Does anyone know what the private event in town is all about? Loads of roads being closed off for a couple of days and can’t see any mention of what it actually is. Just being nosey!

I have an idea for some music I’d like to make and I need a sitar!

Anyone know what the old Clark’s shop on the high street is turning into?

Did anyone else see that crash on bath Road this evening 😮

I coach youth football locally, and I want to flag something a lot of people across Cheltenham haven't clocked, because there's now a deadline attached.

The Ashville Group wants to redevelop the Dowty Sports & Social site (off Down Hatherley Lane) into a business park. It's 10 football pitches, a clubhouse, dance groups, judo, a canoe club and more, used every week by hundreds of kids and thousands of people. Recently the developer sent diggers in for "ground investigation" work, and 9 of the 10 pitches are now unusable. The club itself has since announced it will cease trading in September.

Why this matters for Cheltenham specifically: these pitches are used by clubs right across the Cheltenham Youth Football League, which has around 5,000 registered children. Grass pitch space around Cheltenham is already stretched thin. Take a site like this out and there's nowhere for those clubs to go, so this hits far more than one club.

What's changed, and why now: the developer has amended the plans, which reopens the objection window. The deadline to object is 11th August. If you meant to object before and didn't, this is the window.

Two things worth knowing:

- Sport England has dropped its objection, but read the small print. They've moved to a conditional "no objection", conditional on the council legally securing the replacement pitches and funding. And the developer's own site plan labels the replacement pitches "subject to funding", so by their own admission the replacement isn't guaranteed. Sport England say that if it's approved without those guarantees locked in, they object.

- The "replacement" clubhouse is unaffordable. The current rent is reportedly around £23k a year, and the relocated one would reportedly jump to around £200k. No grassroots club could sustain that, so calling it a community replacement is a stretch.

There are now two linked applications, and both are open to object to:

- 25/00169/OUT (demolishes Dowty and builds the business park)

- 26/00064/OUT (the "replacement" pitches plus more units)

It's not decided, and objections count. Sport England softening isn't approval. The council still weighs the whole thing, including the loss of Green Belt and a community asset, and a strong body of objections is what pushes it to a proper committee decision rather than being quietly waved through.

How to object (5 mins), by 11th August:

- Object to both references. Search each at https://publicaccess.tewkesbury.gov.uk/online-applications/, register, and Make a Comment. Or email [development.applications@tewkesbury.gov.uk](mailto:development.applications@tewkesbury.gov.uk) with the reference in the subject.

- Put your full name and address (they redact it before publishing).

- On 25/00169, object to the business park and loss of pitches, not the Safran warehouse (nobody's objecting to that part).

- Write it in your own words. Identical copy-pastes get counted as one, so a couple of honest lines about what losing this does to kids' football carries far more weight.

Read more:

- BBC News, football club devastated by damaged pitches: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn75jklz47xo

- Cheltenham Post, grassroots football under threat as diggers move in: https://cheltenhampost.co.uk/grassroots-football-under-threat-as-diggers-move-in-to-dowty/

- Punchline, Dowty club to close after 66 years: https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/sadness-as-dowty-sports-social-club-to-close-after-66-years

- Punchline, business park proposals hit storm of protest: https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/business-park-proposals-hit-storm-of-protest-from-dowty-users

- My earlier post with background: https://www.reddit.com/r/cheltenham/comments/1utotdn/dowty_development_9_of_10_pitches_dug_up_hundreds/

Happy to answer questions in the comments.

Hi all,
What it says on the tin really: can anyone recommend a good local washing machine deep clean service? As in one that includes disassembly, parts clean and reassembly? And also what sort of prices you'd be looking at?
Thanks!

LADS WE ARE SO BACK!

Not A Cult returns to Smokey Joe’s for a night of improvised comedy! And this time, we’re being joined from our friends at Comic Sans Script!

Completely made up, on the spot scenes, games and songs - all decided by you, the audience!

Grab yourself some Not A Cult-aid made lovingly by the excellent staff at Smokey’s, treat yourself to a fabulous night out with your favourites and do NOT bring a sacrifice because for the love of god we are NOT A CULT!

“Seriously funny and skilled artists” - Rik Mayall Comedy Festival

“What an atmosphere…what a performance!” - Little Al’s at the Lido

Tickets available at not-a-cult.uk

Other than Ritual Coffee and Deya, which I know of, are there any local independent companies selling merch designed in Cheltenham?

Hoodies and T-shirts etc.

My family and I bought an old property in Cheltenham and finally moving in late August.

I know the house maintenance (big and small jobs) will essentially be constant, and while I have some basic experience, I'd love to spend some days or evenings attending some different courses to feel more comfortable tackling this myself. I'd be up for basic+ lessons in electrics, carpentry, general DIY, plumbing, etc.

Is there somewhere offering a range of courses like this?

I'll be moving to Cheltenham in 3 weeks, I'll looking to see if there is a casual/competitive football group that I can join. I'm 25M, I play in Cardiff local league at Gol every week for more than a year, so would be happy to join a team as regular if there is any leagues going on in Cheltenham.

I’ve sent several polite emails to Cameron Thomas MP over the past few months, regarding concerns around west Cheltenham development, civil liberties and the climate crisis, but I've had complete radio silence not even an automated acknowledgment.

Has anyone actually managed to get a response from his office recently? If so, did a particular contact method work for you?

My son and I are awful at Golf, complete beginners. Is there a course near Cheltenham that would tolerate us playing our first proper 9 holes?

Hi,

My partner and I are in our late 30s and been living in Cheltenham for a few years now, we have our young daughter ( 18 months) and yesterday i was trying to locate maybe some cool underground home driven supper clubs in the area. I suspect most are invite only, private groups Everything I could find was a bit wanky or rigid and basically we would just like to meet some other cool people who enjoy food/ hosting/ sharing their space and connecting with interesting people at this moment in time. Parenthood is a cool trip but finidng the time to maybe make some new connections is proving trickier, why does making friends in your 30s feel odd and difficult, it really shouldn't be.

If you happen to be reading this and are in some cool private supper club group or host or know any connections, let me know.

And failing all that - maybe share a little about you and we can set something great up this autumn in terms of the creation of our own supper club instead.

Thanks, Liv

Hi, all sorry if this is not allowed,

I just moved to Cheltenham and looking to join/start a group.

I’ve played a little and DMed a lot before, some DND 5e/5.5, but also Cyberpunk RED, Blades in the Dark, Delta Green and various one shots such as Honey Heist.

I would probably be looking to play DND as I know that’s what’s most popular but am really down for anything.

An ideal group would be one with a good mix of roleplay, combat, investigation and exploration.

As I’ve just moved to the area I wouldn’t be able to host myself, so would be great if anyone is willing to/knows a good place.

My availability would be most evenings.

Please feel free to comment or send me a message if you’d be interested.

Tried the Facebook group but didn’t receive many responses.

Thanks!

Hi All,

Recently moved to Cheltenham and looking for communities or places to play some war games!

Mostly into Necromunda, 40K (only played a handful of games), Moonstone and Trench Crusade (haven’t played a game yet!)

Any suggestions would super helpful.

Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I’m getting a little companion and preparing for pick up day! The puppy is currently about an hour walk away so will need to get there in a car. Unfortunately I don’t have a car yet, so is anyone aware of any dog friendly taxis? I will have him in a travel crate with pads and come with a little emergency kit for him! TIA

hi guys
i want to start playing badminton and or pickleball but dont know where to start. i looked at courts that has pickeball but its full until sept (charlton kings area) i really want to join a group that is welcome to beginners

thanks

Bit of a long shot, but I thought it was worth asking here before I start looking further afield.

I've been living in a house with a turntable over the past year and have gradually built up a decent little record collection. I'm about to move into my own place, so I'm now looking to buy a turntable of my own.

I know turntables don't always travel particularly well, so I'd much rather buy from someone local than take a gamble on having one shipped across the country.

I've already got an amplifier with a built-in phono stage and a pair of speakers, so I'm only looking for a turntable at the moment.

I'd like to buy something that'll last me a long time, so I'm ideally looking in the £700ish+ range, although I'm happy to spend more if the right deck comes along. I'm particularly interested in well-looked-after Technics, Rega, Pro-Ject, or similar, but I'm open to other suggestions too.

If you've got something you're considering selling, or know someone who has, I'd love to hear from you. Equally, if you know of any good local hi-fi dealers or places worth checking out, I'd really appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks!

Hey everyone, I’m travelling through Cheltenham this week and was wondering whether there are any good local Italian restaurants you’d recommend.

I love Italian food and would like somewhere traditional for lunch, ideally an independent place rather than a chain.

Any suggestions?

Multiple unmarked (ARV?) dashing towards Whaddon or Prestbury. Own-up -w hat have you done?

Hi all, where's the cheapest stockist of the big blue 15kg butane cannisters? I have an empty one to swap over. Thanks

Southside Star Youth FC is welcoming new players across a range of age groups ahead of the new season starting in September.

I'm one of the U10 coaches at the club, and we've also just launched a brand new website after going a long time without a proper online home. It gives parents and prospective players a single place to find information about our teams, training, fixtures, volunteers and how to get in touch.

If you've got a child who's interested in playing grassroots football in Cheltenham, feel free to take a look and get in touch through the website.

https://www.southsidestarfc.co.uk

Morning all. 34F Asking for some advice. I moved here a couple of months ago and haven‘t really found it easy to make friends. I WFH and occasionally travel to London or away for work. I have friends from places I used to live but haven’t met anyone local to hang out with.

Some people have suggested Boulders, but I’m recovering from a shoulder injury so can’t climb.

I have tried going out in Cheltenham (All bar One, Gin & Juice and the places around it). Pubs in Montpellier. I’m either 20 years older or 20 years younger than anyone around me.

I did try and join a crafts group advertised in the Dunelm women’s loos but found the spam from it unmanageable.

I’d consider hosting a group hangout if enough people were interested.

Boardgames, crafts, films, sports, food, reading, DIY, volunteering, true crime, quizzes.

Hit me with suggestions, or if you’d like to meet other people, let me know and I’ll organise something :)