Cheltenham MP Backs Local Pubs

In a Westminster debate yesterday, Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood backed a series of measures to stop the loss of local pubs. Martin told the listening minister about the threatened Greyhound Inn in Hewlett Road and quoted Simon Daws, landlord of The Royal Oak in Prestbury, who has criticised the 'tie' between pubs and the so-called PubCos.

Martin called for reform of planning law to prevent the situation facing the Greyhound, where Cheltenham Borough Council's planning committee unanimously refused permission for the pub to be turned into flats, only for a government inspector to overturn the decision after a fleeting visit. He also supported Simon Daws' call for reform of the 'tie' so that landlords would be free to offer a limited range of drinks free of the PubCos' control.

Martin said 'If this situation carries on, we could easily wake up one day and find half our best community pubs gone. That would tear the heart out of many local neighbourhoods. We need to reform planning law to stop pubs like the Greyhound closing and reform the 'tie' so that many other pubs don't join it. I think Simon Daws has made a sensible and intelligent proposal that would offer more choice to customers, a better deal for landlords and a safer future for many local pubs.'

Southside Football Festival

9 -10 May 2009, Bournside School Playing Fields

Southside Football Club will be hosting a two day festival and tournament for youth teams from age 7 to 16 at Bournside School fields on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May. This year in excess of 130 teams from Cheltenham, Gloucester, Evesham, Stroud, Cirencester, Worcester and beyond will be competing in a series of 6/7-a-side matches. Games begin around 9.15am on both days.

Delicious hot and cold food and drinks will be available, ice-creams, bouncy castle and target goals are just some of the attractions. There will be special guests on both days. Admission and parking is £2. Come and see the stars of tomorrow!! More details available at www.southsidefc.co.uk/docs/tournamentinvite2009.pdf .

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

Cheltenham MP Signs Anti-incinerator Petition

Martin Horwood, MP for Cheltenham and Liberal Democrat shadow environment minister, signed the Gloucestershire Friends of the Earth Network (GFOEN) petition today at 11.45am on the steps of Cheltenham Town Hall. This will mean opposition is gathering to a large scale incinerator in Gloucestershire.

Martin said “In Gloucestershire, of all places, we should be rejecting this outdated, dirty technology. It’s bad enough that Wingmoor Farm near Bishop’s Cleeve has to accept toxic fly ash from around the country without our own County Council adding to it. Once installed and locked into this very long contract, we’ll have to keep feeding waste into the incinerator, even if that waste would have been better recycled. And we could even incur penalties if we fail to produce enough waste. How daft when we should be cutting down on the amount of waste we produce in the first place and what a risk to take with public money. We could end up burning more money than anything else.”

The County Council recently announced their £646 million PFI contract to the waste industry for the first round of bidding and has confirmed that they would expect the contract to include building a new facility. It has used incineration as its model for the £92 million PFI credits and has purchased Javelin Park at the cost of over £7 million.

The County Council has decided not to tell the waste industry what it thinks is best for Gloucestershire; instead the decision has been left to the waste industry. A large incinerator with a contract for at least 25 years is likely to give the best profit return BUT many believe is not the best outcome for Gloucestershire. Local taxpayers will be forced to foot the bill without even being consulted if they want an incinerator.

GFOEN believe that incinerators are inflexible, expensive, produce toxic fly ash and are bad for climate change. They are campaigning for an alternative plan, based on reducing waste over time, composting and recycling as much as possible, and small scale flexible facilities for what remains.

Mary Newton GFOEN Waste Officer said, “The waste industry is interested in profit not what is best for Gloucestershire. It is critical that people say no now to a large scale incinerator anywhere in Gloucestershire and they need to say it loudly and clearly, so that it is heard by the County Council, the waste industry and the government. Otherwise we will be saddled with a long term contract for an unwanted technology. To wait until the decision is made is too late.”

Budget Day Saw Rise in Cheltenham Jobless

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has commented on today's unemployment figures which show one in twenty Cheltonians (5.1 per cent) out of work for the first time.

Martin commented: 'It's sadly fitting that this rise in our local jobless rate is revealed on the very day Labour's budget failed to face up to the real economic crisis we all face. These are shocking statistics and reflect real distress and hardship for many individuals and families across Cheltenham. Unemployment is heading back to the level we suffered under the last Conservative government.

‘The Chancellor's response in Parliament today was wholly inadequate. The country is facing terrifying levels of national debt in the coming decades to pay for the stimulus package but we were given no idea how the bill was ever going to be paid. The Lib Dems have suggested looking again at big ticket items like the early replacement of Trident and the government's hugely expensive compulsory ID card scheme. To pretend that we can make the savings necessary just from efficiency savings is simply dishonest'.

Ladies Pamper Night at The Reddings

13 May 2009, The Reddings Community Centre

The Reddings Playgroup would like to invite you and your friends to their wonderful Ladies' Pamper Night on Wednesday 13th May 7.30pm - 10.30pm. Come and relax in their exclusive pamper room and indulge in a treatment of your choice. Have a fabulous facial, some calming Indian head massage or relaxing reflexology.

This year you can have an essential manicure or pedicure in their Nail and Tan area. You can also enjoy some shopping with exclusive vendors. This year there will be handmade jewellery, children's books, cards and beauty products. For your entertainment there will be a cooking demonstration, a live auction and an alternative fashion show.

Tickets cost only £3 and this includes a glass of wine and a goody bag. For tickets, to book treatments and a chance to win a free fake tan contact Sandra on 07751 710 939 or playgroupladiesnight@talktalk.net.

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

Cheltenham MP Welcomes Severn Power Plan

Cheltenham MP and shadow environment minister Martin Horwood has welcomed a report published today by the Liberal Democrat Severn Forum that maps out a plan for maximising renewable energy from the Severn estuary while minimising unnecessary damage to the environment. The group of Lib Dem MPs and councillors - including Martin - was drawn from the Welsh and west country sides of the Severn and have been meeting in parallel to the government's review of Severn tidal power. The group's conclusions will be submitted to the government's own review, which is considering a variety of options: barrages of various different sizes, tidal lagoons that enclose areas of water rather than cutting across the estuary and more radical turbine-based technologies known as tidal reefs and fences.

Martin commented: 'I'm very pleased with the group's conclusions. I thought it was a tough challenge to meet the concerns of many conservationists and environmental groups while still harnessing the enormous power of the Severn tides for renewable energy. I think the group has come up with a really imaginative plan that will help us meet ambitious targets for renewable energy in a way that is sensitive to the environment. I'm worried that the government has already started ruling out important options far too soon and that they may end up going for an option that will cause quite unnecessary damage to local wildlife.'

PROPOSAL OF SEVERN TIDAL POWER SOLUTIONS
A commission of inquiry established by Liberal Democrat MPs, Assembly Members and councillors in the West of England and Wales is today publishing a blueprint for harnessing the tidal power of the Severn Estuary. The inquiry has held evidence sessions at Cardiff, Bristol and Portishead and has studied the documents which have been prepared by the Government as part of its own appraisal of options for Severn Tidal power. The commission was jointly chaired by Northavon MP Steve Webb and Mike German AM. The key recommendations are:

- that a barrage near the Second Severn Crossing (the 'Shoots Barrage') would be better than the much larger 'Cardiff-Weston' barrage;
- that there should be pilots of 'lagoon' technology in the estuary;
- that there should be serious investment in innovative technology such as the tidal 'reef' and into methods for storing tidal power so that it can be used at times of day when it is most needed.

The commission rejects the larger barrage on several grounds. It is found to do serious damage to the estuary (wiping out around 80% of the 'inter-tidal habitat'), it is less cost-effective than the shorter barrage, it would cause serious economic damage to the port of Bristol and it might be up to two decades before it could be completed, meaning no savings in CO2 emissions before late into the 2020s. In addition, assuming that the Barrage generated on the ebb tide only, a large barrage would generate two huge bursts of power, not necessarily at times of day when that power could usefully be fed into the National Grid. By contrast, the power generated by a smaller barrage could be more manageably used by the Grid and it could be up and running within a decade. In addition, the Shoots barrage, lying near to the route of the Severn rail tunnel, would provide potential to facilitate a new high-speed electrified rail link between London, Bristol and South Wales.

The Commission found that lagoon technology could complement the use of a barrage, providing power at different times to the barrage and with less environmental impact on the estuary as a whole.

The Commission took evidence from the proponents of the Severn Tidal Reef, and were excited by the possibilities but recognised that the technology still needs to be substantially researched and developed. The Commission therefore recommended that far greater resources be devoted to pursuing the option of a Minehead to Aberthaw reef which could produce substantial amounts of power with much lower environmental impact. The Commission specifically recommended that money from the £50 million 'Marine Renewables Deployment Fund' could be earmarked for moving this work forward.

Commenting on the report, Northavon MP Steve Webb said:

"For over a century people have rightly been highlighting the potential for power generation from the Severn Estuary. With the threat of climate change getting steadily greater there is now real urgency that we get on with harnessing this source of renewable energy in an environmentally responsbile way. We therefore reject the large 'Cardiff-Weston' barrage which could take decades to come on stream and could do untold damage both to the environment and to the local economy through its impact on the Port of Bristol. We believe that a smaller barrage offers the best mix of power output with reduced environmental impact and also offers the chance for a major upgrade to public transport through Wales and the West of England"

Mike German AM said;" In tackling an issue as complex and divisive as Severn tidal power, this commission has reached extremely encouraging conclusions that should send a strong signal to Government in Cardiff and London. The Liberal Democrats are committed to finding sustainable solutions, small and large scale, that work for the people of Wales and England - that's why we're years ahead of government in consulting widely and producing this excellent, progressive report. As the report clearly states - we cannot afford to let Government waste any more time if we are to avoid dangerous climate change and ensure we have energy and transport infrastructure fit for all our futures."

Cheltenham Car Boot Markets 2009

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE CAR BOOT AND MARKET
Every Sunday 6am - 1pm, all year round
cars £6, vans £8 - £12
Sellers pay on entry, public free
Info 07966 145286

SOUTHAM LANE CAR BOOT
Every Saturday morning set up from 7.30am - 1pm,
Every Sunday afternoon set up from 12pm
also Bank Holiday Mondays 9am - 1pm
cars £5, vans from £6, pay on entry
public 20p admission, children free
Info 01766 523409

Battledown Children’s Ward gets Eggceptional Treatment

The children at Battledown Ward Cheltenham General Hospital received special treatment this Good Friday, when the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham donated over 50 Easter eggs and chocolate goodies to the ward.

The hotel also provided a real life ‘Easter Bunny’ to deliver the chocolate treats.

“Whilst other children may have the opportunity to do Easter egg hunts and fun activities this Easter, it is important to remember there are children in Gloucestershire who may not have the same opportunities to join in this year,” says Kimberley Hatherall, Sales and Marketing Manager, “We believe it is important to work closely with the community, not just supporting local businesses but residents too.”

The donation was for the children who might have otherwise been excluded from the Easter celebrations and as a thank you for the dedicated work of the staff on the ward.

Happy Birthday to the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham

Cheltenham’s newest hotel has celebrated its one year anniversary in Cheltenham with a brand re-launch this month. Local residents will be able to see new signage and innovative exterior lighting, and customers will be able to experience different hallmarks in the hotel.

The new guest bedroom experience will include a choice of pillow options and a revitalised shower experience. Other notable changes include a different welcome experience for travellers with a more interactive and efficient check in process and even more Priority Club rewards to benefit from. As part of the re-launch, the brand will initiate a new service culture – “Stay Real”. The service culture will enhance staff behaviour and skills to best serve guests, treating them as real people and consistently delivering the real, genuine service for which Holiday Inn Express is known.

Jason Hiley, General Manager says, “We are extremely proud of the achievements in the first trading year. With the significant changes in our hallmarks and service culture, we are confident our customers will receive the best value for money experiences in the area.”

All Holiday Inn hotels worldwide will be progressively relaunched to further enhance quality and drive consistency across the brand portfolio. IHG expects the re-launch programme to allow Holiday Inn hotels to generate significantly higher revenue and deliver an improved return on investment for their owners.

Andrew Cosslett, chief executive, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), “This is an important moment in Holiday Inn’s history. The brand is the largest and one of the most successful in the hotel industry and its re-launch will ensure that this position is maintained. We dedicated significant resources to getting the facts and the insights to enable us to make these changes, in partnership with our owners. The Holiday Inn sign is seen by hundreds of millions of people every day around the world. The changes we are making will ensure the Holiday Inn brand goes forward into the future with a strong and confident new image. We want our guests to get as much enjoyment from Holiday Inn hotels over the next 50 years as they have over the last 50.”

The brand re-launch programme incorporates insights from an IHG-commissioned consumer research, which gathered input from 18,000 travellers globally.

Cheltenham St. George's Day Celebrations

ST. GEORGE'S MEDIEVAL FUN DAY
19 April 2009, 11am - 4pm, Pittville Park

Medieval battle re-enactments, armour displays, combat demonstrations, archery and circus skills are some of the fun activities on offer at the St George’s Medieval fun day on Sunday 19 April at Pittville Park. This free family event, which runs from 11am to 4pm, is organised by Cheltenham Borough Council's play development team, and is being put on thanks to Big Lottery funding.

There will be under 15's fancy dress competition, performances from Devon Medieval Re-enactment Group, medieval arts and crafts, jester and circus skills workshops, bouncy castles, face painting and much more.


ST. GEORGE'S DAY ON THE PROMENADE
23 April 2009, 10.30am - 4pm, The Promenade

Come and join the celebrations of St. George's Day on the Promenade. From 11am to 12pm traditional dances will be shown by Gloucestershire Morris Men, who will be performing near the Minotaur and Hare statue. You will be able to watch a medieval bowman and listen to medieval tales. At 11am there will be a fancy dress competition for adults, with prices for the most imaginative red and white costume. For children, there will be a drawing and painting competition with the theme of St. George and the dragon. Entries can be given in to the Tourist Information Centre by 5pm on 20 April 2009 and also at the St. George's Day at Pittville Park on Sunday, 19 April 2009. All prizes will be given out at 4pm at the Promenade, near Minotaur and Hare statue.

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

Meet Your MP Martin Horwood This April

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.

Tuesday 07 April 2009
7:30am
Martin will be the guest speaker at a Rotary breakfast meeting at the Lansdown on Lansdown Road.
7:00pm
Options for the Severn Barrage are to be discussed at Fromebridge Mill, Whitminster. Martin will lead the discussion, which has been organised by local Liberal Democrats but is open to the public.

Thursday 09 April 2009
2:00pm
Martin will be going to a Cheltenham Disability Forum meeting which is being held in the Municipal Offices in Cheltenham. He will be speaking, and the members of the forum will lobby him on various issues that affect them.

Sunday 19 April 2009
11:00am
Martin will be opening a St George’s Day event in Pittville Park. Then at 2pm Martin will be judging the fancy dress competition at the event.
3:00pm
Martin will be attending the consecration of a new Jewish cemetery at the cemetery in Bouncers Lane. This will be the only cemetery in Cheltenham for the use of Liberal Jews as well as Orthodox Jews. The consecration is being carried out by Rabbi Danny Richh.

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

Cheltenham Jazz Festival Concerts at the Xposed Club

30 April 2009, 8pm, Xposed Club, Pittville Studios
Kira Kira + Longstone + Akiko

1 May 2009, 8pm, Xposed Club, Pittville Studios
Ernst Reijsegar solo + The Convergence Quartet + Alex Ward/Chris Cundy duo

2009 Cheltenham Jazz Festival brings two concert to the Xposed Club. In the first concert Kira Kira + Longstone + Akiko Cheltenham meets Iceland in a feast of electronic experimentalism. The second concert will present an evening of the finest contemporary music with Ernst Reijsegar solo + The Convergence Quartet + Alex Ward/Chris Cundy duo.

The Convergence Quartet – Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet), Harris Eisenstadt (drums), Alexander Hawkins (piano), and Dominic Lash (double bass) – brings together four of a new young generation of improvisers who draw on both US and European creative traditions in their playing. Despite the band’s youth, its members’ individual performance and recording credits already take in many of the seminal names in creative music (including Anthony Braxton, John Butcher, Lol Coxhill, Bill Dixon, Evan Parker, Sam Rivers, and Cecil Taylor).

The evening will include another outstanding Mark Unsworth set design and an interactive photography/image projection created by Photography students of University of Gloucestershire to delight and entertain you.

To reserve tickets please email Stuart Wilding swilding@glos.ac.uk.

Dowty Slot Car Racing 2009 Update

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.
2009 updates are now available, including results from all the latest races (1/32 scale, 1/24 scale and the Cotswold Challenge - race against Swindon's slot car racing club).

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.

Music Gigs for Cheltenham in April

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


Saturday, 4 April 2009
One Way Street, Evesham hospital Club
True Colours, Callow End Club, Callow Road, Malvern

Sunday, 5 April 2009
Dave King, The Rising Sun, Cleeve Hill
Jug Band Jamboree, The Firey Angel, Cheltenham 12-4pm

Monday, 6 April 2009
JB3, The Daffoldil, Cheltenham

Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Two's Company, The VENUE Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ. Doors open 8 p.m. music starts 9 p.m., Jazz

Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Steamroller, Norwood Arms, Bath Road, Cheltenham, 8.30pm

Thursday, 9 April 2009
Paul Newman's Blues Jam Night, Subtone, 117 Promenade, Cheltenham. Band 9-11pm, FREE Entry, Drinks promotions.
Lou Richardson, Apple Tree, Woodmancote

Saturday, 11 April 2009
Sax & Axe, Nottingham Arms, Tewkesbury, 9.00pm
True Colours, The Queen Vic, Stroud, 9.00pm
Otis Mack Solo, Suffolk Arms, Cheltenham, 9.00pm

Sunday, 12 April 2009
Dik Cadbury, The Priory, Tetbury, 8.45pm
Mystique, The Rising Sun, Cleeve Hill
JB2, Kilkenny, Andoversford, lunch

Thursday, 16 April 2009
Sax & Axe, The Apple Tree, Woodmancote, 9.00pm

Friday, 17 April 2009
Steamroller, The Anchor, Tewkesbury

Saturday, 18 April 2009
Dave Harper Band, Cotswold, Cheltenham
Touch of Blue, The Suffolk arms, Cheltenham
Sax & Axe, The Fleet Inn, Twinning, 9.00pm

Sunday, 19 April 2009
Clare Jordon, The Rising Sun, Cleeve Hill
Sax & Axe, White Bear, Bredon Road, Tewkesbury, 4.00pm
JB3, Reddings Commuinity Centre, evening.

Tuesday, 21 April 2009
The APO Band, The VENUE Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ. Doors open 8 p.m. music starts 9 p.m., Jazz
Paul Newman's Blues Jam Night, The Bayshill Inn, Cheltenham

Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Paul Newman's Blues Jam Night
The VENUE @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ.

For a full calendar of 2009 Cheltenham gigs please visit our MySpace page. For other Cheltenham events visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2009

28 April - 4 May 2009, Cheltenham Town Hall and other venues

2009 Cheltenham Jazz Festival will witness the performances of Hugh Masekela, Dave Liebman and Dave Douglas and Madeleine Peyroux. Multi-instrumentalist John Surman will be celebrating his 65th by performing some newly commissioned pieces from pianist Nikki Yeoh with her trio Infinitum featuring the Mondesir brothers on bass and drums.

Events will take place at a range of venues bringing a Festival atmosphere to Cheltenham. For the third year running the Budvar Marquee in Imperial Gardens will play host to a series of fantastic free events across the bank holiday weekend including a performance by the winners of the 2nd Budvar Brewed Jazz Competition. The victorious group will be rewarded with the wonderful opportunity to appear on the main stage at Pub in The Park.

BBC Radio 2 and Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC concert orchestra presenting an evening of jazz theatre based on the tragic life story of Billy Strayhorn. Alex Wilson's Salsa Orchestra in a dance extravaganza at the Town Hall, a special performance by Jack DeJohnette with a band featuring the finest UK talent from the long running Jerwood series, Mercury Music Prize nominees Portico Quartet, BBC Jazz Award winners Get The Blessing and many more gigs still to be announced including a special appearance by Sir Michael Parkinson who looks back at his life in music.

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