2008 Wychwood Music Festival promises a rare collaboration project - Folk/world supergroup The Imagined Village, featuring Billy Bragg, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Sheila Chandra from Transglobal Underground, Andy Gangadeen from The Bays, Francis Hylton, Johnny Kalsi from The Dhol Foundation, Barney Morse Brown, Sheema Mukherjee and Chris Wood. In addition to The Imagined Village there will be performances from The Proclaimers, Phill Jupitus & the Blockheads, indie up and comers Palladium, a touch of country from Truck favourites Piney Gir and the Country Roadshow and Oxford band The Epstein. There will be more than 80 live acts, comedians and over 100 workshops for all ages. Tickets are £100 per adult for full weekend (includes camping), children under 12 free.

The Café Society is a University of Gloucestershire sponsored initiative to encourage open discussion about issues of topical importance which may be the subject of wide current debate. The group meets in the informal setting of the Beehive pub in Montpellier where an expert speaker gives an introduction to the topic, and after that all get the chance to engage in the dialogue about the issues. All are welcome. Attendance is free and the University provides a drink. Recent meetings have covered climate change and religion and philosophy. If you would like to know more about the programme for the Spring and Summer, please contact Jo Bull (01242 714153, jbull@glos.ac.uk)

Community allotment run by a group of Bangladeshi and Polish residents in the Hayden Road allotments in Cheltenham is going to be officially opened by Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood. The aim of this self supporting group is to grow vegetables that are not always easy to find locally. The opening ceremony to publicise the venture starts at 10am.

Martin Horwood, MP will be going along to help out at King’s Table at Trinity Church Centre, Trinity Lane, in Cheltenham. King’s Table supports vulnerable people and provides a hot meal and a chance to relax. Martin Horwood will be visiting at 11.30am.

2008 Cheltenham Sceince Festival will help you answer some of the questions relating to the science of sport, it will feature debates about the future of nuclear power, you will be exploring what makes someone beautiful and finding out about climate change.

There will be a special evening at the Natural Grocery Store, Bath Road, Cheltenham, to celebrate their tenth anniversary, winning the National Green Hero 2008 Award, and World Environment Day. The evening runs from 6pm until 10pm. there will be tastings, special offers and competitions. Martin Horwood, MP will be present at the event.

The Tubby Blues Show takes place at Newlands Park Club in Bishop's Cleeve. Bands booked to play include Slowburner and The Ben Fletcher Band. 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.

A Christian, Scientist, Caring for Creation is the title of the lecture which is being given at the University of Gloucestershire. The talk by Sir Ghillean Prance, the Scientific Director of the Eden Project, will be held on June 7, 7.30pm, at The Main Lecture Theatre, Park Campus, University of Gloucestershire. Sir Ghillean, a botanist, was director of the Royal Botanic Gardens for 11 years. Admission is free.

Former British champion Max Anderson will show off his skateboarding skills and performing on special portable equipment at Bishop's Cleeve sports ground car park on Saturday, June 7, between 10am and noon to promote a new skate park, £50,000 development, by Bishop's Cleeve Parish Council. The park will be located next to the pavilion at Bishop's Cleeve sports ground.

Churchdown Art Group has its summer exhibition at Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road on Saturday June 7 from 10am to 4.30pm, admission free. The artists' pictures will be in all mediums, sizes and prices. Some members will be doing demonstrations in the purple room. For the first time a children's painting competition is being held. Girls and boys from the village after school group will be participating for some nice prizes. Refreshments will be served all day.

Highbury Scouts are celebrating their 100th anniversary with an event held at County Scouting Centre, Cranham.

Programme:
Reunite and Remember 12:00 - 2:15
Meet up with old friends over a picnic lunch (Tea and Coffee available) - you are advised to bring something to sit on. Listen to Gloster Gladiators Scout Band.
Welcome and Opening at 2:00
Relive 2:15 - 4:30
Have a go or observe a whole lot of activities, some old, some new: Dressing Wounds, Rifle Shooting, Archery, Lateral Climbing, Tent Pitching, Challenge Course, Cooking Dampers, Firelighting, IT Activity, Quiz Walk, Nature Study, Orienteering, Rally Cars, Entertainment, Circus Skills, Pioneering
Martin Horwood, MP will appear at 4.30pm.
Reunite and Remember 4:30 - 5:30
Tea and Cake
Relive and Rejoice 5:30 - 6:15
Campfire
Rejoice 6:45-8:15
Silent Auction results Barbeque

On Sunday, June 8th at 10:30 there will be a Parade Service at Highbury Congregational Church.

St. Philip and St. James Playgroup Summer Fair takes place from 10am to midday at Exmouth Arms garden, Bath Road. Fun for all the family.

The 2008 Bishop's Cleeve Street Fair will be held on Sunday June 8. Once again, Church Road will be packed with stalls, entertainment, items of interest and refreshments. The traditional fair ground rides will be back, plus by popular request the 25ft climbing wall and the simulator. The theme this year is the 1940s and We'll Meet Again. Don't forget, if you are planning to come along, why not get into the spirit and also dress up. There will be an exhibition of pictures of Cleeve and district in the 40s at the tithe barn and the church. The programme featuring the information on events, the performers and articles of the period will be on sale in the shops at the price of 50p, with a free raffle ticket inside.

Cheltenham Bowling Club are hosting a party to mark their 125th anniversary. Martin Horwood, MP will appear at 4pm.

Residents are being invited to have some fun at a charity June Fun Day. The event, which is being held by the St George's Association, is taking place on June 8, at Well Close House, Lansdown Parade, Cheltenham. There will be a lunchtime barbecue, cake stall, bric- a-brac and afternoon cream teas. It takes places between noon and 4pm.

Warwick Cole, with his Corelli Orchestra and the Glevum Consort, plus the church choir will be performing a concert of music by Bach on Sunday June 8 at 6.30pm in Christ Church, Montpellier.

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

St. John's Players present two single acts with a supper provided at the interval between the plays.
“A Lady of Letters”, was written by Alan Benett and its protagonist is Irene who by writing letters likes to assert her civil liberties. She writes mostly letters of complaint to the authorities in Yorkshire where she has little to do but watch her neighbours and lament the disintegration of community. Directed by John Knowles.
“A Light Lunch” written by Bridget Derrett. Laura & Richard Cartwright meet for lunch to celebrate their divorce. Comedy and pathos run in equal measure throughout the play. Directed by Gill Pegg.

Cheltenham Volunteer Centre is holding a barbecue at their offices in College Road to thank volunteers for their hard work over the past year. At 6pm Martin Horwood, MP will present certificates to the volunteers.

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.

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 Rob Deering. 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.

Holy Apostles Primary School is holding its School Fair on 14 June 2008 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. There will be BBQ, Homemade puddings, beer and Pimms tent, Sports activities, football tournament, crafts, bouncy castle. Lot of fun outdoors on large school field.

Friends of Hester's Way Primary School and Children's Centre is organising School Summer Fair on June 14, from 1pm to 3.30pm. Attractions will include cake stalls, tombolas and other stands and stalls, as well as appearances by members of the Territorial Army and a performance by Cheltenham Majorettes. All money raised will go towards improvements to the school's library, as well as the continuing work on creating an outdoor 'forest school'. There will be an entry fee of 20p, though youngsters get in free with a paying adult. For more information, contact Susan Smith on 01242 232742, or e-mail: susanj.smith@blueyonder.co.uk .

Leckhampton Road Playgroup is celebrating ist silver anniversary with a summer fete. The fun begins at 3pm and will include stalls, teas, games, a bouncy castle, barbecue and raffle prizes donated by local businesses and organisations. Prizes include chess sessions and a chess set, organic honey, a giant Toblerone, music sessions and CD from Monkey Music and supermarket vouchers. The celebration takes place at the Leckhampton Scout Huton on Saturday, June 14. At the fete will be photos and letters from members past and present for attendees to reminisce over.

On Saturday June 14 All Saints' Church, along with All Saint's Scout Group, will be holding a joint summer fair in the grounds of the church in All Saints' Road from 11.45am onwards. There will be many stalls and events and light lunches will be served from noon. The Scouts will be running a car wash.

On Saturday June 14 Sacred Heart's Church in Moorend Road, Charlton Kings, will be holding a summer fair in the grounds of the church. There will be many stalls. Martin Horwood, MP will be opening the fete at 12noon. Admission £1.

Betteridge School, on the Bournside Campus, has its summer fair on Saturday June 14 from 2pm to 4pm, with a bouncy castle, stalls, special cake stand, raffle and refreshments. All profits will go towards equipment for the school. Admission £1.

Cheltenham Society of Model Engineering opens its grounds to the general public between 2 pm and 5 pm for Steam or Diesel locomotive hauled Train Rides. Model Boats will be on the lake and refreshments will be available. Entrance is free. The grounds are situated in Hatherley Lane, near Cheltenham Film Studios.

Paul Newman's Jam Band will be playing at The Bayshill Inn, Saint Georges Place, Cheltenham. Live Jazz & Blues 9pm-11pm, admission free.

To help raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust, a Salsa event at Que Pasa is held on Thursday 19th June. Lessons start at 7.30pm and dancing continues into the night. If you've never danced before, then this will be an ideal opportunity to learn. Lots of drinks offers. Admission £5.

Comedy evening will be held at St. Margaret's Hall, Up Hatherley, with doors opening at 7pm, featuring Rhod Gilbert, recently featured on Mock the Week and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and supported by local artists Stan Stanley and Demitris Deech. Tickets are £10 from 01242 233019 or 01242 698417.

Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival takes place in Montpellier Gardens and showcases the finest food & drink available locally and regionally. Cookery demonstrations will be available in the Cotswold Kitchen Theatre. True taste of Real Ale from leading independent brewers can be enjoyed in Real Ale Theatre and wine tasting sessions will take place in Fine Wine Theatre. There'll be music and a festival cafe for when you need a well-earned rest. Opening times: Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. Tickets: Adults £5.00 per day on the day (£4 in advance from the Town Hall), children under 16 Free, must be accompanied by an adult.

St Mark's is to hold a community festival weekend from June 20 to 22. The weekend which will be something of a cross between a street party and an open house will bring something for all ages.
Friday evening, June 20, will start with puppet workshops, bouncy castles, beat the goalie, skittles and more for young children from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at St Mark's Junior School, Robert Burns Avenue.
On Saturday from 11am to 5pm at St Mark's Church, hall and grounds, there will be an international cafe, face-painting, clay modelling, genealogy, making a wall hanging, bell-ringing workshop, pig roast, cream teas, music from Dixie Band and Pate's students and a bouncy castle, On Sunday at 12.15pm there will be a family barbecue outside the church.

Summer Bazaar in aid of the Cats Protection, Cheltenham branch is held at Sacred Hearts Church Hall, Moorend Road, Charlton Kings. Books, bric-a-brac, nearly new, CP goods, tombola, refreshments, homemade goods and lots more! 11am - 1pm, adults 30p Children Free

In its 13th year, Cheltenham Circular Challenge, organized by the Cleeve Vale Rotary Club, provides an opportunity to help to raise money for charity by runnning, jogging or walking around Cheltenham. Walkers and runners will be able to complete the full marathon distance, or do 13 miles from Cheltenham Racecourse to Brizen, or even just tackle one of the four sections, ranging from six to seven-and-a-half miles. The event starts from Cheltenham Racecourse between 7am and 9am for the whole course, or before noon for just section one. There will be free parking and free bus transport between the start and finish point of all four sections. Entry costs £8 for adults, £ 4 for children, £12 for families and £6 for members of groups of four people or more. To enter visit www.thechallenge.org.uk, write to Cheltenham Circular Challenge, PO Box 371, Cheltenham GL52 8XA, for an entry form, or call 01242 269479 and leave a message on the answering machine, stating name, address and postcode.

Gifford’s Circus is visiting Cheltenham this June. The 2008 tour of this family run circus is called ‘Caravan’ and will be set in a horse fair in around 1900. The show weaves together Russian Cossack riders, an English opera singer, a clown, stunt riders, acrobats, dancers, musicians along with the magic and imagery.

The show takes place in a waterproof tent and the seating consists of wooden benches (you are welcome to bring a cushion!). The tent has a capacity of 360. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets cost £16 each for adults, £11 each for children. Under 3’s go free provided they sit on a lap.

All advance booking are made through The Everyman Theatre. A Booking fee of 50p per transaction will be charged (this fee covers all postage costs) Tickets cannot be refunded but can be exchanged for another performance. 48 hours notice is required for exchanges and there is a charge of £1.50 per ticket.

DATES & TIMES
Thursday 26th June, 5.00pm & 7.30pm
Friday 27th June, 5.00pm & 7.30pm
Saturday 28th June, 11.00am, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 29th June, 11.00am, 2.30pm & 5.30pm
Monday 30th June, 4.00pm

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.

St. James' Primary School is holding their summer fair on 27 June 2008. The events starts at 6pm at Merestones Road. Live Music, games, stalls and fancy dress parade are on the programme.

Cheltenham Skittle League presentation dance will take place on Friday June 27 at the town hall with the Chip Shop Boys as the guest band. If you are interested, ring 01242 511971 for details.

Following the successful event in Montpellier Gardens in 2007 to celebrate the refurbishment of the gardens and the opening of the 'new' Proscenium Gardens Gallery, a similar afternoon of fun & frolics is going to take place this year, on 28th June 2008.

Programme:
Family Fun 2pm - 5pm
Cheltenham Silver Band, Children's Play Area and entertainment, Face Painting, Cheltenham Lions' Club Games, Classic Car Display, RSPB Children Activities and Nature Trail

Summer Evening 6pm - 9pm
Bring a picnic and enjoy the musical entertainment in the Bandstand which will be provided by The Jazz Badgers. Wine Bar and refreshments available at the kiosk.

Come along and enjoy this gentle 35 mile bike ride through the lanes of Gloucestershire, starting and finishing at Leckhampton Court Hospice. Join in this fun family day out, pump up your tyres and help raise money for the hospice. Start at 11am. Please call the Fundraising team for further details and to register. For further information please contact: sian.harris@suerydercare.org