Dowty Slot Car Racing Club December Updates

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.
December updates are now available, including results from all the latest races (1/32 scale, 1/24 scale and the Cotswold Challenge - race against Swindon's slot car racing club), as well as report from the Christmas Fun Run.

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.

January Gig at Xposed Club

23 January 2009, Xposed Club, Pittville Studios, Albert Road, 8pm

Friday, 23 January 2009 will bring to Xposed Club SIRR (featuring NIK TURNER, PAT THOMAS, STEVE NOBLE & CHRIS CUNDY).

Nik Turner (saxophones) was a founder member of the pivotal 1970’s British counter-culture, space rock group Hawkwind penning some of their most influential songs including ‘Brainstorm’ and ‘Master of the Universe’. During the 80’s he then went on to form the post-punk anarcho-political group Inner City Unit famous for their perverse homemade videos and their self proclaimed gambits towards the demons of the music industry. Turner has also made occasional guest appearances with, amongst others, The Damned and Sham 69.

Chris Cundy (bass clarinet) tours regularly with Mercury Music Award nominated orchestral/pop band Guillemots. He also appears on both of their recent albums under Polydor. Cundy is also involved with many other experimental and improvised groups where he frequently works with Guillemots lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield as well as many other musicians. He has made appearances at numerous experimental music festivals including Venn and Supersonic.

Pat Thomas (electronics + piano) is known for his innovations within urban dub and jungle/electro music. He has recorded a number of solo projects including ‘New Jazz Jungle’ and the mystic Sufi inspired ‘Jungle Sufi’. Collaborations have encompassed projects alongside influential sound artists such as Joe Gallivan and Rhys Chatham. As a major figure within the improvisation scene he has appeared with Lol Coxhill and Tony Oxley amongst many many others over the years. He recently released ‘Pat Thomas Plays the Music of Derek Bailey and Thelonious Monk’ for the independent FMR label.

Steve Noble (drums) is a leading exponent of improvised and new jazz drumming and recent projects include an exciting new trio with Ingrid Laubrock and John Edwards. During the 1980’s he was a member of the band Rip Rig and Panic with Neneh Cherry. Noble has also worked very closely with the composer Simon H Fell on various projects involving improvised and compositional cross over. His powerful approach to rhythm sets him apart as a player whose music is enriched by the beat, the swing and the shuffle in a very contemporary way.

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

Recycling Christmas Trees in Cheltenham

The festive season wouldn’t be the same without a decorated tree and when it comes to choosing one, more and more 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 5ft 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. Anything larger than this can be chopped up and placed in the council’s green waste bags.

You can also deposit your tree in January 2009 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

Christmas and New Year waste collection dates:
Normal collection day - Revised collection day
22/12 Monday normal collections
23/12 Tuesday normal collections
24/12 Wednesday normal collections
25/12 Thursday (xmas day) - 27/12 Saturday
26/12 Friday (boxing day) - 29/12 Monday

29/12 Monday - 30/12 Tuesday
30/12 Tuesday - 31/12 Wednesday
31/12 Wednesday - 02/01 Friday
01/01 Thursday (bank holiday) - 03/01 Saturday
02/01 Friday - 05/01 Monday

05/01 Monday - 06/01 Tuesday
06/01 Tuesday - 07/01 Wednesday
07/01 Wednesday - 08/01 Thursday
08/01 Thursday - 09/01 Friday
09/01 Friday - 10/01 Saturday

12/01 Monday normal collections resume

Cheltenham Council Tax to Rise by 3.5%

Cheltenham Borough Council’s draft budget proposes a council tax increase in of 3.5%. For a D band property this is an increase £6.20 per year or 12p per week, bringing the borough’s share of council tax to £183.44 in 2009/10.

The total budget for borough council services for 2009/10 will be £16.5 million. A Government grant of £1.646 million and redistributed business rates of £7.1 million make up just over half that figure, leaving £7.6 million to be raised from council tax payers.

The budget proposes £708,800 of efficiency savings, including staff restructuring in several departments. £327,300 will be raised through a review of fees and charges for services, and a further £85,000 through better management of the council’s assets. The council’s fees and charges will generally rise by about 3.5%. Council tenants will face an increase of 5.47 per cent in rents.

Other features of the budget include a new part-time post of Homelessness Prevention Officer to help people in housing need, as more people are expected to be at risk of homelessness during the economic downturn. The council will continue to invest in reducing flood risk. This includes constructing a protective band around Cheltenham Leisure Centre which was devastated in the July 2007 floods, contributing £100,000 to the Prestbury Flood Prevention Scheme, and spending £90,000 over three years on maintenance of our watercourses, streams and ditches.

The budget will be presented to the council's cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday and then go for public consultation until January.

Cheltenham Sport & Leisure

A new section has been added to our Cheltenham4u website introducing Cheltenham's sport and leisure facilities.

Cheltenham has excellent sport and leisure facilities. Cheltenham Leisure Centre, reopened after 2007 floods, provides new, top of the range equipment for the gym, while the Prince of Wales stadium offers an excellent running track. Cheltenham's beloved outdoor heated swimming pool, Sandford Park Lido, is a popular destination for families during the summer season.

Whether you are a serious rambler or just like to relax in a beautiful countryside, Cheltenham, surrounded by walker's trails with stunning views, has a lot to offer - the famous Cotswold Way passes through Cleeve Hill and Leckhampton Hill.

Football fans will appreciate the award winning ground at Whaddon Road, home of the Robins - Cheltenham Town FC, whilst horse racing enthusiasts flock to Cheltenham Racecourse, with its exciting calendar of races, the most famous of which is the Gold Cup.

For more information please visit our website at http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/.

Christmas Tree Festival at Oxenton Church

13 -14 December 2008

Twenty seven decorated Christmas trees, decorated by village organisation and families, will be on display in the beautiful old church at Oxenton near Bishop's Cleeve. Refreshments will be available in the village hall. The church will be open this weekend from 10am until 3pm. Programmes cost £1 on the door. Oxenton is located 6 miles north of Cheltenham, off the A435, just north of Bishops Cleeve.

Cheltenham Rock School for Adults

21 - 22 February 2009, Dean Close School

Following on from the phenomenal success of the Cheltenham Rock School – a week of workshops and seminars aimed at aspiring and serious musicians aged between 11 and 19, run by Beyond Eternity Promotions under the guidance of local musician Peter Gill – comes the ‘For Adults Only’ Cheltenham Rock School. For a weekend in February (21 & 22), at Prince Michael Hall, Dean Close School, those that are ‘old enough to know better but young enough to not care’ can take part in an exciting round of workshops, jams and seminars aimed at reigniting old passions, increasing confidence and blowing some of the cobwebs away.

Unlike the summer rock school there is no upper age limit. If you can hold a guitar, a pair of drum sticks or sit yourself at a keyboard then you can take part.

In the light of the doom and gloom of the economic situation this is an opportunity for people to kick back and have some fun – escape from the real world for a weekend. Top local musicians and tutors will be guiding participants throughout the weekend which will culminate in a mini performance open to friends and relatives.

For further information on the course or to make bookings, contact Peter Gill at Beyond Eternity Promotions on 01242 587776.

Cheltenham HMRC Offices Could Close

In a last ditch attempt to protect the services of the HM Revenue & Custom offices for the people of Cheltenham, Martin Horwood MP met today with Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury. The government will tomorrow be announcing intentions to cut the number of offices in the south west in an attempt to make the service more efficient. Martin is concerned that this will result in a poorer service for local taxpayers.

Martin Horwood also raised concerns about the impact of planned relocation of many functions to Stroud or Gloucester. He commented “I am very concerned about the impact on staff and their families if HMRC workers are forced to commute to Stroud or Gloucester. When families have child care commitments, these will have to be taken into account.”

Stephen Timms did commit to keeping an enquiry centre in Cheltenham, either at Parabola Road, or within walking distance. He also assured Martin that these changes would not be implemented immediately and made clear that the government are committed to maintaining the enquiry centre service that exists at the moment.

However, the minister could not give any assurances that the opening hours of the enquiry centre that would remain in Cheltenham would stay the same, nor could he guarantee the availability of expert staff to deal with complex problems. Martin said “It will be disappointing for the people of Cheltenham if the excellent service currently offered by the staff in Parabola Road is not maintained.”

The decision on HMRC office closures is due to be made on Thursday, 4 December 2008.

December Gigs in Cheltenham

In December Beyond Eternity Promotions have prepared some exciting gigs for Cheltenham and surrounding areas.

Wednesday, 3 December 2008
JB Jazz and Blues Band, The Daffodil, 8pm, Jazz and Blues

Thursday, 4 December 2008
Paul Newman's Blues Jam Night, Subtone, 117 Promenade, Cheltenham. Band 9-11pm, FREE Entry, Drinks promotions.
Tom McNair, Apple Tree, Woodmancote

Friday, 5 December 2008
King Earl Boogie Band, Delta Flood. The Tubby Blues Club, The United Services Club, 7 North Place, Chleltenham GL50 4DW Jazz and Blues
Touch of Blue, Royal Oak, Hucclecote Jazz

Saturday, 6 December 2008
Tom Jurgens, Berkley Arms Tewkesbury Acoustic folk and pop

Sunday, 7 December 2008
Bryn Thomas Solo (Sax & Axe) Rising Sun Hotel, Cleeve Hill

Wednesday, 10 December 2008
JB Jazz and Blues Band, The Daffodil, 8pm Jazz and Blues

Thursday, 11 December 2008
Jim Ramsay, Apple Tree, Woodmancote Jazz

Friday, 12 December 2008
Als Allstars, Old Pats Club, Cheltenham
One Way Street, Merryfellow Inn, Charlton Kings

Saturday, 13 December 2008
Touch of Blue, Bayshill Inn Jazz

Sunday, 14 December 2008
Bryan McCabe, Royal George, Birdlip
Jazz2Go Big Band, Sax Express, Metz Big Band Jazz Christmas Party! Gupsill Manor, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury. 7.30pm, FREE admission (donations welcome) call Sara Espley- 07947676112 Jazz
JB 2, The Kilkeney, Andoversford, Lunchtime Jazz Jazz

Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Joined at the Hip, The VENUE Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ. Doors open 8 p.m. music starts 9 p.m. Jazz

Wednesday, 17 December 2008
JB Jazz and Blues Band, The Daffodil, 8pm Jazz and Blues

Thursday, 18 December 2008
Lav Richardson, Apple Tree, Woodmancote

Saturday, 20 December 2008
Paul Jolley, Rising Sun Hotel, Cleeve Hill

Sunday, 21 December 2008
JB Jazz and Blues Band, Malvern Jazz Club, Malvern Rugby Club, Spring Lane Jazz and Blues

Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Paul Newman's Blues Jam Night, The Royal Oak, Hucclecote 9 p.m.

Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Tom Jurgens, Crown and Trumpet, Broadway
JB Jazz and Blues Band, The Daffodil, 8pm Jazz and Blues

Sunday, 28 December 2008
Aspen, Rising Sun Hotel, Cleeve Hill
The Jazz Jam, The VENUE Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ. Doors open 8 p.m. music starts 9 p.m. Jazz

Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Paul Newman's Blues Jam Night, The VENUE @ The Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ.

Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Tom Jurgens, Crown and Trumpet, Broadway
Sax and Axe, Grapevine Hotel, Stow on the Wold, 8.30 - 1.30, booking needed.
One Way Street, The Merryfellow Inn, Jazz
JB Jazz and Blues Band, with guest drummer Tim Ward, The Daffodil, 8pm Jazz

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

Free Parking in Cheltenham This Christmas

Christmas shoppers in Cheltenham will be able to park at Arle Court Park and Ride car park for free as long as they spend £15 or more in any of the stores in the Regent Arcade. From now until Christmas Eve Mondays to Thursdays, Regent Arcade promised to reimburse shoppers the cost of park and ride tickets if they spend £15 or more in its stores. Simply take your £2 ticket to customer services on the ground floor at BHS and get a full refund. The value of £15 can be combined from multiple purchases in the shops or restaurants in the arcade but the purchases have to be made on the same date as it states on the park and ride ticket.

The Christmas Park & Ride timetable was launched with the Christmas Lights Festival on Saturday and now includes regular Sunday and late night shopping services. You can download the timetable at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/utilities/action/act_download.cfm?mediaid=27110.

Furthermore, one of Cheltenham's town centre car parks will be offering free Sunday parking for Christmas shoppers, from 21 December up to and including 11 January. Grosvenor Terrace car park above Lidl supermarket, which has recently benefited from new lifts, will be available for free on Sunday 21 December, 28 December, 4 January and 11 January.

Cheltenham MP Supports Warm Homes Campaign

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood received a warm welcome today when he met Jessie Smith as part of a national campaign to highlight how energy efficiency measures are helping people stay warm and healthy in their homes, and how to get help from the Government.

The visit took place as part of the annual Warm Homes Campaign, an annual drive organised by energy efficiency charity National Energy Action (NEA), and sponsored by Warm Front scheme managers eaga and the Department of Energy and Climate Change. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the effect that increasingly high energy bills are having on householders, and the range of energy efficiency grant schemes and other assistance that is available for those struggling to heat their homes affordably.

An estimated 1 in 5 households are now living in fuel poverty in the UK, 433,950 in the South West alone. Cold weather and high energy prices result in increased illness and mortality rates. During the winter of 2006-2007 there were 2800 cold-related deaths in the region. Cold and damp conditions can exacerbate a number of serious respiratory and circulatory illnesses, which can, in some cases lead to death. The elderly and disabled are most at high risk during the winter months.

Martin Horwood is one of 70 MPs, Members of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly Members around the UK supporting the annual Campaign by visiting constituents to learn first hand how energy efficiency measures provided through a Government scheme can deliver affordable warmth this winter.

80-year old Jessie Smith from Cheltenham received a grant through the Government’s Warm Front Scheme. The funding enabled Mrs Smith to have her boiler replaced with a newer, more energy efficient one. As a result, Jessie’s home is both healthier and cheaper to heat. She also received free energy saving lightbulbs and advice on how to make her home more energy efficient.

Martin Horwood said, “I am delighted to be able to support the Warm Homes Campaign. High energy prices are putting millions of households under significant financial pressure this winter. Improving energy efficiency goes a long way to help those struggling to heat their homes. I urge everyone to contact the Warm Front team on 0800 408 2095 to find out if they are eligible for the scheme.”

Jenny Saunders, Chief Executive at NEA, said, “Over 5 million households this winter could face ill health, isolation, debt and worry due to the high cost of their energy bills. Making people aware of the support they can receive, and the measures they can take to stay warm and healthy, is vital.

“In this year’s Warm Homes Campaign we will be campaigning harder than ever to ensure that the Governments and Assemblies of the UK recognise the importance of adequately resourcing schemes to help those who are vulnerable.”

Paul Varley, Divisional Managing Director at eaga, said, “Warm Homes Campaign provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of fuel poverty whilst also making people aware of the help that is out there. For low income households help is at hand through a range of measures. For example, making sure they’re claiming the benefits they’re entitled to through Benefit Entitlement Checks, making their homes more energy efficient, and there’s lots of cheap and even free ways of doing this, and of course, by maximising grant availability through Government Schemes such as Warm Front.”

NEA is a registered charity dedicated to ending fuel poverty. If you would like to support NEA, you can do so at http://www.nea.org.uk/donate/

Photos from Cheltenham Christmas Lights Switch On 2008

Cheltenham Christmas lights were switched on this Saturday, with the help of Spongebob & Patrick, Bob the Builder, panto characters, the r'n'b girl band The Honeyz and, of course, the man with the white beard himself, Santa.

Children were able to visit Santa's grotto in the Brewery and stroke his reindeers. There were many street performers in the High Street and Spongebob and Bob the Builder were greeting children in the shopping arcades.

The procession with Santa's train included characters from pantos by Cheltenham's various dramatic groups, girls' dance troupes and traditional Indian drummers and dancers. Crowds gathered along the Promenade to greet Santa, who was heading to Imperial Gardens, where The Honeyz were on stage, for the big switch-on.


PHOTOS FROM CHELTENHAM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

Meet Your MP Martin Horwood in Cheltenham

Martin Horwood is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Cheltenham. If you need to discuss any matters with your local MP, you can drop in at his advice surgeries on Friday lunchtimes or evenings. You can also meet Martin at various events taking place in and around Cheltenham.

Friday, 21 November
11:00am
Martin will be speaking and cutting the ribbon at the re-launch of Cheltenham 1st Stop at 301 High Street, Cheltenham. Please see http://www.ccprojects.org.uk/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=34 for more information about this important service.
7:00pm
Cheltenham Liberal Democrats are holding their annual dinner at Renaissance Restaurant at Gloucestershire College. The guest speaker is Lord Rennard, Chief Executive of the Liberal Democrats.

Saturday, 22 November
2:30pm
Martin will be a guest speaker at the regional Liberal Democrat conference. The other guest speaker will be Lorely Burt MP.

Monday, 24 November
9:30am
Martin will be visiting the home of one of his constituents who has benefited from the NEA Warm Homes campaign.

Thursday 27 November
7:30pm
Cheltenham Liberal Democrats are holding their AGM at the Municipal Offices. Martin will be speaking.

Monday, 1 December
10:00am
Martin will be attending the opening of the new offices of Plexus Technology in Rodney Road. 4:30pm
Martin will be attending the Senior Citizens’ Tea Party at the Town Hall.

Tuesday, 2 December
11:30am
Martin will be speaking at the open day of Cheltenham Housing Aid Centre (CHAC). CHAC are struggling to raise enough funds to stay open at the moment.


To keep up-to-date with Martin's Horwood's appearances in parliament please visit our website.

Cheltenham Indoor Cricket Centre Set for Full Refurbishment

Cheltenham indoor cricket centre which was situated on the land adjacent to Cheltenham Leisure Centre is going to be fully refurbished, the council announced. Built in 1984 the indoor cricket hall is the County’s only purpose built indoor cricket facility.

The centre was severely damaged in the floods of 2007 and remained closed since. Before it closed, the centre was used extensively by the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, as well as by 8 -10 local cricket clubs for indoor pre-season training.

The centre will be refurbished using money from the insurance settlement as well as additional £35,000 allocated by the council. This good news hopefully also means that the popular Indoor 6-a-side cricket completions will recommence next October following the two year enforced break.

Unfortunately, the option to include a gymnastics facility was dismissed for financial reasons.

December Gig at Xposed Club

5 December 2008, Xposed Club, Pittville Studios, Albert Road

Friday 5th December a Christmas Special sees the legend Lol Coxhill join the great Veryan Weston and the very very special duo of Mike Adcock and Clive Bell make it a night of two duos. Come along to Xposed Club and be prepared for a night of outstanding music making.

Lol Coxhill and Veryan Weston have been playing with together since 1974. They made their first public recordings together (Joy of Paranoia and Digswell Duets) and also collaborated with various visual artists on performance projects. They also co-composed for Derek Jarman's film – Carravaggio, as well as stuff on Granada television with Lol's group – Standard Conversions.

Mike Adcock and Clive Bell have been playing together, on and off, for over twenty years. In the mid-80's they formed the band Accordions Go Crazy, recording three albums for the Trikont label in Germany. Since then they have been involved separately in various solo and group projects as well as continuing to work together in a number of ways. Clive Bell has played for several years in Jah Wobble's band Invaders of the heart and has worked with Paul Schütze, Bill Laswell and Jeff Beck.

Mike Adcock, as well as playing with blues/swing band The Cadillac Kings, has developed a long standing interest in Norwegian music through a number of collaborations with Norwegian musicians, including Nils Økland, Karl Seglem and Terje Isungset. In 2002 the CD Sleep It Off by Adcock and Bell received wide acclaim, including being voted one of the The Wire magazine's albums of the year. More recently they have both been performing with the German-based improvising group Paper Factory, along with Sylvia Hallett, Hans Joachim Irmler (from Faust) and Mike Svoboda from the USA, releasing a CD Schlachtfest-Session 1.

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

Belly Dance Classes in Prestbury and Bishop's Cleeve

If you would like to take up a new hobby why not try Belly Dance with Claire. Classes for beginners take place in Prestbury Hall, Prestbury, Wednesdays from 8.15pm to 9.30pm, and for Improvers/Intermediates Thursdays also from 8.15pm to 9.30 pm in St. Michael's Hall, Bishop's Cleeve.

Claire has been dancing traditional Egyptian belly dance for 7 years, originally inspired by her London teacher, Melissa Abraham. She attends workshops given by top Cairo visiting dancers/tutors whenever possible. She is insured with Mosaic Arabic Dance Network.

Members of Claire's Improvers' classes have performed Claire's choreographies as amateur troupe: 'Cleo's Sisters' at fetes, charity balls and various other events. You may remember them from this year's Bishop's Cleeve Street Fair.

To enquire about the classes call Claire on 01242 602241 or email danceinfo@bellydance-tortoises.me.uk.

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.

Philomusica at Tewkesbury Abbey

29 November 2008, Tewkesbury Abbey

The well-known local choir, Philomusica will pay a return visit to Tewkesbury Abbey on Saturday 29 November. Partnered by their orchestra, they’ll be performing choral music by two popular English composers under the direction of their conductor, Linda Parsons.

Philomusica chairman, John Quinn, commented: “We always enjoy our visits to Tewkesbury Abbey, which is such an inspiring building. Our programme this time includes two twentieth-century English choral works. John Rutter’s Requiem and Andrew Carter’s Laudate Dominum are both splendid pieces.” John says that the Philomusica singers are really looking forward to this concert. “Both the choral works are colourful and packed with memorable tunes and it’s no surprise that they’ve become hugely popular with choirs and with audiences. It should be a really enjoyable evening.”

In between the two choral pieces clarinettist Wes Duggan will perform Mozart’s ever-popular Clarinet Concerto. “This concerto by Mozart is one of his finest pieces”, said John. “In Wes Duggan we have a superb soloist and we’re really looking forward to hearing him play this wonderful work.”

The concert begins at 7.30pm at Tewkesbury Abbey on Saturday November 29. Tickets cost £12 (with accompanied children aged under 16 admitted free) and can be obtained from The Abbey Shop, from John Quinn on 01452 506417, or on the door.

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

The Coady Crew at Bacon Theatre

15 - 16 November 2008, Bacon Theatre

Nikki Coady and her Coady Crew would like to invite everybody to their performance at Bacon Theatre at Dean Close School. It promises to be an evening of great family entertainment featuring Street dance, Breakin, Singing, Chilled. If you like funky dancing or if you are interested in joining The Coady Crew, come along to see what they can do.

Performances start at 7pm both days and there is also an afternoon performance on Sunday which starts at 2pm. Tickets cost £9 adults and £7 children and seniors. You can pay at the door (cash only) or pop into the Coady Dance Studios at High Street, Cheltenham and pre-order your tickets.

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

Cheltenham Christmas Events

Cheltenham will soon be getting into the festive spirit as the Christmas season closes in. Our guide to Cheltenham Christmas highlights the best of Cheltenham Christmas Events.

CHELTENHAM CHRISTMAS MARKET

14 - 30 November 2008

The Christmas Season in Cheltenham starts on the 14 November as Cheltenham Christmas Market with its decorated wooden chalets opens in the Promenade.

CHELTENHAM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
22 November 2008
There will be fun for all the family on Saturday 22 November as Father Christmas aided by pantomime characters Aladdin, Widow Twankey and Abanazer join the Mayor of Cheltenham to turn on the Christmas Lights in Imperial Gardens.

MAGICAL CHRISTMAS GROTTO IN THE BREWERY
22 November 2008 onwards
From 12pm to 4pm on 22 November the Brewery shopping centre are getting into the Christmas spirit with a Christmas Grotto and real live reindeer. The Magical Christmas grotto will remain open until Christmas every Saturday 11am – 5pm, every Sunday 12pm – 4pm, then Friday 19th December 11am – 3pm, Monday 22nd and Wednesday 24th December 11am – 3pm.

ICE SKATING IN MONTPELLIER GARDENS
22 November 2008 - 4 January 2008

A skating rink will be installed in the grounds of Montpellier Gardens under cover of a huge marquee giving skaters complete protection from the weather.

PANTOMIME AT THE EVERYMAN THEATRE
28 November 2008 - 10 January 2009

The Everyman's annual family friendly pantomime is back, complete with a fantastic flying carpet, magic tricks, good clean fun and frolics with Wishee Washee and Widow Twankey and, of course, wishful thinking with the Genie of the Lamp.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN THE STREETS OF THE SUFFOLKS
3 December 2008, 6.30pm
Cheltenham Bach Choir and the Cheltenham College Junior School Choir will be signing Christmas Carols in the Suffolks. There will be stalls with mulled wine and mince pies and Santa will also appear.

CHRISTMAS CHARITY MARKET
6 December 2008, 9.00am – 4.00pm
Cards, gifts, holly, mistletoe and much more will be on sale at Cheltenham’s Christmas Charity market in the Promenade and local choirs will be singing everybody's favourite carols. Shoppers will be able to buy all the important Christmas accessories, as well as support their favourite local charities at Christmas time.

FESTIVE FARMERS' MARKETS
12 and 19 December 2008, 9.00am – 3.00pm
Christmas Farmers’ Markets take place on Friday 12 and Friday 19 December, where you can buy delicious festive treats from local food producers.

SANTAS ON THE RUN AT PITTVILLE PARK
13 December 2008
Join the fancy dress fun run around Pittville Park in support of Acorns Children’s Hospice. Anyone can take part, running, walking or jogging the 2km route. 10.30am warm-up and race starts at 11.00am.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT CHELTENHAM ART GALLERY

14 December 2008

Celebrate Christmas Victorian style in Cheltenham Art Gallery. Look at a Victorian Christmas tree and gifts from the past and make a tree decoration to take home. A free event for all ages. Also as part of the Victorian Christmas event we see the return of Professor Heard’s Magic Lantern Show. Discover the enchantment of comical stories, pictorial curiosities and magical transformations of this Victorian entertainment. A must see for all ages! Timed half hour sessions at 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.30pm and 2.45pm. Tickets £2 from the Museum Shop on the day, subject to availability.

CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE CENTAUR
16 – 17 December 2008
Back by popular demand, this exciting event at The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse has brought together tribute acts for Robbie Williams and Abba along with the well known local band The Chip Shop Boys, who have performed at several celebrity weddings in the area. There will then be a disco and DJ to end the night in style! £45.00 per person
• Two Course Buffet Dinner
• Bars open for Pre-Dinner Drinks at 7.00pm, Dinner at 8.00pm
• Bars open till 1.00am with Carriages at 1.30am
• Black Tie Optional
• Tribute bands – Robbie Williams and Abba
• Band – Chip Shop Boys
• Disco and DJ

ARTS AND CRAFTS MARKET
20 December 2008, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Arts and Crafts Market gives you the opportunity to buy something local and original for the festive season.

CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM AT SANDFORD LIDO
25 December 2008
Gates open at 11.00am, but please note this isn't for the faint hearted and is for adults only. All participants must sign a waiver form prior to entering the very cold water and attempting to swim a width or even a length. Last swim entry will be at 11.45am.

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

Cheltenham Remembrance Day 2008

9 November 2008, Long Garden

Cheltenham’s remembrance service and parade to honour sacrifice of armed services in war will take place at 11am on Sunday, 9 November at the war memorial in Cheltenham’s Long Garden. The service will begin at 10.55am, and will be opened by the Reverend Paul Wilkinson, chaplain to the Mayor. A lone trumpeter will play The Last Post before two minutes silence at 11am. After the Reveille, the service will continue with prayers, hymns and the national anthem, played by Gloucestershire Police Band. Cheltenham Silver Band will also perform.
Taking part will be the Cheltenham Branch of the Royal British Legion, Cheltenham Royal Naval Association, Cheltenham old Comrades Association, Joint Services Support Unit, British Red Cross Society, Gloucestershire College Army Cadet Force and St. John Ambulance Brigade. Also attending will be detachments from the naval, army and RAF cadets, and patrols from local scouts and guides groups.