Wondering what to do this weekend in and around the Cotswolds? Here are five suggestions from us...
One hundred years ago, Gustav Holst began composing his most famous series of work, The Planets. When Holst, born in Cheltenham, wasn’t finding inspiration in planetary systems, he was drawing from the idyllic surroundings of his childhood, most notably naming his Symphony in F major, Op.8 H47 ‘The Cotswolds’.
If, like Holst, you’re looking for inspiration from the Cotswolds, here are five recommendations from us to you for how to spend your weekend...
Edge of Day - A Tribute to Laurie Lee, Stroud
June 28
The year Holst begun composing The Planets, celebrated writer Laurie Lee was born in Stroud.
Edge of Day is a moving and entertaining centenary celebration of Lee, taking place this Saturday. The event features performances by singer-songwriter Johnny Coppin, with reader David Goodland, musician Paul Burgess and images arranged by photographer Martin Fry. Based on the acclaimed album ‘Edge of Day’ that Laurie Lee made with Johnny Coppin, this tribute is a blend of words and music, with poems, songs and extracts from Lee’s work including the best-selling Cider with Rosie.
Of Johnny Coppin, Lee once said: “Johnny has set my poetry to music with great sensitivity, lyricism, and beauty.”
For more information, visit:
The Planets Centenary Exhibition, Cheltenham
June 28 – October 12
As previously mentioned, it’s one hundred years since Gustav Holst first began writing his most popular work, The Planets.
To celebrate the occasion, the Holst Birthplace Museum is curating a very special exhibition drawing on items from the British Library, the Bodleian Library, the Britten-Pears Foundation and the Royal College of Music. It is the first time that these items have ever been on show in Cheltenham, Holst’s native town. The exhibition includes two movements from the original orchestral autograph manuscript, Mars and Neptune, as well as Holst’s original two-piano version of the piece. Also included in the show are Holst’s notebooks and diaries from when he was composing The Planets, together with letters to and from family and friends, including a postcard from his friend Ralph Vaughan Williams when he was at the Front during WW1.
For more information, visit: www.holstmuseum.org.uk
Love Local Food Festival at Whole Foods, Cheltenham
June 28-29
Over the weekend of June 28-29, Whole Foods Market Cheltenham will be celebrating the best of local Cotswold and West Country food, drink and beauty in a two day festival.
The store, based on the Tewkesbury Road, will present a host of its local suppliers in a farmer’s style market, celebrating summer and the love of local food. The event will be jam packed with tasty offerings from local food producers within a 50 mile radius of the store, who will be sampling and selling their wares.
Suppliers already signed up for the Love Local Food event include Ross & Ross Pates, Severn Spot Charcuterie, Battledown & Stroud breweries, Tracklements and Relish the Taste chutneys, Pieminister and a host of fruit and vegetable suppliers from the surrounding countryside.
Both days include something for all the family with Cheltenham’s Glenfall Primary school band and choir performing on Saturday between 12 and 2pm.
Look out for the latest information on Twitter: @WFM_Cheltenham
Upton Jazz Festival, Upton-upon-Severn
June 27-29
This year is the 29th Upton Jazz Festival, and will feature over 60 concerts showcasing the best of New Orleans, Classic Jazz, Gypsy music, Dance and Street entertainment.
Notable acts performing include Laurie Chescoe, George Huxley, Caz Shennington, Alan Barnes, Tom Kincaid, Keith Nichols, Craig Milverton, Chris Pearce, Annie Hawkins, Dennis Armstrong, Jamie Brownfield, John Shillito and Tad Newton, among others.
The event will embrace international talent alongside local acts, with celebrated Dutch bands Jazz Connection and Storeyville Jazz; Shreveport Rhythm from Germany; Sammy Rimington from Sweden; James Evans from New Orleans and Sally Night, star of the New York scene.
Alongside the music and dance entertainment, there will be marquees with stalls, camping and parking.
For more information, visit: www.uptonjazz.co.uk
Bull The Other One Comedy Festival, Hereford
June 29
The second day of the Bull The Other One Comedy Festival takes place this Sunday 29 at the Starlite Rooms, Hereford.
Doors open at 3pm with the three free shows starting at 3.30pm, 5pm, and 6.30pm respectively. The main event shows start at 8pm with one of the rising stars of Comedy performing before some of the top names in the UK bring their new shows to Hereford.
This Sunday, big names performing include Carl Donnelly (Mock The Week, Russell Howard’s Good News, C4’s Stand Up For The Week)
Pierre Novellie (2013 Edinburgh Amused Moose Award Winner and nominated for a Chortle award as Best Newcomer 2014), with the free afternoon shows performed by Juliet Meyers, Rob Coleman and Chris Purchase.
For information and tickets, visit: www.bulltheotherone.brownpapertickets.com
