8 minute read
The Family Guide
APRIL
MON 29 MAR PUZZLEWOOD REOPENS Puzzlewood, Perrygrove Rd, Coleford GL16 8QB, www.puzzlewood.net • Another of the county’s great open-air attractions reopens to the wider public, having been open to locals for a few days prior to this. Experience the other-worldly scenery that has provided a backdrops for film and TV franchises including Star Wars, Dr Who and Merlin. Open 10am-5pm. 01594 833187.
FRI 2-SUN 18 APR WANTED: THE EGG THIEF Painswick Rococo Garden, Painswick GL6 6TH, www.rococogarden.org.uk • A dastardly egg thief has stolen some Easter eggs, can you track down the culprit and help save the day? All super sleuths will receive a chocolate prize! Prebooking is essential, visit their website. Trail sheets are 50p plus standard admission in to the garden. 10am5pm. 01452 813204.
FRI 2-FRI 30 APR THE GREAT EGGSCAPE - EASTER TRAIL Town Centre, Cheltenham, escaperoomscheltenham.co.uk/thegreat-eggscape • A digital Easter egg trail around Cheltenham town centre where players will visit shops and solve puzzles - free for everyone. All day.
FRI 2 APR-FRI 31 DEC GLOUCESTER FARMERS’ MARKET The Gate Streets, City Centre, Gloucester GL1 1SE, www.gloucester.gov.uk/business-economy/ markets/farmers-market • Week-
Deadline for May Half Term FRI 23 APRIL
ly market, every Friday, offering fresh produce by local farmers. 9am-3pm. 01452 528 796.
WED 7 APR PASSPORT TO THE PAST - VICTORIAN SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Zoom, www.gloucestershire.gov. uk/archives/gloucestershire-archives-events • Gloucestershire Archives organise this online event where children can dress up as Victorian school children to find out how lessons were different in those days, what happened if you were naughty and were pens and pencils (or even Zoom) invented back then? Miss Fowkes and Miss O’Keefe order you to stop talking and learn your times tables (just kidding, they promise)! For ages 6 to 13. 2-3pm, free.
MON 12 APR THE WIZARD OF OZ Southam Car Boot Site, Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PE, theparkinglotsocial.co.uk/easter • A live production of the famous tale of Dorothy and her companions the Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion as they strive to reach the Emerald City and defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. Broadcast on massive screens to an audience who remain in their cars. Gates open 2.15pm, screening at 3.15pm, £47.80-£58 per car.
MON 12 APR THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG) Southam Car Boot Site, Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PE, theparkinglotsocial.co.uk/easter • A drive-in screening of the Hollywood blockbuster. 6.30pm, £41.68-£51.88 per car.
MON 12 APR INTERNATIONAL BIRD OF PREY CENTRE REOPENS The International Centre for Birds of Prey, Boulsdon House, Great Boulsdon, Newent GL18 1JJ, www.icbp.org/owl-evenings • A magical experience for families at this internationally renowned sanctuary for birds of prey of every description. Open 10:30amdusk, £13.50 (adult)/£8 (child).
MON 12-SUN 18 APR LAMBING Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5FL, cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk • The government roadmap allows the farm run by BBC’s Countryfile presenter Adam Henson to open just in time to catch the end of the lambing season. Contact the farm for times and prices. MON 12 APR-MON 31 MAY ELEPHANT FAMILY AT SUDELEY CASTLE Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe GL54 5JD, sudeleycastle. co.uk • Over 30 life-size elephant sculptures carved in wood form a trail through the gardens, as the castle starts to welcome visitors again, with the adventure playground and Castle Pantry reopening. The elephants will move on to form a 100-strong herd in London’s Royal Parks this summer before travelling to the USA. The castle itself remains closed until 17 May at the earliest. 10am-4pm, general admission £14 (adult)/£7 (child). Prebooking essential.
TUE 13 APR SOCIAL KIDS Southam Car Boot Site, Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PE, theparkinglotsocial.co.uk/easter • Drive-in family fun as DJs host 90 minutes of immersive activities including a silent disco, car-a-oke, an interactive quiz, party bingo and more. 2pm, £37.60-£47.80 per car.
Look out for the Egg Thief! Painswick Rococo Gardens, Fri 2-Sun 18 Apr.
TUE 13 APR HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (PG) Southam Car Boot Site, Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PE, theparkinglotsocial.co.uk/easter • See the world’s most popular wizard in full drive-in glory at this socially-distanced screening. 5.15pm, £41.68-£51.88 per car.
TUE 13-WED 14 APR THE DRAMA COMPANY WORKSHOPS Gorsley Goffs Primary School, Gorsley, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7SE, www.dramacompany.co.uk • Theatre workshop for children aged 5 to 10. Limited numbers to comply with covid restrictions. 9.30am, £13.50 (one day)/£25 (two days). 01989 720627 or 07814 624417.
#CheltJazzFest
1 and 2 May 2021, 3pm until late
FREE to view on the Cheltenham Festivals YouTube channel
Hosted by Cerys Matthews and Gregory Porter
TFG continued
THE PANDEMIC: LATEST
All events listed here were correct at time of writing but are subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Please check with organisers before travelling. See also our summary of the government roadmap, P6.
TUE 13 APR-THU 1 JUL GLOUCESTERSHIRE & WARWICKSHIRE STEAM RAILWAY Toddington Station & other stops, GL54 5DT, www.gwsr.com • Trips resume on the county’s most popular steam railway. Several journeys per day calling at Broadway, Toddington, Hayles Abbey Halt, Winchcome, Gotherington and Cheltenham Race Course (when open). Operating most days apart from Fridays and some Mondays until Jul from 10am.
SAT 17-SUN 18 APR GLOUCESTER HISTORY FESTIVAL SPRING FESTIVAL (GHSF) Online, www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/spring-2021-events • The much-loved festival of Gloucester history offers a weekend of online activities on the theme of ‘Frontiers and Pioneers’ this spring before hopefully resuming live activities in September. 01452 425295. A selection of events are listed below marked (GHSF).
SAT 17 APR DULVERTON HOUSE: A C13TH INFIRMARY TRANSFORMED FOR C21 LEARNING (GHSF) Online, www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/spring-2021-events • A short film exploring how the redevelopment of Dulverton House, in the shadow of Gloucester Cathedral, has uncovered many historic features requiring the expertise of archaeologists and conservators as it undergoes its transformation into an educational facility for The King’s School. 1pm, entry by online donation.
SAT 17 APR CATHEDRAL LIBRARY VIRTUAL TOUR (GHSF) Gloucester Cathedral (online), www.gloucesterhistoryfestival. co.uk/spring-2021-events • As part of Gloucester History Weekend, discover the historical treasures held at the cathedral’s library, accessed by a spiral staircase, high above the main body of the cathedral, in this virtual tour. The archivist introduces you to documents too fragile to be seen on a regular tour. Tour starts 2pm, entry by online donation. SAT 17 APR HUM: ONSONG (GHSF) Online, www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/spring-2021events • Sing historical songs with others online. Led by Bella Gibbins. 12noon, entry by online donation.
SAT 17 APR DEAD FAMOUS: CELEBRITY FROM THE BRONZE AGE TO THE SILVER SCREEN (GHFS) Online, www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/spring-2021-events • ‘Horrible Histories’’ Greg Jenner and ‘Raiders of the Lost Past’’s Janina Ramirez remind us that celebrity is not a modern phenomenon and that it dates back to the Ancient Greeks and probably beyond. Lord Byron, Sarah Bernhardt or Shakespearean-era actor Edmund Kean set historic pulses racing. 6pm.
SUN 18 APR YOU CALLED, WE CAME (GHSF) Online, www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/spring-2021-events • A trailer for an upcoming documentary about the All Nations Community Club, which explores Gloucester as a diverse city. 10am, entry by online donation.
SUN 18 APR CATHEDRAL 360 TOUR (GHSF) Gloucester Cathedral (online), www.gloucesterhistoryfestival. co.uk/spring-2021-events • This digital tour of the cathedral led by Kevin Lewis promises the chance to see the landmark in “incredible detail” from the Norman nave and the crypt to the newly-restored medieval Lady Chapel. 12noon, entry by online donation.
SUN 18 APR TAKE A TRIP TO THE CRYPT OF DECRYPT (GHSF) Online, www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/spring-2021events • Take a peep into one of Gloucestershire’s hidden spaces via this video tour. Discover how DeCrypt’s vaulted space has served as a tavern, a store for Civil War timber and munitions, a workshop for 19th-century artisans and a repository for the dead. 2pm, entry by online donation.
Explore 56 acres of wild gardens, paths and streams and hunt for the missing bunnies at Batsford this Easter! A perfect day out for all the family – including the dog!
Pre-booking is essential via www.batsarb.co.uk
Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre Nr. Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9AT. Tel: 01386 701441
Cerys Matthews (Left) and Gregory Porter host Cheltenham Jazz Festival, online, Sat 1-Sun 2 May
THU 22 APR-THU 27 MAY 11+ ONLINE SHORT COURSE (6 WEEKS) Online, event.bookitbee.com/ cotswold-education • This accelerated learning course will enable your child to get to grips with the basics of the 11+ test in just six weeks. 4.306.30pm.
SAT 24 APR 11+ MOCK TEST Christchurch Centre, Malvern Rd, Cheltenham GL50 2JH, event. bookitbee.com/cotswold-education • On location 11+ Mock Test with extensive report. First session 9.30pm, second session 12.30pm.
SAT 24 APR WYCLIFFE COLLEGE: OPEN MORNING Wycliffe College, Ryeford Hall, Ebley Rd, Stonehouse GL10 2LD, www.wycliffe.co.uk • Discover in person what this independent school, which educates children aged 3 to 18, can offer your child, with timed trips around the campus allowing families the chance to see the school in action. Book via the website.
MAY
SAT 1 MAY SANDFORD PARKS LIDO REOPENS Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Rd, Cheltenham GL53 7PU, www. sandfordparkslido.org.uk • Season tickets now available as one of Cheltenham’s most popular summer attractions reopens for the summer.
SAT 1-SUN 2 MAY CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Online, www.youtube.com/channel/ UCXCVCHuZV3Csk6Nb-ceSGdw • One of the first events forced to move online last year due to the pandemic remains digital for now, but promises three more nights of live Jazz in July. This weekend of free streamed concerts, hosted
