New Production by St. John's Players

I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT!

9th - 13th March, St John's Hall, Churchdown

The next production by St. John's Players of Churchdown is 'I'll be back before Midnight!' It is a thriller by Peter Colley, first produced in Canada. Under the direction of John Knowles the play is perhaps best described as a horror movie, live on stage, with several heart stopping moments keeping the audience on the edge of their seats until the final curtain.

John came across the play via a friend who knew someone in the recent Canadian revival. The play was performed in England some years ago with Dennis Waterman heading the cast. St. John's cast includes society stalwart Jenny Morgan, together with Andy Willcocks, Alan Wollaston and Julie Duly. The plot begins when Greg Sanderson rents an old farmhouse to help his wife Jan recover from a breakdown. However not long after they arrive things start to happen which begin to unnerve them. Things become a nightmare for everyone.

The players pride themselves on very successful productions and this promises to be no exception and anyone who sees the play is asked not to reveal who dunnit! The play runs at St John's Hall Churchdown from 9th - 13th March and tickets can be obtained from Pam Stock on 01452 857371.

Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Pioneers Free Hot Breakfast

2 March 2010, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham

Despite a time when food options for weary travellers are being downsized, all Holiday Inn Express properties across the country are planning to provide guests with a superior, more balanced breakfast thanks to the introduction of the brand's new Express Start® Breakfast Bar, with the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham being one of the first in the Gloucestershire region. The signature hot breakfast bar rollout began in early January with more than 20 properties per week receiving installation. All 240 hotels will be complete by March 31, 2010, representing the fastest food and beverage implementation in the hospitality industry.

Despite hectic schedules and tighter travel budgets, business travellers have declared breakfast a must when it comes to starting the day off right. According to a survey conducted on behalf of Holiday Inn Express, an astounding 70 percent of business travellers would rather conduct business during a sit-down breakfast as opposed to cocktails over dinner.

As part of the value for money offering, the Express Start® Breakfast Bar now offers guests new hot items like bacon, sausage and eggs on a rotating basis. In addition, it has kept its existing guest favorites like its signature hot pastries and lighter continental selection. And in keeping with the brand’s desire to meet the taste and nutritional preferences for all guests, the breakfast bar will continue to offer fresh fruit, assorted yogurts, cereals, breakfast breads and a variety of coffee and herbal tea options.

Jason Hiley, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham Town Centre Hotel says, “We are proud to be one of the first in the region to rollout the free hot breakfast option for our guests. No other hotel in the area, including Travelodge and Premier Inn, is able to offer travelers the same start to the day. Our competitor hotels in Cheltenham will continue to charge their guests for a hot breakfast.”

This Cheltenham hotel aims to launch its hot breakfast offering by the beginning of March 2010, before the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The hotel also offers free breakfast for meeting room bookers. Cheltenham locals and businesses will be invited to a free breakfast event 2nd March 10.30am – 12.30pm to mark the rollout. For more information about the forthcoming Free Breakfast Launch Event visit www.hiexcheltenham.com.

The Express Start® Breakfast Bar is just one in a series of system wide brand innovations from Holiday Inn Express designed to create meaningful upgrades to the stay experience. Further improvements to this Cheltenham hotel include a redesign of the 24 hour bar and coffee lounge area to enhance the overall food and beverage experience. Together, all of these initiatives create a comfortable and smart environment for Holiday Inn Express guests while traveling for business or leisure.

Cheltenham Carnival & Fun Day

15 May 2010, Montpellier Gardens

The Cheltenham Carnival is a town event looking to strenghten, inspire and bring together the communities within Cheltenham. The Cheltenham Carnival will aim to combine all aspects of drum, dance, calypso, costume, steel pan, samba, sound systems and street arts including street theatre and performance art within a traditional street carnival.

It will be held in Montpellier Gardens. The Carnival Fun Day will be running from 10am to 4pm, featuring a large area of entertainment including workshop, stalls, activities and live music. At 4.30pm The Cheltenham Carnival procession will start. At 5m Fun Day will re-open for an evening of entertainment until 10pm. The Carnival Fun Day & Evening programme will have a small admission charge. More information and full programme of events will be released on 1st March.

For more information about the event visit http://www.cheltenhamcarnival.co.uk/.

Meet Your MP Martin Horwood in Cheltenham This February

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.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Midday
The local BNI (business networking) chapter have invited Martin to a lunch meeting, which will give local business owners a chance to speak to Martin about any issues that affect them.
2pm
Martin will be visiting Emily Gardens, which is located in Braeburn Close, Cheltenham. Emily Gardens is a Bromford Housing scheme whose aim is to enable young parents or families to develop the skills they need to look after themselves and their children. This will prepare them to move on to independent living. Martin will meet residents to find out how they are benefiting from the scheme.

7:15pm
Martin will be meeting with residents of Ledmore Road to discuss the council’s plans for the disposal of long-term empty homes in the road.


Friday, 19 February 2010
10am
Martin will be visiting the Gloucestershire Multiple Sclerosis Information and Therapy Centre in Goodridge Avenue, Gloucester to find out about the services and support they provide for sufferers and their families.


Monday, 22 February 2010
9:30-11:30am
Martin will be holding a surgery at the Hesters Way Community Resource Centre. For appointments contact Elaine Marriott on 01242 521319.

1:00pm
Martin will speak to a group of 16-18 years olds on an Entry to Employment course at the Springbank Resource Centre. He will talk about how Parliament works and life as an MP.

Thursday, 25 February 2010
Martin will be speaking at the National Flood Forum conference at the Aston Conference Centre in Birmingham.
6pm
Martin will be attending the official opening of BEAM construction’s new offices at Normandy House, High Street, Cheltenham. Dame Janet Trotter will perform the opening.

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

Jimmy White at Pockets Snooker Club

20 February 2010, Pockets Snooker Club, 60-62 St. Georges Place, 7.30pm

Cheltenham's largest snooker and pool club will be opening its doors after a grand refurbishment on 20 February with Jimmy White as their VIP guest. Jimmy will be playing snooker with eight of the club's members (there is a chance to buy a ticket to play him). He will be signing autographs and you can also have your picture taken with him.

All you need to do to see Jimmy White play, or possibly even have a game of snooker with him, is to join Pockets Snooker Club (membership costs £20 per year). The club boasts 8 full size snooker tables, 5 American pool tables, large screen TV, fully licensed bar and much more. Opening times 11am – 11pm, 7 days a week, table rates for snooker or american pool is £6 an hour.

February Gigs in Cheltenham

REGULAR NIGHTS:

FRIDAYS
Open Mic at Fiery Angel
Pete Josef at D-Fly
SUNDAYS
Open Mic at The Cotswold Inn
THURSDAYS
Chris Cundy feat. Guests at D-Fly
THURSDAYS
Open Mic with Jam Head at Hogs Head
WEDNESDAYS
Open Mic with MonkeyJam at Slak Bar
Steve Franks at D-Fly

05 February 2010
The Suspectors, Yours, Too Far Fallen at 2pigs
Last Man Standing at Exmouth Arms
Andrew James + Dressed to Kill at The Front Rooms
The Tubby Blues Show with The Jay Tamkin & After the Storm at The United Services Club

06 February 2010
Off the Cuff comedy night at 2pigs
Blues Business at The Bayshill
Featherstone at The Cotswold Inn
Swift Manoevre & Support at The Front Rooms

07 February 2010
JB2 at The Kilkenney Inn, Andoversford
Hambling & lloyd at The Rising Sun Hotel, Cleeve Hill

08 February 2010
Mint Modays: Thrill Collins at The Front Rooms

09 February 2010
Bex & Steve Franks at John Gordons Wine Bar

10 February 2010
Damon Brown Quintet & Leon Greening at D-Fly
New Music Night: Waiting for Kate (Acoustic) at The Front Rooms
Otis Mack & The Tubby Bluesters at The Norwood Arms

11 February 2010
Flynn's Open Mic Night at The Front Rooms

12 February 2010
Judder's Masked Valentine's Ball at 2pigs
Cancel Silence (Robert Brian) + Howii at The Front Rooms
Deep Roots at Frog & Fiddle
Boys in the Wood, Vital Organz, Rufio Summers + Support at Frog & Fiddle

13 February 2010
Outboys at The Cotswold Inn
Roving Crows at The Front Rooms
Papa Burgundy at The Front Rooms
Otis Mack Solo at The Suffolk Arms
Johnny Duff Country Rock Band at The Victory Club

14 February 2010
JB2 at The Kilkenney Inn, Andoversford

15 February 2010
Mint Modays: Jelly Bean Rebellion at The Front Rooms

16 February 2010
Bex & Steve Franks at John Gordons Wine Bar
Jam Band at The Bayshill
JB Jazz & Blues Band at The Venue

17 February 2010
New Music Night: Deb Jones showcase night at The Front Rooms

18 February 2010
Flynn's Open Mic Night at The Front Rooms
Alone + Easy Target, One Two Three & In, Mexico Falls at 2pigs
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at Town Hall

19 February 2010
Screamin' 88's, What teh night brings, Snog the Dog at 2pigs
Orgasmatron at The Wheatsheaf

20 February 2010
Otis Mack & The Tubby Bluesters at The Kings Head, Bishops Cleeve
Bex & Steve Franks at John Gordons Wine Bar
Carl Sinclair, Belcasino at The Front Rooms
Waiting For Kate, Captain Accident & The Disasters at The Frog and Fiddle

21 February 2010
Bangers N' Mash Birthday Bash at 2pigs
Barbara Dickson at Town Hall

22 February 2010
Mint Mondays: Effects Of Alcohol at The Front Rooms

23 February 2010
Bex & Steve Franks at Jolly Brewmaster
Jam Band at The Wheatsheaf
Showcase Night at The Front Rooms

24 February 2010
New Music Night at The Front Rooms

25 February 2010
Flynn's Open Mic Night at The Front Rooms

26 February 2010
The Producers at The Wheatsheaf

28 February 2010
Jazz Jam at The Wheatsheaf

Art Courses at Nature in Art, Twigworth

March - December 2010, Nature in Art, Twigworth
Would you like to learn some new? Have you got creative talent just waiting to be unleashed? Why not enroll in an art course at Nature in Art, Twigworth. Courses run between March and December and the topics range from Encaustic (wax) Art, Writing in Response to Nature, Japanese Brushwork, Origami, Graphite & Coloured Pencils, Pastels, Mixed Media, Drawing and Painting Animals, Silk Painting, Botanical Art, Watercolour, Stained glass, Woodcarving, Card Craft, Calligraphy and more. If you would like more information, please e-mail enquries@nature-in-art.org.uk or call 01452 731 422.