Cheltenham Connect Business Day

30 September 2011, 10am - 4pm
Cheltenham Bowling Club, Suffolk Square, Cheltenham

Supported by Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood, this free event is showcasing the town’s business talent to help Gloucestershire companies meet local suppliers and advisors and to enable them to connect with South Cheltenham businesses..

Business Connect has been organised by a group of South Cheltenham businesses as part of the Cheltenham Connect initiative. It will include 20 exhibition stands, a presentation from international business expert Geoff Burch – recently voted Business Communicator of 2011 – and a networking lunch. Attendance is free, and all attendees will be entered into a prize draw to win £1,000 of services from the participating companies. Visitors can just drop in for half an hour or stay for the entire day.

“We know many businesses would like to work with more local suppliers, but don’t have time to search for the right people,” says Belinda Wilson, spokesperson for Cheltenham Connect and director of GlosJobs. “This event is an opportunity to meet a wide range of companies in one place, discuss how they could help you meet your business objectives and pick up new ideas. We believe that local businesses don’t need to go to London, Bristol or Birmingham to source top quality expert support when it is right here on their doorstep.’’

“There are lots of benefits in working with local companies – they can respond quickly, fit in a meeting when an urgent project comes up and their costs are extremely competitive. You’re also likely to find yourself working directly with an experienced professional, rather than having the majority of the work done by a junior member of staff.

“Whether you’re looking for a social media expert, a fresh new designer, advice on green issues or help in sourcing and retaining talented staff, the event will introduce you to local experts who can help.”

Connect Business takes place on Friday 30^th September 2011 at 10am – 4pm at Cheltenham Bowling Club, Suffolk Square, Cheltenham. For further information and to book a free place go to www.businessconnect.org.uk or email belinda@cheltenhamconnect.co.uk

Connect Business is organised by Cheltenham Connect, a growing community initiative with the aim of strengthening and empowering the residential and trading community of South Cheltenham.

AGENDA
10am Official opening by Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood
12 noon Presentation from Geoff Burch, internationally renowned business expert on "Go It Alone, the Streetwise Secrets of Self Employment”, followed by a book signing
1pm - 2pm Networking lunch with standholders and attendees – pre-booking essential £5.50 per person
2pm - 4pm "Have a go" at bowling
After 4pm Drinks at the bar

PHIL COOL at The Roses Theatre

3^rd September 2011
The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

Yet again legendary comedian and impressionist Phil Cool, a 1980s icon, is on tour and with sell out houses wherever he goes it is clear that he at least is recession proof. With his 1980s television shows obtaining cult status through ‘youtube’ and the like, Phil has found himself yet more adoring fans and the verdict is obvious – his comedy is as contemporary, valid and hilarious today as it has ever been.

Phil is a stand-up chameleon - one minute George W Bush, the next Paul McCartney, then Bill Clinton and later Bugs Bunny! There has never been anyone like him and never will be again and with a new television show being talked about, a DVD and a book deal all in the offing it is clear that 2011 will be a momentous one for Phil and his fans.

With 5 top selling videos, 4 TV specials, 3 hit series for the BBC, 2 acclaimed series for Independent TV there is only 1 dream remaining for Phil – to play Jim Carrey’s dad in a Hollywood blockbuster …… watch this space!

BOX OFFICE NUMBER 01684 295 074

THE TWO KEYS at The Wheatsheaf

Friday 23rd September 2011
The Wheatsheaf, Old Bath Road, Cheltenham

In 1999 a nationwide search was conducted to find the best boogie woogie piano/vocalists in the country. The reason? Jools Holland was opening ‘The Jam House’ in Birmingham and the star attraction was going to be ‘The Duelling Pianists’. Two piano players, facing each other on grand pianos who would accompany each other, perform with each other and ultimately compete with each other in a mind blowing finale of piano thumping energy and musicianship.

Hundreds of piano players were auditioned, four were ultimately picked to be The Jam House’s resident duellists. Two of them, Adrian Dixon from London and Cheltenham’s very own Peter Gill were given the honour of being the opening act to perform at the club. That first performance to a celebrity studded audience was so sensational that they were immediately engaged for their own theatre show.

Ten years after finishing that tour they are now back together and touring again in what can only be described as an explosive exhibition of boogie woogie and rock n roll piano playing.

Catch them while you can as due to their other independent commitments they will only be touring together on selected dates.

Cheltenham Open Studios Art Exhibtion

08 - 18 September 2011
St. Lukes Church

An art exhibtion hosted by Cheltenham Open Studios of 29 artists including paintings, jewellery and ceramics.

12 - 4pm daily
Saturday 10: 11 - 1.30pm, and 7 - 9pm for the open view;
Saturday 17: 2 - 4pm.

All welcome, FREE exhibition

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2011

7th October - 16th October 2011

This autumn The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival will welcome over 600 of the world's greatest writers, poets, politicians, thinkers and stars to Cheltenham for an inspiring mix of debate and discussion. Now in its 62nd year - 2011 promises the most ambitious and varied programme to date with Screen legend Christopher Lee, BAFTA-award winning Joanna Lumley, musician and radio broadcaster Jarvis Cocker and presenter and film critic Jonathan Ross all taking to the Cheltenham stage.

The Festival theme Journeys of Discovery has inspired an adventurous programme of over 500 fascinating events. The journey is led by five very different Guest Directors, who promise to delight and inspire with their own unique series of events. Ben Fogle, A L Kennedy, Jo Shapcott, Mike Atherton and Anjum Anand will all host some of the world's top explorers, poets and literary and culinary treats at the Festival. At its core, the Festival continues to celebrate the pure pleasure of reading. The very literary line-up of esteemed writers includes Ben Okri, Lee Child and Howard Jacobson as well as the Bonne Maman Big Read project which aims to spread the joy of Joseph Heller's Catch-22.

The range of the programme offers something for literary lovers of all ages - from high-profile debate with leading political figures, to big names from the small and silver screen like Marcus Brigstocke and Larry Lamb, to Book it!, the programme of fun and exciting events for families and young readers. For every hard-hitting debate in Cheltenham Town Hall, there will be a chance to meet Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit or The Gruffalo out in the gardens!

For the first time Cheltenham town centre will come alive in the brand new Festival Quarter which takes over both Imperial Square and Montpellier Gardens. The Festival Quarter will provide the perfect place to indulge in literary delights with four exciting new venues, a great place to soak up the atmosphere with delicious cafés, free live events and a huge bookshop.

The full festival programme is available to download at: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature