It may seem that summer has come to the Cotswolds early, but people in Gloucestershire should still be prepared for the threat of flooding in the future.

And Cotswold District Council has teamed up with the Environment Agency and the National Flood Fair to offer residents the chance to get prepared, as it holds a second Flood Protection Products Fair on May 16th in Bourton-on-the-Water.  Read the rest of this article »

Tags: bourton | fair | floods

The summer is the best time of year to enjoy the age old traditions of the Cotswolds and so the Cotswolds Conservation Board, the organisation that exists to conserve and enhance the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), has created a traditional events calendar for 2008-9 that shows you where and when you can enjoy events that are closely linked to the area’s rich heritage. Read the rest of this article »

Tags: bourton | stow | games | festivals | fair | cotswolds

Friday 9th November 2007 19.00 - 21.15 New Street, Shipston-on-Stour, Warks.

Edward Sheldon Limited are Independent Wine Merchants who have been trading in Shipston-on-Stour since 1842.
On 9th November they are again holding their annual Wine fair on their premises when you will have the opportunity to taste over 50 wines in the relaxed atmosphere of their shop and cellars.

As well as Edward Sheldon showing their full house selection the following suppliers will be in attendance:-
Burridges of Arlington St. - with a range of Spanish Wines
www.burridgewine.com
Boutinot UK Ltd - presenting South african and Italian Wines
www.boutinot.com
France Domaines Ltd - showing French wines from the Loire and Rhone Valley
www.francedomaines.co.uk
Louis Latour Ltd - Burgundian wines and wines from South Africa and Australia
www.louislatour.com
Vignobles Germain-Saincrit - French wines from the Bordeaux and Loire regions
www.en.germain-saincrit.com
Paragon Vintners Ltd - showing New World wines plus some Cognac
www.paragonvintners.co.uk

Edward Sheldon Limited
New Street
Shipston-on-Stour
Warwickshire
CV36 4EN
Telephone 01608 661409
E Mail finewine@edward-sheldon.co.uk
www.edward-sheldon.co.uk

Tickets cost £10.00 per person and are redeemable on the evening against orders for six bottles or more

Tags: fair | shipston on stour | wine

Celebrating 1,000 years of Gloucestershire.
In Aid of Gloucestershire Community Foundation and St. John Ambulance.


Sunday September 16th from 2pm

Come along to Boddington Manor to celebrate Gloucestershire’s 1000th birthday with a whole range of activities for all the family to enjoy. Tailgate tables, a millennium dog parade, plants sale and music from Live Music Now!

A variety of local foods and drinks will be on sale with ‘Relish’ picnics, Ken Sheather Wines, homemade cakes and Spot Logins Organic Ice Cream. Enjoy your picnic in the park.

With stocks and flour bags, face painting and many more entertainments, this promises to be an exciting day out and a real taste of the Gloucestershire millennium! There will be a one-off opportunity to take a tour of Boddington Manor, and performances by the Gloucestershire 1000 Poet Laureate.

Entry is £5 per person, under 12s free.
Boddington Manor, near Cheltenham.

Tags: gloucestershire | places | fair | boddington

1915

A sequel to our ‘1915′ Scuttlebrook poem saga has emerged. Further anecdotal evidence suggests that Scuttlebrook Wake again came under threat soon after the opening of the recreation ground in 1934 and another Coldicott was involved. A ‘Save Scuttlebrook Wake in Leasbourne’ group ( of which Fred Coldicott was a member) sprang up following the town council’s insistence that all future celebrations, including Scuttlebrook, should take place in ‘their’ new field. The group organised their own ‘Leasbourne’ Scuttlebrook celebrations by putting up stalls, donkey rides and selling refreshments.

Tradition triumphed as Scuttlebrook retreated from the recreation ground to be unanimously celebrated the following year (1935) in Leasbourne. During WWII one stall was erected by Laurence Ladbrook to keep the charter intact and maintain the tradition.

Unfortunately the last line was missed from the poem in the last Bulletin, the last verse should have read

So just let our brave lads know at the front
And the kiddies they ‘ve left behind,
That good old Campden’s flag still flies
For the sake of “Ye Olden Times”!!

The Archive Room at the Old Police Station, Chipping Campden
(From the Chipping Campden Bulletin. included with kind permission of Jeremy Green)

Tags: chipping campden | fair | history

2nd September Sunday at Capps Lodge near Burford. Noon until 5pm

The original Forest Fair began in the late 18th Century and was held at Newhill Plain Cornbury but ceased in 1856 because of “drunkeness and debauchery”

The Friends of Wychwood revived the Fair and have been organising the Wychwood Forest Fair for the past seven years. This group is a charity run by volunteers and supports the Wychwood Project. The Fair is held annually in September at varying locations within the area of the former Royal Hunting Forest of Wychwood.

This year’s fair will have over 150 stalls, covering conservation and community group activities and local businesses, with a fun fair, nature trail, Morris dancing, children’s story teller, local food outlets, second hand books and an Arts and Crafts Tent.

There will also be displays of the Wychwood Project’s work and by the Friends of Wychwood.

All profits from the Fair will be used by the Friends of Wychwood to help fund the Wychwood Project,which works with local people to restore habitats and create woodlands within the boundaries of the ancient Forest of Wychwood.

Admission £5.00 per person. Under 16s free. Parking free

www.wychwoodproject.org

Tags: fair | places

18th August - Medieval Fayre in Stow Square

The Fayre will celebrate the 900th anniversary of the granting of Stow’s royal charter by Henry I, which gave it market status so it became a centre for hiring labour.

The Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire will officially open the fayre which starts at 09.00.

There will something going on all day including Medieval foot tournaments, a Medieval Mounted Knight, Medieval Demonstrations - Candle Making, Apothecary, Medicine, Musical Instrument Making, Forge, Spinning and Weaving - and Medieval Entertainment and in the evening Diabolus in Musica and Historical Promotions presents “Musicks Miscellanie”

www.stowonthewold.net

Photo (c) FreeFoto.com

Tags: fair | music | stow

The quiet countryside around Chipping Campden will shortly be buzzing with activity as the local village fete season swings into action.

Paxford village fete on the Saturday 7th July is closely followed by Ebrington fete a week later on the 14th July with the main events starting at 2pm.

Both events include traditional stalls selling cakes and cream teas along entertainment from Shipston brass band and displays of vintage and classic cars.

The Chipping Campden morris men will be dancing at Paxford’s fete while Ebrington will entertain audiences with a family dog show along with vintage tractors at Ebrington cricket field.

So, relax with a cool glass of something to drink and an ice cream while all around the village comes to life with community spirit to raise money for worthy charities.

Little Gidding B&B is located in Ebrington and is 1.5 miles from Paxford. If you would like to experience the unique spectacle of morris men dancing we would be happy to book you for a stay during one or both of these fetes.

Tags: paxford | chipping campden | ebrington | morris dancing | fair

1915
CHIPPING CAMPDEN
YE OLDE WAKE OF SCUTTLEBROOKE

The “Church and State” and Scuttlebrook Wake
Have into conflict come,
“This dreadful Wake it SHALL be stopped”
Says Leysbourne’s ‘Peeping Tom’.

We’ll have a committee terror strike
At the root of this innocent fun
And make the promotors feel that we
Are like the German Hun.

They shall have their festival once more
And woe to those who say,
That Scuttlebrooke Wake for old times sake
Shall live another day!

So, wake up, Campdonians, as of old
And stick to your colours true,
And let them see that the good old Wake
Shan’t be smashed by a Committee that’s only a
fake, For we are fighters too.

Now there’s “good old Bob” as has done the job,
And kept the Wake alive,
But “the goodies” say its time that we
His “honors” do divide.

So just let our brave lads know at the front
And the kiddies they’ve left behind,
That good old Campden’s flag still flies

So just let our brave lads know at the front
And the kiddies they ‘ve left behind,
That good old Campden’s flag still flies
For the sake of “Ye Olden Times”!!

This timely piece of verse has appeared among the Campden & District Historical and Archaeological Society (CADHAS) archive records and we wondered what the story was behind it. The Evesham Journal records reveal nothing but the minutes of the parish council for llth May 1915 appear to tell the story:

“After a lengthy discussion on the subject of Scuttlebrook Wake on Whit Saturday, the clerk was directed to write to Mr. Lucas and say that the council recommend the inhabitants of Leasbourne and others interested to form a strong committee to carry out the arrangements - particularly the finance side - on strict businesslike lines, so that any damage which may be done to the grass or otherwise, may be met by funds received from the stallholders or other sources”.

It has been suggested that the possible opposer to the Wake was Mr. Charles Lucas, who lived in Leysbourne, and was clerk to -the solicitor family of Griffiths at Bedfont House. Mr Lucas was also clerk to the magistrates and rent collector for the Earl of Gainsborough’s estate, a role which did not add to his personal popularity. The defender of the celebrations may have been Mr. Robert (Bob) Coldicott, who kept The Kettle, also in Leysbourne. A balance sheet, signed by Mr. Geo. Ebborn on behalf of the committee, was presented to the parish council in June 1915 showing reserves of £1 after expenses had been paid!

Can you add to this story? If so, add a comment on this blog or contact THE ARCHIVE ROOM at the Old Police Station, Chipping Campden.

(From the Chipping Campden Bulletin. included with kind permission of Jeremy Green)

For more information about Scuttlebrook Wake, click here

Tags: chipping campden | fair | history

1st - 4th July Stoneleigh Park Warwickshire

Farming, Food and Rural Life - showcasing the very best of British Agriculture

The Royal Show is the only event that showcases the rural way of life in its entirety

Opening times Sunday to Tuesday 9am to 7pm, Wednesday 9am to 6pm

www.royalshow.org.uk

Tags: fair | animals