Dowty Slot Car Racing Club update

The 2008 calendar of races is now available on Dowty Slot Car Racing Club pages on Cheltenham4u. You can also read up about the different classes of slot cars they race every week and see the results for their January races.

Dowty Slot Car Racing Club is a friendly bunch of people who enjoy racing followed by a chat over a pint. If you would like to join them give a ring to Dave Coward on 01452 421311.

For more information about Dowty Slot Car Racing Club and other Cheltenham clubs and societies please visit our Community section at www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.

If you are a member of Cheltenham club or society and would like to get your club's profile featured to promote its activities please get in touch. To find out how please visit our website www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.

Gustav Holst Statue to be unveiled

The statue of Cheltenham born composer Gustav Holst is to be unveiled on April 4. The statue is to be placed in the centre of the fountain in Imperial Gardens near the Town Hall, where he conducted his most famous piece The Planets in 1927. The late Elizabeth Hamond, a member of Cheltenham Civic Society, bequeathed £45,000 for the creation of the statue. The plinth of the statue will be decorated with plaques depicting the individual planets which he used as an inspiration for his work. Renowned sculptor Anthony Stones, based near Lechlade, created the statue.

Mark Elder, the Music Director of a Halle orchestra will unveil the statue to the sound of a fanfare specially composed for this occasion by the Cotswold-based composer Raymond Head, which will be played by pupils from Pate's Grammar School - the school Holst, who was born in Clarence Street, attended as a boy. Cheltenham Bach Choir will sing music by Holst.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club Table Top Sale

2 February 2008, Denley Hall, Bishop's Cleeve

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club is holding a table top sale at Denley Hall, Churchfields, Bishop's Cleeve.
Sale of first class bric-a-brac, books, clothing, and many other items. 10am - 12.30pm. Refreshments are available. Admission FREE.

Cheltenham March and April Events

As every month, Cheltenham4u is bringing you a round-up of Cheltenham events. So what is in stall for us in Cheltenham in March and April?

There is plenty of things to choose from – you can spend the time at the races at Cheltenham racecourse, first in March as the Festival kicks off, and later bet on the horses at the April Meeting. Music lovers can listen to selection of great musicians at Tubby Blues Festival, and any jazz lover at this time of year won’t miss Cheltenham Jazz Festival at Cheltenham Town Hall. Film buffs can enjoy Viewfinder Film Festival at Cineworld and if you would like to learn to dance to the theme of Beijing Olympics visit Cheltenham Art Gallery.

For more information about these and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Festival

11th - 14th March 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse

The National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse is the highlight of Cheltenham's horse racing calendar, with its importance in British racing, comparable to the World Cup in football. It features the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, the tradition of which goes back to 1819 and which had its present form since 1924. The four-days of the best steeplechase and hurdle racing attracts thousands of visitors from Ireland, with a strong line-up of Irish horses challenging for the prizes on offer. The 25 races offer in excess of £2 million in prize money and over £500 million will be spent on bets.

The highlights of 2008 Cheltenham Festival includes Tuesday’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, which is the most sought after prize anywhere for 2 mile hurdlers, Wednesday’s Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase which is a must race for all 2 mile chasers. Thursday brings The Ladbrokes World Hurdle, a long distance hurdle race over 3 miles long. Thursdays have been established as Ladies’ Day when ladies fashion takes the centre stage and the name of a Lady who has made the most Outstanding Contribution to Jump Racing, as well as the winner for the Best Dressed Lady awards is announced. And as every year everyone is eagerly awaiting Friday with its totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

There is plenty to see and do before the racing starts. You can enjoy the Festival atmosphere, with trade stands, live music and paddock interviews.

If you want to come and enjoy Cheltenham Festival please get your tickets as soon as possible. As every year the Best Mate enclosure has already sold out on totesport Gold Cup day, 14th March.

The gates open at 10.30am and first race is held at 2pm.

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE

For more information on this other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham Events Guide.

Cheltenham Borough Homes Are Moving

On Wednesday 16 February 2008 Cheltenham Borough Homes' office at Whaddon Lodge will close and from 21 January 2008 they will open their new offices in the brand new Oakley Community Resource Centre on Clyde Crescent which also houses various other community projects.

You can contact Cheltenham Borough Homes on a free phone 0800 408 0000 or email to CBHcustomerrelations@cheltborohomes.org

The Oakley office opening hours:

Monday: 9am - 5pm

Tuesday: 9am - 5pm

Wednesday: 10am - 5pm

Thursday: 9am - 5pm

Friday: 9am - 5pm

Chinese State Circus in Cheltenham

1 - 3 February 2008, the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse

The action-packed production of the Chinese State Circus is touring Europe and on their UK tour the circus will be stopping in Cheltenham.

For the first time outside China, the spectacular 2-hour show combines the martial arts warriors from the Shaolin Temple, artists from Peking Opera, and acrobatic stars of the Chinese State Circus in this special Olympic Nation Spectacular. There will be back-flipping acrobats spiralling through rotating hoops, a dizzying succession of an array of beautiful plate spinning oriental divas and much more.

Cheltenham will witness this attraction 1 - 3 February at the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse.


Performances:
Fri - 8pm
Sat - 2.30 & 7.30pm
Sun - 2.30 & 6pm


Tickets available from the Centaur box office: 01242 691141


Rear Circle: Side Circle: Grandstand: Ringside:
£10.00 £15.00 £20.00 £27.00


For more information on this other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham Events Guide.

Cheltenham Wedding Guide

If you are planning a wedding in 2008 don't forget to check our Cheltenham Wedding Guide with useful information about who does what at the wedding, list of things to do so you have a relaxed and stylish wedding day, information about Cheltenham churches and civil ceremony venues as well as wedding photography tips.

You can find inspiration for your wedding day at one of the wedding shows taking place in and around Cheltenham.

20 January 2008 - Cheltenham Bride and Groom Show, Thistle Hotel

15 - 16 February 2008 - Wedding Fayre, The Regent Arcade

13 April 2008 - Gloucestershire Bride, Seasons Conference Centre, Swindon Village

All photos courtesy of wedding photographers at 07743 738009.

2008 Gigs at the Xposed Club

The Xposed Club at Pittville Studios at the University of Gloucestershire, Albert Road, with its monthly gigs brings to Cheltenham all types of alternative and experimental music. Anyone who loves jazz and improvized music will thoroughly enjoy music which is showcased at this venue. The new Popular Music Degree at the college has started and the venue also offers students a space to present their music.

2008 brings to Cheltenham a duo Gail Brand and Simon Picard. Born in London, 1971, Gail has been a trombonist since the age of 9 and has been playing on the international Jazz and Improvised Music scene since the early 1990s. Simon will accompany her on tenor saxophone.

Another gig we can look forward to is Jon Corbett on trumpet with Nick Stephens (bass), Tony Marsh (drums) and Paul Dunmall (saxophones) which promises to be an evening of fine jazz and alternative music.

1 February 2008 8pm - Gail Brand & Simon Picard

7 March 2008 8pm - Jon Corbett/ Nick Stephens/ Tony Marsh/ Paul Dunmall

For a full calendar of 2008 Cheltenham gigs please visit our MySpace page. For other Cheltenham events visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Politics

If you are interested in local politics in Cheltenham you will probably welcome a new online service where you can make your district councillor to let you know about what he/she is up to. You can then leave comments or your thoughts about their answer.

You simply enter your details (name, email address and postcode) and when enough people from your district entered their details then email will be sent to the councillor to let them know people would like to know what they are doing. However, it is up to the councillors whether they want to reply or wait for more people to be interested. To sign up visit cheltenham.hearfromyourcouncillor.com

Similarly, at http://www.hearfromyourmp.com/ you can sign up to hear from your Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood. If you want to keep an eye on his appearances in parliament make sure you regularly check our website where you can review all his activities.

You can always email your councillors or MP directly – their email addresses are available in our Cheltenham Politics section. From the ward map in our Cheltenham Borough Council section you can find out in which ward your house is located in and if you are not sure, handy street locator is available here.

2008 Horse Racing Fixtures at Cheltenham Racecourse

1 January 2008 – New Year’s Day Racing
2008 horse racing at Cheltenham Racecourse starts with New Year's Day Racing. The New Year is kick started with some of the best horses, jockeys and trainers in the land. Gates open at 10.00am, first race is on at 12.25pm, last race at 3.55pm.

26 January 2008 – Festival Trials Day
This is arguably the best one day Jumps meeting of the entire season anywhere. Seven races give some final clues as to the destination of the big prizes at The Festival (Five Festival winners ran on this day last season), but this is a day of sporting drama that is far more than a prelude to four days in March. Highlights include the Letheby & Christopher Chase, Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle and the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase. Gates open at 10.30am, first race is on at 12.55pm, last race at 4.20pm.

11 March – 14 March 2008 – The Festival
The National Hunt Festival is the highlight of Cheltenham's horse racing calendar, with its importance in British racing, comparable to the World Cup in football. It features the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, the tradition of which goes back to 1819 and which had its present form since 1924. The four-days of the best steeplechase and hurdle racing attracts thousands of visitors from Ireland, with a strong line-up of Irish horses challenging for the prizes on offer. The 20 races offer in excess of £2 million in prize money.

16 April – 18 April 2008 – The April Meeting
For 2008, a Friday evening fixture has been added to the traditional two days. There is also another top class National Hunt sale organised by Brightwells in the Centaur on the evening following the first day of the meeting. At the April Meeting in 2007 Paul Nicholls broke Martin Pipe's record for the most prize money ever won in a Jump season.

7 May 2008 – Hunter Chase Evening
Hunter Chase Evening is a fixture where amateur jockeys take centre stage on the racecourse. There is a party after the last race to end the 2007/2008 horse racing season, with live entertainment in the Centaur and an outstanding atmosphere throughout the evening.

Where to recycle Christmas trees in Cheltenham

The festive season wouldn’t be the same without a decorated tree and when it comes to choosing one, more than 76,000 Gloucestershire residents opt for the real tree. If you have got this winter your Christmas presents under a cut tree, you'll need to know where to recycle it when the festive season is over.

If you live in Cheltenham you can take your Christmas trees to be recycled at Swindon Road recycling centre. The centre is opened:

Monday – Friday 7.30am ~ 6.30pm
Saturday 7.30am ~ 4.00pm
Sunday and bank holidays 9.00am ~ 1.00pm

For residents whose households are part of the kerb side garden waste collection scheme, trees 6ft and under can be left (whole) next to your garden bag on your collection day and they will be taken as part of this service.

You can also deposit your tree between 3rd and 21st January 2008 at:
Blooms, Evesham Road, Bishops Cleeve
Dawn Nurseries, Main Road, Little Shurdington
Dundry Nurseries, Bamfurlong Lane, Staverton
Gotherington Nurseries, Gretton Road, Gotherington
Greenway Nurseries, Main Road, Shurdington
Hurrans Garden Centre, Cheltenham Road East, Churchdown

Cheltenham January and February Events

Christmas is just round the corner and New Year will soon take over - time to think about what to do in the New Year.

Cheltenham4u is bringing you a round-up of Cheltenham January and February events. There is plenty of things to choose from – you can spend the time at the races at Cheltenham racecourse or cheer on Cheltenham Ladies Rugby Club at their last home match at the Prince of Wales Stadium. If sport is not your thing but you still like to race, you can join in a frog race, which takes place at St. Luke’s church hall. Music lovers can listen to selection of great musicians at Tubby Blues Festival or Playhouse Jazz, however this time of year is devoted to folk as Cheltenham Folk Festival hits the stage of Cheltenham Town Hall. You can also learn about Gloucestershire folk traditions at the Park Campus of Gloucestershire University. Leckhampton Players are staging their this-year’s pantomime Alibaba and the Forty Thieves and theatre workshops for children are held at the Playhouse Theatre.

For more information about these and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Folk Festival

15 – 17 February 2008

Following a record-breaking year in 2007, the 12th Cheltenham Folk Festival features headliners Show Of Hands, one of the finest acoustic roots duo in England, Brass Monkey and Three Magpies. Three Magpies consist of Nancy Kerr, James Fagan and multiinstrumentalist and composer Robert Harbron, playing both traditional and contemporary folk music.

The stage of Cheltenham Town Hall will host many more performers, including Belshazzar`s Feast, Benji Kirkpatrick, Emily & Hazel Askew, Issy & David Emeney with Kate Riaz, John Kirkpatrick, John Tams & Barry Coope, Jon Loomes & Paul Scourfield, Last Orders, Malthouse Passage, Martin & Shan Graebe, Megson, Mike & Ali Vass, Phill Beer, Random, Spiers & Boden and Steve Turner.

2008 also features special performances by Jo Freya who accompanied by Jim Boyes, Fi Fraser, Jude Abbott, Neil Ferguson, Harry Hammer and Mary McMaster play the beautiful songs of the late Lal Waterson on the tenth anniversary of her death, and Down The Lawson Track featuring songs and music of the great Australian outback.

As last year, the Festival has many instrument, voice and dance workshops which take place at the YMCA. ‘An Hour or So With…’ offers a great chance to meet some of the Festival performers close up in a warm and informal atmosphere. The Kids Place gives the youngest visitors to the festival the opportunity to enjoy some creative fun on Saturday and Sunday.

Dance teams from around the country will be performing on the streets of Cheltenham Saturday and Sunday afternoon and free unplugged sessions will take place at the Music Library on Saturday giving you the opportunity to enjoy some great acoustic performances.

Tickets are available at Cheltenham Town Hall. If you purchase your weekend tickets by 31 December, they are £60 adult, £50 students and unwaged and £30 11-16 year olds, under 11 go free. You can also buy tickets for certain individual events.

For more information on Cheltenham Folk Festival and other Cheltenham festivals please visit our Events & Festivals section.

Cheltenham Gym Centre

Cheltenham has a wide range of sporting and physical activity opportunities, whether you are looking for a local sports team to play for at weekends, try a new exercise class. If gymnastics is your favourite sport, then why not join Cheltenham Gym Centre.

Cheltenham Gym Centre provides a balanced and comprehensive programme for everyone, from Pre-School Children upwards, from complete beginners to National level Gymnasts. Whether you wish to just increase your fitness and stamina or would like to take up gymnastics at a competitive level, Cheltenham Gym Centre has classes for you. With their ABC Gymtots programme structured programme is available even for the youngest.

For more information about Cheltenham Gym Centre visit our Sport Clubs section, you can find information about ABC Gymtots in our Clubs and Societies section.


If you are a member of Cheltenham sport club and would like to get your club's profile featured to promote its activities please get in touch. To find out how please visit our website www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community/sportclubs.asp.

Cheltenham Town FC Family Fun Day

22 December 2007 - Whaddon Road Stadium

Come and cheer on the Robins against Huddersfield and enjoy an action packed, fun filled afternoon of entertainment including official sky sports dancers & performers, Christmas choir, face painters, balloon modeler, juggler & stilt walker, magician, side shows and much more. And if that’s not enough you can watch what promises to be a great game of football.

Ticket Prices:
2 Adults & 2 Children (U'16) - £28,
1 Adult & 1 Child (U'16) - £15,
Additional Child - £5.

All tickets must be purchased from the ticket office in advance of the game. Tickets available from the Ticket Office or call 01242 573558 or visit http://www.ctfc.com/. Game kicks off at 3pm.

For more Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Sport Clubs

Cheltenham has a wide range of sporting and physical activity opportunities, whether you are looking for a local sports team to play for at weekends, try a new exercise class, or use the sports facilities of one of Cheltenham’s parks, playing fields, or sports centres.

Cheltenham4u is bringing to you a comprehensive guide to Sport clubs in Cheltenham where you can find information, contacts and results for your favourite sport.

If you enjoy playing football, you can join one of Cheltenham's numerous football teams and play in Saturday or Sunday League. Other sports you can take up include rugby, cricket, netball and hockey. If you are a racket ball enthusiast, Cheltenham's badminton, squash, tennis and table tennis clubs will offer you a warm welcome. You can either play competitively or socially.

At Cheltenham4u, you can find information about many other sports you can take up in Cheltenham, such as fencing, diving or martial arts.


If you are a member of Cheltenham sport club and would like to get your club's profile featured to promote its activities please get in touch. To find out how please visit our website www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community/sportclubs.asp.

Cheltenham Ghosts

Gloucestershire belongs among one of the most haunted counties and Cheltenham has its fair share of ghosts.

Cheltenham boasts to be the location of the best authenticated ghost story on the files of the Society for Psychical Research. The so-called “Cheltenham ghost” was first investigated by Frederic Myers. In April, 1882, Captain Despard with his invalid wife and six children moved into a house known as Garden Reach (also known as St. Anne’s in Pittville Circus Road). The house had been empty for years, and there were reports of its being haunted. The house was built by Henry Swinhoe in 1860. Rose, the captain's daughter, saw the ghost first -a figure of a tall lady, dressed in black. Altogether 17 people saw the ghost - members of the family, friends, or staff within the house. It tended to follow the same route, going down the stairs, into the drawing room, standing behind the couch for a while, then moving along the corridor to the garden door, and disappearing.

The haunting was at its height between 1884 and 1886. After that, the figure was seen less often and it gradually became less distinct in outline. The figure was believed to be Mrs Imogen Swinhoe, Henry Swinhoe’s second wife, who was reputedly driven to alcoholism by her alcoholic husband. The apparition of a woman resembling St. Anne’s ghost was seen in 1958 and 1961 in now demolished Cotswold Lodge, situated opposite St. Anne’s in Pittville Circus Road and also in 1970 outside St. Anne’s by a passing motorist. In 1985 the figure was seen at the back of the building.

Another haunted building in Cheltenham is the Everyman Theatre. Music can be heard from on the stage. This has been reported by several people including one of the theatres longest inhabitants; a technician who’s been there for over 20 years. The music is most often heard by people near the main auditorium doors in the Foyer. A figure has been seen standing in the circle/upper circle of the auditorium.

The house of Captain Thomas Hardy in Victoria Walk is reputedly haunted, though by who it is unclear. Tapping can be heard at the cellar of Suffolks Arms public house and in Hotel de la Bere in Southam which used to be a girls’ school a nanny who worked for the school hanged herself in her bedroom, and now walks along the corridors checking rooms to ensure her charges are asleep.

Leckhampton Inn had a haunting manifestation in 1997 when an old man and his terrier dog who frequented this old coaching inn appeared to landlord Andy Hobbs so clearly that he asked the man what he wanted to drink. The landlord was later shown a picture of a man long dead, who he identified as the disappearing customer.

Prestbury in the north west Cheltenham has a number of resident ghosts and it actually is the most haunted village in Gloucestershire, haunted by ghosts such as the Headless Horseman, The White Lady and the Black Abbot, who roams the local churchyard. You can find more information on Prestbury ghosts in the article on our website.

Have you ever seen any ghosts in Cheltenham? Have you heard any unusual noises which you were sure were out of ordinary? Let us know on community@cheltenham4u.co.uk or leave a comment on our blog. If you are interested in the paranormal, ghosts, hauntings, UFOs and related phenomena, why don’t you come along to the meetings of The Myers Paranormal Society, which meets every second Tuesday of the month in the Cotswold Inn, Portland Street.

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club

There are a number of over 60s in Cheltenham area but Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club is one of those which stand out.
The Club, which has over 300 members, has its own club house for the sole use of senior citizens. Membership is open for the over 60s resident in Bishop's Cleeve, Woodmancote, and surrounding areas. The Club is open 6 and sometimes 7 days a week for various Social Events and Activities.

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club is a friendly and caring club so if you are over 60 and need to make new friends and enjoy new interests come along to a Coffee Morning on Wednesdays or Saturdays between 10.00am and 11.00am, and you'll be made feel very welcome. For more information on Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club visit our Community section at www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.


If you are a member of Cheltenham club or society and would like to get your club's profile featured to promote its activities please get in touch. To find out how please visit our website www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/community.

Cheltenham Family History

Family history research has become an increasingly popular pastime in recent years. Millions of people are searching for their roots and devote hours of their free time to this fascinating hobby.

Cheltenham4u created a Cheltenham Family History guide to help you with your research. It contains general advice on how to start, reviews of popular family history software, as well as Gloucestershire and Cheltenham specific information, such as historical information about Cheltenham, information about family history research in Cheltenham Reference Library and Gloucestershire archives, details of Cheltenham local and family history societies and links to many useful websites covering Gloucestershire genealogy.

In addition, you can connect with other Cheltenham researchers by leaving a message on our Cheltenham family history message board and share the results of your research with others by submitting your family history stories.