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

v.  This evening, Wednesday, Stroud Valleys Music Club meets in St Joseph's Church Hall at 7.30pm. The evening will be devoted to a Dvorak Miscellany. Visitors, for just £2.50, are always welcome and if you would like to find out more about the Music Club call 01452 302249.

v.  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. Baby bounce and rhyme on Wednesdays from 10.30am to 11am and storytime on Mondays at 10.30am. 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.

v.  Do you know any reception Year 1 or Year 2 girls or boys keen to get into football? Stonehouse Town Football Club is helping young children take their first steps into playing football via an under sevens group. Sessions run on Saturdays, 10am to 10.45am, indoors at Park Primary School, Stonehouse and will run every Saturday, excluding school holidays, until July 2013. Sessions are just £2 plus a club joining fee of £5 once your child feels established.  All you need is a pair of trainers and some shin pads. For more information please call Ian Neville on 01453 741273 or email ianneville01@gmail.com

v.  WEA (Workers Education Association) are currently holding several courses in Stonehouse. Enjoy Learning French with Annette Binns from 10am to noon on Mondays at All Pulling Together, 1 Park Parade, Stonehouse. The 1930s Ð Literature and Social History, with tutor Allan Phillipson from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesdays at Stonehouse library and a six week course on Episodes of Stroud Life with Steve Hill from 7.30pm-9pm at Stroud library. More information about this and other courses can be found on www.wea-sw.org.uk or 0845 458 2758 or contact Tony Burton on 01453 832228.

Keeping fit in Stonehouse

v.   Keeping fit in Stonehouse couldnÕt be easier. Find out by going along to the Maidenhill Sports and Dance Centre which offers something for everyone. Monday: 6pm - 7pm, football, core and more; 7pm-8pm aerobics; 7.15pm-8.15pm pilates, Tuesday: 6pm-7pm circuits; 6.30pm - 7.15pm studio cycle, Wednesday: 6pm-6.45pm studio cycle; 7pm-7.45pm studio cycle, Thursday: 7pm-8pm circuits; 7.30pm-8.15pm studio cycle, Sunday: 11am-11.45am zumba. There is also a concession card scheme giving 40 per cent off a range of activities. To find out if you qualify visit www.stroud.gov.uk/sportscentres. The website also has full information about your local sports centre.

v.  Tai chi health class - learn the gentle and nourishing art of chi kung energy exercise every Thursday at the Stonehouse Community Centre, 10.30am to 11.30am. For more information call 0781 392 1336.

v.   Boost your immune system and increase your energy levels with yoga, all abilities welcome, £6 in advance, drop-in is £7.50.  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. Contact: Carol Maguire 01453 791484 / 07814 341092 or email caroline.maguire2@btinternet.com

v. 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.

v.  Do you have a question for the police? A weekly drop in is now being held in Stonehouse town hall every Tuesday between 11pm and 12pm.

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

v.  Stonehouse Lunch Club is now so popular that there is a waiting list. If you would like to add your name to the list contact Mattie Ross to book your place at the table on 01453 826587.

v.  Join U3A and take advantage of its computer club held weekly from 4pm on Wednesdays at Park Junior School, see www.stroud3a.org.uk

v.  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 Financial Services Authority. An advisor is at the APT Centre, Park Parade every Tuesday, 2.30pm to 4pm.

Looking ahead - dates for your diary

v.  Stand and deliver - John Putley will be the next speaker at the Stonehouse History Group on Wednesday, November 14 and his topic will cover the Golden Age of Highwaymen 1700-1830.  If this is a subject that grabs your attention why not come along. Visitors, just £2, are always welcome.

v.  Something else to look forward to - Phil Bishler will be talking about chocolate making at the next Stonehouse WI meeting on Wednesday, November 21.

v.  Stonehouse Learning Circle is holding a branch committee meeting in Stonehouse library on Friday, November 2 at 7.30pm.

v.  Christmas is coming and lots of organisations hold fairs and fund raising events - make sure you let people know by putting the dates in this column.