It’s almost the weekend, but what to do? Here are five suggestions from us to you
The CLA Game Fair, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
July 18-20
Over 1,000 exhibitors and attractions and up to 140,000 visitors are expected over the three days of the CLA Game Fair, a celebration of the countryside that provides local companies from the South West region with an international shop window. It encompasses all aspects of rural living and offers unique entertainment, exhibitions, features, displays, championships and competitions.
CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: ”Because this year’s CLA Game Fair is so easily accessible from the South West, we are expecting great support from the region - so we are holding lunchtime receptions for our South West members on the first two days of the show in conjunction with one of the country’s leading sporting hotels, The Arundell Arms, on their stand in Fisherman’s Village.”
The Arundell Arms in Lifton, West Devon, is a 300 year old former coaching inn. It has been family owned and managed by the Fox-Edwards family for over 50 years and for more than 25 years has been exhibiting at The Game Fair. Managing Director, Adam Fox-Edwards, said: “The CLA Game Fair is an outstanding source of new business for us and a great way of reinforcing our contacts with existing customers – plus it’s a fantastic day out for everybody who comes.”
Have-a-Go is the theme which runs throughout the hundreds of acres where visitors will have the chance to try activities which range from clay shooting, archery and 4 x 4 driving to dog training, laser combat, hands on falconry, mountain boarding and quad bikes. Add to this international level competition in Spey casting and gundogs, plus a major equestrian section, Hooked on Horses, gardens, art and antiques and the Totally Food Show, and The Game Fair offers a world class event at a local level.
Full details on these and the many other features and displays that make up The CLA Game Fair, as well as ticket and travel information can be found at www.gamefair.co.uk
Moreton Art Weeks, Moreton-in-Marsh
July 5-26
Moreton Art Weeks is taking place for the second year running in the picturesque North Cotswold market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, with plenty of events scheduled and a historic exhibition “Heroes of Moreton: We Remember Them” being staged from July 12-25 to commemorate the 100th anniversary since the outbreak of the First World War.
New for 2014 is the Food Art Trail; local food shops and restaurants have created a host of dishes inspired by famous artists. For example, Timothy’s at Fosseway Garden Centre will be serving up a William Morris salad, while the Spice Rooms will add a Dali Dhal to their menu and the Greek Deli in the Cotswolds has created El Greco Meatballs.
There are art exhibitions taking place across the town, including: Astley House Fine Art - a wide variety of original 19th and 20th century oil paintings including landscapes, genre, portraits, still-life and large decorative items, The Moreton Gallery Summer Exhibition featuring the work of Jane Ormes, Lesley Jones, Janis Goodman, Jane Eccles, Sue Bartlett, Katie Allen, Vicky Oldfield, David Stanley, Display of Great War recruitment posters at Inn on the Marsh among many others.
For further details, visit: www.moretonarts.com
Gloucester Quays Food Festival, Gloucester
July 18-20
The annual Gloucester Quays Food Festival returns this weekend.
The three day event, which is free to enter, boasts live entertainment, a bustling 120+ stall Artisan market offering a whole range of food and drink and demonstrations from top TV chefs, James Martin and Paul Hollywood.
Stalls of tasty local cheeses, rich handmade chocolates, hearty traditional pies and farm fresh sausages will be complemented by many different flavours of international cuisine and award-winning produce.
Three days of live music and entertainment featuring soul, swing, acoustic, reggae and jazz, singers/songwriters and bands, will be performed on the Village Green lawn.
Other attractions include The Great Gloucestershire Cake ‘Taste Off’ and The Recipe Tree - an opportunity for Food Festival visitors to share their secret family recipes with foodies in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds by hanging their recipes on a special tree to be offered up for inclusion in a new cookbook set for release by the producers of Gloucester Citizen and the Cheltenham Echo.
For more information, visit: www.gloucesterquaysfoodfestival.co.uk
Cotswold Beer Festival, near Winchcombe
July 18-20
The Cotswold Beer Festival is a celebration of the best beer and cider from near and far, taking place in the classic heritage setting of Tithe Barn at Postlip Hall, near Winchcombe.
The annual event is in its 38th year, and will feature a range of beer, cider and perry from brewers including: Battledown, Abrahalls, Bespoke, Corinium, Barbourne, Cotswold Lion, Minchew, Orchard Pig, Cotswold Spring, Donnington, Prescott, Wickwar, Sarah’s Cider and many more.
For more information visit: www.gloucestershirecamra.org.uk/cbf/index.php?timestamp=1405615873&page=front.php
JOLT Theatre Festival, Gloucester
July 18-25
JOLT is a brand new international theatre festival for Gloucestershire. Five international theatre companies will be resident in Gloucester working alongside local artists to create a week of performances.
Through workshops, contact and exchange between practitioners and sharing work in venues around the county, JOLT is intended to encourage new thinking, new collaborations and stimulate new ideas.
JOLT was created and managed by Theatre Gloucestershire, who state that their role is to strengthen and increase theatre practice in Gloucestershire, with a focus on quality, access, participation and audience development.
For details of perfomances and to purchase tickets, visit: www.jolttheatrefestival.org.uk
