Events & Activities
Please also see our upcoming events, weekly activities and Sunday services pages for regular church activities.
Men’s Weekend Away
Event:
‘The 4th Men’s Weekend Away’
Date & Time:
Friday 27th March (4:00pm TBC) to Sunday 29th March (6:00pm TBC)
Location:
Kington Accomodation, 8 Victoria Road, Kington, England, HR5 3BX
Here on Google maps
Trip Details:
What a treat we have for you, following a long gap!
We have obtained exclusive use of Kington Accommodation, which is in west Herefordshire. In the past it has been a cottage hospital, and more recently a Youth Hostel. Since being bought by its owners, it has been upgraded, but still keeps the communal aspect. There is room to sleep 20, and also, (for those who wish it) several local B&Bs – so space for everyone, of all ages. (The ladies will be going to the same place in May.)
As previously, one of the activities this time will still be walking (for which the area is very well suited): but for those whose arthritis prevents it, more gentle activities will be organised too – such as a trip out to see nearby Hay on Wye, with its bookshops. There will be something for everyone!
Food will again feature strongly, which we men will be cooking. Uley Bitter (or alternative) will also be making a guest appearance. Amongst evening activities there will be a quiz and a wine tasting – but above all it will be a chance to relax in good company. Even if you cannot join us for the whole weekend, you are welcome to come just for the Saturday.
Travel
Please email David Pouncey (below) for further info….we aim to arrive at the venue by 4.00pm
We have to leave the venue by 3.00pm on the Sunday
Accommodation
Please email Mark Hudson at mark_j_hudson@hotmail.com or David Pouncey (below) for furher information
Further information
Contact David Pouncey on 07974 403 449 or email david@dacgp.plus.com
Bell Ringing
Skordarector, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Event:
‘Bell Ringing’ prior to Sunday Service
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
10:15am - 11:00am
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Phil Taylor - email
Palm Sunday - Joint Benefice Sunday Service
Event:
Palm Sunday ‘Sunday Service’
This will be a Joint Benefice Service at ST.Mary’s Church Woodchester
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Sunday Creche
Event:
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Liz Hale - 01453 765422; email
Lent Course - ‘Nourish’
Event:
‘Nourish’
This week and throughout Lent we will be studying our Lent Course
Further Information on the Course is provided on the web site in the Church News Blog here
Date & Time:
Every Monday
12:30pm - 2.30pm
Location:
Various home locations around Woodchester Village - call Gail Birch on 07875 028671
Contact:
Gail Birch - 07875 028671; email or Sue Pouncey 07866 487911; email
‘Tuesday Gang’ - Churchyard Maintenance
Event:
‘Tuesday Gang’ - Churchyard Maintenance
For further information and how to join this group please see the ‘Churchyard Maintenance page’ under ‘Church Life’
Date & Time:
Every Tuesday Morning
8:00am - 10:00am
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Richard Spencer - 01453 872686; email
Lent Course (zoom) - Benefice Bible Study Group
Event:
‘Benefice Bible Study Group’ via Zoom
This week and throughout Lent we will be studying our Lent Course
Further Information on the Course is provided on the web site in the Church News Blog here
Date & Time:
Every Tuesday
7:30pm - 8:45pm
Location:
Virtual event via Zoom (Login details)
Contact:
Peter Gee - 07796 180317; email
Lent Course - Bible Study Group (Woodchester)
Event:
Bible Study Group (Woodchester)
This week and throughout Lent we will be studying our Lent Course
Further Information on the Course is provided on the web site in the Church News Blog here
Date & Time:
Every Thursday during Lent
7:30pm - 8:45pm
Location:
The Grange, Selsley Road. Woodchester GL5 5PJ
Find on Google Maps here
Contact:
Andrew Pemberton - 07973187923; email
Good Friday Service - the journey to the cross
Event:
Good Friday special service
a quiet, contemplative service focussing on the journey to the cross and its resonance in our faith today
Date & Time:
Good Friday
10:00am - 11:00am
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Bell Ringing Practice
Graham Horn - Commons.Wikimedia
Event:
‘Bell Ringing Practice’
Date & Time:
Every Friday Evening
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Phil Taylor - email
Bell Ringing
Skordarector, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Event:
‘Bell Ringing’ prior to Sunday Service
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
10:15am - 11:00am
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Phil Taylor - email
Easter Day - Sunday Family Service
Event:
Easter Day Sunday Family Service
This will be a joyful service for all the family and include Holy Communion and an Easter Egg Hunt!
Please come and join us!
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Sunday Creche
Event:
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Liz Hale - 01453 765422; email
Prayer Group
Event:
Date & Time:
Every Wednesday
7:30-8:30pm
Further Information:
The world is unarguably going through troubled times and we can feel overwhelmed. BUT we are far from helpless… we can all pray… pray for the world, pray for our community and pray for each other.
Our ‘Prayer group’ is reconvening weekly from 7.30 to 8.30 every Wednesday evening in term time starting on Wed 15th April.
The venue will normally be Liz Cole’s house - half way between North and South Woodchester, with easy access for cars straight off the A46 Bath Road and plenty of parking. Pedestrians can access the house from Southfield Rd or the cycle track which runs along side the A46 Bath Road. (see Google Map for exact location here)
The format each week will be coffee or tea, followed by a short Bible passage, then 20-30 minutes of prayer and closing promptly by 8.30 with Lectio 365’s night prayers for that day.
Please come and join us! You will be very welcome!
Contact:
Elizabeth Cole on 07974 911016 or email here if you are interested in joining us.
Special Sunday Service with Annual Church Meeting (APCM) and Hot Lunch
Event:
‘Sunday Service’, Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) & Hot Lunch
This will be a normal Sunday Service followed by a short meeting and then……a delicious Hot Lunch!
Please come along and join us!
Further Information
The Spring APCM service (Annual Parochial Church Meeting) is always really important and we are making the most of this year’s event by getting an update on the church’s vision across Stroud deanery and seeing how those ideas might benefit our Woodchester community – We want to play our part.
Starting at the normal time of 11.00, this morning’s short service of morning worship will be centred around the new strategy and vision coming out of recent cross-deanery discussions. This will be followed by a welcome cup of coffee before we canter through essential APCM business – electing church wardens, PCC members, etc – finishing with a delicious hot lunch – a chance to relax, spend time together as a church family and discuss any & all ideas for putting the deanery’s ideas into practice in Woodchester.
Our hot lunch will be coordinated by some of the Lunch with Friends organisers but we will have sign-up sheets for you in church – to make sure we know who is coming and to share the cooking as much as we can.
Expected close: 1.30pm approx
PLEASE COME AND JOIN US ON THIS IMPORTANT SUNDAY
Date & Time:
Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm - extended to 1:30pm approx for the APCM and Hot Lunch
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Quiz Evening with Ploughman’s Supper
Event:
‘Quiz Evening with Ploughman’s Supper’
Date & Time:
Friday 24th April
6:30 for 7:00pm start …..until late
Ticket Information:
£15 including supper
Available in advance from Sally Bull on 07788 782051
Further Information
Come as a team of 6 or make a team when you arrive
Pay Bar
Raffle
Location:
Woodchester Village Hall, Church Road, North Woodchester, GL5 5PQ
Find on Google maps
Contact:
Sally Bull 07788 782051 | Email
Bell Ringing Practice
Graham Horn - Commons.Wikimedia
Event:
‘Bell Ringing Practice
Date & Time:
Every Friday Evening
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Phil Taylor - email
Lent Course - Woodchester Bible Study Group
Event:
Bible Study Group (Woodchester)
This week and throughout Lent we will be studying our Lent Course
Further Information on the Course is provided on the web site in the Church News Blog here
Date & Time:
Every Thursday during Lent
7:30pm - 8:45pm
Location:
The Grange, Selsley Road. Woodchester GL5 5PJ
Find on Google Maps here
Contact:
Andrew Pemberton - 07973187923; email
Messy Church - EASTER
Event:
Theme - EASTER
Date & Time:
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month
3:20pm - 4:45pm
Loccation:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Liz Hale - 01453 765422; email
Alpha Course
Event:
‘Alpha Course’ - ‘How and why do I pray?’
for adults
with food, film & discussion
Date & Time:
Tuesday 20th Jan 2026
7:00pm to approx 9:00pm
Location:
To be advised - please see contact details below
Contact information:
Sunday Service - with Holy Commumion
Event:
‘Sunday Service’ with Holy Communion
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Easter Wreath-Making Workshop
Event:
‘Easter Wreath-Making Workshop’
Date & Time:
Saturday 21st March
9:30am to 12:00noon
Ticket Information:
£20 including refreshments
Please email Helen Jackson to book your place: Email
Further Information
We supply wreath base, scissors, selection of greenery, dried flowers and trimmings
Please bring other embellishments for your own use and/or to share with other participants
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Helen Jackson 07471204221; email
Lunch with Friends
Event:
‘Lunch with Friends’ - two course home-cooked lunch for local community
Menu:
Lasagne (meat or veggie) with garlic bread and mixed vegetables
Bread and Butter Pudding with cream
Tea or coffee
Date & Time:
Every 3rd Friday of the month
12pm - 2pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Christina Lewis - 07968159779, email
Sunday Service - Mothering Sunday - All Age Worship
Event:
This is our Mothering Sunday Service
All are welcome - young and old
Date & Time:
Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Sunday Service with Holy Communion
Event:
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Lunch with Friends
Event:
‘Lunch with Friends’ - two course home-cooked lunch for local community
Menu:
Creamy Chicken and Leek Casserole (GF) served with mashed potatoes and carrots (vegetarian casserole option available).
Cherry crumble with custard (or GF brownies or cheese & biscuits)
Tea or coffee
Date & Time:
Every 3rd Friday of the month
12pm - 2pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Liz Cole - 07875028671; email
Ash Wednesday - evening service
Event:
‘Ash Wednesday - evening service’
Date & Time:
Wednesday Evening
7:30pm to 8:30pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Sunday Service - All age worship
Event:
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Sunday Service - Holy Trinity, Brimscombe - ‘Light in the Darkness’
Event:
‘Sunday Service’ - ‘Light in the Darkness’
Acknowledging the darkness of grief, pain and loss and praying for our communities, this will be our last Christmas Service this season.
There will also be opportunities for time in quiet setting and to leave messages and prayers.
Date & Time:
Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
Open daily, 8am-6pm
Holy Trinity, The Roundabouts, Brimscombe, Stroud, GL5 2PA
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Christmas Day 10:00 am - Praise Service - for families and children, but everyone of any age is very welcome!
Event:
‘Christmas Day Morning Service for families and children’
Note - service starts at 10:00am
Date & Time:
Wednesday 24th December 2024
10:00am - 10:45 am approx
Further Information:
Please come along on Christmas morning for this short service of joy and happiness to celebrate the birth of Jesus
Children and adults of all ages are very welcome. There will be some activities etc for children at the back of the church
Please stay for a tea or coffee or soft drink, cake and a chat after the service if you can
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve Service - for families and children, but everyone of any age is very welcome!
Event:
‘Carols by Candlelight Service’
for both adults and children
Date & Time:
Wednesday 24th December 2024
6:30pm - 8:00pm approx
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Christmas Crib Service - mainly for younger children and their families, but everyone of any age is very welcome!
Event:
‘Christmas Crib Service’
Date & Time:
Wednesday 24th December 2024
3pm - about 3:45pm
Further Information:
This will be a short service in which the last carol will be sung by candlelight.
We invite youngsters to dress up as shepherds, kings, angels or an animal.
We have lots of dressing up clothes in church.
Please stay for refreshments after the service
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
‘Tuesday Gang’ - Churchyard Maintenance
Event:
‘Tuesday Gang’ - Churchyard Maintenance
For further information and how to join this group please see the ‘Churchyard Maintenance page’ under ‘Church Life’
Date & Time:
Every Tuesday Morning
8:00am - 10:00am
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Richard Spencer - 01453 872686; email
‘Longest Night’ Service
Event:
Longest Night Service
Date & Time:
21st December
4:00pm to 5:00pm TO BE CONFIRMED
Further Information
This year we are not holding an All Souls service in Woodchester as All Souls falls on the Lee Abbey weekend. However, we are holding a ‘Longest night’ service on 21st December, "The Longest night is a special service, held on the longest night of the year when everything can feel dark. We might feel like sadness, grief or loss has no place in the often exuberant Christmas festivities. But this is a more reflective Christmas Carol service, especially for anyone for whom this might be a difficult time of year.
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Decorating the church for Christmas - please help!
Event:
‘Decorating St.Mary’s Church Woodchester for Christmas
If you can help in any way please contact Jill Farrow - email
Date & Time:
Sat 20th December
10:00am onwards
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Jill Farrow - email
Christmas Carols in Woodchester Village
Event:
‘Christmas Carols in Woodchester Village’
Date & Time:
Thursday 18th December 2025
6:30pm - 8pm - Further details and timings to be confirmed later
Location:
Starting at South Woodchester and progressing to the Royal Oak Inn North Woodchester, then to St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester as follows:
From South Woodchester
6.30pm Frogmarsh
6.50pm Tower House (no band)
From North Woodchester
6.45pm Mill Pond car park @Rooksmoor (no band)
7.00pm Outside the Village Hall
All proceeding to
7.15pm In St Mary's Church, with mince pies and mulled wine
*** Donations towards church funds welcome ***
Kindly supported by Woodchester Parish Council
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Christmas Carols at the Coffee Pot - The Old Endowed School, Rodborough
Event:
Christmas Carols at the Coffee Pot
Date & Time:
Wednesday 17th December 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm
Location
Old Endowed School, Church Place Rodborough GL5 3NF
Find us on Google maps
Contact:
Christmas Carols at the Long Table
Event:
Christmas Carols at the Long Table
Date & Time:
Tuesday 16th December 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
Further Information:
Peter Gee is kindly providing the music
Location
The Long Table, Brimscombe Mills, Brimscombe Hill, Brimscombe, Stroud GL5 2QN
Find us on Google maps
Contact:
Jayne Hancock for further details on 07805 259246
Bell Ringing
Skordarector, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Event:
‘Bell Ringing’ prior to Sunday Service
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
10:15am - 11:00am
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Phil Taylor - email
Five Valley Voices Winter Concert
Event:
Five Valleys Voices Winter Concert
Date & Time:
Friday 12th December
7:00pm to 9:00 approx
Programme
Ladies/High Voice Choir
Alto's Lament, No Time to Diet, Time, Lady Marmalade, River, Winte
Men/Low Voice Choir
Bear Necessities, Bohemiam Rhapsody, When I Fall In Love, Ad Astra, Dance
Full Choir
City Called Heaven, I Want To Stare At My Phone With You!, Stars, Carol Of The Bells, What Were You Thinking and a couple of Christmas Favourites
Further Information
Five Valleys Voices web site here
Tickets
Tickets - £5 - scan the QR Code above or go to TicketSource here (Tickets on TicketSource incur a small booking fee)
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Lunch with Friends - Christmas Dinner
Event:
‘Lunch with Friends’ - Annual Christmas Dinner - a two course home-cooked Christmas Dinner for local community
Menu:
Drinks - red or white wine or elderflower cordial on arrival
Cooked dinner of - turkey (or nut roast vegetarian dish), roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots & parsnips, stuffing, pigs in blankets
Christmas pudding with double cream or brandy cream (lactose free available) or trifle with cream
Cheese & biscuits
Tea or coffee
Date & Time:
Usually on every 3rd Friday of the month
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Sally Bull - Telephone; email
Christina Lewis - 07968159779; email
Gail Birch - 07875028671; email
Liz Cole - (Church Warden) 07974911016; email
Woodchester Christmas Fair
Event:
Woodchester Christmas Fair
Date & Time:
Saturday 6th December
!0:30 - 4:00pm approx
What to see & do:
Festive Stalls….Christmas Presents….Hot & Cold Snacks….Mulled Wine….Stalls……Toys…..Games..…Jigsaws..….Fabulous Raffle……Bulb Planters…..Children’s Activities and much more!
Please put it on your own calendar to come along and support it and invite your family and friends.
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Liz Cole - Telephone; 07974 911016; email
Helen Jackson - Telephone 07471204221; email
Christmas Craft Evening for the ladies - NOW FULLY BOOKED
Event:
‘Christmas Craft Evening’ for the ladies
Date & Time:
Saturday 29th November
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Ticket Information:
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED …SO SORRY!!
We would be grateful for ay donations of cakes for this event. Thank you.
Further Information
Last year our Christmas Craft evening was very successful
There is no better way to start the season than an evening in our lovely church with friends enjoying festive music, delicious food and beautiful crafts washed down with a glass of warming mulled wine.
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Helen Jackson 07471204221; email
Prayer Group
Event:
Date & Time:
Every Wednesday
7:30-8:30pm
Location:
Various Home Locations around Woodchester Village - Contact Gail BIrch - see below
Contact:
Gail Birch - 07975028671; email
Messy Church Christingle
Event:
‘Messy Church’ Christingle
Date & Time:
Weds 26th November
3:20pm - 4:45pm
Further Inforation
We warmly welcome you all to our Messy Church Christingle where we will make our Christingles with oranges and sweets. Come and find out what it is all about and have a great time making Christmas crafts.
At the end of our time together we will light our Christingle candles. What a wonderful sight to see the church full of glowing candles!
All our donations on the day will be for ‘The Children’s Society’, who help young people in this country, who are in desperate need of help.
If you have time, please look online to see all the wonderful ways they help these young people. (https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/whatwe-do)
All young people need to be accompanied by an adult please. We look forward to seeing you all.
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Liz Hale - 01453 765422; email
Benefice Bible Study Group (Zoom)
Event:
‘Benefice Bible Study Group’ via Zoom
Date & Time:
Every Tuesday
7:30pm - 8:45pm
Location:
Virtual event via Zoom (Login details)
Contact:
Peter Gee - 07796 180317; email