Weekly column of Tetbury news by Kevin Painter 

1 New chamber aims to promote Tetbury 

Last week the first steps were taken literally as the New Tetbury Chamber started visiting some of the Tetbury businesses, over the weeks it is hoped that Cornelia and Alison will be dropping in to talk further getting views and opinions and also introducing and promoting the free New Tetbury Chamber  WhatsApp group to the businesses.

Many businesses have stated it would be good to have a forum where businesses can network raise concerns or put forward ideas, that simplistically that will be the aim of the Chamber whatApp group. 

The new chamber aims to promote Tetbury and enhance its' vibrant community and maintains its reputation as a popular tourist destination while still catering and caring for its own local communitySo far, the chamber has voiced their opposition to Cotswold District Council’s new parking proposals for the town, with a petition.https://www.change.org/p/keep-sunday-parking-free-and-give-tetbury-and-all-cotswold-businesses-a-break?  C

olin Pearce of R&J Pearce said  said: “I think it’s long overdue and it’s time to start up again. It’s time to look forwards and we’ve got a lot of new businesses in town and a lot of start ups that need support. So it’s a good time to jump in and see what we can do to help everybody.”

For more information on how to join free check out the New website tetburychamber.org 

The new website that will have the total definitive directory of businesses both High Street and specialised, and will be populated with positive news about the Town it will be shared with various media outlets so please email with your businesses details website address and a photo.

 If you would like to find out more even register or promote your business, then please in the first instance WhatsApp Cornelia on 07780143160. 

You can email admin@tetburychamber.org Of course leaving the best for last it's entirely free, no subscriptions, no paid advertisements.

2. 20 is plenty campaign 

The 20mph Zone public consultation is on between March 1 and March 31. 

The 20’s Plenty Tetbury group are proposing a 20mph zone for Tetbury town.

Slower vehicle speeds will make our streets more safe, pleasant, clean and quiet. Working with the Town Council, they would like to make an application to the county highways authority. They need input from as many Tetbury residents, workers and regular visitors as possible, to make sure the zone area is right for the people set to benefit from it and to demonstrate to the highways authority that that it is well supported by our community.

Please visit the website to view their proposed zone, to complete a (very) short survey and to feedback on the design of the zone.

This can be done any time in March. If you would prefer to complete a paper survey, these are available throughout March at the Goods Shed (Wed – Sun 10-4) and town council offices (Mon-Fri 9.30-2.30).

You can also come and speak to them and view the map at their stand in the Goods Shed on Sun 10th  and 24th March, 1-3pm. Following the consultation period, they will use your feedback to finalise the zone area and use the survey results to support the application.  

Please help us by asking friends, family and colleagues to complete the survey. If you feel you can help them in other ways, get in touch on tetbury@20splentyforus.org.uk

3. Award winning folk duo 

Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to welcome back by popular demand that today, Saturday, March 2, the multi award winning folk due that is Ninebarrow, who continue to impress audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition. 

Described by Mark Radcliffe as sounding like ‘two halves of one voice’, by Seth Lakeman as ‘a fantastic duo’ and by Kate Rusby as ‘absolutely amazing’, Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere combine breath taking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles.

Nominated in the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Emerging Artist and most recently picking up Best Duo in the Folking.com awards 2019, their latest album, ‘A Pocket Full of Acorns’ (released in March 2021) was released to wide-spread critical acclaim including coverage on BBC1’s Countryfile and BBC Radio 4’s ‘Front Row’.

 To book a ticket or for further information, please visit  www.shed-arts.co.uk. Advance tickets are Individual Seat, Adults £16.50 Under 25 years £10.00 on the door on the night tickets will cost £20.00 and £13.00 respectively. There will also be a licensed bar and the doors open at 7.00pm The performance starts at 7.30 pm - 9.45 pm. 

4. Heart and Soul 

Something new 'Heart & Soul!' Exploring different ways of worshipping God together.

This will be at St Mary's Church Tetbury, on the 1st Sunday of every month from March 3rd starting at 5.15pm Free Tea/Coffee/Cake.

Then at 6.00pm the  Service begins. All Welcome. For more information email office@tetburychurch.co.uk or ring 01666500088.

5. Afternoon of music 

On Wednesday 6 March Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to present the return of Afternoon Music at the Goods Shed. Starting at  2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

They start this years season of musical concerts at the Goods Shed with the  Rodborough Folk Orchestra a 25 piece orchestra bringing you specially arranged traditional folk tunes from the British Isles, Scandinavia and North America played on a large variety of traditional folk instruments

The orchestra comprises fiddles, violas, cello, flutes, whistles, recorders, mandolin, concertina, accordion, guitars, keyboard – really anything that scrapes, squeezes, blows, plucks or plinks.

 Their music is cheerful, has lovely melodies and harmonies, and they have a lot of fun playing together and inviting the audience to get involved too with periodic teacup tympani accompaniment using any available receptacles and cutlery! Please do come along, maybe meeting friends or making new ones whilst enjoying some lovely music. 

Advance tickets are  just £3.50 (plus booking fee) Tickets on the door cost £4.00.  The Whistle Stop Café will be open if you fancy a nice cup of tea (or coffee) and perhaps one of Sasha’s delicious cakes. To book a ticket or for further information, please visit  www.shed-arts.co.uk.

6. History of Tetbury Society meeting 

On the first Thursday of the month, the History of Tetbury usually meets and on the 6th March it is the AGM and social of  HOTS    History of Tetbury Society.  This is going to be a special event as it is 40 years  since Ted Prince  founded it,  chairman Jane Haines  will be giving a talk of how it started and the History of the society. All are welcome, You can be part of History in the making literally

7. Film screening 

Tetbury Goods Shed Cinema are pleased to be screening the film A Haunting in Venice (12A) On 7 March | 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a séance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer. A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 American mystery film produced and directed by Kenneth Branagh from a screenplay by Michael Green, loosely based on the 1969 Agatha Christie novel Hallowe’en Party.

It serves as a sequel to Death on the Nile and is the third film in which Branagh reprises his role as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.

The ensemble cast includes Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Michelle Yeoh. Doors and bar open at 7:00pm the film starts at 7:30pm-9:45pm tickets are £7.50 For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the website: www.shed-arts.co.uk

8. More events at the Good Shed 

Tetbury Good shed are delighted to present a Theatre Workshop with The Last Baguette on the 8 March Join Sidney and Tristan from The Last Baguette theatre company for an exciting, dynamic and fun theatre workshop.

Create your own scenes and stories, and learn about acting, improvisation and physical comedy. Suitable for Ages 6-11. Thanks to TESCO Community Grants these session are FREE to attend but booking is essential as only 25 places are available. For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the website: www.shed-arts.co.uk

 On Saturday March 9  at 11:30 am Tetbury Good shed are delighted to present Flotsam and Jetsam, from the  Lempen Puppet Theatre Company as they tour with their own unique brand of original stories told with puppets.

Imaginative, spellbinding, surprising and sometimes bonkers, Lempen focus on puppetry, storytelling, light, music and a journey that takes the audience there and back again. 

They are inspired to make theatre by Myth and Folklore, crazy characters, what makes us laugh and what we care about. Aiming to produce quality productions for family audiences that connect the real world to the world of imagination. Flotsam is soft, flexible and laid back. Jetsam is the opposite, stiff and nervy, watchful and suspicious of all in his forest home.

But when they are washed up on the same island beach they must discover how they can work together. A hopeful, adventure story about two very different creatures. Visual theatre with original music and delightful puppetry. Suitable for everyone from 4 – 104. 

Tickets are £8.00 For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the website: www.shed-arts.co.uk The Whistle Stop Cafe be Open. 

9. Film society 

 On Wednesday 13th March, Tetbury Film Society will be showing ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ (Cert . 12A).   

This film stars Jim Broadbent as a pensioner who travels the length of the UK to visit a friend in a hospice and his adventures along the way.  Doors at the Dolphins Hall open at 7pm for a 7:30pm screening.  Everyone is welcome.  Tickets for visiting guests cost £6 and can be purchased on the door. 

10. Special concert 

On Saturday 16 March 2024 there will be a special Lenten Choral Concert at St Mary's Church, Tetbury, GL8 8JG by  the amazing Avebury Vocal ensemble, with Conductor: Peter Tims and Organist Joe Barber. 

The performance will include, Allegri Miserere, Bairstow The Lamentation and music by, Stainer, Bruckner, Lotti and Reger. The Concert begins at 7.00 pm. For more information please visit www.aveburyvocal.org

11. Town Council election results 

Now the excitement of the local town council elections is over!

We can resume our thanking our  inspirational community heroes nominated by you. The next one appropriately is Mrs Xyza Aura Macutay-Malloch known affectionately as Xam who is the Manager of Kingsley House who overseen the new 2-storey rear extension, with 8 new rooms across the two floors with a Quiet Sensory Room on the top floor, was recognised in the New Year Honours list and was awarded the BEM medal.

For her outstanding work during the pandemic. She is also a Committee member for the Health and Wellbeing Tetbury, some of her other Volunteer works Tetbury Festival and Tetbury Christmas Light Switch on.

Piloted a project and currently running in conduction with the Cotswold Council a "Tuesday Club" (Dementia Cafe) in Kingsley House Nursing Home for the Home's residents as well as elders in Tetbury and villages alike.

She also did a sponsored SKYDIVE to raise funds for a very worthy charity, the Alzheimers Society the aim was to raise £500 however she completely smashed that by raising £1354. And Tetbury is indeed lucky to have her just join our Town Council.