The end of the week is nigh, but there’s still time to make plans. Here are five suggestions for how to spend your weekend
----------------------------------------------------------------
This Sunday is Father’s Day. Families up and down the country will celebrate paternity by bestowing upon their fathers gifts such as: mugs adorned with hyperbolic declarations like ‘World’s Greatest Dad’, socks and jumpers, power tools and shaving apparatus - and the obligatory novelty card.
Why not buck the trend and venture out to one of the many events taking place in and around the Cotswolds this weekend?
Here are five recommendations from us to you...
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival, Cheltenham
June 13-15
The annual Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival returns to the picturesque Montpellier Gardens this weekend, showcasing the best local and national food producers, giving visitors a chance to sample, enjoy and celebrate the eclectic produce on offer.
The event features local and celebrity chefs demonstrating their culinary skills, 200 fine food and drink exhibitors, speciality real ale, fine wines and champagne. There will also be live music across the three-day festival to enjoy with your mouths full.
For more information, visit: www.cheltenham-food-festival.garden-events.com
Hot air balloon flight at Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt
June 14
Two miles from Tetbury, Westonbirt is home to the National Arboretum; 600 acres of beautifully landscaped countryside and more than 18,000 specimen tress.
Ballooning Network arrange regular, scheduled hot air balloon flights carrying visitors over the tips of the treetops placing a breathtaking spectacle at their feet, a view that changes with the seasons. This Sunday is a chance to do just that.
There is restricted availability of flights from Westonbirt Arboretum. To check availability and book, visit: www.ballooning-network.co.uk/pages/venue-westonbirt
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize Exhibition, Cheltenham
June 12 - July 20
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2013, exhibited at The Wilson Gallery in Cheltenham, is a unique opportunity to see sixty new portraits by exciting contemporary photographers from around the world.
Through editorial, advertising and fine art prints, the exhibition explores a range of themes, styles and approaches to the photographic portrait, from formal commissioned images of famous faces to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family.
This year the competition attracted 5,410 submissions by 2,435 photographers ranging from gifted amateurs and talented students to established professionals. The selected works in the exhibition, many of which are on display for the first time, include the four prize winners and the winner of the John Kobal New Work Award.
Please note this exhibition contains nudity.
For further information, visit: www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk
The Royal British Legion Ross Remembers Weekend, Ross-on-Wye
June 14-15
To commemorate the onset of World War One, Ross-on-Wye Branch of the Royal British Legion are holding a weekend of events this weekend.
Saturday will be on the Riverside Rope Walk from 11.11am with opening by Gen Sir Peter de la Billiere to 6pm. There will be vintage crafts, vintage vehicles, military and civilian vintage vehicles, Truce Football, traditional food, beers and ciders, and more - with something for all ages and all abilities through out the day.
A particular highlight will be the Time Tunnel, showing a progression of WWI from August 4 1914 to November 11 1918, with posters of Commemoration for the Fallen produced by John Kyrle High Students.
Sunday from 10am to 3pm at the Ross Market House is a day for charities to become involved, with music from Penyard Singers and Ross Town Band and others as well as James Weatherhead Cycling the Channel for the Honour Walk.
All proceeds from the weekend will go towards the Ross-on-Wye Branch Poppy Appeal funds.
For more information, visit: www.counties.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/ross-on-wye/news-events/ross-royal-british-legion-community-weekend
Herefordshire Walking Festival, Herefordshire
June 14-22
This festival spans nine days, giving keen walkers an opportunity to enjoy the glorious Herefordshire countryside.
An opportunity to walk in the footsteps of King Offa and King Ethelbert, sample the Bounty of Three Counties, along the banks of Bodenham Lake and the River Lugg observing the bird life and fauna, walk the nine miles of The Malvern Hills End-to-End or spend an evening in the scenery of Paradise Valley.
For more information and tickets, visit: www.walkingfestival.com
