Dowty Slot Car Racing Club update

The 2008 calendar of races is now available on Dowty Slot Car Racing Club pages on Cheltenham4u. You can also read up about the different classes of slot cars they race every week and see the results for their January races.

Dowty Slot Car Racing Club is a friendly bunch of people who enjoy racing followed by a chat over a pint. If you would like to join them give a ring to Dave Coward on 01452 421311.

For more information about Dowty Slot Car Racing Club and other Cheltenham clubs and societies please 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.

Gustav Holst Statue to be unveiled

The statue of Cheltenham born composer Gustav Holst is to be unveiled on April 4. The statue is to be placed in the centre of the fountain in Imperial Gardens near the Town Hall, where he conducted his most famous piece The Planets in 1927. The late Elizabeth Hamond, a member of Cheltenham Civic Society, bequeathed £45,000 for the creation of the statue. The plinth of the statue will be decorated with plaques depicting the individual planets which he used as an inspiration for his work. Renowned sculptor Anthony Stones, based near Lechlade, created the statue.

Mark Elder, the Music Director of a Halle orchestra will unveil the statue to the sound of a fanfare specially composed for this occasion by the Cotswold-based composer Raymond Head, which will be played by pupils from Pate's Grammar School - the school Holst, who was born in Clarence Street, attended as a boy. Cheltenham Bach Choir will sing music by Holst.

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

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club Table Top Sale

2 February 2008, Denley Hall, Bishop's Cleeve

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club is holding a table top sale at Denley Hall, Churchfields, Bishop's Cleeve.
Sale of first class bric-a-brac, books, clothing, and many other items. 10am - 12.30pm. Refreshments are available. Admission FREE.

Cheltenham March and April Events

As every month, Cheltenham4u is bringing you a round-up of Cheltenham events. So what is in stall for us in Cheltenham in March and April?

There is plenty of things to choose from – you can spend the time at the races at Cheltenham racecourse, first in March as the Festival kicks off, and later bet on the horses at the April Meeting. Music lovers can listen to selection of great musicians at Tubby Blues Festival, and any jazz lover at this time of year won’t miss Cheltenham Jazz Festival at Cheltenham Town Hall. Film buffs can enjoy Viewfinder Film Festival at Cineworld and if you would like to learn to dance to the theme of Beijing Olympics visit Cheltenham Art Gallery.

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

Cheltenham Festival

11th - 14th March 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse

The National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse is the highlight of Cheltenham's horse racing calendar, with its importance in British racing, comparable to the World Cup in football. It features the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, the tradition of which goes back to 1819 and which had its present form since 1924. The four-days of the best steeplechase and hurdle racing attracts thousands of visitors from Ireland, with a strong line-up of Irish horses challenging for the prizes on offer. The 25 races offer in excess of £2 million in prize money and over £500 million will be spent on bets.

The highlights of 2008 Cheltenham Festival includes Tuesday’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, which is the most sought after prize anywhere for 2 mile hurdlers, Wednesday’s Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase which is a must race for all 2 mile chasers. Thursday brings The Ladbrokes World Hurdle, a long distance hurdle race over 3 miles long. Thursdays have been established as Ladies’ Day when ladies fashion takes the centre stage and the name of a Lady who has made the most Outstanding Contribution to Jump Racing, as well as the winner for the Best Dressed Lady awards is announced. And as every year everyone is eagerly awaiting Friday with its totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

There is plenty to see and do before the racing starts. You can enjoy the Festival atmosphere, with trade stands, live music and paddock interviews.

If you want to come and enjoy Cheltenham Festival please get your tickets as soon as possible. As every year the Best Mate enclosure has already sold out on totesport Gold Cup day, 14th March.

The gates open at 10.30am and first race is held at 2pm.

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE

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

Cheltenham Borough Homes Are Moving

On Wednesday 16 February 2008 Cheltenham Borough Homes' office at Whaddon Lodge will close and from 21 January 2008 they will open their new offices in the brand new Oakley Community Resource Centre on Clyde Crescent which also houses various other community projects.

You can contact Cheltenham Borough Homes on a free phone 0800 408 0000 or email to CBHcustomerrelations@cheltborohomes.org

The Oakley office opening hours:

Monday: 9am - 5pm

Tuesday: 9am - 5pm

Wednesday: 10am - 5pm

Thursday: 9am - 5pm

Friday: 9am - 5pm

Chinese State Circus in Cheltenham

1 - 3 February 2008, the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse

The action-packed production of the Chinese State Circus is touring Europe and on their UK tour the circus will be stopping in Cheltenham.

For the first time outside China, the spectacular 2-hour show combines the martial arts warriors from the Shaolin Temple, artists from Peking Opera, and acrobatic stars of the Chinese State Circus in this special Olympic Nation Spectacular. There will be back-flipping acrobats spiralling through rotating hoops, a dizzying succession of an array of beautiful plate spinning oriental divas and much more.

Cheltenham will witness this attraction 1 - 3 February at the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse.


Performances:
Fri - 8pm
Sat - 2.30 & 7.30pm
Sun - 2.30 & 6pm


Tickets available from the Centaur box office: 01242 691141


Rear Circle: Side Circle: Grandstand: Ringside:
£10.00 £15.00 £20.00 £27.00


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

Cheltenham Wedding Guide

If you are planning a wedding in 2008 don't forget to check our Cheltenham Wedding Guide with useful information about who does what at the wedding, list of things to do so you have a relaxed and stylish wedding day, information about Cheltenham churches and civil ceremony venues as well as wedding photography tips.

You can find inspiration for your wedding day at one of the wedding shows taking place in and around Cheltenham.

20 January 2008 - Cheltenham Bride and Groom Show, Thistle Hotel

15 - 16 February 2008 - Wedding Fayre, The Regent Arcade

13 April 2008 - Gloucestershire Bride, Seasons Conference Centre, Swindon Village

All photos courtesy of wedding photographers at 07743 738009.

2008 Gigs at the Xposed Club

The Xposed Club at Pittville Studios at the University of Gloucestershire, Albert Road, with its monthly gigs brings to Cheltenham all types of alternative and experimental music. Anyone who loves jazz and improvized music will thoroughly enjoy music which is showcased at this venue. The new Popular Music Degree at the college has started and the venue also offers students a space to present their music.

2008 brings to Cheltenham a duo Gail Brand and Simon Picard. Born in London, 1971, Gail has been a trombonist since the age of 9 and has been playing on the international Jazz and Improvised Music scene since the early 1990s. Simon will accompany her on tenor saxophone.

Another gig we can look forward to is Jon Corbett on trumpet with Nick Stephens (bass), Tony Marsh (drums) and Paul Dunmall (saxophones) which promises to be an evening of fine jazz and alternative music.

1 February 2008 8pm - Gail Brand & Simon Picard

7 March 2008 8pm - Jon Corbett/ Nick Stephens/ Tony Marsh/ Paul Dunmall

For a full calendar of 2008 Cheltenham gigs please visit our MySpace page. For other Cheltenham events visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Politics

If you are interested in local politics in Cheltenham you will probably welcome a new online service where you can make your district councillor to let you know about what he/she is up to. You can then leave comments or your thoughts about their answer.

You simply enter your details (name, email address and postcode) and when enough people from your district entered their details then email will be sent to the councillor to let them know people would like to know what they are doing. However, it is up to the councillors whether they want to reply or wait for more people to be interested. To sign up visit cheltenham.hearfromyourcouncillor.com

Similarly, at http://www.hearfromyourmp.com/ you can sign up to hear from your Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood. If you want to keep an eye on his appearances in parliament make sure you regularly check our website where you can review all his activities.

You can always email your councillors or MP directly – their email addresses are available in our Cheltenham Politics section. From the ward map in our Cheltenham Borough Council section you can find out in which ward your house is located in and if you are not sure, handy street locator is available here.