Halloween has been and gone and half term is over, but there’s still plenty going on in Stroud and the surrounding area this week, writes Tom Jones.
Bonfire night officially falls on Tuesday, with displays of varying scale and ambition continuing up and down the Five Valleys all week.
Stroud Book Festival also kicks off on Wednesday, with five days of fiction, non-fiction and poetry-focussed events suitable for all ages centred around the Sub Rooms, Lansdown Hall and the Museum in the Park.
Find out more in our weekly look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district.
Regular and one off events
- Crown and Sceptre fireworks – Tue 5 Nov, from 6:30pm
Rodda and the team at the hat and stick once again lay on a thoroughly enjoyable Guy Fawkes affair, with hot dogs, hot chocolate and fireworks, and the usual warm welcome inside.
- Stay late at the Five Valleys Market food court – Fri 8 Nov, 5pm – 8pm
Head indoors to the Five Valleys Market this Friday for another of their enjoyable regular late openings, when most of the resident food traders in their central food court stay open for dinner. Grab a drink and enjoy Korean, Indian, Chinese, Cuban, Thai, and other cuisines until 8pm, then head out for a drink, upstairs for a bowl or home to bed.
- Attend Horsley Fireworks – Fri 8 Nov, 5pm – 9:30pm
The Friends of Horsley C of E Primary School open the gates at Horsley Playing Field from at 5pm this Friday for a special fireworks evening in aid of Horsley Primary School. The evening promises a bar, barbecue, crafts and face painting. Tickets are limited and should be booked in advance.
- Gather round the Stroud Community Agriculture bonfire – Fri 8 Nov, 6pm
Events at Stroud Community Agriculture tend to be wholesome affairs, and none moreso than their annual bonfire night. Join the team up at the farm for soup, burgers and sausages, and warm drinks by the bonfire with views over town. Bring your own mugs for soup and hot drinks.
- Watch the fireworks at Chalford Hill Bonfire Night – Sat 9 Nov, from 5pm
Chalford Hill Primary School PTA lay on a special bonfire night celebration at France Lynch Pleasure Ground, promising a “huge” bonfire, as well as a firework display, barbecue and cake stall. Tickets available in advance via the website.
- Volunteer at Oakbrook Community Far, Sat 9 Nov, 11am – 2pm
Oakbrook Community Farm, off the Painswick Old Road close to Hawkwood College, brings together growers, community groups, and small enterprises, striving to be a beacon of biodynamic community farming for the people of the Stroud. If you’ve ever fancied getting more involved, this Saturday is your invitation to join the team as a volunteer from 11am – 2pm.
- Attend the silent disco at Minchinhampton Fireworks – Sat 9 Nov, from 4.30pm
Minchinhampton School PTA are pulling out all the stops with their fireworks celebration this year. For your entry fee you not only get a firework and laser display, but also the opportunity to enjoy neon face paints and a silent disco. Plus, a sweet stall, barbecue and bar will also be on hand.
Beginning this week
- Embrace literature at the Stroud Book Festival – Wed 6 – Sun 10 Nov
Stroud Book Festival is back for another year, with a stellar lineup of talks from the likes of former Observer editor Will Hutton, former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, chief forager Richard Mabey and foreign policy advisor turned leveret-enthusiast Chloe Dalton. Plus, multiple events and a trail to honour world’s-most-famous patchwork elephant, Elmer, who celebrates his 35th birthday this year.
Further afield
- Attend the Bristol Photo Festival – Until early 2025
This new city-wide festival in Bristol celebrates photography and photographers at multiple venues around town, including the M Shed, 17 Midland Road and St Anne’s House. The Arnolfini exhibition by Japanese photographer Rinko Kawauchi – her first in the UK since 2006 – is a particular highlight, free to enter and continuing until February.
For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper.
