The Arts after Coronavirus CAC Awards 2020 Local History Poetry Writing Competition Meet the Members Prestbury History - Cheltenham Arts ...
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C H E LT E N H A M A R T S C U LT U R E
Cheltenham Arts Council: awards _ funding _ publicity _ events listings
© Quentin Blake 2020
June – September 2020
The Arts after Coronavirus • CAC Awards 2020
Local History • Poetry • Writing Competition
Meet the Members • Prestbury History
PERSPECTIVES JUNE – SEPTEMBER 2020 Issue
Advertising Charges Dear Readers
HALF PAGE ADVERT
Welcome to the summer edition of Cheltenham Arts Council was used to
£25 for CAC members or £75 for non-members Perspectives! I hope this finds you well enhance their singing experience.
FULL PAGE ADVERT and in good spirits in a world turned
One of the events that has been
upside down by a tiny micro-organism.
£50 for CAC members or £150 for non-members postponed was CAC’s own Awards
I did wonder, a couple of months ago,
Ceremony. We are hoping to reschedule
Please contact editor@cheltenhamartscouncil.co.uk for more information. whether we would be able to produce
it at some point later this year, but in
Submissions must be with us by the following dates for consideration this issue, as so much has had to
this issue of Perspectives you can get a
be cancelled or postponed, but I’m
for the next issue: sneak preview and find out who won the
delighted to say that we have plenty to
End of November deadline for Feb/May Issue awards. Congratulations to everyone!
keep you interested and entertained.
End of March deadline for June/Sept Issue You won’t be surprised to see that the To end on a positive note, I must say
End of July deadline for Oct/Jan Issue Listings section is much shorter than that the imagination and innovation
usual; no-one knows when normal shown by everyone during this crisis
service will be resumed, so if you do has been really heartening, and
see an event you like the look of, please has arguably made the Arts more
check the relevant website before doing accessible for some. From stay-at-
COVER IMAGE: Quentin Blake, free Ecards
CONTENTS available from the website at anything else. home choirs and instrumental groups
https://www.quentinblake.com/fun-free/ using videoconferencing technology,
send-quentin-blake-e-card We start with a very pertinent and
The Arts after Coronavirus 2 to social media posts recreating
thought-provoking article from Adrian
CAC Awards Ceremony 2020 4
These images were reproduced in May 2020 famous artworks using just the stuff
with the permission of United Agents on Barlow (Chair, Friends of The Wilson)
behalf of Quentin Blake. you have at home; from the vast array
Cheltenham Poetry Society 5 about the Arts after Coronavirus. We
of theatre productions now available
Blue Moon Harmony Choir 6 also hear from Musica Vera chamber
online free of charge, to impromptu
Gloucestershire County History Trust 7 choir about their new conductor, from
musical performances for neighbours
Cheltenham Poetry Society about a
LISTINGS 10 from a bedroom window, and people
new book of poems on Gloucestershire,
Christian Arts Festival 11 helping to transcribe digital archives
and we find out about a Christian
GWN competition 13 to make future research easier – there’s
Arts Festival planned for 2021. The
Musica Vera 14 something going on to suit everyone
Gloucestershire County History Trust
while we stay indoors. To paraphrase
Meet the Members: Prestbury Local History Society 15 gives us an insight into the research
the hit song from “Titanic” – my Art will
going on before publication of a book
go on (sorry). In all seriousness, though,
on the history of Cheltenham, and
the importance of the Arts for our
you can have a go at writing yourself,
general wellbeing and mental health
in a competition organised by the
Perspectives is produced three times a year. has rarely been clearer, and we must
Cheltenham Gloucestershire Writers’ Network.
The next issue will span October 2020 – January 2021. make sure that that message has plenty
Arts Council Our “Meet the Members” section this
of publicity as we head towards the light
Submission (ads and events) must be with us by the end of JULY for month features Prestbury Local History
at the end of the tunnel.
consideration for the next issue. Please email event details to PERSPECTIVES TEAM Society. Last but not least, there’s some
Rachel Tedd
perspectives.listings@gmail.com
EDITOR Rachel Tedd
feedback from the Blue Moon Harmony
LISTINGS Alice Hodsdon PERSPECTIVES EDITOR
TEMPLATE DESIGN Chantal Freeman
Choir, showing how grant money from editor@cheltenhamartscouncil.co.uk
2 C U LT U R E C U LT U R E 3
THE ARTS AFTER CORONAVIRUS
ADRIAN BARLOW (CHAIR, FRIENDS OF THE WILSON)
GIVES US HIS PERSPECTIVE
I
t’s impossible to know, yet, how several festivals planned for this summer visitors, as participants, and as advocates After Coronavirus – and not just afterwards,
long it may take for life to get back – of which Jazz, Science and Music are too, will be crucial; this at a time when but right now too – the Arts in all their
to normal. It’s just as impossible to only the three most high-profile – will Government support for the arts will diverse forms will rely on their friends, and
know what the new ‘normal’ will be have an immediate impact on planning certainly not be a top priority and when the in many cases on Friends’ organisations,
like. It’s a safe bet, however, that as far for next year’s programmes. Announcing National Lottery Heritage Fund has already more than ever.
as the arts are concerned 2021 will not the cancellation of the Music Festival, announced it will be focusing mainly on
be like 2019. For a start, there will be the organisers said, ‘At the forefront of support for existing major grant-funded
fewer small independent museums. The our minds are the wonderful artists and projects.
Director of the Florence Nightingale ensembles who will no longer be able to
Museum in London has already spelled perform in Cheltenham this summer. We
out the dangers: ‘Prolonged closure and are working hard to find a way to bring
decimated tourist markets now threaten them back as soon as we can.’ There are
the future of the museum as we rely hopes that the Literature Festival (if even
heavily on admissions income to support this can escape cancellation) may be
our small charity, which receives no expanded to include some of the acts and
core funding from the government or performances that have been lost already
elsewhere.’ this year. Nevertheless, the impact of
cancellations on this scale, particularly
Think of the small independent museums
for young freelance musicians in the early
in our area and how the lockdown must
stages of their career, can only be daunting.
be affecting their income (not to mention
their reserves, if they have any). Some have The same is of course true for actors. The
been prompt and adventurous in their young, small companies who perform in
IMAGE: Quentin Blake, free Ecards available from the website, see inside front cover.
response: the Holst Birthplace Museum, for the Everyman’s Studio space bring work
instance, had been due to run a Victorian of energy and imagination that captivates
Easter Festival at the museum across young audiences and sustains the faith
the holiday weeks with special activities of their parents and grandparents in the
– crafts, gardening and cooking among importance of live theatre. The Director of
them; instead, it rapidly converted these Birmingham’s Old Rep, which specialises
into entertaining virtual activities accessed in performances, workshops and creative
from the Holst’s website. Such adaptability projects for young people, has issued a
is what all museums and galleries now timely reminder: ‘The magic of theatre
need, but no amount of virtual engagement lies in its live performances and this,’ he
can make up for the loss of live visitors has warned, ‘is not something that can be
enjoying a first-hand experience and experienced in the same way remotely.’
spending money in a museum’s shop or
café. An emergency fund (£160m) has Accessing the arts remotely is something
been set up by Arts Council England to we are all having to do just now – and thank
support arts organisations and individuals, goodness we can at least do this. But once
but competition for grants is already we eventually get out and about again, it
intense and the criteria are inevitably quite will be fatal to continue treating the arts as
restrictive. a virtual commodity, absorbed passively
in front of a screen. Our active face-to-
In Cheltenham itself, the cancellation of face support for the arts as audiences, as © Quentin Blake 2020
perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK
4 C U LT U R E POETRY 5
CAC AWARDS CEREMONY 2020 GLOUCESTERSHIRE IN WORDS AND PICTURES
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS NEW BOOK, INSPIRED BY THE COUNTY
C 'P
heltenham Arts Council’s awards ceremony is always a highlight of the year – oetry from Gloucestershire' – an
it’s an event where we come together to celebrate excellence, commitment and anthology of poems and photographs
achievement across a wide spectrum of the Arts in Cheltenham. Unsurprisingly, celebrating our wonderful county
we have had to postpone this year’s ceremony, but we are delighted to name this – has recently been published,
year’s winners below. We hope to be able to present them with their well-deserved featuring the work of twelve Cheltenham
awards in person, and to bring you some photos of the ceremony, in the not-too-distant Poetry Society (CPS) poets.
future. Congratulations to them all!
The book is a companion volume to the
CPS anthology ‘Cheltenham 300’ published
in 2016 in celebration of Cheltenham’s
WEBSTER CUP CHARLES IRVING SPONSORSHIP AWARD tercentenary as a spa town. Both books
The Webster Cup is awarded to the most This is an award to recognize a local were jointly edited by Sharon Larkin and and decided to publish the resulting poems
promising young person under 18 years of business for their support of local arts Roger Turner and, with keen photographers in a book.
age, for achievement in any branch of the groups. This year, we are very pleased in the Society, they found no difficulty in
arts in the preceding year. This year, our to give the award to Chapel Arts, which sourcing photographs to accompany the Contributing poets include long-standing
winner is Emily Chestney (nominated by received nominations from both the poems. CPS member Michael Newman, who joined
Balcarras School). Cheltenham Music Festival Society and the Society in 1977 (Editor’s comment: and
‘Poetry from Gloucestershire’ covers the is this year’s recipient of CAC’s Joyner
Cheltenham Camera Club.
length of the county from Alderton, Cup award), current chairman Roger
CHELTENHAM OPERA GROUP CUP Winchcombe and Tewkesbury in the Turner, former chair Sharon Larkin, David
This cup is awarded to an individual
JOYNER CUP north to Blakeney, Berkeley and Chipping Ashbee, Stuart Nunn, Robin Gilbert, Sheila
or group for enterprise and innovation This cup goes to the most outstanding Sodbury in the south. There are poems Spence, Belinda Rimmer, Gill Wyatt,
in music-making. This year, the winner of each year’s award nominations, and set in Cheltenham and Gloucester; Catherine Baker, Alice Ross and Annie
is Beverley Whitaker of Cheltenham this year we recognize the contribution of Cotswold villages such as Bourton on the Ellis. The book can be purchased (£9.99)
Community Choir and Cheltenham Michael Newman, who was nominated by Water and Lower Slaughter; the Forest from the poets; from Suffolk Anthology
Operatic and Dramatic Society. Cheltenham Poetry Society. of Dean including Puzzlewood and The Bookshop in Cheltenham; Alison’s
Sculpture Trail; poems set alongside Bookshop in Tewkesbury, or via email to
the Severn and Windrush; a trip on the Cheltenhampoetrysociety@gmail.com or to
VISUAL ARTS AWARD CITATIONS Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway; the publisher Eithonbridge@gmail.com
Our newest award, now in its second year, Citations were awarded to Hannah a visit to Nature in Art, and finishing
with a glimpse of the Severn Crossing. As well as their annual retreat and
is awarded for excellence in the field of Hughes (Beauregard Youth Choir), Mary
Landscape, flora and fauna, and various occasional readings and recitals,
visual arts. This year's winner is Niki Mackenzie (Cheltenham Music Festival
colourful Gloucestershire characters make Cheltenham Poetry Society runs a monthly
Whitfield of Open Studios. Society), Robert Padgett (Cheltenham
an appearance in what CPS believe is a writing group for experienced poets,
Opera Society) and Heather Parker
varied and enjoyable collection of poems workshops for new and developing poets,
(Cleeve Chorale).
and pictures. and a poetry reading group for those who
want to learn more about poetry and to
The idea for the anthology came during share poems they have found interesting
the Society’s annual writing retreat or enjoyable. Anyone who would like
at Dumbleton Hall – a day when CPS to find out more about Cheltenham
members take time out to think about, and Poetry Society is invited to email
to write, poetry, as well as getting to know cheltenhampoetrysociety@gmail.com
each other better. At their 2019 retreat, the
poets took ‘Gloucestershire’ as their theme Sharon Larkin
perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK
6 MUSIC HISTORY 7
FEEDBACK FROM OUR GRANT RECIPIENTS HISTORY IN THE MAKING
BLUE MOON HARMONY CHOIR GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST
T T
he Blue Moon Harmony Choir sent in his article profiles the work of the
their thanks for grant funding from Gloucestershire County History
Cheltenham Arts Council that has Trust, a Cheltenham Arts Council
enabled them to replace their ageing affiliate and the charity behind the
audio equipment. continuing work of the Victoria County
History locally.
The new equipment allows the choir to
amplify the piano, and simultaneously ‘Of making many books there is no end’ –
enables use of microphones and headsets. still as true today, when we expect almost
The neck-band plugs into the transmitter everything to be online, as it was for
and fits around the back of the neck Ecclesiastes in Biblical times. The Victoria
and over the ears like glasses, and is a County History (VCH) of Gloucestershire
discreet beige in colour. The transmitter is now numbers twelve stately red hardback
operated by a switch. volumes, with parish-by-parish coverage
of over half the county, and three more are
The new equipment means that both in the pipeline. What’s the Cheltenham
rehearsals and public performances will angle, then?
now run more coherently, and hopefully
with greater audience enjoyment. bluemoonharmony.co.uk Well, one of the three books-in-waiting
was plenty to record in the centuries
before, and this paperback, researched by
is centred on Cheltenham parish and its
two academic historians, is our proof.
immediate neighbours – in effect, the
present borough – covering just about If Cheltenham up to 1740 was enough to
everything from prehistoric times to the fill a paperback, then you can imagine
present day, wherever the facts can be that a thorough account of the years 1741
firmly documented. The key feature of the to 2020 might take a deal of further work
VCH approach is its rigorous grounding in and pages. The research continues, using
IMAGE: Quentin Blake, free Ecards available from the website, see inside front cover.
original source material. Every statement a combination of paid work and a large
carries a reference, a firm footing which number of capable volunteers, with all
anyone wanting to delve further into a the interim results available for public
particular topic can rely on. use and comment on the local VCH
website, https://www.vchglosacademy.
The first visible product of the new
org/ Structured in standard VCH sections,
Cheltenham research was the 2018
the latest drafts cover all aspects of local
paperback Cheltenham before the Spa,
history up to 1945, with the more recent
aimed in part at dispelling the widespread
chapters taking parts of the story through
notion that before Messrs Mason and
to the present day – obviously well within
Skillicorne came along in the early
living memory, and where we expect
1700s, the place was little more than a
today’s Cheltonians (whether native or
village. A village, forsooth! Don’t folk
adoptive) to be able to fill in gaps or check
realise that Cheltenham was a royal
the details. Please do have a look, because
manor, a well-regulated borough, and a
we do want every statement to be accurate
market town serving a wide hinterland?
and complete by the time we go to press
The development of the spa certainly
with this volume.
© Quentin Blake 2020 transformed the place for ever, but there
perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK
8 HISTORY HISTORY 9
decisions and actions over the last 50 As is so often the case, the world we see
years have transformed what was once around us today is very much shaped
mostly agricultural/market garden land, by what came before (or, to quote
itself concealing a layer of pre-history. Ecclesiastes again, there’s nothing new
The volunteers working on this have under the sun), but everyone working
dubbed it the Bedlam project – for the on the VCH derives a real satisfaction
entirely honourable reason that one from getting the facts of a story straight,
of the precursor farms was Bedlam and setting them down clearly, so that
Farm. (The name Bedlam or Bethlehem everyone, here and around the world, can
reaches back much further, to medieval benefit from the knowledge.
times, following the grant of the land to
the charity hospital of St Margaret in While we may be nearing the final leg
Gloucester in 1250.) with Cheltenham itself, there’s still a
lot to be done to complete the overall
Most of the relevant archives Cheltenham VCH volume, notably in
(Cheltenham and Tewkesbury council Charlton Kings and Leckhampton.
papers, as well as the county council’s) are However, we feel we’re getting there
now at the Heritage Hub in Gloucester. bit by bit – and it’s financed entirely by
Volunteers are working through these, donations and grant aid.
piecing together the development
sequence, and adding to them from
A 1960S VIEW OF THE FORMER BEDLAM FARM (NOW KNOWN AS NEWLAND online data. The documents and maps are
VIEW), OFF THE OLD GLOUCESTER ROAD, COURTESY OF EILEEN ALLEN Just thinking of the post-war period alone, supplemented by locally-sourced material
there are dozens of strands to the town’s (photos and the like) supplied by history-
story – the physical spread of the town’s minded members of the Swindon Village
fabric to form the borough in its present Society. The volunteers have already
shape, changes in local government established that the ‘industrial’ use of
(explaining why don’t we control our the area goes back well before WW II –
own roads anymore...), the blossoming Andy’s Candys, a confectionery factory,
of the festival movement, the arrival of was established on the Tewkesbury Road
GCHQ (just one among many changes in in the mid-1930s. There were two wartime
the employment profile of the town), the factories, including a Gloster Aircraft
changes in social make-up, educational Co site, and for a time there were several
provision, religious affiliation, transport, sand extraction sites too.
sport, popular culture – the list is almost
endless.
And to show that there’s history
everywhere, even where you’d least
expect it, just consider one strand of If you’d like to help, please contact Sally Self at projects.clhs@btinternet.com
what we’re currently working on – the
north-western side of town, home to the
Kingsditch Lane estate and many other
commercial and industrial enterprises.
In normal times, many of us are there
every week for one reason or another, but
does it have a history? Of course it does,
and VCH research is documenting how
IMAGE COURTESY OF EILEEN ALLEN
perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK
10 LISTINGS EVENTS 9 C U LT U R E 1 1
LISTINGS: EVENTS DIRECTORY JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2020 CHELTENHAM’S CHRISTIAN ARTS FESTIVAL
LOOKING FORWARD TO EDEN 2021 – RESTORING PARADISE
EVENTS LISTED HERE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT
T
DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE OF THE ORGANISATION he Christian Arts Festival joins we can bring together local artists
CONCERNED BEFORE BOOKING TICKETS. sadly with all the other festivals in and performers, from painters and
postponing its Festival of Stars in stone crafters to comedians and
Whaddon because of COVID-19. The musicians through exciting exhibitions
festival was due to take place on Saturday and exhilarating performances that
VISUAL ARTS STAGE Cheltenham Poetry 13th June 2020. However, we’re hoping unite people from different spiritual
Society Away Day Thu 23 to hold the event either later this year or perspectives in a common appreciation of
Gardens Gallery Promenade Productions Julfull day writing retreat, as part of the larger ‘EDEN: Restoring the Arts.
Montpellier Gardens, the this summer’s ‘Chicago’ rescheduled from May Paradise’ festival taking place across
gallery will re-open as soon as is postponed until There’s the opportunity now, in lockdown,
Cheltenham and the surrounding areas
govt. guidance allows, please 2021, but please see Cheltenham Poetry to take part in an Art Competition on the
from 24th April to 9th May 2021. Please
see gardensgallery.co.uk promenadeproductions. Society Members’ Writing theme of EDEN, to choose the image for
see www.christianartsfestival.org for more
co.uk for panto season Group Meeting Tue 28 Jul next year’s Festival brochure, and there
information.
details or to sign up for is prize money on offer. There are three
ticket date notifications Cheltenham Poetry
MUSIC Society Reading Group
Cheltenham Poetry Meeting Tue 18 Aug,
Charlton Kings Choral
Festival postponed until 7-10pm, £4
Society Concert Sat 3 Oct,
spring 2021, please see
7.30pmSt Andrew’s Church, Cheltenham Poetry
cheltenhampoetryfestival.
Montpellier, A Little Lighter Society Members’ Writing
com for online poetry
Music: Sullivan: Trial by Jury, Group Meeting Tue 25 Aug
offerings and our e-zine
Chilcott: A Little Jazz Mass,
launch
Shearing: Psalms and Sonnets. Cheltenham Poetry
This is the proposed date for LECTURES & MEETINGS Society Workshop Tue 1
the concert postponed in May, Sep, 7-10pm, £5 , Parmoor
please check ckcsonline.org.uk Cheltenham Poetry House, Lypiatt Terrace
for latest details Society Reading Group
Meeting Tue 16 Jun, Cheltenham Poetry
7-10pm, £4 , Parmoor House, Society Members’ Writing
Lypiatt Terrace, further Group Meeting Tue 29 Sep
info for all Cheltenham
Poetry Society events listed Cheltenham Local
is available from Sharon History Society Tue 22
Larkin 07540 329389 Sep, 7.30pmMunicipal
Offices, Early CHRISTIAN ARTS FESTIVAL, 2019
Cheltenham Poetry Gloucestershire Motor
Society Members’ Writing Vehicle Registrations, with
We are delighted that our plans for age groups, and the artwork may be in
Group Meeting Tue 30 Jun Martin Boothman and
next year’s festival are proving to have any medium. An exhibition of entries
Peter Barlow. Please see
Cheltenham Poetry contemporary relevance through the will be on display at the Gardens Gallery
cheltlocalhistory.org.uk
Society Workshop Tue 7 theme “EDEN - Restoring Paradise”: from 2nd to 8th December 2020. You can
Jul, 7-10pm, £5 , Parmoor beauty, care, destruction, restoration. It submit as many entries as you like online
House, Lypiatt Terrace, is good to focus on brighter, colourful by the deadline of 1st October 2020.
and more joyful times ahead when
perspectives
1 2 C U LT U R E C O M P E T I T CI OONL U1M3 N
Please refer to our website for terms and GLOUCESTERSHIRE WRITERS’ NETWORK
conditions: www.christianartsfestival.org WRITING COMPETITION ON THE THEME OF ‘MY WORLD’
As spring unravels before our eyes, we
W
are becoming more and more aware of ho could have imagined the
our earth space and growth; a splash of disruption to everyone’s existence
living colour that catches our attention that has been caused by recent
and elicits a smile or a chuckle or a sigh of events, our world literally turned
deep satisfaction. During the present crisis upside down, our routines changed
and restricted times outdoors, we are even beyond recognition? The spoken and
more acutely aware of the beauty emerging written word have never been more
around us. How uplifting it is to hear how important to inform, entertain, and
ecosystems are finding balance and that distract us.
whole landscapes are beginning to repair
We are all travellers, our journeys a
themselves.
unique experience influenced as much
We look forward to celebrating the signs by those qualities that define us as by the
of healing to our earth through two weeks circumstances that surround us. We would
of creativity next April and May, as well like to hear stories and poems inspired by
as the challenges explored responsibly, your experiences, your life.
consciously and prayerfully by our artists
The competition is open to anyone over
and performers. As believers in a Creator
16 years of age with a connection to
God of bountiful provision, we recognise
Gloucestershire, and the winners will
our falling short of caring for our planet,
PAINTING BY SHILOHA LEVI be able to read their work at The Times
and yet we see signs of hope and joy in its
and The Sunday Times Cheltenham
renewal. We relish the opportunity to share
the possibilities of a ‘Paradise Regained’ Literature Festival on 4th October 2020 Wishing you all the best of luck!
through the Arts in painting, music and (or at another enjoyable venue if the
arrangements have to be altered). The GWN team
drama.
Our proposed plans include a live Arts
Trail, where visual artists share their
creativity and stories in the streets, arcades DETAILS
and parks across Cheltenham; a drama
called “Planet of the Plants”; another of ENTRY FEE
our highly-acclaimed Big Sing events in
the Town Hall, as well as an outdoor live £2.50 per poem/prose piece
Music and Comedy day with contributions £4.50 for two entries
from many community groups. £6.50 for three entries
Who knows what 2021 will bring … just For tips on how to get started, plus full terms and conditions, visit our website
some seed-thoughts sparked off from
the one word theme of EDEN through www.gloswriters.org.uk
a festival platform which can lead to so
The closing date is midnight, 12 July 2020
much more; just as one dandelion leads to
far-flung wind-blown offspring.
Nikki Seville
perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK
14 MUSIC HISTORY 15
MUSICA VERA PRESTBURY LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
A NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC FOR THIS CHELTENHAM CHAMBER MEET THE MEMBERS
CHOIR
M P
usica Vera is pleased to announce restbury is known as the home of the WI Hall unless otherwise specified. A
the appointment of Matthew Clark race course and the legendary Gold current listing of talks and speakers is
as the Choir’s new Director of Cup. But did you know that there available on our website (see below).
Music, following the resignation of has been a village in Prestbury since
David Dewar in November last year after before the Norman Conquest, with St We are always pleased to support
eight years with the Choir. Mary’s church at its heart? There is an researchers working on projects relating
award-winning butcher and village store to the history of our parish, and details
Matthew Clark studied singing with on the High Street, and many other local of our research meetings are available
Rachel Nicholls before undertaking a stores and businesses, including four on our website. The society has several
degree in composition at the Royal Welsh public houses. publications that are available for loan
College of Music and Drama, where he
developed an interest in conducting. He
moved to Gloucester in 2016 to take up
the role of bass lay clerk, and occasionally
conducts the cathedral clerks and scholars
in services at the cathedral and at the
Three Choirs Festival. Matthew sings
regularly with a variety of choirs and as a
soloist. He has also written a large amount
of vocal music, both solo and choral.
The Choir’s first concert with Matthew CART OUTSIDE KINGS ARMS COURTESY OF EILEEN ALLEN
was due to be held on 21 March in St
Gregory’s Church, Cheltenham, but this In January 2011, a group of enthusiastic through our local library or can be
unfortunately had to be cancelled owing and experienced local history researchers purchased via email or at our meetings.
to the coronavirus. However, the Choir based in Prestbury formed the Prestbury
looks forward to many enjoyable and Local History Society. The aim of the Our archive contains a variety of
exciting concerts with Matthew in the society was to ‘advance the education photographs, articles and maps. Items
future. of the general public by promoting the are available to view at our meetings and
Angela Walker MATTHEW CLARK, NEW DIRECTOR 0F MUSIC study of local history of Prestbury in all its once a month in the library (dates and
aspects’. This aim has been continued by timings are available on our website).
the current committee and members. However, if there is a specific request then
please contact the committee via email
The society holds regular monthly as below. All donations are gratefully
meetings, with topics ranging from local accepted.
identities to policing and Prestbury
public houses. The talks aim to stimulate As an enthusiastic and friendly society,
public interest and appreciation of the we would like to invite you to attend
local history of Prestbury. However, talks
one of our meetings, which are free to
regarding our neighbouring areas (e.g.
Cleeve Hill) also give an understanding members and £2 to non-members. If
of how Prestbury has developed. Meetings you have any queries, please contact us
are normally held on the fourth Monday on prestburyhistory@gmail.com and our
evening of each month except July, website is www.prestburyhistory.com
August and December, at the Prestbury
perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK perspectives CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK
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