Activities for Children This Easter

6 - 16 April 2010, various locations

Youngsters have no reason to be bored during the Easter holidays, as there will be a full programme of fun and entertainment. The play and sports development teams at Cheltenham Borough Council have designed the holiday programme for all local children to enjoy from 6 to 16 April 2010, in a variety of locations around the borough.

The Play Zone holiday scheme at Balcarras Sports Centre, for 6 -15 year olds, will be running for a full working day, 8.30am - 6pm, with half day sessions also on offer. Places at this venue can be pre-booked by calling 01242 774408. For the same age range, Rowanfield Infant School will also run the scheme from 10am - 3.30pm on a first come, first served basis. Offering arts and crafts, sports, wii games, a DVD zone and day trips, Play Zone sessions are fully supervised and different prices apply.

The play and sports rangers will also be touring a number of local parks, offering free of charge outdoor activities to all ages, also including a new 'under 5s' play area. Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for sport and culture said: ''Throughout the school holidays, we always make sure that there is a package of fun for children so that they are kept busy and entertained. All activities are low in cost, sometimes even free, so that they are accessible for all.''

In addition to Play Zone, the ever popular Sport Zone is back. The Sport Zone road show will run from leisure@cheltenham, 6 - 9 April and then from Christ College from 12 - 16 April, 9.30 - 12.30. Including cricket, football, basketball and athletics, the sessions are geared towards youngsters aged 8-13 years, again different charges apply.

Sport specific camps are also returning and these allow young people to develop a number of sports skills under the guidance of experienced coaches. This year's camps include cricket, squash, basketball and football. The football camps include involvement from Cheltenham Town FC coaches.

Tom Sparks, sports development officer at the council said: ''We have a great package of play and sports activities for children this year, which will encourage them to have fun and make new friends. When designing the holiday schemes, we always work hard to make sure there will be something that appeals to every child.''

Take a look at the full Easter holiday programme which includes all pricing and booking details. Alternatively, call the play and sport information and booking line on 01242 774756.

George Edward Lodge Exhibition at Nature in Art

30 March 2010 - 9 May 2010, Nature in Art, Twigworth

In recent years Nature in Art have assembled a collection of work by some of the most influential wildlife artists of the 20th century, including JC Harrison, Charles Tunnicliffe, David Shepherd and Peter Scott. The next exhibition of the series focuses on work created by George Lodge and also coincides with the 150th anniversary of his birth.

The chairman of the George Edward Lodge trust described Lodge as having "left behind his unparalleled stamp on the natural world through his work, records and diaries". Lodge was a keen naturalist and falconry was his favourite sport, and whilst he lived in London he would often be seen walking with a hawk on his fist. This interest was strongly reflected in many of his paintings. He was a very versatile artist and would paint in both watercolour and oils and he was still painting works for book illustration well into his nineties.

The exhibition will include paintings and drawings by George Edward Lodge, but also some of his sketch books, tools, a few falconry items and examples of some of his published books. To compliment the show there will be a falconry evening on April 29th 2010 (please call 01452 731422 for more details, must be prebooked).

Easter Children Activities at Nature in Art

Nature in Art will be running a series of Arty activities during the Easter holidays. All sessions are two hours long either 10:30am-12:30pm or 2:30pm-4:30pm, and are a good way to have fun developing creative skills and making new friends.


Saturday 3rd April 2010 - East Rabbit Cany Cone and Easter Egg Hunt
Use lots of different materials to create a rabbit candy cone. Then take part in Easter Egg quiz to win some chocolate which can be taken home in your special cone. Adult supervision required for quiz which will take place half an hour before the end of the session.

Tuesday 6th April 2010 - Cool Coasters
Decorate cermaic coasters using specialist paints and transfers. They will make a great present or just make a tea break a bit more fun!

Wednesday 7th April 2010 - Fantastic Fabric Photo Album
Personalise your very own photo album by decorating the cover using fabric paints, pens, foam, gems and other fantastic material.

Thursday 8th April 2010 - Perfect Piggy Bank
Decorate a ceramic piggy bank using specialist paints and transfers. The piggy bank measures 7.5 cm high so you'll be able to save plenty of pennies!

Friday 9th April 2010 - Creative Collage
Look at collage pictures made by artists then create your own pictures using different methods. Use bubble wrap, material, paints, leaves, wax resist and different papers to name a few.

Activities must be prebooked, please call 01452 731422. All children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and a booking form visit www.nature-in-art.org.uk or call 01452 731422.

Guinness Village at the Brewery for Cheltenham Gold Cup Week

16 - 19 March 2010, The Brewery

There will be free live music and entertainment at the Brewery every night of the races, from 5-9pm. With seven restaurant/bars to tempt you with cuisines from around the world there really is something for everyone.

Cheltenham's favourite festival is nearly upon us and racing fans from all over the world are counting down to the greatest event in the National Hunt calendar. Now one of Cheltenham's most popular venues for pre and post racing entertainment, The Brewery prepares to celebrate this great week. The whole centre will be transformed into an "Irish Village", with Guinness promotions and offers available in many outlets.

Each day (Tuesday 16th - Friday 19th March) from 5pm until 7pm funky, contemporary Irish band 'The Roving Crows' will provide free entertainment in a marquee under the Cupola Tower, and afterwards in Après Bar from 8.30pm 'til late. This four piece band has its roots firmly in traditional Irish music and is guaranteed to get your feet tapping. Between 7.00pm and 9.00pm a change of tempo is offered by local ska/jazz/skiffle band Thrill Collins. Robbie, Andrew and Tristan are all Gloucestershire lads and are making a name for themselves fast as Cheltenham's Best BandT.

All the bars and restaurants - Chiquito, Nandos, Frankie & Benny's, Prezzo, Après, The Real China, and Mango - will be entering into the spirit of the 'Craic'. You can enjoy breakfast at some outlets plus lunch before the racing, with evening entertainment and dining later on. There will be evening street entertainment including comedy bouncers and fire jugglers. Watch the racing live on the biggest screens in Cheltenham at Après and with Ladbrokes just around the corner, and Ladbrokes staff on hand with betting slips and the latest odds, you'll find everything you need for an unforgettable 2010 Gold Cup Festival at The Brewery.

The Brewery in Cheltenham is a stones throw from Boots corner via the Lower High Street (turn right just before Tesco Metro) or you can park in the NCP in St Margaret's Road. For updates visit http://www.thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk/.

Three Bonzos and a Piano at Bacon Theatre

7 May 2010, Bacon Theatre

Original members of the legendary sixties band the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band are appearing as Three Bonzos and a Piano at the Bacon Theatre in Cheltenham on Friday 07 May.

Having appeared with members of Monty Python, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, the Kinks and The Who as well as having their own Top 5 hit with 'Urban Spaceman', the band is said to be the "musical missing link" between The Goons and Monty Python. Indeed, in 1967 and 1968/9 they featured as the "house band" on "Do Not Adjust Your Set", a fore-runner of Monty Python, with Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Jones, as well as the young David Jason. Their humour was undoubtedly influential. Vivian Stanshall's legacy is well-known and is celebrated by the Three Bonzos. As well as having a great past, they also have an extremely exciting present and future - their new CD having just been released, they are very much a contemporary proposition! The original members involved are Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater and Sam Spoons.

The show promises to be a diabolical mayhem from the largest number of Bonzos still playing together anywhere on the surface of the earth. Born in a distant art school past somewhere in the sixties, Three Bonzos And A Piano unleash their Bonzo Dog classics with energetic zip and palaver. Ali Baba’s Camel, Hunting Tigers Out In India, Big Shot, Trouser Press, The Sheik of Araby, Monster Mash, Can Blue Men Sing The Whites?, The Head Ballet and many, many more – including some great new numbers. Robots, smoke, unsuitable medical technology, ancient theatrical props, the kitchen sink and the audience (you get to join-in!) all combine to re-create the atmosphere of those formative years of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band at such legendary venues as The Tiger’s Head, Catford. Addictive stuff! You have been warned!

The performance starts at at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15.00, students £10.00. For more information visit www.bacontheatre.co.uk/content.php?TSID=19727