Working to make Tetbury more 'inclusive and accessible'

1. Special concert at Church 

On Saturday 31 of August there will be a special concert at St Mary's Church Tetbury as they welcome Stephen Connolly INTERNATIONAL A CAPPELLA SCHOOL who will be performing with Les Chanteuses Anonymes (Belgium), Vox Modulata (Italy), Five Gold Rings (Austria), Origin Voices (UK), Barberpapas (Germany. Commencing at 7:30 pm.

It will be free entry, with a Retiring collection. for more information you can visit www.laschools.org FB @stephenconnollylas This 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. Admission 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!

2. Heart and soul service to return 

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.

3. Off the rails festival of music 

Well it's here at last this year’s fabulous Off the Rails festival of music, entertainment and family fun.

Will take place this 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 £

4. Important meeting to discuss burial provision for Tetbury 

On Wednesday, the 4th of September 2024 there will be a very important meeting called by Tetbury Town Council to discuss Burial Provision for Tetbury at Tetbury Good Shed, Old Station Yard, Cirencester Road, Tetbury GL8 8EY commencing at 6.30pm.

The Agenda is Introductions, and Welcome from the Mayor, Cllr Peter Coleman. A Presentation from Mr. Callum Ward - The CDS Group. Then to receive questions from members of the public.

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 with this 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.

The meeting is o pen to the public and Local Government electors registered in Tetbury.

This will be your chance to have your say on the future, you may have suggestions or information that would assist in this potentially last opportunity for burial in Tetbury.

5. Fun family fun car treasure hunt 

Tetbury Lions are delighted to invite you to The Tetbury Lions Family Fun Car Treasure Hunt which 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

6. Special service in much-loved church

There will be a very special Service of Evensong on Sunday, 8th September. Special as it will be held in the much loved exquisite St Saviours Church, New Church St, Tetbury.

The service will begin at 6:00pm this will be as always a heartwarming service, and even if not a regular churchgoer it gives a perfect opportunity to step back in time for you to enjoy this beautiful historic, unfortunately redundant church. St Saviour’s Church has a special place in the hearts of many Tetburians.

This is a real opportunity to not only reflect, but meet old friends and perhaps make new ones. All are welcome to this real community event/service. The very special Evensong is in remembrance of Father Charles Fuge Lowder who died on 9th September 1880.

Who is commemorated by the Church of England for his extraordinary dedication as a parish priest in London. Known as the first “slum priest”, he worked with the poorest and most destitute people in the city. This is an annual service to celebrate him as it was the driving Spirit for the building of St Saviours which he oversaw.

7. Highly acclaimed Melvyn Tan at classical concerts

On Sunday Sept 8 Tetbury Goods Shed Arts are delighted to welcome the highly acclaimed Melvyn Tan once again as one of the highlights of their 2024-25 season of special classical concerts.Exploration, insight and imagination are vital ingredients in Melvyn Tan’s blend of artistic attributes.

He established his international reputation in the 1980s with pioneering performances on fortepiano and continues to cast fresh light on music conceived for the piano’s early and modern forms.

Tan possesses a profound understanding of his instrument’s history, its technical evolution and musical development.

His performances of piano masterworks, whether on a late eighteenth-century fortepiano or today’s concert grand, penetrate the surface of interpretive traditions and received wisdom to reveal countless expressive nuances and rarely heard tonal contrasts.

Acclaimed for the wit and poetry of his playing, Tan has also received ovations for his bold programming and exceptional ability to switch from fortepiano and modern piano, even in the same recital.Tan’s mature musicianship is informed by extensive knowledge of the piano from the time of its invention three centuries ago and of its historic development.

He has reached back in time to perform on everything from copies of early fortepianos to restored instruments associated with Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt and Brahms. In addition he has applied lessons learned on pianos from the past to conjure subtle new colours, fine details of articulation and delicate shadings from the modern concert instrument. Advance tickets are £15.00 Under-25 £15 Please note: on the door on the night tickets will cost £28 and £18 respectively For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the website:www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk

8. Stroud-based acoustic duo at the Goods Shed 

Tetbury Good Shed present, Afternoon Music with “The Peekies” On Wed Sept 11 at 2.00pm The Peekies are Chris Fry and Christina Snell, are a popular Stroud-based acoustic duo. Their music features a mixture of their own modern folk compositions and uniquely arranged covers. Comprising two guitars and two voices, they are best known for their sweet harmonies and polished performances.

Their two albums of original music – “Smokin’ Fish” (2020) and “Brief Melodic Cheer” (2024) are available to buy or stream on all the major platforms, including Spotify, You Tube, Amazon Music and Apple Music.

Two of their songs, A Cold Wind Blows and Once More have recently been Highly Commended and awarded 5 star ratings in the UK Songwriting Contest. More information can be found on their website www.thepeekies.co.uk.

Come along and you can enjoy some super music, meet your friends as well as maybe making new ones. 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. For more information or to book you ticket, please visit the new website :www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk There will be a selection of tables and chairs set out in the hall for you to choose from on arrival.

9. Fantastic book festival returns to town 

The Fantastic Tetbury Book Festival returns from 13th - 15th September 2024. On Friday 13th September at 7.00pm Meg Rosoff - Almost Nothing Happened The Carnegie winning author on her new book, and what young adults like to read-or not.0n Saturday 14th September program begins at, 11.00am Richard Fortey - Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind: Remarkable MushroomsA journey through the bizarre and wonderful wold of mushrooms and toadstools.11.15am Sarah Corbett - A Gentle Craftivism Workshop.

Make your own project and be a gentle, creative protester! No experience necessary, but age 14+. 1.00pm Eleanor Barraclough - Embers of the Hands. Meet the Vikings hidden from history. 3.00pm Sarah Corbett and Katy Bevan: Craft, Community and Changing the World,Crafting is both ancient and modern - but can we use it to take back control over our lives? Then at 7.00pm The Bookshop Band: Emerge, Return. Brilliant songs inspired by books we love.

On Sunday 15th September, 11.00am Daniel Light - The White LadderA history of climbing from the dawn of mountaineering to the ascent of Everest. 11.15am The Bookshop Band: A Musical Workshop, How to write a song - no previous experience necessary, and open to all ages and abilities.1.00pm Dai George: How to Think like a Poet, How to enjoy poetry more - from Sappho to Shakespeare and Donne to Plath.3.00pm Four Poets, Martha Sprackland, Declan Ryan, Chrissy Williams and Will Burns. Give them a subject to write on. 5.00pm Rosanne Pike - A Little Trickerie, Meet Tibb. You will never forget her. The best novel of the summer. And then at 7.00pm Darren Freebury-Jones: Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers, Why does Shakespeare still talk to us - and is it really his voice we hear?

On Wednesday 18th September It is the great The Book Quiz! At 7.00pmFiendish, fun, and prizes galore. For everyone, raising money for books for schools. Tickets : £8.50 or save when you buy 5 pay for 4. Workshops £16.00 Available online from Ticketsource, the Yellow-Lighted Bookshop and Tetbury Goods Shed.

10. Making Tetbury more inclusive and welcome 

Even though the logo and name of the shop Specsavers is that of a National Super Brand this business has the feeling and atmosphere of a local independent business, and why not as it is locally owned, and run by four directors, Cobi Williams, Rizwan Choonara, Jo Bryan and Jake Henderson.

The store on Long Street, just a couple of doors down from The Highgrove shop in the former Lloyds Bank building. Jake Henderson Tetbury Manager said even though we've only been here for three months the fantastic welcome from the area residents, making us feel part of the family.

And I would like to thank Tom at the local Cotswold Steel for their work in creating our access solution.

They created bespoke supports for the platform specifically for the uneven & high level of the steps & entrance.

The Specsavers head office and of course Peter for his invaluable help and assistance and still assisting with the location of our external our external notification pad. Peter said 'it's absolutely fantastic and humbling that Jake listened to the suggestions made about making the building more accessible, I never expected it to happen so quickly.

Working with the local Tetbury Business chamber to make Tetbury the most inclusive welcoming town in the cotswolds'.

Peter added 'It's about managing limits and limitations I will be coming round to businesses to discuss what we can do to assist, as unfortunately the perception is as soon as you mention disability or access people feel defensive or sometimes even guilty, as we are fully aware that many buildings are not accessible however, the aim is quite simple to give people with disabilities a choice and knowledge of which shops and buildings are accessible to them, with simple reference points similar to that of restaurants offering vegetarian and vegan meals, and this will not be limited to accessibility it will also include information to assist anyone with a physical or neuro diverse condition.

"I would like to thank Jake and his amazing team for making myself and many others feel so welcome, thank you. And this is an excellent excellent start to this project.’