Events & Activities
Please also see our upcoming events, weekly activities and Sunday services pages for regular church activities.
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
Sunday Service - Morning Worship
Event:
‘Sunday Service’ - Morning Worship
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:
Main course - Coronation Chicken with new potatoes and salad
Dessert - brownies with cream and strawberries
There will be GF and vegetarian options available
Tea and coffee served after lunch as usual.
Date & Time:
Friday 21st August
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
Gail Birch - 07875028671; email
Liz Cole - (Church Warden) 07974911016; email
Benefice Pilgrimage
Event:
‘Benefice Pilgrimage’ - a Sunday walk round the three churches in our Benefice
Date & Time:
Sunday 30th August - full timings and details to follow
Location:
Start and Finish at St.Mary’s church, Woodchester - here on Google maps
Find St. Mary Magdelene Church, Rodborough here on Google maps
Find Holy Trinity Church, Brimscombe here on Google maps
Approx Route:
Follow this link here to show approximate route of the walk
Trip Details:
Please click on this link to view and download the full Event Flyer
This year we plan to celebrate the three parishes of our Benefice by having a special day, combining our congregations and moving round the Benefice for worship in all three churches.
Building on the centuries old tradition of Pilgrimage, we will walk together from one church to the other, learning from one another and praying with one another, for one another and for the parishes we pass through.
For those that cannot walk the full distance, we will be inviting you to join us by car at one or more of the churches for worship and food, and perhaps to offer a lift to those walkers who are tired out (see detailed location details for each of the three churches above).
We hope that many of you will want to walk and join us for all or part of the way but also that others will join us along the route for worship and refreshments.
ALL AGES AND ABILITIES ARE VERY WELCOME!
Further information
Contact David Pouncey on 07974 403449 or email davidp@woodchesterstmarys.org
‘Tea on the Green’
Event:
‘Tea on the Green’ - in aid of St.Mary’s Church funds
Date & Time:
Saturday 5th September
From 2.30pm on
What’s On:
Lots of great tea and beautiful cakes!
Rodborough Folk Orchestra https://www.roffo.co.uk/about
No Ticket required:
ENTRY FREE
Location:
The Green, outside St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Messy Church
Event:
‘Harvest’
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
‘Harvest Supper’
Event:
‘Harvest Supper’
In aid of St.Mary’s Church funds
Date & Time:
Saturday 3d October
6:30pm for 7:00pm start
Details:
Delicious seasonal meal and live harp music
Pay Bar
Tickets:
In advance £16 per person (details TBA later)
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Autumn Wreath-Making Workshop
Event:
‘Autumn Wreath-Making Workshop’
In aid of St. Mary’s Church funds
Date & Time:
Saturday 10th October
9:30am to 12:00noon
9:30am welcome with workshop starting at 10:00am
Ticket Information:
£20 including refreshments - tea/coffee and delicious cake
Please email Helen Jackson to book your place: Email
SPACES ARE LIMITED
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
it would be helpful if you could bring secateurs
PLEASE NOTE…..DRIED FLOWERS FOR OUR AUTUMN WREATH MAKING EVENT!
As you are cutting back in your garden we would be very grateful if you could keep anything which is suitable for drying for us to use in our autumn wreath making workshop. You can dry them by hanging upside down in a cool place. Some ideas are sea holly, honesty, statice, gypsophila and globe thistles. Other ideas can be found online. Please let Christina Lewis, Gail Birch or Helen Jackson know if you think you could help.
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
‘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
Thanksgiving Service for the life of Anne Lancaster (followed by bring and share reception)
Event:
Thanksgiving Service for the life of Anne Lancaster
Followed by a bring and share reception
All Welcome
Date & Time:
Monday 10th August
11:00am - 12:00pm (service)
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
ellicaster@gmail.com 07834 228464
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
Sunday Service - Morning Worship
Event:
‘Sunday Service’ - Morning Worship
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:
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
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
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
Sunday Service - Joint Benefice Service - Morning Worship
Event:
‘Sunday Service’ - Joint Benefice Service - Morning Worship
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 with Holy Communion
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:
Lunch with Friends
Event:
‘Lunch with Friends’ - two course home-cooked lunch for local community
Menu:
Main course - Quiche Lorraine with potatoes and salad garnish
Dessert - black forest trifle with cream or cheese & biscuits
Tea and coffee served after lunch as usual.
Date & Time:
Friday 17th July 2026
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
Gail Birch - 07875028671; email
Liz Cole - (Church Warden) 07974911016; email
Nailsworth Music Society Summer Concert
Event:
Nailsworth Music Society Summer Concert
Nailsworth Academy Band
Nailsworth Brasshoppers
Date & Time:
Sunday 12th July 2025
4:00pm - 5.30pm approx
FREE entry
Refreshments & Raffle
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Sunday Service - Father’s Day - All Age Worship
Event:
‘Sunday Service’ - All Age Worship for Father’s Day
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:
Main Course - chicken pie (or vegetarian alternative) with mash and vegetables
Dessert - rhubarb and strawberry cobbler
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
Liz Cole - (Church Warden) 07974911016; email
Gail Birch - 07875028671; email
Messy Church
Event:
Theme: Jonah and Seaside Holidays
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
Capriol Chamber Orchestra Concert
Event:
Capriol Chamber Orchestra Concert
Date & Time:
Saturday 13th June
7:30pm to 9:30 approx
Programme to include
Rossini Overture La Cenerentola
Neruda Trumpet Concerto, with soloist Stephanie Urquhart
Bizet Petite Suite ‘Jeux d’Enfants’
Beethoven Symphony No. 8
Further Information
Capriol Chamber Orchestra web site here
Stephanie Urquhart was a Wycliffe College music scholar and went on to study music at King's College, London, receiving her trumpet lessons at the Royal Academy of Music. Following this she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in orchestral training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She remained in London for a further 8 years doing a variety of music teaching & playing before returning to her home town of Nailsworth. Since then she has continued to perform regularly with a wide variety of orchestras, Choral societies & The Accidental Brass Collective.
Tickets
£14
Children under 16 FREE
£1 reduction on tickets purchased before the concert evening
Tickets available from Stroud sub rooms box office here. A booking fee of 0.50p per ticket is charged. Tel 01453 796880
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Five Valley Voices Summer Concert
Event:
Five Valleys Voices Summer Concert
Date & Time:
Friday 12th June
7:00pm to 9:00 approx
Programme
Ladies/High Voice Choir
I'm a Woman!
Swifter Than A Flame
To Sit And Dream
On Children
Don't Stop Me Now!
Just Give Me A Reason
Men/Low Voice Choir
Sea Fever
Evocation
Every Time I Look At You
Footloose
Final Countdown
Carry On Wayward Son
Full Choir
Songs From Stranger Things Vol 2
Sogno Di Voleri
How Far I'll Go
Water Fountain
Pompeii
Further Information
Five Valleys Voices web site here
Refreshments, snacks and a raffle
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:
Joint Benefice Sunday Service - Brimscombe School
Event:
Morning Worship
Date & Time:
Every Sunday Morning
11am - 12pm
Location:
Brimscombe C Of E Primary School, Brimscombe Hill, Brimscombe, Stroud GL5 2QR
Find us on Google maps
Chris Short email
Pentecost Sunday Service with Holy Communion
Event:
Pentecost ‘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:
Lunch with Friends
Event:
‘Lunch with Friends’ - two course home-cooked lunch for local community
Menu:
Main Course - mild or medium meat chilli (or vegetarian chilli) with baked potato and peas (with a choice of toppings of bacon bits, cheese or sour cream)
Dessert - cheese cake or fruit salad 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:
Liz Cole - (Church Warden) 07974911016; email
Gail Birch - 07875028671; email
Christina Lewis - 07968159779; email
Ascension Day Service
Event:
Ascension Day Service
Date & Time:
A special service for Ascension Day
7.30 - 8.30pm
Location:
St. Mary’s Church, Church Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, GL5 5PD
Find us on Google maps, Streetmap or what3words
Contact:
Women’s Weekend Away
Event:
‘Women’s Weekend Away’
Date & Time:
Friday 8th May (4:00pm TBC) to Sunday 10th May (3:00pm TBC)
Location:
Further Information:
We still have a couple of spaces for our weekend away to Kington. If you are interested then please speak to Sue Pouncey or Helen Jackson - see contact details below
It should be a wonderful time of fun and friendship with the option of going walking - or visiting the local area - with evenings of craft activities, games and much chat. All fuelled by delicious food and lots of cake! Please do consider joining us if you would like to.
Trip Details:
What a treat we have for you.
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.
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. There will be something for everyone!
Food will again feature strongly, which we will be cooking. 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 Sue Pouncey or Helen Jackson 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
Further information
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
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:
Easter Day - Sunday Family Service with Holy Communion & Easter egg hunt
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:
Good Friday Service - the journey to the cross - the crucifixion in words & music
Event:
Good Friday special service
a quiet, contemplative service with words & music, 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:
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
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:
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
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: