Cheltenham Connect Craft and Music Festival

3 - 4 July 2010, Bath Road

The weekend of the 3rd and 4th July will see two days of bands and entertainment at The Norwood Arms and Exmouth Arms, Bath Road, Cheltenham, as well as other events going on in the shops along the road.

The Norwood Arms
Locally made crafts being sold from market stalls in the car park, Local trader stalls, Bouncy castle, Face painting, Health and wellbeing area, Local musicians playing all day.

The Exmouth Arms
Badge making, Flag decorating, Summer fete games, Toddlers play area, Barbeque, Local organisations, Green group area, Health and wellbeing area, Local traders stands, Local musicians all day.

Saturday 3rd July 2010
12 noon on Saturday 3rd July sees the official opening of The Norwood Triangle (in the road behind The Exmouth Arms), where 200 years ago to the day the Leckhampton Tramroad was opened. The opening will be attended by the Earl of Suffolk, whose great, great, great, great grandfather, who opened the original tramroad, as well as Martin Horwood MP, Anne Regan Cheltenham Mayor, Cheltenham Silver Band and St James' Primary School Junior Choir.

On Saturday 1-3pm, meet John "Duff" Lowe, who played with Lennon and McCartney when they were in The Quarrymen, at The Record Shop.

Also on Saturday, Mayor's Grand Balloon Race will set off at 4.30pm from The Exmouth Arms.

Sunday 4th July 2010
On Sunday 2.30pm, enter the "Eco Warriors" fancy dress competition. Let your imagination run wild! Endangered animals, Carbon monsters, Recycling heroes, Green giants, 10:10 planet earth protectors...

Raffle tickets will be on sale all weekend. Raffle prizes include Champagne lunch for 2 at The Daffodil, Tea on the Terrace at the House of Commons and many more.

Jazz at Open Air Theatre Festival

15 July & 1 August 2010, Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, 7.30pm

Always hugely popular and always sold out, Peter Gill returns to the Tuckwell Amphitheatre at Dean Close School for two performances of sublime, cool jazz, blues and boogie on Thursday 15th July and Sunday 1st August. Organisers of the Open-air Theatre Festival are thrilled to announce that local pianist and music promoter, Peter Gill, has secured more of his talented musician friends to perform in the idyllic outdoor venue. A highlight of the social calendar, Jazz on a Summer’s Evening has established itself as the place to relax on a balmy summer’s night.

Speaking for the Open-air Theatre Festival team, Jess Waterman said: “It’s time to dust off those picnic hampers, chill down some sparkling wine and grab yourself some tickets to the hottest outdoor theatre festival in the county. Great live events and cinematic treats will once again be sandwiched between two generous helpings of sensational jazz from the master of sophistication, Peter Gill, together with a host of his musical cohorts.”

Peter Gill has also announced that the event will be given a lift for 2010. It would be hard to improve on the formula that has been so successful over recent years, but Peter intends to keep the audience on its toes by injecting new life into the festival’s popular musical event. He said: “Both of our concerts this year will be thematic. I don’t want to give too much away as that will reduce the surprise but the audience can expect to be taken on a musical journey which I hope will enhance the songs and make their evening just a little bit more special and unique”

Festival grounds will open 1½ hours before the show for picnicking and the licensed festival café will be serving chilled beers, wines and Pimms, plus hot drinks and snacks. Please bring suitable clothing and your own seating. Tickets : £15 (£13) Box Office : 01242 258002

Jonah-Man Jazz at St. Peter's Church, Leckhampton

17 July 2010, St. Peter's Church, Leckhampton

Concert of lighter music for a summer evening including Jonah-Man Jazz (Michael Hurd) will take place at St. Peter's Church, Leckhampton on 17 July 2010. Conductor Oliver Mason, Piano James Babbage. Tickets £9 to include refreshments at the door or from Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre, Tel 01242 522878. All proceeds go to Sue Ryder Care, Leckhampton Court Hospice. Enquiries tel. 01242 517258.

June Music Gigs in Cheltenham

11/06/2010
THE SCREENING + SUPPORT, FROG & FIDDLE
JB3, ROYAL GEORGE (BIRDLIP)
IMPERIAL LEISURE, BOOGIE LOUNGE

12/06/2010
PROFOUNDLY BLUE, COTSWOLD INN
MICHIGAN AVENUE, KINGS HEAD (BISHOPS CLEEVE)

13/06/2010
BRIAN MACABE, RISING SUN (CLEEVE HILL)
JIM LOCKEY & THE SOLEMN SUN (ALBUM LAUNCH), FROG & FIDDLE
DIK CADBURY, THE PRIORY (TETBURY)

15/06/2010
PETE GILL SWING BAND, VENUE JAZZ CLUB

16/06/2010
NEWMAN AND FRIENDS, ST STEPHENS CLUB

17/06/2010
LEON DAYE, APPLE TREE (WOODMANCOTE)

18/06/2010
CASTROVALVA, THE NIGHT OWL
TOM JURGENS, ROYAL GEORGE (BIRDLIP)
BATTLE OF THE BANDS, COTSWOLD INN

19/06/2010
OTIS MACK SOLO, VICTORY CLUB
BIG BLACK CAR, COTSWOLD INN
HAMBLING & DIKE, SUFFOLK ARMS
BLACK MOLLYS, EXIT STATE, NIGHT OWL

20/06/2010
UKULELE FESTIVAL OF GREAT BRITAIN, TOWN HALL

24/06/2010
STEVE DEGUTIS, APPLE TREE (WOODMANCOTE)

25/06/2010
THRILL COLLINS, STILL BUST + SUPPORT, FROG & FIDDLE
M I BROWN, ROYAL GEORGE (BIRDLIP)

26/06/2010
SHORT AND SWEET, SUFFOLK ARMS
SLUNK MONKEY + SUPPORT, THE 2PIGS
JIBBAFISH, COTSWOLD INN

27/06/2010
TAINT, LUMPHAMMER + SUPPORT, FROG & FIDDLE

Ladies Pampering Evening at Swindon Village School

19 June 2010, Swindon Village School

Ladies' Pamper Evening will take place on Saturday June 19th at Swindon Village School. If you buy your tickets from the school office in advance you could win a free neck and shoulder massage on the night - 7 left to win! Tickets cost £3 and include a complimentary drink on arrival. Tickets will also be available to buy on the night.

The first 30 ladies through the door on the night will receive a fantastic free goody bag with over 15 items inside. Treatments now available to pre book - £10 for 20 minute slots Leg, foot, shoulder/neck massages Mini manicure or pedicure Nail art Mini facial Back massage Indian head massage - £5 for 10 minute slots Please remember, even if you buy your ticket in advance you are not guaranteed a treatment slot unless you book and pay for one prior to the event. There will be a licensed bar with complimentary nibbles available.

Raffle tickets will be sold on the night., some great prizes have been donated. There will also be fabulous shopping stalls - All Things Nice, Holland and Barrett, Tortue Fashion, Spoilt Bags, Partylite Eclectic Forever Living - Aloe Vera, Delainey Fashions, Donna Beaver's Flowers, Pampered Chef, a wide variety of jewellery stalls, Phoenix Cards, Bach Flower, Remedies, Endless Beauty.

Ride for Ryder Anniversary Challenge Bike Ride

27 June 2010, Cheltenham Racecourse

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Sue Ryder Care - Leckhampton Court Hospice we are asking people to jump on their bikes and take on this Anniversary Special Challenge Bike Ride and raise lots of sponsorship for the hospice. The special ride this year starts at Cheltenham Racecourse at 10am and follows a 45 mile route through the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside with a couple of additional hills thrown in for good measure! Anyone with a roadworthy bicycle can take on this challenge.

We will look after you on the day with complimentary snacks and refreshments provided at a midway refreshment stop. There is also the option to have refreshment stop in the grounds of Leckhampton Court Hospice before heading back to the Racecourse to check back in. Encourage friends to join in on this fun challenge, bring a packed lunch and make a day of it.

Registration is £8 (in advance) £10 (on the day) per cyclist and you can register online at www.suerydercare.org/rideforrydergloucestershire or contact 01242 246 293 for registration forms.

Raising money for Sue Ryder Care - Leckhampton Court Hospice: Every year we need to raise over £1 million to continue caring for people from across Gloucestershire. We rely on people raising sponsorship for taking part in the bike ride in order to help raise these vital funds. Please get friends, family and colleagues to support you taking on this challenge and help make a difference to local families.