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

  • Stonehouse History Group meets this evening, Wednesday, July 13, at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Stonehouse resident Bob Lusty will be joining us to talk about the local music scene of the 50’s and 60’s accompanied by some musical tracks taken from his vast record collection. Journal Issue six will be available at the meeting.
  • Stonehouse Town Council Neighbourhood Development Plan sets out the community’s vision and priorities for the future of the town for the next 15 years. The plan is on online until August 12 and comments from all Stonehouse residents, businesses, shopkeepers and are welcome. This is your town and your opportunity to be involved in shaping its future.
  • Savvy Seniors Cinema Club next Monday, July 18. As usual there will be a current film for all to see. So why not use your bus pass to travel into Stroud and for just £3.29 you’ll enjoy good company a film and a cuppa and a biscuit. More information needed? Contact Jean Edwards 01453 825276 u Stonehouse Crafty Stitchers every Tuesday at APT Park Road at 7pm. Knitting crochet and sewing group. Open to all abilities – drop in and see what we do?
  • Advanced warning – The Flower Pot Men are coming this weekend. Ist Stonehouse Flower Pot People Trail July 16 and 17 Starting at Stonehouse Town Green. Find out about this exciting event from the town council there is still time to enter.
  • Cotswold AONB Warden Walks. This Friday – meet at Horsley village shop for a six-mile walk taking four hours to Tickmorend and Wallow Green. All walks start at 10am and return to the starting point. Additional details can be found on escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/walking/guided-walks u Upcycled Art Outdoors is back in Stonehouse until July 27. Everyone is welcome to join us for weekly outdoor sessions promoting sustainable arts and crafts. Sessions are Wednesdays from 10am in the Rest Garden behind Wynn’s Cafe. Contact Agnieszka on 07910 707 611 for further information.
  • APT Park Parade Stonehouse. This centre continues to reach out to people in the Park Estate and beyond. Why not drop in and see what we do? Monday Munchdays - £1 for a bacon or veggie roll and catch up. Tuesday drop in for debt advice – no appointment needed. Wednesday 10am Community Sewing Group. Thursday 10am drop in for SDC Housing Advice and P3 Inclusion Advice and from 1pm drop in for CAB Advice. Also help with job search and writing CVs. And now guitar sessions on Mondays 2pm-3pm, Stop Smoking support Tuesdays 1.30pm-2.30pm. Need more info call 01453 822705
  • We are all being encouraged to get fit so if you want to get out on a bike but not sure how to do it 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, on Sunday afternoons, to cater for the ambitious and the not-so ambitious. More information can be found on their website: stonehousewheelers.org.uk Also worth a visit is 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.
  • Friday Night is Bingo Night in Stonehouse Community Centre starting at 7pm.
  • Do you enjoy playing Whist? Regular sessions are held in the Stonehouse Community Centre and the next one is Monday, May 16. We meet at 1pm to start playing at 1.15pm. So why not come along and join us. We are a friendly bunch and always welcome new players.
  • Slow Yoga on Wednesdays from 9.45am – 11am in Leonard Stanley. For information about these classes, aimed at keeping older people supple contact John on 01453 791848.
  • Stonehouse Brownies. Mondays 6pm-7.30pm Morley Hall Stonehouse. Come and join us, make new friends learn new skills. Always good fun. Contact 826181 or 826941 for more information.
  • Hats for Seafarers. Another 25 hats were recently posted to the Bristol Mission. Thank you to all who continue to knit, the hats are continually needed. If anyone would like join in this very worthwhile ongoing project, do get in touch with me for a pattern.
  • Stonehouse Library Baby Bounce and Rhyme and Bookstart Bear sessions are back. Every Wednesday at 10.30am – 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 biscuits 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 something 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 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 uRoyal 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, February 2nd. Dave Talbot on 01453 826302.
  • 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
  • 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: 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. Contact 07794205085.

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 per cent off selected activities. Find out more on the website: stroud.gov.uk/sportcentres
  • 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
  • Boost 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: carolmaguire.co.uk
  • Walking 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 Magpies Social Club: Large hall available for hire for all types of functions daytime & evenings. Please ring 07944 562643 to check availability and cost.
  • Does your organisation or club have enough members? Would you like more people to join in. Tell the residents of Stonehouse about your events and meetings through this column. Details of how to get in touch are at the top. Look forward to hearing from you.

A date for your diary

  • Stonehouse WI Next Wednesday July 20 Stonehouse Community entre at 7.30 a members evening when everyone will be taking part in a craft. For the Bring and Buy table please being along a bottle – but not an empty one.
  • As summer is with us – don’t forget to let me know the dates of summer fetes, gatherings and events please.