Latest column of Tetbury news by Kevin Painter

1. Ever-growing and well attended Walk of Witness

The ever-growing and always well attended Good Friday Tetbury Area Churches Together TACT, Walk of Witness Took place on a glorious bright Sunny crisp day on Good Friday, March 29.

As many gathered at St Mary’s Primary School. The day started with a moving welcome, short Prayer, reflection and Hymm led by Revd Cannon Poppy Hughes, the all the worshipers started.

The moving and poignant walk the procession then proceeded to St Saviours Church. Through the Town to St Mary’s Church, St Michael's Church, the Post Office. Stopping and sharing the story of Jesus. Members of the walk took it in turns to carry the symbolic large wooden cross from station to station.

The procession was also joined by many people at different stages throughout the walk, and finishing at Christ Church, with a small service, and reflection, well all were invited in for tea, coffee, and hot cross buns.

The walk is the epitome of Christian unity, that shares that ultimately leads us to the true good news of the Resurrection and Forgiveness While different denominations, cultures and Faiths observe the day with different traditions, all the followers of Christ come together to celebrate the 'Messiah's' return to Earth in their own way.

2. Bubble show on Sunday 

The Highland Joker presents the Bubble Show at the Tetbury Good Shed on Sunday 7 April 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Join Mr Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes! Enjoy bouncy bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles and even fire bubbles!

The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling and bubble art! Actor, storyteller and Guinness World Record holder The Highland Joker is one of the top bubble artists in the world and brings you an interactive, children’s favourite, international award-winning bubble extravaganza!

Individual Tickets £9 each. Family Tickets £32 (admits 4 to include at least one responsible adult) Whistle Stop Cafe Open. Doors open at 1.30pm Suitable for ages 3-12 years.

This show will be an all seated performance that is not socially distanced, however they have upgraded their ticketing arrangements to allow you to reserve specific seats. For further information or to book please visit www.shed-arts.co.uk.

3. Annual meeting at St Mary's Church 

On Tuesday the 9th of April, there is St Marys' Annual Meeting, starting at 7.30pm in the Church. Revd Poppy Hughes This is a chance to review all that's been happening in the life of our church over the past year.

Our loving pastoral care includes many activities, from being involved in the Food Bank, through to visits to individuals at home and to Tetbury's care homes. The work with children includes the monthly iSingPOP CELEBRATE family sessions, St Mary's after-school club Faith Explorers, and Little Fishes Sunday School at the 10.00 am Sunday service in church.

And there are many opportunities for people to discover more about the Christian faith and to grow as disciples of Jesus: from our "Being With" explorers' course, to "Reflect Women's Breakfasts" and home groups in Advent and Lent.'

At the meeting, they also review the finances of the Church, and the ongoing challenge of raising sufficient money to continue our work and maintain Tetbury's incredible Grade One listed Church building.

They will also discuss the ongoing planning to reshape the building to better serve and support the community. So please do come along: it's your Parish church, so the meeting it is open to all.

4. Afternoon music with Alan Hogg and Friends 

On Wednesday 10 April Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to present Afternoon Music with Alan Hogg and Friends, who are Back by popular demand! Alan (Oggy) Hogg on the piano playing some of your favourite tunes and songs from the 1920s through to the 1940s. this time with friends, Charles Prince piano/trumpet,Shirley Day piano.

Starting at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm,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.

5. New service starts today, Sunday, April 7 

The new 'Heart & Soul! Service will be on Sunday April 7 starting at 5.15pm Free Tea/Coffee/Cake. Then at 6.00pm the Service begins.

Heart & Soul is a new worship service at St Marys’ Tetbury which seeks to go on a journey of discovery exploring different ways of worshipping God.

Each service may be different but we hope that they will offer something for all as we focus on what it means to worship God throughout each day of our lives.

All are welcome to share this journey. And will be at St Mary's Church Tetbury, on the 1st Sunday of every month. All Welcome. For more information email office@tetburychurch.co.uk or ring 01666500088.

6. AGM of film society 

On Wednesday 10th April, Tetbury Film Society will be holding its AGM followed by the screening of The Lesson (Cert 15).

In this thriller an aspiring writer encounters fraught family tensions while working as a tutor at the home of his literary idol, played by Richard E. Grant. Doors open at the Dolphins Hall open at 7pm for 7:30pm, prompt.

Visitors are always welcome, with tickets costing £6. They can be purchased on the door and include a complementary glass of wine to mark the end of the season. Membership for the 2024/25 is now available.

Contact our membership secretary, Patricia, on 01666 502085 for details, or visit the website www.tetburyfilm.org.uk for an application form

7. Reflective breakfast for women

You are invited to a reflective breakfast for women this Saturday, April 13 from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. This will be at the tranquil location of Christchurch The Chipping.

This will be a special time to chat and time to be encouraged as you share simple craft activity and be able to listen to someone sharing their faith and enjoy breakfast which would include hot drinks, pastries, granola, fruit and yoghurt.

To book your place please email office@tetburychurch.co.uk or ring 01666 500088 although free a suggestion of a £5 donation if you can on the day would be appreciated. This is a Tetbury Area Churches Together (TACT) initiative

8. Dramatic society to present Spider's web

The Tetbury Dolphins Dramatic Society are delighted to present Spider's web, by Agatha Christie on Thursday 25 April at 7.30pm, Friday 26 April at 7.30pm, with a special matinee on Satu

rday 27 April at 2.30pm, and again latter on Saturday 27 April at 7.30pm at the Dolphins Hall, New Church Street, Tetbury. Clarissa who is the wife of a diplomat, is adept at spinning tales of adventure, but when a murder takes place in her own drawing room she finds live drama much harder to cope with.

Desperate to dispose of the body before her husband arrives with an important politician, she enlists the help of her guests. A conscious parody of the detective thriller, Christie delivers a unique blend of suspense and humour. There is tension and laughter in equal parts in an intricate plot of murder and deception.

Tickets for “Spider's web” are now available from Tetbury Hardware or online: www.dolphinsdrama.uk . Prices are adult £11.00 concession, £9.00. This amateur production of “Spider's web” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. On behalf of Samuel French Ltd.

9. Huge thank you to Tetbury Area Churches Together 

A huge thank you must go to Tetbury Area Churches Together who came together as always with an moving and amazing Holy Easter week of events and services across the town and across Faiths!

The week started with the usual gathering for Palm Sunday this year on March there was the usual procession and gathering at the Town Hall/ Market House.

As all the Tetbury Area Churches Together came together in unity for the commemoration of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem, with a simple short service, afterwards, the assorted congregations returned to their various churches. Churches help her own unique services throughout the week culminating in the walk of witness.

The week concluded with a lovely Sunday service of holy communion. At a busy church children were invited to join in the Easter egg hunt which started at 10.00 am in the churchyard, celebrating the joy of the Resurrection

10. Business to close 

Tetbury always proud of its' heritage,businesses and of course its’ people

Alas one of the very special distinctive businesses of Tetbury has closed due to Personal reasons. Here is the personal post from their own page.Cornerhouse Quayles:

'We are very sorry to say that after a great deal of soul searching, David and I have decided to bring the curtains down on Quayles Cornerhouse.  Our final day was Saturday 23rd March 2024, after 18 years.  A combination of personal matters, including our youngest daughter's sudden, grave illness last year, David's accident in August and our collective age, we feel that the time has come to stop.

Over the last 18 years, our business has developed and changed to meet the ever moving landscape of the high street.  We have sailed some very stormy seas, with national and global events that have shaped all of our lives, most significantly of course the pandemic in 2019.  It's been a journey!

We wish all of our amazing customers love and thanks for their unwavering support and kindness.  We want to thank all our staff past and present.  We want to thank our children for all their incredible hard work.  Finally we want to thank Tetbury, we will miss your lovely golden surroundings, beautiful buildings and amazing bespoke business that really set it apart.  It is a jewel in the Cotswold crown. Philly & David Herbert, Quayles Cornerhouse'

There will be many many people who will be very sad that you have closed and I'm sure there will be many people who will wish them all the best for the future. Thank you both for being a big part of the uniqueness and charm that makes Tetbury. The longevity of your business shows how big a part you have played in Tetbury’s history. Thank you you both will be missed tremendously, and your wonderful words show why.