If you have news items relating to the village which you would like us to put on this page, please just email us.
STARTING ON WEDNESDAY: BISLEY MARKET
Every Wednesday morning from September 14 onward, a new weekly market will be starting in Bisley WI Hall car park.
Held between 8:15am and 9:45am, you will be able to buy:
- freshly-baked artisan bread from Salt bakehouse. They're also down in Stroud, and along with many different types of delicious bread they sell croissants, pain au chocolat, Danish pastries and more.
- coffee (made with organic unhomogenised milk, if you take it white) from Nailsworth's The Coffee Lada.
- excellent local free range pork, beef, lamb, and wild venison from Bisley's own Bisley Lane Farm.
- meals from What's Cooking @ Dove Cottage.
- delicious treats from Stroud's Armadeli delicatessen.
This is a great little venture - with scope to grow - but it will only succeed if villagers use it.
So please make a note in your diary and mention it to friends and neighbours.
PS The Fine Fish Company will not be there - sorry!
Held between 8:15am and 9:45am, you will be able to buy:
- freshly-baked artisan bread from Salt bakehouse. They're also down in Stroud, and along with many different types of delicious bread they sell croissants, pain au chocolat, Danish pastries and more.
- coffee (made with organic unhomogenised milk, if you take it white) from Nailsworth's The Coffee Lada.
- excellent local free range pork, beef, lamb, and wild venison from Bisley's own Bisley Lane Farm.
- meals from What's Cooking @ Dove Cottage.
- delicious treats from Stroud's Armadeli delicatessen.
This is a great little venture - with scope to grow - but it will only succeed if villagers use it.
So please make a note in your diary and mention it to friends and neighbours.
PS The Fine Fish Company will not be there - sorry!
FLICKS IN THE STICKS: THE GOLDFINCH
Flicks in the Sticks is back next week (Tuesday September 13) with The Goldfinch - the story of a young boy who steals a famous painting (The Goldfinch, by Fabritius) from a museum during the immediate aftermath of a terrorist bombing which kills his mother.
Unsurprisingly, the echoes of this day are with him for the rest of his life.
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Donna Tartt, it has been praised for its enthralling story, fascinating characters, and beautiful cinematography.
On Rotten Tomatoes the critics are a little sniffy, but actual paying audiences have greatly enjoyed it.
Unsurprisingly, the echoes of this day are with him for the rest of his life.
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Donna Tartt, it has been praised for its enthralling story, fascinating characters, and beautiful cinematography.
On Rotten Tomatoes the critics are a little sniffy, but actual paying audiences have greatly enjoyed it.
FETE REPORT FROM SUE BRADLEY
Bisley’s annual Flower Show and Fête returned on August Bank Holiday Saturday with lots of fun for all the family.
We were delighted to invite Jim Hill, the long-serving conductor of Avening Silver Band, to crown our flower queen and king, Esme and Jacob.
Believe it or not, Jim turned 90 this year but is still the man with the baton in his hand.
Happy birthday Jim, and thank you to you and the Avening Silver Band for many years of music!
Other highlights included performances by the Illusioneer Barrie Westwell, who delighted audiences with his magical tricks, a well-supported dog show, and country dancing by children from Bisley Blue Coat School.
Many, many people play a part in making Bisley Flower Show and Fête a success.
Thank you to everybody who gave up their time to help, donated items to sell or win, and came along and supported us.
We are hoping to reunite flower queens and kings and their attendants from over the years at next year's Fête - holders of previous titles should please email us.
Below is a selection of photos from the day - the calm before the storm (ie before the hordes arrived). Pls click to see full photo:
We were delighted to invite Jim Hill, the long-serving conductor of Avening Silver Band, to crown our flower queen and king, Esme and Jacob.
Believe it or not, Jim turned 90 this year but is still the man with the baton in his hand.
Happy birthday Jim, and thank you to you and the Avening Silver Band for many years of music!
Other highlights included performances by the Illusioneer Barrie Westwell, who delighted audiences with his magical tricks, a well-supported dog show, and country dancing by children from Bisley Blue Coat School.
Many, many people play a part in making Bisley Flower Show and Fête a success.
Thank you to everybody who gave up their time to help, donated items to sell or win, and came along and supported us.
We are hoping to reunite flower queens and kings and their attendants from over the years at next year's Fête - holders of previous titles should please email us.
Below is a selection of photos from the day - the calm before the storm (ie before the hordes arrived). Pls click to see full photo:
FLOWER SHOW UPDATE FROM LOU PAINTER
The Flower Show was very well-attended and we had lots of lovely entries, including seven in our new class of a painting of a single fruit or vegetable.
We had some new judges this year who did a very thorough job, leaving useful tips for entrants for next year, as well as old hands including Lance Vick - who has been judging the vegetable classes for us for 25 years!
Our Pimms and beer bar did very well with people enjoying a cool drink in the sunshine.
All funds raised from the flower show go towards to the substantial cost of hiring the marquee.
All in all a smashing day was had by all!
- Lou Painter, chair of the flower show committee.
Please note: Both Flower Show and Fête committees are already looking for volunteers to help run the 2023 events - and suggestions for how they could be made even better.
We had some new judges this year who did a very thorough job, leaving useful tips for entrants for next year, as well as old hands including Lance Vick - who has been judging the vegetable classes for us for 25 years!
Our Pimms and beer bar did very well with people enjoying a cool drink in the sunshine.
All funds raised from the flower show go towards to the substantial cost of hiring the marquee.
All in all a smashing day was had by all!
- Lou Painter, chair of the flower show committee.
Please note: Both Flower Show and Fête committees are already looking for volunteers to help run the 2023 events - and suggestions for how they could be made even better.
A TOUCH OF MAGIC AT THE FETE
Just 10 days to go until the Flower Show and fête on Saturday August 27, and Sue Bradley has been in touch with the exciting news that she has conjured up the services of renowned magician Barrie Westwell to entertain visitors.
Barrie runs The Illusioneer in London, and is famous for his performances at weddings, corporate events and black tie dinners.
He also runs various ‘Art of Magic' courses which will be of interest to anyone who would like to learn a few tricks of the trade.
Other highlights will include performances by Avening Silver Band and the country dancers from Bisley Bluecoat Primary School, a marquee bursting with produce, crafts, flowers and cakes, a variety of stalls, a grand raffle, a dog show and Bisley’s famous teas.
Gates open at 1pm for early perusal of the fête stalls, with the crowning of the flower queen and king and official opening of the Flower Show by Caroline Stephen at 2pm.
Barrie runs The Illusioneer in London, and is famous for his performances at weddings, corporate events and black tie dinners.
He also runs various ‘Art of Magic' courses which will be of interest to anyone who would like to learn a few tricks of the trade.
Other highlights will include performances by Avening Silver Band and the country dancers from Bisley Bluecoat Primary School, a marquee bursting with produce, crafts, flowers and cakes, a variety of stalls, a grand raffle, a dog show and Bisley’s famous teas.
Gates open at 1pm for early perusal of the fête stalls, with the crowning of the flower queen and king and official opening of the Flower Show by Caroline Stephen at 2pm.
FLOWER FESTIVAL - LIVE SKA AT THE STIRRUP
When you've been to the Flower Show and fête (Saturday August 27), perused all the fruit, veg, jams etc (and perhaps bought some in the end-of-show auction), knocked down a coconut or two, enjoyed the brass band and dog show, and no doubt had a few beers (or wine/Pimms), what could be better than rolling unsteadily down to The Stirrup Cup for more beer, wine or Pimms, or some of the special summer cocktails the pub will be creating?
Julian's also planning ‘garden games' (no, we're not sure, either) and two sets by the excellent A'la Ska - a rudeboy band with their hearts in Yard (Jamaica, mon) but their postcodes in and around the Cirencester area, who will delight your earholes, bamboozle your eyeballs, and move your feet with covers by everyone from Prince Buster to The Specials, and no doubt a few tunes of their own.
All free of charge.
Enjoy yourself... it's later than you think!
Julian's also planning ‘garden games' (no, we're not sure, either) and two sets by the excellent A'la Ska - a rudeboy band with their hearts in Yard (Jamaica, mon) but their postcodes in and around the Cirencester area, who will delight your earholes, bamboozle your eyeballs, and move your feet with covers by everyone from Prince Buster to The Specials, and no doubt a few tunes of their own.
All free of charge.
Enjoy yourself... it's later than you think!
FLOWER SHOW RAFFLE PRIZES
Under three weeks to go before the premier event of the Cotswolds summer social season/chance to have a few pints and a burger and marvel at our village's gardening, cooking, artistic and craft expertise - and there are some amazing raffle prizes this year...
- Lunch or dinner for two with drinks at The Wolseley (courtesy of Michael Foster)
- Two tickets to a Premiership or Heineken Cup game at Gloucester Rugby
- Two tickets to Gold Cup Day 2023 at Cheltenham (courtesy of Perry Bishop Estate Agents)
- Two tickets to any remaining Chelsea FC Premier League match in the 2022/23 season (courtesy of Michael Foster)
- Sunday roast for two with house wine at The Stirrup Cup (courtesy of Julian)
- A £35 celebration cake from What's Cooking @ Dove Cottage (courtesy of Vanessa Ridler Dutton)
- Sunday roast for two at The Bear (courtesy of Ambra and Giovanni)
- Bespoke designer cushion by Jane Fleming of Cotswold Soft Furnishings
- Silverback bike (donated by a villager)
- Four books individually signed by Jilly Cooper
- Voucher for 30 minutes' sports massage therapy (courtesy of Sarah Clatworthy)
Tickets available from The George Stores, the farm shop, The Stirrup Cup, The Bear or the Greenshop.
Last year we managed to sell out all tickets, so make sure you get yours early so you don't miss out.
Draw on Saturday August 27 at the flower show and fête.
- Lunch or dinner for two with drinks at The Wolseley (courtesy of Michael Foster)
- Two tickets to a Premiership or Heineken Cup game at Gloucester Rugby
- Two tickets to Gold Cup Day 2023 at Cheltenham (courtesy of Perry Bishop Estate Agents)
- Two tickets to any remaining Chelsea FC Premier League match in the 2022/23 season (courtesy of Michael Foster)
- Sunday roast for two with house wine at The Stirrup Cup (courtesy of Julian)
- A £35 celebration cake from What's Cooking @ Dove Cottage (courtesy of Vanessa Ridler Dutton)
- Sunday roast for two at The Bear (courtesy of Ambra and Giovanni)
- Bespoke designer cushion by Jane Fleming of Cotswold Soft Furnishings
- Silverback bike (donated by a villager)
- Four books individually signed by Jilly Cooper
- Voucher for 30 minutes' sports massage therapy (courtesy of Sarah Clatworthy)
Tickets available from The George Stores, the farm shop, The Stirrup Cup, The Bear or the Greenshop.
Last year we managed to sell out all tickets, so make sure you get yours early so you don't miss out.
Draw on Saturday August 27 at the flower show and fête.
FLOWER SHOW UPDATE
The Bisley Flower Show is less than four weeks away, so we've just started updating the website.
Please click on the above link for this year's categories, rules, cake recipes, and some handy judges' tips.
There's also an entry form which you can download and print off if you've mislaid the one that goes out with the Bisley News.
The Flower Show and fête are a really great longstanding tradition, attracting thousands of people from all over the south west and leaving the poor folk of Oakridge and other, lesser villages gnashing their teeth, green with envy, and wondering why they can't match it.
Answer: you just can't, sorry.
It costs a lot of money to put on, obviously.
So if you can spare £10 to sponsor a table please do so - the easiest way is probably by clicking on this Ticket Source link, but if you're more old school you can always give a cheque to Allan Sapsed or Ollie Miles.
The Ticket Source link is also the place to buy tickets for the annual inter-village quiz, where the brainboxes of Bisley generally - and graciously - allow unwashed incomers from lower IQ settlements such as Eastcombe or Lypiatt to win (usually by whispering the answers to them).
Alternatively you can email Fiona Gill for tickets.
As ever, the ticket price (a mere £5 per person) will include a ploughman's supper, lots of ribald humour, some intriguing questions, and copious wine and beer at knockdown prices.
Please click on the above link for this year's categories, rules, cake recipes, and some handy judges' tips.
There's also an entry form which you can download and print off if you've mislaid the one that goes out with the Bisley News.
The Flower Show and fête are a really great longstanding tradition, attracting thousands of people from all over the south west and leaving the poor folk of Oakridge and other, lesser villages gnashing their teeth, green with envy, and wondering why they can't match it.
Answer: you just can't, sorry.
It costs a lot of money to put on, obviously.
So if you can spare £10 to sponsor a table please do so - the easiest way is probably by clicking on this Ticket Source link, but if you're more old school you can always give a cheque to Allan Sapsed or Ollie Miles.
The Ticket Source link is also the place to buy tickets for the annual inter-village quiz, where the brainboxes of Bisley generally - and graciously - allow unwashed incomers from lower IQ settlements such as Eastcombe or Lypiatt to win (usually by whispering the answers to them).
Alternatively you can email Fiona Gill for tickets.
As ever, the ticket price (a mere £5 per person) will include a ploughman's supper, lots of ribald humour, some intriguing questions, and copious wine and beer at knockdown prices.
BUTTERFLY SKY'S HAND-SEWN GIFTS
Kirsty Harris runs Butterfly Sky's hand-sewn gifts from her home in the village.
Please support her if you can; everything she makes - from tea-towels to aprons to cushion covers - is hand-cut and stitched to a very high standard, and very reasonably priced given the work she obviously puts in.
Visit Kirsty's Facebook page or her shop on Etsy (where she has amazing reviews).
Please support her if you can; everything she makes - from tea-towels to aprons to cushion covers - is hand-cut and stitched to a very high standard, and very reasonably priced given the work she obviously puts in.
Visit Kirsty's Facebook page or her shop on Etsy (where she has amazing reviews).
ED SLATER PUB QUIZ - SUNDAY OCT 9
The news of Ed Slater's diagnosis with motor neurone disease will have shocked and saddened everyone, not just Gloucester Rugby fans.
It comes hot on the heels of a similar diagnosis for Tommy Ryan-Gericks, who ran the village shop with his wife Lucie until his illness intervened. (We have had other people with this awful condition in and around the village before, too.)
To be told you have MND is a terrible and frightening thing for anyone of any age - it is incurable - but to have it happen to you in the prime of your life, at the age of 33, with a wife and three young children to support, must be particularly distressing.
Gloucester Rugby has set up a JustGiving page for anyone who would like to help Ed's family and/or the MND charity.
And we will be holding a pub quiz at The Stirrup Cup on the afternoon of Sunday October 9 to help raise funds for Ed's appeal.
Full details - costs, timings, prizes - will be revealed here soon.
Please start thinking about pulling a team together.
It comes hot on the heels of a similar diagnosis for Tommy Ryan-Gericks, who ran the village shop with his wife Lucie until his illness intervened. (We have had other people with this awful condition in and around the village before, too.)
To be told you have MND is a terrible and frightening thing for anyone of any age - it is incurable - but to have it happen to you in the prime of your life, at the age of 33, with a wife and three young children to support, must be particularly distressing.
Gloucester Rugby has set up a JustGiving page for anyone who would like to help Ed's family and/or the MND charity.
And we will be holding a pub quiz at The Stirrup Cup on the afternoon of Sunday October 9 to help raise funds for Ed's appeal.
Full details - costs, timings, prizes - will be revealed here soon.
Please start thinking about pulling a team together.
FREE TO A GOOD HOME
Our 10ft trampoline - outgrown by our children - is available free of charge.
A few of the springs are slightly rusty, but it is otherwise in very good condition.
Lovely for youngsters on summer days.
Must be collected - please email the webmaster (or apprehend him in the Bear or the Stirrup) to arrange.
A few of the springs are slightly rusty, but it is otherwise in very good condition.
Lovely for youngsters on summer days.
Must be collected - please email the webmaster (or apprehend him in the Bear or the Stirrup) to arrange.
GIFFORDS CIRCUS
This year's Giffords Circus season kicked off on April 14 at Fennell's Farm, the circus's home on the edge of Bisley.
After two weeks at Fennell's, the troupe will go on tour until September, taking in venues elsewhere in Gloucestershire, as well as in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and London.
The show this year is called ¡Carpa! , and it has a Mexican theme, with Mexican performers joining the circus for the season; director Cal McCrystal promises lots of ‘skill, humour, turmoil and excitement'.
See our Giffords Circus website page for more details and links for tickets and so on.
After two weeks at Fennell's, the troupe will go on tour until September, taking in venues elsewhere in Gloucestershire, as well as in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and London.
The show this year is called ¡Carpa! , and it has a Mexican theme, with Mexican performers joining the circus for the season; director Cal McCrystal promises lots of ‘skill, humour, turmoil and excitement'.
See our Giffords Circus website page for more details and links for tickets and so on.
STROUD: TIMES ‘BEST PLACES TO LIVE 2022'
Stroud has once again been named one of the country's best places to live by the Times and Sunday Times newspapers.
(For visitors to Bisley, Stroud is four miles away, and our closest town.)
In 2021 it was named the overall* best place to live; this year it is one of eight runners-up in the South West regional section.
The newspaper praises the ‘vegan football club' and the town's ‘radical edge' and ‘eco-conscience', which includes ‘mung beans and beanies, changing the world one sustainable soya latte at a time'.
‘It’s one of the contradictions of Stroud,' it says, ‘that many of the people who say they love it choose to live in a village in one of the valleys or on one of the commons, rather than in the town itself.'
We couldn't possibly comment.
There's more on Stroud in our ‘About Bisley' section above.
*This year the Times gives that accolade to Ilkley, where they like to perambulate without hats; the South West regional title goes to the Chalke Valley in Wiltshire.
(For visitors to Bisley, Stroud is four miles away, and our closest town.)
In 2021 it was named the overall* best place to live; this year it is one of eight runners-up in the South West regional section.
The newspaper praises the ‘vegan football club' and the town's ‘radical edge' and ‘eco-conscience', which includes ‘mung beans and beanies, changing the world one sustainable soya latte at a time'.
‘It’s one of the contradictions of Stroud,' it says, ‘that many of the people who say they love it choose to live in a village in one of the valleys or on one of the commons, rather than in the town itself.'
We couldn't possibly comment.
There's more on Stroud in our ‘About Bisley' section above.
*This year the Times gives that accolade to Ilkley, where they like to perambulate without hats; the South West regional title goes to the Chalke Valley in Wiltshire.
JAMES WHITESTONE'S BRILLIANT ART...
...has just been added to our ‘Local Artists' tab (please click on the drop down men u at the top).
James, a former Bisley Bluecoat School and TK pupil, who graduated from the University of Gloucester with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design, is based at the Tivoli Press and specialises in letterpress and design.
Here's a beautiful hand-printed letterpress villagescape showing the George Stores in Bisley. Available on heavyweight A4, deluxe recycled stock, a print costs just £10, and framed would make a lovely keepsake (as well as being a great way to support a young local artist).
James, a former Bisley Bluecoat School and TK pupil, who graduated from the University of Gloucester with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design, is based at the Tivoli Press and specialises in letterpress and design.
Here's a beautiful hand-printed letterpress villagescape showing the George Stores in Bisley. Available on heavyweight A4, deluxe recycled stock, a print costs just £10, and framed would make a lovely keepsake (as well as being a great way to support a young local artist).
STAFF WANTED AT GEORGE STORES
The village shop is looking for staff.
Please pop in and enquire if you would like more information.
Please pop in and enquire if you would like more information.
PLEASE SUPPORT BISLEY BUSINESSES
The government lockdowns and vast, inflationary money-printing have caused a great deal of damage to the country's economy.
Across the country thousands of little firms - collectively our biggest employers - have closed down, and millions of people have lost their livelihoods.
These are hard times for everyone, but please do everything you can to support our local businesses.
If everyone in the village spent five pounds a week in one of the pubs and the shop it would go a long way towards ensuring their survival, and the jobs of the people who work there.
You could buy your vegetables from the farm shop - and an occasional takeaway from What's Cooking at Dove Cottage.
You could buy your fuel at the garage, and have your car serviced and repaired locally.
If you need a driver to take you somewhere, use Phil Bradley or Ian Neighbour.
If you know people who are thinking of a spring or summer ‘staycation', point them to the places to stay in Bisley.
The ‘Local Business' tab above gives more local services you can use - and if you run a local business, please get in touch. We're happy to put your details on this website free of charge.
We're all very lucky to live in this wonderful village - the more we can help each other the better!
Across the country thousands of little firms - collectively our biggest employers - have closed down, and millions of people have lost their livelihoods.
These are hard times for everyone, but please do everything you can to support our local businesses.
If everyone in the village spent five pounds a week in one of the pubs and the shop it would go a long way towards ensuring their survival, and the jobs of the people who work there.
You could buy your vegetables from the farm shop - and an occasional takeaway from What's Cooking at Dove Cottage.
You could buy your fuel at the garage, and have your car serviced and repaired locally.
If you need a driver to take you somewhere, use Phil Bradley or Ian Neighbour.
If you know people who are thinking of a spring or summer ‘staycation', point them to the places to stay in Bisley.
The ‘Local Business' tab above gives more local services you can use - and if you run a local business, please get in touch. We're happy to put your details on this website free of charge.
We're all very lucky to live in this wonderful village - the more we can help each other the better!
FAREWELL, MICHAEL
Michael Wiggins' daughter Allyson Wilkes has been in touch to thank all those who attended the recent celebration of his life at The Stirrup Cup.
Michael - a popular and long-time villager - sadly died at the end of January, aged eighty-five.
In lieu of flowers, Allyson and her family have asked that donations be made to the Woodland Trust.
There are some nice pictures of Michael and a copy of his (very amusing) eulogy at the above link for those who would like to see them.
