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

Thank you to everyone who sent contributions to this column and please keep sending them in. One or two extra people joining a club or organisation can make all the difference to their success. There is masses happening in Stonehouse so please let all our residents know about the range of activities available because there definitely is something for everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Enjoy being with your family and friends.

Stonehouse WI are celebrating Christmas party time at 7.30pm on Wednesday, December 17. Please bring a Christmas table decoration.

Crib Service at St Cyr’s – join us at 2pm on Christmas Eve for our annual crib service. The Christmas story will be told in verse and children will be invited to decorate our Christmas tree during the service. Everyone is warmly welcome and there will be light refreshments afterwards.

Savvy Seniors meet at 11am every Monday at the Vue Cinema in Stroud to see the latest films. The next live screening is of The Nutcracker performed by the Bolshoi Ballet at 2.45pm on Sunday, December 21 Use your bus pass to travel and for just £3.05 you’ll enjoy a film, a cuppa and a biscuit. For more information contact Jean Edwards on 01453 82527.

Join us for the next Cotswold AONB Warden’s Walk on Monday, December 29, for a five mile walk from the Amberley Inn to the Commons taking about three hours. All walks start at 10am. More information can be found at escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/walking/guided-walks.

Hats for seamen – many people have been knitting hats and balaclavas for seamen which are sent off to the depot in Bristol. With the cold weather among us the hats are very much needed. If you would like to join in the efforts and knit for seamen, all hats and balaclavas can be left in Stonehouse Town Hall.

Stonehouse Library Baby Bounce and Rhyme and Bookstart Bear sessions are back from 10.30am until 11am every Wednesday during school term time.

Stonehouse library has a Home Library Service to promote community group or charity events. The building is also available as a venue for meetings. Pop in or call Lucy on 01453 823176.

Come along to Goldfish community toddler group from 10am until 11.30am every Friday in school term time at the Baptist Church. For 50p per session per family you can enjoy a drink, homemade biscuits and a craft activity. For details e-mail Catherine Thompson at cloudend@greenbee.net or call 01453 823349.

Join the Stonehouse Pensioners Club at 2pm on alternate Wednesdays at the Stonehouse Community Centre. Contact Pam Hurlston on 01453 825150 or 07980776881.

GL Communities Money Advice Services – sessions are held at APT Central in Park Parade, Stonehouse. Drop in on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm or call the Advice Line on 01452 306581 on Fridays from 10am to noon.

Join Stonehouse Friendly Circle and enjoy good company, entertainment, tea, biscuits and a raffle.

We meet on alternate Fridays in the Stonehouse Community Centre.

Call Ruth Biddle on 01453 828917 for more information.

Stonehouse now has a Boules court on the Laburnum Recreation Ground. If you would like to hire the court contact Stonehouse Town Council on 01453 822070.

Royal British Legion are now holding meetings in The Globe, Stonehouse at 7pm on the first Tuesday of the month. All are welcome and for more information call Dave Talbot on 01453 826302.

Stroud Valleys Credit Union, (Stonehouse Community Bank) is a co-operative run by volunteer members. Your money is completely safe and monitored by the PRA and FCA. An advisor is available at the Children’s Centre, Stonehouse. Did you know that the Credit Union (Save’n’borrow) has new premises in the Brunel Mall , Stroud? Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-noon.

Join us for Stonehouse Health Walks which take place from 10.15am at Stonehouse community centre every Tuesday morning. Walks last up to one hour and this is an excellent way to keep fit and make new friends. The Pop In is open for coffee at the end of the walk. There are a number of walks around Stonehouse and leaflets giving details are available from the town council.

Stonehouse Wheelers is a family friendly cycling club and always welcomes new cyclists. If you are new to cycling, get in touch with the secretary Roy Jones on 01453 298759. They organise a range of weekly rides and for more information go to http://www.stonehousewheelers.org.uk uCome along to a class helping over 50s keep fit. It is held at 10am until 11am every Thursday in Stonehouse Community Centre.

Don’t forget to send me information about forthcoming events please - particularly those celebrating Christmas.