perspectives CHELTENHAMARTSCULTURE

Cheltenham Arts Council: awards_funding_publicity_events listings

October 2019 – January 2020

Bath Road utility boxes • Holst Museum exhibition Honk! Jr • Churchdown Male Voice Choir Musica Vera • German Club PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 Issue Advertising Charges Dear Readers HALF PAGE ADVERT A very warm welcome to the latest £25 for CAC members or £75 for non-members edition of Perspectives, covering FULL PAGE ADVERT October 2019 to January 2020. Writing this in the warmth of an August £50 for CAC members or £150 for non-members afternoon, it seems rather bizarre to be Please contact [email protected] for more information. looking towards the autumn, let alone Submissions must be with us by the following dates for consideration Christmas and the New Year, but it’s heartening to look through the Listings for the next issue: and see what a wealth of cultural End of November deadline for Feb/May Issue activities we have ahead of us. for June/Sept Issue End of March deadline Before I go any further, I would like End of July deadline for Oct/Jan Issue to say a resounding “Thank You” to my predecessor as Perspectives editor, Sharon Larkin, who did so much to enhance and modernise this RACHEL TEDD COVER IMAGE: Kimberley Thomas publication. Her inspiration and advice CONTENTS 'Not So Green Man', which is available as has been invaluable, and prints, and installed at Chapel Arts for the Cheltenham Paint Festival, September 2019. Arts Council owes her a significant become works of art. On a similar Bath Road utility boxes 3 debt of gratitude. As Sharon mentioned theme, by the time you read this, the Holst Museum exhibition 4 in her last editorial, CAC also has a Cheltenham Paint Festival will once Honk! Jr 6 new Chair - Sue Silcock - and we will again have adorned the town with some Meet the Members: Blue Moon Harmony Choir 8 be finding out a bit more about her in truly fantastic artwork. It really lifts the the next issue. As for me, in addition Listings 9 spirits to walk or drive a familiar route to being Hon Sec of CAC, my own Churchdown Male Voice Choir 16 and see it transformed. involvement in the arts in Cheltenham Musica Vera 17 includes Cheltenham Bach Choir, the We also take a look back at the German Club 18 Holst Museum, performing Renaissance childhood of Cheltenham’s famous son SHOWCASE 19 and medieval music with The Waites Gustav Holst, reflected in a fascinating of Gloucester and Ypotryll, and very exhibition at the Holst Birthplace recently becoming Hon Sec of the Museum. While childhood doesn’t seem Cheltenham Music Festival Society. to have been a particularly happy time In my spare time (!) I like knitting and for the young Gustav, the same can’t be killing virtual monsters in an online said for the kids involved in the debut Perspectives is produced three times a year. game. production by the CODS Youth Theatre The next issue will span February – May 2020. Cheltenham – the reviews from the participants are Arts Council In this issue, we start with details of Submission (ads and events) must be with us by the end of NOVEMBER just lovely. a wonderful project to enliven the for consideration for the next issue. Please email event details to PERSPECTIVES TEAM EDITOR Rachel Tedd environment in the Bath Road area, There’s also a plea from Showcase, a [email protected] LISTINGS Alice Hodsdon where prosaic utility boxes have long-standing costume and fancy dress TEMPLATE DESIGN Chantal Freeman 2 EDITORIAL CULTURE 3 DECORATING THE BATH ROAD UTILITY BOXES company that works closely with many called "Meet the Members", in which members of Cheltenham’s voluntary we'll be telling you a bit more about the ADRIAN PHILIPS WITH NEWS OF THE LATEST REFRESH arts community. They need someone to organisations that make up Cheltenham take over the business – it’s a fantastic Arts Council. This time, the focus is he Bath Road is a very special Nineteen boxes were decorated in 2014, but opportunity so do have a read and alert on the Blue Moon Harmony Choir. shopping street, full of independent Rhys has just finished a refresh. A number any likely candidates. And finally, we celebrate (at least) 70 Ttraders, great shops, restaurants, of boxes have been added to the scheme, others have been entirely repainted, and years of the German Club – Herzlichen pubs and cafes. But if it is to thrive, One of CAC’s main responsibilities, then residents need to use the excellent others again have been cleaned, with any Glückwunsch to them! and one of its greatest pleasures, services that it provides – and also help to scratches or deterioration attended to. The is to be able to award grants to I do hope you enjoy this edition ensure it looks good. decorated boxes can now be seen along member organisations. Two of those of Perspectives, and on behalf of RHYS COWE BUSY AT organisations, the Churchdown Male Cheltenham Arts Council I wish you WORK DURING THE PAINTING OF NEW Voice Choir and the Musica Vera choir, a very cultural and peaceful autumn, UTILITY BOXES have contributed articles on how that Christmas and New Year. grant money has been used. We’re always delighted to receive feedback Rachel Tedd, on grant usage, so please do get in PERSPECTIVES EDITOR touch. In this edition, you'll also find the first in a new series of articles

So that's why, over the past 5 years, three the entire length of this part of the Bath residents’ associations (St Philip and Road, all the way from the Norwood Arms St James Area Residents’ Association to the Suffolk Road traffic lights. As part [SPJARA], the Naunton Area Residents’ of the same scheme, the Norwood Arms Association [NARA] and Cheltenham roundabout has been branded with the Connect) have undertaken a number of Bath Road logo. small environmental schemes to brighten up the Bath Road, with financial support from the council. joined the group in 2019. A number of small scale projects have been undertaken (including tree planting, planters and an art work). But the biggest project is the decoration of 25 utility boxes belonging to Virgin Media, BT Openreach and Glos Highways. These employ colourful designs inspired by the Victorian tiles in a butchers’ shop in the Bath Road, the cedar trees in front of Cheltenham College and Victorian glass in the nearby St Philip and St James church. The work was designed by Chantal Freeman and executed by Rhys Cowe. NEW WORK FROM CHELTENHAM PAINT FESTIVAL perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 4 CULTURE CULTURE 5 A VICTORIAN CHILDHOOD Gustav’s childhood story is just one we are AN INSIGHT INTO HOLST’S EARLY LIFE exploring in our most recent exhibition, ‘A Victorian Childhood’, which runs until 14 December. Through toys, books, costume aura Kinnear, curator at the Holst and photographs, visitors can reflect on Birthplace Museum, gives us an what childhood may have meant to the L insight into Holst’s early life, boys and girls who grew up in the 19th reflected in the museum’s current century. What was infancy like, both for exhibition. the baby and the nervous parents who would have been all too aware that their What was Gustav Holst’s childhood really child might die before it reached five? And like? We almost certainly will never know, if they were fortunate enough to survive although it’s generally assumed that it infancy, what world did they enter into? wasn’t an especially happy one. Firstly, Of course, it would have differed greatly his mother died when he was only seven depending on whether their background years old, a horrendous tragedy for both was rich or poor, or like Gustav Holst, something in between. By the time Gustav was born, the 1870 Education Act had come into place, so although not all children went to school for a variety of reasons, it was now much more likely that a child would have had some sort of education, however patchy. Gustav famously disliked games and mathematics when he attended A YOUNG VISITOR IN THE LEARNING SPACE Cheltenham Grammar School. GUSTAV HOLST, AGED ABOUT 3 YEARS OLD the von Holst household were expected As part of the exhibition we have created to be seen and not heard, and those who hands-on areas for our younger visitors. In offended against this or other rules would Corn Exchange. Nevertheless the divisions the exhibition room we’ve constructed a be punished in various ways, including were there between father and son. As Victorian school room, where visitors can confinement to their rooms on a diet of Thorley von Holst, Gustav’s half-brother, write and sketch and get some idea of what mealy-pap’ (maize porridge). However recollected: ‘Gustav departed radically a schoolroom may have been like, and in it was Adolph who was responsible for from his father’s wishes in the field of the Learning Space children will be able to introducing Gustav to music. The young music’, adding that their father had wanted immerse themselves in the world of Alice Holst attended All Saints’ Church, where Gustav to ‘establish himself in Cheltenham in Wonderland and Treasure Island – two his father was choirmaster, and he sang in as an assistant in a piano conservatory, a of the most popular Victorian children’s the choir; when he was older he assisted his post which Gustav declined.’ books. father at concerts at The Rotunda and The

DRESSING UP IN THE SCHOOL ROOM CROCODILE PUPPET ON LOAN FROM him and his younger brother Emil, which would have impacted on them throughout Also see the details of the Holst Birthday Concert their lives. Moreover, it seems that his father Adolph wasn’t always the easiest in the listings on page 9 of individuals. According to Theodore von Holst, Gustav’s nephew, ‘Children in perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 6 MUSIC MUSIC 7 CODS YOUTH THEATRE ‘HONK! JR’ INAUGURAL PRODUCTION – A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

ODS Youth Theatre debuted this July with a quacking production of ‘Honk! C Jr’, a musical adaptation of the much-loved tale, The Ugly Duckling. What a splash they made! A cast of ducks, geese, hens and even a wicked cat swanned onto the stage at the Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre from 25th – 27th July. First night reviewer, Simon Lewis, admired how ‘it overflowed with joy, panache and several especially strong performances’ and credited the cast who ‘performed with gusto and garnished with animated dance sequences’. HONK! JR CAST

HONK! JR SOLIST

The children have been enthusiastic throughout and shine on stage.’

CODS Youth Theatre started life in Of course, the most important reviews are February 2019, with a bustling workshop from the cast, so below are a few quotes audition day. The production team then from our favourite ducks and geese. had the difficult task of casting the show, Keep an eye on www.codsonline.co.uk/ before launching into rehearsals. Each youththeatre for further updates. week the cast learnt new harmonies, dance routines and perfected their characters. ‘It has been the best experience of my life.’ Director Laura Bishop oversaw the – Lucy lighting, set design, sound, costumes ‘I’ve made lots of new friends and never and props, bringing together a ‘visual want it to end!’ – Tilly feast of colour and feathers’ (Jo Wilson- Hunt, National Operatic & Dramatic ‘It is fabulous and I would definitely do a Organisation). Most importantly, everyone CODS Youth Theatre show again!’ – Evie had a lot of fun along the way! Musical Director Amber Smith said: ‘It has been such a wonderful show to be a part of. perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 8 MUSIC 12 EVENTS EVENTS 9

MEET THE MEMBERS LISTINGS: EVENTS DIRECTORY OCTOBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020 BLUE MOON HARMONY CHOIR VISUAL ARTS Elgar, Sullivan, Stamford, Cotswold Art Club Vaughan Williams and lue Moon Harmony is a mixed Street, Cheltenham, on Saturday 23rd Demonstration: Nick Dawe, Britten, tenor: Greg Tassell, voice harmony choir with a wide November at 7.30pm. The Marlborough wildlife painting in acrylic piano: Gary Branch. B ranging vocal repertoire covering Ladies Choir are our guest singers - we Sat 19 Oct, 2.30-4.30pm, The Please book via curator@ all styles and tastes of music. At the visited and sang for them in Marlborough Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, first holstmuseum.org.uk helm is our Musical Director Charmaine last year. taster visit is free, info and Cheltenham Opera Worrall, well known and respected for updates: cotswoldartclub.com Society: Das Rheingold, With the current trend for keeping fit, Wagner (DVD) Sun 13 her sense of humour, easy going charm, Holst Birthplace Museum: singing is one of the forgotten forms Oct, 3pm, £5 non-members professionalism and high standards, Diwali Children’s Craft Drop- of exercise. Apart from the physical (at the door), St Andrew’s making even the most taxing rehearsals in Tue 29 Oct, 11am-3pm, improvements it can bring, there are also NEWLY PAINTED UTILITY BOXES NOW BRIGHTENING Church, Montpellier Street, lots of fun. Charmaine is also Musical £1 per child plus an annual THE BATH ROAD cheltenhamoperasociety. Director of the Cotswold Male Voice mental and spiritual benefits, uplifting admission ticket, Gustav Holst Choir, so joint concerts can be easily one’s very heart and soul. We would love org.uk loved Indian culture. Celebrate MUSIC organised with spectacular results. to hear from any potential new members - Diwali by making a candle Cheltenham Music you do not need to be able to read music to holder to take away, no need Holst Birthday Concert Society: Esmé Quartet We do several concerts a year, including Thu 17 Oct, 7.30pm, £20, sing. We rehearse every Thursday evening to book. There will also be a Sat 5 Oct, 7.30pm, £16, more light-hearted events such as £15, U26s £5, Pump at 7.30pm in the Denley Hall at Bishops special Spice Trail around the St Andrew’s Church, our annual Summer Coffee Morning Room, Bridge: Novelletten, Cleeve. house throughout half term Montpellier Street, and Christmas concerts (audience Cheltenham Chamber Beethoven: String Qt. in F, participation welcome at Schubert: String Qt. in G. AT THE GARDENS GALLERY, Orchestra in association the latter). We also arrange cheltmusicsoc.co.uk MONTPELLIER GARDENS:, with The Holst Birthplace several social events each Cheltenham Bach Choir 10am-5pm daily, as listed: Museum, Holst: Fugal year including barbecues Come & Sing: The Armed Literature Festival Concerto, Songs without and Sunday lunches. Sat 19 Oct, 10am-4pm, Thu 3 - Sun 13 Oct Words No.1, Lyric Man concert 3pm, £15, Holy Jan Whitton Movement, Mozart: We have sung at many Apostles, London Road, all Sun 20- Tue 22 Oct Overture Don Giovanni, prestigious venues ages and abilities can join Cheltenham Group of Artists Symph No.39 in E, Vaughan including Cheltenham us to sing Karl Jenkins’ Wed 23 - Tue 29 Oct Williams: Romance from Town Hall, Pittville Pump mass for chorus and Robert Goldsmith Serenade in A minor Rooms and Gloucester soloists, cheltbachchoir.com Wed 30 Oct - Tue 5 Nov Cheltenham Symphony Cathedral, and have raised Cheltenham Opera Janet James Orchestra: The Virtuoso many thousands of pounds Wed 6 - Tue 12 Nov Violin Sat 12 Oct, 7.30pm, Society: Die Walküre, for charity. Our next concert Wagner (DVD) Sun 27 Claudia Hawkins £17/£14, students 50%, is at Bethesda Methodist Oct, 2pm, £5 non-members Wed 13 - Tue 19 Nov U18s free, Pittville Pump Church, Great Norwood (at the door), St Andrew’s Caroline Hill Room, Weber: Overture Der Church, Montpellier Street Wed 20 - Tue 26 Nov Freischütz, Tchaikovsky: Cheltenham Music Anthony Dawes Violin Concerto, soloist Wed 27 Nov- Tue 3 Dec Michael Foyle, Brahms: Society: Scordatura Women’s Music Collective We can be found online at http://www.bluemoonharmony.co.uk/ where you can find videos Jane Brighton Symph No.3 Sun 27 Oct, 3pm, £10, U26s of some of our songs. Wed 4 - Tue 10 Dec Broadwoods Present: free, Prince Michael Hall, Lucy Denny Inspirations from We are also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bluemoonharmonychoir/ or simply Dean Close, chamber Wed 11 - Tue 17 Dec England Sun 13 Oct, 2pm search for Blue Moon Harmony Choir. ensemble dedicated to Thomas Gowen + 7pm, £20 inc. wine and performing music by Wed 18 - Sat 21 Dec canapes, Holst Birthplace Museum, music by Holst, women, inc. Rebecca perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 10 EVENTS EVENTS 13 14 EVENTS EVENTS 11

Events for OCTOBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 Events for OCTOBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020

and perform with Musical Verum, Holst: Clear and The Oriel Singers: Coffee Director Heather Parker Cool - the Song of the River Concert Sat 7 Dec, 11am, Holy and new accompanist Lucy (first performance since Apostles, orielsingers.org.uk Morrell, inc. lunch and tea 1897). Soprano: Hannah Cleeve Chorale Christmas and cake, tickets: George Davey, mezzo soprano: Concert Sat 7 Dec, 7.30pm, £5, Lewis Footwear or ring Serena Kay, bass: Nicholas accompanied children free, St 01242 674114 or on the door. Perfect, cond. John Wright Michael & All Angels, Bishop’s cleevechorale.co.uk with Regency Sinfonia Cleeve, popular carols, Cheltenham Bach Choir: with children from Bishop’s Cheltenham Opera The Dream of Gerontius, Cleeve Primary Academy, Society: Le Comte Ory, Elgar Sat 9 Nov, 7.30pm, refreshments inc. mince pies. Rossini (DVD) Mon Town Hall, with the NEW WORK FROM CHELTENHAM PAINT FESTIVAL 25 Nov, 7pm, wine and Tickets on the door, from Regency Sinfonia, cond. mince pies in the interval, George Lewis Footwear or ring Clarke, Helen Grime, Thea David Crown £5 non-members (at the 01242 674114 Musgrave, Rhiannon Randle, Cheltenham Philharmonic door), St Andrew’s Church, Caroline Shaw, Tania Leon, Orchestra Autumn Cheltenham Choral Society: Montpellier Street Amy Bryce and Bushra El- Concert Sun 10 Nov, Tapestry of Christmas Music Tue 10 Dec, 7.30pm, £10, £5 Turk. cheltmusicsoc.co.uk 3pm, £12, Pittville Pump Musica Vera: High U13s, Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham Chamber Room, inc. world premiere Baroquery Sat 30 Nov, join a family carol concert, Orchestra: Belshazzar’s Feast of Concerto for Viola 2.30pm, £12, U18s free, St NEW WORK FROM CHELTENHAM PAINT FESTIVAL Sun 3 Nov, £18, Town Hall, & Orchestra by Gilbert Matthew’s Church, baroque with pupils from Prestbury St with Chipping Norton Choral Mary’s, Dunalley Primary and Biberian performed by viola music from Italy, Austria a wonderful afternoon join us as we celebrate Society, orchestral and choral The Beauregard Youth Choir soloist Richard Crabtree and England, Vivaldi, of performances by past our seventh birthday. pieces by William Walton and and Rachmaninov: Symph Pachelbel, Haydn, Marcello, Gotherington Singers participants of the Keith cleeve-harmony.org.uk James MacMillan No.1 with Musica Vera Camerata. Christmas Concert Sat Nutland Memorial Award Cheltenham Opera Society: Cheltenham Symphony Cheltenham Choral musicavera.eu 14 Dec, 7.30pm, St Nicolas’ Class, tickets on the door Rigoletto, Verdi (WNO) Society Autumn Concert Church, Swindon Lane Orchestra: A Voyage Wed 6 Nov, 7.15pm, Wales Sat 16 Nov, 7.30pm, £15, inc. Cheltenham Symphony Cheltenham Music around Europe: Sat 30 Nov, Millennium Centre, Cardiff, interval drink, U13s free, Orchestra Cleeve Harmony: Carols Society: Tasmin Little, Northern Lights Sat 7.30pm, Pershore Abbey, contact Cheltenham Opera Christ Church, Vivaldi: at the Barn Sun 15 Dec, violin & John Lenehan, 25 Jan, 7.30pm, £17/£14, Glazunov: Concerto for Society for more info. Gloria, Mozart: Coronation 4pm, doors open 3.30pm, £5, piano Wed 8 Jan, 7.30pm, students 50%, U18s free, saxophone, soloist Lydia cheltenhamoperasociety.org. Mass, Cherubini: Requiem children free, Bishop’s Cleeve £25, £20, U26s £5, Pittville Pittville Pump Room, Kenny, Grieg: Peer Gynt uk in C Minor. Cond. Alex Tithe Barn, inc. mulled wine Pump Room, Brahms: Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite Suite No.1, Tchaikovsky: Cheltenham Music Society: Thacker, accomp. Alison and mince pies. Tickets from Sonatensatz, Lili Boulanger: No.1, Sibelius: Symph Symph No.6 - Pathétique. Takács Quartet Wed 6 Nov, Howell. Tickets: Wilson George Lewis Footwear, or tel Nocturne, Amy Beach: No.7, Tchaikovsky: In support of Farmers 7.30pm, £30, £25, U26s £5, Tourist Info 01242 07875 578688, or email maggie. Violin Sonata in A minor, Symph No.1 - Winter Overseas Action Group, Pittville Pump Room, Haydn: 245530 and Eventbrite. [email protected] Clara Schumann: 3 Dreams tickets from [email protected] String Qt. in C, The Bird, cheltenhamchoralsociety. Romances, Brahms: Violin Cheltenham Bach Choir: Cheltenham Bartók: String Qt. No.6 in D, org.uk Sonata No.3 in D minor. Cheltenham Music Messiah, Handel Sat 21 Dec, Philharmonic Orchestra Mendelssohn: String Qt. No.2 Blue Moon Harmony cheltmusicsoc.co.uk Society: Pomegranate 7.30pm, Town Hall, with the Winter Concert Sun 26 in A minor. cheltmusicsoc. Choir Sat 23 Nov, 7.30pm, Piano Trio Tue 3 Dec, Musical & Amicable Society Cleeve Harmony: Birthday Jan, 3pm, £12, Pittville co.uk Bethesda Church, concert 7.30pm, £20, £15, U26s Baroque Orchestra Open Evening Wed 22 Jan, Pump Room, feat. pianist Cleeve Chorale: Come and with guest singers The £5, Pittville Pump Room, 7.45pm, Bishop’s Cleeve Joanna MacGregor. Sing Haydn’s Creation Sat Marlborough Ladies of Mozart: Piano Trio in B Tithe Barn, have some fun cheltenhamphil 9 Nov, 9.45am, concert 3pm, Performing Arts: The Choral flat, Fauré: Piano Trio in D finding out more about harmonic.co.uk £15, students £5, concert only: Sat 23 Nov, 7.30pm, Nutland Concert Fri 3 Jan, Society minor, Ravel: Piano Trio in being part of our ladies £5, St Michael & All Angels, Pittville Pump Room, 3pm, Bethesda Church, A minor. cheltmusicsoc. choir, all are welcome to Bishop’s Cleeve, rehearse Mozart: Requiem and Ave co.uk presented by Fiona Wild, perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 12 EVENTS EVENTS 13

Events for OCTOBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 Events for OCTOBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 STAGE & STAGE STAGE & DANCE Cheltenham German 8pm, guests £7, refundable Hospital, Chelsea, with Mick Knit Your Bit Tue 22 Oct, Members’ Writing Group on joining, Sacred Hearts Kippin 2-4pm, spend a cosy few hours Meeting Tue 29 Oct, Cheltenham Operatic & Club Stammtisch twice a month, the Bank Hall, with William Vaughan. in front of our fire knitting further info: 07540 329389 Dramatic Society: Our House Cheltenham German Club: House pub, for details: Guests please book via and enjoying tea and cake, cheltenhampoetrysociety@ Fri 11- Sat 19 Oct 7.30pm + 2pm When blau doesn’t mean cheltenhamgermanclub.webs. Mary Wright 01242 582202. no need to book. Free with gmail.com Sat 19th, £17/£16, Playhouse, blue Fri 18 Oct, 7 for 7.30pm, com or Greg Arnold 01684 theartssocietycheltenham. an annual admission ticket, Cheltenham Civic Society: the Madness musical is a Parmoor House, Lypiatt 772966 org.uk a small donation towards Re-dedication of the London love story, featuring a Terrace, with Erhard von refreshments welcome WW1 Battlefield Crosses collection of hits. codsonline. Cheltenham German Club Holst Birthplace Museum: Büren, author of Ein langer Charlton Kings Local & November, Cheltenham co.uk Daytime Conversation Victorian Book Group Wed blauer Montag and Helen Group first Thursday of the 9 Oct, 10-11.30am, The War Family History Society Minster, new date tbc, please The Cotswold Savoyards: Wallimann, translator, in month, Everyman, details: of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, Tue 22 Oct, 7.30pm, Baptist see cheltenhamcivicsociety. Calamity Jane Tue 5- Sat 9 German and English. Info: hazelphanson@googlemail. revisit old favourites and Church, Charlton Kings, org.uk Nov, 7.30pm + 2pm Sat mat. cheltenhamgermanclub.webs. com discover forgotten classics in England discovers Russia, with Cercle Français: Bordeaux £15/£16, Playhouse, the classic com or Greg Arnold 01684 this monthly meet-up, no need Edward James. charltonkings. hier et aujourd’hui Mon 4 movie musical brought to Guten Montag German 772966 to book just turn up having org.uk Nov, 7.30pm, St Luke’s Church life on the (Deadwood) stage. Discussion Group Mondays, Cercle Français: Des read the book. Free with an Prestbury Local History Hall, with Maryse Wright cheltplayhouse.org.uk 11am-12.30pm, £8, Global parallèles entre la conquête Footsteps Café, Portland Street annual admission ticket, Society: Public Houses Cheltenham Poetry Society Music & Laughter Fri 22- Sat spatiale et l’exploration des cheltenhamgermanclub.webs. a small donation towards of Prestbury Mon 28 Oct, Workshop, led by Sharon 23 Nov, 7.30pm + 2.30pm Sat océans Mon 21 Oct, 7.30pm, com/events.htm refreshments welcome. 7.30pm, Prestbury W.I. Hall, Larkin Tue 5 Nov, 7-10pm, mat.£10, £7 conc. for matinee St Luke’s Church Hall, with holstmuseum.org.uk with Rebecca Sillence £4 inc. refreshments, (seniors and U15s), Bishop’s Cheltenham Local History Philippe Blondel Cheltenham Poetry Society Rosalind Room, Parmoor Cleeve Tithe Barn, Cleeve Society Tue 1 Oct, 10.30am, Local History Holst Birthplace Museum: House, Lypiatt Terrace, Harmony and Bishop’s Cleeve £2, St Luke’s Church Hall, A Society Wed 9 Oct, 7.30pm, further info: 07540 329389 Players entertain in a joint Magnificent Edifice: building visitors £2, Glebe Cottages, cheltenhampoetrysociety@ production, suitable for ages the church of St Gregory the Church Road, Funerary gmail.com 7+. Tickets from George Great, Cheltenham, 1853-1876, Monuments: Gloucestershire’s Lewis Footwear or contact with Joanna Vials Hidden Gems, with John Reid Cheltenham Civic Society: bishopscleeveplayers@yahoo. Cheltenham Civic Society: Cheltenham Italian Society: Task Force Update Tue 5 Nov, co.uk The Holst Victorian House Last Supper in Pompei Mon 7.30pm, visitors £10, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terrace, Promenade Productions Tue 1 Oct, 7.30pm, visitors 14 Oct, 7.30pm, Parmoor Jeremy Williamson, Managing Panto: Robinson Crusoe and £10, Parmoor House, Lypiatt House, Lypiatt Terrace, Director, Cheltenham the Pirates Thu 16- Sun 19 Jan Terrace, Steve Wood, with Paul Roberts. Info: Development Task Force, 7pm Thu&Fri, 12pm, 4.30pm Chairman, Holst Birthplace cheltenhamitaliansociety.org. gives his annual update on Sat, 2.30pm Sun, £11-£16 Trust, on the challenges uk the major schemes taking Bacon Theatre, traditional they face as a small museum The Arts Society place or planned for the town. family panto and a out of the town centre and Cheltenham: Bath: cheltenhamcivicsociety.org.uk swashbuckling adventure, by ambitious plans for the future. Architecture and Domestic Alan Frayn, tickets: Showcase cheltenhamcivicsociety.org.uk Living Tue 15 Oct, 10 for Holst Birthplace Museum: 01242 224144 Cercle Français: Au fil du 10.30am, £7 inc. refreshments Victorian Book Group Wed 6 LECTURES & MEETINGS Rhône Mon 7 Oct, 7.30pm, Isbourne House, 3 Wolseley Nov, 10-11.30am, The Tenant of St Luke’s Church Hall, Terrace, with Philip Wilkinson. Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë, WEA Walking Book Group with Thierry Viennois. Non-members welcome, revisit old favourites and monthly, 2-4pm, Pittville Park, cheltenhamfrenchcircle.co.uk info: Alexandra Davies 01242 discover forgotten classics in info: marketingsouthwest@ 230294 this monthly meet-up, no need The Arts Society wea.org.uk Cheltenham Local History to book just turn up having Cheltenham: Eternity in Society Tue 15 Oct, 7.30pm, read the book. Free with an an Hour, the art of William Municipal Offices, Broken By NEW WORK FROM CHELTENHAM PAINT FESTIVAL annual admission ticket, Blake Tue 8 Oct, 7.30 for Age Or War: Life At The Royal a small donation towards perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 14 EVENTS EVENTS 15

Events for OCTOBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 Events for OCTOBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 refreshments welcome Holst Birthplace Museum: Cheltenham German Club: The Arts Society Cheltenham Italian Society: Bake Back in Time Sat 16 Nov, Nikolausfeier Fri 6 Dec, 7 Cheltenham: Christmas Italian Art and Propaganda Gloucestershire Gardens 11am-3pm, Victorian baking for 7.30pm, Parmoor House, and Covent Garden Tue under Fascism 1922- and Landscape Trust Mon 11 on the coal-fired range. Free Lypiatt Terrace, Unterhaltung, 10 Dec, 7.30 for 8pm, guests 1943 Mon 13 Jan, 7.30pm, Nov, 7.15 pm, £4, non-members with an annual admission kleines Büffett. Info: £7, refundable on joining, Parmoor House, Lypiatt £6, St Luke’s, Church Hall, St ticket, a small donation cheltenhamgermanclub.webs. Sacred Hearts Hall, 300 Terrace, with Giuliana Pieri, Luke’s Place, Garden history towards refreshments welcome com or Greg Arnold 01684 years of Christmas shows in English and Italian. Info: and our knowledge of plants, 772966 at one of London’s greatest cheltenhamitaliansociety.org. with Michael Lear, gglt.org Cercle Français: L’Ouverture A Victorian Family theatres, with Sarah Lenton. uk du Canal de Suez en 1869 NEW WORK FROM CHELTENHAM PAINT FESTIVAL Cheltenham Italian Christmas Sat 7 Dec, free Guests please book via Mon 18 Nov, 7.30pm, St Luke’s The Arts Society Society: La mia Città e la Charlton Kings Local & with general admission, Holst Mary Wright 01242 582202. Church Hall, with Janet Cheltenham: Fashion mia Regione: Trento in Family History Society Birthplace Museum, join us for theartssocietycheltenham. McDermott from 1940-1950: Utility to Trentino Mon 11 Nov, 7.30pm, Tue 26 Nov, 7.30pm, Baptist a real seasonal treat exploring org.uk Glamour Tue 14 Jan, 7.30 for Parmoor House, Lypiatt Church, Charlton Kings, the Holst house decorated The Arts Society Cheltenham Poetry Society 8pm, guests £7, refundable Terrace, Alto Adige (Part II), Cheltenham Suffragettes traditionally for Christmas and Cheltenham: Gainsborough: Members’ Writing Group on joining, Sacred Hearts with Paolo Detassis. Info: movement, with Sue Jones. a range of special activities Costume Design Tue 19 Meeting Tue 10 Dec, Hall, with Dr Kate Strasdin. cheltenhamitaliansociety.org. charltonkings.org.uk throughout the day including Nov, 10 for 10.30am, £7 inc. further info: 07540 329389 Guests please book via uk baking and crafts refreshments, Isbourne Cheltenham Poetry Society cheltenhampoetrysociety@ Mary Wright 01242 582202. House, 3 Wolseley Terrace, Gloucestershire Gardens and The Arts Society AGM and Members’ Writing gmail.com theartssocietycheltenham. with Malcolm Kelsall and Landscape Trust Mon 9 Dec, Cheltenham: Art and the Group Meeting Tue 26 Nov, org.uk Alex Davies. Non-members 7.15pm, £4, non-members £6, St Leckhampton Local History Industrial Revolution Tue 12 further info: 07540 329389 welcome, info: Alexandra Luke’s Church Hall, St Luke’s Society Wed 11 Dec, 7.30pm, The Arts Society Nov, 7.30 for 8pm guests £7, cheltenhampoetrysociety@ Davies 01242 230294 Place, Gardens in my life, with visitors £2, Glebe Cottages, Cheltenham: Dublin refundable on joining, Sacred gmail.com Dominic Cole, gglt.org Church Road, Magic Lantern Architecture Tue 21 Jan, Hearts Hall, with Andrew Holst Birthplace Museum: Cheltenham Festival of Cheltenham Italian Christmas, Show, with Patrick 10 for 10.30am, £7 inc. Spira. Guests please book via Knit Your Bit Tue 19 Nov, Performing Arts: AGM and Society: Letteratura del Furley refreshments, Isbourne House, Mary Wright 01242 582202. 2-4pm, spend a cosy few hours Sat 30 Nov, coffee morning Novecento in Puglia Mon 3 Wolseley Terrace, lecturer theartssocietycheltenham. in front of our fire knitting 10am, Christ Church Hall, 9 Dec, 7.30pm, Parmoor The Arts Society tbc. Non-members welcome, org.uk and enjoying tea and cake, Malvern Road, for existing House, Lypiatt Terrace, with Cheltenham: Breathing info: Alexandra Davies 01242 no need to book. Free with and new volunteers, anyone the air of better company: Leckhampton Local History Maria Ursi Amesbury. Info: 230294 an annual admission ticket, interested in being involved Jane Austin and Bath Tue Society Wed 13 Nov, 7.30pm, cheltenhamitaliansociety.org. a small donation towards in the running of the Festival 17 Dec, 10 for 10.30am, £7 inc. Cheltenham Local History visitors £2, Glebe Cottages, uk refreshments welcome is welcome to join us, in refreshments, Sacred Hearts Society Tue 21 Jan, 7.30pm, Church Road GCHQ: 100 particular we are seeking Holst Birthplace Museum: Hall, with Adrian Barlow. Municipal Offices, The Battle Years in the Making, with Cheltenham Local History someone to lead our fund- Knit Your Bit Tue 10 Dec, Non-members welcome, of Tewkesbury, 1471, with Dave Abrutat Society Tue 19 Nov, raising effort as Festival 2-4pm, spend a cosy few hours info: Alexandra Davies 01242 Richard Goddard 7.30pm, Municipal Offices, in front of our fire knitting Cheltenham German Club: Development Executive 230294 Researching ‘the Old Man’: and enjoying tea and cake, Cheltenham Poetry Society Gustav Klimt; a carefully the story of Cheltenham’s Cercle Français: Soirée no need to book. Free with Leckhampton Local History Members’ Writing Group constructed image? Fri 15 Sherborne Street sweeps, with amicale Mon 2 Dec, 7.30pm, an annual admission ticket, Society Wed 8 Jan, 7.30pm, Meeting Tue 28 Jan, Nov, 7 for 7.30pm, Parmoor Steven Blake cheltenhamfrenchcircle.co.uk a small donation towards visitors £2, Glebe Cottages, further info: 07540 329389 House, Lypiatt Terrace, with refreshments welcome Cheltenham Civic Society: Church Road, Road Travel cheltenhampoetrysociety@ Mike Phillips, in English. Info: Prestbury Local History Paterson Memorial Lecture Cheltenham Local History and Transport in Georgian gmail.com cheltenhamgermanclub.webs. Society: Tradesmen of Wed 4 Dec, details tbc, please Society Tue 10 Dec, 7.30pm, Gloucestershire, with Nicholas com or Greg Arnold 01684 Prestbury Mon 25 Nov, see cheltenhamcivicsociety. Municipal Offices, Mistletoe: Herbert 772966 7.30pm, Prestbury W.I. Hall, org.uk history, legend, myth and with Neil Pryce-Jones harvesting, with Jonathan Briggs perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 16 MUSIC MUSIC 17 CHURCHDOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR MUSICA VERA FEEDBACK FROM GRANT RECIPIENTS FEEDBACK FROM GRANT RECIPIENTS

reasurer and Membership Secretary everyone will be heading west as Cornish ngela Walker, secretary of Musica song in the Xhosa language. This session Mike Pictor writes: choirs play host and join us in providing Vera, tells us about the amazingly enabled everyone to learn pieces without T entertainment at venues in Falmouth and A varied programme at a recent choral using music notation. Churchdown Male Voice Choir is well Penzance. workshop organized by the choir. into its second half-century, having In the final session we started with a been founded in 1965. In that time the A good sound system is a key part of the Musica Vera held a most enjoyable and setting of the Lord’s Prayer in Russian. singers have raised thousands of pounds choir’s practice and of its presentation. inspiring choral workshop at Bethesda Then David led the singers through music for many worthwhile charities. Only The Musical Director needs to impart his Methodist Church on Saturday 18 May. by Thomas Tallis and Anton Bruckner, recently, four-figure sums were raised for instructions to the singers at rehearsals, This event was made possible by a explaining as we went along how to Guide Dogs for the Blind, and also for the and the compère has to enhance generous grant awarded by Cheltenham make the most of the music by using restoration fund for St Mary’s, Frampton- performances by keeping the audience Arts Council. The workshop was led the right vowel sounds for both music on-Severn. By giving audiences enjoyable involved. The choir was recently awarded by the Choir’s Director of Music, David and language together with aspects of concerts, the choir is rewarded as much by a grant from CAC’s Trafford Fund towards Dewar, and Hilary Davies of the Natural ensemble and vocal technique to bring the knowledge that it is helping others as a new sound system. Chairman Roger Voice Network. out the intent of the music. We thus were by the applause it receives. Higgs told the choir: “We are extremely able, in the course of the afternoon, to The afternoon began with David getting grateful to the Cheltenham Arts Council give everyone some experience of singing everyone on their feet for physical and for the money to upgrade our vital in Latin, Croatian, Russian, Xhosa, and vocal warm-ups before introducing the equipment.” English – a challenge to which all rose singers to different types of choral music. creditably and with enthusiasm. There is much more to read about the We started with plainsong and looked into choir on our recently re-vamped website. some elements of its notation – following The Choir would like to thank everyone You can also listen to us on our official this with everyone singing (using who came along on the day, thereby helping YouTube Channel. Or why not check us plainchant notation) Qui Creavit Celum, to make it such a successful event. The out in person? The choir is always in need aka The Song of the Nuns of Chester. majority of attendees were visitors, so that of tenors and basses as members retire or the Workshop served a larger community In the second session, Hilary introduced move from the area. Come and give it a of singers in Cheltenham rather than only us all to Natural Voice techniques. She try on a Monday night, and help the choir members of Musica Vera. then taught us a folk song from Dalmatia, make music, and support good causes, for Croatia, before getting everyone dancing www.musicavera.eu the next 50 years. and singing a traditional South African THE NEW SOUNDSYSTEM

Most Mondays in the year, a rehearsal takes place at the Churchdown Community Centre from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Familiar songs are revised and Find out more about new ones attempted in order to provide Churchdown Male Voice Choir at a good variety in readiness for the next public performance. In addition, once a www.churchdownmvc.org year, coaches take singers and supporters on tour to various parts of the UK, and sometimes abroad. This October,

perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 18 MUSIC MUSIC 19 CHELTENHAM GERMAN CLUB SHOWCASE NEEDS NEW OWNERSHIP CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF EXISTENCE CAN YOU HELP?

ne of Cheltenham's most popular and events covering a wide variety of ohn and Heather Pannett established theatres, theatrical associations and foreign language clubs is celebrating subjects to do with the German-speaking Showcase nearly 30 years ago, and local schools have helped strengthen O its 70th birthday in September 2019. world. It is perhaps unusual in that J are now looking for someone with a their business. Over the years they have the members, who are mainly British, similar passion for dance and theatre encouraged and advised many people on It is not known exactly when the German generally converse in German, some to take over the business. Their aim has theatre and dance, some of whom now club first started in Cheltenham, but fluently, others using as much of their always been to provide excellent service perform in West End shows. it is generally assumed that members limited knowledge of the language as they in both the Dancewear and Fancy Dress have been meeting regularly since at The aim of Showcase has been to create can manage. departments, and they would like this least 1949. One of the longest serving a place where you can seek personal legacy to continue. advice from trained dance teachers who members, John Kennet, joined in 1957, The German Club might in fact be Showcase offers an unrivalled range and have even taught some of the present-day became Treasurer in 1960 and was elected much older than 70: the club's website quality of costumes, and their collection leading local dance teachers. John and Chairman in 1965, then Secretary in 1995. reports that in 1935 a solicitor named of costume accessories – hats, wigs, dance Heather believe passionately that you He “retired” in 2010 but remains an active George Booy attended a meeting of the shoes, make-up and a huge range of extras must actually try footwear and garments member, having served on the Club's “German Club”. Four years later, in 1939, a – give any costume that final flourish. to ensure the correct fit and quality – so committee for 50 years! wedding party was apparently held at the important in avoiding damage to your “Austrian-German club”. Does this make it John and Heather have been involved The “Deutsche Klub”, as it prefers to be feet. the oldest language club in Cheltenham? with amateur theatrical groups for known, organises regular monthly talks many years, many of them members of John and Heather would love to pass on Cheltenham Arts Council, for example Showcase to new proprietors who could Promenade Productions, Cotswold develop the business for the 2020s. If you Savoyards, and Cheltenham Operatic would like more information, visit www. and Dramatic Society. Their involvement showcaseonline.co.uk to get a visual idea extends beyond the costumes, however, of what Showcase offers, or call and into directing, choreography and 01242 224144, or email acting. Their links with dance schools, [email protected]

SHOWCASE'S JOHN AND HEATHER PANNETT NEW WORK FROM CHELTENHAM PAINT FESTIVAL perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK