perspectives CHELTENHAMARTSCULTURE

Cheltenham Arts Council: awards_funding_publicity_events listings

AUTUMN AT PLUS: ACADEMY OF MUSIC 300 years of waters • Meet our nEW CHAIRWOMAN Pictured: Mr Allan Whittern October 2016 – January 2017 7-16 October 2016 PERSPECTIVES OCTOBER 2016 /JANUARY 2017 Issue Box O ce 01242 850270 cheltenhamfestivals.com CONTENTS #cheltlitfest Welcome WILSON'S AUTUMN EXHIBITION 2 Autumn in Cheltenham is ushered in in the usual ways: GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACADEMY the nights draw long, the leaves turn golden and the OF MUSIC 4 Barbours and wellies emerge in full force. But in our town, autumn is also signified with the arrival of Cheltenham Listings 5 Literature Festival, a ten-day celebration of books and our 300 years of biggest and liveliest cultural Festival. cheltenham waters 11 Monty Don PJ O’Rourke Marcus Wareing Derren Brown Deliciously Ella Alongside this year’s event, meet the NEW CHeltenham The Wilson is hosting an we find out arts council chair 13 exhibition exploring the use more about the of text and language in visual entrepreneurs Alan Cumming Alice Roberts Reginald D. Hunter Jacqueline Wilson Alan Carr art, from early 20th century Cubist pioneers through to and bon viveurs contemporary artists. We meet who made the the curators, Sophie Wilson most of our and Caroline Waller, to find Nadiya Hussain Karl Ove Knausgaard Joan Bakewell Jonathan Safran Foer Ian McEwan natural assets out more. and gave This autumn also marks the Cheltenham its Get ready for a ten-day celebration of 300th anniversary of the discovery of Cheltenham’s distinct persona the world’s very best literature and famous Spa waters. A catalyst for the town’s development as a centre for leisure and writing... learning, we find out more about the entrepreneurs and Image:GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACADEMY OF MUSIC From 7-16 October 2016, a Delve into America past and bon viveurs who made the most of our natural assets and gave Cheltenham its distinct persona. There is also host of exciting speakers present, immerse yourself in the very best of fiction, news of Cheltenham Civic Society’s plans, alongside The and influential voices Friends of The Wilson, to celebrate this jolly tricentenary. and indulge yourself at our Cover image: Mr Allan Whittern's Portrait on We meet the new Chair of Cheltenham Arts Council, come to Cheltenham. Spiegeltent and pop-up the Back Door of His Grocer's Shop, about 1960. Sharon Larkin, and hear from the team behind - Authors, journalists, cafés, all in the picturesque Household paint on wooden door. Image courtesy of The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham shire Academy of Music, who are marking their first Borough Council politicians, poets, artists, surroundings of Cheltenham’s anniversary of children’s music-making in Cheltenham. scientists, comedians Imperial Square and As ever, I’d love to hear your comments and ideas. Montpellier Gardens. and more aim to inspire, Hollie Smith-Charles entertain and challenge. See you there... Cheltenham Arts Council Perspectives is produced three times a year. The next issue will span February – May 2017.

Advertising costs from £25 for CAC Members or £30 for non-Members. Please contact PERSPECTIVES TEAM BOOKING OPENS FROM 31 AUGUST editor@cheltenhamartscouncil .co.uk for more info. EDITOR HOLLIE SMITH-CHARLES MEMBERS BOOK FIRST - JOIN TODAY FROM £25 Submission (ads and events) must be with us by the end of November for consideration LISTINGS Alice Hodsdon AT CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM TEMPLATE DESIGN Chantal Freeman for the next issue. Please email event details to [email protected]

Charity Number: 251765 2 ART ART 3 A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS A PREVIEW OF THE WILSON’S AUTUMN EXHIBITION, “LAST WORD IN ART?” BY HOLLIE SMITH-CHARLES

he back door of Whittern & Sons, a artists are trying to convey and in grocery shop in Suffolk Parade that has the meanings which audiences might T long since closed, featured a portrait take away. of Mr Whittern holding a wooden There is a section on techniques and the crate stamped with the word ‘Whitbread’. mixture of traditional and experimental A juxtaposition of advertising slogan, methods and sources that have been used portraiture and local history, it’s a fitting over time. On the one hand, argue the piece for this autumn’s exhibition at The curators, there is a resurgence in the use of Wilson, “The Last Word In Art?” traditional materials and a desire to move Curated by the art gallery & museum’s away from digital, virtual communications Caroline Waller and Sophie Wilson, the and back to basics, such as the letterpress; exhibition charts the ways in which words on the other hand, new techniques and and language have inspired artists. With ideas have emerged. Look out for Gilbert loans from the Arts Council’s substantial & George’s humorous ode to gin and and impressive collection of twentieth its intoxicating potential – a skewed century and contemporary art, as well as a interpretation of advertising slogans – in Sophie Wilson at work hanging an exhibition handful of pieces from Cheltenham’s own a video installation hidden amongst The collections, it explores how visual Wilson’s more traditional permanent arts and literature interlink and influence collection galleries. Finley’s “Concrete Poetry”, which turns the The team were keen to explore not only one another. notion of poetry on its head, using letters how art responds to the written word but In the section on ‘Word and words to construct an aesthetically also how audiences react to that art. If The exhibition coincides with the town’s and Body’ the exhibition pleasing image rather than a poem these images are layered in their meanings annual Cheltenham Literature Festival, investigates the use (which is harder, I wonder?) A piece by and therefore in the way viewers interpret famous for its celebration of books of the human body Fiona Banner features an enormous panel them, the ‘pop culture’ idea that the and reading, but instead focuses on the to convey language printed with the entire script of the movie, audience influences the creative outcome aesthetic and provocative appeal of words or meaning – often, “The Desert”, the dialogue hidden in this is a fitting end. In the final gallery, an and letters: think of Lichtenstein’s pop art quite literally, ‘body vast picture. And, in contrast, there is interactive commission by Kirsty Harris slogans, or how political comment, music language’ as art. There Ryan Gander’s “Character Associations”, dubbed the “Last Word Machine” will memorabilia and advertising appear within Caroline Waller is a piece by Tracey tiny snippets of a story which stand out convey the words and images that visitors works of art. In a world saturated with Emin, with her hallmark from the page, but which are connected have been invited to leave in response to visual noise, this exhibition asks: what autobiographical theme, a figurative not by narrative but by lines in a the show, and the conversations that are messages stand out? How do we organise sculpture which is both human body morphing of visual arts and storytelling sparked by the art they have seen. Will the all this information? And how have artists part and letter, and sketches of hands but looking almost like a scientific audience have the last word? You’ll have used tricks, illusions, dark humour and making letters in British Sign Language. diagram or dissection. to come along and join in to find out. playfulness to cut through the din? The notion of audience interaction also emerges here with Michael Craig-Martin’s The exhibition starts with Cubism, when installation of mirrors which enable you to artists began borrowing words and see yourself, and therefore to reflect upon The Last Word in Art? takes place at The Wilson from 24 September 2016 – integrating text into their work. Many of yourself, as well as his piece of art. 8 January 2017 // £5 adults, £3 concessions, free for 16s and under. the works have a sense of layering, both literally in the way they are constructed, The aesthetics of letters and lettering offers For more information please visit cheltenhammuseum.org.uk but also conceptually in the messages the a rich seam of ideas. There is Ian Hamilton perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 4 MUSIC EVENTS 5

Q&A WITH GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACADEMY OF MUSIC EVENTS DIRECTORY OCT 16 / JAN 17 WE SPOKE TO ACADEMY DIRECTOR, RACHEL BOWEN, AND VICE CHAIR, VIV HARGREAVES VISUAL ARTS MUSIC AT THE GARDENS Musica Vera rehearsals oung musicians are being given Young string GALLERY, MONTPELLIER every Wed during term, players at a flying start to their musical GAM GARDENS: 7.30pm, , Y careers at the Cheltenham branch 10am-5pm daily, as listed: vacancies for altos, tenors, of Gloucestershire Academy of basses. New members who Music (GAM), based at Dean Close Prep Jan WhitfieldWed 5 – Tue 11 can read music welcome. School on Saturday afternoons and now Oct, ceramics, mixed media & freewebs.com/musicavera Louise Millin Inchley - celebrating its first anniversary in the town. textiles. or 01242 517258. The Corner Shop, Bath Road There is a suitable session for all ages Rupert Aker Wed 12 – Tue 18 Choral and abilities including choir, rhythm Oct, oil paintings of Cotswold Society Workshop Day K589, Schulhoff: Five Pieces Denton, is a member of the quartet in and movement groups, ‘string starters’ landscapes. with James Gilchrist for String Qt., Beethoven: residence at the school, Carducci String for beginners to try out the violin, and Janet James Wed 26 Oct – Sat 1 Oct, 10am – 4pm, St Qt. in C sharp minor op.131. Quartet. Glyn Oxley has worked with Tue 1 Nov, landscapes. Edward’s Senior School more advanced string ensembles. With a Cheltenham Music ensembles of all ages and abilities. He Jan Thompson Wed 2 – Tue dedicated and enthusiastic team of highly Feel the Spirit by John Society: Pomegranate Trio is conductor of Gloucestershire Youth 8 Nov, paintings, pottery, experienced teachers, music making takes Rutter. Info: 01451 822110. Sun 30 Oct, 3pm, Prince Orchestra and musical director of both textiles, photographs. place in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, Cheltenham Opera Michael Hall, Dean Close, Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra and Louise Millin Inchley with end of term concerts being a highlight Society: La Calisto, Cavalli part of the Contemporary the prestigious Gloucestershire Young Wed 9 – Tue 15 Nov, oils, for the children. and Ulysses’ Homecoming, Concerts series, with work Musician of the Year. watercolours, prints. Monteverdi Sun 2 Oct for violin, cello and piano It's the 1st anniversary of GAM in Cheltenham School of Fine Rachel Bowen is a choral specialist. She 2.30-4.30pm with tea by Sally Beamish, Nicholas Cheltenham - what do you hope to achieve Art Wed 16 – Tue 22 Nov directs numerous choirs in the county - interval, £5, free to COS Maw, James MacMillan, with this music school? tutor and student exhibition. from her tiny Caterpillars (aged 4-7) to and CMFS members, Russell Hepplewhite & The launch of the Cheltenham branch The Isbourne Centre Wed 23 – Cheltenham Youth Choir and MidLife St Andrew’s Church, Judith Weir. of GAM was spearheaded by academy Tue 29 Nov, holistic art. ChoirSis. She sings in her own octet, Montpellier, with Robert founder, Caroline Lumsden, with musical Wed 30 Nov – Octavo. Laura Galletta is a viola player. Tracey Turner Padgett, Chairman, ahead Cheltenham Opera director Glyn Oxley, to bring her acclaimed Tue 6 Dec, paintings, feltwork, As well as teaching, she enjoys an active of ETO performances in Society: The Nose, 'Musicland' system of teaching to a wider screenprinting. freelance career and has performed with Malvern. Shostakovich Mon 14 Nov audience. It has proved a highly successful Claudia Hawkins Wed 7 7-9.15pm, £5, free to COS the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, LSO, Cheltenham Symphony project and has seen its own particular – Tue 13 Dec, atmospheric and CMFS members, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Sat 15 Oct strengths develop in chamber music and London Chamber Orchestra and her own watercolours. St Andrew’s Church, 7.30pm, Pershore Abbey singing. group, Harpham Quartet. Montpellier, DVD, with Wagner: Meistersinger Ov., Tell us a bit about the teachers involved. refreshments in interval. Why is it important for children to learn Bruch: Vln. Conc. No. 1, Founder Caroline Lumsden has 30 years' music? Brahms: Symph. No. 1. Cheltenham Music Society: experience in teaching and has strong GAM President, Professor Derek Aviss Blue Moon Harmony Choir Van Kuijk Quartet Thu 17 links with Dean Close: her daughter, Emma OBE sums up succinctly the life-enhancing Sat 15 Oct, eve, St Andrew’s Nov, 7.30pm, Pump Room, Kurtág: 6 Moments Music-making benefits of music – from cradle to grave. Church, Montpellier Musicaux op.44, Ravel: Qt. at GAM He says music is important to a child’s joint concert with Cotswold in F major op.35, Beethoven: cognitive development, it will help boost Male Voice Choir. Qt. in E flat major op.127. academic performance and – even in old Cheltenham Music age – has made musicians less susceptible Society: Henschel Quartet Cheltenham Choral to dementia. Sat 19 Nov Jaynie Tricker's Contribution for The Keyboard Tue 18 Oct, 7.30pm Society: Vivaldi For further information, please visit: Invention Trail JULy16, as part of The Cheltenham 7.30pm, Pittville Pump gamusic.co.uk or email: [email protected] Music Festival 2016 Mozart: Qt. in B flat major Room, Gloria & Magnificat. perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 6 EVENTS EVENTS 7

Events for OCTOBER 2016 – January 2017 Events for OCTOBER 2016 – January 2017

Charlton Kings Choral Beethoven: Sonata No.8 Church, Montpellier, DVD, STAGE AND DANCE info: wea-cheltenham.co.uk paese raccontate dai Society with St Edward’s in C minor, Dutilleux: Au with tea interval. For exact or 01242 524621. cantautori italiani, Dr 9 to 5 – The Musical Sat 15 – School Choir Sat 19 Nov gré des ondes, Medtner, date: cheltenhamopera Cercle Français: The Paola Olivetti. Info: 7.30pm, Holy Apostles Church, Boulanger, Stravinsky. society.org.uk Sat 22 Oct (ex. Sun 16), 7.45pm cheltenhamitaliansociety. + 2pm mat. Sat 22, Playhouse, Languedoc Trilogy Mon John Sanders: The , Musica Vera Sat 10 Dec, 3 Oct, 7.30pm, St Philip & webs.com or John Sheppard of a Cheltenham Operatic & John Rutter: Feel the Spirit. 7.30pm, £12, St Mary’s, St James Church Centre, 01242 243167. Performing Arts: Nutland Dramatic Society production Info: 01451 822110. Charlton Kings, Boyce, , with Ata Cheltenham Writers’ Award Concert Tue 3 with Dolly Parton’s music. Handel, and carols for choir Burchardt. cercle-francais- Circle Mon 10 Oct, 7.30pm, Cheltenham Philharmonic Jan, 3pm, £7.50, Bethesda Girlguiding Gloucestershire: Sun and audience. Cond. David cheltenham.webs.com £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Orchestra: Americana Methodist Church, hear Once Upon a Time… Fri 28 – Dewar, acc. John Wade. Terr, encouraging creative 20 Nov, 3pm Pittville Pump some of Gloucestershire’s Sat 29 Oct, Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm + CLHS: The Story of Proceeds to Winston’s writing at all levels. Theme: Room inc. Marquez, Gershwin, finest young musicians 6pm, £9, u18 £7, Bacon Theatre, Sudeley Castle Tue 4 Oct, Wish. Challenged. Bernstein & Creston: Marimba each performing their a journey through Fantasy 10 for 10.30am, £2, St Luke’s Concerto ft. Freya Ireland, Cleeve Harmony: Carols at chosen recital. Land exploring several Church Hall, with Angela Cheltenham Decorative Glos Young Musician finalist the Barn Sun 11 Dec, 5-7pm, pantomime themes. Info: Val, Panrucker. and Fine Art Society 2016. Cheltenham Chamber £3/£1.50, Bishop’s Cleeve 01242 242620. Cheltenham Poetry (DFAS): Charles Darwin Orchestra Sat 7 Jan, Cheltenham Bach Choir: Tithe Barn, informal event Society: Poets, Dead or Tue 11 Oct, 7.30 for 8pm, 2.30pm, St Andrew’s Cotswold Savoyards: Princess Mozart Requiem & Handel for all ages to join in carols Alive Tue 4 Oct,7pm, £3, Sacred Hearts Hall, CK, Church, Montpellier, Ida Mon 21 – Sat 26 Nov, 7pm + Dixit Dominus Sun 20 Nov, and enjoy mulled wine or Parmoor House, Lypiatt art on the voyage of HMS fundraising concert. Free 2pm mat. Sat 26, Playhouse. 7pm, Town Hall, with Regency squash and a mince pie. Terr, poetry of Ted Hughes. Beagle, with James Taylor. admission, afternoon tea, Sinfonia. Cond. David Crown. Info: Maggie Levings 07875 Info: Sharon Larkin 07540 Full details, including retiring collection. 578688. 329389. membership: cdfas.org.uk Cheltenham Symphony Cheltenham Opera Orchestra Sat 26 Nov, 7.30pm, Cheltenham Music Cheltenham Civic Society: Cheltenham German Society: The Cunning Town Hall, Debussy: La Mer, Society: Juliette Bausor, History of Punch and Judy Club: Das (noch?) Little Vixen, Janáček Sirènes from Nocturnes, Holst: flute & Alasdair Beatson, Tue 4 Oct, 7.30pm, Parmoor Vereinigte Königreich Mon 12 Dec, 7-9.30pm, £5 Planets. piano Wed 11 Jan, 7.30pm, House, Lypiatt Terr, with und die Europäische non-members, St Andrew’s Pittville Pump Room, Professor Collywobbles, aka Union Fri 14 Oct, 7 for Cleeve Chorale Christmas Church, Montpellier, DVD, inc. Fauré: Fantasie op.79, Phil Collins. 7.30pm, Parmoor House, Concert Sat 3 Dec, 7.30pm, St with wine and mince pies in Reinecke: Sonata op.167 Cheltenham Prize Open Lypiatt Terr, eine Bilanz Michael’s Church, Bishop’s interval. ‘Undine’, Widor, J.S. Bach, nach dem Referendum, Cleeve, inc. choruses from Short Story Competition Cheltenham Bach Choir Debussy, Franck. Promenade Productions Prof Helmut Hubel. Info: Messiah and Vaughan Awards Sun 9 Oct, 4pm, Christmas Concert Sat 17, present: Sleeping Beauty cheltenhamgermanclub. Williams: Fantasia on Cheltenham Symphony Suffolk Anthology book- Dec, 7.30pm, Cheltenham Wed 18 – Sun 22 Jan, 7pm + webs.com or Greg Arnold Christmas Carols. Joined Orchestra Sat 28 Jan, shop, Suffolk Parade, prizes College Chapel, with Onyx w/e mat. 2.30pm, £10-14, Bacon 01684 772966. by Bishop’s Cleeve Primary 7.30pm, Pittville Pump awarded by local author Brass Ensemble. Cond. Theatre, traditional family Academy for carols and Room, Copland: Music for Kim Fleet and bookshop Cercle Français: Aliénor David Crown. pantomime. Christmas music. Movies, Korngold: Vln. proprietor Helene Hewett, d’Aquitaine Mon 17 Oct, Gotherington Singers Conc. Op. 35, Dvořák: followed by readings 7.30pm, St Philip & St Cheltenham Choral Society: LECTURES AND MEETINGS Christmas Concert Wed Symph. No. 9. from the winning entries. James Church Centre, Up A Tapestry of Christmas 21 Dec, 7.30pm, Bethesda Cheltenham German Club Refreshments, no charge, all Hatherley with Chantal Music Tue 6 Dec, 7.30pm Methodist Church, Cheltenham Philharmonic Stammtisch twice a month, welcome. Witchalls. Pittville Pump Room. supporting local charities. Orchestra Winter Concert town centre, for details: Cheltenham Italian Cheltenham Poetry Society Cheltenham Music Society: Cheltenham Opera Sun 29 Jan, 3pm, Pittville cheltenhamgermanclub.webs. Society: Cartoline Reading Group Meeting Clare Hammond, piano Society: War and Peace, Pump Room, Strauss: Four com or Greg Arnold 01684 dall’Italia in una canzone Tue 18 Oct, 7-10pm, £3, Wed 7 Dec, 7.30pm ProkofievJan, date tbc, Last Songs, Bernstein: On 772966. Mon 10 Oct, 7.30pm, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Pittville Pump Room 1.45-6.45pm, £5 non- the Town, Rachmaninov: WEA Walking Book Group Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terr, info: Sharon Larkin inc. Bach: Toccata in D minor, members, St Andrew’s Symphonic Dances. monthly, 2-4pm, Pittville Park, Terr, le città del Bel 07540 329389. perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 8 EVENTS EVENTS 9

Events for OCTOBER 2016 – January 2017 Events for OCTOBER 2016 – January 2017

CLHS: Healing with Cheltenham Poetry Society Cheltenham Italian Cheltenham Writers’ Terr, Mitglieder lesen Cheltenham Writers’ Water, Cheltenham Spa Workshop Tue 1 Nov, Society: Storms, War and Circle Mon 21 Nov, 7.30pm, Gedichte und Geschichten, Circle Mon 19 Dec, 7.30pm, in National Context 1800- 7-10pm, £5/£3, Parmoor Shipwrecks Mon 14 Nov, £2,Parmoor House, Lypiatt kleines Büffett. Info: £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt 1960 Tue 18 Oct, 7.30pm, £2 House, Lypiatt Terr, info: 7.30pm, Parmoor House, Terr, encouraging creative cheltenhamgermanclub. Terr, encouraging creative non-members, Municipal Sharon Larkin 07540 Lypiatt Terr, Treasures from writing at all levels. Theme: webs.com or Greg Arnold writing at all levels. Theme: Offices, with Jane Adams. 329389. the Sicilian Seas, with Paul Who Do You Think You 01684 772966. Christmas Readings: Own/ Roberts, Ashmolean. Info: Are? Other People’s. Leckhampton Local Tercentenary Civic Dinner Glos Gardens and cheltenhamitaliansociety. CKLHS: Cheltenham History Society, Thu 3 Nov, 7-11pm, £60, Landscape Trust: the Cheltenham Writers’ webs.com or John Sheppard Workhouse Tue 22 Nov, Wed 19 Oct, 7.30pm Glebe Pittville Pump Room, Elizabethan Garden at Circle Mon 2 Jan, 7.30pm, 01242 243167. 7.30pm, £2 non-members, Cottages, Church Rd, The Cheltenham Civic Society Sudeley Castle, Mon 12 £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Baptist Church, Charlton Victoria County History and The Friends of The Cheltenham Poetry Society Dec, 7.15pm, £6 (members Terr, encouraging creative Kings, with Heather of Glos. & writing a parish Wilson invite you to Reading Group Meeting £4), St Luke’s Church Hall, writing at all levels. Theme: Atkinson. history, with Simon Draper. celebrate 300 years of Tue 15 Nov, 7-10pm, £3, with Michael Fradley. See The Hunter. the town’s spa waters. Parmoor House, Lypiatt Prestbury Local History gglt.org Cheltenham Writers’ Profit to WaterAid, see Terr, info: Sharon Larkin Society Mon 28 Nov, Cheltenham Italian Circle Mon 24 Oct, 7.30pm, Cheltenham Italian cheltenhamcivicsociety. 07540 329389. 7.30pm, £2 non-members Society: Venice Mon 9 £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Society: L’impero italiano Jan, 7.30pm, Parmoor org.uk Prestbury W.I. Hall, Pittville, Terr, encouraging creative CLHS: Living on the Edge nell’Africa del nord Mon House, Lypiatt Terr, with John Simpson & Steve writing at all levels. Theme: Tue 15 Nov, 7.30pm, £2 12 Dec, 7.30pm, Parmoor how perceptions of La Cercle Français: Le Blake. Audacity. Judaïsme en France Mon non-members, Municipal House, Lypiatt Terr, Dr Serenissima are shaped by Offices, Communities along Cheltenham Poetry Society Barbara Spadaro. Info: Prestbury Local History 7 Nov, 7.30pm, St Philip & the way writers describe the the Upper Severn Estuary, Members’ Writing Group cheltenhamitaliansociety. Society Mon 24 Oct, St James Church Centre, city, Dr Adrian Barlow. Info: with Rose Hewlett. Meeting Tue 29 Nov, webs.com or John Sheppard 7.30pm, £2 non-members, Up Hatherley, with Cédric cheltenhamitaliansociety. info: Sharon Larkin 07540 01242 243167. Prestbury W.I. Hall, Cabanne. Leckhampton Local webs.com or John Sheppard 329389. Prestbury Field, with History Society Wed Cheltenham Poetry Society 01242 243167. Cheltenham Writers’ Norman Baker. Research 16 Nov, 7.30pm, Glebe Cercle Français: Soirée Members’ Writing Group Circle Workshop Mon 7 Cheltenham DFAS: ‘Cool guidance sessions provided Cottages, Church Rd amicale Mon 5 Dec, 7.30pm, Meeting Tue 13 Dec, info: Nov, 7.30pm, £2, Playhouse Painting’ Tue 10 Jan, 7.30 by committee members. St Philip & St James Church Sharon Larkin 07540 Theatre, encouraging Old Gloucestershire Paths, for 8pm, Sacred Hearts Hall, Centre, Up Hatherley, de la 329389. Cheltenham Poetry Society creative writing at all levels. with Alan Pilbeam. musique, un quiz, un jeu, de CK, the art of Piero della Members’ Writing Group bons plats. CKLHS Christmas Party Francesca c1410-92, with Work of Cheltenham Cheltenham German Club: Meeting Tue 25 Oct, info: Tue 13 Dec, 7.30pm, Baptist Alice Foster. Full details: Development Task Force Eine internationale Reise Cheltenham Writers’ Sharon Larkin 07540 Church Lounge, Charlton cdfas.org.uk Tue 8 Nov, 7.30pm, Parmoor durch die Welt der Musik Circle Mon 5 Dec, 7.30pm, 329389. Kings. House, Lypiatt Terr, Jeremy Fri 18 Nov, 7 for 7.30pm, £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Cercle Français: Une visite CKLHS: Cheltenham in Williamson gives an update Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terr, encouraging creative CLHS: Pittville after Pitt à Paris en métro Mon 16 the Great War Tue 25 Oct, on major schemes planned Terr, Octavo A-Capella writing at all levels. Theme: Tue 13 Dec, 7.30pm, £2 Jan, 7.30pm, St Philip & St 7.30pm, £2 non-members, for the town. Chor mit 8 Stimmen. Info: Christmas Party. non-members, Municipal James Church Centre, Up Baptist Church, Charlton cheltenhamgermanclub. Paterson Memorial Lecture Offices, with Steven Blake. Hatherley, with Vincent Cheltenham DFAS: Kings, with Neela Mann. webs.com or Greg Arnold Wed 7 Dec, Harwood Hall, Raymond-Barker. Birmingham Town Hall Cheltenham DFAS: A charltonkings.org.uk 01684 772966. Christ Church, details tbc, Tue 8 Nov, 7.30 for 8pm, Dickens of a Christmas Cheltenham Writers’ see cheltenhamcivicsociety. CLHS: The History of Sacred Hearts Hall, CK Cercle Français: Les Tue 13 Dec, 7.30 for 8pm, Circle Mon 16 Jan, 7.30pm, Mon 21 Nov, org.uk Sacred Hearts Hall, CK, Cheltenham Playhouse ’s first true civic Santons £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt 7.30pm, St Philip & St Cheltenham German Charles Dickens: the man, 1806-2016 Tue 1 Nov, 10 building, with Anthony Terr, encouraging creative James Church Centre, Club: Adventsfeier his life and his characters, for 10.30am, £2, St Luke’s Peers. Full details: cdfas. writing at all levels. Theme: Up Hatherley, with Sonia Fri 9 Dec, 7 for 7.30pm, with Bertie Pearce. Full Church Hall, with Paul org.uk The Rock. Scott. Harvey. Parmoor House, Lypiatt details: cdfas.org.uk perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 10 EVENTS HISTORY 11 Events for OCTOBER 2016 – January 2017 THE 'MERRIEST SICK RESORT ON EARTH' Cheltenham Poetry Society Cheltenham Writers’ Anna Karenina Mon 9 Jan Reading Group Meeting Circle Mon 30 Jan, 7.30pm, – Mon 20 Feb, 2-4pm, St MARKING 300 YEARS OF THE CHELTENHAM WATERS Tue 17 Jan, 7-10pm, £3, £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Mark’s Methodist Church BY JAMES HODSDON Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terr, encouraging creative Hall. Terr, Info: Sharon Larkin writing at all levels. Theme: ccording to tradition, Cheltenham’s The Late 1960s Tue 10 07540 329389. Writing Exercise. original mineral spring was discovered Jan – Tue 21 Mar, 10.30am- when pigeons were seen pecking at 12.30pm, Christ Church, A CLHS: Members’ Research Cheltenham Poetry Society dried salts around the spot on Bayshill Malvern Rd. & Display Evening Tue Members’ Writing Group where the waters first seeped from the earth. Meeting Tue 31 Jan, info: No-one’s entirely sure when this happened 17 Jan, 7.30pm, free entry, Speak and Understand Sharon Larkin 07540 (and the pigeons aren’t saying), but most Municipal Offices. French for Beginners 329389. sources favour the year 1716. By a happy Thu 12 Jan – Thu 6 Apr, chance, a fine portrait of Henry Skillicorne, Leckhampton Local 11am-1pm, Christ Church, Cheltenham’s foremost ‘master of the History Society Wed CHELTENHAM WEA Malvern Rd. 18 Jan, 7.30pm, Glebe COURSES: wells’, has this year been presented to The Wilson, so the Friends of The Wilson and Cottages, Church Rd, Who Details: wea-cheltenham. Further your French with was John the Muffin Man? + Fun Thu 12 Jan – Thu 6 the Cheltenham Civic Society have jointly co.uk or Derek Briggs decided that, 300 years on, some celebration Researching ‘The Oldman’: Apr, 2-4pm, Christ Church, Well Walk: the northern terminus of Skillicorne’s path to the 01242 234488. Please enrol is in order. The Story of Cheltenham at wea.org.uk or tel. 0845 Malvern Rd. original well at Bayshill (photo: JAMES HODSdON) sweeps, with Steven Blake. The first exploiter of the mineral waters was 4582758. Developing your Drawing William Mason, a hosier, and prominent and Painting Mon 16 Jan second career, but we can all be grateful that Cheltenham German Philosophy: New member of a local Quaker family, who – Mon 6 Mar, 10.30am- he did. He had the entrepreneurial vision – Club: Christian Schulte- Approaches to Politics, owned many fields and other properties in 12.30pm, The Wilson. and the persuasive powers – to transform the Loh, Stand-up-Comedian Ethics and History Thu 6 Cheltenham and Charlton Kings. We don’t Masons’ basic water-dispensing operation aus Deutschland Fri Oct – Thu 24 Nov, 2-4pm, St know much about how the fledgling wells Forward Poetry Wed 18 into what we might call today a ‘total visitor 20 Jan, 7 for 7.30pm, £4, Mark’s Methodist Church were managed in the early years, but the Jan – Wed 1 Mar, 2-4pm, St experience’. Engaging local support and Parmoor House, Lypiatt Hall. spring itself was railed off, and some form Mark’s Methodist Church contributions, he laid out elegant tree-lined Terr, Besser als Fernsehen, of shelter built over it. This was a period of Early 20th Century Hall. walks, making the trip to the well a much kleines Büffett. Info: great interest in spas and curative waters, Concepts in Art Tue 11 more diverting activity than a mere trudge cheltenhamgermanclub. Philosophy: Happiness and word of the Cheltenham spring’s Oct – Tue 29 Nov, 2-4pm, St across the fields. Rising numbers of visitors webs.com or Greg Arnold Thu 26 Jan – Thu 9 Mar, mineral qualities seems to have spread Mark’s Methodist Church led to more accommodation being provided 01684 772966. 2-4pm, St Mark’s Methodist quickly: the first recorded aristocratic Hall. in the town, and a general rise in prosperity. Church Hall. patron, the Earl of Chesterfield, was here in Through Skillicorne’s efforts from 1738 Prestbury Local History Beginners’ Calligraphy: the 1720, ‘for the Benefit of the Waters’. Mason onwards, and those of his son William who Society Mon 23 Jan, Art of Beautiful Lettering had leased the well to a local yeoman, Arthur succeeded him in 1763, the foundations were 7.30pm, £2, non-members, Wed 19 Oct – Wed 30 Nov, Spencer, who no doubt saw to the pumping, laid for the six-week royal visit of 1788, which Prestbury W.I. Hall speaker 10.30am-12.30pm, Bishop’s Submissions must be with bottling, and looking after visitors. The was to set the seal on Cheltenham’s resort tbc, see prestburyhistory. Cleeve Tithe Barn. waters were also evaporated to make salts, us by the end of November fame for a century, thus shaping the town we com which, along with bottled water, went weekly Positive Money: Money for consideration for live in today. and Banking that works for the next issue. to London by wagon. CKLHS: Stained glass By 1828, when Wellington came out with his all Sat 29 Oct, 10am-4pm, St Mason died in 1723, his estate eventually in Gloucestershire Tue famous remark about Cheltenham being Mark’s Methodist Church Please email descending to his younger daughter 24 Jan, 7.30pm, £2 non- the ‘merriest sick resort on earth’, the Hall. event details to Elizabeth, who in 1732 married a widowed members, Baptist Church, original Mason well was less patronised, and Bristol sea-captain, Henry Skillicorne. After Charlton Kings, with The Arab Israeli Conflict, perspectives.listings other wells were being developed all over 40 years at sea, Skillicorne (whose epic Adrian Barlow. Sat 19 Nov, 10am-4pm, St @gmail.com town – over two dozen in all, by the close of memorial tablet can be seen in St Mary’s Mark’s Methodist Church the 1800s. Hall. Minster) may not have been planning a perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 12 HISTORY ARTS 13

The pigeons on the MEET THE NEW CHAIR OF CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL municipal coat of arms (photo: JAMES AN INTERVIEW WITH SHARON LARKIN HODSdON)

What is Cheltenham Arts Council and What do you love about living in what are its aims? Cheltenham? CAC, a registered charity run by an The vitality of the arts in the area, from Executive Committee, represents the world-class festivals to community-based many societies in and around Cheltenham groups. There’s something going on every engaged in music, opera, dance, drama, day in Cheltenham! visual arts, literature, creative writing, Tell us about your own creative work: languages and history. We are responsible Henry Skillicorne (artist unknown) image courtesy of Friends of poetry. What inspires you to write? the Wilson for distributing grants funded by the Pittville Pump Room, would never Poetry suits me because I like distilling Skillicorne may not have directly Cheltenham Borough Council, recognising have come into being, if not for the spa and celebrating outstanding contributions meaning down to essentials and arranging contributed to the ‘Eruditio’ part of the tradition. it in a succinct form. Then, there's the town motto, but he certainly fostered to the arts locally, and administering the Trafford Memorial Fund - established to imperative to share it – in groups, at events, ‘Salubritas’, both bodily and spiritual. Let us • Best of all, Skillicorne can lay claim to in print and on-line. That brings us back count the ways: bringing the first known coffee outlet to advance education by promoting and encouraging the arts. And, of course, you’re to community engagement and social Cheltenham – there was a coffee room at networking! • Firstly and obviously, by making the the well by 1740. A man of vision indeed, reading CAC’s magazine, Perspectives. curative powers of Cheltenham’s mineral for without coffee, how can any other What subjects do you enjoy writing What are you most looking forward to as waters more widely available; some say human endeavour ever flourish? about? the new Chair of CAC? the powers were mainly purgative, but The natural world, relationships, gender, there’s no doubt that visitors valued them. So: without Skillicorne, Cheltenham today I'm excited at the prospect of getting to faith, injustice – and poetry inspired by the • Giving spa visitors a reason for gentle would have been a very different place, know more people who are passionate visual arts and music. perhaps no bigger than say Winchcombe about the arts – those committed to outdoor exercise, and socialising at the What projects are you working on at the or Tetbury. So his transforming influence, community involvement in a wide range of same time (something we can still see in moment? our parks every day). which residents and visitors alike artistic activity. continue to benefit from, is well worth In Cheltenham Poetry Society we’re • And without the crowds who flocked here What are your aims? commemorating. In 1963, Cheltenham working on an anthology of poems and for the waters, how could theatre have marked the 200th anniversary of his death I'm keen to explore cross-fertilization photographs inspired by Cheltenham, become established here? And without by opening the Skillicorne Gardens, behind between the various societies through joint and I’m working with an editor on my punters, could racing ever have taken off the Town Hall, graced with a bronze relief projects and events. Increasing interaction own poetry collection. I also translate, locally? of the captain. via social networking – to encourage review and edit poetry, run events, blog • The Wilson portrait is clear evidence that greater collaboration and wider community and submit work to magazines and e-zines. Fifty years on, we mark not a death but Skillicorne was happy to commission engagement – is therefore high on my My blog, Coming Up With The Words, a discovery – and all thanks to those artwork – a tradition Cheltonians are agenda. provides a taste of what I do: https:// pigeons. There may be less call for the happy to continue. sharonlarkinjones.com waters themselves, and the original well • A lover of music - Skillicorne is said site is now beneath the Princess Hall of to have been an adept player of a flute the Ladies’ College, but the Pump Room he had made himself - it’s likely he is still there – and that’s the venue for the encouraged the musical arts here, and celebratory Tercentenary Dinner taking we know Handel visited the town in 1751, place on the evening of 3 November. If any so we can (just about) credit him with descendants of Henry Skillicorne should sowing the seeds of the music festival. happen to see this, they would be most welcome to get in touch! • Some fine public buildings, such as the Playhouse (formerly spa baths) and SHARON LARKIN perspectives AN AUDIENCE WITH JODI PICOULT

Best-selling author, Jodi Picoult, will share her thoughts on her latest and most important book yet, Small Great Things. A powerful look at the           this will be an unmissable evening with one of the world’s greatest novelists. Tickets include a signed hardback copy of Small Great Things

Sun 27 Nov at Book now 0844 576 2210* cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

* Charges to 0844 numbers cost 7p per minute, plus your telephone company’s access charge and mobile providers may vary.

Perspective Mag advert_SEPT2016.indd 1 11/08/2016 10:26:05