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
NOSTALGIA – An Exhibition of Childhood Toys and Games, Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 June, 11.00am to 4.30pm
Curated by Tom Penny, NOSTALGIA is a fascinating interactive art exhibition including Lego builds, hand-crafted items, board games, toys and art – in fact, something for everybody! There will be a wide range of exhibits on display from 1940s dolls through to a 2001 light sabre. The exhibition runs from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 June and is open from 11.00am to 4.30pm. For further details please click on the event title above.
Into The Uncanny – Poetry Reading and Open Mic, Saturday 7 June, 7.30pm
In our first-ever poetry event at The George, acclaimed Cheltenham-based poets Zoe Brooks and Anna Saunders read INTO THE UNCANNY, a collaborative sequence of poems drawing on the ‘other worlds’ of myth, fairytale and legend to address urgent topical themes. After the break, Steph Smith hosts an OPEN MIC SESSION for poets and would-be poets to read their own work.
This is a PAY AS YOU FEEL event. Bar and snacks available. ALL WELCOME. For full details click on the event title above.
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN (15) – Film Screening, Sunday 8 June, 7.00pm
Newnham Film Club in association with Newnham Arts Festival present James Mangold's acclaimed biopic, starring Timothée Chalemet as Bob Dylan, Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Ellie Fanning as Sylvie Russo and Monica Darbo as Joan Baez. Bar and snacks available – ALL WELCOME.
This is a PAY AS YOU FEEL event. Booking strongly recommended – please click on event title above for further details.
FRAGMENTS – Recent works by Esmée and Catherine Van Giap, Tuesday 10 to Saturday 21 June, 11.00am to 4.00pm
Mother and daughter Catherine and Esmée Van Giap present an exhibition of recent works in the very different mediums glass, mosaic and paint. Admission FREE - all welcome. Please note that a lift is now available for wheelchair users and the mobility-impaired. For further details and images from the exhibition please click on the event title above.
Paint Pens with Katie Fellows – Fridays 9.30-11.30am, weekly from 2 May to 13 June
Discover the vibrant world of paint pens on this engaging and creative course and create stunning artwork on a variety of surfaces. Build confidence and develop your artistic skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. Perfect for artists of all ages and abilities! To find out more and/or book a place, please call 01452 863855 or email bookings@artshape.co.uk.
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.