The George Community Hub in Newnham on Severn
We are friendly and welcoming community hub in the Forest of Dean in the thriving Severnside village of Newnham on Severn. Following a fundraising campaign, our historic building was secured by the community in 2021. A team of dedicated volunteers worked together to bring The George back to life for the whole community to enjoy.
Welcome to The George
We want everyone in the community to benefit from our social hub which includes a café, a gallery and a second hand shop. We host talks, music events, art exhibitions, workshops and lots of creative activities for all ages. We’re lucky to have a prime spot on the beautiful heritage high street and we enjoy being part of an emerging creative scene in Newnham.
Cafe
We offer a fantastic range of artisan teas and coffees, cold drinks and alcohol. Our talented volunteer bakers provide a delicious selection of cakes for our cafe. We’re passionate about food and sourcing local produce and it’s important to us to be sustainable and affordable where possible.
Our environment
We are a volunteer-led organisation and our vision is to help others learn new skills, build confidence and collaborate in a supportive environment. We’re a family-friendly space and we also welcome well-behaved four-legged friends.
Latest Events
Our Lady of The Waters and The Wye – Talk by Rachel Jenkins OBE & Fr. David Wyatt, Thursday 21 August, 7.30 pm
In August 2022, a small boat carrying a wooden figure of the Virgin Mary made the national news when it set out on a 75-mile journey down the River Wye to draw attention to the disastrous pollution of the river by sewage and industrial waste. Three years later, two of the organisers reveal how the project was conceived, planned and staged, how people reacted, and the part the 'Lady of the Waters' played in the ongoing campaign to save the Wye.
This is a PAY AS YOU FEEL event and donations are welcome. Bar and snacks available. For further details including how to book, please click on the event title above.
PORTRAITS of a LIFE – Exhibition by Christine Smyth, Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 August
This exhibition of works by Christine Smyth – her first public show – combines portraits of family and friends with evocative charcoal landscapes and studies from life. The show runs from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 August and is open daily from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm.
Admission free – ALL WELCOME. For further details please click on the event title above.
Please note that there is now a lift to the upstairs gallery for wheelchair-users and people with mobility issues.
SOUNDS of STROUD – Live at THE CLUB, High St, Newnham, Friday 12 September, 7.00pm
This gig by Stroud bands Albino Tarantino, Thee Ones and DJ Mendoza will be a top-drawer ground-shaker. Be there or be square! Please note that the venue is The Club, High St, Newnham (that big place with the pillars), NOT The George.
Plus bar and snacks. Tickets £12, bookable now.
‘GROUNDBREAKERS – The Return of The Boar’, an Illustrated Talk by CHANTAL LYONS, Thursday 18 September, 7.30pm
Seven hundred years ago they were hunted to the brink of extinction. Now wild boar are back in the Forest of Dean and elsewhere in the UK. But are they a threat to people, property and landscape, or should we be actively encouraging and protecting them?
For years, Chantal Lyons has immersed herself in the world of the boar and those who live alongside them. In this fascinating talk, she shares her experiences and explores the issues raised by the presence of these idiosyncratic, highly intelligent creatures in our midst.
For further details click on the event title above.
SECRET ROOMS & UNTOLD STORIES – Tess Biddington & Sally Jenkinson, Saturday 20 September, 7.30pm
Acclaimed local poets Tess Biddington and Sally Jenkinson share the stage, followed by an Open Mic when it's YOUR chance to perform your own original work in front of a live audience.
Bar and snacks available. This is a Pay As You Feel event, and donations are welcome to help cover our running costs. For full details, including how to book, please click on the event title.
Stay in Touch
If you're interested in what we're doing and you'd like to be kept up to date please keep in touch!
Gallery
Our unique gallery is an affordable space which is one of a kind in the Forest of Dean. We want to celebrate emerging and established talent so that our local community can benefit from the diverse array of arts and crafts we are showcasing.
Beyond exhibitions we are a hive of artistic events and gatherings. In order to ensure that exhibiting artists get paid fairly we offer competitive rates and discounts.