Fairford and Lechlade community news with Chris Roberts

THE Christmas Shop in Lechlade has been taken over.

Judy Hurt, who ran the popular shop for many years, has retired and the new owners are Sarah, an emergency practitioner; Mandy, a Thames Water employee and Gillian, who works in market research.

The three friends all live in Lechlade and have known each other for nearly 20 years.

The business, which re-opens on Monday, April 12, has been renamed: “The Cotswold Christmas Shop”, which roots it in this beautiful location.

The three friends are also in the process of carrying out a mini-makeover of the shop to freshen up things and showcase their lovely range of products.

If you have any suggestions as to what you would like to see from The Cotswold Christmas Shop, please let the new owners know.

To send in your suggestions or to find out more, ring 01367 253184 or email cotswoldchristmasshop@gmail.com.

THE Cotswold Challenge team is excited to announce that this incredibly successful initiative, which started last year under the first lockdown, has been nominated in four categories in the South West Business Awards.

The categories are: Covid Community Champion; Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award; Charity of the Year and New Start-Up of the Year Award.

The team, comprising self-employed business professionals: Nigel Chute, Allison Murray, Chris Roberts and Fiona Scott, will find out if they have won at the virtual Awards Ceremony being held on Thursday, April 29.

FAIRFORD Community Centre will re-open on Monday, April 12.

Following Government guidelines, there will be a phased re-opening of the centre with more groups, activities and events returning as we move through each step of the journey out of lockdown.

For more details, please visit the website www.fairfordcommunitycentre.org.

The centre has fantastic facilities to cater for many events from training days to weddings and all in between.

If you have an enquiry or would like to make a booking, please email bookings@fccentre.co.uk.

HEIKINA Ki Kai Karate is pleased to announce that classes will recommence in the Palmer Hall from Tuesday, April 13, for juniors only.

The same Covid-secure procedures will be followed as previously with temperature controls, registration, hand-sanitising and distant non-contact training.

First class commences at 5pm on Tuesday, April 13.

Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow extra time for the entry procedures and precautions.

To find out more, please call Steve or Sue: 01285 712189.

LECHLADE’S Community singing group, led by Jay Mathews, has been singing together via Zoom during the latest lockdown.

They have been focussing on sea shanties.

While Jay leads the singing, with accompaniment from Geoff Holmes, the singers give it their all from the comfort of their own homes.

If you would like to join the sing-along, please contact Jay on jaymathews124@mac.com.

The group meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month and the next session is on Wednesday, April 14.

You do not need to be a brilliant singer – just keen to join in and have some fun!

Jay provides all the words and music as well.

THE new StedyChefs Learning Centre for adults aged 18+ years with a disability or learning difficulty will be open on Friday, April 16, from 9am-1pm.

Located at St John’s Priory, Faringdon Road, Lechlade, GL7 3EY, this is an opportunity to find out all about the new services at StedyChefs and the new ventures soon to be brought to the Lechlade area.

Included in the cost is lunch (students will eat what they cook on the day); a chef’s uniform; minibus/transport option; day trips within the local community every six weeks.

If you or someone you know would benefit from this facility, please get in touch. Booking is essential for safety reasons.

LECHLADE Craft Barn workshops are to return to Lechlade Memorial Hall from mid-April.

A number of new arts and crafts workshops are on offer, alongside regular favourites.

Acrylic painting, Japanese Sashiko Embroidery and fabric bead making are just a few of the new topics covered in the one day and half day workshops.

Popular subjects such as mosaic making and lampshade making are already booking up quickly.

There has been a boost during lockdown of crafting as many people explored new hobbies at home.

To find out about Lechlade Craft Barn workshops, visit Lechlade Craft Barn on Facebook.