Lechlade and Fairford events and activities this week

1. Business Connect

Connecting local businesses with local community groups.

Does your community group want funding, sponsorship or raffle prizes?

Does your business want to let the wider community know who you are, where you are, and what services you can offer?

Business Connect is breaking the mould of traditional business networking by incorporating the wider community throughout Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire to include local charities, good causes, community groups and clubs, schools, and sports clubs.

With businesses and local groups helping each other, everyone will thrive and succeed in challenging times.

Come along to the free Business Connect launch meeting on Thursday, March 20, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm in the Bull Room (the large room at the back) of the Bull Hotel, Fairford, GL7 4AA.

There will be very short pitches (about 60 seconds) from local groups and businesses that are already interested in this innovative connection.

Mix and mingle over a drink from the bar and find out how you can be a part of this network to support community groups and businesses so powerful their ideas will change your world!

To book your FREE place, go to: tinyurl.com/y4ay6e35 Or find out more from: 01367 248731, 01285 440310, admin@jpaadmin.com

2. There will be a quiz afternoon in aid of church funds on Saturday, March 15 at 2pm in Fairford United Church, Milton Street, GL7 4BW.

Teams of four to six or make-up teams on the day.

Cost £7.50 per ticket which includes tea and cake and a little touch of Elvis!

3. The next meeting of Fairford History Society is an evening meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 20 in Fairford Community Centre.

John Putley from Gloucestershire Archives will give a talk entitled Remember! Remember! FHS membership is £5 per year and visitors to meetings are charged £3.

New members and visitors are very welcome.

For more information, contact Alison on 01285 711768, enquiry@fairfordhistory.org.uk or www.fairfordhistory.org.uk

4. A spring fair is being held on Saturday, March 15 between 10am and 4pm at St Birinus Court, Lechlade, GL7 3BU.

Stalls: water-colour paintings; cards; bookmarks; keyrings; various hand-painted glassware; crochet/knitwear items; homemade dog treats; soaps; sprays and room scents; 3D printed toys; baby quilts.

Teas, coffees, and cakes.

Stall holders £10 per table (contact Wendy Martyn on 07766 416833 to book a table).

5. The Crafty Boaters handmade spring market is on Sunday, March 16, from 10am to 4pm in Lechlade memorial hall.

Free entry and free parking on site.

Refreshments available with proceeds going to RNLI.

6. Little Lights is an informal service and playgroup for pre-school children, including new babies, with mums, dads, and carers, taking place between 9.30am to 11am in St Lawrence Church, Lechlade.

The next session is Wednesday, March 19. There are instruments, crafts, toys, and snacks. There’s no charge and no need to book. Just come when you can and leave when you must!

7. Hope Explored is an informal and relaxed three-week course for anyone who wants to find hope, peace, and purpose in life.

It’s run by ordinary Christian people local to you and is completely free.

You don’t need to know anything about the Bible, and you won’t be asked to pray or sing.

You can ask any question you like, or you can just sit and listen.

Whoever you are, whatever you are thinking, Hope Explored is a place for you to discover the hope of a future that is better than you could ever imagine.

The three sessions will be held at Lechlade Baptist Church on Thursday afternoons on March 20 and 27 and April 3 and will include video presentations by Rico Tice and an open discussion.

There will be a free light lunch beforehand at 12.30pm.

For more details, please contact David Hopkins on 07984 092721.8.

The next meeting of Lechlade History Society is on Monday, March 17 when Dr Hugh Pihlens will talk about Littlecote Roman Villa, which is one of the great treasures of Britain.

It was first discovered in the early 18th century, but was then purposely covered over and abandoned.

Two hundred and fifty years later, in 1976, it was rediscovered, and a team of archaeologists worked for 13 years to explore and restore it.

More recently, it has been further renovated and improved for visitors to enjoy.

Littlecote is a very unusual villa, with a history covering the whole period of Roman occupation.

It includes one of the finest and largest mosaics in Britain.

Meetings are held in Lechlade memorial hall starting at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). All welcome. Members £8 annual subs plus £2 per meeting. Visitors £4 per meeting. Refreshments available before the meeting.