WEEKLY COLUMN of Tetbury news by Kevin Painter

Congratulations to local Olympian Tom McEwen

Well Tetbury like the rest of the world has been amazed at the 2024 Olympic Games.

For Tetbury it was made even more personal as the town supported again the fantastic local man Tom McEwen MBE and of course the town congratulates him on his Olympic gold achievement.

Although this will be our second time of celebrating after his stunning success as in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics where he won gold and silver he was able to be embraced and honoured by the town by switching the official Christmas lights back on Friday 3rd December 2021 when he was a perfect ambassador for the town reaching his many many fans all of whom were thrilled by his absolutely gracious and charming manner.

This gives the town a perfect opportunity to say a belated congratulations on your marriage last autumn to your long term girlfriend Harriet.

And even more congratulations on the heart-warming news you and your wife Harriet are expecting your first child in early to mid-November.

Well done Tom on your second Olympic Gold, and to your amazing team that supports you and of course your other partner JL Dublin.

You deserve the happiness and success that you have been given.

Californian singer-songwriter coming to Tetbury 

On Friday 16 Aug 2024 at 7.30pm, Tetbury Goods Shed Arts are delighted to welcome a Solo performance by singer-songwriter, Willy Tea Taylor.

Willy hails from Oakdale, California (The Cowboy Capital of the World) and is touring the UK in support of his album, The Great Western Hangover,

There is no question that Willy Tea Taylor’s life as a singer/songwriter was predetermined. His role was realised the moment he wrote his first song.

His inspirations are drawn from two separate wells: living the life of a cattleman’s kid and experiencing true visionaries of music like Greg Brown, John Hartford, and Guy Clark.

The image of Guy Clark and friends sitting around the kitchen table loaded with ashtrays full of butts, half-smoked cigarettes, food, and booze on one Christmas Eve in 1975 burned into Taylors’s soul.

Those guys, swapping songs without pretence, lit Willy Tea’s fire.

And have done ever since: leading purpose with passion, curating relationships through musical friendships that get him closer to his own Clark-style kitchen table.

For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the new website:www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk

Tickets cost advance £12.50 under 25 £10.00 PLEASE NOTE: On the door on the night tickets will cost £16 and £13.

Cabaret coming to Tetbury

On Sat 10 Aug 2024 Tetbury Goods Shed Arts welcomes after hosting four sell-out cabaret shows in Stroud, local entertainer The Magnificent Mr. Kai who has decided to leave his home town and bring the magic and wonder of cabaret to Tetbury!

Featuring: ‘The Magnificent Mr Kai‘ as compère, comedian and juggler. Ivy Malice performing her signature Rock n Roll burlesque.

Ana Toxin, ‘The Storyteller of striptease’ with her act ‘Dairy Queen’ – a hilarious act about a cow’s attempts to avoid a trip to the slaughterhouse, And Annabelle Holland with her knife-throwing act, ‘Bunny’.

One of very few female knife-throwers in the world and definitely THE most original, Annabelle has charisma and a unique style; presenting her skills in a beautiful, warm, hilarious and distinctly murderous vein.

Her knife-sharp comedy not only entertains but may make you think a little about gender stereotypes whilst laughing at the irony.

Come and enjoy a wonderful mishmash of circus, theatre, spoken word and burlesque acts, all held together with Kai’s unique blend of stand-up comedy, juggling and audience interaction. 

Dan’s race in Europe in aid of hospice

At 8.00pm French time on July 21st 2024 Daniel Boulton started along with 350 others The Transcontinental Race to the finish line in Istanbul. But unfortunately the gruelling trek took its toll on Dan who was unable to finish!

An exhausted and bruised Dan said ‘’I covered 1,390 miles in 8 days, which included traversing the Alps in Austria and Julian Alps in Slovenia climbing over 70,000ft.

My race eventually ended in Montenegro, after several crashes in the Bosnian gravel the day before, carrying a few injuries and general exhaustion. It was an eye opening experience for sure.

The self supported element of the race which was over a longer period of time than I was used to and getting to see some unbelievable sights from the cobbles in Belgium to the top of some of the biggest climbs over ever done.

Getting to meet some of the best endurance cyclists in the world and having the privilege of riding amongst them while it lasted.

I’m disappointed how it ended, it wasn’t what I was hoping for, however, I’m grateful I got the chance to take part.

But the one of the reasons I try to take on these rides other than personal challenges, is for charity. I was raising money for Sue Ryder Hospice in Leckhampton and Cirencester Relay for Life Cancer Research.

My sponsors all pledged money to the charities for space on my custom Jersey, which is amazing and I’m very grateful for their support in raising vital money for the charities.’

The sponsors were Servizio Bike Servicing and Repairs, R & J Pearce, Atley Construction and Arrow Valley Automation.

Well done Dan and let us not forget that this is following on from his last year’s 2 Guinness world records for charity. You are always a champion.

Tickets on sale for the Tempest 

On Sat 17 Aug 2024 The Festival Players present The Tempest a special Open-air Theatre at The Goods Shed production, Shakespeare’s last, and great, play is a triumphant compilation of intrigue, magic, and humour.

Prospero, an exiled Duke with supernatural powers, creates a great storm which sees his enemies shipwrecked on his island.

Magic abounds, plots are exposed, and a colourful array of characters gain their deserts. Trish Knight-Webb founded The Festival Players Theatre Company in 1986, directing its first production Romeo and Juliet for the Three Choirs Festival.

She directed and performed in most of the productions and was Artistic Director of the Company until 2001 handing over to Michael Dyer in 2002.

The Festival Players Theatre Company is well established as a professional company delivering the best in open-air Shakespeare. It continues to grow in reputation internationally.

2014 saw a change to the Festival Players set up; the company now tours as an all-male rep company staging two shows featuring the same team of performers.

The Festival Players’ patron is Dame Judi Dench, and the company is committed to presenting the very best in touring theatre, providing an accessible and enjoyable evening for all types of audiences.

For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the new website:www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk

Tickets cost £17.00 under 25s £10.00 Please note: this is an outside performance so please do bring your own rugs and cushions to sit on. If the weather is bad, then we will move the performance into the Main Hall.

Animal service to be held at local church 

Something special and for all the family literally is The Animal Service to be held in Shipton Moyne St. John the Baptist’s Church on Sunday 25th August at 11.15.

Do take your pets along for a blessing as it is always a lovely joyfull occasion. All are welcome. Come along and celebrate God’s creatures.

Off the Rails family festival returns 

The countdown is on to this year’s fabulous Off the Rails festival of music, entertainment and family fun.

Whatever else you’ve got planned for Sunday 1 September, give yourself a generous dollop of time to come on down to the fourth “Off the Rails” family festival. Starting at 11.00am.

There’ll be live music on the outdoor platforms from the likes of: Guinea Lane Saxophone Quartet (11.30am).

Incredible guitar virtuoso Iago Banet (12.10pm). The Lost Notes Trio (1.15pm). Jazz master James Morton and his Groove Den (1.50). Samba workshop and parade (3pm). Paul Hutchinson and John Dipper (3.15pm). Magpie and the Shiny Things (3.50pm). Plus DJ Fat Boy Tim (4.50pm) will have everyone up and rocking! (Please note timings are approximate).

Around and about the outside of the Shed there’ll be all kinds of impromptu entertainment for grown ups and children alike, including a Samba workshop and parade with Ola Samba, magic, and naturally a Beer Tent.

Of course the Whistle Stop café will be doing take-away meals, hot and cold drinks and scrumptious pastries all day, together with other food stalls including, The One Pizza, Maria’s Cafe of Love Land, and Niangs Thai Snacks and ice cream,and more!

For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the new website: www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk Tickets Advance Adult cost £8.50 under 18s Free PLEASE NOTE: On the door on the day adult tickets will cost £10.00

Future of burials in Tetbury

Following on from last week’s news that Tetbury Town council will be holding a Town Meeting regarding the future of Burials in Tetbury’ based on a report.

The report stated in light of the Environmental Agency SPZ1 legislation implemented in October 2023, which renders Tetbury unsuitable for burial, significant changes are on the horizon for the town’s funerary practices.

Currently, St Saviour’s, the primary burial ground in Tetbury, is down to its last six available plots.

This pressing issue necessitates a community-wide announcement regarding the imminent closure of Tetbury Council burial site located at the back of St Saviour’s.

To address the concerns and inform the residents comprehensively, it has been decided to convene a Town Meeting.

This meeting will serve to elucidate the situation, outline the implications of the SPZ1 legislation, and discuss the dwindling options for burial within Tetbury.

As part of our proactive approach, we have already sought a ground engineer’s to assist in articulating the technical aspects and constraints of the new regulations in a clear and accessible manner for all residents.

This initiative underscores our commitment to transparency and community engagement during this pivotal transition in Tetbury’s burial practices.

This has always has been a highly emotive long standing issue town issue for the term so if you have any thoughts suggestions this will probably be the final opportunity to come forward and suggest.

The Council have provisionally booked the Goods Shed on the 4th of September 2024 6.30pm -8pm for the Town Meeting regarding the right and provision for Burials in Tetbury. This will be confirmed soon.

Tetbury family car treasure hunt

The Tetbury Lions Family Fun Car Treasure Hunt Will take place Saturday, September 7 starting at 2.00pm - 3.30 pm from the Goods Shed, finishing at the Priory Hotel where tea and cakes will be available. There will be lovely prizes and this is open to everyone.

It will take 1.5 hours approximately around the beautiful town of Tetbury and surrounding areas. Pay on the day of £10 per adult and children under 15 are free for more information or to register your interest contact Keith Hodgson on 07770 961773 or email keith.hodgson@hotmail.co.uk

Full timetable of holiday events

Holiday Activities & Food HAF Present a full timetable of events some specifically for families eligible for free school meals through the Holiday and Food Program (HAF).

These include watersports, cookery, workshops, forest schools, sports camps & much, much more. TAYCT are running drama workshops, cookery classes and open access passes to Westonbirt Arboretum including a lunch bag for children.

These events and bookings can be accessed through the CABs booking system. Please contact us if you are eligible but not yet registered, they can do it all for you!

Email: Darby.law@tayct.org.uk

Lets Play! Tomorrow . 8th August - Drop in Youth Session on The Rec 3-5pm - Year 7-13. (TAYCT)9th August - Play Gloucestershire Play Rangers Day on The Rec 10-4pm - (Takes place outdoors and are open access - no registration)

For further information please contact : www.playgloucestershire.org.uk.

  • 12th August - Cookery Workshop (HAF) + Youth Bus Trip To Cirencester.
  • 14th August - TAYCT Play day on The Rec 10-1pm - Families & Children welcome - no booking necessary - there will be a small soft play set up for under 5’s too.
  • 15th August - Drop in Youth session on The Rec 3-5pm - Year 7-13(TAYTC)
  • 21st August - World Jungle Play day on The Rec.
  • 22nd August - Drop in Youth session on The Rec 3-5pm - Year 7-13(TAYCT}
  • 28th August - TAYCT Play day on The Rec 10-1pm - Families & Children welcome - no booking necessary - there will be a small soft play set up for under 5’s too.
  • 29th August - Drop in Youth session on The Rec 3-5pm - Year 7-13.
  • 30th August - World Jungle Play day on The Rec 2-4.30pm - all free, everyone welcome - Circus skills, Giant Bubbles, African Drumming, Henna, Wellbeing Area, Graffiti, Trapeze, Arts and Crafts and more.

To book you can use the link or register on the day https://cotswolddistrict.coordinate.cloud/project/55613

And big thank you to TAYCT who as always are running some fantastic special days.