What’s on in Stroud this week: 18 – 24 May
It’s already mid-May, with half term kicking off for Gloucestershire schoolchildren on Friday, and another bank holiday weekend on the cards.
It’s also another full week of events and activities in the Stroud district, with film screenings, gigs, a family fun day, Morris dancing and more. Plus, Stroud Valleys Project leads a morning birdsong walk on Rodborough Common and the Prince Albert hosts a Sunday evening double gig to mark the coming bank holiday.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and around.
Regular and one off events
- Watch Morris dancing at the Carpenters Arms – Wed 20 May, 8pm
Traditional Cotswold Morris dancing side Lassington Oak Morris cross the River Severn for a special evening dance at the Carpenters Arms at Westrip. The evening includes a free ploughman’s supper for all attending, plus an old-fashioned singalong in the bar afterwards.
- Listen to morning birdsong on Rodborough Common – Thu 21 May, 7am
Stroud Valleys Project have organised this special morning walk on Rodborough Common in the company of National Trust birding expert Tom Griffin. Bring sharp ears and binoculars as Griffin helps participants identify morning birds by song and sight.
- See Long Barrow to Cuda Falls – Fri 22 May, 7pm
Lansdown Hall screens poet Alun Hughes’ time-travelling poetry film, charting a journey from Selsley Long Barrow, across the commons and valleys to the waterfall in the Heavens. Whilst the film is deeply rooted in Stroud, we are told it also explores nature-based practices, folklore and animist perspectives, as well as considering our island existence and changing times.
- Create a needlefelt landscape – Sat 23 May, 12-4pm
As part of Nailsworth Festival, needlefelting expert Steffi Stern leads a hands-on workshop Needle helping participants create a warm, summer landscape. Stern will explain how to design and create a two-dimensional landscape with wool, blending fibres into perfect shades.
- Have family fun at the Old Crown – Sat 23 May, 12-5pm
The team at the Old Crown in Paganhill throw their first family fun day of the year, featuring a bouncy castle, barbecue, live entertainment, a sweet stall and cakes. There will also be a display from Stroud’s LCS Cheerleading, and the posters also note that police will be in attendance, presumably in a fun educational way.
- See Polhawan and Ice Baths at the Albert – Sun 24 May, 8pm
The best pub on Rodborough Hill hosts a bank holiday Sunday double header, featuring Bristol-based Polhawan and London quartet Ice Baths. Polhawan is described as a mythical meeting between Fairport Convention and Parquet Courts, while Ice Baths bring restless energy and angled aggression.
Continuing this week
- See the National Wildlife Management Centre exhibition – Continues until Sun 26 Jul
This year, the Animal & Plant Health Agency’s National Wildlife Management Centre marks 50 years of scientific research at Woodchester Park. To mark the occasion, the Museum in the Park has helped them bring a special outdoor exhibition to Stratford Park, showcasing scientific discoveries and positive action to sustain animal, human and environmental health.
Further afield
- Attend the Cotswold Festival of Steam – Sat 23 – Mon 25 May
The Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway lays on a special weekend for steam train enthusiasts, featuring visiting locomotives, signal box access, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and more. Plus refreshments, goods train brake van rides and train shed openings throughout the bank holiday weekend.
To suggest community events for inclusion in our weekly guide to things to see and do in the Stroud area, use this form.
