The Family Guide THE PANDEMIC
The situation has improved significantly since the summer, with socially distanced open-air and some indoor events going ahead, but programmes can still change at short notice, particularly with local lockdowns. All events listed here were going ahead at the time of writing and most needed booking in advance, so please check with organisers before travelling and follow the latest public advice. See also Facebook.com/ PrimaryTimesGloucestershire for updates.
OCTOBER UNTIL MON 5 OCT GIFFORDS CIRCUS: THE FEAST Giffords Circus HQ, Fennells Farm, Lypiatt, Stroud GL6 7NE, everymantheatre.org.uk • Back in action after having to postpone their production ‘The Hooley’, Giffords return with this socially-distanced meal and circus experience in a big top featuring Tweedy, Lil Rice and the Giffords Circus Band. Book through The Everyman Box Office, Cheltenham. Lunch, tea and dinner performances. 01242 572573. Prices up to £60. UNTIL SUN 1 NOV OF EARTH AND SKY Gloucester city centre venues, inc. Gloucester Bus Station, Gloucester Train Station, Llanthony Secunda Priory, ofearthandsky.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/printed-mapv3pah.pdf • A walking tour and poetry installation by artist Luke Jerram with poetry by Gloucestershire people used as the basis for a sculpture trail in 31 parks and public spaces across the city. Over 80 poetry submissions were received, curated by Jerram and local poet JPDL. The route can also by cycled with six, 10 and 25 mile routes. UNTIL SUN 1 NOV BIRDLAND TIMED VISITS Birdland Park & Gardens, Rissington Rd, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BN, www.birdland.co.uk/ • Experience an extraordinary selection of avian life, in bookable two-hour time slots. See review P11. 01451 820480. THU 1-SAT 3 OCT SIR WILLIAM ROMNEYS SCHOOL OPEN MORNINGS Sir William Romney’s School, Lowfield Rd, Tetbury GL8 8AE., swr.gloucs.sch.uk/ • Experience the ethos and quality of teaching at this academy for 11 to 16 year olds. 9-11.15am. 01666 502378 x236.
FRI 1-SUN 11 OCT CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL (CLF) Various Cheltenham venues & online, cheltenhamliteraturefestival.com • With the return of outdoor and some indoor events, this annual festival has a great selection of readings, workshops and talks for primary-aged children, some bookable in advance and lots available online until the end of the year. A selection is listed below, marked (CLF). Events listed at The Den digital hub are accessed via this section of the festival website and include both live, bookable events and online only. Venue details for live events on booking. See website for full family programme. THU 1-SUN 18 OCT NEWENT SCHOOL OPEN VISITS Newent School, Watery Lane, Newent GL18 1QF, newent.gloucs. sch.uk/ • Instead of an open day, parents of Y6 students can pre-book their own visit around this high-achieving secondary school throughout the autumn. Virtual tours also available. 01531 820550. SAT 3 OCT 11+ ONLINE REVISION DAY Online, www.cotswoldeducation. co.uk • Cotswold Education offers tips and tricks for the 11+ tests. 9am-4pm, £70. SAT 3 OCT KING’S GLOUCESTER OPEN MORNING King’s School, Gloucester GL1 2BG, www.thekingsschool.co.uk • Discover what this independent day school for girls and boys aged 3 to 18 might be able to offer your child. 01452 337337, admissions@thekingsschool.co.uk SAT 3-SAT 31 OCT PICK UP A PUMPKIN! Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5FL, www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk • Pick your own pumpkin at Cotswold Farm Park! Book online in advance. 9.30am-5pm. 01451 850307.
Of Earth and Sky by artist Luke Jerram, featuring poetry by Gloucestershire people, runs throughout Gloucester until Sun 1 Nov.
SUN 4 OCT ROB BIDDULPH: DOG GONE (CLF) Everyman Theatre, Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ, www. cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature • Illustrator and “draw along with” artist Rob Biddulph introduces his new picture book ‘Dog Gone’, talks about his #drawwithrob videos that kept us entertained in lockdown and shows you how to create some more of his characters. Take pens and paper! All attending must book. 12noon, £6. Age 4+. SUN 4 OCT-SUN 1 NOV TAURUS CRAFTS: WELCOME BACK Taurus Crafts, The Old Park, Lydney GL15 6BU, www.camphillvillagetrust. org.uk/shops-cafes/taurus-crafts/ • Families are invited to take part in socially-distanced craft sessions, taking place in a new, heated marquee. Groups of four can come along, choose a craft kit and head to their own making space in a safe environment. More activities planned for November, so keep an eye on the centre’s website for new announcements. Opens 10am.
hero and enjoy a reading with storyteller Danyah Miller. 8-8.15am. Age 5+. Available to view online until 31 Dec.
THU 8 OCT STORIES ALOUD: SIMON FARNABY (CLF) The Den, Digital Hub, www. cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature • Simon Farnaby reads from ‘A Wizard in my Shed’. 8-8.15am. Age 8+. Available online until 31 Dec. See feature and review P6. FRI 9 OCT JOSEPH COELHO: POEMS ALOUD (CLF) The Den, Digital Hub, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature • Roar with the traffic or croak like a frog as author and poet Joseph Coelho performs from his latest book ‘Poems Aloud’. Find out how he finds new ways of reading poems. 8-8.40am. Age 5+. View online until 31 Dec. FRI 9 OCT STORIES ALOUD: JASBINDER BILAN (CLF) The Den, Digital Hub, www.
MON 5 OCT NIZRANA FAROOK: THE GIRL WHO STOLE AN ELEPHANT (CLF) The Den, Digital Hub, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature • Step into the lush landscapes of Serendib with author Nizrana Farook as she delves into an incredible world of jungles, jewels, wildlife and adventure. Nizrana talks about her own journey as a writer, from notebook to published author. 8-8.40am. Age 8+. TUE 6 OCT CPD: POETRY MATTERS! DEVELOPING A LOVE OF POETRY IN THE PRIMARY CLASSROOM (CLF) Zoom, www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/literature • Aimed at primary teachers, this webinar draws from the findings of the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education’s ‘Poetry in Primary: What We Know Works’ booklet, exploring how a focus on poetry in the classroom can increase children’s motivation to read, write and perform. Introduces participants to ideas that can easily be transferred to the classroom. 5-6pm. TUE 6 OCT STORIES ALOUD: LAUREN CHILD (CLF) The Den, Digital Hub, www. cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature • Author and illustrator Lauren Child celebrates 75 years of Pippi Longstocking with a new, lavishly illustrated edition of ‘Pippi Longstocking Goes Aboard’. Find out why Pippi was Lauren’s childhood
Fireworks latest
W
hile several traditional fireworks displays are still scheduled around Gloucestershire, and the events listed here have told us they are going ahead, the final decision for many will depend on the latest social distancing advice and may not be announced until a few days beforehand. At the time of writing The Gordon League Rugby Club Fireworks Display, Gloucester, had not confirmed, while Coates Fireworks, which runs displays in Uley, Dursley and Gotherington Village, advise checking their website in the last two weeks of October for up-to-date details (see listing). Definitely cancelled are The Fire Service College Fireworks Display, Moreton-inthe-Marsh, Quedgeley Fireworks Display, Birdlip PTA Bonfire Night and Walls Rugby Club Fireworks, Gloucester.
Gloucestershire Primary Times
BOTH EDITION 2020 9
