Stonehouse News with Lesley Williams

v South Glos Diabeetes UK Group. Jon Mason from Highfield Nurseries will be the guest speaker at our meeting this evening Wednesday, March 11 at Stonehouse Community Centre starting at 8pm. All are welcome, there will as always be refreshments and a raffle and should you need further information call 01453 822483, 791192 or 824409.

v Stonehouse Women’s Institute Line Dancing with Lionel Parkhouse will be the main event at the next meeting on Wednesday, March 18. We start at 7.30pm and meet in the Community Centre. Each meeting there is a competition which this month is ‘cut out paper dancing dolls’ and there will be a books bring and buy stall. Visitors are always welcome.

v Stonehouse Pensioners Club is looking for new members. They meet fortnightly on Wednesdays in Stonehouse Community Centre starting at 2pm. Their meetings cover a whole range of events, speakers, musical entertainment, outings and quizzes. If you need to contact someone to find out more ring Bert on 822154.

v Card Making Classes Starting Wednesday, March 18 from 10am – 1pm. Jane Gregory is holding new classes to run in conjunction with her Scrapbooking Workshops. The classes will be held monthly and all materials are provided. Techniques covered will include rubber stamping, decoupage and 3D. For more information about this, where the classes are held or to book a place contact Jane Gregory on 01453 836541 v Walking is an excellent way of keeping fit – and it doesn’t cost anything. Stroud District Council arranges Health Walks in and around the Stonehouse area and take place every Tuesday morning starting at 10.30am from the Community Centre. For further information if needed contact John Little, walks co-ordinator on 07842 201 243 v Italian Cookery Course. If you have ever wanted to find out more about preparing authentic Italian food then this is for you. Join Sicilian chef Laura Geraci at Stonehouse Community Centre and learn the secrets of what makes Italian food so special and delicious. The next session is this Friday, March 13 starting at 10.30am. If you need more information why not phone Laura a call on 01 454 411073 or 07786 107293.

v The Citizens’ Advice Bureau now has an Advice Worker available for drop-in sessions every Thursday from 10am – 3pm in the Stonehouse Town Hall. v Stroud Valleys Credit Union Ltd Are you finding it hard to make ends meet? Do you go from one cash crisis to another? Is it a fact that Banks don’t meet your needs? If the answer is yes to the above the Credit Union could be the answer to your problems. How? Members save small sums regularly and build up a nest egg for future bills and purchases. Then they can take out cheap loans to meet that bill that arrives out of the blue. The credit union is at Stonehouse Council Office (by the Post Office) Thursday from 10am to 1pm or call John Appleton on 833100. You can join there with a home addressed bill and a proof of signature and just £3.

v Knitting. After the huge success of hats for Save the Children and glove puppets for Operation Christmas Child the next project is to knit squares (6"). These will eventually be made up into blankets and then given to local charities, Oxfam and Help the Aged. The plan is to have a tea party at the Old Town Hall on April 17 when the squares and strips can be sewn up so do put this date in your diary. Information about the squares can be obtained from Office Stop in Stonehouse High Street. Should you wish to start knitting items to go in the Shoe Boxes for next Christmas there is also a pattern for a child’s’ jumper. Time to get out the needles again.

v Rag rug, patchwork and peg loom classes in Kings Stanley. Dates for new classes in March and April are now available. For more information about booking or further details about day and evening sessions please ring Claire on 821593.

v Shopping in Town and in need of some refreshments? Why not pop in to the Pop In? Teas and Coffee are available from 9.30 to 11.30 in the Community Centre on Mondays, Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays and on Saturdays from 9am.

v Alzheimer’s Society hold a number of varied activities for people with dementia’ and their carers at Stonehouse Community Centre. The next session Singing for the Brain is being held on Thursday, March 12 from 10.30 – 12.30am. There is also the opportunity to join in a new Art and Craft group – if this is of interest please call 01 453 791830 to register. For further information about any of the sessions or about the home respite support service please contact either 791830 of email grahamdarley@alzheimersstroud.org.uk.

v Flower pots. If anyone is in need of flower pots now the growing season is with us I have far more than I need. If you would like some please either leave a message with Tom at Office Stop or give me, Lesley Williams, a ring on 01453 822684.

v Dates for Your Diary: A Table Top Sale is being held in Eastington Village Hall, organised by St Michael’s and All Saints Church, on Saturday, March 28 from 2pm. Goods for sale will include clothing, bric-a-brac, home baking, produce, preserves, toys and books. Refreshments will be available and there will be a raffle and …..

v The Second Stonehouse Model Railway Show will be held on Saturday March 21 in Stonehouse Town Hall all day starting at 10am. Five local layouts including Ryeford by Maidenhill School and a Thomas layout for children to operate will be on display. Entry is £2 for adults £1 for juniors and £1.50 for concessions. If further details are needed please call 01452 770447.