Cheltenham Family History

Family history research has become an increasingly popular pastime in recent years. Millions of people are searching for their roots and devote hours of their free time to this fascinating hobby.

Cheltenham4u created a Cheltenham Family History guide to help you with your research. It contains general advice on how to start, reviews of popular family history software, as well as Gloucestershire and Cheltenham specific information, such as historical information about Cheltenham, information about family history research in Cheltenham Reference Library and Gloucestershire archives, details of Cheltenham local and family history societies and links to many useful websites covering Gloucestershire genealogy.

In addition, you can connect with other Cheltenham researchers by leaving a message on our Cheltenham family history message board and share the results of your research with others by submitting your family history stories.

Cheltenham Christmas Lights Photos

Cheltenham’s landmarks getting a facelift

Many of Cheltenham’s public buildings are going to get a major revamp during the next few months.

Pittville Pump Room is going to get a green makeover with a solar panel fitted on the roof, angled to the south facing orientation on the car park side.

Cheltenham Library in Clarence Street is going to undergo a major revamp at a cost of £100,000.

Cheltenham General Hospital will get a £16 million extension with state-of-the-art critical care, rehabilitation and stroke facilities. A dozen intensive care and high dependency beds will be provided as well as 24 beds for stroke patients and 40 rehabilitation beds. The project is expected to be completed by March 2009. In addition to that Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals are set to benefit from £715,000 of improvement works, which should include new flooring and curtains for the wards, and redecorating bathrooms and toilets.

In addition, a new £5 million breast cancer clinic is going to be built from April next year at the site at Thirlestaine Court to be opened in June, 2009. It will replace existing breast cancer services at Cobalt's Linton House and the general hospital.

Cavendish House at the Promenade is another building to undergo a major transformation - third of the space is to be leased out to two new shops: Zara and H&M. Plans are to pedestrianise Regent Street to create another shopping area in Cheltenham town centre.

Cheltenham Art Gallery is one of the buildings which is going to change its face completely. 78 architects have entered a competition to develop the shopfronts to the east of the gallery. A shortlist of four designs have been announced. The four designs that reached this stage promise a completely new look to Clarence Street.
You can view paper versions of the final four – until Friday 21 December at the Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence Street (during regular opening times) and at the Municipal Offices, Cheltenham Borough Council, Promenade, (on Monday / Tuesday / Thursday and Friday from 9am until 5pm and on Wednesdays from 9.30am until 5pm).

There will also be a series of mini-roadshows throughout the town in December, and a travelling exhibition will call at:
3 December to 6 December: Hesters Way Community Resource Centre and Springbank Resource Centre
6 December (6pm to 8pm): Late night opening at the Art Gallery & Museum
7 December (10am to 12.30pm): Regents Arcade
14 December (1pm to 4.30pm): At the Brewery Centre
19 December (4pm to 7.30pm): At the Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School

Ice Skating at the Brewery

A 29sq ft open-air ice rink which can take up to 20 skaters for a 20-minute skate opened at the Brewery yesterday as Cheltenham Christmas lights were switched on.

The Brewery rink will then be opened today, November 25, Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9, and later from December 15 to 23 between midday and 8pm. Tickets cost £4 for adults and £3 for children. A family ticket, which allows entrance for two adults and two children is £11. Tickets include the hire of skates.

You can find out more about this and other Cheltenham Christmas events in our Cheltenham Christmas Events Guide.

Tubby Blues Festival

7 December 2007 - Newlands Park Club
future dates: 4 January 2008, 1 February 2008, 7 March 2008, 4 April 2008, 2 May 2008

Tubby Blues Festival comes back to Cheltenham, well this year to Bishop's Cleeve. Tubby Blues Club takes place on the first Friday at Newlands Park Club, Southam Lane, just two minutes from Cheltenham Racecourse. For any enquiries please contact 01242 691998 or 07796 034206 or email tubbyblues@blueyonder.co.uk

In aid of Gloucestershire's hospitals, next Tubby Blues Show, will take place at Newlands Park Club in Bishop's Cleeve on Friday, 7 December. Bands booked to play include the Dr Teeth Big Band and Slowburner. Gloucestershire blues performer Otis Mack will compere the show. Tickets cost £10 each. Tables can be reserved by calling 01242 691998 or 07796 034206. Doors open at 7pm and the show will run from 8.25pm to midnight.

On January 4th blues fans will be able to see The Mustangs and The Paul Poulton Project and the next event on 1st February will feature Keith Thompson Touring Band and Texas Medicine. Both events will be compered by Otis Mack.

7 March 2008 - The Ian Parker Band, Pete Mitchell's Drive
4 April 2008 - Lee Wilson & The Mighty House Rockers, The Blind Lemmons
2 May 2008 - Split Whiskers, Blue Touch

For more information on this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham Events Guide.

iTuesday in Cheltenham Cineworld

In Cheltenham, the last Tuesday of each month is an "iTuesday" which brings art and independent film to the heart of Cheltenham, more specifically to Cheltenham Cineworld. iTuesday is hosted and organised by the University of Gloucestershire in partnership with Cheltenham Cineworld. Tickets cost £4.00 and are open to all film lovers in Gloucestershire. Tickets are available on the night at Cheltenham Cineworld.

November Event takes place on Tuesday 27 November and includes the screening of the film Confetti, followed by a "meet the director" session afterwards with Debbie Issitt. 7pm arrival for 7.30 screening.


December Event on Tuesday 11 December includes a special sneak preview of the much awaited film Lust, Caution!!!, a new film from Ang Lee, the Academy Award-winning director of “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. As this is a special preview screening there is no charge for this event, however free tickets must be collected from the box office before the screening to get entry. Please allow time to get tickets before 7.30pm kick off.

For more Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham Events Guide.

Cheltenham Swedish Group

Do you enjoy learning languages and exploring new countries? In Cheltenham you can do it without leaving the town. The Spanish, German, French and Italian Societies offer you the chance to learn more about the culture of these European countries. The most recent addition to the countries to be appreciated in Cheltenham is Sweden.
Cheltenham Swedish Group was set up in October 2007 year to celebrate the culture and the language of Sweden. It is a fun informal group which meets every 2-4 weeks, usually in a cafe or pub for an informal social gathering and some Swedish conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, 20 November at 7.30pm at The Swan so why not come along and find out more. For more information on Cheltenham Swedish group visit our Community section at www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.


If you are a member of Cheltenham club or society and would like to get your club's profile featured to promote its activities please get in touch. To find out how please visit our website www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.

Cheltenham Christmas Market

The annual German-style Christmas Market is coming to the Promenade this Friday. It will feature 50 retailers. Since 2003 when it first appeared in the Promenade, Cheltenham Christmas Market has become a popular Christmas attraction in the region.
Stalls will include hand blown, hand painted glass Christmas decorations and baubles, wooden carved animals and ornaments, and Hungarian and German 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 mulled wine and bratwurst which should keep shoppers warm.

For more information about Cheltenham Christmas Market and other Cheltenham Christmas Events visit our Cheltenham Christmas Guide.

Dowty Slot Car Racing Club

Deep inside every man is a little boy’s soul and racing cars must be one of those things that a man of any age can’t resist. How many Scaletrix Christmas presents end up being the favourite past time activity of Dads.

So if you fancy a ‘hell of a ride’ why don’t you come along to Dowty Sport & Social Club, Staverton, on any Friday to check out Dowty Slot Car Racing Club’s brand new track, which is over 152’ long! Their cars are capable of 60mph on the straights.

Dowty Slot Car Racing Club is a friendly bunch of people who enjoy racing followed by a chat over a pint. To join them give a ring to Dave Coward 01452 421311. For more information about Dowty Slot Car Racing Club visit our Community section at www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.


If you are a member of Cheltenham club or society and would like to get your club's profile featured to promote its activities please get in touch. To find out how please visit our website www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.

Cheltenham Christmas Events

For many Christmas Season has started already. Shops are stocking Christmas goodies and soon enough they will be playing Christmas songs. To get you into the festive spirit Cheltenham4u.co.uk created the ultimate guide to Cheltenham Christmas events.

The Christmas Season in Cheltenham starts on 10 November with Christmas Fair in Emmanuel Church and opening of very special Prestbury Chocolate Grotto. November run-up to Christmas culminates with the official Cheltenham Christmas Lights Switch-On on 24 November, when Father Christmas walks through the town centre and lights the Christmas lights in both the shopping arcades. Christmas party then follows in Imperial Gardens. Cheltenham's Panto starts on 30 November in The Everyman and throughout December Christmas Fairs and Fetes are held in all areas of Cheltenham, not to forget Christmas party at the Centaur. Traditionally New Year's Eve Celebrations lead everybody to the Town Hall, in addition this year Pittville Pump Room offers the opportunity to celebrate New Year in style.



For more please visit our Cheltenham Events Guide.

If your group / club / community would like to advertise your Christmas events in our events guide, or if you know of any Christmas events happening near you which are missing in our Christmas guide please go to www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/admin_forthcomingevents.asp.

Cheltenham November Events

As the sound of fireworks is quietening down, there are still plenty of events to go to in Cheltenham - from table top sales to music concerts, balls, film nights and family fun days.

Cheltenham4u.co.uk brings you a round-up of November events in Cheltenham.


HIGHLIGHTS

15 - 25 November 2007 - Americanos Famous Circus, A435 Bishop's Cleeve

18 November 2007 - Family Fun Day at Hatherley and Reddings Cricket Club, Shurdington Road


For more please visit our Cheltenham Events Guide.


If your group / club / community would like to advertise your events in our events guide, or if you know of any events happening near you which are missing in our guide please go to www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/admin_forthcomingevents.asp.

Cheltenham Canine Society Dog Show

10 November 2007, Malvern Showground
Love dogs? Why don't you come to Malvern Showground on 10 November to watch Cheltenham Canine Society Dog Show. The Show is held at The Avon Hall, Three Counties Showground. Entry is through the Blue Gate. Show opens 8.30am to 5pm and judging starts at 9am. Car Parking and entry is free - however unentered dogs are not admitted inside the show.

If you are a member of Cheltenham club or society and would like to get your club's profile featured to promote its activities please get in touch. To find out how please visit our website www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.

Charlton Kings Remembrance Sunday Service

11 November 2007 - St. Mary’s Church, Charlton Kings

Service at Charlton Kings War Memorial to remember the fallen of the world wars is held on Remembrance Sunday, 11 November, at 9:45am. War veterans have been invited to come along and free bus after the service will take them to the Municipal Offices in the Promenade. Poppies and crosses will be available from 9.30am at the war memorial. Borough and county councillors accompanied by Air Cadets will also attend.