Weekly column of Fairford and Lechlade news by Chris Roberts MBE. 

1. Fairford mum running the London Marathon for Maggie's 

Nikki Warrington from Fairford is running in the London Marathon on Sunday April 21 in aid of Maggie’s Cheltenham.

Maggie’s Centres offer practical and emotional support to people with any type of cancer, at any stage, for free! They receive no Government funding and rely on the generosity of their supporters.

In 2017, Nikki’s daughter, Caitlin was diagnosed at the age of 14 with a rare ovarian cancer and, in the last few years, the cancer has returned twice.

“The illness and treatments have had a huge impact both physically and mentally on Caitlin,” explained Nikki.

“As the parent of a child going through cancer, it’s very hard, especially watching her lose her hair, miss years of her childhood and the physical impact it now has on her health.”

After several attempts to find the right support, Nikki and her family found Maggie’s.

Nikki said: “It is a fantastic charity, set up to support people and their families and friends suffering with the effects of cancer.

Nikki has always loved running and is one of the things that has helped her cope mentally, so she decided to train for the London Marathon to raise money for Maggie’s. Nikki says she knows the training will be tough but “knowing I am raising money that will help support other families like ours, will keep me going.”

In addition to running in The London Marathon, Nikki is also organising a Charity Live Music event taking place on Friday April 12 from 7pm-11.30pm in Lechlade Pavilion. There will be two live local bands – ‘Mouth of the Thames’ from Quenington and ‘Breeze’ from Swindon. More information on Facebook at: https://tinyurl.com/nhjtz8mt.

Tickets cost £15 each from https://tinyurl.com/2jhtvpt7. Alternatively, you can pay on the door on the night or just make a donation – every penny that is raised will go to Maggie’s – specifically the Cheltenham Centre.

2. Quenington Rare Plant Fair 

Quenington’s Rare Plant Fair is on Sunday April 14 from 11am-4pm at The Old Rectory GL7 5BN. Entry to the garden and the wonderful plants of 19 plantsmen and women is £8. Delicious home-made lunches and teas made by the volunteer team at Cobalt Health, Cheltenham.

Parking on the Ham and over-flow on the Village Green with grateful thanks to the Parish Council. Blue Badge holders can park at the Old Rectory. No dogs except guide dogs by prior appointment. Proceeds from the Rare Plant Fair (www.rareplantfair.co.uk) support the work of Cobalt Health – http://www.cobalthealth.co.uk/.

3. Library prize draw 

Lechlade Community Library’s prize draw will be made on Saturday 13 at 12 noon in the library.

The draw will be made by Deputy Mayor, Christine Eatwell and 10 year old, Ella Bacon, who appeared on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway recently after the producer for the show read in the local news about Ella raising over £1,000 for library refurbishment campaign.

Tickets costing £5 will be available right up until the draw either from the library or by emailing info@lechladelibrary.co.uk. With over 30 prizes up for grabs, you have to be in it to win it – a chance to be pampered, fed and watered, thrilled or entertained!

4. Fairford Gardener's Club spring show 

The Fairford Gardeners’ Club Spring Show is on Saturday April 13 in Fairford Community Centre. Entries from 11am. Children’s section. Garden on a plate. Craft item. Visitors welcome. For more information, contact Beth Dennis on 01285 712195, bethandgeoff@yahoo.com or Meriel McHugh on 01367 850041.

5. Choir's next concert 

The Fairford & District Choral Society will perform their next concert on Saturday April 13 at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Fairford.

The concert programme is Dvorak Mass in D major and Faure Requiem.

The new conductor is Nia Llewelyn Jones and accompanist will be Ian Crabbe. Soloists are Charlotte Newstead (Soprano), Nicole Boardman (Mezzo), Nicholas Drew (Tenor) and Nicholas Perfect (Bass). Tickets cost £15 or £5 for under 18s and will be on sale from members of the choir and Fairford Opticians or by calling 01285 713681 or on the door on the night.

6. Next Messy Church

The next Messy Church is on Sunday April 14 starting at 4pm in St Mary’s Church. The theme is ‘Seeing is Believing’.

There will be crafts and activities and a celebration on the chosen theme followed by a cooked meal in Fairford Community Centre. The meeting will finish at about 6pm.

Everyone is welcome. It would be a help for catering purposes to know if you intend to come along, but there will be enough food even if you don’t notify the organisers. For more details, please contact Sarah Bottomley on 01285 712074 or stmaryslmt@gmail.com.

7. Weekly football fun sessions 

There are new weekly football fun sessions being held every Wednesday in April at Farmor’s School, Leafield Road GL7 4JQ starting Wednesday April 17 from 5pm-6pm. Monthly cost is £28 per child with 50% off for each additional sibling. 

The weekly Football Fun & Development training programme for ages 5-12 years focussing on a combination of technical training, fun games and matches for boys and girls of any ability or experience. Register for a free 3-week trial on: https://tinyurl.com/dvwzfmwf. Find out more at: https://thefootballfunfactory.co.uk/.

8. Fairford History Society meeting 

The next Fairford History Society (FHS) meeting is on Thursday April 18 at 7.30pm in Fairford Community Centre. Chris Hobson will talk on The Retreat Asylum: the patients’ stories. This will be a look at the role and work of The Retreat, the patients’ lives and their treatment, and why The Retreat should be remembered.

FHS membership remains at £5 per year. Visitors are welcome at £3. New members will be made welcome. For more information, contact Alison on 01285 711768 or email enquiry@fairfordhistory.org.uk or visit www.fairfordhistory.org.uk.

9. Children's clothes sale 

There will be a nearly new sale of children’s clothes, toys and equipment on Saturday April 13 from 1.30pm-4pm in Lechlade Pavilion. More details at littlelearnerscommitetee@gmail.com.

10. History Society meeting 

Lechlade History Society meeting is on Monday April 15. David Aldred will be talking about ‘Lost Railway Journeys in Gloucestershire’. A virtual round trip from Cheltenham to Lechlade and back along Cotswold railways in the early 1960s.

The meeting is in Lechlade Memorial Hall at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. All welcome. Members at £8 per annum plus £2 per meeting. Visitors at £4 per meeting. Refreshments available.

11. Lechlade W1 coffee morning 

Lechlade WI will be holding a Coffee Morning on Thursday April 18 at 10.30am at The Riverside, Lechlade.

12. Meeting of Upper Thames and Ridgeway National Trust Association 

The next meeting of the Upper Thames and Ridgeway National Trust Association is on Thursday April 18 at 2.30pm in Lechlade Memorial Hall, Paul Colley – a wildlife photographer – will talk about Bat Conservation.