Cheltenham Connect Christmas Craft Fair

4 - 6 December 2009, The Exmouth Arms, Bath Road

A giant marquee will be erected in the gardens of The Exmouth Arms, 167 Bath Road, Cheltenham, to host Cheltenham Connect's first Christmas Craft Fair. A wide variety of local crafts people have been invited to show off their products and skills. There will be lots of festive bunting, mulled wine, a variety of live entertainment and a large Christmas tree to get everybody in the mood. A Santa's Grotto will give the children the opportunity to meet Santa on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Times:
Friday, December 4th, 10am-8pm
Saturday, December 5th, 10am-8pm
Sunday, December 6th, 11am-4pm

The aim is for this to become an annual event, that will bring people from all over Cheltenham and beyond, and Cheltenham Connect will be promoting the idea of 'Buy Local for Christmas' as widely as possible, in conjunction with a "SAMPLES WEEK" hosted by the Bath Road shops. Expect it to be a great experience for all the family! Email karen@cheltenhamconnect.co.uk for more details or visit http://www.cheltenhamconnect.co.uk/.

For information about these and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Mardy Fridays Launch Night at 13 Degrees Night Club

27 November 2009, 13 Degrees, 10pm

Mardy Fish Promotions proudly presents “Mardy Fridays” at 13 Degrees Night Club, 13 St. Georges Street. Welcome in the weekend with the best live bands from Cheltenham and beyond, from rock to pop via some special acoustic appearances in the terrace bar. Come see why Cheltenham is becoming recognised on the national scene as a hotbed of new musical talent and say you were there first.

Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun, The Elle Cooper Band, Thrill Collins will be performing from 10pm. Tickets: £3 before 12:30pm, £5 After. For more info email mardyfish@live.co.uk

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Alex Ward & John Bisset at Xposed Club

20 November 2009, 8pm, Xposed Club, Pittville Studios

Friday 20th will bring to Xposed Club, the monthly live music club at Pittville Studios at the University of Gloucestershire, Albert Road, the guitar duo Alex Ward and John Bisset with special guest Chris Cundy (Bass clarinet and saxophones) and Jade Hamzelou Trio.

Alex and John first met when they were part of the Butch Morris London Skyscraper Tour of England in 1997. They continued playing in the London Improvisers Orchestra, which grew out of the Butch Morris orchestra, and began playing together regularly after Alex moved from Oxford to London in 1999.

It was the combination of two guitars that excited them from the off and they have explored this through their duo Crypt and through the ‘urban surf’ of their band Pocket, as well as in other less regular groups.

Despite their delight in the electric guitar duelling which characterises Pocket, where the roles of lead and rhythm are clearly defined, they found that for free improvisation the acoustic guitars were more satisfying. The occasional gig on electrics somehow didn’t work. In 2008, however, they began adding a third player to the group, and this brought new life to their interactions – their tendency to homogenise made for a strong background for the third player, whilst being disrupted by the unpredictability of the guest.

Christopher Cundy is a self taught musician with a particular interest in improvisation as well as more experimental composition. When he was still in his teens he started out as a street busker, a profession which he still maintains to this day and which compliments his desire to explore music within a changing and urban environment.

He studied Fine Art at Cheltenham art college between 1996-99. Painting and drawing, particularly abstract line drawing, is something that still closely informs his distinctive and open approach to new music techniques be it within a classical, jazz or pop context.

Since 2005 Chris Cundy has been working exclusively as a live performer with Mercury Music Award nominated experimental pop group ‘Guillemots’ (Polydor Records). His collaborations with lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield date back several years. Cundy’s current activity with Guillemots has seen him tour internationally with the band and has featured him in many TV and radio appearances including Top of the Pops.

Jade Hamzelou Trio consists of Jade Hamzelou (electric Harp and Voice) , Graeme Owen (Double Bass) Alan Tocknell (Drums). Jade and Graeme have recently featured as a duo in the Site festival '09 at Stroud Valley Artspace. As a trio with drums, this will be the band's debut performance. Jade has been a singer songwriter on the harp for years and as a soloist opened this year's Faery Fest in Cornwall. The music is upbeat with strong grooves and a light dance feel to it. The unusual line up lends itself to an acoustic setting with a dose of effects and a little grit to it.

Pulp Fiction at The Lollipop Lounge MOVIE CLUB

29 November 2009, Vodka Revolution bar

After the success of the first Lollipop Lounge Movie Club their next night, on Sunday 29th November will bring the screening of PULP FICTION. Hosted by Vodka Revolutions, a large cinema style projector is installed to bring you the screening of the film. The Lollipop Lounge will provide you with ushers, free popcorn and The Lollipop Lounge entertainment. Vodka Revolutions will be offering table service (cocktails/wine/beer while you watch the movie!) and the kitchen will be open to serve pizzas if you fancy eating.

Critics and audiences worldwide hailed PULP FICTION as the star-studded picture that redefined cinema in the 20th Century. Writer/director Quentin Tarantino (Academy Award Winner for Best Original Screenplay, 1994) delivers an unforgettable cast of characters -- including a pair of low-rent hit men (John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson), their boss's sexy wife (Uma Thurman), and a desperate prizefighter (Bruce Willis) - in a wildly entertaining and exhilarating motion picture adventure that both thrills and amuses.

Tickets only £5.00 To reserve your seats buy now in advance at http://www.ticketingsolutions.com/portal/event/14135

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Erik Mongrain at The Front Rooms This Wednesday

18 November 2009, The Front Rooms, tickets still available

The guitarist who pioneered the 'lap tapping' technique favoured by bands including Metallica is coming to The Front Rooms this Wednesday.

Erik Mongrain shot to fame in the 90s after laying the instrument on his lap and 'playing' it like a piano. Rather than strumming the strings like most guitarists, he struck them with both hands like piano keys. His extraordinary style became known as 'lap tapping', and won critical acclaim from fans and reviewers worldwide. The 29-year-old became an internet sensation after footage of him playing was posted on You Tube. More than four million people logged on to the video sharing site to see the Canadian in action.

Now Mongrain is heading to Cheltenham's exclusive music venue The Front Rooms as part of a UK tour. The self-taught guitarist, who lives in Montreal, said: ''I can't wait to visit Cheltenham on Wednesday and perform at The Front Rooms. ''It's a fantastic venue and I hope my performance will do it justice!''

Mongrain, who musical influences include Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, began playing guitar at the age of 14. Having mastered traditional classical, acoustic and electric styles, he began ''experimenting''. These included the little-known 'lap tapping' technique, which sees the instrument laid flat on the musician's lap. Instead of holding a chord with one hand and strumming the strings with the other, he tapped the strings with both hands - as if it were a piano. ''The effect was spectacular,'' he said.

While the style was not strictly new, Mongrain's involvement catapulted it into the mainstream. He went on to release his first CD, 'Fates' in 2007, followed by his second, 'Equilibrium, a year later. Both went on to win international acclaim.

Mongrain will play two 40-minute sets at The Front Rooms tomorrow night, from 9pm. He will be supported by local guitarist and harpist Dale Campbell, whose own career is also flourishing.

The Front Rooms, dubbed the South West's answer to 'Ronnie Scott's', the legendary jazz club in London's Soho, opened for business last month. Since then, the exclusive 20,000sq ft venue - which boasts two stages, three bars, a VIP area and even a red carpet onto the High Street for customers - has carved a reputation for showcasing the best British talent. Next month's big acts are set to an exclusive performance by The Drifters.

For tickets, visit www.thefrontrooms.com or call 01242 571789.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Good News for Campaign to Double Swindon to Kemble Railway Line

The Swindon-Kemble rail link was given the green light at a meeting of the South West Region Transport and Infrastructure Board in Exeter. The way is now cleared for the Department of Transport to give the final go-ahead and work could now begin as soon 2011. The scheme to double the track should cost around £50m - of which £20m has already been committed through the South West region. The balance will now come from the £30m originally allocated to the Westbury Bypass improvement, which is not going ahead now.

Councillor Stan Waddington, county council cabinet member for environment, said: "This is very good news for Gloucestershire and a triumph for the persistence of all those people and businesses that have supported our campaign to get this scheme brought forward. Altogether, more than 800 people signed our online petition and another 60 businesses, representing around 10,000 employees, sent letters of support. This was on top of a similar campaign we ran last year, when more than 2,000 people signed an online petition calling for action."

November Music Gigs in Cheltenham

15 November 2009
Frog and Fiddle Blackberry Wood, Thrill Collins 20:00 £31.50

20 November 2009
Pittville Campus Alex Ward & John Bissett + special guest Chris Cundy, with support 20:00 £13/11 conc.
2 Pigs Mr Zippy, Kenisia, Coxon's Riot 20:00 £6/3 conc.
Bacon Theatre Upbeat Beatles 20:00 £3 in adv £4 on the door
Frog and Fiddle We Were Promised Jet Packs 20:00 TBC
2 Pigs Aggressor, Nuck Chorris & TBC 20:00

21 November 2009
Centaur Jools Holland 19:30

22 November 2009
Town Hall Bill Wyman & The Rhythm Kings 20:00

26 November 2009
Frog and Fiddle Dufus, Poppy & friends, Juey 19:30 Free

28 November 2009
2 Pigs Rookie/Error, Kids Can't Fly & Stillbust 20:00 £4/3 NUS

Brendan Cole to Perform in Cheltenham

3 January 2010, Cheltenham Town Hall

Brendan Cole, one of the professional dancers in BBC TV’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, announces his first live tour of the UK LIVE and UNJUDGED, performing at the Cheltenham Town Hall on 3rd January 2010. Brendan with his dancers, singers and a scorching band of hip young musicians gives the ultimate modern take on ballroom, up close and personal.

"I'm so very excited! To get the chance to create and perform my passion for dance with a live audience is a dream come true. With music that inspires me, my wish is to share with the audience the emotion and feeling dance gives me and bring performance to a whole new level. The dancers involved are all brilliant in their own right and together we will be bringing our unique talents to the stage to create true dance magic without limitation. I hope that everyone who gets to see the show enjoys it as much as I have enjoyed creating it." said Brendan Cole.

Brendan, the ‘bad boy of ballroom’, and his dancers which include Brother Scott, (three-times New Zealand champion); Latin American professionals Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala (‘Strictly Come Dancing’ series 3). Izabela Hannah (series 3) and Nicole Cutler, former Strictly professional and World Latin American Champion will be staying at Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham.

To celebrate the launch of Brendan Cole’s live tour, the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham is offering discounted accommodation for zealous fans who would like to attend his show at the Town Hall. The popular Cheltenham hotel is offering rates from £49.00 Saturday 2nd January and Sunday 3rd January for ticket holders (subject to availability). To book contact Kimberley Hatherall 01242 548200 or visit http://www.hiexcheltenham.com/ for more information.

To book tickets for the performance please visit http://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/whatson-full.asp?ID=1110

Changes to Bus Routes in Cheltenham Update

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has welcomed the Conservative-controlled County Council's u-turn on some local bus services but has asked for an explanation of why the threatened W bus service is still facing the axe. And he wants an explanation for why Cheltenham was singled out for the cuts in the first place.

Martin said 'We saw significant protests against the axing of the K and J buses and the Conservative administration have obviously seen the writing on the wall and made a welcome u-turn. But the u-turn isn't finished. The biggest protest of all was by residents in the Cleevemount estate against the axing of the W bus service and no mention has been made of saving this service which is a lifeline for many vulnerable and elderly people. Why has their voice not been heard?'

Martin said the administration’s u-turn left other questions unanswered too. 'Why was Cheltenham singled out like this in the first place? No other district in the county was considered for a hit to its public transport like this. They're already neglecting Cheltenham's roads and pavements and making life hell for people on foot, in wheelchairs, on bikes and in cars. Then they wanted to take many of our bus services out as well. It's all very well for my Conservative opponent to celebrate the u-turn but it was his own party that threatened the cut in the first place!'

Local resident Glenda Combe said ‘I’ve sent Gloucestershire County Council over 100 names objecting to the scrapping of the W service. I hope Cllr Waddington will listen to our concerns. The loss of this bus will make life extremely difficult for many elderly residents who will not be able to walk to the suggested alternatives”

Martin is writing to Conservative cabinet member Councillor Stan Waddington to ask him to meet residents still threatened by the bus cuts to explain to them face to face why their services are being withdrawn.

Cheltenham Racecourse Fireworks 2009 Photos and Video

PHOTOS FROM CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE FIREWORKS 2009

VIDEO FROM CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE FIREWORKS 2009

Sinbad the Sailor, A Family Pantomime in Churchdown

10 - 15 November 2009, St. John's Hall, Churchdown

Churchdown's favourite amateur dramatic society St. John's Players are performing Sinbad the Sailor, a pantomime written by local writer Simon Rayner Davis in St. John's Hall, St. John's Avenue, Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 2DB

PERFORMANCES
Tues - Sat Evenings 7:30pm
Sat - Family matinee 3:00pm
Sun - Family matinee 4:00pm
Tickets £7, concessions £6
Family matinee all tickets £5
Box office 01452 857371


For information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Text from Your Mobile to Pay for Parking in Cheltenham

The text to park scheme has been extended in Cheltenham for a trial period to all on-street parking bays that are currently pay and display and all off-street car parks under council control. You can now pay for parking from the comfort of your car and don't even have to display a ticket. You can also use your mobile to extend your stay if necessary and be reminded by text when your time is running out. There is a 20p charge on top of the actual parking costs and you get a text message 5 or 10 minutes before your time is up which costs another 10p.

To register for the scheme you need to call 01242 330330 and follow the instructions. Existing users can also text the word "info" to 65565 for instructions on how to pay by text.

Cheltenham MP Shortlisted for Wildlife Champion Award

Cheltenham’s MP Martin Horwood has been shortlisted for a national award for his work on raising awareness of animal welfare issues. Martin has made the shortlist for the Animal Welfare Champion category in the DODS Charity Champion Awards on 8 December.

Martin was nominated by the locally based national charity, Naturewatch, who campaign against animal cruelty and who teamed up with Martin to table Early Day Motion 545 which called for non-animal alternatives to be used in research and testing. This EDM is one of the most successful ever to be tabled in Parliament and has attracted the support of 267 MPs to date.

Recently Martin has worked closely with the Shark Trust after local school pupil Jake Batty alerted him to the immoral issue of shark finning, and how it was still allowed to take place in UK waters. Martin tabled an EDM on this issue and the government has since conceded that the law was wrong and has changed the law as a result of this pressure. Martin has also led the way on other animal welfare issues, tabling EDMs on microchipping of dogs and seal imports from commercial hunts and co-sponsoring motions on other issues such as whaling.

Martin said ‘This came as a complete surprise. I didn't set out to win any awards, I just took up issues that I cared about or that constituents like Jake brought to my attention. I think the voluntary organisations like Naturewatch, RSPCA and the Shark Trust deserve their share of the credit too - we depend on their expertise and research to bring these issues to public attention.'

Dawn Lewis, Campaign Manager from Naturewatch, who nominated Martin, said ‘Martin is truly deserving of the title Animal Welfare Champion. His hard work over a period of many years has ensured animal welfare considerations have remained high on the political agenda. We are enormously grateful for the tremendous support he has provided over the years to our campaigns, and hope that Martin’s invaluable contribution to animal welfare is recognised’.

Christmas Events at The Brewery

Saturdays, 21 November - 19 December 2009, The Brewery

From the 21st November 2009, don’t miss Saturdays at The Brewery. In the weeks leading up to Christmas there will be five amazing free events to get you into the festive spirit. The events take place from 12pm to 4pm at set times.

21 November 2009 - TITAN THE ROBOT

Back by popular demand! Titan the robot is quite literally the biggest entertainer on the planet. The 8ft gigantic robot will be keeping Brewery customers on their toes as he parades through the centre, with unforgettable performances.

28 November 2009 - BJORN THE POLAR BEAR

Don’t miss Bjorn the Polar Bear and his keeper Ursula who will be joining Father Christmas at The Brewery. Bjorn is a life-size, fully animated pod puppet, with a highly skilled performer inside operating all the movements including facial animation. This bear will delight the children as they watch him perform, not at all scary, but very huggable! Two performances will be held between 12 and 4pm - keep a look out on the website for further updates. Father Christmas will also be around througout the day to make sure that children have been good for their parents this year, before he delivers his presents to them.

5 December 2009 - REAL LIVE RAINDEER

Bells will be tinkling as Father Christmas brings two of his reindeer to The Brewery. Come and meet them in person and have photographs taken capturing the essence of Christmas before they join the other reindeer to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.

12 December 2009 - CHRISTMAS LANTERN WORKSHOP & CAROL SINGING

Another completely free activity! A final opportunity for kids to decorate their very own Christmas gift bag and tag. All these events take place at set times between 12pm and 4pm at The Brewery and both children and adults are very welcome.

For information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham MP Comments on Kelly's Expenses Crackdown

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has warmly welcomed news that Sir Christopher Kelly's inquiry into MPs' expenses will impose radical changes to the flawed expenses regime. The key recommendation thought to be in the report is the banning of MPs’ claims for mortgage interest on private second homes. In his submission to Sir Christopher Kelly in June, Martin argued strongly that banning mortgage payments would 'at a stroke... prevent all the problems of moats, duck-houses, tennis courts, interior decorators, ‘flipping’, capital gains tax and profiting from public expenditure.' He also argued that, having lost public trust on the whole expenses issue, MPs should accept Kelly's eventual recommendations without question.

Martin said 'If this leak is confirmed, it is excellent news and a real victory for people power and the freedom of the press. I wasn't convinced that Kelly would be this bold in cracking down on the system but if it's true, then I'm delighted. I think this will go a long way to restoring Parliament's reputation by removing any temptation for MPs to claim for private homes. It was a mistake for this loophole to be introduced into the expenses system in the 1980s and it is absolutely right that it should now go. I understand that he is recommending a five year transition period which seems quite generous but I can't imagine many MPs would risk facing their electorate at a second general election while still claiming for an allowance that was being banned.'

Other recommendations apparently to be included in Kelly's report include the banning of any second homes within 60 minutes commuting distance of Parliament and the banning of employment of family members. Martin commented: 'there will be arguments for and against these recommendations, for instance that late night votes might leave some MPs having to claim huge taxi fares or that loyal spouses will effectively be sacked despite doing nothing wrong. It's important that the changes are implemented fairly but the bottom line is that we could have sorted all this out ourselves and we blew it. The public won't tolerate us unpicking the reforms.'

Bath Road Christmas Lights Switch-On

Thursday, 26 November 2009, Bath Road

Bath Road traders hope to attract shoppers this year with a spectacular seasonal display, including 50 Christmas trees decorated with lights. The Christmas lights will be switched on officially on Thursday, 26 November. The shops will be open for late shopping and Santa Claus and Cheltenham mayor Lloyd Surgenor will make an appearance. There will be live music performances, dancing and food tasting.


For information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Christmas Market 2009

20 November - 6 December 2009, The Promenade

The annual German-style Christmas Market is coming to the Promenade on Friday, 20 November. It will feature newly designed decorated wooden challets, selling a wide range of festive crafts and gifts. Since 2003 when it first appeared in the Promenade, Cheltenham Christmas Market has become a popular Christmas attraction in the region. This year the Christmas market is staying in the Promenade until Sunday, 6 December. Stalls will include Christmas decorations and baubles, unusual and hand-made Christmas cards, wooden carved animals and ornaments, ornaments from Welsh coal, traditional Morrocan lanterns and puppets. You'll be able to buy traditional wooden toys as well as Russian crafts and dolls. There will be musical instruments from around the world, jewellery made from cones and flowers. Refreshments will include French crepes, mulled wine and bratwurst which should keep shoppers warm.

TIMES:
10am – 6pm Monday – Wednesday
10am – 8pm Thursday – Saturday
11am – 5pm Sundays

For information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Literature Festival 2009 Photos and Video

Cheltenham Literature Festival 2009 ended on Sunday, and as every year brought to Cheltenham many stars. Writers, comedians, actors, directors, poets, journalists, musicians and politicians, have flocked to the Festival, which this year offered over 440 events.

What were your favourite events at this year's Festival? Were they stars of the silver screen such as Robert Vaughn or Judi Dench, or acclaimed writers, such as Graham Swift, John Irving or Sebastian Faulks, journalists, such as Andrew Marr, Gavin Esler or Kate Adie, or comedians, such as Jo Brand, Alistair McGowan or Mitchell & Webb, or perhaps TV personalities, such as Kevin McCloud or Stephen Fry?

PHOTOS FROM CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2009

VIDEO FROM CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2009

Buccaneer Blades Fencing Course for Beginners

Starting 6 November 2009, Abbeydale Sports Centre

Learn fencing this autumn with BuccaneerBlades, who use a system designed in conjunction with the British Fencing Association to bring safe fencing to 6-19 year olds.

The course lasts four weeks (four Fridays) from 6 November 2009 to 27 November 2009 5pm-6pm and are suitable for ages 8-17yrs. Suitable for beginners to the sport of fencing. This course covers a British Fencing Association approved syllabus leading to a level 1 certificate. Please contact BuccaneerBlades for further details and to request or download a registration form. Numbers are limited to 10 students. Price is £30 per student payable in advance.

For more information visit their website at http://www.buccaneerblades.co.uk/ email liz@buccaneerblades.co.uk or phone 01452 532388, mobile 07774 214830.

Meet Your MP Martin Horwood in Cheltenham

Martin Horwood is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Cheltenham. If you need to discuss any matters with your local MP, you can arrange an appointment at his advice surgeries on Friday lunchtimes or evenings. Appointments can be booked by phoning the office on 01242 224889 or e-mailing martin@martinhorwood.net.

You can also meet Martin at various events taking place in and around Cheltenham.

Monday 19 October 2009
2:00pm
Martin will be visiting St Catherine’s Surgery, a GP surgery based at the St Paul’s Medical Centre, to find out more about the day to day running of the surgery.

Wednesday 21 October 2009
Along with his colleague Simon Hughes, Martin is leading the main chamber debate in the House of Commons, entitled ‘Government’s failure of leadership in the climate crisis’, from 4pm until 7pm. This is a Liberal Democrat opposition day where the Lib Dems have the opportunity to set the agenda for the rest of the House to debate and to call the government to account.

Thursday 22 October 2009
6:00pm
Martin will be at the launch of Linc’s 2010 calendar at Montpellier Wine Bar. See http://www.lincfund.org/calendar2010_49.php for more details about the calendar and Linc.
7:30pm
Balcarras School are holding their Annual Prize Giving and Martin has been invited to attend.

To keep up-to-date with Martin's Horwood's appearances in parliament please visit our website.