Sheila Maddock

FREE car parking for Christmas shopping is being provided by Stroud District Council on Saturdays December 13 and 20 in all of the town centre car parks: Cheapside, London Road multi-storey and long-stay parks, Church Street, Parliament Street and Rowcroft car parks.

Following the magical Christmas Tree Festival in St Laurence Church last week, some of the trees will be on show again in local shop windows. There is also a display by Stroud Local History Society in the former Music Centre window about local authors and poets, the theme for their Christmas tree.

The charity Christmas card shop in the Old Town Hall, the Shambles, closes on Thursday, December 18. Till then, it is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm with a wide choice of cards. Thanks to everyone who has supported it this year.

Take time out from Christmas shopping to browse through local art shows. Julia Christie’s students exhibit their latest work at The Space until Thursday December 18 from 10am to 4pm (not Sundays). An exhibition by the Dursley Photographic Group on the Forest of Dean in Stroud Subscription Rooms starts today, Wednesday December 10 and runs to Saturday December 20. Stroud House Gallery shows Take It As Read until December 20, and at the Kendrick Street Gallery you can vote for your favourite Stroud picture, right up to Christmas Eve.

Stroud Valley School celebrates Christmas at St Laurence Church today, Wednesday December 10 at 6pm. Friends of the School are welcome.

Stroud Business Women’s Network meet on December 11 at 12.30pm for a Christmas lunch at the Star Anise café in Gloucester Street (book with Lynda on 01453 872759).

Stroud Film Society screens Son of Rambow (12a) at the British School on Thursday December 11 at 8pm, guest tickets must be pre-booked at £5 on 01453 823551.

Callowell School holds its Christmas Bazaar on Friday December 12 at 3.10pm, all supporters welcome.

Daylight Theatre perform Sherlock Holmes & the Magic Box at The Space on Friday December 12 at 7pm (suitable from age 6-11), book on 01453 759676.

Rodborough Tabernacle have their Christmas Fair on Saturday December 13 from 10am to 12noon, with carols by the Capella Singers, and stalls, games, crafts, refreshments, and, of course, a visit from Father Christmas. You can also have a guess at how much money was saved in a sweet jar donated to the appeal for repairs to the Little Chapel.

The Christmas bazaar at Beeches Green raised £1,500 for the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Thanks to everyone who supported the event.

Soup and carols sound a good seasonal mix and they are on offer in the Wesley Room at St Alban’s in Parliament Street on Saturday December 13 from 12noon to 2pm. You are invited to enjoy a hot bowl of soup and join in the carols round the piano.

Music and Christmas cheer, an evening of light-hearted Christmas entertainment with Randwick choir, has been arranged in the Maypole Hall, Paganhill, on Saturday December 13 at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 and include seasonal refreshments, from the church office in the Shambles, proceeds in aid of church funds.

Stroud Brass Band Festival continues with a concert by the Pemberton Old Band on Saturday December 13 at 7pm in the Subscription Rooms, (tickets on 760900).

People are invited to bring along toys for babies up to two years old to a Christmas Gift Service in Holy Trinity Church, by Stroud Hospital, on Sunday December 14 at 10.30am. Gifts will be passed to Homestart, which helps young families in need in the area. The short all-age service of Sunday Praise will be followed by a bring and share brunch.

The congregations of St Laurence and All Saints are invited to meet at Holy Trinity Slad for a benefice eucharist to celebrate Advent on Sunday December 14 at 10am. The guest speaker is Jennifer Oldershaw who will talk about Sabeel (The Way), an organisation started by Palestinian Christians which works for peace in the Middle East.

There are Christingle services on Sunday December 14 at Randwick (10.30am) and Whiteshill (4pm) parish churches. All welcome.

The Space Cinema Club screens Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama at The Space, Lansdown, on Sunday December 14 at 8.15pm (£2 membership, £5/£3 tickets).

Children will want a ride on the Santa Special on Sunday December 14. Weather permitting, there will be a visit from Father Christmas with rides for children on the model railway which runs by Stratford Park lakeside from 2pm to 4pm.

Bell ringers from Gloucester Cathedral will be visiting St Laurence on Tuesday December 16 and attempting to ring a quarter peal from 7.30pm onwards.

More Hall Convent holds its Christmas communion at 11am on Wednesday December 17, visitors welcome.

The Emerald Ensemble presents a Viennese Christmas concert in Stroud Subscription Rooms on Wednesday December 17 at 7.45pm (tickets on 760900).

Stroud Music Club’s Christmas concert is on Thursday December 18 in Stroud Subscription Rooms at 2.30pm. The programme includes the Gannicox Ensemble playing orchestral instruments and handbells, the Wynstones Sunday choir and Jonathan Trim playing his violin. At the end of the concert, the audience can join in singing Christmas carols. Admission costs £5 which includes refreshments. Space for wheelchairs need to be booked beforehand on 01453 760900.

The Sea, Army and Air Cadets from Stroud gather with their families and friends for a carol service in St Laurence at 7.30pm on Thursday December 18. Others welcome for this festive candlelight celebration.

Tongues of Fire present Macbeth at The Space, Lansdown, from Friday to Sunday, December 19-21. Phone 01453 767576 for details.

Johnny Coppin and friends present All on a Winter’s Night in the Sub Rooms on Saturday December 20 at 7.30pm. Special guests include members of Decameron and Circle of Song. Martin Fry provides seasonal images. Tickets on 01453 760900.