THE SECRET GARDEN - A MUSICAL

The Secret Garden, the first professional production by The Barn Theatre, was performed on Monday evening to an enthusiastic audience of press and VIPs.

Dickon's Band: Some amazing music was provided by this
multi-talented cast, and the singing was excellent. 

It was an absolute delight.

Based on the children’s book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this innovative musical adaptation, directed by Dominic Shaw, brought together possibly the most talented assemblage of actors ever to perform on a Cirencester stage.

Where Lucy Simon’s original score required a twenty-five piece orchestra, Dominic instead exploited the musical abilities of the cast, with instruments ranging from guitar and piano to accordion and cajon drum box, to rework it, producing an upbeat folk-rock vibe which kept the show moving apace. This contrasted perfectly with the haunting melodies of the ghost of Lily Craven, played by Jaimie Pruden, making her UK stage debut.

Martha (Jennie O'Leary) tries to tease Mary
out of her sulks

Mary Lennox, was wonderfully acted by Daniella Piper with the required pouts, obstinacy and single-mindedness of a 10 year old.  Within this dark tale of despair and rejuvenation, where both the haunted characters and the eponymous garden is brought back to life and purpose by the determination of this child, there were some welcome interludes of comedy and sheer joy. 

The interaction between Archie’s housekeeper, Martha – played well by Jenny O’Leary, and the stubborn Mary, was very entertaining, as was Mary’s relationship with Dickon, Martha’s maverick but kindly brother, played with rock-star presence by Alex James-Ellison.

Overcoming the restrictions posed by the limited space, the cast used puppets to represent both the dearly departed and the sickly child Colin, although at times this became confusing, as Colin’s puppeteer, Celeste de Veazey, was actually acting the part of Colin too. If you didn’t know the story the plot was a little difficult to follow, so it would be well worth reading a synopsis beforehand.

Mary Lennox and Colin Craven with 'puppet Colin' - cleverly manipulated by Celeste de Vearey, 

But these are minor points, as the acting and musical virtuosity of the cast created a magical and captivating experience which fully deserved the standing ovation it received from the packed audience. 

Review by Jan and Carlo Vuolo, Cirencester Scene.

The show, at Cirencester’s first professional theatre, runs from 21^st March until 15^th April and should not be missed. Tickets are from £14.

For full details and to book, go to www.barntheatre.org.uk. 

More great music with Steffan Rizzi (Ensemble), Jamie Pruden (Lily Craven)
and Jamie Ross (Ensemble) in background.

Brazillian Jiu Jitsu at South Cerney 24th and 25th March

Brazillian Jiu Jitsu will be starting regularly in South Cerney, only a five minute ride from the Cirencester town centre. Sat 24th and Sun 25th will see free taster sessions for all comers.

Affiliated to Gracie Swindon's black belt Lucus Luz, Connor Heaven will be teaching classes at Fentons Community Centre. With classes in the week and at the weekend, it's easy for anyone to pursue this exciting hobby.

For anyone not in the know, BJJ is a grappling art from South America. Requiring very little equipment it is easy to take part in, but very hard to master! Therefore the greatest expense will always be the time put into training.

Far better than a computer game, but just as addictive, BJJ will no doubt suit anyone wishing to discover more about themselves. For more details check the flier!

Rekindle Feb 18 Article: Children in Need

CHILDREN IN NEED by Virginia Stourton, Rekindle

I was interested to read that Parents are now seeking Coaches for their children as young as four. Considering that the mainstream coaching industry is now worth £1.5 billion worldwide there is a good chance that parents making use of the system themselves can see advantages that will assist their children.

Children as well as adults are under a great deal of pressure to perform to a high standard. Falling short of ideals today would appear to cause more trauma than previously perceived.

Never mind get over it are no longer robust enough to see one through.

Yes, it is annoying when your little angel goes upstairs and slams the bedroom door leaving a devotedly cooked meal on the table.

Ok you have not been there, so you won’t know that the knee jerk reaction is to run upstairs and plead for them to come down.

Worse, if you are a bit fraught you find yourself apologising and saying of course it was ok for the mobile to be used while eating as you had not thought it might be an emergency. Bah! If this parenting, then roll on the coach for four-year olds.

So, you ask how is it done? It begins with detailed conversations with the parents. This is best not done with a drink in your hand.

Then time spent getting to know the child at home. That’s why the nondisclosure of drink could be important.

Playing games before moving on to key activities which include magic breathing. A slow deep breath that brings a child back into the moment. (no mention of where they were when out of the moment- never mind)

Each child gets a small soft toy called a breathing buddie which can rest on their stomachs enabling them to see them rise and fall.

Anger emotions are also played through puppets. The results seem good for which there is not room to describe here.

My own parenting, I now see was shamefully lacking. I was not beyond sitting outside the slammed bedroom door with a saucepan of delicious melted chocolate- just enough for me.

On complaining about an outrageous telephone bill (no mobiles then) the teenage culprit threatened to leave home. My answer: so am I

I guess it’s me who needs the breathing buddie now.

Love is the best remedy and if coaching four-year olds is a way of showing this who am I to knock it.

For more info about Rekindle contact virginia@rekindleacademy.co.uk or call 07799 066464 / 01285 720833

The Body Workshop Cirencester-Change the way your mind and body feel!

Are you fed up of your body feeling a certain way? If so why not look at changing the way you take care of your mind and body by exploring a new exercise approach.

Over the last 10 years research has been building regarding neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections.  With every repetition of a thought or emotion, we reinforce a neural pathway - and with each new thought, we begin to create a new way of being. These small changes, frequently enough repeated, lead to changes in how our brains work.

How does this link into Pilates? Well Joesph Pilates’ work focused on connecting the mind and body, while doing his exercises in order to change how his mind and body felt.

We Offer…...

Mat –Group exercise class done on a mat (max 12 per class) 

Reformer - using a spring resistance machine, that you can lie, sit and stand on (max 6 per class)

Studio - individually tailored programmes using all of the Pilates equipment (max 4 per class). Suitable for those who maybe rehabilitating from injury.

Seated - for those less mobile and can’t get up and down from the floor easily.

We also offer weekly Franklin Method Workouts which use the same idea that thoughts and images can change and improve how you move and feel. This conditioning class will raise your heart rate, tone your whole body and make you feel great. Only available in Cirencester at The Body Workshop Studios.

For more information call/email us 01285 655446/ admin@thebodyworkshop.net or visit www.thebodyworkshop.net.

Phoenix Gardeners get Ready for Spring

Phoenix Gardeners getting ready for spring

Phoenix Gardeners are already thinking about the spring and how nice Cirencester will look this summer.  

Over 2000 plug plants are on order, ready to be planted up in March to go out into the town’s tubs and hanging baskets.  Meg Blumsom, co-ordinator said “Each year we have a different colour scheme and aim for a relaxed rather than municipal planting style”.

Money to pay for the flowers is mostly raised by the group of volunteers themselves.  This year they will hold a coffee morning on March 7^th in Bingham Gallery, and a plant sale in the market place in May.  Some tubs are sponsored by local groups or businesses that are keen to see the town look a nice place, and it is hoped that more of these will come forward.

But the group also needs volunteers to help keep the 50 tubs looking their best.  Volunteers are asked to give about half an hour a week over the summer to mind one or two tubs by watering, dead-heading etc and can be carried out at times to suit your needs.

If you prefer a regular commitment, then a small group meets fortnightly on a Wednesday to maintain the main flower bed in the Abbey Grounds. 

If you are interested in volunteering, or helping in any other way then please get in touch.

phoenixgardeners@gmail.com or telephone 01285 657696

Pet Talk with Corinium Vets Feb 18: How to Get Pets in Cars!

Pets in Cars!

Tips to help a pet get used to the car

Give your dog treats in the car without actually driving anywhere. Keep the rides very short and positive. Take your puppy on short car rides as early as possible.

Get your dog used to windshield wipers. Use pheromone treatments, Adaptil collar or Adaptil Spray in the car, 30 minutes before the journey. You could try ginger tablets for dogs for car sickness. Phone your veterinary surgeon to discuss using more potent motion sickness medicine if this fails.

Cats should get used to the carrier before travelling. Never put it away, so it doesn’t only appear when there is a vet visit. Place absorbable bedding material (a large towel or an incontinence pad) in the carrier to avoid them having to sit in their mess if they have an accident. Familiar smells make your cat less stressed. Encourage your cat to sleep or be feed in the carrier. This allows the cat to pass it’s smell onto the carrier and bedding material. You can rub a cloth around the cat’s face to pick up the smell and place this in the carrier. Spray the carrier and the car with Feliway pheromone spray, 30 minutes before travelling. Cover the carrier with a towel or blanket.

  

The Highway Code states that drivers need to ensure that dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so that they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop too quickly. You should use of a dog seat belt harness, pet carrier, crate, or guard as ways of restraining your pet while driving. Drivers who don’t restrain dogs and cats while on the move are not just breaking the law, they could also be invalidating their car insurance.

Please feel free to contact our team at Corinium Veterinary Surgery if you need more tips and advice.

Local Aviation Scholarships at Cotswold Airport

Are you or someone you know eligible?

Cotswold Airport Aviation Scholarships 2018 – Dates Released!

The hugely popular ‘Cotswold Airport Aviation Scholarship’, which launched back in 2007, will be open for 2018 applications from Monday 22nd January, with a closing date on Friday 30^th March. Twenty successful applicants will be invited to the interview stage of the application process on Saturday 21^st April. Following the interviews, the 10 final scholars will be selected for the programme, which runs from Monday 6^th to Friday 17^th August (weekdays only).

The unique industry scholarship programme has changed the lives of many young people over its ten year history, seeing scholars embarking on fantastic careers in the world of aviation, from engineering to commercial flying (press case studies available). The programme was founded by Cotswold Airport owner, Ronan Harvey, an ex-RAF engineer, aviation expert and successful entrepreneur, who wanted to open up the braod and exciting world of aviation career opportunities to young people from the local area.

The scholarship programme has been significantly enhanced, with the generous addition of a sponsorship package from Gulf Aviation. 2018 marks the second consecutive year that Gulf Aviation has supported this initiative, enabling the organisers to include additional aviation industry site visits such as Bristol International Airport; an increased number of loggable fling hours; and drone tuition with on-site UAV Academy.

2018 marks the eleventh year of the Cotswold Airport Aviation Scholarship and has resonance and importance given 2018 also marks the 100^th year of the founding of the RAF and the centenary of the end of WWI. In celebration of these two historic anniversaries, the best performer of next year’s scholarship will be fully trained for their PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence) at Cotswold Airport, funded by the scholarship programme.

Students from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Bristol and Berkshire can apply. Applicants must be 14 to 18 years of age on the 6^th August 2018. Applications can be submitted online at www.cotswoldairport.com