By Kevin Painter

THE Pyke Quarry, Horsley Household Recycling Centre re-opened on Tuesday, for pre-booked visits only.

To book online visit www.gloucestershirerecycles.com.

If you need assistance booking online, please contact a Tetbury Town Councillor or the Tetbury Town Council Office Team who would be happy to help by ringing 01666 504670.

Please bear in mind that due to huge demand, a backlog is likely, however you will be able to book a slot.

CLLR Ann Pearce, mayor of Tetbury, would like to say a big thank you to Tesco’s for awarding us a £500 grant from their Tesco Bags of Help Covid-19 Communities Fund.

This will go towards assisting our many volunteers within the Covid-19 Response Group to continue helping the more vulnerable members of our community.

Volunteers help to deliver meals, shopping, picking up of pensions, and prescriptions.

The donation will enable us to help with the fuel costs of volunteers who continue to maintain this vital and positive service that it does for so many in our community.

DESPITE the crisis and the fact we still have to remain ever vigilant, there was a refreshing air of normality this Saturday, as the traditional market stalls were operating in a safe but ever traditional manner, complementing the ever faithful team under the Market Hall of Tim Cordall’s Plants and Cary Thompson Village Veg.

There was a fine selection of treats from the award winning, mouth watering Ben’s pies From Ben’s Kitchen and they will all be there Wednesdays and Saturdays.

ONE of the original businesses of a market town is of course the butcher and the famous Jesse Smiths whose counters are absolutely rammed full of the finest local free range meat, are once again open.

Albeit for three days a week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am until 4pm.

To maintain government guidelines and maintaining social distancing only two people will be allowed in the shop at one time.

A SHOP that epitomises the Tetbury ethos is The Tetbury Hardware which is open for business from 8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm (4pm on Saturdays).

The much loved owner of Tetbury Hardware Malcolm Philby said: "Due to the size of our shop, we limit ourselves to two customers at any one time. I am working alone so please bear with me.’’

SCENTIMENTS, the flower shop are also back offering a delivery service.

Jo said: "I would like to thank the many loyal customers who already are returning by telephone or email ordering.”

So if you would like to send a floral gift within a 10 mile radius of Tetbury or simply just like some beautiful fresh flowers for your home delivered in a safe contactless manner then please ring 01666 503196 or 07554975148 or email enquiries@tetburyflorists.co.uk.

TETBURY shops and businesses so far have coped exceptionally well with the current crisis.

And now there is welcome news for non-essential retailers after Boris Johnson announced that they will be able to re-open from June 15, as long as they can show they are ‘Covid secure’.

Nine weeks since strict “stay at home” measures began, outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to trade from June 1, with other non-essential retailers including shops selling clothes, furniture, plus photography studios, and indoor markets following suit from June 15.

Hairdressers, beauty salons, cafes and pubs will remain closed.

The New Tetbury Chamber of Commerce is asking that all businesses shops, micro-enterprises or even entrepreneurs contact them as they are putting together a definitive directory of all business related people and companies for the town.

It is also a great networking and support mechanism giving a voice to all who have their own business. There is no cost, no subscriptions, all you need is GL8 postcode.

Kevin, chair of the Chamber said: "It’s imperative that we all work together, and continue to promote the goodwill that this crisis has managed to galvanise for our town and its businesses.

"For many of us this is going to be a very different way of shopping and conducting business.

"I have paraphrased the great MLK before and it’s never truer than now, we all got here by different ships but we are all in the same boat now.’’

You can email direct to the chamber at info@tetburychamber.org.uk.

THE Tetbury 451 Comic Book Initiative with an arts centre is dedicated to the display of the original comic book art from the 1960s to now.

It is complemented by its rare and first edition comics that will be on an alternated display in a different location.

It has obviously had to postpone its opening due to the current crisis and of course the workshop too had to be postponed.

So if you’re a comic book/graphic novel artist, writer or even just have an interest in this medium, you can still email comics451@icloud.com.

When the centre is opened, there will be a reading area and library, so if you have any graphic novels or comics you would like to donate, please email.

The aim is to promote this art form as an art form and everyone involved in this medium.

For further information please visit the website www.comics451.co.uk.

Contact me at the above email address with all your Tetbury news - I look forward to hearing from you, in the meantime stay safe.