Events
News
Alleycat at Age UK
29 Feb 2024
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1017450223314903&set=a.822436746149586
Steve Goodchild entertained a good audience at Age UK Black Bear group.
Apple Vision Pro & Alleycat!
07 Feb 2024
Alley Stroll Dates 2024
07 Feb 2024
Alleycat@the Library
09 May 2023
Project Alleycat are hosting an exhibition and talk at Tewkesbury Library on Tuesday 16 May.
The exhibition, "Alleycat@the Library" will look at Alleycat activities over the past 7 years, introduce a new project - the Prior's Alley mural - and publicise links with the High St Heritage action Zone. Noon to 5 PM.
At 7.30 pm. Steve Goodchild will give a talk on "Tales from the Alleys", looking at alleys past and present, and the people who lived there.
Admission to either event is free.
Alley Stroll Dates 2023
03 Jan 2023
Android App Released
11 Oct 2022
We are pleased to announce that the Alley App is now available for Android phones, in addition to the pre-existing iPhone version. The apps are free to download from the Google Playstore or Apple AppStore. Search for Project Alleycat. Available to download in UK only.
Alley stroll dates 22-23
11 Oct 2022
Alley Stroll Dates
These are the dates for Alley Strolls for Autumn/Winter/Spring 22-23.
Sundays 2.30 PM.
Meet outside M&Co on High St by Warder's Alley.
- Oct 16, 30
- Nov 13, 27
- Dec 11
- Jan 8, 22
- Feb 5,19
- Mar 5,19
- Apr 2, 23
What's Next?
17 Dec 2021
What's the next Alleycat project?
For 2022, Project Alleycat is looking for suggestions for new art works, events and sites.
Some suggestions already in:
- "Recycle Cat" - a sculpture made from recycled parts and components, possibly with working LEDs and a small solar panel.
- Czar's mate? - a companion piece for the bronze sculpture of Czar on the Back of Avon
- Prior's Alley - There is a large recess at the side of the newer section of Prior's Court. Originally, possibly a bin store, now seemingly unused.
- An exhibition - Of alley life, alley art? Possibly for school students in the holidays?
Stocking Knitting
16 Dec 2021
Alleycat are pleased to unveil the second, and final, artwork of 2021, Stocking Knitting by Maxine Williams. The mural in Stephens Alley recalls the time when stocking making was a major trade in Tewkesbury, and the sole occupation in Stephens Alley. The painting depicts Stocking making as a family activity, whilst men generally operated the heavy knitting frame, women and children would be skilled spinners or responsible for finishing the hosiery.
To see a frame in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWfzzfjMa6k
Tewkesbury Alleys 2022 Calendar on sale
18 Nov 2021
The 2022 Tewkesbury Alleys by Tewkesbury Artists calendar is now on sale, price £7. The calendar is available from Bookworm, M&Co and Tewkesbury Cards & Gifts , all on the High St, and Tourist Information at 100 Church St.
It will also be available at the Christmas markets at Bushley, on Saturday 20th, Tewkesbury High St on Sunday 21st and the Abbey Fayre on Saturday 27th. Supplied in a stiff envelope for posting.
Fletcher's Alleycats
18 Nov 2021
The latest Alley artwork is now complete. Fletcher's Alleycats can be seen in Fletcher's Alley off Barton St.
The stainless steel sculpture by Richard Thornton, and his student, Ilaria Edmans, depicted cats(inevitably) gazing at the moon.
2020 Christmas Gifts
08 Dec 2020
We are pleased to say that Alleycat Christmas Gifts are still available, featuring our hand-drawn map of the Alleys and Courts of Tewkesbury.
Teatowels at £7
Printed maps available in a variety of sizes and presentations, in frames, wallets or just plain paper.
Alleycat items are available from:
- Bookworm
- M&Co
- Tewkesbury Cards & Gifts
Unfortunately, the Tourist Information has been closed since March.
Alley App
08 Dec 2020
Project Alleycat App - A virtual guide to the alleys.
We are please to say that we have an Alley App. Available on for Apple iPhones & iPads at present. It can be downloaded from the Apple App Store - search for Project Alleycat. There are no adverts or charges.
Developed by Bilaal Rashid.
Czar, the latest Alleycat artwork
08 Oct 2019
Czar, the Sculptor's cat is the latest, and arguably the best, Alleycat art work.
Completed in May 2019, it is a bronze sculpture of a cat sitting on the river wall on Back of Avon.
Czar was created by Gloucestershire artist Diane Gorvin.
Funding for the work came in part from a grant from Gloucestershire County Council, but mainly from funds raised from the sale of maps and teatowels and proceeds of guided walks.
Tea Towel Alley Maps
08 Oct 2019
The ideal present for alley fans everywhere - and for former residents, visitors and admirers of Tewkesbury.
Elaine Guildings "Alleys & Courts" map is now available as a tea towel.
100% cotton, full colour digital print available only from Alleycat and our supportive sellers - Bookworm, Card & Gifts and M&Co, all on High St, and Tourist Information on Church St. £7 each.
Buy an Alley Map
17 Oct 2018
One of the most popular Alleycat creations mist be the map. Strictly, "The Alleys and Courts of Tewkesbury" is a meticulously hand drawn map by local artist Elaine Guilding. It was commissioned by Alleycat as no definitive map of the alleys was available. It has been produced in various sizes from a giant on the High St, which occupies a side window of M&Co. to framed and unframed copies for home and office use. These can be purchased from local outlets:
- Bookworm, 150 High St
- Tewkesbury Cards and Gifts, High St
- Tewkesbury Museum, Barton St (unframed A4 only)
- Tourist Information, 100 Church St
Prices start from only £3
Bank Alley - Project Cancelled
26 Sep 2018
All that remains on the once notorious Bank Alley is a short stub running through the "Out of the Hat" building on Church St, which houses the Tourist Information Centre.
Alleycat has proposed using the otherwise empty alley as a "Alley interpretation centre", which would tell the story of the alleys using interactive touch screen wall displays. We had applied for - and had been validated for - an EU grant as a tourist/heritage attraction. Unfortunately, the scheme has had to be abandoned as the owners of the alley - Tewkesbury Borough Council, which supported the scheme in principle, did not want to commit to a five year lease of the alley.
Project Alleycat are very disappointed that this scheme cannot proceed, it would be an exciting development for Tewkesbury. We are actively looking for an alternative venue, but would also need to find an alternative source of funding as EU grants will cease with Brexit.
Tolsey Lane
25 Sep 2018
In early 2018 we installed a mural, "Through the Windows" in place of the decaying boards in the window frames of Cross House, in Tolsey Lane. This proved an instant hit with local people and considerably brightened up the lane.
New tenants have moved into Cross House recently and are converting the former shop into a micro-pub. They wish to restore the windows , so the mural has been taken down and placed in store.
We are looking for a new place to hang "Through the Windows", in or near the alleys. If you have an suggestions then please get in touch.
Cheshire Cat Unveiled
29 Jul 2017
Cheshire Cat Unveiled
The Cheshire Cat has been successfully assembled and mounted in its new home in Warders Alley. To record the effort that went into making and displaying the Cat, we had a small glass plaque made. This was officially unveiled by Borough Mayor Harry Turbeyfield and Deputy Town Mayor Christine Danter.
AlleySweep - Clean & Weed the Alleys
13 Apr 2017
Project Alleycat invite you to join us in cleaning and weeding the alleys.
Sunday 23 April 2017
MEET: Bishop's Walk, 11 AM
BRING: Brush, hoe and gloves
Cheshire Cats
10 Dec 2016
Alleycats have partnered with Leonard Cheshire Disability to work with local schools and youth groups to create and install an artwork in Warders Alley, with the kind permission of owners M&Co. Warders was rebuilt in the 1970s and is a very bleak concrete tunnel, so definitely in need of livening up.
We have also been in touch with the County Council to see if we they can improve the drainage (there is a near permanent puddle) and install street lighting - there is none at all!
Tewkesbury Direct Magazine
9 Dec 2016
Tewkesbury Direct magazine will be carrying a monthly article on alleys. December's explains the difference between courts and alleys, January's will tell the story of Bank Alley.