Weekly column of the latest Tetbury news by Kevin Painter

1. It was a lively morning at the Tetbury u3a Open Day and so good that existing members could get together and socialise.

Bernadette Chair said: "It was wonderful to see the hall so full of people and there was a real buzz.

"Tetbury Mayor Steve ‘Scotty’ Scott attended and stayed for over an hour, chatting to many of the group leaders and their helpers.

"The market stalls all looked really creative, and it was lovely to see such a range of displays, from the slideshow, to display boards, books, board games, a quiz, pot plants, boules, and even (empty) bottles of wine!

"It was a ‘thank you’ to existing members for staying with us and an opportunity to reach out to new members.

"Most groups attracted a healthy interest, and we attracted many new members on the day, with hopefully more to follow.

"Huge thanks to all those who were involved with this event, to make it a success."

Visitors were welcomed in by the T’UKEs Ukulele group who played outside all morning.

They have over 380 members, and over 30 groups covering a wide range of activities and interests: art appreciation, backgammon (for fun), badminton, board games, boules, computing Apple beginners, computing technical support, creative writing group 1 & 2, cribbage, curry club, family history, French, garden visits, golf, historic buildings, history, mah-jongg, photography, play reading 1 and 2, pub lunch quiz, scrabble, short breaks, short walks, Spanish all levels, ukulele, and wine tasting.

Come and meet with other enthusiasts to share your interests, and to help one another to learn or practise new interests.

Stay younger for longer, by exploring and helping to create dozens of new ways to enhance the Third Age of life.

Please visit their website for more information.

2. Sunday, July 27: Folk at The Goods Shed with Reivers’ Gallows and Patakas. This is an affordable and family-friendly way to spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon, enjoying excellent folk musicianship. Seating will be informal tables and chairs, there will be a licensed bar, and the Whistle Stop Cafe will be serving hot and cold drinks as well as cakes and savouries to enjoy with the music.Reivers’ Gallows are a crew of musical pirates. They are a Celtcast award – nominated band and have performed in the smallest of spaces to large stages. Wherever they play, they guarantee to get the crowd joining in with their voices or their feet! Their lively, sometimes rowdy, fiddle-driven tunes have been plundered from both history and across the globe, taking traditional tunes and making them their own. Lively and entertaining, humorous and interactive, Reivers are sure to entertain, wherever they drop anchor. Performing together as Patakas, exceptionally talented brothers Joe and Will Sartin launched their first recording When You’re Ready with festival performances in summer 2023. Bringing driving rhythms and innovative harmony to their fresh interpretations of traditional music and their own original tunes and songs, the brothers beautifully and skilfully express the music-making and folk tradition that runs through the very core of their family.Their debut EP was made during the six months after their well-loved father Paul Sartin, passed away. Joe and Will’s maternal grandfather, Doug Bailey, recorded and produced this album at Wild Goose Studios in Hampshire, thereby bringing things full circle for the family; their father’s own debut record with Belshazzar’s Feast was recorded with Doug at the same studio in 1996.Will is a member of the popular five-piece festival ceilidh band, Out of Hand, and Joe is in his final year of a music degree and pursuing projects in folk, jazz and rock; influences which contribute to the unique musical identity of Patakas. Both brothers were members of the National Youth Folklore Troupe of England (NYFTE) in their younger years. For more information or to book your space please visit: tetburygoodsshed.co.uktickets. Advance tickets cost 10 per adult or £2 for under-16s (plus booking fees). On the door they will be £12 and £3. Doors open 2.30pm. Concert starts at 3pm.

3. The Shed Piano Club is pleased to announce its next gathering will take place on Wednesday, February 26 at The Goods Shed, Tetbury, offering a wonderful opportunity for amateur musicians who have worked hard at their music to finally be able to play for other people. Since acquiring the Steinway grand piano, the Goods Shed has hosted hugely successful and popular Tea Concerts on Wednesday afternoons with local amateur musicians playing for an appreciative and interested audience. It is hoped that Piano Club 21 will build on this and incorporate the warm social atmosphere of these gatherings with the opportunity to play for a group of peers. The Whistle Stop Café will also be open from lunchtime and during the afternoon, offering a range of refreshments. The Piano Club requests that, for the time being at least, all participants  book in advance. Anyone wanting to perform should contact Maggie Dyson via maggie.dyson@btinternet.com or telephone 01666 837 358 and she will be able to confirm availability and performance time slot. They do hope you can come along and maybe bring a guest. There is just a small charge (tickets: £3.50) for all who attend, whether playing or listening and tickets can be booked by visiting the Goods Shed website tetburygoodsshed.co.uktickets and clicking the ticketSource link on the description of the event. Tickets will be available on the door it will cost £4.

4. On Saturday, August 2, you can join in an adult drawing class with artist Claire Sandars. This will be at Tetbury Goods Shed Art Centre and will take place from 10am until 1pm. This is part of a series of friendly and relaxed classes with artist and tutor, Claire Sandars (clairesandars.co.uk). Claire will help you capture the fruit, flower and foliage of the emerging seasons. Whether you are looking to hone your skills, re-ignite old enthusiasms, or have a go at something new, you will come away feeling refreshed and inspired. For more information or to book your space please visit:  tetburygoodsshed.co.uk. Tickets cost £20 plus booking fee and materials will be provided.

5. On Friday, August 15, The Tetbury Bowls Club by the Dolphins Hall will be holding anauction with some very exciting diverse lots. The auction is being held in order to update their kitchen facilities. They have over 45 lots to sell including pots and garden ornaments from Woodlodge Products to meal vouchers from local restaurants, a vaccuum cleaner from Dysons, Hampers from Tracklements, a Geoff Hurst autobiography and poster, both signed by Geoff Hurst, an MOT from Car Care Tetbury, indoor bowls sessions and golf vouchers at Minchinhampton Golf Club and from TBC members promises of clothes alterations and homemade Christmas cakes. This will give you this will give anyone the chance to view the 2022 superb renovated clubhouse in an amazing setting and give you the  chance to see one of the hidden gems of the amazing Tetbury mural by husband and wife team Keith and Kate Apperley who painted onto the front of the two sheds a mural that depicts seven prime scenes from around Tetbury plus numerous small pieces of artwork from Tetbury past and present.

6. Due to the resignation of Peter Coleman a vacancy has arisen for councillor for the town council of Tetbury, and notice has been given.  The vacancy  will be filled by election if a request from 10 local government electors for the town is received within 14 days of the date of the notice. The request must be received by August 1. Requests should include the elector's  name and address and should be sent to the chief executive of the address below or by email to elections@cotswold.gov.uk. If an election is called it will take place no later than October 6. If 10 signatures are not received by the date given then the town council may feel that they can see by co-option. Address request to Jane Portman, Chief Executive, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX.