Our Community

Our Village Community
We have listed a number of clubs, societies and venues around Bishops Cleeve if you have an organisation and would like to have it listed, send an email to info@bishopscleevechamber.co.uk

Listed here is a brief description, a telephone number and contact name as well as a link to a website and/or an email address if available. The organisation names are in alphabetical order so scroll down to find the one you are interested in.

Bishops Cleeve Bowling Club 
Following a public meeting called by the Parish Council; Bishops Cleeve Bowling Club was formed on 23rd February 1999, under the Chairmanship of Wing Commander John Dyer RAF, by a group of like-minded individuals who wished to see a Bowling Green built in the village. The Parish Council were to build the facility, as part of the larger sports field project, with the aid of a grant from the National Lottery, and lease it to the Bowling Club.

The lottery bid failed, but the wish to have a bowling green was strong, and eventually funds were raised from other sources, notably a grant from Tewkesbury Borough Council and a precept on the Parish Council element of the Council Tax. Over a period of six plus years the Bowling Club maintained interest among its members by playing short mat bowls, initially in the Tythe Barn and later in the Methodist Church Hall, until its own facilities were ready.

Work started on Tuesday 6th July 2004 to construct the bowling green, which was formally opened on 23rd April 2005 (St George’s Day) by Councilor Mike Beresford who had been the driving force behind the sports field project. The Clubhouse was incomplete so the Bowling Club operated initially from a storage container until occupying the Clubhouse on Friday 10th June 2005. The Sports Field complex (including the Bowling Club) was officially opened on Saturday 20th August 2005 by Sir Geoff Hurst, of England’s 1966 World Cup winning football team fame.

Bishops Cleeve Bowling Club occupies a site on the Northern edge of the Bishops Cleeve sports field, the Clubhouse is to the western side of the Green, and enjoys a superb view across the football pitches to the Cotswold escarpment and Cleeve Hill to the east. The view is enhanced from time to time by the sight of passing steam trains in the distance on the preserved Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, and of gliders in the sky finding thermals in which to soar over the hills.

The Club Colours are purple and white, echoing those of Cleeve School and reflecting a tenuous link with Bishops purple. The Club badge reflects the chess board design of the Parish Council Chairman’s badge of office. The motto ‘Facta non Verba’ may be translated as ‘Deeds not Words’.
Goto the club's website by clicking goto bowling

Bishops Cleeve Players          
The Bishops Cleeve Players drama group was formed in 1955, the majority of the membership coming from the Anvil Players of Smiths Industries (now GE Avaiation).   The formation was prompted by the availability of an excellent hall and stage in the Bishops Cleeve Tithe Barn.  Our first production was “The Hollow” by Agatha Christie. As well as major productions, we have been known to participate in One-Act Play Festivals and perform Entertainments in various forms. These have proved to be very popular and are performed at various venues in the county. Many memorable productions were staged at the Tithe Barn, which had a wonderful atmosphere of its own, though in the early days it could get a bit chilly, especially on windy nights!  The Players have been going strong for over 50 years, and celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2005.
Although having its roots in the Bishop’s Cleeve area, members now come from all round Cheltenham.  However, strong local ties still exist, and the Players have benefited from the support of local people.  Particular mention must be made of one lady, Lilian Calcutt, who has organised two coachloads of supporters to attend the Monday performance of all of our plays at the Playhouse since 1985.  This is a remarkable feat, especially considering that they are almost all senior citizens.  This support amounts to almost 4000 tickets over those years, and it continues.  The Players are very grateful to Lilian for her excellent effort.

To contact the Bishops Cleeve Payers goto their website at  www.bishopscleeveplayers.org.uk/ or telephone 01242 677487

Cleeve Chorale
We are a friendly choral society drawing its members from Bishop's Cleeve and the surrounding area.  We  meet on Tuesday evenings in termtime at Bishop's Cleeve Primary School, Tobyfield Road, 7.30 - 9.30pm.  New members are welcome. Cleeve Chorale reg. charity no. 284752

Cleeve School      
At Cleeve School the aim is to raise the aspirations of our pupils through the learning they experience. We intend to equip them with necessary skills to face the challenges of the 21st century and encourage them to become life-long learners.

Denley Hall - Cleeve Senior Club

History     
From an idea in 1946 and with the support of Gloucestershire County Council, a New Modern Building became available in 1988 for the sole use of Senior Citizens. It was subsequently purchased from the County Council on behalf of the Membership in 1998. Non-Sectarian, Non-Political and a Registered Charity, Membership is open for the over 60s resident in Bishops Cleeve, Woodmancote, and Surrounding Areas, having over 300 Members. The Club is open 6 and sometimes 7 days a week for various Social Events and Activities.

The activities include Short Mat Bowls, Skittles, Bingo, Yoga, Exercise Class, Whist, Painting & Handicrafts, Poetry, and Walking Group.

We also have Musical Evenings, which include Folk, Choir, Groups and "Sing-a-longs" etc. There are also outings to various places of interest, Quiz Nights, Slide Shows, and Guest Speakers on a wide range of subjects.

We are a friendly and caring Club and we believe that as a Club for the over 60s we are unique, in fact it would appear we are the only Club of its kind in the South of England, if not further afield.

So if you are over 60 and need to make new friends and enjoy new interests come along to a Coffee Morning on Wednesdays or Saturdays between 10.00am and 11.00am, we will make you very welcome. A few words with the Membership Secretary, a Committee Member, or Phone Terry on 01242 678378, will deal with any questions you may have about becoming a Member.

The Ecumenical Parish of Bishop’s Cleeve

The local ecumenical project is the means by which all the Christian churches in the wider parish of Bishop’s Cleeve seek to work together in a union of fellowship and service to the community.

 

The churches concerned are:

• Methodist Church, Bishop’s Cleeve
• St Michael’s Church, Bishop’s Cleeve
• The Church of The Ascension, Southam
• St Peter’s, Cleeve Hill
• Free Church, Woodmancote
• Roman Catholic Church, Bishop’s Cleeve (worships in St Michael’s Church)

 The Church Office co-ordinates the ecumenical administrative work and deals with all enquires concerning the ecumenical parish:
                   Church Office

                   St Michael’s Hall

                   School Road

                   Bishop’s Cleeve

                  GL52 8BA                   Phone/fax: (01242) 673612

 

The Church Office is open: 10-12 and 1:30-3:30 (Mon to Friday)

 

Friends of Bishops Cleeve Primary School
An organisation to help with fund raising activities for the Bishops Cleeve Primary School in Tobyfield Road. To find out more click on the link http://fobcps.org.uk/

 

The Tithe Barn

A Grade II listed 15th Century building in the heart of the village.
The Tithe Barn is a registered charity, which is owned by Bishop’s Cleeve, and for which the Parish Council are the trustees.
The building needs to have access for the disabled to the main hall and provide all the facilities of bar, cloakrooms, and kitchen on the same level as the main hall. The committee also want to install a hearing loop and to modernise the stage to improve its appearance and sound qualities and make it more accessible.
The only income the Village Hall receives is from the hire of the facilities but with the support of the Parish and the Borough Council, and our own ‘Extension’ funds, we are over half way to our estimated total requirement of £300,000.
See more at the barn goto:  http://www.cleevetithebarn.org.uk/

Transition Cleeve   
If you are concerned with the future and how we are using fossil fuels join us. We want to discover a new way to live.
http://www.transitioncleeve.org.uk/

Bishops Cleeve U3A
Currently there are 15 interested groups including Book Circle, Bridge, Creative Writing, Family History, German, IT Studies, Luncheons, Mah Jong, Photography, Play Reading, Poetry, Spanish and Walking

Meeting Venue is Woodmancote New Village Hall
Contact Wendy Stow on 01242 701303 for more details

Bishops Cleeve W I

Meeting at the Tithe Barn on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7.15pm
The WI provides a friendly and regular opportunity for women to meet and enjoy the company of others
Interested?
Come along to a meeting, no pressure, just come and see if it's for you.

Contact:  Claire Knight on 01242 678953 or Daphne Cherry on 01242 678485

All women welcome 

 Woodmancote Men's Probus Club
Is a club for retired professional and businessmen, meets every Tuesday (except after a bank holiday) at 10 am in the New Village Hall.  Currently there are 55 members.  The meetings mainly take the form of a talk by a visiting speaker, sometimes illustrated.  Other activities of interest to the membership are also arranged.  Visitors are always welcome and there is no pressure or obligation to join the Club.  Should you have any questions or wish to know more, the Secretary, Dick Rands, can be contacted on 672132.

Woodmancote Senior Citizens Club
Founded in 1982 with the aims of promoting friendship, fellowship and entertainment.  They welcome new members so if you would like further information about this friendly club, please contact B Sharpe on 676589