What’s on in Stroud this week: 11 – 17 May
May continues to produce a bumper crop of community events around the Stroud district, with plenty to see and do for all the family.
The Stroud Food Festival kicks off this Friday around town, whilst Nailsworth Festival organisers begin a week of special events on Saturday. Elsewhere, the Old Lodge on Minchinhampton Common hosts a special celebration to mark the return of livestock to the commons, Frampton-on-Severn organises a community swan trail and St Laurence’s Church throws a celebration of Ukrainian culture.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district.
Regular and one off events
- Eat well at the Stroud Food Festival – Fri 15 – Sun 17 May
Stroud’s weekend of street eating and drinking returns for its fifth year, with a plethora of food on offer in Fawkes Place, London Road and Lansdown. Plus, head to Bank Gardens for a bar and music from the Prince Albert, and the festival’s kids play zone.
- Celebrate Marking Day at the Old Lodge – Sat 16 May, 10.30am – 2pm
The ancient tradition of Marking Day on Rodborough and Minchinhampton Commons falls each year on 13 May, marking the moment at which livestock are released to roam freely. In celebration, the National Trust and the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Advisory Committee are holding a special celebration at the Old Lodge on Minchinhampton Common on Sat 16 May with activities, walks and stalls celebrating nature and the commons.
- Attend the Nailsworth Festival – Sat 16 – Sat 23 May
The Nailsworth Festival brings a week of varied cultural events in the town each year seeking to provide something for everyone. This year’s festival kicks off on Sat 16 May with entertainment in Mortimer Gardens, an artisan market in Market Street, duck races in the brook and family sports in the afternoon.
- Take the Frampton-on-Severn Swan Trail – Sat 16 – Sun 17 May, 1 – 5pm
Frampton-on-Severn’s decorated swan trail returns, this year with a theme of Nest End, celebrating musical theatre stars and shows around the village. Tea, cake and ice cream will also be on offer, and each paying participant will be entered into a grand prize draw.
- Mark Vyshyvanka Day at St Laurence’s – Sat 16 May, 12.30pm
Stroud’s celebration of Ukrainian culture Vyshyvanka Day takes place this Saturday at St Laurence’s Church, featuring a colourful parade of traditional clothing, arts and crafts activities, Ukrainian food and live Ukrainian music and dancing. The day begins at 11.30am with a parade around the centre of town.
- Enjoy the Oakridge May Revels – Sat 16 May, 12 noon – 4pm
The village school’s annual fundraising fair returns to Oakridge School Green, with a bouncy castle, games, a barbecue, tea and cakes and a tombola. Plus, don’t forget to buy a ticket for the revels raffle for a chance to win a range of top prizes, and pick up a bargain at stalls selling plants, books, toys, crafts and more.
Continuing this week
- See the Society of Wood Engravers’ exhibition – Continues until 21 June
The Society of Wood Engravers’ 88th Annual Exhibition is now showing in the gallery at the Museum in the Park, continuing until Sunday 21 June. The exhibition features original prints from a group of artists from around the world, selected from an open submission and touring several venues throughout the year
Further afield
- Head to the Bath Literature Festival – Sat 16 – Sun 24 May
The Bath Literature Festival kicks off, bringing some of the UK’s most celebrated writers to the city, including Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell, Booker Prize winner Howard Jacobson and thriller writer Anthony Horowitz. The line-up also includes hedgerow chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Stroud shops fan Mary Portas and former politician Sajid Javid.
To suggest community events for inclusion in our weekly guide to things to see and do in the Stroud area, use this form.
