What’s on in Stroud this week: 13 – 19 July
The heatwave continues, and while the endless sunshine looks set to break down into thundery showers midweek, warm weather is very much still on the cards.
Thankfully, Stroud has once again laid on a rich programme of indoor and outdoor activities to suit all tastes, with Stroud Show and Chalfest taking place this weekend, and literary and theatre events catering for those who would rather stay away from the crowds. Plus, the National Trust team open their Tinkley Gate site late on Friday and Saturday, and Bristol’s Harbour Festival kicks off this weekend.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district.
Regular and one off events
- See Red Sky at Sunrise at the Sub Rooms – Fri 17 Jul, 7pm
Coming to town as part of the Stroud Arts Festival’s 80th birthday celebrations,Wolf Hall’s Anton Lesser and Killing Even’s Charlie Hamblett star in this reinterpretation of Laurie Lee’s Cider with Rosie trilogy. Weaving together music and Lee’s own writing, the performance charts his story from the Slad valley to the Spanish Civil War.
- See Mikron at Rodborough Community Hall – Fri 17 Jul, 7pm
Multi-award-winning travelling theatre company Mikron was founded in 1972, and has now been bringing theatre to communities across the south of England for 54 years. This year’s show, Wensleydale Whey, promises to transport the audience to the Yorkshire Dales, to join the cast on a quest to revive a lost recipe.
- Hear short stories at the Chapels of Rest – Fri 17 Jul, 7.30pm
Award-winning writer and performer Philip Douch brings a collection of fun short stories for grown ups to the Chapels of Rest for grown-ups for a candlelit evening. Attendees are requested to bring their own cushion, drinks and glasses for an adventurous evening in a treasured local landmark.
- Attend Chalfest – Fri 17 – Sat 18 Jul
Chalford’s biggest party returns to France Lynch Pleasure Ground for another year, with a lineup that includes M People vocalist Heather Small and the one and only Chesney Hawkes. The festival also stays true to its community roots, with plenty of space for local groups such as the Chalford Community Orchestra and Choir, School of Larks and the Chalford Brass Band.
- Wang a welly at Stroud Show – Sat 18 Jul, 11.30am
The Stroud Show team continues a tradition which dates back 150 years, and this year will be officially opened following the show procession by the MP for Stroud, the Mayor, and ITV West Country presenters Sabet and Alex. Following the awarding of the Edna Powell Cup for Community Contribution, attendees will be treated to a programme of entertainment featuring the Rodborough Folk Orchestra and Miserden Morris, as well as magic, a tug of war and of course welly wanging.
- Take a dragonfly walk with Stroud Valleys Project – Sun 19 Jul, 1pm
The Stroud Valleys Project team invites us on a Stroud-focussed walk with local entomology expert Graeme Davis. The walk offers the chance to find out about the lifecycle of the dragonfly, and search for them in the canal and river and a secret wildlife pond in the centre of Stroud, using ID charts and binoculars.
Continuing this week
- Stay late at Tinkley Gate – Fri 17, Sat 18, Fri 24 & Sat 25 Jul, 4 – 8pm
To celebrate the longer evenings for Fridays and Saturdays during July, the National Trust are opening their Tinkley Gate site . Play board and lawn games, enjoy walks, have pizza and new sundaes with our “dessert club” offer in a relaxing environment with views over the Stroud valleys. Gates close at 8pm.
Further afield
- Attend Bristol Harbour Festival – Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jul
Tracing its lineage back to the 1996 International Festival of the Sea, the Harbour Festival is a staple event in Bristol’s calendar. Expect musical acts and spectacular performances in and around Bristol’s Floating Harbour, stretching from Thekla to Underfall Yard.
For details of how to suggest community events for inclusion in our weekly guide to things to see and do in the Stroud area, see here.
