Nine pieces of news from Tetbury you may have missed

1. Tetbury Dolphins Dramatic Society present show 

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 Saturday 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.

2. Playgroups' Ofsted result 

Well done to St Mary's Playgroup who have made the following fantastic announcement.

'We are finally allowed to tell you all the result of our Ofsted Inspection last month and we couldn't be more excited! We are OUTSTANDING!!! For a small packaway Playgroup, this is an incredible result and just proves how much can be achieved by putting love and care into providing an exciting, engaging and nuturing learning environment for all our children.

What a fantastic way to begin the celebrations of St Mary's Playgroup turning 50 next year! Thankyou to our wonderful community for your constant support.. the staff, Committee, and families, past and present. We are grateful to you all.'

3. King's Foundation present exciting opportunity 

Highgrove Traditional Crafts The King's Foundation are delighted to present an exciting opportunity to participate in the craft of wheelmaking, for 3 day workshop on 22nd - 24th April 2024. Greg Rowland, and his father Mike have over 80 years’ experience as wheelwrights between them.

From their bespoke workshop in Devon they make and restore wooden wheels as well as horse drawn vehicles and gun carriages – offering a complete restoration service. In this 3 day workshop participants will together as group to make the constituent parts of a wheel and will all partake in the assembly and fitting.

This course is suitable for all levels. For more informationor to book please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/875516873537. Or email highgrove@kings-foundation.org for more details.

4. Acoustic show in Tetbury tonight, Saturday 

Join Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri at Tetbury Goods Shed on Saturday April 20 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm for an acoustic journey of their songs and stories which also include some tracks from the new album, unique covers of songs by artists such as Kate Bush and Frank Sinatra and of course Kiki’s own hits “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, “I Got The Music In Me”, “Loving & Free” and the stunning “Amoureuse”.

For over 25 years now Kiki and Carmelo have been touring their spellbinding acoustic live show across the UK and Europe. Performing in this stripped back fashion allows each of their exceptional talents to shine through and create a wonderful and warm sense of intimacy for the audience.

Kiki has recently celebrated her 55th year in the music industry and has cemented her status as one of the UK’s finest and most revered vocalists, always moving forward with the music that she creates with Carmelo . Kiki says Carmelo is her favourite guitarist , and he co-writes and produces all their songs.The duo’s latest critically acclaimed album THE LONG RIDE HOME was released in 2022 , and is full of haunting, emotional and stunning songs that will hopefully please their army of fans. For more information or to book you ticket, please visit the website:www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk Tickets cost advance £23.00, Tickets can be bought at the door on the night cost £27

5. Gardener's Question Time 

Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to present GARDENERS’ QUESTION TIME on Sunday 21st April 2024 The expert panel return to sort out your horticultural hassles! The panel consists of Margie Hoffnung, Tim Cordell, Duncan Montgomery, Sue Bradley Jones

They’ll be giving you advice on everything from when to plant out your vegetables to the best plants for pots and container and when to prune your climbers and flowering shrubs.

Plus you will also be able to ask them about your own specific queries and we are happy to taken written questions in advance – although that’s not obligatory if you have a thought on the day! Margie Hoffnung: Qualified with a degree in horticulture at Writtle College after working for Westonbirt Arboretum.

She worked for many years with Rosemary Verey at Barnsley House, and at Highgrove as a gardener and guide as well as at the Arboretum.

After a masters degree at Bath she is now conservation officer at The Gardens Trust and is a regular speaker on gardening and garden heritage matters. Tim Cordall: Tim was introduced to plant growing by his parents as a child as they were keen gardeners.

He has been a nurseryman for 35 years firstly working for 10 years for a commercial grower and then his own business where he specialises in herbaceous perennials, topiary and herbs. Duncan Montgomery: trained initially at Cannington College in the early 80s and then became interested in organics and studied at Lacock.

After a number of different jobs in the 90s he has been the head gardener at Newnton House just outside Tetbury since 2002. Sue Bradley Jones: is an experienced garden designer and passionate about trees. She has been a guide at Westonbirt for over 20 years and is also an authority on woodland plants.

For more information or to book your ticket, please visit the new website:www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk Tickets cost £6.50.

6. Latest gathering of piano club 

The Shed Piano Club at The Goods Shed Tetbury, are pleased to announce their latest gathering will take place on Wednesday 24 April from 2:00-4:00pm.

Offering a wonderful opportunity for talented amateur musicians who have worked hard at their craft to be able to play to their peers and others.

Since acquiring the Steinway grand piano the Goods Shed has hosted hugely successful and popular Tea Concerts on Wednesday afternoons with local amateur musicians playing for an appreciative and interested audience.

As well as incorporating the warm social atmosphere of such gatherings the Piano Club provides a wonderful opportunity for talented amateur musicians who work so very hard at their craft to be able to play to their peers and others, and of course enjoying some beautiful music from accomplished performers whilst enjoying a little light refreshment from The Whistle Stop Café that will also be open from lunchtime and during the afternoon offering a range of refreshments.

Anyone wanting to be amongst the performers are asked to contact Maggie Dyson on 01666 837358 (email maggie.dyson@btinternet.com) before booking your ticket and she will be able to confirm availability and performance time slot. They do hope you can come along and maybe bring a guest. There is just a small charge (Tickets: £4.00) for all who attend, whether playing or listening and tickets can be booked by visiting the good shed website and clicking the TicketSource link on the description of the event. On the website www.shed-arts.co.uk

7. Bowls Club present taster session weekend 

Tetbury Bowls Club delighted to present another very popular 'play bowls' FREE taster session weekend. So if you are interested in trying lawn bowls? Or looking for new friendships? new skills? new challenges?

They are offering a FREE bowls taster session at Tetbury. Everyone aged 9 to 99+ is welcome. COME WEARING FLAT SOLED SHOES;They will provide the equipment and coaching! For more information or to register for any of the days please visit www.tetburybowlsclub.co.uk. Registration closes 27th of April 2024 9:30 am.

Stop by Tetbury Bowls Club at anytime between 11am and 3pm on Saturday 27 April to give it a go! Find out how you might BENEFIT from BOWLS.It's an opportunity for individuals and families to explore a new sociable sport, with the side benefits of improved physical activity, mental health, and overall well-being. You'll meet many of friendly members who are enthusiastic about the sport and enjoy sharing their passion. During your session, you'll be matched to a set of bowls that fit your hand and then shown and coached on how to deliver your bowl down the green to (hopefully) rest near the jack. You'll be able to wander around our recently remodelled clubhouse, and partake of the refreshments that will be available.

Then on Sunday 28th April there will be a special juniors session for any one aged 9 to 18 with their accompanying adult. The 6-rink green is located behind Tetbury's Dolphins Hall next to the Recreation Ground New Church St, Tetbury GL8 8DS Cllr

8. Update on TRO scheme 

Colin Pearce, Chair of the Highways Working Group (which is not a council committee but a group of residents and individuals) 'would like to thank members of our wonderful community and past Highways Chairs who have helped and supported on the Highways Working Group to develop and deliver the Traffic Regulation Orders applied for and financed by Tetbury Town Council and GCC Councillor Stephen Hirst.

The TRO scheme, which has seen double yellow lines placed around the Town, particularly at the St Marys School site and problem junctions, was initially drawn up around 6yrs ago, and has been worked on regularly by successive Highways Chairs, Cllr Colin Pearce being the latest of those, has been instrumental in ensuring that the County Council put these into action without further delay helping to make our roads safer. Colin said 'Tetbury’s Traffic Regulation Orders that the towns has waited for 6 years to be implemented is at last coming to a conclusion by the end of April.

These TRO’s have been a long time coming , they were requested and paid for by Tetbury Town Council for safety issues around the town , with vehicles parking to close to junctions, double parking. safety at St Marys School etc. These TRO’s are only as good as the enforcement, so please think don’t park on double yellow lines for safety.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Highways working committee past and present for their persistence and never giving up and pushing these TRO’s through for the safety of the town.Residents of Tetbury it’s now down to you to adhere to the law and don’t park on the double yellow line.

Also hopefully by the end of April the post should be in place for VAS spend sign for Hampton St/London Rd & Cirencester Rd. The Highways Working Group runs a successful Lorry Watch group assisted by Neighbourhood Policing. And a successful Speed watch group in liaison with Gloucestershire Police Speed watch team.' Colin concluded. 'We are looking for Volunteers if you feel that you can help make Tetbury betting please call Tetbury Town Council 01666 504670.'

9. Church's annual meeting 

Last week (9th of April) was the St Marys’ Church Annual Meeting, as always it was a very positive uplifting meeting chaired by Reverend Canon Poppy Hughes although this time there was a touch of ambivalence as It was the final meeting chaired by Poppy who will be leaving us in July.

Ordained in 2010, Poppy joined us in September 2013 serving the Tetbury Benefice, Beverston, Long Newton and Shipton Moyne. Poppy made the move to Tetbury from South-East London where she was a curate working closely with children and young families, Poppy was a producer for Radio 4, helping put together shows such as You and Yours, Any Questions, and Any Answers; then, at church one day, she had a call from God. An emotional Poppy reminded reminded us of what she said to Bishop Michael when she first applied if I am not successful then I will have to come back to Tetbury as when I came to visit I lost my heart to Tetbury.”

Poppy then thanked her amazing team, the PCC, the Congregation and indeed for many many people whose lives she had touched.

There was thanks and reflection for the work of the church, the loving pastoral care that 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.with services that draw in young and old alike: from 300+ people gathering on Remembrance Sunday, to over 600 folk sharing in the services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

There was also the elections for the new PCC parochial Church council, for 7 new members who have the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

It also has maintenance responsibilities for St Mary the Virgin and St Mary Magdalen Church. Of course a major initiative will be the reshaping making sure that the church building adapts and survives in the 21st-century, following on from the amazing report/work by Peter Hyson The new PCC is The Revd Canon Poppy Hughes (Chair), PCC Secretary Liz Angell.

The Reverend Steve Bullock, The Revd Pauline Setterfield, Sue Thomas (Churchwarden) Mike Hardwick (Treasurer), Rosemary Bailey (Deanery Synod rep), Richard Mattick, Sarah Williams (Deanery Synod rep), Diana Challis, Michele Maund, Heather Woodcock, Dan Fisher, Mary Hinton, Alison Hesketh, Kevin Painter, Darren Baker.

At the end of the meeting Poppy received a standing ovation for the work that she has done over the last decade.

Poppy said afterwards ''I've had lovely messages following the announcement that I will be leaving in July. Thank you to everyone for their kind support both for my ministry here, and for the decision to move.

It is much appreciated. I think my final Sunday will be 21st July, so hope I can mark all of this with you then.’

Our thoughts and prayers are with Poppy as she has just had her hip replacement and is doing well. Thank you Poppy you will be missed, but not yet! This gives you chance to show your appreciation before she leaves in July.