It’s Wildlife Weekend along the canal – spot wildlife, performers & storytellers all Bank Holiday weekend.
Enjoy the long Bank Holiday weekend along the Stroudwater canal with activities, entertainment & performances for everyone to enjoy.
Go wild and play Wildlife Bingo and tick off the wildlife you spot with a downloadable bingo card, or become a wildlife ecologist with the Wildlife ID booklet. It’s full of interesting facts so you can learn more about local species, and has space for you to record the animals, plants and field signs you see.
Performers will be telling traditional dark Gloucestershire folk tales in rhyme and song, and playing an eclectic variety of music to passers-by from gypsy-jazz and soulful vocals to shanties with a twist.
“The response to our May Slow Canal Trail has been fantastic, and has appealed to people of all ages and walks of life,” said Anna Bonallack manager of the Cotswold Canals Connected Community Engagement team.
“The canal is here for everyone to enjoy – and there really is something for everyone.”
There are four Walking and Cycling trails and four Food and Farm trails to follow that follow both the canal towpath and further afield for the chance to explore less well known areas close by.
An art exhibition by OK Let’s Create Stuff is on display at Stroud and Stonehouse train stations, and a community exhibition of people’s art, poems and thoughts about the canal is displayed on the Cotswold Canals Connected canal side notice boards.
Don’t miss the interactive light and sound display at Haywards Bridge (under Horsetrough roundabout) near Ryeford or the chance to listen to canal tales on an audio post at Ocean.
Wild Weekend performances
Saturday, May 29
Matthew Heyse-Moore, musician
Matthew Heyse-Moore’s music is inspired by the beauty and power of mountains, rivers, and other natural landscapes, combining chant with acoustic instruments and natural sounds.
For his meander along the canal, Matthew will be providing clarinet and voice, based on his album ‘Elements of Nature’. An exploratory and improvisational performance inspired by place.
Time: 11:00-13:00.
Where you might spot him: Fromehall Mill towards Stroud.
The Dry Seamen – band
These lickspittle landlubbers hail from landlocked Chalford and are rumoured to play excruciatingly twisted shanties in unusual ways. Come and join their mutated mutiny.
Time: 12:00-13:00.
Where you might spot them: Capels Mill.
Max and Raphael Gypsy-Jazz Folk Duo
This fast and furious folk duo will have your toes tapping and spirits lifted. Raphael on fiddle and Max on guitar, they play traditional reels and gypsy jazz with ease and vigour.
Time: 12:00-14:00.
Where you might spot them: Somewhere around the Ocean.
D’Artangnan – Guitarist and singer
Saturday 29th 14:00-16:00.
Where you might spot him: around Ebley Wharf and Queen Elizabeth II Fields.
𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 will perform 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘄𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗮𝘁 on the water (in their beautiful pea green boat)
Time: 15:00-17:00
Where you might spot them: Ryeford Bridge.
𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮 30 𝙈𝙖𝙮:
Rumi-Blue Singer and guitarist
A rare gem to stumble across under a quiet bridge or next to a trickling stream, Rumi-Blue’s light soulful vocals will carry you to the far reaches of your imagination.
Time: 12:00-14:00.
Where you might spot her: Starting at Wallbridge and Capels Mill, heading to Fromehall pond.
Monday, May 31
𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁, 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿
John Bassett of Spaniel in the Works Theatre Company presents three short dark tales of Gloucestershire – The Rotten Tale of Richard Parsons, The Dunston Boys – Tom, Dick and Harry and The Fairy Cider. Traditional dark Gloucestershire folk tales told in a lively funny manner using rhyme, song and some very odd costume! – at selected points along the canal from Stonehouse towards the Ocean.
Time: 12:00-15:00.
Where you might spot him: The Stonehouse part of the canal, heading towards The Ocean.
