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

Play Rangers in Stonehouse. Summer Holiday Free Play Old Ends Lane Playing Fields. Come and join in the fun this Friday 21. 10am – 4pm. Play Rangers will be on site in ANY weather. Cook out with the Play Rangers. Food will be provided alongside creative and active play.

Savvy Seniors Cinema Club meets every Monday at 11am at the Vue Cinema in Stroud. Next Monday, August 24 ‘A Royal Night Out’. When Princess Margaret and her sister Elizabeth are allowed out from Buckingham Palace for the night on V.E. Day 1945 they encounter romance and danger. Starring Rupert Everett, Sarah Gadon and Emily Watson. Use your bus pass to travel and for just £3.29 you’ll enjoy a film and a cuppa and biscuit. Live Screenings: Next Wednesday August 26 live from the RSC ‘Othello’ . More information needed? Contact Jean Edwards on 01453 825276

Cotswlk AONB Warden’s Walks Join us on Friday August 21 for a 6 mile walk, taking 3 hours, from The Bell Inn Selsley around the Cotswold Way Loop. More details can be found on the Cotswold AONB website at http://www. escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/walking/guided-walks/ uFriday Night is Bingo Night in Stonehouse Community Centre starting at 7pm.

Want to get out on a bike but not sure how to do it. Visit www.bigbikerevival.org.uk website to find out just how you can get out on the bike that has been sitting in the shed for too long.

Hats for Seamen. I have just posted another 16 hats to the mission in Bristol and thank to everyone who knit the hats which continue to be very well received. If you would like to knit a hat patterns and some wool is available in the Town Hall, or contact me. Or if you have any unwanted balls of wool that could be put to good use please get in touch. My phone number is at the top of this column.

Stonehouse Library Baby Bounce & Rhyme and Bookstart Bear sessions are back. Every Wednesday at 10.30 – 11am during school term time. Stonehouse library is there for everyone – there is a Home Library Service and why not let us promote community group or charity events. The building is also available as a venue for meetings. Pop in or call Lucy on 01453 823176/751651

’Goldfish’ community toddler group. We meet every Friday in school term time at the Baptist Church (opposite the Nippy Chippy) from 10-11.30am. Sessions are free and include a drink and home-made buiscuits as well as a craft activity. We have plenty of toys and finish the morning with singing. For further details please contact: Catherine Thompson cloudend@greenbee.net or 01453 823349 or angelawilsonjac@gmail.com or 01453 884402

Stonehouse Pensioners Club. Come and meet old friends and make new ones by joining the Stonehouse pensioners club. We meet alternate Wednesdays at the Stonehouse Community Centre at 2pm. Enjoy some entertainment, followed by tea, coffee and biscuits, we also have a raffle. All are welcome and for more info, please ring Pam 01453 825150

GL Communities Money Advice Services. Sessions are held at APT Central 1 Park Parade, Stonehouse GL10 2DB Tel:01453 822705. Drop in on Tuesdays from 10am – 1pm or call the Advice Line, 01452 306581, on Fridays from 10am – 12noon. APT has omething for everyone: volunteer training, Housing advice on Wednesdays from 10 – 11am; IT for beginners on Friday from 10-12noon; Citizens Advice from 1-4pm on Thursdays. We can also help write CV’s. Contact us on 01453 822705

Stonehouse Friendly Circle always welcomes new members so if you are new to the area why not come along and find out what we do. There is always good company, entertainment and of course tea & biscuits and a raffle. Alternate Fridays in the Stonehouse Community Centre, 01453 828917 for more information.

Stonehouse now has a Boules court on the Laburnum Recreation Ground. If you would like to hire the court, please contact the Town Council for details on how to hire it and get the key. 01453 822070

Royal British Legion – The Royal British Legion has implemented bi-monthly meetings, they will be on even months; Feb, April, June, Oct & Dec and on the first Tuesday at 7pm. Meetings are in the Globe Inn. Anyone interested in becoming a member will be welcome, having been in the services is not a requirement. Next meeting Tuesday, April 7. Dave Talbot on 01453 826302.

Stroud Valleys Credit Union, (Stonehouse Community Bank) is a co-operative run by volunteer members. They now offer 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 PRA and FCA. An advisor is now available at the Children’s Centre in Stonehouse. Did you know that the Credit Union (Save’n’borrow) now has new premises in the Brunel Mall in Stroud? It is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-12noon. Why not call in and have a look.

Shopping in Stonehouse and in need of refreshment then why not pop in to the ‘Pop In’ in the Community Centre. It is open Monday Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 9.30am and 11.30am. And should you have some spare time they are in need of volunteers so if you think you have an odd hour or two and could help then contact Pam Hurlston on 01453 825150.

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

Short Mat Bowling Club at the Douglas Morley Hall is open to all interested bowls players. They meet every Tuesday and Friday afternoons between 2pm and 4.30pm. Potential new members of all ages are very welcome to come along and give it a go free of charge for the first two sessions. Equipment will be provided but flat soled shoes must be worn. Just turn up on the day or ring 07772 087656 for further information.

The Local Village Agent. Brian Ireland is now covering Stonehouse and the Stanleys and can be contacted on 07534 064178 or email bireland@villageagent.grcc.org.uk

Kings Stanley Village Hall hosts regular live music events to cover all tastes. The Committee would like to hear from you, what your favourite type of music is. Email Tony Partridge: tony.partridge@virgin.neet or ring 01453 822451 he would love to hear your views.

Stonehouse Town Council have now re-vamped their website which gives comprehensive information about its members, meeting dates and times, agendas and minutes of meetings and events in the Town. Visit it at www.stonehousetowncouncil.com uBus Passes. These can be applied for at Stonehouse Library. They are then posted to applicant.

Kings Stanley Parish Council now has a Parish Office in the Village Hall open every Monday from 9.30-11am. Please note new opening times.

Libraries are not just about books. Have you ever visited our library in Stonehouse? Apart from books they have PCs with internet access, DVDs and CDs. There are also sessions for young children. They also have new opening hours, Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays 10am to 1pm, Thursday, 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday and Friday they are closed but there is a virtual library open 24/7 so you could visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries. Why not go along to your local library and see just what they have to offer. The local library also has a range of Mood Busting books - a range of self-help books featured in Reading Well Books on Prescription.

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

Short Mat Bowling Club at the Douglas Morley Hall is open to all interested bowls players. They meet every Tuesday and Friday afternoons between 2pm and 4.30pm. There are vacancies on Friday afternoons and new members, preferably with some bowling experience but keen beginners are welcome to come along and give it a go. Equipment is provided. For experienced players there is a team which plays in the Glos Short Mat Summer Bowling League. If you are interested why not contact Glyn Smith on 07772 087656 – or just turn up on the day.

New to the town? Pick up the latest edition of the Stonehouse News from the town hall (by the Post Office) and discover all the clubs and activities going on in the town.

Did you know that Stonehouse now has a series of local walks which highlight different aspects of the town. Copies are available from the town hall and the information can also be found on the Stonehouse History Group website: www.stonehousehistorygroup.org.uk Discover parts of the town you didn’t know existed.

The Town Green makes an excellent venue for a local event (weather permitting) and can be booked at the Town Council. Don’t forget to let me know so I can put it in the paper please. And let me know, please, about local events that are taking place in and around Stonehouse.

Have you got a new Puppy? 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 contact Lyn on 01453 823461 or Sandra on 01453 823639.

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

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

More and More people are recognising the need to keep fit and there are lots of opportunities in Stonehouse.

Zumba Classes are now being held in Stonehouse Community Centre every Thursday evening from 7.15-8pm.

Keep Fit for the over 50s. Come along and join in this class which is held every Thursday in Stonehouse Community Centre from 10-11am.

Did you know that Stonehouse has its own Sports & Dance Centre at Maidenhill? Open to the public Monday-Friday 6-10pm and on Sunday from 10am – 2pm. Special introductory gym offer. New users pay just £24 for a full induction and one month gym membership. Pay as you go or join a month at a time. Come and have a look. There is a fully equipped gym with air conditioning. Exercises classes include Fitball, Aerobics, Circuits, Studio Cycle, Pilates and Zumba. Concession scheme gives 40% off selected activities. Find out more on the website: www.stroud.gov.uk/sportcentres uTai Chi Health Class. Every Thursday 11.30am-12.30pm at St Josephs Church Hall, Oldend Lane, Stonehouse. £6. Suitable for all shapes, sizes and ages. Call Christopher on 01453 828000 Why not drop in and discover what we do.

Mindful Yoga for men and women on Wednesdays 7-8.30pm at The Park Infant School Elm Road Stonehouse. Contact Kevin on 01453 762838 or email: yogakevin@hotmail.com uBoost your immune system and increase your energy levels. YOGA – all abilities welcome. £6 in advance , drop in. £7.50 drop in. Tuesdays 9.30am Leonard Stanley Village Hall; Wednesdays 8pm Leonard Stanley Primary School; Thursdays 8pm Eastington Community Centre; Fridays 9.30am Leonard Stanley Village Hall.all Contact: Carol Maguire 01453 791484 / 07814 341092 or email caroline.maguire2@btinternet.com or visit the website: www.carolmaguire.co.uk uWalking is considered by many to be the best way to keep fit. 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. 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.

Kings Stanley Did you know that there is an Outdoor Gym sited on the Marling Close Playing field with eleven pieces of equipment free for everyone to use.

Stonehouse Wheelers is a family friendly Cycling Club and always welcomes new cyclists. If you are new to cycling why not get in touch with the Secretary Roy Jones on 01453 298759. They organise a range of rides to cater for the ambitious and the not-so ambitious. More information can be found on their website: http://www.stonehousewheelers.org.uk Dates for the Diary

Stonehouse Gardening next meet in the Community Centre at 7.30 on Wednesday September 2. The guest speaker will be George Alway who will give a talk on ‘Vegetable Growing without Tears’. All are welcome and for more information please ring 01453 821809