Nine pieces of news in Tetbury

1. Welcome return of the Moscow Drug Club 

This Saturday May 4 Tetbury Good shed Art Centre are pleased to welcome the return of The Moscow Drug Club! Who provide an intoxicating & intimate musical experience.

Within a curious musical place where certain elements of 1930’s Berlin Cabaret, Hot Club de France, Nuevo Tango & Gypsy Campfire meet, have a few to drink and stagger arm in arm into the darkness of some eastern European cobbled street on a mission to find the bar where Django Reinhardt & Tom Waits are having an after hours jam with the local Tziganes. Combining their original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits & Eartha Kitt.

Moscow Drug Club provide an intoxicating & intimate musical experience.They have played some great venues and festivals of note including: WOMAD, National Theatre London, International Gypsy Guitar Festival,Royal Albert Hall, Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival,to name just a few.

You are cordially invited to share a wry smile with us as you enter the darkly comic world of Moscow Drug Club…..this way please and mind your step! To book a ticket or for further information, please visit www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk Tickets prices are Individual Seat – £15.00 - £10.00. Group ticket price £70.00-£35.00 On the door on the night tickets will cost £18 and £13 respectively.

2. New spring exhibition hosted by art society 

The Tetbury Art Society are excited to invite you to their Spring Exhibition, hosted at the superb historic Market House in Tetbury.

Join them from Saturday 4th May to Monday, 6th May 2024, between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm. The event promises as always to showcase a diverse array of artwork from the talented members.

3. New service starts on Sunday 

The next new 'Heart & Soul! Service will be on Sunday May 5th starting at 5.15pm Free Tea/Coffee/Cake. Then at 6.00pm the Service begins.

Heart & Soul is a new worship service at St Marys’ Tetbury which seeks to go on a journey of discovery exploring different ways of worshipping God.Each service may be different but we hope that they will offer something for all as we focus on what it means to worship God throughout each day of our lives.

All are welcome to share this journey. And will be at St Mary's Church Tetbury, on the 1st Sunday of every month. All Welcome. For more information email office@tetburychurch.co.uk or ring 01666500088.

4. Unique sale on Bank Holiday 

On this Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May try something unique The Lowsley-Williams family are hosting Chavenage Attic Sale!

In aid of The Motor Neurone Disease Association. Dig and delve into attics, stable and sheds for items to sell or just browse the stands on the day and collect some hidden treasures to take home. Feast on our food and drink offerings and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of The Chavenage estate. Entry cost : Adults £5.00. Children under 16 FREE. Pitches £15.00 for cars £30.00 for larger vehicles. Ample Parking, Dogs on leads welcome Coffee, Pizza pop ups and Ice Cream. All profits to be donated to The MNDA, A registered charity supporting people with Motor Neurone Disease.

Pre-booked pitches only please contact Nicky on 07717312568 or email nickychavenage@gmail.com to book. The Lowsley-Williams family are very much look forward to seeing you at Chavenage!

And of course when you're at the home it will feel very familiar as it has been used in so many TV and films such as The Pale Horse, BBC1,Poldark, BBC1,Tess of the D'Urbervilles, BBC1,Lark Rise to Candleford, BBC 1,Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon. And the soon to be released TV adaptation of Rivals the Disney Plus eight-part series.

5. Wonderful events at the Goods Shed 

Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to present The Celli Peppers on Wed 8 May 2024 at 3.00pm. The Celli Peppers were formed in 2015 on the basis that “if one cello is good, two cellos are twice as good and more cellos (celli) must be even better”. Their repertoire is a true miscellany from renaissance to contemporary.

Members come from Gloucester to the North and Exeter to the South. They have performed around the south west and been tutored by professional cellists including a member of Cellophony. Above all they do this for fun and aim is to share that fun with the audience. Do come and join them you can enjoy some super music, meet your friends as well as maybe making new ones.

Advance tickets are just £3.50 (plus booking fee) Please note on the door they cost £4.00 And the Whistle Stop Café will be open if you fancy a nice cup of tea (or coffee) and of course Sasha’s cakes are just scrumptious.

Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to present on Sat 11 May 2024 at 7:30 Gloriana – choral music of two Elizabethan ages Performed by the Cappella Nova Chamber Choir. Queens Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II both reigned during astonishingly rich and golden ages of musical composition.

This concert by the Bath-based Cappella Nova Chamber Choircelebrates English choral music, both sacred and secular, written during their times on the throne. Madrigals and motets by William Byrd, Thomas Tallis and Thomas Morley are contrasted with works by Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams and James MacMillan. The second half in particular is taken from two song collections offered to the two queens – The Triumphs of Oriana in 1601, A Garland for the Queen in 1953 – and from Britten’s opera Gloriana.

The concert highlights the amazingly rich and vibrant musical life of two of England’s greatest queens, who between them reigned for over 114 years. They perform three or four concerts each year with a wide range of sacred and secular music, usually in aid of local or national charities. Other musical activities include singing for church services and weddings.

Proceeds from the concert will support the work of Longfield Community Hospice in Minchinhampton. Tickets Advanced £12.50 and 25 £10 or on the door of the night tickets will cost 16 and £13 respectively

Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to present on Wed 15 May 2024 - Their new Exhibition: Sue Bown – Space and Place The exhibition runs from Wednesday 15 May through to and including Sunday 16 June 2024.

The Opening times are 10.00am-4.00pm Wednesdays through Sundays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays and occasionally for other events in the main hall they recommend you call first if travelling a distance to avoid disappointment.

And you can have the opportunity to Meet the artist on Saturday 25 May 10.00am-4.00pm. Sue Bown’s large-scale energetic abstract work explores shape, colour and movement. Noticing detail in the world around her has been part of Sue’s essence for as long as she can remember.

Originally from Surrey, Sue moved to Devon where she found the coastal energy sparked her creativity and inspired her to paint. Two years ago she left Devon for Cirencester. Now living in the Cotswolds, she is aware of how the local colours and energy are asking questions in her practice; hence the reference to place in the title of this exhibition. Sue has exhibited work nationally and internationally.

She has exhibited work in commercial galleries in the South West and in the South West Academy. Collaboration has also been a strong component in her practice: she has contributed to a many creative community projects focused on the themes of connection and breaking boundaries.

6. Invited to family event 

You are all invited to iSing Pop Celebrate, on Sunday, the 19th of May in St Marys’School Hall starting at 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm This is for all the Family where are you will be exploring the best of bible stories and ask questions big and little, and enjoy time together with crafts, chatting and sharing iSingPOP song and prayers.

And if that's not enough there will be a special Easter chick hunt in the churchyard. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.Please bring your own cup. All are welcome as this is run by Tetbury Area Churches together : Saint Mary's, Christ Church, Five Valleys Christian Fellowship and Saint Michaels Catholic Church.

7. Tetbury Hospital hike taking place soon 

The Tetbury Hospital Hike will take place on Sunday 19th May 2024. This will be a very rare opportunity to see glorious Estcourt Park (By kind permission of Juddmonte Farms) by either running or walking through their beautiful private grounds. The Start/Finish will be in the field near the St. John the Baptist. church, Church Lane, Shipton Moyne, GL8 8PW.

This will be a great day out for all the family with live entertainment by Route 44, Bar open 12.00pm onwards to purchase wine and beer plus tea/coffee and homemade cakes, Well behaved dogs on leads, are welcome too. Walkers and runners to start between 10am and 11am.

Entry fee which includes on hog roast and all accompaniments are, 20 Pound per adult. 15 Pound per child 16 and under. Numbers are limted, so please book early to avoid disappointment there are 2 Route options available - 5 miles and 7 miles. Proceeds will go towards medical equipment and upgrades to the hospital facilities. To book or for more information Please Visit www.friendsoftetburyhospital.co.uk

8. Talk with a vet 

On Wednesday 22 May Tetbury Goods Shed are delighted to present a Talk with vet Nick Thompson. Natural feeding and holistic pet care.

Nick Thompson has been fighting for responsible, species-appropriate raw food feeding for pets for over 25 years. His tireless drive for healthy pets from birth to graceful old age brought him to raw feeding in the mid-1990s.

In 1999, Nick established his specialist practice, Holisticvet (www.holisticvet.co.uk). Now based near Bath, he offers homeopathy, natural nutrition and herbal medicine and a lot of good old-fashioned common sense for dogs and horses.His pet topics are gastroenterology and the microbiome and the misuse of pharmaceuticals in medicine.

He loves researching all aspects of human and animal nutrition.The talk is brought to the Shed in conjunction with The Tetbury Pet Shop, owned by partner team, Amelia and Alastair, The Tetbury Pet Shop (www.thetetburypetshop.co.uk) opened its doors at 7 Long Street in October 2022. Their mission is to bring great products to the community, with a strong health-based ethos. The fantastic Tetbury Pet Shop team all care deeply for animals and have a combined experience of 60 years in the industry.

To book a ticket or for further information, please visit www.tetburygoodsshed.co.uk

9. Famous race to return 

Whenever you enter Tetbury it makes you smile now that the New Woolsack sack race signs have gone up making it official that The world famous Tetbury Woolsack Races are back making a welcome return after a four year break and will take place on the Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday, which falls on 27th May.

And will take place From 10.00am - 5.00pm. This year on the day there will be five main areas: The Race course: This will be up Gumstool Hill where competitors will run up and down the hill.

Fans will have vantage points along the race course to view the event a Market Quarter: Along Long Street, with market stalls selling crafts, produce and gifts from the region.A Food Quarter: Positioned in the Chipping Carpark, will be local food vans and providers, offering high quality food and drink options to purchase, A Heritage Quarter: Located underneath Market House in the centre of Tetbury, we will share information about the history of the event, and the history of Tetbury as a wool trading market town.

Since 1972, Tetbury has hosted the world famous Woolsack Races. A test of strength, where individuals and teams compete, to run up and down the 1 in 4 gradient of Gumstool Hill with heavy woolsacks on their back.

Steeped in tradition, the event dates back to the 17th century where drovers ran from pub to pub with a woolsack on their shoulders to impress local women. Over the years the event has evolved, to contain numerous races, stalls, and entertainment. Traditionally the event is held on the May long weekend, allowing visitors to come to Tetbury to compete, or enjoy the spectacle on the day.

Unfortunately in 2020 the event was put on hold due to COVID. In 2023, a new committee was formed to bring back the race in 2024. The theme of the event is a “Celebration of the Cotswolds”, highlighting the history of the event, and showcasing local food, drink, businesses and entertainment.

Thanks must go to this dedicated hard-working committee and of course to the major sponsor the new Tetbury business Flooring South West (FSW) James Padden said 'I am proud to support the British wool trade from our own historic home town of Tetbury as we are also able to supply and fit carpets, so it's fitting and very proper for us to support this amazing unique family day out and it's an honour to be part of the return of this world famous event.'

So there's really only one place to be this Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday, for sheer fun enjoyment and entertainment and of course it's free to watch.