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

Deep Roots Music Festival at Frog & Fiddle

31 July 2010, Frog & Fiddle

Deep Roots' second installment comes after the success of it's first night in February 2010 that raised over £350 for DEC Haiti and Rene:gade Roots which saw more than 300 people pass through and raised more than £400 for Sue Ryder. This time they will bring you some of the finest local talent this county has seen on a packed night of bands, DJ's and MC's that will have the place jumping.

ACTS:
Boys in the Wood (Acoustic/Folk/Reggae)
Vital Organz (Live Roots UK Hip Hop)
Arianna & The 4th Phase (Acoustic)
Rat-Tash Co (Live Roots UK Hip Hop)
Elliot Withers (Acoustic/Alternative)
Charlotte Coupland (Acoustic/Folk)

DJ's:
DJ Senz/Nick Beats
Expect a lively jam session toward the end of the gig with all the artists involved in the night =)

Time: 7.30pm - 11:30pm Price: £3/£2.50(Students)/£2 Live Music Society
For more information visit http://www.deep-roots.co.uk/

Cheltenham MP To Become a Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Transport Committee

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has welcomed his appointment by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg as chair of the Liberal Democrat parliamentary transport committee. He chaired his first meeting of the policy group last Wednesday. Martin’s new brief will cover all aspects of transport policy including rail, road, aviation, buses, cycling and alternatives to travel. In the last parliament, he was a shadow environment minister for the Lib Dems but as many senior Lib Dems have entered the coalition government, roles have changed to focus on co-ordinating policy with ministers and leading the development of new policy for the Liberal Democrat party. Lib Dem transport minister Norman Baker will attend the parliamentary committee whenever possible and Martin will have a direct line to the Department for Transport.

“I’m very pleased to have been given this role” said Martin. “It’s important that there is a Lib Dem voice outside government on key policy issues. We may be in government but we are still a separate political party with our own values and ideas as well. Norman Baker has brought his outstanding green credentials to government and we will be doing our best to support him. But we also need to look ahead to the party’s 2015 manifesto and keep the fresh, radical ideas coming.”

“It’s also a role that ties in very neatly with my responsibility to Cheltenham. Bus services, railway services and aviation are all local issues as well as national ones and I hope I will learn a lot from dealing with government that I can put to good use here as well.”

Leckhampton Court Hospice Autumn Fayre

11 September 2010, Leckhampton Court, Church Road, Leckhampton. 11am - 4pm

Live music, performances and entertainment all day including The Music Man children's entertainer, Cotswold Big Band and Gloucestershire Morris Men. Stalls selling arts and crafts, jams, plants and much more. Grand Raffle, bouncy castle, Angells Pets, face painting, children's games, BBQ, tea and cakes.

Admission: Adults £2, Children and Concessions £1. All proceeds will go to Sue Ryder Care - Leckhampton Court Hospice.

District Sports Summer Activities for Children

District Sports are running the following 4 weeks this summer:

July 26th - 30th Football Academy @ Chipping Campden School, Cotswolds
August 2nd - 6th American Sports Academy @ Sir Thomas Rich School, Gloucester
August 9th - 13th Cricket Academy @ Balcarras School, Cheltenham
August 23rd - 27th Football Academy @ Chipping Campden School, Cotswolds

All days are 9am-4pm, the schools are aimed at mixed ability boys and girls between 5-14 yrs old, coaching new skills, tactics and gameplay. All coaches are qualified, CRB checked and experienced in delivering FUN and enjoyable sessions. There will be plenty of competitions and prizes within each week so everyone always goes home happy.

Costs - £17 per day or £70 per week (£15 discount) + 10% discount available for siblings attending together. To book - please contact Jamie on 07763462795 or email him at jroberts@districtsports.co.uk

Cheltenham MP Praises RSS Abolition by Coalition

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood welcomed the coalition’s commitment to scrapping Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS), which would have imposed thousands of new homes on areas of green land around Cheltenham.

Speaking in a debate in Westminster Hall, Martin praised the work of organisations such as the Leckhampton Green Land Action Group (Leglag) and Save the Countryside. He singled out local campaigners and councillors like Kit Braunholtz, Alice Ross, Helen Wells, Gerry Potter, Cllr Klara Sudbury, Cllr Steve Jordan and Cllr John Webster, who campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of the South West RSS.

Martin said ‘It is fantastic news that RSSs are being abolished. I would like to congratulate the coalition ministers on taking this important step forward in giving power back to local communities.’

Martin nevertheless asked ministers to urgently consider some possible risks in the coalition strategy: ‘It is clear that ministers now want to hand power back to local communities but I am concerned that the Planning Inspectorate might undermine those good intentions when they come to rule on local appeals. I am also worried that a policy vacuum might emerge between the abolition of the RSS and the emergence of local strategies like our own Joint Core Strategy. ‘

Finally, Martin raised the impact of the RSS abolition on those on the housing waiting list: ‘If this does mean some constraint on market housing, which could in turn affect the affordable housing that has often piggybacked on market housing, then the coalition must address how we can provide more affordable housing, and in particular social housing for rent. This could be done by providing more flexibility for landlords like Cheltenham Borough Homes to buy and build more new council housing.’

Cheltenham MP Questions CRC Decision

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has responded to the government announcement that the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is to close. The Cheltenham-based agency will be replaced by a Rural Communities Policy Unit that will be part of the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The coalition has announced its intention to cut costs across government to help reduce the crippling national debt and also to remove so-called 'arms-length' quangos when policy is better made by ministers. But Martin has been critical of the lack of consultation surrounding this decision and said the government's announcement left important questions unanswered.

He commented: 'At least 60 jobs in Cheltenham have been put at risk by this announcement and I will be making a strong case to ministers for the new policy unit to retain staff in Cheltenham. But there are wider issues too. The CRC has three functions. Providing expert advice to government on rural affairs can be done within Defra but it's difficult to see how their independent watchdog and advocacy functions will be carried out. These are important influences on government policy. Only today, the Commission has launched an important report on upland areas stressing the importance of biodiversity, landscape management and reforestation as well as the needs of those who actually live in rural upland areas. Just abolishing this function could leave a big gap in government thinking.'

'I'm also very disappointed in the lack of consultation surrounding this decision. The new politics should be about transparency, consultation and evidence-based decision-making but I can't see much evidence of any of these on this occasion. I'm not expecting any special favours as a government MP, and I realise the ministers involved were Conservatives not members of my own party, but I would have thought all stakeholders should have been properly consulted. If the coalition is to keep public confidence for what are inevitably going to be some very tough decisions, we need to do better than this.'

Cheltenham Animal Shelter's Novelty Dog Show

10 July 2010, Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardener's Lane, Cheltenham

Come along to Cheltenham Animal Shelter's annual Open Day and Novelty Dog Show on Saturday 10th July from 12 noon until 4pm. They have lots of fun activities for all the family including a bouncy castle, bbq, ice cream, jewellery stands, charity bric-a-brac stalls, tea and cakes, competitions plus lots more! Joe Inglis (BBC Vets in Practice star) will be officially opening the event and will have a stall there as well. Entry is free. For more information visit Gloucestershire Animal Welfare Association and Cheltenham Animal Shelter Gardners Lane Cheltenham GL51 9JW 01242 548775 www.gawa.org.uk

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.

Cheltenham Netball Fun League

Cheltenham based fun netball league has been set up. It's fun, flexible and friendly! Teams and individual players can enter and there are separate divisions for all standards. For an application form email register@netballfunleague.co.uk. Matches are played at Bentham Country Club, Cheltenham, GL3 4UD. For more information visit www.netballfunleague.co.uk

Jazz At The Venue Jazz Club, The Wheatsheaf Inn, Leckhampton

First and Third Tuesday of every month, £6 entrance

Doors open for diners from 8 pm, music from 9 pm. If you wish to dine please make sure that you book a table well in advance. Last orders for food are at 8.45 pm.

Tuesday 1st June – The Armstrong-Simkins Quartet
The welcome return of cornettist Dennis Armstrong and pianist Pete Simkins for an evening of swinging, foot-tapping music inspired by the Chicago and New York jazz scenes of the 1920s and 1930s. Dennis and Pete are joined on this occasion by the experienced Chris Pearce on clarinet and saxes and by the talented Rachel Hayward on banjo and guitar.

Tuesday 15th June – The Peter Gill Swing Band
Another great night of ratpack inspired jazz featuring the wonderful musicianship of Patsy Gamble on saxophones, Mike Cypher on drums, Wayne Elliott on bass, Mike Croshaw on guitar, Peter Gill on piano and Suzy Jacoby on vocals.

You can now book tickets to The Venue Jazz Club online at http://www.beyondeternitypromotions.com/Venue%20Jazz%20Club.php or http://www.petegill.com/Venue.htm

Cheltenham Racecourse Christmas Party - A Midnight in Monte Carlo

3 - 18 December 2010, Cheltenham Racecourse

The UK's leading Christmas party specialist, Best Parties Ever is hosting a spectacular themed party at Cheltenham racecourse for the very first time this year! Local businesses, smaller groups and individuals can step into a world of glamour and elegance as the company unveils 'Midnight in Monte Carlo.' Join the jet-set and stroll down the red carpet into Millionaires Casino where you will be greeted by the infectious rhythms of the amazing live jazz band.

The ornate columns and marble floors of the sophisticated champagne bar provide a perfect setting for a glass of Kir Royale. Watch the breathtaking contortionist before sitting down to a sumptuous five course dinner, accompanied by showgirl cabaret and aerial silk dancers. After dinner and the amazing roof-top acrobatic finale, would-be racing drivers can head for the Pit Lane and race the Monaco circuit on Grand Prix simulators or grab a beer at the Paddock Bar. Or why not test your hand on the Roulette or Blackjack tables for a real Monte Carlo experience? For those seeking even more adventure, don't forget the deluxe dodgem cars, or simply head to the dance floor to show off your moves! And at the end of the night, tuck into a free survivors' breakfast before heading home.

The 2010 season runs from Friday 3 December until Saturday 18 December with prices starting from as little as £34.50. Reservations can be made on 0844 499 4040 or by e-mail sales@bestpartiesever.com. For further information check out the company's Facebook or Twitter pages - www.facebook.com/pages/Best-Parties-Ever/93610162341, @BestPartiesEver