What’s On: January 2018

Happy New Year! Happy 2018! It’s a fresh start, but when you think about it, January isn’t the best time to turn over a new leaf. The hangover is lingering, the piggy banks have been ransacked and the Christmas spirit has fizzled. You end up forcing yourself into new gym gear that is too tight after one too many Christmas puddings, and squashing yourself into a busy gym with hundreds of other “New Year, New Me” people.

Instead I propose, we postpone this new year, self improvement madness until your headache has died down, the next pay check has come in and had time to take down the tinsel.

So sit back, have a turkey and cranberry sandwich and relax after the manic month that is December. Perhaps try out a month free from the devil’s potion, also known as Drynuary. A way to detox after a month of knees-up and get back to the daily grind. Head over to chelt-fit.co.uk to find out more. Veganuary also seems to be in full force, so join the team and challenge yourself to go plant based for the month. More details at veganuary.com

Now if this all doesn’t appeal to you, you can start the new year in style by heading to the Cheltenham Racecourse on New Year’s Day to continue the frivolity and drinking whilst accompanying it with a cheeky bet and a hot toddy to keep you warm. Head down for 10:30 to beat the crowds and get a bet on for the first race at 12:15. Last race is at 3:40 so there is plenty of time for a few more pints in the pub.

One of my all time favourite shows is back to welcome in 2018. This is high praise as I have seen my fair share of shows! The Play That Goes Wrong returns to Cheltenham on the 16th of January to perform eight shows that will have you bent-double in laughter. Watch through crying-with-laughter eyes as everything that can go wrong does. I honestly believe this production, as seen on the royal variety, is perfect for anyone of any age and theatre style preference as it never fails to make you uncontrollably howl with laughter. This Westend sell out show is an Ant and Dec favourite and most certainly mine.

You’ve also still got a chance to catch your local pantomime before it’s too late, and there is plenty to choose from… Dick Whittington will be showing at the Cheltenham Everyman until the 7th, and the Bacon theatre has Aladdin running from the 18th until the 21st. There are a whole host of shows just a stone’s throw away from Cheltenham as well with productions of Robin Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan in Tewkesbury and Gloucester.

Wishing you all the best for 2018…