STIRRUP CUP QUIZ
SUNDAY DECEMBER 10
++UPDATE - TABLES SELLING OUT, BOOK WITH THE PUB IF YOU WANT TO ENTER A TEAM ++
Julian is kindly hosting another in his irregular series of pub quizzes at The Stirrup Cup on the first Sunday in December.
They're always good fun, with plenty of easy questions (and a few harder ones).
This time the beneficiary will be the Flower Show - funds raised by team entries and the raffle will help to pay for the marquee for next year's event.
Why not book in for an excellent Sunday lunch first and join in in the quiz afterwards?
Julian is kindly hosting another in his irregular series of pub quizzes at The Stirrup Cup on the first Sunday in December.
They're always good fun, with plenty of easy questions (and a few harder ones).
This time the beneficiary will be the Flower Show - funds raised by team entries and the raffle will help to pay for the marquee for next year's event.
Why not book in for an excellent Sunday lunch first and join in in the quiz afterwards?
DISAPPOINTING TWINNING
CURRY AND QUIZ NIGHT UPDATE
Bisley-with-Lypiatt Twinning Association's John Hughes writes with terrible news:
We held a successful Curry and Quiz evening at Oakridge Village Hall on 11th November. The Quizmaster was Gaza Westfall, ably assisted by Paul Holley.
We are pleased to report that - out of the nine teams taking part, the first, second and third places were all taken by Oakridge teams.
Come on Bisley and Eastcombe, there's a challenge to you for next year to beat the Oakridge dominance!
We are planning further events into the new year, leading up to a weekend trip to Brittany later in the year.
If you would like to be kept in touch with what's going on, or might be interested in coming on the trip to Plessala, please contact John Hughes on mail@jmhughes.plus.com
Oakridge nabbing all the medal spots? Surely this must have been some kind of fix? Please inform the website as to the identities of the Bisley teams so that they can report for extra quiz training. We're coming for you, Oakridge!
We held a successful Curry and Quiz evening at Oakridge Village Hall on 11th November. The Quizmaster was Gaza Westfall, ably assisted by Paul Holley.
We are pleased to report that - out of the nine teams taking part, the first, second and third places were all taken by Oakridge teams.
Come on Bisley and Eastcombe, there's a challenge to you for next year to beat the Oakridge dominance!
We are planning further events into the new year, leading up to a weekend trip to Brittany later in the year.
If you would like to be kept in touch with what's going on, or might be interested in coming on the trip to Plessala, please contact John Hughes on mail@jmhughes.plus.com
Oakridge nabbing all the medal spots? Surely this must have been some kind of fix? Please inform the website as to the identities of the Bisley teams so that they can report for extra quiz training. We're coming for you, Oakridge!
BISLEY ARTIST'S CHRISTMAS CARDS
Bisley artist Alison Merry's brilliant and charming mediaevally-inspired Christmas cards are once again on sale.
They're reproduced on very good card, and Alison has kept the prices very low in recognition of the increased cost of postage.
If - like us - you're fed up with the overpriced tat, smut, and juvenilia which passes for cards in most supermarkets these days, these are a great way to mark Christmas (while at the same time supporting a local small business).
Visit Alison's shop by clicking on this link.
IF YOU'RE A CREATIVE BISLEY PERSON OR BUSINESS, AND YOU WOULD LIKE US TO FEATURE YOUR WORK ON THESE PAGES, (AND ON THE LINKED TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM PAGES), JUST GET IN TOUCH. WE PROBABLY WON'T MAKE YOUR FORTUNE, BUT WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF READERS EACH WEEK AND IT'S FREE!
They're reproduced on very good card, and Alison has kept the prices very low in recognition of the increased cost of postage.
If - like us - you're fed up with the overpriced tat, smut, and juvenilia which passes for cards in most supermarkets these days, these are a great way to mark Christmas (while at the same time supporting a local small business).
Visit Alison's shop by clicking on this link.
IF YOU'RE A CREATIVE BISLEY PERSON OR BUSINESS, AND YOU WOULD LIKE US TO FEATURE YOUR WORK ON THESE PAGES, (AND ON THE LINKED TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM PAGES), JUST GET IN TOUCH. WE PROBABLY WON'T MAKE YOUR FORTUNE, BUT WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF READERS EACH WEEK AND IT'S FREE!
NEWSLASH: MUMMERS EN ROUTE
SUNDAY DECEMBER 17
AUBREY WATSON RIP
We're sorry to report that our Flower Show inter-village quiz quizmaster Aubrey Watson has died. Aubrey had piloted the annual quiz for some time, and his trademark dry humour will be missed by all. Born in May 1946, he was married to Gill and had two daughters, Hollie and Vicki. A leading figure in the marketing industry - whose clients included many household names - he lived in Chalford Hill and was a school governor who loved entertaining, performing magic tricks, and cricket, hosting an annual match at Sheepscombe CC every May. Our condolences to all of his friends and family members.
(The quiz will go ahead this year under the auspices of a new quizmaster.)
(The quiz will go ahead this year under the auspices of a new quizmaster.)
MEANWHILE IN THE JILLYVERSE
Bisley's favourite novelist gives an interview in today's Sunday Times to promote her new book, Tackle!
The book - which is published later this week - features Jilly's roguish and devilishly handsome hero Rupert Campbell-Black, who is probably based on the webmaster, and is said to do for football what her previous books did for polo, horse-riding, and village life.
The interview is only available to paying subscribers, so we've taken the liberty of sharing it below (click on the arrows
It covers a lot of ground - Joan Collins (‘has she had work done?'), Dale Vince (Jilly's not keen), wokery (also not keen), the Saudis ( ‘shockers'), the office affair (she laments its decline), sex (she's gone off it), Alex Ferguson (apparently, and somewhat implausibly, he's ‘very giggly'), and her late and much-lamented husband, Leo - and is a nice Sunday morning read.
Jilly is a lovely person, and very popular in Bisley, and we wish her the best with the book.
Update: there's also a (non-paywalled) interview in today's Observer.
(November 4, 2023)
The book - which is published later this week - features Jilly's roguish and devilishly handsome hero Rupert Campbell-Black, who is probably based on the webmaster, and is said to do for football what her previous books did for polo, horse-riding, and village life.
The interview is only available to paying subscribers, so we've taken the liberty of sharing it below (click on the arrows
It covers a lot of ground - Joan Collins (‘has she had work done?'), Dale Vince (Jilly's not keen), wokery (also not keen), the Saudis ( ‘shockers'), the office affair (she laments its decline), sex (she's gone off it), Alex Ferguson (apparently, and somewhat implausibly, he's ‘very giggly'), and her late and much-lamented husband, Leo - and is a nice Sunday morning read.
Jilly is a lovely person, and very popular in Bisley, and we wish her the best with the book.
Update: there's also a (non-paywalled) interview in today's Observer.
(November 4, 2023)
PHOTOS: WHEAT FIELDS
NEAR BATTLESCOMBE
If you have nice photos of our beautiful village that you'd like to share, please email them to the webmaster (jpegs only, sent individually, and a maximum of 3MB per image please).
BISLEY CYCLING CLUB
LOOKING FOR MEMBERS
Bisley has some very serious and competitive cyclists, and the best of luck to the lunatics!
Bisley Cycling Club is for those of us trending more to the unserious, non-competitive, thoroughly casual side of cycling.
We do wear lycra, but it doesn't look very good on us.
The idea for a village cycling club was first mooted two or three years ago, but the pandemic and the appalling lockdowns meant it didn't get off the ground.
Another setback came when one of the potential organisers suffered a serious back injury and was unable to cycle for nearly a year.
But all of that is behind us, we hope, and the Bisley Cycling Club has taken its first few tentative rides under the command of our Routefinder General, Kim McCroddan.
We arrange weekly rides of fifteen or twenty relaxed, fair-weather miles through the beautiful countryside around our village (a couple of recent routes are shown below).
We boldly strike out most Tuesdays and some weekends - if it's not raining - at anywhere from 12mph to about 15mph (downhill).
Sometimes we stop for coffee, or even a pint.
Currently we are few in number, but stout of heart (and in some cases physique), and we are keen to grow the group.
If you have what it takes to cover fifteen to twenty miles at slightly better than walking pace, and you'd like to join us on a friendly, no-pressure ride, please email the website at bisleyvillage@yahoo.com, ideally with your mobile number so that you can be added to the WhatsApp group.
If you can't do a Tuesday because of work, but would like to join anyway, just let us know when you are available and we'll try to fit around you.
Electric bikes welcome.
Lycra optional.
Drug testing relaxed.
Bisley Cycling Club is for those of us trending more to the unserious, non-competitive, thoroughly casual side of cycling.
We do wear lycra, but it doesn't look very good on us.
The idea for a village cycling club was first mooted two or three years ago, but the pandemic and the appalling lockdowns meant it didn't get off the ground.
Another setback came when one of the potential organisers suffered a serious back injury and was unable to cycle for nearly a year.
But all of that is behind us, we hope, and the Bisley Cycling Club has taken its first few tentative rides under the command of our Routefinder General, Kim McCroddan.
We arrange weekly rides of fifteen or twenty relaxed, fair-weather miles through the beautiful countryside around our village (a couple of recent routes are shown below).
We boldly strike out most Tuesdays and some weekends - if it's not raining - at anywhere from 12mph to about 15mph (downhill).
Sometimes we stop for coffee, or even a pint.
Currently we are few in number, but stout of heart (and in some cases physique), and we are keen to grow the group.
If you have what it takes to cover fifteen to twenty miles at slightly better than walking pace, and you'd like to join us on a friendly, no-pressure ride, please email the website at bisleyvillage@yahoo.com, ideally with your mobile number so that you can be added to the WhatsApp group.
If you can't do a Tuesday because of work, but would like to join anyway, just let us know when you are available and we'll try to fit around you.
Electric bikes welcome.
Lycra optional.
Drug testing relaxed.
PHOTOS: OVERCOURT, BISLEY SUMMER 2023
THE STIRRUP CUP QUIZ...
...on Sunday June 11 raised £145 for Winston's Wish.
Thanks to Julian and the team for hosting it.
It was won by The Lady Pirates, and revealed - inter alia - that the singer Prince's first name is Prince, that men do have larger brains on average than women, and the sound tortoises make when mating.
Hint: it's very like the velociraptors at 1 min 50 sec in this scene from Jurassic Park:
Thanks to Julian and the team for hosting it.
It was won by The Lady Pirates, and revealed - inter alia - that the singer Prince's first name is Prince, that men do have larger brains on average than women, and the sound tortoises make when mating.
Hint: it's very like the velociraptors at 1 min 50 sec in this scene from Jurassic Park:
BISLEY IN THE TIMES
Bisley's Coronation street party on Sunday featured quite heavily in The Times. Since most people won't have a subscription, here are some screenshots:
There were 400 or 500 people there, and a good time was had by all - so good, in fact, that the Monday afternoon skittles match at The Stirrup Cup was called off because of hangovers.
We will be creating a page on this website to host photos from the Coronation weekend - if you would like some of your photos to appear there please email your favorite few to bisleyvillage [at] yahoo [dot] com.
We will be creating a page on this website to host photos from the Coronation weekend - if you would like some of your photos to appear there please email your favorite few to bisleyvillage [at] yahoo [dot] com.
CORONATION WEEKEND
Here's a rundown of events for the weekend of the Coronation.
It should be a great weekend for the village, kicking off with a live band at The Stirrup Cup on the Saturday evening and continuing on Sunday (after a church service) with a street party in High Street.
Please note: the street has been closed off - for more details, and to let the organisers know if you're planning to attend, please contact them via the posters in the pubs or the Bisley Community Facebook page).
Matters will conclude with a family fun afternoon at the playing fields (unless it's raining, in which case it's off to the Stirrup for skittles, or the Bear for a few pints.).
It should be a great weekend for the village, kicking off with a live band at The Stirrup Cup on the Saturday evening and continuing on Sunday (after a church service) with a street party in High Street.
Please note: the street has been closed off - for more details, and to let the organisers know if you're planning to attend, please contact them via the posters in the pubs or the Bisley Community Facebook page).
Matters will conclude with a family fun afternoon at the playing fields (unless it's raining, in which case it's off to the Stirrup for skittles, or the Bear for a few pints.).
STIRRUP CUP NAMED PUB OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Julian and the team at The Stirrup Cup - it's just been named Towergate's Pub of the Year for 2022.
If you're reading this from outside Bisley, why not make a trip over to enjoy a pint or a glass of wine and a home-cooked meal in this traditional village pub?
It's a really friendly place, full of dogs and chit-chat, and you'll mingle with locals and tourists alike - highly recommended!
If you're reading this from outside Bisley, why not make a trip over to enjoy a pint or a glass of wine and a home-cooked meal in this traditional village pub?
It's a really friendly place, full of dogs and chit-chat, and you'll mingle with locals and tourists alike - highly recommended!
FLOWER SHOW PUB QUIZ RAISES £466!
The Bisley Flower Show Stirrup Cup quiz on Sunday March 26 raised £466 - thanks on behalf of the committee to all those who paid for tables and donated raffle prizes, and thanks, too, to Julian and the team at the pub, who did a great job hosting.
Pictured above - the victorious team, The Wells Angels (who also won the Flower Show quiz proper last summer).
The Flower Show generally makes no money - it essentially pays for itself (or doesn't), and in particular for the hire of the marquee.
This money will help address the annual shortfall.
Last year's Flower Show was a tremendous success, but the committee is looking for ways to make the 2023 event even better.
Please email them with any ideas, suggestions or, dare we say it, complaints.
In 2022 they were short on table sponsorships - please consider donating £10 to sponsor your table for this year's event.
Pictured above - the victorious team, The Wells Angels (who also won the Flower Show quiz proper last summer).
The Flower Show generally makes no money - it essentially pays for itself (or doesn't), and in particular for the hire of the marquee.
This money will help address the annual shortfall.
Last year's Flower Show was a tremendous success, but the committee is looking for ways to make the 2023 event even better.
Please email them with any ideas, suggestions or, dare we say it, complaints.
In 2022 they were short on table sponsorships - please consider donating £10 to sponsor your table for this year's event.
BISLEY’S PUBS:
USE THEM OR (MAYBE) LOSE THEM
There aren’t many villages of our size in the Cotswolds – probably the country – which still have two good pubs.
A log fire, a nice pint, and the company of friends (and strangers) – these are the among greatest things about English rural life.
(And it may be worth bearing in mind that surveyors say a good village pub adds 10% to the value of your house.)
But while around 1,000 people live in Bisley, many rarely use The Bear Inn or The Stirrup Cup – and we should be careful not to take them for granted.
Both are struggling to keep their heads above water.
Inflation is high for all of us, but it’s hitting hospitality businesses harder than most.
Both pubs are owned by giant, remote ‘pubcos’ which set very high rents – and often increase them way above inflation – and require the landlords to buy drinks from them.
A barrel of real ale on the open market costs around £80 – from the required suppliers it’s at least £120 (it can be much higher, depending on the beer). Lagers are more expensive still.
So if £5 a pint feels pricey, bear in mind the cost of buying that barrel, running the pumps, and paying the staff – the profit on a pint is very small, and the occasional 10p increase on the price you pay at the bar isn’t profit, it’s just an attempt to stand still.
And that's without considering the general overheads - at The Stirrup Cup, Julian is seeing huge price rises – from minor things like loo roll (up from £9.99 a box to £16.49, a 65% increase in a matter of months), to a trebling of his electricity bill (now £2,200 per month).
Gas has more than doubled to £800 a month, and food prices are up around 15%.
It’s a similar story at The Bear, where it costs Giovanni and Ambra around £5,000 per week just to open the doors.
Rent and utilities are £1,350 per week, and food and drink close to £2,000.
And there are many costs we probably don’t even think about – for instance, just to play music in the pubs, both have to pay a licence of around £700 a year.
They pay to rent their tills, they pay for rubbish collection – and of course they pay tax and VAT as most businesses do.
As someone who uses both pubs I would hate to see them close, and I’m by no means alone.
Many of us are feeling the pinch, and no-one expects everyone in the village to use both pubs every day.
But please consider dropping in once a week for a pint or a glass of wine, and maybe even a meal now and then – it might mean the difference between closure and survival.
We need to use them or very possibly lose them.
PS The same obviously goes for the George Stores and Post Office and the other businesses in the village.
This piece was originally written for the Bisley News.
A log fire, a nice pint, and the company of friends (and strangers) – these are the among greatest things about English rural life.
(And it may be worth bearing in mind that surveyors say a good village pub adds 10% to the value of your house.)
But while around 1,000 people live in Bisley, many rarely use The Bear Inn or The Stirrup Cup – and we should be careful not to take them for granted.
Both are struggling to keep their heads above water.
Inflation is high for all of us, but it’s hitting hospitality businesses harder than most.
Both pubs are owned by giant, remote ‘pubcos’ which set very high rents – and often increase them way above inflation – and require the landlords to buy drinks from them.
A barrel of real ale on the open market costs around £80 – from the required suppliers it’s at least £120 (it can be much higher, depending on the beer). Lagers are more expensive still.
So if £5 a pint feels pricey, bear in mind the cost of buying that barrel, running the pumps, and paying the staff – the profit on a pint is very small, and the occasional 10p increase on the price you pay at the bar isn’t profit, it’s just an attempt to stand still.
And that's without considering the general overheads - at The Stirrup Cup, Julian is seeing huge price rises – from minor things like loo roll (up from £9.99 a box to £16.49, a 65% increase in a matter of months), to a trebling of his electricity bill (now £2,200 per month).
Gas has more than doubled to £800 a month, and food prices are up around 15%.
It’s a similar story at The Bear, where it costs Giovanni and Ambra around £5,000 per week just to open the doors.
Rent and utilities are £1,350 per week, and food and drink close to £2,000.
And there are many costs we probably don’t even think about – for instance, just to play music in the pubs, both have to pay a licence of around £700 a year.
They pay to rent their tills, they pay for rubbish collection – and of course they pay tax and VAT as most businesses do.
As someone who uses both pubs I would hate to see them close, and I’m by no means alone.
Many of us are feeling the pinch, and no-one expects everyone in the village to use both pubs every day.
But please consider dropping in once a week for a pint or a glass of wine, and maybe even a meal now and then – it might mean the difference between closure and survival.
We need to use them or very possibly lose them.
PS The same obviously goes for the George Stores and Post Office and the other businesses in the village.
This piece was originally written for the Bisley News.
THANKS TO COLIN HASSALL...
...for his ten years editing the village magazine, The Bisley News.
Colin has finally decided to give up this voluntary role and is handing the magazine over to Debs Edmonds and Lucie Debrot.
The magazine is a great part of village life and Colin has done a sterling job in what I'm sure is at times a difficult and frustrating task.
I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say thank you to him for all his efforts.
We recently started hosting the Bisley News on this website - Colin has just supplied us with his final edition, covering February 2023 to April 2023, and you can read it here.
As ever, some 500 hard copies of the magazine will be delivered around the village in the next few days.
Please support the magazine and those who advertise in it if you can.
Colin has finally decided to give up this voluntary role and is handing the magazine over to Debs Edmonds and Lucie Debrot.
The magazine is a great part of village life and Colin has done a sterling job in what I'm sure is at times a difficult and frustrating task.
I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say thank you to him for all his efforts.
We recently started hosting the Bisley News on this website - Colin has just supplied us with his final edition, covering February 2023 to April 2023, and you can read it here.
As ever, some 500 hard copies of the magazine will be delivered around the village in the next few days.
Please support the magazine and those who advertise in it if you can.
A MESSAGE FROM DAVE PARTRIDGE
ABOUT THE BISLEY MUMMERS
Thanks to everyone who came out the week before Christmas to The Woolpack, The Carpenter's Arms, The Bear, and The Stirrup Cup to support us in very poor weather conditions.
The street collections raised a grand total of £220.71, which we have divided between Longfields Hospice in Minchinhampton and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Thanks also to all four landlords for their support, and special thanks to Julian Partridge at The Stirrup Cup for allowing us to use his skittle alley for rehearsals, and his hot bacon rolls and pints before we set off on the day itself. They really hit the spot, and without without Julian more generally the Mummers plays would not be possible.
A massive thank you to Dan Collins for writing the script, to Mark Rogers our melodeon player, to Sam Collins for make- up, and to Sam, Jo Partridge, Antonia Lawson and Lizzie Morris for getting us to and from the pubs and rattling buckets.
Last but not least, thanks to our Mummers - Jake, Luca, Rob, Amber, Doug, Neil and Dan.
Editor's Note: thanks to Dave, too - without his enthusiasm and organisation, the Mummers really wouldn't happen.
The street collections raised a grand total of £220.71, which we have divided between Longfields Hospice in Minchinhampton and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Thanks also to all four landlords for their support, and special thanks to Julian Partridge at The Stirrup Cup for allowing us to use his skittle alley for rehearsals, and his hot bacon rolls and pints before we set off on the day itself. They really hit the spot, and without without Julian more generally the Mummers plays would not be possible.
A massive thank you to Dan Collins for writing the script, to Mark Rogers our melodeon player, to Sam Collins for make- up, and to Sam, Jo Partridge, Antonia Lawson and Lizzie Morris for getting us to and from the pubs and rattling buckets.
Last but not least, thanks to our Mummers - Jake, Luca, Rob, Amber, Doug, Neil and Dan.
Editor's Note: thanks to Dave, too - without his enthusiasm and organisation, the Mummers really wouldn't happen.
THE 2023 WI CALENDAR...
...has been uploaded here.
TOM RYAN GERICKS
As many villagers will know, Tommie Ryan Gericks sadly passed away this year.
He had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease a while ago.
He and Lucie were for some years the village shop-keepers, and they both did a brilliant job of rescuing the George Stores and post office, and turning it into a facility the village could be proud of.
They were both also very well-liked in Bisley, and Tommie will be greatly missed.
The village website's sincerest condolences go out to Lucie and their children, Thomas and Jazmin.
Tommie's funeral was held on Monday September 16 at All Saints Church in Bisley, followed by cremation at 4pm at Cheltenham.
In the evening, a significant wake was held at The Stirrup Cup .
Donations can be made in his memory to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
He had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease a while ago.
He and Lucie were for some years the village shop-keepers, and they both did a brilliant job of rescuing the George Stores and post office, and turning it into a facility the village could be proud of.
They were both also very well-liked in Bisley, and Tommie will be greatly missed.
The village website's sincerest condolences go out to Lucie and their children, Thomas and Jazmin.
Tommie's funeral was held on Monday September 16 at All Saints Church in Bisley, followed by cremation at 4pm at Cheltenham.
In the evening, a significant wake was held at The Stirrup Cup .
Donations can be made in his memory to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
FETE REPORT FROM SUE BRADLEY
Bisley’s annual Flower Show and Fête returned on August Bank Holiday Saturday (2022) 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 2022 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).
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.
