WEEKLY Column of Tetbury news by Kevin Painter 

1. Join local artists at exhibition 

Join Local Artists at the Tetbury Art Society Spring Exhibition at the magnificent Town Hall/Market House, upstairs in the historic Market Hall right in the centre of Tetbury, from Saturday, 24th August to Monday, 26th August 2024.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. And it is Free entry

2. Special garden party 

On Saturday 24th August Upton Mill will be hosting a special Summer Bank Holiday Garden Party Visitors can look forward to a variety of garden games and activities finishing with high tea made by their award winning chefs! Sam and his fantastic friendly team hope to see you soon! Upton Mill is set the lovely setting Quercus Road, GL8 8FH Tetbury

3. Special concert at Church 

There will be a special concert at St Mary's Church Tetbury as they welcome the Stephen Connolly International A Cappella School - IAS on Saturday 24 of August commencing at 7:30 pm where you will be treated to the music by OctAves (Netherlands) Irrevocable( (Netherlands) PassiSparal (Italy) VOXacord (Italy) and Simplyfive (Sweden) .

It is a free entry but there will be a retiring connection.

4. Animal service to be held 

Something special and for all the family literally is the 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 joyful occasion.

All are welcome. Come along and celebrate God’s creatures.

5. Next gathering of the Shed Piano Club 

The Shed Piano Club at The Goods Shed, Tetbury. Are pleased to announce their next gathering will take place on Wednesday 28 Aug.

Offering a wonderful opportunity for amateur musicians who have worked hard at their music to finally be able to play for other people.

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.

It is hoped that Piano Club 21 will build on this and incorporate the warm social atmosphere of these gatherings with the opportunity to play for a group of peers. The Whistle Stop Café will also be open from lunchtime and during the afternoon offering a range of refreshments.

And they request that, for the time being at least, all participants book in advance.Anyone wanting to perform should contact Maggie Dyson. maggie.dyson@btinternet.com. or telephone 01666 837 358 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: £2.50) 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.

Please note on the day on the door tickets will cost £4.

6. Kids fun day at the Royal Oak 

On Aug 30 it is kids fun day at the Royal Oak Tetbury in the garden time 12.00pm until 6.00 pm charges are £5.00 per child (this includes one slushy drink) Come and explore our bouncy castle, tattoo face painting, board games, slushies and many more. It's an afternoon for everyone.

Airstream will be open with tasty food and let's not forget about Orsen and Emma who will pop in to the fun filled party to say hello.

7. Next car boot sale 

 On Sunday September 1 will be the next Tetbury car boot sale at at Longfurlong lane, post code GL8 8TJ, Sellers can arrive at 9.00 pm and then open to buyers from 9.30 am. The cost is Sellers £5, Vans £7. A

dmission is just 50p for Adults children are free. And please remember this is a cash only admission.For more information or to book please email tetburycarboot@ gmail.com or ring or text (07900) 865535. Course weather permitting! There will be updates on Facebook Tetbury car boot. Please note the slightly earlier time for buyers to enter, to get that bargain!

8. Heart and Soul services returning 

Good news as after a short break the lovely 'Heart & Soul Service will be returning on Sunday Sept 1 starting at 5.30pm complimented with free Tea/Coffee/Cake. Then at 6.00pm the Service begins.

Heart & Soul is a new modern 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 they hope that it will offer something for all as they 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.

9. Festival to return soon 

It is not long now until this year’s fabulous Off the Rails festival of music, entertainment and family fun. So 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

10. Business' first year of trading in Tetbury 

Tetbury wines are looking forward to celebrate their anniversary for their first year of trading in Tetbury. And of course they will be having a celebration next month, and they will be inviting members of the wine club to join in.

You can join the free wine club by popping into the shop on Church Street and enjoy a host of benefits including exclusive tasting events. Castelnau is the newest bottle on their champagne shelf and is how they will be celebrating the Tetbury Wine Shop’s first birthday.

Are you on the guest list? It’s open to members of the free wine club, pop in or give them a call to take your wine adventures to the next level through their many events. Members of Tetbury Wines 'The Club' receive regular newsletters, early notifications of their promotions and in-store tastings.

Club Tasting Evenings are exclusive to Club Members and are a great opportunity to learn about and taste a range of wines centred on a theme.These Club Tasting evenings are held at 7pm on the 2nd Thursday in each month (not December).To join our club you can ring them on 01666 846191 or Email shop@tetburywines.co.uk or drop into the shop at 25 Church Street, Tetbury GL8 8JG and congratulations on your first year of successful training in Tetbury.

11. Museum as special extra open days 

The Totally free Tetbury Police museum who are regularly open on Wednesdays and Fridays 11.00 to 3.00pm, also have a couple of special extra open days, on Saturday the 24th of August they will be open between 11.00am and 3.00pm. and the museum will also be open on the August Bank holiday Monday 26 .

The museum is also one of 50 museums across the country taking part in a very special trail from 7 August until 26 August. There are activities for the whole family such as colouring, fingerprinting and more. Their knowledgeable and friendly volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions and give you a tour around the museum.

Join them this August for a brilliantly bonkers museum trail, part of the national Grimwood Museum Adventure with Kids in Museums and Simon & Schuster Children’s Books. The trail celebrates the release of the latest book in the Grimwood series: Party Animals, written and illustrated by Nadia Shireen. Spot as many animals as you can find, complete puzzles and build a barmy bird’s nest from objects you can spot in the museum! Complete the trail and get a free Grimwood sticker. There is also a competition to enter!

Maria Marsh the curator Said 'This is a wonderful family activity for half term and I would like to thank everyone who attended so far and especially my volunteers who opened for the special extra days’ she added 'We are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team.

If you would like to find out more about what opportunities, we have please get in touch museum@tetbury.gov.uk or stop by on Wednesday or Fridays when we are open.’

The imposing building at the end of Long Street is the Old Courthouse and Police Station built in 1884. This historic Victorian building has been a centrepiece of the town for over 130 years. It is an excellent example of a purpose-built police station, cells, courtroom and residence of the local Sergeant and his family. It is a rare example still left in the public domain and used for the community.

The Museum is home to a unique and fascinating collection of stories, photographs, objects and memorabilia.

The collection brings alive the story of a community over the last 200 years through the eyes of a small group of dedicated people who were in charge of maintaining law and order in the town and surrounding countryside. This wonderful collection takes us on a journey of change, growth and development from the early 1800’s, a journey that is still continuing today.

It is also easily located thanks to the life-size Banksy-style black and white image of a police officer which in its self is a tourist attraction with many people having their picture/ selfies taken with it. Which was illustrated and donated free by local artist Kevin Painter.

The Tetbury Police Museum is situated in the original historic Victorian Police Station, Gaol and Magistrates Court, 63 LongStreet, Tetbury, GL8 8AA

The museum is open Wednesday and Fridays 11:00am to 2:30pm