A Choral Celebration from Cheltenham Choral Society

23rd June 2012 at 7.30pm
Cheltenham Town Hall

Cheltenham Choral Society is proud to support the charity HELP for HEROES with a concert performance: “A Choral Celebration” to be held on 23rd June 2012 at 7.30pm in Cheltenham Town Hall.

The main work will be “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” by the contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. Based on parts of the Catholic Mass, this powerful work explores the themes of war and peace, incorporating texts from diverse sources, religious and secular, ancient and modern. Set to music which is varied in style and pace, from military marches to lyrical chorales, it presents an emotional and reflective exploration of the horror of war and the hopefulness of peace.

Cheltenham Choral Society at rehearsal

The programme also includes a selection of well-known celebratory music to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Also taking part are popular Cheltenham-born, international opera singer Soprano Rebecca Rudge, choirs from Leckhampton Primary School and Charlton Kings Junior School, and the English Concertante Orchestra under the direction of Ian Higginson. The concert will be presented by Susie Godwin, Gloucestershire Co-ordinator for HELP for HEROES.

This will be a great way to celebrate a momentous time with a nostalgic journey through 60 glorious years of music and song.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and £5 for those under 16 years, and are now on sale from the Town Hall Box Office. You are advised to book early to obtain good seats.

Tel No: 0844 576 2210
Email: boxoffice@cheltenham.gov.uk
Website: http://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/

Dine with Cheltenham Connect Meet and Eat

17 April 2012
Suffolk Kitchen, Suffolk Parade

Cheltenham Connect "Meet and Eat" is a new regular event in South Cheltenham, where you can meet fellow traders and enterpreneurs and dine at some of South Cheltenham's fabulous restaurants. The first event is 7.30pm on Tuesday 17th April at the Suffolk Kitchen, the new restaurant in Suffolk Parade. The dinner will consist of two courses and a glass of wine for £15.

To book please go to https://bookwhen.com/cheltenhamconnect
For more information contact belinda@cheltenhamconnect.co.uk

Schubert & Mozart Concert at St Gregory's Church

24 March 2012
St Gregory's Church, St James Square, Cheltenham

Concert by MUSICA VERA takes place on Saturday, 24 March 2012 at 7.30 pm.
Conductor: Oliver Mason. Mass in G (Schubert) and music by Mozart, accompanied by strings.

Tickets £9.00 at the door or from Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre, 77 Promenade, Cheltenham. Free Admission to children under 16. Proceeds to The Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts.

The Jimmy Cricket Great Value for a Tenner Show

Saturday, 17 March 2012
The Playhouse Theatre

‘Come Closer’ ..... Jimmy Cricket, everyone’s favourite Irish comedian is back on tour with his wonderful, family friendly, ‘Great Value for a Tenner’ show! A show where tickets are priced at a mere, recession-proof £10!

Jimmy is without doubt a 1980s comedy icon. With his trademark wellington boots (on the wrong feet), his famous letters from his Mammy and his catchphrases of ‘come closer’ and ‘there’s more’ he holds the hearts of all those that were original fans of his television and radio shows.

He has lost none of his talent or energy and his theatre shows are as hilarious as ever, winning him new fans wherever he performs to add to the legions he has amassed in his formidable career.

Jimmy remains one of the few completely family friendly comedians currently on tour and has great pride in being regaled as having a truly clean act.

Be a Scorer for Woodmancote Cricket Club

Woodmancote Cricket Club have a vacancy for a scorer for our Saturday 1st XI that would suit someone that is a cricket enthusiast and who perhaps is an accountant / book-keeper or even just good with numbers and details. They would be delighted to talk to anyone who may be interested. The position is for every Saturday afternoon although if the volunteer could only do alternate Saturdays that would be fine. Travel expenses would be paid, a hearty cricket tea comes as part of the deal and even a pint at the Apple Tree after home games!

Sideways Glances Exhibition - The Gardens Gallery

30 March 2012 - 3 April 2012

“Come and complete the story!”

That invitation comes from Cheltenham based artist Michael Paul, who will be showing his new paintings at an exhibition in The Gardens Gallery, Montpellier Gardens, from Friday 30th March to Tuesday 3rd April 2012.

Entitled Sideways Glances, the exhibition will showcase around 35 oil paintings, many depicting small groups of people in urban settings. The streets of Cheltenham and London, as well as Edinburgh, Paris and Sicily, provide backdrops to the mysterious subjects that have all been caught in a 'freeze frame' moment.

The collection is largely a study of human interaction. Each painting has an unfinished narrative and the artist's intention is that viewers will make their own judgements about what is occurring. Furtive glances between strangers? Sullen silences between friends? Who's doing the watching, and who is being watched?

Michael Paul says: “The idea is that the viewer will make their own contribution, and complete each story. Not everything is spelled out – one person’s idea of what is going on will be quite different from another’s.”

The exhibition will be open between 10am and 5pm each day and is free of charge.

Chetlenham MP backs call to speed up tax break

Commenting on the speech by Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who called for the coalition to go ‘further and faster’ in raising the level at which people start paying income tax to £10,000 a year, Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood gave his enthusiastic support to the campaign.

The Liberal Democrat commitment to take everyone earning less than £10,000 a year out of income tax altogether was a manifesto pledge and has been taken on by the coalition. The tax allowance was increased by £1,000 in the 2010 Budget, from £6,475 to £7,475.

A planned rise of an additional £630 has already been announced this year, to take the allowance up to £8,105. This will mean that 1.1 million have been taken out of paying income tax altogether and will reduce the tax burden of millions more low earners.

Martin said: “I am very proud that this Liberal Democrat pledge will cut taxes for the lowest earners. Nick Clegg’s call today for this to go faster than originally planned is very welcome and would make a real difference to low and middle income workers who are struggling to make ends meet. The coalition needs to make sure the richest pay their fair share and take every opportunity to lift the tax burden on the least well-off.”

Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival

15th – 17th June 2012

The Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival 15th – 17th June is a gastronomic delight, with over 200 exhibitors; the scope of local & regional products on show ensures there is something for everyone. You’ll find an astonishing variety of victuals from oatcakes to aphrodisiac Quince, the widest range of baked goods, meats, fish, cheeses, jams, chutneys and watch out for 11 year old Fraser of Frasers Fudge leading the wealth of food exhibitors over the three days; this is the regional food event not to be missed. The Champagne Garden, an exclusive corner of Montpellier Gardens invites you to enjoy the finest perfectly chilled glass of champagne or why not sample the full decadent experience and share a bottle of Champagne on ice, with friends.

Celebrity Masterchef 2011 winner Phil Vickery comes off the field to cook up a storm for the rugby fans; this is an experience not to be missed. Join the experts in the Wine Theatre with informal tutored tasting’s, a chance to develop a greater appreciation about wine from the old world to the new world. Don’t forget the inspiring breweries showcasing a wide range of Real Ale from the region with fine ale from Nailsworth Brewery, Stroud Brewery and Prescott Ales to name just a few. Join friends and family and relax in the Cider Garden and enjoy the best of the region, raising a glass to summer while listening to the music and watching the street theatre.

Daily admission is Friday £3; Saturday & Sunday £6 on the gate, Accompanied Children under 16 free. (Pre-booked tickets: Friday £3, Saturday & Sunday £4.60)
Open Times: Friday 12noon to 7pm, Saturday 10.00am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm
Ticket Box office: Cheltenham Town Hall T: 0844 576 2210

Your Memories of Cheltenham in the 1960s Wanted

Peter Gill, the author of Cheltenham in the 50s is working on a follow up book - Cheltenham in the 60s to be published by Stroud based publisher The History Press.

Having done a considerable amount of research he is now looking for more anecdotes, local knowledge and photographs from the general public and was wondering if any of our readers have any pictures of the town and its people during the decade that show events, buildings and areas that have changed or personalities of the period (sportsmen and women, musicians, dignitaries, employers etc).

Cheltenham in the 60s will be Peter's 8th book - the others being Cheltenham at War, North Gloucestershire at War, South Gloucestershire at War, Cheltenham in the 50s, Cheltenham Races, Cheltenham's Racing Heroes and Cheltenham's Music. He has also written and performed in two plays (one of which is still currently touring).

You can email your photos and stories to Peter at petergill@live.co.uk

Visit our Cheltenham Nostalgia pages to refresh your memories of Cheltenham of that period and share your own experiences.