This year's pantomime of the award winning Leckhampton Players is Alibaba and the Forty Thieves. The production is written and directed by Chris Brooker and will take place at the Leckhampton Village Hall, Church Road. Tickets are available from Mrs. Margaret Humphries on 01242 522 567 from 1 Jan 08.

Bethesda Church Drama Group will be performing a new pantomime, Old MacDonald, with a cast of 30, from Thursday January 31 to Saturday February 2, with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm. Evening performances begin at 7.15pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for under-15s, available from 01242 222759 and 01242 526817.

The Tubby Blues Show takes place at Newlands Park Club in Bishop's Cleeve. Bands booked to play include Keith Thompson Touring Band and Texas Medicine. Gloucestershire blues performer Otis Mack will compere the show. Tickets cost £10 each. Tables can be reserved by calling 01242 691998 or 07796 034206. Doors open at 7pm and the show will run from 8.25pm to midnight.

Born in London, 1971, Gail has been a trombonist since the age of 9 and has been playing on the international Jazz and Improvised Music scene since the early 1990s. Simon Picard will accompany her on tenor saxophone. Gail and Simon will perform at the Xposed club, Pittville Studios, Albert Road at 8pm. Admission £5 and £3 consession. Drinks available from Student Union bar.

The action-packed production of the Chinese State Circus will be touring Europe and for the first time outside China, the spectacular 2-hour show combines the martial arts warriors from the Shaolin Temple, artists from Peking Opera, and acrobatic stars of the Chinese State Circus in this special Olympic Nation Spectacular. Cheltonians will be able to see this attraction 1 - 3 February at the Centaur. Performances: Fri - 8pm, Sat - 2.30 & 7.30pm, Sun - 2.30 & 6pm. Box office: 01242 691141

Charity Coffee Morning is held at All Saints' Church on February 2 in aid of the church flower guild. Admission is £1 to include tea or coffee and biscuits. There will be a bring-and-buy, plus a raffle.

Meantime Artspace in Oxford Passage holds an evening of music and poetry: STORY CABARET FOR ADULTS Performed by The Midnight Storyteller FILM SHORTS Students showcase from Gloucester Uni Media Dept. ACOUSTIC BEAUTY Indie music (...between the known and the unknown) THE POETRY QUARTET World premier of poems for 4 readers by Michael Groom. Starts at 7.30 pm, £3 on the door. MEANTIME ARTS SPACE Oxford Passage, Off St. Margarets Road, Cheltenham, GL50 4EF INFO LINE: 07980 633 276

Celebrate Chinese New Year and mark the start of the China Now Festival, a nationwide celebration of Chinese Culture. Discover New Year traditions with Chinese calligraphy, dragons and paper-cuts. Lion Dance performance at 1.30. FREE.

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club is holding a table top sale at Denley Hall, Churchfields, Bishop's Cleeve. Sale of first class bric-a-brac, books, clothing, and many other items. 10am - 12.30pm. Refreshments are available. Admission FREE

Channel 4's Time Team presenter Neil Holbrook will present History Beneath Your Feet in Gloucestershire at Sandford Education Centre, Keynsham Road, at 7.30pm for 8pm. The archaeologist will be talking about work that he has undertaken in Gloucestershire. Tickets are £10 person to include a glass of wine and nibbles and are available from Linc office, Haematology Department, Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham GL53 7AN, or call 0845 224422, or email linc@glos.nhs.uk. The evening will raise money for and help promote awareness of Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy.

At the next meeting of Cheltenham Area Group of Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Ian Pope will present an illustrated talk on Great Western Lines around the Forest of Dean. The meeting is at 7.15pm for 7.30pm at Prestbury Library.

Cheltenham-based Aids charity, Emthonjeni Trust, will be holding its annual lecture at Cheltenham College. The lecture will be led by special guest speaker Lesley Lawson, a South African author based in London who has studied Aids for several of years. The lecture will start at 7pm at Cheltenham College. Tickets £10.

Cheltenham's award winning Farmers' Market is held on the second and last Friday of each month. There's a wide range of local, fresh produce available, such as meat, fruit and vegetables, fresh and smoked fish, cheese, cakes, bread, wines and ciders, and much much more. It's a great opportunity to sample and buy locally grown and made produce from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. Cheltenham Farmer's Market takes place from 9am to 3pm by the Long Gardens on the Promenade.

Hotel Kandinsky holds a literary lunch with authors Katie Fforde and Anita Burgh as a part of the Cobalt Breast Clinic £1 million Appeal. A two-course lunch from the a la carte menu, along with a glass of wine, will be included in the price of the event. Tickets cost £15 per person and are available direct from the hotel or by calling it on 01242 527788.

Critically acclaimed, Letz Zep, have performed the incredible sights and sounds of Led Zeppelin everywhere from BBC Newsnight to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, where vocalist Billy Kulke sung for a celebration concert of Zeppelin’s music. The band will perform all your favourites from the large spectrum of Zeppelin’s musical legacy, from Rock and Roll, through Gallows Pole to Stairway to Heaven. Tickets: £12.

Each month Howlers Comedy Club brings you the very best in stand-up comedy from the UK and beyond. With great sound and light from DJ's FAB plus a late bar, 'Howlers At The Venue' is a Saturday night out in Cheltenham that you will not want to miss. This time Howler's Comedy Club brings Daliso Chaponda, John Newton and John Robins MC. Shows run from 7.30pm until late at 'The Venue', The Wheatsheaf Inn, Leckhampton. Admission: £10. Tickets are available now from the Cheltenham Town Hall Box Office on 01242 227979 (£1 booking fee applies), direct from the Wheatsheaf.

Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra, with guest conductor John Forster, is giving a concert of music by Mozart, Delius, Haydn and Faure in St Andrew's Church, Montpellier, at 7.30pm. Stuart Ellsmore will be playing the solo trumpet. Tickets can be bought at the door or from the Tourist Information Office, call 01242 522878. A £3 deduction will be given on each ticket purchased in advance.

Cheltenham Camera Club's annual exhibition runs from February 9 until February 23 at All Saints' Church. It is open from 10am to 4pm, excepting Sundays. Admission is free.

The 2328 (Bishop's Cleeve) Air Cadets Squadron is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. As part of the celebrations the squadron will be holding a parade and service of thanksgiving. After the service the squadron will hold its annual awards at the Tithe Barn. It is hoped that as many former members, cadets and staff will be able to attend. If you were a member of the squadron then call 01242 677717 or email office@2328atc.org.uk

Cheltenham & District Canine Society Dog Shows is held at The Avon Hall, Three Counties Showground, Malvern. Entry is through the Blue Gate. Show opens 8.30am to 5pm and judging starts at 9am. Car Parking and entry is free - however unentered dogs are not admitted inside the show.

Bag a bargain at Leckhampton Court Sue Ryder Care Hospice. Enjoy the usual mix of quality bric-a-brac, nearly new clothing, shoes, bags and hats and then sit back and anjoy a tea or coffee with a delicious homemade cake. From 10.30am - 12pm. For further information please contact: duncan.willoughby@suerydercare.org Telephone: 01242 246281

The Cotswold Creative Crafts Show at Cheltenham Racecourse's Centaur Centre covers all areas of hand and machine knitting, cross stitch, sewing, dressmaking, embroidery, tapestry, needlepoint, patchwork, quilting, other needlecrafts and creative crafts. Attractions include guest speakers, demonstration areas, workshops and advice centres. Whether yours is a love of lace or a passion for patchwork, you're sure to find something to keep you happy, and if you wear an item you've made yourself, you could just win a prize. Cost: £7; £6 concessions. Hours: Thu 10.30m-6pm; Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-4pm.

If you are planning a wedding in 2008 come down to Regent Arcade on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th February to visit a Wedding Fayre.A range of exhibitors will include photographers, caterers, bridal wear, cake makers and much more. Open from 9am until 5.30pm.

Following a record-breaking year in 2007, the 12th Cheltenham Folk Festival features headliners Show Of Hands, Brass Monkey and Three Magpies. As last year, the Festival also has many instrument, voice and dance workshops which take place at the YMCA. ‘An Hour or So With…’ offers a great chance to meet some of the Festival performers close up in a warm and informal atmosphere. The Kids Place gives the youngest visitors to the festival the opportunity to enjoy some creative fun on Saturday and Sunday.

Jazzjiveswing organizes jazz, jive and swing dances at Dowty Sports Club in Staverton. If you have a favourite tune then ask the DJ's and they will play it for you so you can get out to tunes you feel comfortable with. With fully licenced bar, shed loads of parking, and of course the finest tunes you could ever wish to hear it promises to be a delightful evening. Admission: £6, from 8.30pm to 11.30pm.

There is a Valentine's Disco at Hillview Community Centre on 16 February. Start at 7.30pm, with tickets available from the bar.

Nearly new sale of baby and children's goods will take place at the Reddings Community Centre, North Road West, The Reddings. 10.30am - 12 noon. In aid of children's charity Reach. For more information please call Katrina on 01242 575698.

There will be a jumble and clearance sale at St Stephen's between 10.30am and noon on Saturday 16 February. Admission is 20p. This will be followed later in the day by the annual parish St Valentine's Surprise Evening.

A two-mile walk is planned for Monday, February 18 in Churchdown. Meeting is in the car park in the Crown Inn at Ampney Crucis at 11am. The walk will be on firm ground around Churchdown village, mentioned in the Domesday Survey in 1086. Eat in the Crown afterwards.

Theatre workshops for 5 to 18 years old are held at the Playhouse Theatre. Prices for three-day workshops: £75 for 5-7 year-old, £85 8-10 years-old, £110 11-18 year-old.

Cheltenham Swedish Group was set up last year to celebrate the culture and the language of Sweden. It is a fun informal group which meets every 2-4 weeks, usually in a cafe or pub for an informal social gathering and some Swedish conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. Their next event is on Wednesday, 13th February at The Swan pub, central Cheltenham, at 8pm. If you are interested in Swedish culture you are welcome to come along.

Members of Cigarette and Trade Card Collecting Group meet once a month to buy, sell or swap cigarette and trade cards at Cheltenham Civil Service Club, Tewkesbury Road. 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Enjoy some art activities and story times in the galleries, for younger visitors. FREE.

Charlton Kings Community Players will be performing A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare at Sacred Hearts' hall, Moorend Road from Wednesday February 20 to Saturday February 23 at 7.30pm. Tickets will be £7, £5 for those aged 16 and under. The play is directed by Martyn Fry. It will be a spectacle with music, song and dance and lots of local talent contributing to all aspects of the production.

Puppet, Toy and Shadow Theatre Festival is held this half term at Bayshill Unitarian Church Hall in Royal Well Lane. There will be three performances a day at 11am, 2pm and 3.30pm of three different plays and Puppet Making Workshops (Thursday to Saturday at 1pm).

Programme:

Cinderella and the Glass Slipper – presented by Colin Bailey & Gina Scarbro

Wednesday 20 Feb, 2pm
Thursday 21 Feb, 3.30pm
Friday 22 Feb, 11am
Saturday 23 Feb, 11am and 2pm

Elizabeth Fry, The Story of Newgate Gaol – A Toy Theatre Production, performed by Peter and Sylvia Peasgood

Friday 22 Feb, 2pm and 3.30pm

Stories from Aesop – A Shadow Puppet Production, presented by Pauline Venables

Thursday 20 Feb, 2pm

Marionette Cabaret

Wednesday 20 Feb, 3.30pm
Saturday 23 Feb, 3.30pm

Shadow Puppet Workshop

Thursday 21 Feb, 11.30am

Tickets are £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for children, family with 2 adults and 2 children can get a family ticket for £10. Puppet making workshops are £2.50. Tickets can be obtained in advance on 01242 577656 (18 -23 February 01242 255820) or at the hall prior to each performance. Proceeds go in aid of N.S.P.C.C.

Leading art and media figures will be taking part in lectures at Pittville Campus. Photographer Sarah Jones will speak on February 21. The lectures are open to the public.

The Reddings Amateur Dramatic Society is ready for its usual pantomime. This year the group is celebrating its 21st production, which this year is Cinderella. Performances are on Thursday, February 21, Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23. Tickets cost £4 per adult and £3 per child, and are on sale from Sharon Drew on 01452 548178.

Cobalt Coffee Morning takes place on Saturday February 23 and all are welcome. It is held at Linton House, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham, from 10am to noon.

A demonstration of flower arranging by Pam Brooks called Arranging Flowers, No Problem, is being held on Tuesday February 26 at 7.30pm at Bethesda Methodist Church, Great Norwood Street. There will be refreshments. Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the Methodist Home in Brockworth.

Auction of famous sports cars will take place at Cheltenham Racecourse. The main item for sale is Benito Mussolini's custom-built Alfa Romeo sports car, which should sell for £1 million. Other lots include a 1992 Subaru, in which rally star Colin McRae won the British Rally Championship.

Leading art and media figures will be taking part in lectures at Pittville Campus. Painter Isabel Young will speak on February 28. The lectures are open to the public.

Cheltenham's award winning Farmers' Market is held on the second and last Friday of each month. There's a wide range of local, fresh produce available, such as meat, fruit and vegetables, fresh and smoked fish, cheese, cakes, bread, wines and ciders, and much much more. It's a great opportunity to sample and buy locally grown and made produce from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. Cheltenham Farmer's Market takes place from 9am to 3pm by the Long Gardens on the Promenade.

There will be a Ladies' Fashion Show on Friday February 29 starting at 7.30pm at Benhall Infants School Robert Burns Avenue, in aid of the school PTA. For more information, ring Keran on 01242 699708.