Lesley Williams is your Stonehouse community news correspondent.

Contact Lesley with your news items on 01453 822684 or email lesley.williams@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Stonehouse Gardening Club - join us at Stratford Park in the top car park tonight, Wednesday, August 1 at 7pm. An opportunity to see some of the latest plantings plus mature areas and the lake. Any inquiries call 01453 821305.

Kapers Play Scheme is at Maidenhill Sport and Dance Centre from August 6 to 10. This popular scheme for five to 12 year olds will be held each day from 10am to 3pm. Arts and crafts, games and competitions, drama and music, sports and activities, special workshops Ð something for everyone. Organised by Stroud District Council, call 01453 754291 for prices and details.

Gloucestershire Play Rangers are back in Stonehouse at the Oldend Lane Playing Field on August 7, 14, 21 and 28 from
10am to 4pm.

Open days for Dunkirk Mill and Gigg Mill in August - Saturdays: August, 7 and August 18, Sundays: August 5 and August 19. Also  Wednesday, August 29 and Bank Holiday Monday, August 27. Gigg Mill open Saturdays only, 10am to noon. Dunkirk Mill opens 2pm to 4pm all days. For more information call 01453 766273.

Singing for the Brain is organised by the Alzheimer's Society and sessions are held in the Stonehouse community centre. For information call Gemma Slobom on 01452 525222 or email gloucestershire@alzeimers.org.uk

Learn Qi Gong Chinese health exercise every Tuesday, 7pm to 8pm at The Eastington Community Centre call Chris on 07813 921336.

Have you got a copy of the first edition of The Stonehouse History GroupÕs Journal which looks at Stonehouse in World War Two? It costs just £3.50 and copies are available from Stonehouse Town Hall.

Help is urgently needed at Stonehouse Day Centre, Hazelwood, Paddock Rise every Wednesday, 8.30am to 2.45pm. Any time you can give would be helpful. No experience needed but bring a sense of humour. Male and female welcome. Call Denise on 01453 759812.

Severn Valley Ringcraft meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm in Stonehouse Community Centre. Ringcraft and socialisation is for show dogs or family pets. For more information call Lyn on 01453 823461 or Sandra on 01453 823639.

Do you have a question for the police? A weekly drop in is now being held in Stonehouse town hall every Tuesday between 11pm and 12pm. 

Stonehouse scout headquarters in Oldend Lane is available for bookings for parties and other events. Please contact Rachel Armstrong on 01453 827023.

Stonehouse Lunch Club is now so popular that there is a waiting list. If you would like to add your name to the list contact Mattie Ross to book your place at the table on 01453 826587.

Join U3A and take advantage of its Computer Club held weekly from 4pm on Wednesdays at Park Junior School, see www.stroud3a.org.uk

Stroud Valleys Credit Union, (Stonehouse Community Bank) is a co-operative run by volunteer members. It now offers Stonehouse people an alternative to doorstep lenders. Loans at only two per cent interest a month are available. This compares with 250 per cent APR charged by doorstep lenders. Credit Unions are independently audited and are similar to banks. Your money is completely safe and monitored by the Financial Services Authority. An advisor is at the APT Centre, Park Parade every Tuesday, 2.30pm to 4pm.

Keeping fit in and around Stonehouse Ð there are plenty of opportunities.

Tai chi qi gong, meditation and movement for greater health is suitable for all and held every Tuesday at the Scout Hut, Oldend Lane, Stonehouse. For more information please call Chris on 07813 921336.                                                                    

Want to keep fit? Exercise To Music Class, St Joseph's Church Hall, Oldend Lane, Stonehouse, Thursdays, 7pm, £3 per class. Ab Attack Class, St JosephÕs Church Hall, Thursdays, 8pm. Half hour targeted class of ab exercised and back stretches, £1.50 per class. For more information call Rachel on 07837 123067 as you will need to complete a PAR-Q form in advance.

Just B aerobic and fitness classes take place in St Joseph's Church Hall, Stonehouse on Wednesdays between 1.30pm to 2.30pm. For more information call Bryony on 07906 581450.

Stonehouse Health Walks take place every Tuesday morning. Meet at the Community Centre to start walking at 10.15am. Walks last up to one hour and this is an excellent way to keep fit and make new friends.

Did you know that there are a number of exercise classes held in the new Sport and Dance Centre at Maidenhill School ranging from aerobics and  pilates to step, circuits and more. All classes are led by friendly, qualified professionals able to guide you through the programmes. For more information call 01453 824366.

Karate classes are held in Stonehouse Community Centre every Wednesday beginning at 6.15pm. For more information call Nick Quillum on 01453 764825.

Weekly yoga classes are held every Wednesday from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Park Infant School, Elm Road, Stonehouse with qualified teacher Kevin Glaister - call 01453 762838. The classes are small, friendly and for all abilities.

Stonehouse APT Community Shop Park Parade is the place to drop in for a range services and news of local events and courses and information about local jobs. If you haven't already visited why not call in? The CAB advisor is available on Thursday afternoons and there is no need for an appointment.

Stonehouse Dog Training classes are held in Stonehouse community centre on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6pm. Contact Mike Vines on 01453 822134.

The Citizens Advice Bureau has an advice worker available in the town hall every Thursday from 10am Ð 1pm. No need for an appointment - just drop-in. An advice worker is also available in the community shop on the Park Estate on Thursday afternoons from 1pm.

Looking ahead - dates for your diary

Reminder that Stonehouse History Group will not be meeting this month - its next meeting will be on September 12 when Dr Nicholas Herbert will talk about Road Travel and Transport in Georgian Gloucestershire.