January is trundling along, new year’s resolutions are beginning to waver and it’s been rather cold. However, with a period of high pressure set to establish itself this week at least the forecast is for dry and calm weather.
Despite the time of year, there is still plenty to see and do in Stroud for those willing to wrap up warm and head out in search of adventure. This week’s highlights include two matches at Forest Green’s New Lawn stadium, Stroud’s annual Vegan Fair and a special wassail on the banks of the Stroudwater Canal.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district. To suggest an event for inclusion in 2025 use this form.
Regular and one off events
- Watch Forest Green at the New Lawn – Tue 14 Jan, Kick off 7:45 pm
Following the approval of Forest Green’s spectacular new stadium by junction 13 of the M5 in December, our days of watching our local National League team play at the New Lawn in Forest Green may well be numbered. But there is still plenty of time, and this Tuesday evening they play North London’s Barnet FC in what promises to be an entertaining match, with Barnet and Forest Green both currently vying with York City at the top of the table. Then the New Lawn hosts another home match this Saturday against Rochdale.
- Join the Wild Woolly Women at Stroud Brewery, Wed 15 Jan, 10am – 1pm
The Wild Woolly Women have been meeting monthly at various venues since April 2009 and invite you to share their enthusiasm and become a woolly woman yourself. The group’s social knitting event takes place every third Wednesday at Stroud Brewery, and also welcomes spinners, weavers and felters.
- Attend Stroud Vegan Fair – Sat 18 Jan, 10am – 3pm
Stroud’s popular Vegan Fair returns for its seventh birthday as part of what has become known as Veganuary. Expect independent, vegan-friendly businesses showcasing their wares, a programme of talks and cookery demonstrations, and an array of vegan food and drink.
- Lean machine sewing at Prema – Sat 18 Jan, 10am – 4pm
Bristol-based designer and maker Lauren Holloway leads a full day course at Uley’s Prema arts centre, for those looking to learn how to craft things using a sewing machine. The beginner course offers a chance to kickstart your sewing journey, learning your way around a sewing machine and some basic techniques, in order to make some nice things to take home. Booking required, course fee includes sewing machine hire and materials.
- Attend the Pockett’s Orchard Wassail – Sun 19 Jan, 2 – 4:30pm
Local institution Jonny Fluffypunk, popular new folk band Dobunni and Stroud choir impresario Eleanor Holliday lead the first Pockett’s Orchard Wassail, a partnership between Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity and Cotswold Canals Connected, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Book your free ticket and meet at Fromebridge Mill for a ten minute wander along the Stroudwater canal through the newly regenerated Fromebridge Wetlands nature reserve to the historic Pockett’s Orchard where the wassail will take place.
Continuing this week
- Take the Tinkley Gate Hibernation Exploration Trail – Until Sun 26 Jan, 10am – 4:30pm
To guide visitors through the quietest time of the year for on-site nature, the team at the National Trust’s Tinkley Gate site above Woodchester Park have organised this special educational trail offering a chance to learn about the hibernating animals of the site. Pick up a trail sheet at the second hand bookshop and fill it in as you find out about hibernating animals.
Further afield
- Learn about Wessex folk culture at Museum & Art Swindon – Until Sat 8 March
This interesting winter exhibition from Museum & Art Swindon brings together over a hundred objects, films, songs and stories in a celebration of regional folk art and seasonal custom. Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex features an array of tangible and intangible items, including a number from Simon Costin’s Museum of British Folklore.
- 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.