Stonehouse News with Lesley Williams

• Stonehouse Goodwill this Saturday, December 2. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the Christmas Festivities.
• Savvy Seniors –Vue Cinema. Thursday November 30 at 11am ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’. A behind the scenes look at the life of author A.A.Milne and the creation of the Winnie the Pooh stories inspired by his son C.R. Milne. Don’t forget that £3.99 buys a seat in the cinema, and a cuppa and biscuit and use your Bus Pass.
• Live Screenings: This Sunday, December 3 at 2.45pm. The Bolshoi Ballet ‘The Nutcracker’.
• Stonehouse RBL Women’s Section. This year we celebrate our 90th anniversary and Thursday, November 30 at 1.45pm at the Community Centre a service of celebration and thanksgiving will be held to mark the occasion. Please come and join us along with visitors from other branches and county leaders.
• Stonehouse Park Junior School Christmas Fair. From 3.20pm. Everyone welcome to come and enjoy our annual Christmas Fair. Santa’s Grotto, Believe in Magic, Chocolate and Teddy tombola, Usborne books, Doreen’s Pickles, Toys, Refreshments and much more.
• Cotswold AONB Wardens’ Walks. Sunday, December 3 walk from ‘Hunters Hall’ to the Lasborough Valley. 3 hours 4 miles. All walks start at 10am and return to the meeting place. More information can be found on the Cotswold AONB website at escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/walking/guided-walks/
• Bloomers Café is back. Come along to Bloomers café (the old Post Office) on a Saturday from 10am. The café will be serving coffee, tea and delicious homemade cakes from 10 am. Table top sales also return. To find out more or to book a table contact the Town Hall 01453 822070 The Newly formed Rodborough Community Choir meet on Wednesdays from 7pm at Rodborough Church. No experience needed, wide range of music styles. For more information contact Catherine Jones: 07868028246 or find us on Facebook.
• Seafarers’ Hats – Another 20 hats are making their way to the Mission in Bristol and many thanks to everyone who continues to support this project. A recent call from the co-ordinator asked me to pass on ‘thanks and best wishes’ and ‘please keep knitting’ the hats are always wanted.
• Hearing aid service. Batteries can now be collected from Stonehouse Community Centre every Monday – Friday from 10-12noon.
• Stonehouse Food Bank is open in the Douglas Morley Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays each week from 10 – 11am. Call 01453 367077 for more information.
• ’after arts’ – a relaxed art group in Stonehouse for adults who have mild health issues – stress, depression. We have a good selection of art materials or you can bring your own. This is an opportunity to come and enjoy your art or just turn up for a chat. Tuesdays 11am – 1.30pm, £2. Contact 0794 1545503 for more details, afterartsstroud@gmail.com
• Cotswold Boatmobility – fun and freedom on the water which is accessible for all. Enjoy the local canal on a Katakanu. For more information contact: info@cotswoldboatmobility.org.uk
• Stonehouse Friendly Circle meet fortnightly on Fridays at the Community Centre at 2pm. As ever there will be good entertainment and friendly faces so why not come along. For more info ring Ruth on 828917.
• Stonehouse Pensioners Club meet on alternate Wednesdays at the Community Centre at 2pm. All are welcome and for more information contact Pam on 01453 825150
• ParkRun. If you haven’t discovered ParkRun and you want to join the growing numbers of people who run for fun, why not go along to Old Ends Lane on a Saturday at 9am and see what they do. It is there for everyone and you can take part by running, walking, trotting with the dog or pushing a buggy – it really is up to you. Or if you are tempted to be part of the action, they always need volunteers. It is there for everyone and it is free.
• Stonehouse Library - Did you know that every Wednesday at 10.30 the library welcomes toddlers for ‘Bounce & Rhyme’. It really is great fun and it’s never to soon to introduce you babe to the world of books and music. The Library also can provide ‘books on prescription’ and a range of books on the ‘Reading Well’ scheme. Drop into your local Library to find out more.
• King's Stanley Brownies has vacancies. We meet every Tuesday in the Village Hall from 6-7.30pm. If you are between 7-10 yrs old why not come along and find out what being a Brownie is all about make some new friends and learn some useful skills.
• Worried about bank closures in Stonehouse? Then turn to the Post Office, now located in the Co-op. You can still do your day to day banking with the PO – you can make cash withdrawals with your bank card, make balance enquiries, make cash deposits and using a paying in slip make cheque deposits.

Where to keep fit in Stonehouse:

• Maidenhill Joint Use Centre is one of Stonehouse’s best kept secrets. It has a fully equipped Gym Sports and Dance Centre, Badminton Courts and an excellent range of facilities. 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 12.30 for an hours gentle cycling. Info from the leader on 07896134333 or contact info@follow-my-leader.org.uk
• Stonehouse Wheeler is the cycling club which always goes out – whatever the weather! Apart from the regular Sunday rides, on Wednesdays – there is an Afternoon Ride that meets at the Globe Stonehouse at 1.15pm for a leisurely ride usually around the beautiful Severn Vale. More information and a runs list can be found on their website: stonehousewheelers.org.uk
• Mindfulness Yoga Classes every Wednesday 7pm at the Park Infant School.
• 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 2 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• King's 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.

General Information

• The APT Centre 1 Park Parade Stonehouse has something for everyone and we look forward to welcoming residents for a tea and friendly chat as well as helping with job search and personal development. We have drop in advice sessions with GL Communities on Tuesday mornings 10-12noon, P3 Community Support Thursdays 10-12noon and CAB Thursdays 1-3pm. Also a guitar group, sewing group, book group, cooking group it support and children’s gardening group. Drop in on a Monday morning and join us for lunch and a chat. More information 01453 822705.
• ’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.
• 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, 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.
• 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 uKings 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 stonehousetowncouncil.com.
• Bus Passes. These can be applied for at Stonehouse Library. They are then posted to applicant.
• King's 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 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.
• 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.

Dates for your Diary

• Please can local organisations let me know their plans for the coming months, and any changes, so I can in turn publish them through this column. Thank you.