What’s on in Stroud this week: 4 – 10 May
The bank holiday weekend may be behind us, but gardens, woodlands and hedgerows are full, May is here, and as always Stroud’s event venues are in full bloom.
This week’s event highlights include the traditional Cotswold pageantry of the Randwick Wap and ceremonial cheese-rolling, a celebratory parish walk in Brimscombe and Trupp, and live music at the Prince Albert, the Sub Rooms and Stratford Park bandstand. Plus, the Stroud Arts Festival marks 80 years and Gloucester celebrates its Polish community.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district.
Regular and one off events
- Enjoy green drinks at Stroud Brewery – Thu 7 May, 7.30pm
Stroud Brewery’s regular green drinks are a chance for those working and volunteering in, or just curious, sustainability to get together. This week’s event features Extinction Rebellion co-founder Gail Bradbrook discussing a new project, Lifehouse Stroud.
- See Josephine Foster at the Albert – Thu 7 May, 8pm
Colorado-born singer, composer, and lyrical poet Josephine Foster brings her visionary experimental folk to Rodborough, breathing new life into traditional forms. The former opera student has been performing for 25 years, exploring the boundaries of folk, blues and German lieder song.
- Attend the Randwick Wap – Sat 9 May, from 12.30pm
Randwick’s ancient spring rite returns, with villagers gathering at the war memorial to cry in the newly-elected Wap Queen and Mayor and process them to the well for signing. From there, it’s off for a traditional rolling of the bless-ed cheese by the church, and a fayre on the village green.
- Beat the bounds of Brimscombe and Thrupp – Sun 10 May, 11.30am
Brimscombe and Thrupp residents revive the ancient custom of ‘beating the bounds’ of their parish in May, attempting to walk the parish boundary in the Anglo-Saxon custom. Beating the bounds helped younger generations understand the boundary lines and stories of their parish, but participants will need strong legs to cover the seven miles of hilly paths.
- Enjoy the band in Stratford Park – Sun 10 May, 2 – 4pm
The summer season of free gigs at Stratford Park bandstand kicked off last week, and continues this Sunday with a free concert from local brass enthusiasts the Jazz Friday Big Band, playing swing, soul, blues, funk, and latin jazz. The gigs continue until the end of September.
- Watch Dervish at the Sub Rooms – Sun 10 May, 8pm
Legendary Irish folk band Dervish are one of Ireland’s best known traditional bands, and have been entertaining crowds around the world for more than 30 years. They received a BBC lifetime achievement award 2019, and this Sunday they are set to entertain crowds at the Sub Rooms for one night only.
Beginning this week
- Celebrate 80 years of Stroud Arts Festival – Begins Sat 9 May
Stroud’s Art Festival has been taking place since 1946, bringing music, theatre, dance, poetry and art to venues around Stroud. This year’s festival stretches from May to December, kicking off with events this weekend inspired by renaissance art and Arthurian legend.
Further afield
- Celebrate Polish heritage in Gloucester – Sat 9 May, 12 noon
Organised by the Polish Association Gloucestershire and the Polish Academy in Gloucester to roughly coincide with the Polish National Day, Gloucester’s Polish Heritage Day takes place in Gloucester Park, the 11-hectare park located between Gloucester Quays and the GL1 Leisure Centre. The day includes live music from well-known Polish artists, traditional folk dancing and Polish food, as well as stalls and family fun.
To suggest community events for inclusion in our weekly guide to things to see and do in the Stroud area, use this form.
