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High Tea (With A Twist)

Under the direction of Eleni Edipidi, Levantes Dance Theatre creates contemporary circus performances which are witty, inclusive and visually strong.

High Tea (With A Twist) features two performers in matching costumes who dance and perform acrobatics above a beautifully set tea table. Expect glittery cakes, bright colours and lots of fun.

Friday 6th December / 7:15 - 8:15PM

The Wesley, Belle Vue Rd, Cinderford, GL14 2AA

£7 (under 5's who can sit on a lap go free)

Click hereto book online or call 01594 825111 or email dan@artspacecinderford.org

Free winter fun for families this Christmas

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is back to help keep children in Gloucestershire happy, healthy, and entertained with free activities and nutritious food.

Families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can register now for the winter HAF. Thanks to grant funding, the county council is pleased to extend these fun, enriching holiday activities to all children and young people through the Holiday Activities Programme (HAP).

Most activities will be taking place between 21 December and 5 January. Families are encouraged to check their local district HAF webpages to see information about what’s happening near where they live.

Booking opens at midday on Monday 2 December, but families can browse activities from midday on Monday 18 November to plan which ones they would like to attend.

Since HAF began, the programme has provided more than 170,000 activity sessions for children and young people across the county, helping to create memorable experiences for thousands of families who have shared how much they greatly value the opportunities it offers.

• “They’ve got circus skills, forest school, Little Monsters rugby and football which my son has really enjoyed, and the art gallery, they’ve enjoyed it all.”
• “My girls like the arts and crafts, painting and making beads, my son likes the climbing wall and football, it covers something that they all enjoy.”
• “I’ve been to other things, but this is the best. We know and trust the staff. The children are safe, they meet new friends, learn new things, and bring things they have made home with them.”

This winter there are lots of great options to choose from including drama and science workshops, sports and games, art and crafts, music and dance, indoor and outdoor activities, as well as the very popular ticketed attractions such as ice skating and pantomimes. More information about the programme is available at:www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.

If they haven’t done so already, families are encouraged to:

· Register for the Children’s Activities Booking System (CABS) now to be ready to view and select activities

· Follow their district lead on social media to stay updated on local events.

Families needing extra support to choose, book, or attend HAF activities can get help from sixHAF Community Connectors, one for each district. This winter, there’s also a Specialist SEND Community Connector to improve support for children and young people with additional needs.

Cllr Paul McLain cabinet member for children at Gloucestershire County Council said: “Families have told us just how much they value the Holiday Activities and Food programme, so I’m delighted that it’s back again this winter to provide free, fun activities for children and young people.

“It’s a great way to stay active, learn new things, and make wonderful memories. I’d encourage families who haven’t registered yet to do so now, so they’re ready when booking opens. HAF Community Connectors can provide support if anyone needs help with choosing, booking, or attending activities.”

ENDS

Issued by – Communications team, Gloucestershire County Council, 01452 427554,communications@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Notes to editors

HAF district partners

Now in its fourth year, HAF continues to go from strength to strength, thanks to strong and successful partnerships with local partners who help make it all possible. They are:

• Gloucester – The Venture White City Ltd
• Cheltenham – Cheltenham Borough Council
• Tewkesbury – Young Gloucestershire
• Stroud – Stroud District Council
• Cotswolds – Cotswold District Council
• Forest of Dean – Forest Voluntary Action Forum

A selection of photos from our summer HAF Festival event can be found here

Artspace are delighted to announce

2 NEW *FREE ART COURSES

Due to popular demand, Artspace Cinderford are pleased to be running 2 more *FREE Multiply courses starting in November (See info below)! These fun, creative courses are suitable for all abilities and will allow you to explore new techniques and stretch your artistic skills.

Multiply courses are FREE for Gloucestershire-based adults who feel they have a need to refresh their numeracy skills or for those without level 2 (GCSE C grade) Maths.

Tessellating Patterns, with Nicky Payne

Wednesdays - Starts 6th Nov / Runs for 4 weeks

10am - 12pm

at Artspace Cinderford, The New Mercury, 3 Woodside Street, Cinderford, GL14 2NL

Come and explore pattern, shape and colour in this fun course where you will design decorative paper to be used for various crafting activities. We will explore paper folding and some traditional design elements, and also create something perfect to gift or keep.

Abstract Painting, with Warren Day

Thursdays 14th Nov, 21st Nov,28th Nov 5th Dec

1:00pm - 3.30pm

Artspace Cinderford, The New Mercury, 3 Woodside Street, Cinderford, GL14 2NL

Create an abstract painting using geometric shapes and patterns. Learn how to make your own brightly coloured and exciting abstract painting using acrylic paints and mixed media. We will explore different methods to achieve visually interesting combinations of overlapping shapes and repeat patterns to eventually conclude in a beautiful multi-layered geometric image.

Using simple art related number skills, you will have the opportunity to make your own art canvas, which will involve basic measuring, cutting and stretching materials over a wooden frame you have made. Geometric shapes such as circles, triangles and repeat pattern motifs will use diameters and angles. Colour mixing will cover very simple ratios and fractions.

No experience necessary. All materials provided but do wear old clothes as it can be rather messy!

Artspace is a fully accessible venue. Carers & supporters are welcomed alongside learners. Please let us know if you have any specific access needs so that we can support you in your learning.

Booking is essential & places are limited. To book, call us today on 01594 825111 Alternatively, email us at coursebooking@artspacecinderford.org

Young Creatives: Discover! (Ages 6 – 11)

Starts Tuesday 5th November/ 6 weeks

4:30pm – 5:30pm (at Artspace Cinderford)

Cost: £28 ( *£20 concessions) for 6 week course

Come join us and discover the world of art, craft and design! ’Discover!’ will introduce you to a range of arty projects and you’ll get to try your hand at using lots of different materials and techniques throughout the term. We’ll design, make and be inspired by the work of other artists, crafts people and designers!

Share the creations you’re most proud of with your friends and family

To book a place for your child/children, please contact dan@artspacecinderford.org or call 01594 825111

Appeal Launched for Imjin Memorial to Honour Brave Glorious Glosters from the Forest of Dean

Coleford, 21 October 2024: An appeal has been launched to raise funds for a memorial to commemorate local veterans who fought with 1^st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment (Glorious Glosters) in the famousBattle of the Imjin River in Korea, 22 – 25 April 1951. The Imjin Veterans’ Memorial will honour fifteen men associated with the Forest of Dean to recognise their bravery in battle and unwavering camaraderie and spirit to survive over two and a half years in the inhumane conditions of the prisoner of war camps in North Korea. The list of names will include Roy Mills from Cinderford, who sadly, passed away this month, and veterans from Coalway, Coleford, Dymock, Littledean, Mitcheldean, Newnham, Ruardean and Ruspidge.

The Battle of the Imjin River is widely recognised as one of the most fierce and intense military actions involving British Forces and is revered to this day in the Republic of Korea for saving Seoul, the country’s capital, from communist occupation.

The memorial is being overseen by the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Steering Group, which was formed following aForest of Dean District Council motion on the 70th Anniversary of the battle. The group comprises Cllr Julia Gooch, Chair; Roger Deeks DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant; Anny Reid, Royal British Legion Trustee and National Memorial Trustees Chair; and Andrew Gardiner, author and veteran engagement representative.

“Following the70^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Imjin River, it became clear that we need a place where the actions and bravery of our veterans - who were just young national servicemen in April 1951 - can be remembered for future generations,” said Roger Deeks DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant. “Sadly, the recent loss of Roy, whom we all remember with so much respect and fondness, has added an extra degree of poignancy to the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Appeal.”

Julia Gooch, Chair of the group and District Councillor, “I hope everyone who loves the Forest, and its rich history will dig as deep as they can into their pockets and help raise the £18,000, we need to make this brilliant and much-deserved memorial a reality.”

The walk-through memorial, which has been designed by Andrew Gardiner, will be built by local company,Grail Engineering, and installed in theCyril Hart Arboretum, near Speech House, Coleford. The design was inspired by the ‘freedom archway’ through which the veterans passed when they were released from captivity in 1953. Also featured are three plaques to bear the names of the veterans, commemorate Forest of Dean freedoms and rights, and honour the special relationship between Gloucestershire and the Republic of Korea. It is hoped the location of the memorial will make it a popular place for remembrance and an excellent option for school educational visits.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the appeal can do so by visiting theImjin Veterans’ Memorial page on the Forest of Dean District Council website fdean.gov.uk/ImjinVeteranMemorial orJustGivingjustgiving.com/crowdfunding/Imjinmemorial.The names of all donors will be recorded.