THERE is something for everybody in Stroud this weekend.
With the weather looking good, it promises to be a jam-packed and fun-filled few days of sunshine.
We’ve put together a list of everything going on across the Five Valleys over the next few days.
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- Historical talk of adventure
Friday night. August 5 at 7.30pm.
The Painswick Centre, Bisley St, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6QQ
In 1899, Howard Blackburn became the sixth person to sail solo from America. He sailed from Gloucester, Massachusetts to Gloucester, England but what made his story more remarkable was that he had lost his fingers 15 years before through frostbite. This one hour performance tells Blackburn's remarkable story from the losing of his fingers to his triumph of crossing the Atlantic.
Tickets £10.00, £7.00. Available from TicketSource or phone 01453 751823 or from The Painswick Centre.
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- Scything for beginners at Westley Farm
Saturday. From 10am to 4pm Free of charge
Westley Farm, Cowcombe Hill, Chalford, Stroud, GL6 8HP
Ever considered trying your hand at scything? Well here's your chance.
Learn a new skill during Westley Farm’s practical course, introducing the traditional skills of using a scythe, with participants not required to have any prior experience.
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Crazy golf at The Goods Shed
Friday - Sunday. 10am – 4pm.
The Goods Shed, Station Road, Stroud, GL5 3AP
Gloucestershire families can enjoy hours of fun at The Goods Shed’s crazy golf course, returning to Stroud in prime time.
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- Picnic in the Park at Painswick Rococo Garden
Saturday. From 6.30pm
Painswick Rococo Garden. Gloucester Rd, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6TH
Pack up a picnic and head to the beautiful Rococo Gardens this August for some alfresco entertainment at Picnic in the Park, raising funds for the garden’s restoration.
Taking place at the pretty Painswick attraction on Saturday 6 August 2016, Picnic in the Park offers the chance for guests to spend an evening in the company of local talent, with live music from the Cranham Orchestra, folk band Baily’s Beads, and a ukulele player.
Meanwhile entertainment from Professor Collywobbles’ Punch and Judy show is sure to delight audiences.
With a rare opportunity to enjoy unrestricted access to the stunning gardens, the seasonal event promises a wonderful summer’s evening within a picturesque setting, and all to support a worthwhile charitable cause.
Tickets cost £5 in advance, £6 on the night. Telephone 01452 813204
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- Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park
Friday to Sunday. All day
Gatcombe Park, Hampton Fields, Minchinhampton, Stroud, GL6 9AT
The Festival of British Eventing 2016 will feature three days of world-class equestrian competitions, along with a shopping village, family entertainment, and much more.
Equestrian enthusiasts will be galloping to Gatcombe Park this summer, when the Festival of British Eventing gets underway at the spectacular home of the Princess Royal.
Highlights of the festival will include the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships, alongside everything from arena attractions and a shopping village, to family entertainment.
What’s more, with 2016 the Olympic year, the event is sure to be bigger and better than ever before, with some special attractions planned for the festivities.
Telephone: 01458 250200
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- Pop-up party
Saturday. Starts at 9.30pm and goes on till 1.30am
Bar Greyhound, Gloucester Street, GL5 1QG Stroud
A pop up party with DJ Will Mendoza & Rupert Cue playin' a vinyl selection of Deep Disco, Boogie Beats & Halfway House.
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- Micro pub opening
Saturday. 12noon until 9pm.
The Little George, 21 George Street, Stroud
Stroud’s first micro pub is preparing to swing open its doors to the public to the first time this weekend.
The newly named Little George has recently undergone an interior renovation to transform it from the former premises of the Absolutely Fabulous beauty salon into a fully functioning micro pub.
Its creators Barry Raynes and Derek Miles are hoping to attract a good crowd for the opening night.
They are encouraging the community come pop in for a drink to experience Stroud’s newest watering hole.
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- Dark Island gig at Stroud Brewery
Saturday. 8pm.
Stroud Brewery 11, Phoenix Works, Hope Mill Ln, Stroud GL5 2BU
Enjoy a night of blues, jazz and folk music this summer, when husband and wife duo, Dark Island, performs its innovative arrangements at Stroud Brewery.
Dark Island is said to provide distinctive interpretations using shared lead vocals, strong sung harmonies and varied instrumental work.
Offering a wide range of materials, including original songs, traditional and contemporary folk and a few covers, audiences can expect songs ranging from the 15th century right up to this year.
What’s more, with Stroud Brewery’s delicious sourdough pizzas and craft ale, audiences can while away a balmy summer’s evening at the picturesque and award-winning setting of Stroud Brewery.
Free of charge
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- Giffords Circus returns
Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Shows at 11am, 4.30pm and 7.30pm
Frampton on Severn, Village Green
Gifford’s Circus rolls back into Stroud for its first weekend show tomorrow after the first stage of a whirlwind summer tour of the UK.
The Painted Wagon’s new whip-crackin', horse-wranglin', boot-stompin' show will pitch up for a weekend of fun.
There are still tickets available for shows, which feature acrobatics and aerialists, dancing horses, bounty hunting and gold panning, all to the beat of the Dodge City Giffords Circus saloon band.
Gun-slinging, rope-spinning teenage cowgirl Lilian Konyot joins the troupe for the first time.
Giffords Circus stalwarts Madame Nancy Trotter-Landry, rodeo rider Dan Fortt, jugglers Bibi and Bichu, El Gifford and funny man Tweedy the Clown all make a welcome return.
Top stage and screen director, Cal McCrystal is back for his fifth year as director.
For more information and to buy tickets, priced from £22 for adults and £14 for children, visit www.giffordscircus.com
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- Vintage and Country Extravaganza
Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 10am to 5pm daily
South Cerney Airfield near Cirencester.
Visitors will be able to let off some steam at the Vintage and Country Extravaganza this weekend.
The 42nd event in aid of Cobalt takes place at South Cerney Airfield. Hosted by the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club, the popular annual event will include a steam arena, non-stop steam demonstrations, ferret racing, model aircraft displays.
The show will also feature an impressive display of historic vehicles, spanning classic cars, scooters, military vehicles, vintages buses and many more retro automobiles.
With hundreds of trade stands, a steam-drive vintage fun fair, traditional arcade games and plenty of other highlights with fun for all ages.
Day tickets cost £10, £5 for juniors, and are free of charge for under-fives.
For more information or go to www.glosvintageextravaganza.co.uk/
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- Walled Garden Sneak Peek
Sunday. 2pm - 4pm. Free, donations welcome
The Walled Garden, The Museum in the Park Stratford Park, Stroud
Join them between 2pm and 4pm every Sunday afternoon in August for a sneak peek at our beautiful new outdoor space.
A very special opportunity to see the garden as we prepare for a full opening in October.
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- Exhibition: The Letter as Art
Saturday 6 until to Monday 29 August. Free event
The Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud
It has always been said that there is an art to writing letters, but the letters of the alphabet – no matter which language – are art forms in themselves.
This varied exhibition explores permutations of the letter as art – the individual letters of alphabets, the various ways that they can be written, whether printed as poetry or as letters with their attendant calligraphy, using a variety of printing techniques.
These include hand-printing, letterpress, and the artist interpretation of a letter or letters together with the individual nature of various alphabets.
If a picture paints a thousand words, in this exhibition we will let the thousand words paint the picture.
Organised by Gloucestershire Printmaking Cooperative
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- Pop up Print Workshop
Sunday. 2pm - 4pm. Free, donations welcome
The Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud
Celebrate the new exhibition with some hands-on printing. A family workshop, drop in and enjoy printing a giant letter or two.
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