CHaT
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Group
Connecting Cirencester’s Culture, Heritage & Tourism Community.
2026 CHaT Meeting Schedule
CHaT meets every two months. Each session provides space to share updates and announcements, discuss challenges and opportunities, explore partnerships, support one another’s projects, strengthen Cirencester’s cultural ecosystem and have a Guest Speaker from one of the groups/organisations.
The bi-monthly forum has become a vital hub for connection and collaboration.
10.30 am to 12.00 pm – The Winstone Room at Corinium Museum
Wednesday 14th January
Wednesday 11th March
Wednesday 13th May
Wednesday 8th July
Wednesday 9th September
Wednesday 11th November
What is CHaT?
The Culture, Heritage and Tourism (CHaT) group is convened and chaired by the Cirencester Community Development Trust (CCDT). CHaT brings together organisations, volunteers and businesses every two months to share updates on local issues, trends and events shaping Cirencester’s cultural life.
The group played a pivotal role in launching the Cirencester History Festival in 2024, now a high-profile 10-day celebration held around the October half term.
CHaT reflects CCDT’s core values: partnership, openness and a shared commitment to the whole community.
Who we welcome
We welcome new voices, new ideas and new collaborations. CHaT is open to anyone involved in or passionate about:
Culture and the arts
Local heritage
Tourism and visitor experience
Community events and festivals
Volunteering and local partnerships
CHaT has become a space where audiences, volunteers, businesses and community groups can connect, share updates and support one another.
CHaT membership
Members of CHaT benefit from:
Shared event calendars
Updates on funding/event opportunities
Local research and insights
Networking and partnership support
Access to presentations from past meetings
Information about Cirencester’s cultural initiatives
Resources CCDT Governance and Policies
Regular attendees include
- AQIVA
- Barn Theatre
- Bathurst Estate/Cirencester Park
- CCDT
- Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society
- Cirencester Chamber of Commerce
- Cirencester Civic Society
- Cirencester College
- Cirencester History Festival
- Cirencester Library
- Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool
- Cirencester Pantry
- Cirencester Radio
- Cirencester Town Council
- Corinium Musuem
- Cotswold Henhouse
- Cotswolds Tourism/CotswoldsPlus Local Visitor Economy Partnership
- Crumps Barn Studio
- Daniel Bingham Foundation
- IPR Communications
- LMHA
- Local Information Centre
- New Brewery Arts
- PCC
- Phoenix Festival
- Phoenix Gardeners
- Rotary Club
- Stratton Association
- The Arts Society Corinium
- The Churn Comminity Hub
- The Hare Trail
- The Long Table/The Grace Network
- u3a
Join / Sign Up to CHaT
If you’d like to join the CHaT group or receive meeting invitations
Past Speakers
CHaT regularly hosts speakers from across Cirencester’s cultural, heritage and tourism sectors. Past contributors have included representatives from:
January 2026 speakers
Beth Alden of New Brewery Arts
with an update on their financial situation
Mary Cobbett of Cirencester Pantry together with Kayte Ferris of Barn Theatre
speaking about their Christmas fundraising collaboration.
Peter Vujakovic of Historic Towns Trust
speaking on potential Cirencester map
March 2026 speakers
Cashy Smith, Phoenix Gardeners
Phoenix Gardeners (PG), which runs on goodwill and generosity, was begun in 2007 by Meg Blumson. It started with seven volunteers and now has 50. There are two key areas of focus: 1. Community garden areas and 2. Tubs (of which there are 74 across the town plus 31 hanging baskets).
Community inclusion started with Powell’s School: 150 children each plant three plants in the Abbey Grounds and St Michael’s Park. PG also work with Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteers and youngsters needing experience for RHS apprenticeships.
Nick Hunt, CCDT/Town of Culture Bid Committee
CHaT acts as the consultation platform for the bid.
In summary: The theme is pathways and connection. Broadening access for everyone under the idea of ‘One Cirencester’. Open links out onto the Thames Path and connect the town to the Lakes. This will form the background for an interesting programme of culture, recreation and wellbeing truly accessible to all.
Importance of legacy: Commitment to continue sense of connection and building opportunities for young people. There is a perception of prosperity when it comes to the Cotswolds but we know this is not the whole story.