Clare Mahdiyone is chief executive of the Stroud Valleys Project and is passionate about the environment.

Putting nature first.

THE Stroud Valleys Project & The Museum in the Park present Pumpkins & Apples in the Park Save your pumpkins for the competition!

This year’s event takes place on Sunday, October 29.

As in past years, there will be Apple Pressing Workshops in The Walled Garden at The Museum in the Park from 11am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 3pm.

You are welcome to bring some of your own apples and have a go at making your own juice.

There will be a pop up cafe from 11 to 4pm, and later there will be music, hot apple juice and pizza.

Please drop off your carved pumpkin entries at the museum courtyard by 3.30pm then join in with our twilight Pumpkin Lantern Trail around the Walled Garden at 5.30pm.

There will be prizes for best carved home-grown pumpkin, best primary school-aged entrant, best secondary school-aged entrant and best family entrants.

From talking to many of our supporters and customers we are aware of the increasing concern about plastic in our environment, especially the marine environment.

In spite of the reduction of single use plastic bags, other types of single use plastic packaging are becoming more and more of a problem.

If you share this concern, please pop in to our eco shop, where you will find an increasing number of alternatives such as bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo coffee cups, bees wax wraps for wrapping food instead of cling film as well as a refill service for household cleaning products.

And finally, a reminder for you to save the date for a special charity concert on Saturday, January 20. The Stuart Singers from Minchinhampton will be joined by The Reed Warblers, a bassoon quartet. The concert will be at Holy Trinity Church in aid of Stroud Valleys Project.

Beat the January blues with this eclectic mix of fun and classical music.