Family Fun in Montpellier Gardens

28 June 2008, Montpellier Gardens

Following the successful event in Montpellier Gardens in 2007 to celebrate the refurbishment of the gardens and the opening of the Gardens Gallery, a similar afternoon of fun and frolics is going to take place this year, on Saturday, 28th June 2008. This year's event is called Midsummer in Montpellier.

Programme:
Family Fun 2pm - 5pm
Cheltenham Silver Band, Children's Play Area and entertainment, Face Painting, Cheltenham Lions' Club Games, Classic Car Display, RSPB Children Activities and Nature Trail
Summer Evening 6pm - 9pm
Bring a picnic and enjoy the musical entertainment in the Bandstand which will be provided by The Jazz Badgers. Wine Bar and refreshments available at the kiosk.

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

Meet Your MP Martin Horwood

Martin Horwood is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the Cheltenham. If you need to discuss any matters with your local MP, you can drop in at his advice surgeries on Friday lunchtimes or evenings. You can also meet Martin at various events taking place in and around Cheltenham.

MONDAY 02 JUNE 2008
10:00am
Martin will be visiting a community allotment run by a group of Bangladeshi and Polish residents, supported by a Community Agent, in the Hayden Road allotments in Cheltenham. The aim of the group is to grow vegetables that are not always easy to find locally. The aim of the Community Agents is to support healthy activity and reduce social isolation. This is a self supporting group, with no funding from the council, and this is an opening ceremony to publicise the venture.
Please see http://www.citylocal.co.uk/cities/Gloucester/news/article/19250/ for more details of this project.

11:30am
Martin will be going along to help out at King’s Table at Trinity Church Centre, Trinity Lane, in Cheltenham.
King’s Table supports vulnerable people and provides a hot meal and a chance to relax.
Please see http://trinitycheltenham.com/home/activities/community-transformation/kings-table/ for further details.


THURSDAY 05 JUNE 2008
6:00pm
Martin will be dropping in on a special evening at the Natural Grocery Store, Bath Road, Cheltenham, to celebrate their tenth anniversary, winning the National Green Hero 2008 Award, and World Environment Day. The evening runs from 6pm until 10pm. there will be tastings, special offers and competitions.
For more details about the Natural Grocery Store please see http://www.naturalgrocery.co.uk/index.aspx.


SATURDAY 07 JUNE 2008
Martin will spend some time at the ‘Make a Difference Day’ being held at Scott and Edward Wilson House, Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham.

4:30pm
Martin and his children will be visiting the 100th Anniversary celebrations of Highbury Scout Group, which are being held at the County Scouting Centre at Cranham. There are activities going on all day (see http://beehive.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Uploads/11399/Invite.pdf), and Martin will be there at 4:30pm for the ‘Reunite and Remember’ section.

Martin will spend the evening at the LINC (Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy; http://www.lincfund.co.uk/) Caribbean Ball, which is being held at Wormington Grange.


SUNDAY 08 JUNE 2008
4:00pm
Cheltenham Bowling Club are hosting a party to mark their 125th anniversary. Martin will be going along to help them celebrate.
Please see http://www.cheltenhambowlingclub.org.uk/ for more details about the club.


THURSDAY 12 JUNE 2008
6:00pm
Cheltenham Volunteer Centre is holding a barbecue at their offices in College Road to thank volunteers for their hard work over the past year. Martin will also be presenting certificates to the volunteers.
For more information about the Volunteer Centre please see: http://www.volunteeringcheltenham.org.uk/index.htm


FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2008
10:30am
Martin will be going along to a ‘Mock Trial’ competition for local schools (Year Six pupils). This is being held at Cheltenham Magistrates Court.

2:00pm
A Cheltenham resident, Howard Marshall, recently ran the Berlin Half Marathon Charity Run in aid of Rendezvous and Global Footsteps, a Cheltenham-based environmental and educational charity. Howard will be handing over a cheque for over £1000 at the charity in Portland Street.
Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rendezvous_Society for more information.


SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2008
12:00 midday
Martin will be opening the summer fete at Sacred Hearts Church in Moorend Road, Charlton Kings.


MONDAY 16 JUNE 2008
9:30am
This week is National Childminding Week. Martin will be visiting Rowanfield Children’s Centre in Alstone Lane to find out more about the important service they provide.


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

Cheltenham Rock School 2008

18 -22 August 2008, Dean Close School

Cheltenham Rock School is a week long summer school dedicated to inspiring and raising the aspirations of 11-19 year olds from all over the county, courtesy of Beyond Eternity Promotions and The Virtual Arts Centre at The Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. The week will consist of workshops, seminars and lectures for all young, serious musicians interested in rock, pop, funk and jazz under the guidance of local musician Peter Gill.

Peter said: “I am delighted to once again be involved with the Cheltenham Rock School. This year we are offering young musicians so many more options, including the opportunity to use the week to attain the nationally accredited Bronze Arts Award. This is truly something that I wish had been available to me as a teenager.”

All aspects of musicianship will be covered including performance, forming and running a band, recording and production, and promotion. Tutors include many of the town’s well known musicians and local music industry insiders.

Clara Hambling, Virtual Arts Centre Officer, who is supporting the project said: “Since the closure of the Axiom Arts Centre, Cheltenham’s local music scene has been in some decline but projects like this which potentially develop the ability to participate in live music will stimulate the resurgence of a local music scene to be proud of, at grass roots level”.

Application forms for the Rock School are available by contacting Peter either by telephone: 01242 587776 or email: info@beyondeternitypromotions.com .The cost of the whole week is £100 per student although there are also a limited number of bursary places available due to the generous support of the Virtual Arts Centre, Beyond Eternity Promotions and other local businesses.

Already 50% of the places have been taken and anyone interested in applying for a place in the Rock School are urged to do so as soon as possible.

Cheltenham International Screenwriters’ Festival

1 July 2008 – 3 July 2008, The Manor by the Lake

For the third year, the world's first major festival exclusively devoted to the art, craft and business of international scriptwriting takes place in Cheltenham. Many famous names will appear at this year's Cheltenham Screenwriters' Festival.

Speakers at the three-day event, which takes place in The Manor by the Lake, Cheltenham Film Studios, will include fantasy writer and creator of the Discworld novels, Terry Pratchett, Guillermo Del Toro, director of Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy II, acclaimed screenwriters Julian Fellowes, author of the Oscar-winning film Gosford Park, Peter Kosminsky, who won a BAFTA on Sunday for his drama serial Britz, and Kay Mellor whose credits include Playing the Field and Fat Friends. Also speaking will be media psychologist Dr Raj Persaud who will discuss how scribes overcome challenges like writer's block.

The festival also offers a broad range of workshops covering themes such as making a living writing, comic book writers, so you think you're funny and a pitch in time.

A three-day ticket to the festival, which is held from July 1 to 3, costs £330. For more information about the Cheltenham International Screenwriters’ Festival visit http://www.screenwritersfestival.com/.

2008 Programme:

TUESDAY 1 JULY
09:30 - 10:00 Opening Speech - Main Theatre Tent
10:00 - 11:00 How to Make a Living as a Writer - Main Theatre Tent
11:00 - 15:00 Scriptbites
11:30 - 12:30 The Writing Game - Lyderick Room
11:30 - 12:30 Comic Book Writers - Maximillion Room
14:00 - 15:00 Breaking Down your Walls with Dr. Raj Persaud - Main Theatre Tent
15:30 - 16:30 Anatomy of a Short - Main Theatre Tent
15:30 - 16:30 Code of Practice 2008 - Lyderick Room

WEDNESDAY 2 JULY
Laura Mackie, ITV
Christopher Hampton, writer
So you think you're Funny!
A Pitch in Time
Scriptbites

THURSDAY 3 JULY
Kay Mellor, writer
Jane Tranter, BBC
Terry Pratchett and Vadim Jean, author and writer/director
Lucy Prebble, writer
Peter Kosminsky, writer/director
Oil Change
Scriptbites
More sessions to follow
Why so Scared? (TBC)

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

Half-term Activities in Cheltenham

There are plenty of activities for children taking place in Cheltenham this half term.

The Play Rangers provide a free of charge activities for families and children of all ages. Children can play and experiment with a wide variety of play equipment, play physical games, try a bit of arts and craft and much more.

The Play Rangers sessions times:
27 May 2008, 10.30am -3.30pm: The Beeches Park
28 May 2008, 10.30am -3.30pm: The Caernarvon Park
29 May 2008, 10.30am -3.30pm: The Pittville Park
30 May 2008, 10.30am -3.30pm: The Clyde Crescent

In addition to the Play Rangers sessions there is also a programme which includes a four day multi sports camp at Christ College as well as informal sporting activities in Cheltenham playing fields. Sportszone multi sport sessions are running from Tuesday 27 May until Friday 30 May at Christ College, Arle Road from 9.30 - 12.30 each day. The price is £4 per day or £15 for the four days. The sport in the park sessions are free of charge.

Sport in the park sessions times:
27 May 2008, from 2pm-4pm: Agg Gardner
28 May 2008, from 2pm-4pm: Welch Road
29 May 2008, from 2pm-4pm: King George V, Rowanfield
30 May 2008, from 2pm-4pm: Clyde Crescent

Cheltenham July Events

As usual, Cheltenham4u is bringing you a round-up of Cheltenham events for the next few months.

As the summer is near and the festival season in Cheltenham has started, July brings even more music to Cheltenham. Cheltenham Music Festival offers the best in contemporary classical music whilst 2000 Trees Festival which takes place at Upcote Farm near Cheltenham provides two days filled with music of great rock, folk and pop bands of local and national fame.

If you love theatre then you won't miss The Open Air Theatre Festival which takes place in Bacon Theatre. This year's programme promises a bit of Shakespeare with The Winter's Tale, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night's Dream performed at the Tuckwell Amphitheatre.

International Scriptwriter's Festival is for those who like to get behind the scenes of movie making to meet the people whose creative talents have helped to make some of the best films.

For sport enthusiasts, Race for Life is a fun way of raising vital funds for Cancer Research. This year's event will take place at Cheltenham Racecourse. And let's not forget Cheltenham Cricket Festival which starts at the end of July.

There certainly is much to look forward to this July. For more July events please visit our Cheltenham July Events guide.

Slot Car Racing Evenings at Dowty's Slot Car Racing Club

Dowty Slot Car Racing Club update: "Congratulations to all the club members at the National Finals this year. Dave finished in the top 10 in two classes, Rob had problems with cars and controllers, but still finished in the top 30 in Sports and Mike and Noddy both made the intermediate saloon final."

April results are now available on Dowty Slot Car Racing pages on Cheltenham4u.

Dowty Slot Car Racing Club are offering local clubs, companies or social groups the opportunity to experience an evening some great racing fun. Their track is available for corporate race evenings. For £60 plus £2 per driver your group can enjoy an evening full of great entertainment.

The cars you will race are 1/24th scale models of cars raced at Le Mans, such as Mercedes, Ferrari, Porsche or Toyota. They have a pressed steel chassis with a relatively slow motor, although they are much faster than the cars you race a home.

The controller works like the accelerator on a car, the farther down it is pressed the faster the car goes. There is a dynamic braking facility to slow the cars down quicker which only operates when the controller is fully released. The lanes are colour coded and the cars will have corresponding colour stickers. Each driver has at least one three minute practice run to get an idea how the cars perform and to learn the track.

Each driver has one three minute race on each lane. The best three times are totalled at the end of the evening to find a winner. If there is enough time there may be finals at the end of the evening. The winning driver from the heats total or finals win the trophy. If there is time members of Dowty Slot Car Racing Club will demonstrate all types of cars they use for their racing.

During the evening drinks can be bought from the Sports & Social Club and taken to the slot car room.

For more information please ring Dave Coward on 01452 421311.

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.

The Simpsons Weekend at Cheltenham Racecourse

Sunday 25 May – Monday 26 May 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is the host to a magical Simpsons weekend this Bank holiday. Characters from the popular TV series The Simpsons will appear throughout the day at various intervals offering you the opportunity to meet Bart and Homer personally for the first time. Other entertainment will include a fantastic funfair, hot air balloon displays, Uncle Brian’s Funtime Clown Entertainment and much more. Balloon glow display will take place on Sunday 9.30pm when choreographed to music hot air balloons of various shapes will be lit up.

Admission:

£2, under 1m go free
Times:
Sunday 1pm – 10pm
Monday 12noon – 6pm

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

St. John’s Players

St. John's Players is an amateur dramatics group based in Churchdown. It aims to produce high quality and entertaining productions - usually three times a year. The group meets at the St. John's Church Hall in Churchdown. The group has an excellent social structure providing a friendly atmosphere for all members.

Their next production is "A Lady of Letters" & "A Light Lunch", two single acts with a supper provided at the interval between the plays. “A Lady of Letters”, was written by Alan Benett and its protagonist is Irene who by writing letters likes to assert her civil liberties. She writes mostly letters of complaint to the authorities in Yorkshire where she has little to do but watch her neighbours and lament the disintegration of community. Directed by John Knowles. “A Light Lunch” was written by Bridget Derrett. Laura & Richard Cartwright meet for lunch to celebrate their divorce. Comedy and pathos run in equal measure throughout the play. Directed by Gill Pegg.

Performance information:

Tuesday 10 June – Saturday 14 June 2008
at 7.45, St. John’s Hall, Churchdown
Tickets £7, concessions £6.50
First drink and programme is free.
Box office 01452 857371

To find out more about St. John’s Players please visit their profile on our website.

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.

Queen's Hotel Wedding Fair

1 June 2008, Queens Hotel

If you are getting married in Cheltenham and surrounding areas in 2008 or even planning to do so in 2009, you can find inspiration for your wedding day at Queen's Hotel Wedding Fayre. There will be fashion shows at 12.45pm and 2.30pm for you to see the latest fashion in wedding and bridemaids dresses.

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

All photos courtesy of wedding photographers at 07743 738009.

Bishop’s Cleeve Street Fair

8 June 2008 – Bishop’s Cleeve

Bishops Cleeve 1940's Street Fair by John Bourton

This year Bishop’s Cleeve will hold its fourth Street Fair held in the heart of the village (or are we a town?). Whether you are a newcomer to the area or have lived here for some time we hope you will enjoy the many attractions we have arranged this year.

Once again the length of Church Road will be packed with stalls, entertainment and refreshments, as well as the traditional fair ground rides, plus the popular climbing wall and a simulator. At the Church there will be refreshments available and an exhibition of 1940's photographs. At the Tithe Barn car park there will be a return visit of the "Fun Dog Show", so if you own a dog bring them along and enter in one or more of the many classes. There will also be mouth-watering refreshments in the Tithe Barn provided by Home Flair Catering.

Across the road in the grounds of Cleeve Hall, there will be a collection of classic, vintage cars and tractors. This year to match our theme, there will be a number of 1940's military vehicles stationed around the village. If you have a vehicle you would like to display contact Ken on 01242 673914 or email: kenwedley@aol.com.

Have a go in the raffle, with a star prize is £100 cash (donated by Badham Pharmacy). There are also several other excellent prizes to be won donated by local businesses. It promises to be an exciting day with plenty to do and see. So why not enter into our 1940's theme, and come along in costume and join in with the community spirit and support the village and the local charities which will benefit. With your help, we hope to provide donations to the following causes or organisations: The British Legion; Tithe Barn, Gloucestershire Flood Relief, Denley Hall, Orchard House, Shipway Court, Air Ambulance and the Christmas Lights. So the more you spend the more we can donate.

If you want to find out more ring Christine Stratton on 01452 700507 or look at http://www.bishopscleevechamber.co.uk/freepage.asp?ID=6

The programme featuring the information on events and the performers will be on sale in the shops at the price of 50p, with a free raffle ticket inside. For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Districts Scouts Fun Day in Montpellier Gardens

17 May 2008, Montpellier Gardens

Cheltenham District Scouts Fete and Fun Day is held at Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham on 17 May 2008 from 11am - 4pm. There will be a raffle giving visitors the opportunity to win the prize of £100. The proceeds from the raffle will go to County Air Ambulance. Other attractions during the day will include a bbq, refreshment marquees, and fun side stalls. Climbing wall will be available for you to try out your skills. There will also hopefully be the fire service on display with one of their appliances, which children, and grown-ups, of course, can visit. For more information contact Elaine Green on 01242 237883 or email aegreen@talktalk.net.

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

Circus Starr in Cheltenham

25 May 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse

Circus Starr is coming to Cheltenham this May Bank Holiday weekend. Founded over 20 years ago, Circus Starr provides the best in Big Top entertainment for all the family, raising funds for local charities.

It brings circus artistes from all over the world. Peter Sandow & Co. will perform side-splitting antics with his crazy car with a mind of its own, a frantic plate spinning routine in which a dozen china plates are precariously balanced on top of slender rods and also his brilliant Ghost Buster routine.The Julio Acrobatic Troupe from the Bulgarian State Circus will have the audiences on the edge of their seats with their high-adrenaline acrobatics and aerial artiste Tracy Jones will present her acclaimed Corde Lisse act high above the circus ring. Cheltenham’s performance is in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Shows: 14:30pm & 18:00pm
Booking Enquiries: 01260 288690

Booking Hotline: 0870 167 6177
Tickets from £11.75 to £16.45

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

May gigs in Cheltenham

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

Thu, 1 May 2008
Epoc & Sweet Laredo, Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
Rockology, The Ridge & Furrow, Abbeydale, Gloucester, 9pm, Britpop

Fri, 2 May 2008
Midlife Crisis, The Venue @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, 8:00pm until Midnight, Rock/Pop Covers
Split Whiskers & Blue Torch, The Tubby Blues Club, Newlands Park Club, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Doors 7pm for diners or 8:25pm, 01242 691998 for reservations, R&B, Blues, Rock and Roll

Sat, 3 May 2008
Sliding Steve Thompson, Blue's Guitar & Vocalist, The Venue @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, 8:00pm until Midnight, Blues

Mon, 5 May 2008
JB3, De La Bere Hotel, Cheltenham, 12:00 until 3:00pm, Jazz

Tues, 6 May 2008
Vince Freeman, The Slug and Lettuce, Acoustic
The Rod Kelly Trio, The Venue Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Doors open 8pm Music Starts 9pm, Jazz & Blues

Fri, 9 May 2008
One Way Street, Merryfellow Inn, Charlton Kings, Jazz & Blues
JB Jazz and Blues Band, East Glos Tennis Club

Sat, 10 May 2008
One Way Street, The Suffolk Arms
The Fhoney Stones (Rolling Stones Tribute), The Venue @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, £7.00 - 01242 525371, Rock
Otis Mack, The Bell Inn, Main Road, Shurdington, 9pm onwards, FREE admission, Jazz & Blues

Sun, 11 May 2008
JB Jazz and Blues Band and Guests, Cheltenham Civil Service Club, Jazz & Blues
Otis Mack, The White Bear Free House, Bredon Road, Tewkesbury, 4pm onwards, Free Admission, Jazz & Blues
JB2, Lunchtime Jazz, The Kilkenny, Andoversford, Jazz

Tue, 12 May 2008
Jam Night with Paul Newman, Royal Oak Hucclecote, Gloucester

Tue, 13 May 2008
Vince Freeman, The Slug and Lettuce, Acoustic

Thu, 15 May 2008
One Way Street, The Apple Tree, Stockwell Lane, Woodmancote, Cheltenham

Fri, 16 May 2008
Hambling & Lloyd, Merryfellow Inn, Charlton Kings
Wishful Thinking, The Venue @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Rock, Pop & Hip Hop

Sat, 17 May 2008
Howlers Comedy Club & Disco, The Venue @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, 7:30pm until Midnight, Comedy & disco
Rockology, The Royal Oak, Hucclecote, Gloucester, Britpop
Tom Jurgens, The Crown & Trumpet, Broadway, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Blues Supper Evening Otis Mack Band, Blades Bistro, Northleach, 6:30pm, Tickets only 01451 860715, R&B and Blues

Sun, 18 May 2008
Tom Jurgens, Kings Head, Upton Street, 1pm Start, Acoustic Pop & Folk

Tue, 20 May 2008
Jam Night with Paul Newman, The Bayshill Inn, Royal Well, Cheltenham
Vince Freeman, The Slug and Lettuce, Acoustic
The APO Band, The Venue Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Doors open 8pm, Music starts 9pm, Jazz and Blues

Fri, 23 May 2008
Grapevine Blues Band, http://www.grapevineblues.com/, The Hillview Community Centre, Hulbert Road, Up Hatherly, Cheltenham, £10 Adv, £12 on Door, 01242 863635, Doors 8pm, Blues

Sat, 24 May 2008
Tom Jurgens, Beskley Arms, Tewkesbury, Acoustic Pop & Folk
The EchoBeats, The Venue @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, 8pm until midnight, 70's

Tues, 27 May 2008
Jam night with Paul Newman and Full House Band, The Venue @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Free Admission, 01242 525371
Vince Freeman, The Slug and Lettuce, Acoustic

Thu, 29 May 2008
Peter Gill, The Apple Tree, Stockwell Lane, Woodmancote, Cheltenham, 9pm, Boogie and Blues

Fri, 30 May 2008
Otis Mack, St James Hotel, Ambrose Street, Cheltenham, 9pm onwards, Free Admission, Jazz and Blues

Sat, 31 May 2008
Exposure Music Awards, University of Gloucestershire Park Campus, Cheltenham, Eclectic

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