Weekly Tetbury news by Kevin Painter. 

1. Polar bear tribute on show to raise funds 

Polar bear tribute painting on show to raise funds Popular Cotswold artist, Eleanor Campbell, is donating a special painting of a wild creature she fell in love with via social media to highlight the plight of Arctic polar bears.

And Tetbury's town centre art venue, Spencer House Gallery, who regularly show Eleanor's work, are supporting the project by exhibiting her painting of the world-famous bear in the hope that a buyer steps forward this spring.

Says Eleanor: “I first fell in love with the Grinch, as the bear was known, last year when I watched videos of her on Florian Ledoux’s Instagram page, which has 101,000 followers. She captured my heart. With his kind permission, I painted her portrait, based on his amazing film of her playing in the drift ice.”

Leading wildlife photographer, film maker and explorer, Mr Ledoux explains: “ In the fjord amongst the drift ice the Grinch, a unique and playful polar bear, turned broken ice into her personal stage, performing a daily show of resilience and joy. Filming her, we, over time, grew to understand the nuances of her character.

“The Grinch was more than a bear; she embodied the spirit of freedom and the depth of joy inherent in wild creatures. Yet, Nature can be unforgiving and she didn't survive. On Svalbard, the survival rate from the den emergence to weaning is only 38%. She was just three-and-a-half years old when she died – but her playful spirit lives on in our memories.”

Eleanor adds: “Florian’s work portrays the power, beauty and tenderness of the polar bears and their fight for survival in this harsh environment. The Grinch was very special. I hope I’ve captured her for ever on canvas and her legend will live on.”

2. Service returns to St Mary's Church 

Today, Sunday, February 18 parishioners will be back worshipping in St Marys Church and at 10.00am as there will be a service of Baptism and Confirmation with The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek.

The celebrations continue after the service with cake. Last Sunday at the last of the temporary services was held in the school hall Revd Cannon Poppy Hughes gave a special thank you so what an absolute gift the time in the school hall has been which many people enjoyed.

And she paid tribute to the hard-working team who all worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes getting the school hall ready and making sure that the sound, seating, Technology for broadcasting of the services and of course the lovely refreshments afterwards.

Which ideal opportunity to remind you reminder that the services are in fact Broadcast live and recorded and then online for people to watch or even take part in if they cannot get to the Church

For more information please visit the website tetburychurch.co.uk

3. iSing Pop celebrate returns 

Great news as iSing Pop Celebrate, is back today, Sunday February 18 starting at 4:00 pm and continuing until 5:30 pm. At the St Mary’s School Hall St Mary's CE VA Primary School,St Mary’s Road, Tetbury, GL8 8BW. This is for all the Family where you will be exploring the best of bible stories and ask questions big and little, and enjoy time together with Christ, chatting and sharing icing pop song and prayers. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

All are welcome as this is run by Churches jn Tetbury: Saint Mary's, Christ Church, Five Valleys Christian Fellowship and Saint Michaels Catholic Church. This is for all the family to enjoy on Sunday afternoon. And you're invited where whether you live in the Town or neighbouring area or even a visitor or possibly your children don't go to St Mary's School, all you need is enthusiasm. Please bring your own cup.

4. Indiana Jones screening 

Thursday February 22 Tetbury Goods Shed Cinema are pleased to be screening the film Indiana Jones and the dial of destiny (12A) Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artefact that can change the course of history.

Experience the return of legendary hero, Indiana Jones, in the fifth instalment of this beloved swashbuckling series of films.

Set in 1969, the film follows Indy and his estranged goddaughter, Helena, who are trying to locate a powerful artifact before Jürgen Voller, a Nazi-turned-NASA scientist, who plans to use it to alter the outcome of World War II. Finding himself in a new era, approaching retirement, Indy wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him.

But as the tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival, Indy must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artefact doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. It stars Harrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies, and Karen Allen and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen. Doors and bar open at 7:00pm the film starts at 7:30pm-9:45pm tickets are £7.50 For more information or to book your tickets, please visit the website: www.shed-arts.co.uk

5. The Funny Mummy 

On 23 February Tetbury Good Shed are delighted to present The Funny Mummy from 8:00 pm - 9:45 pm

Join the Funny Mummy for this absolutely hilarious one women comedy show, all about the bonkers world of parenting.

From pregnancy to playdates, WhatsApp groups to school runs – if you’re a parent, and you need a laugh, then this show is for you! Alyssa’s comedy isn’t just about the trials and tribulations of parenting. She’s also on a noble quest to de-stigmatise mental health through the universal medicine of laughter.

From her personal journey to the downright absurd, she covers it all. And yes, for those of you who fancy a giggle on the saucier side, she throws in a naughty joke or two because, why not? It’s a variety show in the truest sense – something for everyone! And at the heart of her inspiration? Lola, her fabulous and hilarious little lady, who might just be the most unwitting comedy assistant in the business! ‘Mummy, I love your boobies…they’re so long!’ Alyssa Kyria, aka The Funny Mummy, is the co-creator of Bring Your Own Baby Comedy and performs comedy to audiences across the country. Her comedy, music videos and sketches have gone viral on Netmums and Facebook and she has starred on BBC, ITV and SKY.

To book a ticket or for further information, please visit www.shed-arts.co.uk. Advance tickets are Individual Seat, Adults £13.50 Under 25 years £10.00 on the door on the night tickets will cost £17.00 and £13.00 respectively.

There will also be a licensed bar and the doors open at 7.30pm The performance starts at 8.00 pm - 9.45 pm. Age guidance: 18+ because, let’s face it, you deserve a night off for some adult-only chuckles. Grab your tickets, and let's turn those parenting woes into LOLs!

6. An evening of sparkle and swing 

On 24 February Tetbury Good Shed are delighted to invite you join them for an evening of Sparkle and Swing with the Big Brunch Band playing a mixture of big band swing, latin, film themes and pop. Formed in 2005, The Big Brunch band are a 20+ explosion of sound from Ashton Keynes, playing a mixture of big band jazz, film themes, and funk. Tap-tap rhythms, velvet vocals and horns as bold as brassTo book a ticket or for further information, please visit www.shed-arts.co.uk.

Advance tickets are Individual Seat, Adults £15.00 Under 25 years £10.00 on the door on the night tickets will cost £18.00 and £13.00 respectively. There will also be a licensed bar and the doors open at 7.00pm The performance starts at 7.30 pm - 9.45 pm.

If you are looking to ease your way in to Big Band sounds and can already play trombone or trumpet, then the Big Brunch Band want to hear from you! The Big Brunch Band practises weekly on a Tuesday evening between 7:30 and 9:00 at the Ashton Keynes Village Hall, SN6 6NT. You are welcome to join in for one or two taster sessions or just come in and listen to us! For more information please contact Richard Dodd, the chairman, for more information: chairman@bigbrunchband.co.uk.