Resources for Residents

Whether you are a full-time resident of BP or not, the house and grounds are an excellent place for peaceful relaxation and contemplation or, at the other end of the spectrum, for quiet concentration on a necessary or voluntary task. Often, these can be ends in themselves requiring no further diversions or distractions, but sometimes it is good to know what goes on outside the boundaries of the estate and what opportunities may be available for other pursuits. This post is designed to inform you of activities in Brockhampton itself, but there are also possibilities in surrounding villages and, of course, many in Cheltenham itself. The small booklet titled Coln River Group that is delivered to BP each month is a good source of information and copies can usually be found in the main entrance hall or mail area.

1. Village Dates – an online source of information on events happening in the village run by Yvette Ruggins (yvetteruggins@hotmail.com).
2. Village WhatsApp Group – an exchange of local information. Contact Yvette Ruggins (above) to be added.
3. Rural Cinema – meets second Thursday of the month in the village hall.
4. Quiz night – once per month in the village hall through the winter on moveable dates (will appear on the WhatsApp Group).
5. Garden Club – Monthly talks and two garden visits in summer months (contact joannaforrest@aol.com).
6. Century Club – Coffee morning for older residents every Thursday at 10:30 am in the village hall.
7. Keep Fit class – Tuesday, 9:30-10:30 am, in the village hall (contact Claire Madine: admin@anewuhealthandwellness.co.uk).
8. Yoga class – Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 am, in the village hall (contact emmalowther@hotmail.com).
9. Pilates class – Friday, 9:00-10:00 am and 10:15-11:15 in the village hall (contact angelahardie@hotmail.com).
10. Village Show – last Saturday in August. Traditional village fete held in the field behind the village hall. Volunteers always welcome; a great way to meet people.
11. Unfortunately, the Craven Arms (the village pub), the village’s natural social hub, has closed. It is hoped this is a temporary state of affairs. There is a spirited “Save Our Pub” campaign in progress. Contact yvetteruggins@hotmail.com for information and how to join the group. Other local pubs are: the Kilkeney Inn and Royal Oak in Andoversford, the Frogmill Inn in Shipton Oliffe and the Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power. All have restaurants.
12. For those interested in the arts there is a thriving Gloucestershire Arts Society that runs a series of lectures and other events (www.theartssocietygloucestershire.or.uk. National website: www.theartssociety.org)

Thanks to Pippa Shouler for assistance with this post’s data.