Ostrava Tensing Youth Choir

As June fades into July, St Mary’s North Woodchester, and Minchinhampton Parish Churches will be alive with the sounds of a 50 plus strong youth choir from Ostrava in the Czech Republic.
They will be arriving on Sunday 29th June and leading worship at 7.30pm, at St Mary’s Parish Church, North Woodchester. Their main concert takes place on Monday evening, 30th June, again at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton. This takes place just as the illustrious Rector of Minchinhampton with Box, Canon Michael Irving, enters his final week before retirement. Entrance will be free with a retiring collection for the ministry and work of “YMCA Ostrava Tensing Youth Choir”.
During their visit they are also scheduled to visit two local secondary schools, Archway, Stroud and Thomas Keble, Eastcombe. The youngsters will be staying with various hosts around the district. Do come and give them a great Stroud valleys welcome.
Rev. Mick Wright, antiques dealer in Minchinhampton, and also Curate in the parishes of Brimscombe and Woodchester, first made contact with Christians in and around the city of Ostrava, while teaching English on a Youth Summer camp in 1997. This was followed by a Czech summer camp taking place in and around Minchinhampton in 1999.
Ostrava, which is in the north east of the country, not far from Krakow in Poland, is a city of some 300,000 souls and the Tensing choir whose videos are available on “YouTube”, was voted the city’s most successful youth organisation in 2007. Don’t miss this treat.
Mike Wright can be contacted for further details on 01453 883027.

Council seeks new clerk

Woodchester Parish Clerk Duncan Hayes has tendered his resignation. Duncan has worked for the Parish Council for over a year and has assisted with community events such as the Street Party, a Christmas Carol gathering and Open Gardens as well as ongoing projects such as the village design statement. He successfully steered the council through the election in May. Parish Council Chairman Rhiannon Wigzell says, “We are very sorry to be losing Duncan. He has worked efficiently for the council and has been highly engaged with the village. We have a number of projects underway and Duncan has agreed to assist the new clerk in ensuring a smooth transition.” 

Duncan comments, “It’s been a real pleasure working with Woodchester Parish Council. All the councillors are highly active and dedicate their time to serving the people of Woodchester. The council is happy to work together and the relationship has been extremely harmonious. I have been forced to leave this position due to other work commitments and I wish the council every success with its ongoing projects.” 

Woodchester Parish Council is currently in the process of recruiting a new clerk. Full details of the position and an application form can be obtained by calling 01453 873107 or by email at council@woodchestervillage.co.uk.