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

  • Stonehouse Christmas Goodwill Fest. Saturday, December 3, from 1.30pm. Father Christmas led by his two reindeer Dancer and Blitzen and the African Fusion Band. Lantern procession, stalls, entertainment and a fantastic family and community event. Father Christmas will switch on the lights at 5.30pm. Many thanks to all our sponsors. Come and join in the fun and re-discover Stonehouse. Why not pick up an event programme from the Town Hall.
  • Savvy Seniors – your Cinema screenings are back. But on a different day. So, the next showing for Savvy Seniors is tomorrow – Thursday December 1, at 1pm. Pete’s Dragon. The adventures of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend, who just happens to be a dragon, named Elliot. £3.99. Don’t forget to use your bus pass to travel into Stroud.
  • Please come and discover Stonehouse. Our town has so many virtues but sometimes they get forgotten. So let me remind you. Apart from Stonehouse being flat and having easy parking, it has a range of shops that support ‘every day’ living. Two butchers, a fruit and veg shop, post office, chemist, a Co-op, hairdressers, estate agents, accountants and solicitors, dentists, IT repairs, card shops, Polish deli and more. It is all there, in one town. Come and see what is on offer in Stonehouse. You won’t be disappointed. And no struggling up and down hills.
  • APT still has places for people to discover ‘Cooking on a Budget’ Tuesdays from 1pm. More info: 01453 822705.
  • Families Anonymous. Does someone you care about use drugs? Families Anonymous offers you help. We meet on Tuesdays from 6.45pm in the Stonehouse Community Centre. For more information contact 0845 1200 660.
  • We have a growing population of hedgehogs in the area. Help A Hedgehog Hospital has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing hogs back into the Wild for the last eight years. Should anyone come across any hogs out during the day please contact their main hospital based in King’s Stanley. Contact Carole on 07870 378207 or 01453 823871 – she is available 24/7.
  • Cycling4Health. If you own a bike and want to get back into the saddle come along to the Stonehouse Community Centre on Mondays at 12.30pm for an hours gentle cycling. Info from the leader on 07896134333 or contact info@follow-my-leader.org.uk
  • Stonehouse Knitters Once again many thanks to the knitters of Stonehouse. Another 17 hats were dispatched to the Mission in Bristol at the weekend and have been very gratefully received. Please keep knitting – they are always needed.
  • Stonehouse now has its own Parkrun which takes place every Saturday at 9am on the football field, Oldend Lane. It is very well organised and it is there for everyone – there is no charge, just turn up and run or walk possibly with a dog? Great community event. Parkrun is also looking for volunteers so if you would like to join in by helping either just go along on a Saturday or contact John on 07964 556240.
  • 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?
  • Stonehouse Wheelers is the cycling club which always goes out – whatever the weather. For December to February the Wednesday run will start at 1.15pm outside the Globe Inn, Stonehouse. The Wednesday ride is an ‘easy’ bike ride of up to just 18 miles – so all cyclists welcome. But please – lights and mudguards are essential in these winter times. More information can be found on their website: stonehousewheelers.org.uk Friday night is bingo night in Stonehouse Community Centre starting at 7pm.
  • Slow Yoga on Wednesdays from 9.45-11am in Leonard Stanley. For information about these classes, aimed at keeping ‘older’ people supple contact John on 01453 791848.
  • Stonehouse Brownies. Mondays 6-7.30pm Morley Hall Stonehouse. Come and join us, make new friends learn new skills. Always good fun. Contact 826181 or 826941 for more information.
  • The Stanley Singers and The Frome Valley Handbell Ringers present their 40th anniversary Christmas Concert. King's Stanley Village Hall, Sunday December 11 7.30pm. Tickets just £5 available from Yew Tree Stores, Choir members and on the door. Proceeds to the James Hopkins Trust.
  • Nailsworth and District Flower Arrangement Society. An Open Evening at Sibley Hall Wycliffe College Wednesday, December 14, for a demonstration by Nigel Whyles. Tickets cost £10 and include a glass of wine and a mince pie. They are available from Linda Foreman 01453 758496 or Eileen Ind 01453 835752 or from Claire Francis Hair Design, Cossack Square Nailsworth.
  • St Cyr’s Crib Service December 24, 2pm. Everyone is invited to this delightful special service. Please children why not come dressed as your favourite nativity character. Refreshments after the service.
  • 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.