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

A belated Happy New Year to everyone in and around the Stonehouse area. I hope you all had a peaceful Christmas and are now looking forward to the new year and whatever that will bring. I wish you all good health and happiness in the months to come.

  • Stonehouse History Group meet – Wednesday, January 11 – at 7.30pm in the town hall. The topic for the evening is Stonehouse In World War Two and will be presented by two members – Jim Dickson and Vicki Walker. If you have any WW1 memorabilia please bring it along.
  • Savvy Seniors – Tomorrow, Thursday, January 12 at 1pm. Come along for a mystery film. And also this evening, Wednesday, January 11 at 6.45pm, Live from the RSC The Tempest.The Tempest.
  • Your Town Needs You! For a Community Litter Pick. So please come and join us at 2pm at the Youth Centre, Oldend Lane. Gloves, bags and ‘pickers’ all provided.
  • Stonehouse Knitters. I have just dispatched the first nine Seafarers’ Hats of 2017 to the mission in Bristol. Thank you to those who continue to knit, please keep knitting. The hats are always needed and much appreciated.
  • New Year New You? One of Stonehouse’s best kept secrets is the Gym/Joint Use Centre at Maidenhill. So why not use what is on the door step to get in shape? Full details of the extensive range of activities are on the web site or contact 01453 754338.
  • 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 hour’s gentle cycling. Info from the leader on 07896 134333 or contact info@follow-my-leader.org.uk.
  • Parkrun. Stonehouse now has its own Parkrun which takes place every Saturday at 9am on the football field, Oldend Lane. It is well organised and it is there for everyone – there is no charge, just turn up and run or walk. 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 Wheeler 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: http://www.stonehousewheelers.org.uk Also worth a visit is 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.
  • Mindfulness Yoga Classes resume today Wednesday January 4 at 7pm at the Park Infant School.
  • General Information Sports facilities on the Laburnum Field. Have you seen the Outdoor Table Tennis Tables by the Community Centre? Alongside the Outdoor Gym equipment and Boules area are two tables. Who needs to go to a gym when you can use these facilities for free? And no dress code. Just turn up and keep fit.
  • Stonehouse Library Baby Bounce & 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 10am-11am; IT for beginners on Friday from 10am-12noon; Citizens Advice from 1pm-4pm on Thursdays. We can also help write CVs. 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.
  • Royal British Legion – The Royal British Legion has implemented bi-monthly meetings, they will be on even months; Feb, April, June, Oct and 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.
  • Please can organisations let me have details of their programmes for the coming year. There really is plenty going on in Stonehouse so please let me have information of any events? Do use this column to promote them. Thank you.