WEEKLY COLUMN of Fairford and Lechlade news by Chris Roberts 

1. Rory's Tennis-Athon fundraiser for dementia 

Fourteen-year-old Rory Foreshew has successfully completed a 12-hour tennis-athon in aid of Sally Ann’s Music for Memory tea dance that Rory’s mum, Kelly, organizes on the first Thursday of every month at St Birinus Court, Lechlade.

Rory’s coach, Chris Hand didn’t hesitate when asked to be a part of the challenge and the tennis duo began playing on Saturday August 31 at 8am – initially against Rory’s parents and then against another 40+ players.

In total, they played 182 games of tennis and managed to win most of them!

When the last game finished 12 hours later at 8pm, an auction was held, with more fundraising taking place the following Thursday at the regular meeting of Sally Ann’s Music for Memory. Overall, Rory raised £4,436! He said: “My legs are very tired, but I’m over the moon with the amount of money raised.”

Kelly Foreshew started Sally Ann’s Music for Memory in August 2021 and, since then, the number attending has grown. Kelly said Sally Ann’s Music for Memory welcomes those who are living with dementia and their loved ones to enjoy live music, dancing and light refreshments. “We have been struggling for funds recently, so we’re really grateful to Rory and his coach for their help,” said Kelly.

“Thank you also to everyone who donated to the Just Giving page, plus The New Inn, Coln St Aldwyns; The Stump, Cirencester; The Red Lion, Castle Eaton; The Fox, Barrington; Auto Docs, Highworth; G W Fitness, Swindon and Lechlade businesses Miller and Holland hairdressers; Blue & Bohème florist; Budgens; and Cutler & Cashin for the auction lots and The Trout Inn; The New Inn; Monique’s Country Kitchen; Mid-Counties Co-Op; Lechlade Lions; Hedge Xpress and Lechlade Heritage & Development Trust for their support.

2. Fantastic prizes up for grabs in super raffle 

Fantastic prizes up for grabs in The Palmer Hall Super Raffle!

• Champagne breakfast for 4 and behind-the-scenes tour of horse-racing legend, Jonjo O’Neill’s Jackdaws Castle near Cheltenham • Dinner, bed and breakfast for 2 at the Crown at Ampney Brook • Tour of Arkell’s Brewery for 6 plus a ‘six of the best’ take-home beer box per person • Dinner for 2 with wine at the Ox Barn, Thyme at Southrop • Professional full car valet and detail courtesy of Ultimate Valeting • Lunch for 2 with wine in the Swan at Southrop • Garden Tour of HM King Charles’ Highgrove estate • Family ticket for Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park plus a pet experience • Meal for 2 with wine at the Plough, Fairford • Icecream cake by Dolcetti, Cirencester • Bottle of Grants whisky • And more.

To win one of these stupendous prizes, tickets are available for £5 from: • The Palmer Hall on Saturdays between 10.30am-12.30pm; Tuesdays from 5pm-6.30pm; • Email palmerhallsecretary@outlook.com with the subject line “Raffle”. You’ll then receive details of the bank account to pay for your ticket(s). When payment has been completed, you will be sent a digital photo of your ticket(s).

Draw takes place at the Palmer Hall Autumn Fayre on Saturday October 16.

3. Worship Nights at the Palmer Hall 

A worship band played a range of Christian songs and people enjoyed singing together.

The next Saturday Night Worship is on Saturday September 14. If you would like any further information, please email saturdaynightworship@gmail.com. Love to see you there!

4. Meet practitioners at Fairford Therapy Centre 

Come along to the Open Morning and meet the Practitioners at Fairford Therapy Centre in London Street (next to 7a Coffee Shop) on Saturday September 14 from 10am-12 noon.

There will be a specialist Physiotherapist, Massage Therapist, Counsellor, Couples Counsellor, Osteopath and Pilates Instructor. Also find out more about the new Pilates classes starting at Fairford Community Centre.

5. Internationally renowned string quartet 

On Saturday September 14 at 7pm, the internationally renowned Carducci String Quartet will perform music by Haydn, Mozart and Schubert in St Mary’s Church, Fairford.

All proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the church. Tickets at £25 and £20 or £10 for students/under 18s available online from Ticket Source and in cash from Fairford Opticians, High Street, Fairford.

6. New pilates classes on Tuesday 

New Pilates classes will be starting from Tuesday September 17 in Fairford Community Centre. Classes are 45 minutes long and will be every Tuesday from 5pm and Thursdays from 4pm.

Small classes for individual attention concentrating on core stability. Suitable for all levels including beginners.

A six-week course costs £66. For more information or to reserve your place, contact Shelley on osteoshelleyftc@gmail.com.

7. Next meeting of Fairford History Society 

The next meeting of Fairford History Society is on Thursday September 19 at 7.30pm at Fairford Community Centre.

John Burdon of the Ermine Street Guard will talk on the Roman Army at Cirencester. FHS membership remains at £5 a year and visitors to meetings are charged at £3. New members and visitors will be very welcome.

For further information, contact Alison on 01285 711768 or email enquiry@fairfordhistory.org.uk or visit www.fairfordhistory.org.uk.

8. Trail runs in our area 

The Friends of Hatherop Primary School present The Coln Valley Trail Runs. Come and run on the beautiful Coln to Bibury Loop, Coln St Aldwyns GL7 5AJ on Saturday September 14 with a 10.30am start for the 2k run; and an 11.30am start for the 5k and 10k runs. Entry from £6. Great prizes. Cakes, BBQ and bar available.

All proceeds will go to the School’s big build fund. Enter at www.entrycentral.com/colnvalleyrun.

9. Fun dog show at village fete 

There will be a Fun Dog Show at Kempsford Village Fete on Saturday September 14. The fete is from 12 noon-5pm and the Dog Show at 1pm.

Entry on the day from 12 noon. £2 per class. Best Puppy (0-2 years); Best Veteran (7+ years); Most Handsome/Prettiest; Waggiest Tail; Best Junior Handler; Dog that the Judge would most like to take home. Winners in these categories will be entered into Best in Show sponsored by Kaz Kare Pet Services.

10. MacMillan morning 

A MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday September 14 between 10.30am and 11.45am in Quenington Village Hall. All in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.

11. Next meeting of Lechlade History Society 

The next meeting of Lechlade History Society is on Monday September 16 in Lechlade Memorial Hall. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments with a 7.30pm start.

Tom Crook will be talking about: ‘Celebrity, Ceremony and Corruption: The Honours System in Twentieth Century Britain’.

For more information, please call 01367 252851 or visit http://www.lechladehistory.co.uk/ The next meeting for Lechlade WI is a Coffee Morning on Wednesday September 18 at 10.30am at the Riverside pub, Lechlade. Lechlade WI ladies having coffee at the Riverside pub