LIVING THROUGH HISTORY
A month of sport, dance, entertainment, heritage and culture this March
» THE Cheltenham Trust has a golden month in store for the town this month as it welcomes thousands for Cheltenham Festival week; re-opens Pittville Pump Room following repairs, and brings the world-acclaimed Radev Collection to the town for the first time.
The month of sparkling events begins tomorrow, Friday March 8, with the opening of Radev, the new exhibition at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, bringing 79 pieces to Cheltenham from artists including Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Pablo Picasso and Amedeo Modigliani, the first time since artwork from the privately owned collection has been publicly displayed since 2011.
The exhibition, which is free to visit, is complemented by a programme of family friendly events and activities during its run until the beginning of September.
Also opening, on Saturday March 9, is Alive In Us: Celebrating Women, a community art project and exhibition at the art gallery and museum bringing together women’s groups and marking this year’s International Women’s Day.
Led by artists Zoë Laureen Palmer and Cherry Truluck, working with women’s groups in Cheltenham, the project showcases contemporary works by the two artists and local women and girls, and celebrates the creative achievements and experiences of women and girls.
Next week thousands of visitors will be welcomed to Cheltenham, and the trust’s venues at Pittville Pump Room and the Prince of Wales stadium, for this year’s Festival, which celebrates the centenary of the legendary Gold Cup race.
Each March the iconic pump room hosts thousands of racegoers, many of whom return year after year, to enjoy the anticipation of race days over a full English breakfast, and for post-race music and entertainment in the special atmosphere of the Regency elegance.
Following essential maintenance work to the ornate plasterwork above the main hall, the pump room re-opens on March 12, ready to welcome this year’s race week visitors.
At the end of the month, March 30 and 31, Easter weekend, the Garden Bar in Imperial Gardens is hosting two days of free taster dance lessons as part of Cheltenham Swing Dance Festival. International teachers and live music are scheduled to encourage people to learn and enjoy the art of dance.
So, this March let The Cheltenham Trust feed and nurture your senses, eat, drink and celebrate race week; come and be inspired and take in leading artworks of the 20th century.
For more information and to book visit www. cheltenhamtrust.org.uk