.

BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

On Monday 13th May, a party of Boys Brigade members and parents from Tewkesbury travelled to London for a date with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, to celebrate the gaining of their Gold DofE Awards.

In a journey that started before the lockdowns of Covid, it has required resilience and determination to complete the 5 sections of the Gold Award.

The Skills, Physical, Volunteering and Residential sections have seen the Seniors take on sailing on a tall ship, learning to drive a car, hosting a podcast and long-distance cycling, whilst the expeditions

took place on the water in canoes.

The restrictions Covid placed on travel, stopped the group going to France for their expedition, and even using rivers in this country became a problem with entry to Wales via the river Wye completely barred for a period of time. The group eventually completed their assessed expedition on the river Severn.

Captain of the 1st Tewkesbury Boys’ Brigade, Andrew Baldwin said “I am very proud of the determination shown by the Seniors in completing their award, and I know it has already helped in gaining great jobs for two of them”.

The 3 Gold awards gained by Oliver, Tom and Joe add to an impressive record of every Tewkesbury Boys’ Brigade member who has started out on their Gold, achieving it.

With another 2 members having almost completed their award and 5 more recently started, the list of Gold awards will continue to grow.

1st Tewkesbury Boys’ Brigade also have groups undertaking their Bronze and Silver and have room for additional young people to join these groups if you are interested in completing your award with them.

Contact Andrew Baldwin on 07973 327747 or andrew.baldwin0@ gmail.com for more information.

PLANNING A SUMMER EVENT?

We have availability in our beautiful riverside function room for weddings, celebrations, family and group events. Discounts may apply on certain dates.

Our Famous 3 Meat Sunday Carvery

Enjoy food and drink on Lazy Days with us! Open for food Wednesday to Saturday lunchtime and Evenings and Sunday lunchtime. Serving Sunday evenings and Mondays lunch and evening on the bank holidays. only £13.95

We have some availability in our riverside function room, camping available.

Forthampton GL19 4RE 01684 293224 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.

cotswoldvalesupplies@hotmail.co.uk www.cotswoldvalesupplies.co.uk

D of E success to Joe, Tom and Oliver

Summer Fun at Bredon Cricket Club: Events on and off the Field!

At long last summer has arrived and Bredon Cricket Club are determined to make the most of it, with a full calendar of events on and off field. Our first eleven have come out on the wrong side of the first three tight games, but hopefully their luck will change soon. Our second eleven and Sunday team are about to start their seasons and junior teams likewise.

The very popular All Stars and Dynamo’s sessions for our youngest members started on Friday 17th May and continue every Friday early evening for eight weeks. We look forward to seeing our future superstars developing their skills.

Sunday 12th May saw our annual Tower Run with over 84 brave souls conquering the summit of Bredon Hill, congratulations to each and everyone who took part, special mention to the following:

First female - Petra Vymetalova

First male - Jonathan Lloyd

First female club member - Jane Sauer

First male club member – Nick Harwood.

A massive thank you to everyone who made this event possible and we look forward to an even bigger entry next year.

Our charity golf day takes place at Puckrup Hall on Friday 21st June and we are delighted to once again be raising funds for the James Hopkins Trust.

Saturday June 22nd sees the club hosting a silent disco at the Hill Close ground with a 7.30pm start. All welcome.

All our social events are also promoted on social media.

In the meantime anyone interested in joining the club either as a player or social member should contact neil@hallonline.co.uk

With 2 large showrooms to visit for inspiration, and an experienced

and installation team, we can supply and create exactly what you are looking for.

m Petra Vymetalova with Club Chairman Neil Hall

m Jonathan Lloyd with Club Chairman Neil Hall

m Jane Sauer with Club Chairman Neil Hall

m Nick Harwood with Club Chairman Neil Hall

WE ARE CLOSING FOR A MAJOR REFURBISHMENT OF OUR RESTAURANT FROM SUNDAY 7TH JULY, AND HAVE A GRAND REOPENING ON MONDAY 5TH AUGUST!

Our takeaway business will be unaffected and will continue throughout this period.

We look forward to serving you again, when we reopen.

Martial Arts Hall of Fame Awards

Nine adult Black Belts from the White Tiger Martial Arts Academy based at the Wheatpieces Community Centre in Tewkesbury, were inducted into the UK Martial Arts Show “Hall of Fame” at the Doncaster Dome on Sunday 5th May during an evening ceremony.

Each of them, including Mr Rob Clingan 3rd Dan, were nominated for the award by the Chief Instructor Paul Wanklyn 6th Dan. Unfortunately, Rob couldn’t make the event due to family commitments.

The lucky recipients were, Jack Keegan 1st Dan, Darcey Coleman 1st Dan, Andrew Coleman 2nd Dan, Finlay

TEWKESBURY ART SOCIETY

Artist Beverley Cort will be demonstrating a portrait with coloured pencils to members of the Tewkesbury Art Society on: Tuesday, 25th June 2024

To be held in The Town Hall, High Street, Tewkesbury from 10.15am to 12.15pm. Non-members welcome, £5 entry fee. Tea/coffee available during the interval.

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 IS THE BEST WAY TO RECYCLE

Coleman 2nd Dan, Matthew Bourton 2nd Dan, Andrew Etherington 2nd Dan, Gary Whiting 2nd Dan, Kerry Whiting 2nd Dan and Jill Wanklyn 4th Dan. The organisers also acknowledged Mr Wanklyn’s dedication and commitment to his students and awarded him “Top Instructor” which was picked up by Mrs Wanklyn.

The event also had Martial Arts and film stars from America in attendance with roughly 500 other participants also enjoying the evening but not receiving awards.

Anyone wishing to start their Martial Arts journey is invited to view the website at www.white-tiger-tkd. com

www.tewkesburyu3a.org

info@tewkesburyu3a.org.uk 01684 325013

different groups (seebelow). Members gatherevery second

Pleasecome along and joinfor a smallfee,coffee andtea areserved from 10a.mat:-

Ancient HistoryFrenchLanguageScrabble Art for BeginnersGarden Visits Short Mat Bowls Art in BredonHistoryofArt & Design BirdWatchingKurling Solo Groups Book Club

StrummingforFun Computers TableTennis

JUNE 10th Christ O’Grady will speak on the subject of REMBRANDTthroughhis selfportraits Speaker news

m Hall of Fame 2024

WI Newtown learns its values

Gavel-banging is a tiny part of the job for our visiting auctioneer Liz Poole, who spends much of her time on valuing all manner of items for IHT/probate, and divorce; researching and cataloguing for sale or archives; and on Thursdays, alongside specialists, assessing goodies brought in by the hopeful public, in a sea of ever-changing fashions, markets and collectability. She did the same for us one sunny Wednesday, particularly using a member’s pretty old ring.

Why does Brum have an anchor as its assay mark?

Blame Matthew Boulton, apparently, for

meeting in a pub called “The Crown and ... “.

Modern taste buys plain Waterford glass, not silver crystal; plain Ercol, not Tudor/Victoriana; and absolutely no ivory, please!

Then we had a guessthe-price quiz, with photos of a miniature Faberge sedan chair - sold to Russia [preUkraine-war]; gold/ porcelain false teeth for Winston Churchill; a Phyllis Wheatley first edition; exquisite glass-mosaic panels; a copper/enamel bowl that just might have been used by Ann Boleyn; and a Tudor Bible cover. Guesses on a postcard, please, or bring them to one of our meetings...

We are celebrating our 60th anniversary next month, with a generous buffet from our members, of course.

Contact Julie Pullen 01684 301267 pullenj53@sky.com

m Liz Poole

m Faberge sedan-chair

MITTON W.I.

Wow, we were visited by a world champion at our May meeting. Vicki Pullen is a three times world champion in the dog sled world and has competed all over the world in her quest for victory.

She told us of her first dream of becoming an Olympic snow-boarder and travelled to Alaska to hopefully complete this dream. It is here that she was first introduced to the world of dog sledding and her love of the dogs. She also runs her own company, Arctic Quest, along with bringing up her daughter, training and competing. Thanks Vicki for an very inspiring talk.

Eight of our members attended a glass workshop at Sarah Brown Glass and all completed our wave sculpture thanks to Sarah’s brilliant tuition and patience!

Next month we will be learning the skill of Quilling. 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.

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.

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

There

Probus Club experiences the Glorious Glosters

First we had a talk by Andy Meller about the role of the regiment at the Battle of Waterloo. As background, Andy described the history and development of the regiment over the last 300 years describing how it was founded as

Colonel Gibson’s Regiment of Foot and later when army regiments were numbered instead of having the names of their founders, to become the 28th and later merging with another Gloucestershire regiment, the 61st.

Andy went on to describe the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 using a detailed map of the battlefield and showing how the Glosters’ involvement had a major influence in what was to become Napoleon’s final defeat and the end of his reign as Emperor. As a result of their gallantry, the Duke of Wellington described the Glosters as his “most dependables.”

Shortly afterwards we visited the Soldiers of Gloucestershire museum at Gloucester docks, where we had a private guided tour. The museum

life-sized and realistic reconstructions of how life was like in the First World War trenches and fighting as a tank commander in the desert. Real weapons of war are on display and we were allowed to handle some of these, appreciating the heavy weight of a soldier’s rifle that they had to carry into battle to fight and sometimes die for their country. There is a huge selec-

tion of the medals awarded to the soldiers in the many campaigns they had fought. A particularly poignant moment was when we were given special permission to handle several Victoria Cross medals which had been awarded to officers and men of the Glosters in recognition of extreme gallantry in battle over the years of the Regiment’s existence.

By Chris Brown for Tewkesbury and Bredon Hill Probus Club

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

4 June - Aviation in World War 2 (with Sally Ferrers)

11 June - Jack of all trades (with Colin Reeves)

18 June - John F Kennedy: The Camelot myth (with Philip Bowen)

25 June - Producing the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow (with Robert Arley)

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/

celebrates the history of the Glosters and houses

many exhibits including the different uniforms,

m The Glosters’ cap badge

New Mayor for Tewkesbury Borough

ward on the borough council. He named his wife, Lynne Workman, as his Mayoress and has chosen Shane Roache,

Tewkesbury Borough Council has welcomed a new Mayor for 2024/25. Councillor Philip Workman was invested as Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough at a ceremony held at Tewkesbury Abbey on Tuesday, 14 May 2024. More than one hundred guests welcomed the new Mayor at the ceremony, which included musical performances by students from Tewkesbury School.

The Mayor is the first citizen of the borough and members of the council nominate a councillor each year to take on the role. The Mayor chairs council meetings, represents the council at civic events and attends community engagements throughout the year.

Councillor Workman lives in Shuthonger and represents the Tewkesbury North and Twyning

minister of Tewkesbury Baptist Church, as his chaplain.

Councillor Kashan Pervaiz was invested as

Deputy Mayor for the year at the same ceremony.

Councillor Workman said: “I am delighted and immensely privileged to have been elected Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough and am grateful to my fellow councillors for putting their trust in me.

“I hope, by working hard in the interests of all who live and work in the borough, to prove that their faith in me is justified.”

Councillor Workman also went on to recognise SARA and Friends of Alderman Knight School as his two chosen charities for the year.

A great Summer ahead at the Boathouse

Tewkesbury’s riverside pub and restaurant, the Boathouse has reopened to a flying start, under the management of Matt Dawson and business partner Meg Fletcher.

Matt has been the Boathouse Chef for thirteen years, with his experience, decided that the time was right to run the business.

On the menu is a choice of fresh, wholesome and homemade food to enjoy in or out of doors.

The ground level bar will be reopening too, for great days by the river.

For more information please call 01684 275714.

m Matt and Meg, looking forward to Summer at the Boathouse.

m Cllr Philip Workman

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

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m SAT 1ST – SUN 2ND JUNE National Kit Car Show

m THURS 6TH –SUN 9TH JUNE Three Counties Championship Dog Show

m SUN 23RD JUNE Flea & Collectors Fair

m FRI 28TH – SUN 30TH JUNE Inter-Club International Classic Vehicle Weekend

Graham made quick work of Ken Prosser (Berkeley Arms) in the First Round and David Thomson (Cross Keys Inn and defending Champion) in the Second Round, only to find Dick Hiorns (Bredon FC) in fine steady form, who had cruised through his two rounds dropping only one game each time, which he did so again in the Final, leaving Graham the consolation of second place again. TEWKESBURY &

The Anchor 1774 hosted the Singles KO, where Graham Wills (Village Inn) was hoping to go one better than his two previous Runners Up spots in the Captains Cup and Doubles KO earlier on in the Season.

The Queens Arms: A Chartist Inn

No 3 Church Street is now occupied by CGT Lettings. It doesn’t look like a pub, and indeed it hasn’t been one since 1844, when it closed for the last time and the fixtures and fittings were sold.

The pub occupied a complete burgage plot, stretching down to the Swilgate. Its origins are uncertain but the earliest record seems to date from 1775, when landlord John Chandler died and his widow Elizabeth took over. It was then known as the Quart Pot.

Early in the nineteenth century, the Causon family took over the licence. First Edward, then his widow Martha followed by his Son Edward. Samuel Pearce took over when the Causons got into financial trouble and bought the inn in 1837.

Maybe the most unusual event in its history took place in June 1836. James Smith, a labourer from Kemerton, sold his wife (who was keen on the transaction) to Mr Marshall, a hawker in stockings from Alcester. They agreed on four sovereigns, but Smith refused to sell his daughter. The contract was witnessed by three customers, who were each given a gallon of beer for their trouble.

Landlord Pearce seems to have been a strong supporter of the movement to extend the vote to working men. In December 1837 the Reform Association held a meeting there said to be attended by 150 people. This attracted national interest, and upset the Tory press, who were clearly concerned about the growing demands for electoral reform.

In the year of Queen Victoria’s coronation, 1837, the Quart Pot pa-

triotically changed its name to the Queens Arms. Samuel Pearce spent a lot of money in refurbishing the large function room and installing gas lighting, some of the earliest in town. Strangely, the first public meeting was a lecture on teetotalism, delivered by temperance pioneer Mingaye Syder, to an attentive audience of 400. Abstention was a feature of the reform movement, though there is no evidence that the pub stopped selling beer.

In March 1839, Reform was still a topic of interest and Henry Vincent, a Chartist leader, addressed a meeting of 450 men, who resolved to support the People’s Charter and to form a Working Men’s Association. Change was in the air! A few years later a meeting to demand the repeal of the corn laws was held in the same room. The town’s Liberal MPs started courting the Inn’s patrons, but the Tories kept to the Swan. The revolutionary fervour was short-lived, though. Samuel Pearce had taken a loan of £2,000, a considerable sum, from Lindsay Winterbotham, banker, solicitor, Town Clerk and ex-Mayor. He called in the loan, which bankrupted Pearce. This looks like a deliberate move to rid Tewkesbury of the troublesome radicals’ base, such was the tension between the parties. The Queens Arms was advertised for sale in August 1843, and never sold alcohol again.

with Steve Goodchild

3 Church Street

m Dick Hiorns and Graham Wills

10 days of great live music at the 53rd Guiting Music Festival

The 53rd Guiting Music Festival (GMF) which last year celebrated its highest attendance figures, is delighted to announce its exciting line-up for 2024.

Over 10 days from July 19-28, the Guiting Power festival stage – will play host to, international, and UK artists, including Cellist Sheku Kanneh Mason, who caught the world’s attention in May 2018 after performing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Scottish singer, songwriter, musician and actress Barbara Dickson, Joe Stilgoe and his incredible band The Entertainers, Tom Seals.

Supported by the alto saxophonist Allison Neale and her Quartet, The Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita and his Sengalen

8-piece Homeland band, Ukrainian born pianist Vitaly Pisarenko, Violinist Alena Baeva and pianist Vadym Kholodenko.

Fretwork Viol Consort with mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, and on the final day Blues singer Elles Bailey.

Not only does the festival offer the best music, there is also a selection of local seasonal food on offer as well as fine wines, beers and soft drinks at all the shows.

www.guitingfestival.org

Musical Variety Show

Light and fun singing, piano and dance. The event includes Mezzo Soprano Arabella Heaton, who trained at the Guildhall School of Music, performed in the Royal Albert Hall and Grange Park Opera.

Over 10 days from July Tenor, pianist, organist and composer, Henry Alexander, who won East Anglian young composer of the year in 2019, and is just completing his masters in composition in film and TV, before further study at Cambridge, he has had his music played in Bury St Edmunds Cathedral where he also sang as a chorister.

Also featuring Sally Night , an International singer and song writer, who has performed around the world and spent 10 years perform-

Gear Up for Tewkesbury Medieval Festival

In time for the forthcoming, Tewkesbury Medieval festival on the 13th and 14th July, re-enactors should take a visit to Hutchings Emporium in the High Street.

Owners of this fascinating shop Tee and Mark Hutchings have secured a quantity of Armour, that includes, Chain Mail, Battle Helmets, Arms, Pikes and other medieval essentials.

For those seeking to join in with the incredible atmosphere of Europe’s largest event of this kind, a trip to Hutchings Emporium would be a

Idea.

ing in New York.

Finally we have a performance by our young star ballet student, currently studying in Covent Garden.

All a feast for the ears and eyes and should not be missed! Come and bring your friends one night only it’s going to be amazing!!

Admission:

Adults £15.00, 12s and under £10.00 to include light eats and a drink.

Booking and payment:

Please pay by bank transfer to: St Nicho-

las Kemerton PCC, sort code 30-91-87, account number 02849523, with your name as reference. Alternatively, you can pay by cheque to St Nicholas Kemerton PCC, posted to Victoria Trevelyan, Sundial, Kemerton, Nr. Tewkesbury, Glos, GL20 7JN. It would be really helpful if you could email charlottealexander@me.com with your name and numbers. We will not be issuing tickets, but your names will be on an entry list. It will be a cash only event on the day. By Victoria Trevelyan.

HARTELL NB CONSTRUCTION

FIDDINGTON, TEWKESBURY, GLOS, GL20 7BJ

TELEPHONE:

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

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

GARDENING & LANDSCAPING

Hedge Trimming

Hedge Removal & Planting

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Family Business based in Walton Cardiff Established 1995 • Fully Insured t 07770 685662 e taz26@me.com

MATT HALE TREE SURGERY

walk

from the heart of the bustling market town of Pershore, across the Avon and around the tranquil and charming neighbouring village of Wick, writes Jack B. Walker.

We commence our walk from Pershore Abbey Car Park. With the War Horse Memorial and Bowling Club on your right, walk across the park, with the abbey on your left.

Walk along an avenue of trees to exit on to Defford Road (1). Here, cross with care, bear slightly right and then left on to the footpath next to the sports club.

At the junction of paths, bear right (2) following the edge of the cricket pitch. Note the serpentine wall on the left shortly, which has been repaired over the years, but dates back several centuries.

Wick History Trail.

Follow the path across the meadows to reach Yock Lane and the peaceful little village of Wick. Bear right, passing the half-timbered cottages and the Timber Lane and School Lane junctions. (8) Look out for the illustrated boards on the way.

At the end of the village street and the junction, turn left (9).

To read information board number three make a slight detour to the right, then return to point 9.

DISTANCE: just under 4 miles, flat, easy walking PARKING: Pay and display car park at the Abbey Park in Pershore. Other car parks available nearby. REFRESHMENTS: wide choice of places to eat and drink in Pershore. Picnic area at Pershore Bridge MAP: Sketch map above is not to scale. OS Explorer Map 190 recommended This

Emerge into a housing estate (3) and turn left, then bear right along Bridge Street (4) until your reach the River Avon and Pershore Bridges (5)

From here on there are several informative display boards which tell you a little of the history of the area.

Cross the old bridge and take the path on the left (6) - the start of the

Walk ahead along the lane until you reach Glenmore Farm and information board 4.

(10) Turn left into another lane and carry on until you return to the village via School Lane (8). Retrace your steps to point (4) but carry straight along to the lovely Georgian centre of Pershore, with its many shops, cafés and inns. Turn left into Broad Street, then at the end bear right to return to Pershore Abbey.

WHAT’S ON - in the Midlands

UTILITA ARENA, BIRMINGHAM

8 June: The Pet Shop Boys 22 June: Kings of Leon www.utilitaarenabham.co.uk

NEC BIRMINGHAM

13-16 June: BBC Gardeners World Live 15-16 June: National Cycling Show www.thenec.co.uk

CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL 3 July: Jimmy Carr www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

EVERYMAN, CHELTENHAM 4-8 June: Drop the Dead Donkey 11-15 June: The Life of Pi www.everymantheatre.org.uk

PLAYHOUSE, CHELTENHAM 14-15 June: Mad Manners: ultimate Ska party www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk

THE HENRICIAN, EVESHAM 12 June: The Enigma of Edward Elgar www.henrician.org

GUILDHALL, GLOUCESTER 13 June: Ria Lina: Riawakening 20 June: Mark Watson: Search www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

THE COURTYARD, HEREFORD 6-8 June: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory www.courtyard.org.uk

MARKET THEATRE, LEDBURY 15 June: Vita & Virginia 28-29 June: The Wizard of Oz www.themarkettheatre.com

MALVERN THEATRES 8-9 June: Jurassic Mania 11-15 Jun: Moby Dick www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

RSC STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 5 June-7 September: The Merry Wives of Windsor www.rsc.org.uk

SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER 11-12 June: Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book www.worcestertheatres.co.uk

Pershore Abbey

Pershore Old Bridge

Half-timbered cottages in Wick

WASHING MACHINE REPAIRS

Cuts

Fades

• Buzz Cuts and refreshing washes

New All Female Hairdressing by Pip, using Olapex products.

10% off first visit. Bookings 07958 430113

Walk-ins, or book an appointment on Facebook

Open: Mon 10am-6pm,Tues-Fri 9am-6pm,Sat 9am-2pm 07943 559091

67a Barton Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5PX

Summer Songs for Child Crisis Centre

A special concert of summertime songs in aid of an African crisis centre is to be held in Overbury this month.

North Bristol-based choir Cantini are heading for the Bredon-hill village to perform a special programme of music and readings.

The choir have agreed to perform in order to raise money for a very needy charity -a Baby and Child Crisis Centre which is called Potter’s Village, in south west Uganda.

The area is called Kisoro, and the charity based in the UK and called Friends of Potters Village.

This is a non ticketed event at Overbury Village Hall (GL20 7NZ) on Saturday 29th June at 3.30pm.

Come and listen to a fabulous choir, who will bring their own instruments too. Admission is free, but donations are welcome - preferably via the QR code that will be available on the day.

Natton Garage and MOT Centre, Natton Lane, Ashchurch, Tewkesbury GL20 7BG