Charlton Kings Festival 2008

24 -26 May 2008, Charlton Kings

Charlton Kings Festival weekend is being held this year from May 24 to 26. There will be fun for all the family - live music, children's races, picnic in the park, family fun walk and much more.

2008 Charlton Kings Festival will open on Saturday, 24 May with a town criers' competition - the first ever to be held in the Cheltenham area. Following a short parade of those taking part along with their escorts from the Parish Centre to Grange Field, the event will start at 2pm after the official opening by the Mayor of Cheltenham. The judges will be marking the participants on diction, inflection and clarity. In addition, they will be looking for the best dressed crier and couple.

There will also be traditional children's games, a picnic in the park and live music from local bands and the Rondo Singers between 5pm and 7pm.

Sunday will see a tug-of-war sponsored by the Battledown Brewery, which will present a barrel of beer to the winners. Auctioneer Simon Chorley will value antiques in the afternoon and there will be line dancing and miniature steam rides. Village fair with over 40 charity stalls will take place in the Grange Field from 2pm to 5pm.

The festival climaxes on May 26, with Charlton Rovers battling Charlton AFC in a charity football match from 10.15am, and a family treasure walk at 2pm.

Anyone wishing to run a stall, please contact 01242 241412. Stalls cost £10.

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

Cheese rolling 2008

26 May 2008, 12:00, Cooper's Hill

This year's Cheese Rolling at the Cooper's Hill near Brockworth will offer as much mad fun as always. As the brave flock to Cooper’s Hill to chase the Double Gloucester on Monday May Bank Holiday, spectators can watch in awe as they tumble down the steep hill.

The actual course is only about 200 yards long, but it is very steep. The gradient is 1 in 2 for most of the course but it is 1 in 1 in places. There are 4 downhill races (3 races for men, 1 race for women) and 3 uphill races. The uphill categories are as follows: a) boys under 12, b) girls under 12, and c) open to all comers. Maximum of 15 runners can enter each race.

There is no need to apply beforehand, just turn up on the day and you can enroll in the race. As the event can be oversubscribed please arrive early to ensure your place in the race. The entry is free, but there is £5 parking charge to cover the cost of the event. First race starts at 12 noon.

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

Han Bennink at Xposed Club

Friday 2nd May 2008, 8pm - Xposed Club, Media Atrium, Pittville Studios, Albert Road, Cheltenham

(support from Noose for Luke and Longstone)

The Giant of Dutch Free Jazz Han Bennink is performing at Xposed Club as part of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. The University of Gloucestershire is working in partnership with Cheltenham Festivals, and the Xposed Club is a regular event which is gaining a following of those who enjoy hearing live and exciting music. It is open to all and tickets are £7 or £3 with concessions. They can be reserved by emailing swilding@glos.ac.uk or by phoning 07817 963214.

HAN BENNINK

In the niche-oriented world of major-league jazz, it's almost unfashionable to be so multi-faceted a player as Han Bennink. Bennink is one of the unfortunately rare musicians whose abilities and interests span the music's entire spectrum, from Dixieland to free. His straight-ahead playing is absolutely convincing — his time is solid, his sense of swing strong, and his technique flawless. He also possesses the requisite qualities of a free jazz virtuoso; Bennink's ability to interact quickly and creatively with horn players and pianists is great, as is his ear for timbral contrasts.

What ultimately makes Bennink special is his manifest love for the music, a love that inclines him to tear down the cardboard walls that too often separate different schools of jazz. At his best, with colleagues who share his all-encompassing stylistic embrace, Bennink plays the continuum of jazz as an instrument unto itself.

Bennink began playing drums while in his teens under the influence of his father, a classical percussionist. He played with hometown musicians in the early '60s. Between 1962 and 1969, Bennink backed local American jazz greats like Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, and Eric Dolphy on their visits to Holland (he was the drummer on Dolphy's Last Date album, from 1964). In 1963, he formed a quartet that included pianist Misha Mengelberg, which played the 1966 Newport Jazz Festival. In the mid-'60s, Bennink began to play free jazz with the likes of Mengelberg and Willem Breuker.

In 1967, those three founded the Instant Composer's Pool, a not-for-profit organization designed to promote the Dutch jazz avant-garde. Around that same period, Bennink began continuing associations with the saxophonist Peter Brotzmann, guitarist Derek Bailey, trombonist Alex Schlippenbach, trumpeter Don Cherry, and the Globe Unity Orchestra. In the '70s and '80s, Bennink led and played as sideman on a number of sessions on the FMP, Incus, and Soul Note labels; he made a notable contribution to Steve Lacy's Herbie Nichols tribute album, Regeneration, with Mengelberg, bassist Kent Carter, and trombonist Roswell Rudd.

In the late '80s, Bennink started, with cellist Ernst Reijseger and saxophonist Michael Moore, the Clusone Trio, which has since become perhaps the percussionist's most ideal performance vehicle. Both Reijseger and Moore share Bennink's extraordinarily wide range of musical interests, to say nothing of his absurdist sense of humor. It is, in fact, Bennink's rather whimsical theatricality that mitigates — for some, at least — the seriousness and depth of his art.

For full programme of Cheltenham Jazz Festival please visit our Cheltenham Jazz Festival blog entry.

Sandford Lido to turn back the time

Saturday, 3 May 2008

The first day of 2008 season at Sandford Lido promises to be a little bit special. Sandford Lido invites the young and old to celebrate the history of this Cheltenham landmark, which was opened in 1935.

Entrance charges will return to 2p and staff will wear traditional costume. Cheltenham Silver Band will play from 10.50am to 1.30pm and traditional games will be organised around the pool.

The event will include a draw in which you get the chance to win a season ticket to the Lido. To apply visit www.sandfordparkslido.org.uk/winaseasonticket.htm and send in your thoughts why the Lido is special to you.

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

Cheltenham Science Festival 2008

4 - 8 June 2008, Cheltenham Town Hall

This year’s Cheltenham Science Festival promises to be as exciting as ever. Some of the most outstanding scientist will flock to Cheltenham to discuss the festival topics. This year Cheltenham Science Festival hopes to unsettle minds with a choice of taboo topic, such as our planet’s overpopulation, boundaries between scientific evidence and political correctness, medical history of vibrators, and many more mind bending discussions.

2008 guest director of Cheltenham Festival is Nick Ross, journalist, broadcaster and former presenter of BBC Crimewatch. He has prepared for Cheltenham several events, including discussions about crime and intelligence on Sunday, 8 June. Other popular scientist and science-loving celebrities to look out for this year are Richard Dawkins, Robert Winston, Tony Robinson and Richard Hammond.

The festival has expanded and offers 2 days of free outdoor activities for families and a number of events around Cheltenham. Discover Zone, situated in the main hall of Cheltenham Town Hall, brings free interactive science to all ages. You can meet robots, explore molecules, test your reactions, create electricity, see what you could look like in 10 years, investigate DNA and much more. The Discover Zone is open every day of the festival, from 10am to 6pm, 5pm to 6pm being aimed at adults who are encouraged to pop in and have a chat with the scientists.

From 6pm every day, After Hours offers some edgy and entertaining debate about science in a relaxed atmosphere, over a drink. New for 2008 is Talking Point where you can continue your discussions of previous events with speakers and other members of the audience over a cup of coffee.

Family Events will include Surfing the Solar System with Lucy Hawking, daughter of Stephen Hawking, Science with Mr. Men where Mr. Bump and Little Miss Sunshine will give a science lecture with a difference, and Richard Hammond Car Science where the Top Gear presenter will explain how cars revolutionised the world.


HIGHLIGHTS:

Wednesday, 4 June 2008
2pm - 3.30pm, Town Hall, The Moral Maze – Join Michael Buerk and his panel to tackle a big moral questions in science in this provocative BBC radio 4 programme.
8.30pm – 9.30pm, Town Hall, Dawkins on Darwin – Richard Dawkins will explain Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, to coincide with his forthcoming Channel 4 series.

Thursday, 5 June 2008
2.30pm – 3.30pm, Town Hall, Ghost in Your Genes – Robert Winston explores epigenetics, hidden influences on genes, that could lead to the most important developments in medicine in our lifetime.
8.30pm – 9.30pm, Town Hall, Time Team – Tony Robinson shares amusing anecdotes and historical tales from his archaeology digs with the Time Team.

Sunday, 8 June 2008
4pm – 5pm, Town Hall, Psychologist Steven Pinker and playwright A C Grayling discuss the immense power of words.
5.45pm – 6.45pm, Town Hall, What Makes a Brilliant Mind? – Nick Ross talks to psychologist Steven Pinker and neuroscientist Colin Blakemore and Sophie Petit-Zeman to find out whether high IQ is important when it comes to success.


PROGRAMME
Wednesday 4 June
10.15-11.15am From blueprint to building
12-1pm The secret world of abuse
2.15-3.15pm 100 years of British aviation
4-5pm The kingdom of infinite space
4.15-5.30pm 99.9% Human
4.30-5.30pm The power of fusion
5-6pm Science café: Toxic truth
6-7pm The God particle: Is science the new religion?
6.30-7.30pm Quantum dots
6.30-7.30pm NHS funding: Nice or nasty?
8.30-9.30pm My hero: Dawkins on Darwin
8.30-9.30pm Free will
9-10.30pm Shaken or stirred?
7-8pm Photography
9-10pm Sperm warfare

Thursday 5 June
10.30-11.30am Computer whizz: The best is yet to come
12-1pm Robotic world
12.30-2pm BBC Radio 4: The Moral Maze
2-3pm The caffeine kick
2.30-3.30pm Epigenetics: Ghosts in your genes
4-5pm Clocking on
4.15-5.15pm Sustainable world: John Beddington
4.30-5.30pm Future cars
5-6pm Science café: Best of the Fest, L'Oréal ladies' day
6-7pm Astrobiology
6.30-7.30pm Beautiful beings
6.30-7.30pm Food for thought
8-9pm Arabic science
8.30-9.30pm Time Team
8.45-9.45pm How the zebra got its stripes
7-8pm Destination: Space
9-10pm Tight corsets whilst reading French novels: The vibrator

Friday 6 June
10-11am States of mind: Hypnosis
12-1pm States of mind: Sleeping and dreaming
2-3pm Sustainable world: Sustainable China
2.30-3.30pm States of mind: Unconsciousness
4-5.15pm States of mind: Consciousness
4-5pm The Prince and the rainforests
4.30-5.30pm Advances in medical technology
5-6pm Science café
6.15-7.15pm Mind reader
6.30-7.30pm The right to die
7-8pm Sustainable world, Jonathon Porritt: Too many people?
8.45pm-late Slam the atom!
9-10pm Ben Goldacre: Bad science
7-8pm Visualise: The beauty of science
9-10pm Not rocket science

Saturday 7 June
10-11am Surfing the solar system family event
10.30-11.30am Animal adventure
0 10-11am Experitent Workshop: Create a brain
1 11.15am-12.15pm Experitent Workshop: Create a brain
10-11am What becomes of the broken hearted?
12-1pm Stories from stats
12-1pm On your marks... Get Set... Gold! family event
12.30-1.30pm Light fantastic
2-3pm Science with the Mr. Men
1.15-2.15pm Experitent Workshop: So you want to be a brain surgeon?
2.45-3.45pm Experitent Workshop: So you want to be a brain surgeon?
2-3pm In the shadow of the moon
2.30-3.30pm Psycho-Geography
4-5pm Sustainable world, David King: The hot topic
4-5pm Learning from other planets
4.30-5.30pm Image of a troubled mind
4.45-5.45pm Science café: Best of the Fest
6-7pm Martin Rees: Our Earth, the big bang and beyond
6-7pm Earth: The power of the planet
6.30-7.30pm Strange Fruit: The journey of the human race
8.30-9.30pm Good vibrations
8.45-10pm Mark Watson: Crap at the environment
9-10.30pm Ig Nobel Cabaret
6.45-8.15pm Famelab International
9-10pm Love and other viruses

Sunday 8 June
10-11am Dinosaurs of the sky family event
10-11am Jack and Jill: Why so ill?
10-11am Living in the stone age
10.15-11.15am Mental capital and wellbeing: Your well-tuned brain
12-1pm Mental capital and wellbeing: Dyslexia
12-1pm Richard Hammond: Car science family event
12.30-1.30pm Ready, steady, science
2-3pm Life, the Universe and everything
12.15-1.15pm Experitent workshop: Whodunit?
2-3pm Experitent workshop: Whodunit?
3.45-4.45pm Experitent workshop: Whodunit?
2-3pm Mental capital and wellbeing: Dyscalculia
2.15-3.15pm Climate engineering
3.30-4.30pm Science café: How was it for you?
4-5pm Steven Pinker & A C Grayling
4-5pm Living with nuclear
4.15-5.15pm The normality of crime
5.45-6.45pm What makes a brilliant mind?
6-7pm Engineering the gold
7-8pm Call my scientific bluff
8.15-9.15pm Science knight
5.45-6.45pm Serendipitous science

Tickets are available at Cheltenham Town Hall box office, tel. 01242 227979 or online at http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/.


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

Cheltenham to get a new library

Cheltenham Borough Council and the University of Gloucestershire have joined together in a bid to bring Cheltenham a new library and learning centre. The centre would replace the current public library in Clarence Street and a separate facility within the centre would serve the students of the University.

A firm proposal for the project could be ready this summer. Funding could come from a mixture sources, including the sale of Pittville Campus, as the University plans to move its art, media and communications faculty to Blackfriars in Gloucester.

The library and learning centre would adjoin the new council offices which Cheltenham Borough hopes to build in North Place car park as part of its Civic Pride scheme. The building in which Cheltenham library is situated now could be handed over to Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum which could use it to display its collections in a more adequate space.

Funkin' Beats at Yates's

Thursday, 17 April 2008 - Yates's

Live DJ's will be playing Back 2 Back at Yates's, Crescent Terrace, Cheltenham on Thursday, 17 April, to bring you a night of Fun & Great music. Playing the very best of Old Skool, Funky House, Electro & Dance Anthems.

2008 Wychwood Festival line up

30 May 2008 - 1 June 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse

Since 2005 Cheltenham Racecourse plays host to Wychwood Music Festival, family friendly festival, featuring a mixture of music from world to folk, psychedelic pop to dance.

2008 Wychwood Music Festival promises a rare collaboration project - Folk/world supergroup The Imagined Village, featuring Billy Bragg, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Sheila Chandra from Transglobal Underground, Andy Gangadeen from The Bays, Francis Hylton, Johnny Kalsi from The Dhol Foundation, Barney Morse Brown, Sheema Mukherjee and Chris Wood.

In addition to The Imagined Village there will be performances from The Proclaimers, The Blockheads, Duffy, indie up and comers Palladium, a touch of country from Truck favourites Piney Gir and the Country Roadshow and Oxford band The Epstein.

There will be more than 80 live acts, comedians, and over 100 workshops for all ages, where you will be able to learn Arabic dance, break dance, harmony singing, DJing, drumming, banner and mask making and much more. There will be open mic sessions for musicians and outdoor busking stage. There will be much fun for children as well, ranging from music and dance to storytelling. Other performances will include Flame fireshow, Youth circus, street arts show and puppet theatre. Local bands, such as Scene of My Demise and Blue Noise, will also be there to entertain spectators.

2008 WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL LINE UP

Friday

The Proclaimers
Robyn Hitchcock & the Psychedelic Trams
Dreadzone
Kasai Masai
Misty's Big Adventure
The Epstein
Air Cav
The Black Bloc
The Maladies of Bellafontaine
The Eden Four

Saturday
The Divine Comedy
Orchestra Baobab
Duffy
The Blockheads
School of Language
Spiers and Boden
Palladium
Kissmet
Chris Letcher
Piney Gir
Stornoway
Mor Karbasi
Marcus Bonfanti and the Bad Boys
Heavy Load
Desperately Not Yoko
The Loungs
Dirty Fakirs
Breaking the Illusion
Islands Lost at Sea
The New Delamores
Dan Collins & Dave Rigg
Rachael Kichenside
We See Lights
Ivan Campo
The Nearly Men

Sunday
Imagined Village
Kate Rusby
Transglobal Underground
Dengue Fever
Emma Pollock
Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls
Rachel Unthank & the Winterset
3 Daft Monkeys
The Young Republic
Karen David
Richard Walters
Sleeping with the Fishes
The Red Bullets
The Travelling Band
It's a Buffalo
Rainbow Trout
The Tragics
The Steals
Isobel Heyworth
Kathryn Edwards
Butler Williams
Rook and The Ravens
Jenny Bromley

Tickets are £100 per adult for full weekend (includes camping), children under 12 free. Day tickets are £35 for Friday Day Ticket (Concession £20), £50 Saturday Day Ticket (Concession £35), and £40 for Sunday Day Ticket (Concession £25). Tickets can be purchased from Cheltenham Town Hall.

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

Scott May's Daredevils in Cheltenham

14 April 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse

The Scott May's Daredevil Stunt Show comes back to Cheltenham. It takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Monday 14th April.

Scott's show includes Monster trucks, Human Cannon with the only female cannon ball in Europe, flip-mini which rolls over and over, motorcycles and much more You will see spectacular motorcycle jumps, people crashing through fire-walls and two wheel a 7.5 ton lorry driving on two wheels only.

The show starts at 7:30pm with the gates open from 6pm. Admission: adults £10, children £5, pay at the gate on entry.

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

Billy Smart's Circus in Cheltenham

Tue 22nd April - Sun 27th April 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse

Billy Smart's Circus takes its 2008 UK tour to Cheltenham. With one of the world's most stunning circus tents, Billy Smart's Circus with heart-stopping aerial performances, breath-taking gymnastics, clowns, jugglers and much more, gives you the very best in family circus entertainment.

2008 SHOW PROGRAMME

Overture
Billy Smart's Circus Orchestra under the direction of Jarek Gajewski

Opening Parade
Meet the Artistes

Timur Yakubov Troupe
watch this circus act from Kazahkstan tumble, somersault and fly through the air in this heart-stopping performance.

Chico Rico
Circus clown Chico Rico from Mexico is fabulously funny and loved by grannies and children alike.

Alina Eskina
A new stunning visual presentation by Russian aerial artiste Alina that captivates with a mind-boggling display of beauty and wonder within the aerial cube high in our huge big top.

Ross Presto & Company
Illusionists and Magic Act Ross Presto & Company unveil their new magical performance, a circus act full of mystery, illusion and suspense.

Romain Cabon
Romain is a famous french aerial trapeze and silks artist. His aerial act is a mixture of the beautiful and the breath-taking.

Alex the Fireman
Crazy, comical and a very original circus act, Alex puts on an amazing show with his mad firefighting antics and wild ladder stunts.

The Bull Dancers
The Bull Dancers are a new trapeze act who have taken America by storm. All five members of this American quintet have a first-class pedigree in the world of the trapeze, thrilling audiences with their aerial expertise and action-packed daring.

Miss Uelon-Jon
Amazing balance act and foot juggling from this young Mongolian juggler.

Duo Basini
Duo Biasini bring a mixture of breath-taking aerial stunts with grace and beauty - an outstanding visual feast of colour, silks and athletic figures.

Finale
All artists return in a grand finale


PERFORMANCES

Tuesday 22 April - Friday 25 April: 4.45pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 26 April: 2pm, 4.45pm and 7.30pm

Sunday 27 April: 12noon, 3pm

TICKETS

The box office is open on site from 10.00am - 8.00pm daily. You can purchase tickets on arrival 45 min before the show. Circus Tickets Hotline 0870 444 1505. You can also purchase tickets online.


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

Spanish Conversation Evenings in Cheltenham

Brush up on your Spanish at Spanish Conversation Evenings organised by the Cheltenham Spanish Circle in a relaxed, fun atmosphere at La Tasca, 70 Regent Street, central Cheltenham.

The evenings take place every 2 weeks - check with the bar staff for days and times or phone as below. It is free to take part, however food and drink is not included. Spanish level required: lower intermediate and above (don't worry about making mistakes!).

The Cheltenham Spanish Circle runs talks, presentations and more - once a month, except in summer, in Charlton Kings. Tel. 01242 250051

Cheltenham Swedish Group update

Cheltenham Swedish Group was set up in October 2007 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 Swedish Group continues to grow, and there is now over 30 people on the email list, with many of them attending regular events. Their next event is on Tuesday 15th April at The Swan pub, 37 High Street, Cheltenham, at 8pm. The Swan is located just beyond the south-eastern end of the pedestrianised section of the High Street, between St. James Street and Berkeley Street. There is a large public car park directly behind the pub. If you are interested in Swedish culture you are welcome to come along.

Another way to celebrate Swedish culture, in particular Swedish cuisine, locally is to visit Cheltenham's only Swedish restaurant and cafe Svea, located in Rodney Road, where among other things you can try fantastic Swedish cakes.

If you are a member of a 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.

Express by Holiday Inn hotel, Cheltenham open day

Express by Holiday Inn, a newly built hotel in Cheltenham, is holding its very first open day on St George's Day Wednesday 23rd April.
The hotel opened this March just in time for Cheltenham Gold Cup, and it boasts 132 modern en-suite bedrooms with power showers and 3 large conference rooms with complete meeting facilities. As well as a fully licensed bar and relaxed great room area, the hotel offers a beautifully landscaped courtyard for dining alfresco.

The hotel is inviting key corporates and members of interest to come experience what this new hotel has to offer. The event will be graced by the Mayor and there will be fundraising during the day for the charity NSPCC. There will be cheese and wine tasting and complimentary food and drinks, as well as entertainment and presentations throughout the day. The open day is from 12pm to 7pm.

You can find more information about the hotel at http://www.hiexcheltenham.co.uk/ or by phoning 01242 548200.

Gifford's Circus in Cheltenham

Thursday 26th June - Monday 30th June

Gifford’s Circus is visiting Cheltenham this June. The 2008 tour of this family run circus is called ‘Caravan’ and will be set in a horse fair in around 1900. The show weaves together Russian Cossack riders, an English opera singer, a clown, stunt riders, acrobats, dancers, musicians along with the magic and imagery.

The show takes place in a waterproof tent and the seating consists of wooden benches (you are welcome to bring a cushion!). The tent has a capacity of 360. Doors open 30 minutes before the show.

Tickets cost £16 each for adults, £11 each for children. Under 3’s go free provided they sit on a lap. All advance booking are made through The Everyman Theatre. A Booking fee of 50p per transaction will be charged (this fee covers all postage costs) Tickets cannot be refunded but can be exchanged for another performance. 48 hours notice is required for exchanges and there is a charge of £1.50 per ticket.

DATES & TIMES

Thursday 26th June, 5.00pm & 7.30pm

Friday 27th June, 5.00pm & 7.30pm

Saturday 28th June, 11.00am, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 29th June, 11.00am, 2.30pm & 5.30pm

Monday 30th June, 4.00pm

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

Unveiling of Gustav Holst's statue in Cheltenham

On April 4, 2008 the statue of Cheltenham born composer Gustav Holst was unveiled in Imperial Gardens. The statue is situated in the centre of the existing fountain, now called Gustav Holst Memorial Fountain, near the Town Hall, where Gustav Holst conducted his most famous piece The Planets in 1927.

Renowned sculptor Anthony Stones, based near Lechlade, created the statue and it was cast by Chalford's Pangolin foundry. The plinth of the statue is decorated with plaques depicting the individual planets which Gustav Holst used as an inspiration for his work. The unveiling ceremony was introduced by the chairman of Cheltenham Civic Society, who thanked the late Elizabeth Hamond, a member of Cheltenham Civic Society, who bequeathed £45,000 for the creation of the statue. Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood and Cheltenham Mayor John Rawson was also present. The statue was unveiled by Mark Elder, Musical Director of Halle Orchestra.

Pate's Grammar School Orchestra, played the Fanfare to Gustav Holst, composed by Holst scholar Raymond Head for the unveiling. Cheltenham Bach Choir conducted by Stephen Jackson, sang Holst's 'This I Have Done For My True Love'.

VIDEO FROM THE UNVEILING OF HOLST'S STATUE




PHOTOS FROM THE UNVEILING OF HOLST'S STATUE

Easter egg hunt in Pittville Park

10 April 2008 - Pittville Park

Children of all ages are invited to come along for a Easter egg hunt at Pittville Park on Thursday 10 April, from 1 until 3pm. Chocolate eggs will be the prize if you correctly follow clues leading through the park and answer quiz questions. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. They are asked to meet by the Pittville Park Pump Rooms play area. For more information, please call the community rangers on 01242 250019. The event is free.

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

Apres Bar to open in Cheltenham

Apres Bar is to open in The Brewery on Thursday 24th April 2008 at midday. Apres offers a relaxed, informal environment that suits every occasion; from breakfasts to working lunches. The extensive menu includes breakfasts, wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches served daily from 9.30am-9.30pm.

Customers can take advantage of the midweek Pizza-Pasta-Meal-Deal which is available from Sunday to Thursday between 3pm-9.30pm. A children’s menu is also available. Après also offers a large selection of different draft beers. As the bar is situated in The Brewery near the Cineworld cinema, it is an ideal venue for pre and post cinema cocktails, family dining and lively nights out with friends. Complimentary WIFI in the venue offers professionals the opportunity to carry out meetings with ease and sections of the venue are available for private hire.

The happy hour runs daily from 3pm-8pm and from midday Sunday and encourages responsible drinking among groups of friends who are able to share bottles of wine and 4pint cocktail pitchers at reduced cost. As mellow music blends into up-tempo grooves, guests are taken on a subtle sound experience that culminates in a buzzing late night scene.

For its opening Apres came up with two introductory offers – 25% off your next bill and Coffee & Cake for £1.99.

April gigs in Cheltenham

In April Beyond Eternity Promotions have prepared some exciting gigs for Cheltenham and surrounding areas.

Fri 4 April 2008
Les Wilson - The Tubby Blues Show, Newlands Park Club, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 3PE, 8:25pm, R&B
Rockology - The Anchor Inn, High Street, Tewkesbury, Britpop
Sat 5 April 2008
JB Jazz & Blues Band - The Miners Hall, Cinderford, Jazz,
Sun 6 April 2008
JB Jazz & Blues Band - The Harp, Albrington, 12:30pm, Jazz
Mon 7 April 2008
JB3 - The Daffodil, Suffolk Parade, Cheltenham, 7:30pm, Jazz
Tue 8 April 2008
Paul Newman's Jam Night - The Royal Oak, Hucclecote from 9pm, Blues, Rock & Pop
Thu 10 April 2008
Silverfall & Katey Brookes - Monty's Bar, St. George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
Fri 11 April 2008
Tom Jurgens - The Royal George, Birdlip, 8:30pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Touch of Blue - The Royal Oak, Hucclecote, from 9pm, Blues
Sat 12 April 2008
Tom Jurgens - The Crown & Trumpet, Broadway, 9pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Touch of Blue - The Bayshill Inn, Royal Well, Cheltenham, from 9pm, Blues
Sun 13 April 2008
JB2 - The Kilkeney, Andoversford, 12:30pm, Jazz
JB Jazz & Blues Band - Cheltenham Civil Service Club, 8:00pm, Jazz
One Way Street - The Kings Arms, Gloucester Road, 9pm, Blues, Rock & Pop
Tue 15 April 2008
Paul Newman's Jam Night - The Bayshill Inn, Royal Well, Cheltenham, from 9pm
The Jay Cee Big Band - The Venue Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Doors open 8pm - Music starts at 9pm, Jazz
Thu 17 April 2008
Blood Choir Midnight Mile - Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
Sun 20 April 2008
JB Jazz & Blues Band - Highnam Court for RNLI, Afternoon, Jazz
Thu 24 April 2008
Lisa Theunissen - Monty's Bar, St. George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
JB Jazz & Blues Band - Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent, 8:00pm
Fri 25 April 2008
Cheltenham Connections Daytime Concert - The Town Hall, Imperial Gardens, Cheltenham, 11am until 1pm
JB3 - The Royal George, Birdlip, 8:30pm, Jazz
Tom Jurgens - The Pilot Inn, Hardwicke, 9:00pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Sat 26 April 2008
Tom Jurgens - The Bell Inn, Shurdington, 9:00pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Sun 27 April 2008
Touch of Blue - The Kings Arms, Gloucester Road, 9:00pm, Blues
Tue 29 April 2008
Paul Newman'sJam Night - The Venue Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Doors open 8pm - Music starts at 9pm

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

Cheltenham Easter Holiday Activities

Throughout Easter holiday a team of qualified and experienced coaches will be available for children in Cheltenham with a range of sport activities on offer.

There will be a Sportzone Roadshow, a series of multi-sport activity sessions for children aged 8 -14. Sports will include urban cricket, football, rounders, tennis, athletics, golf, American football and many more. Sportzone Roadshows will be taking place from Monday, 7 April to Friday, 11 April 9.30am – 12.30pm at Balcarras School, Charlton Kings and from Monday, 14 April to Friday, 18 April 9.30am – 12.30pm at Christ College, Arle Road. The cost for the week is £16 or £4 per day.

Schools Out Progamme is aimed at children aged 5-15 and will include arts and crafts, Wii, group games, parachute, toys, games, indoor and outdoor sports and activities, reading and trip to West Midlands Safari Park. Schools Out will be taking place in Swindon Village Hall and Whaddon Youth Centre daily 10am – 3.30pm throughout the holiday. The cost is £3.90 for full day or £1.95 for half day.

Play Rangers offer free activities for families. During the day children of any age can come along and enjoy playing on a large variety of equipment in Cheltenham parks. The Play Rangers will be in the Beeches Park on Mondays, 7 and 14 April, Montpellier Gardens on Tuesdays, 8 and 15 April, Naunton Park on Wednesdays 9 and 16 April, Benhall Park on Thursdays 10 and 17 April and in Caernarvon Park on Fridays 11 and 18 April. All sessions start at 10.30am and finish at 3.30pm.

There will be a 3 day soccer camp at Cheltenham Town FC 7 April – 9 April at Cheltenham Town FC and 14 April – 16 April at Swindon Village. The cost of the camp is £17 per day. To book your place please call Mike Cook on 01242 518630.

Sports in the Parks, aimed at youngsters aged 11-18 will include free informal sporting activities in Cheltenham playing fields. Sports in the Parks will take place at Agg-Gardener Recreation Ground on Monday, 7 April and Tuesday, 8 April, Springfield Park, Welch Road on Wednesday, 9 April and Thursday, 10 April, Caernarvon on Friday, 11 April and Friday, 18 April, Clyde Crescent Recreation Ground on Monday, 14 April and Tuesday, 15 April and in King George V Playing Fields, Rowanfield, on Wednesday, 16 and Thursday, 17 April. All sessions start at 2pm and finish at 4pm.

Sport Specific Afternoons aimed at children aged 8-14 will encourage children to develop skills in particular sports under the guidance of qualified coaches. Badminton will be taught on Tuesday, 8 April in Balcarras School and Tuesday, 15 April in Christ College. Sports Hall Athletics sessions will take place on Wednesday, 9 April in Balcarras School and Wednesday, 16 April in Christ College. Urban cricket sessions will take place on Thursday, 10 April in Balcarras School and Thursday, 17 April in Christ College and hockey will be taught on Friday, 11 April in Balcarras School and Friday, 18 April in Christ College. All sessions start at 1.30pm and finish at 4pm. The cost is £5 per session. There will be a tennis coaching week at Montpellier Gardens tennis courts from Monday, 14 April to Friday, 18 April 10am – 12 noon, the cost is £20 for the week.

All places need to be booked beforehand. To download a booking form please click here.

Nikki Coady's Variety Show at Bacon Theatre

Saturday, 5 April 2008

Nikki Coady and her CoadyCrew Dancers invite you to their Variety Show which takes place in Bacon Theatre on 5 April at 7pm. Local acts such as Free Runners, Breakers, Karate World will also perform and there will be much more, such as singers, bands and gymnastics acts.
Admission: £8 adults and £7 children and concessions. Tickets can be bought on the door (cash only) or ringing the studio on 01242 577706.

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