The Big Draw 1 - 31 October 2008

Registration for 2008 is now open!
For the month of October venues, from village halls to museums and galleries, all around the country, will be hosting innovative drawing events to encourage people to get in to drawing for people of all ages. Remember it doesn't need to cost that much to run an event. Please look at the website www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw for more information about ideas for events and workshops, and how to register your event and marketing material. Your event will be submitted to their website to help advertise it and you can register to be put in to the inspirational awards competition.

Remember drawing can also be a good way for people to learn about their heritage or architecture as well as their drawing skills
If you need help with sourcing artists or want partners for the project then please contact jenny.davis@wychavon.gov.uk.

See the summer in the Corinium Museum’s new Roman Garden

Visitors can come and relax in a setting similar to ancient Italy this summer thanks to a makeover of the Corinium Museum’s Roman Garden.
A whole host of plants and shrubbery has been donated by local garden centre Dobbies to the Cotswold District Council-owned museum in Cirencester, to create a stunning Roman-style centrepiece at the Park Street venue.
Following the Museum’s £6 million refurbishment in 2004 the garden needed a major redesign, and the area has now been replanted to create the impression of a Roman townhouse garden, in the style of the late first and second centuries.

Ballooning Grand Prix at Sudeley Castle, 12th-15th June

The Ballooning Grand Prix at Sudeley Castle is now the third largest ballooning event to be held in the UK this year.
With almost 50 balloons confirmed attending the event over the weekend of 14th and 15th June the Gloucestershire countryside is set to be filled with colour.

Willersey Shopkeepers say "no" to plastic bags

Willersey resident and Cotswold Conference Centre Sales manager Nick Akerman has been supporting a new scheme in the local village, initiated by retailers Mike & Anita Petruzzelli & Mike & Julie Knowles, who have decided to reduce the impact on the environment by reducing the use of plastic carrier bags, by making Willersey one of the first villages in the Cotswolds to ban the plastic bag.

As some of their customers already use re-usable shopping bags, and from receiving comments about the impact of plastic bags from many other customers, it was decided to look at providing a suitable replacement bag for their regular customers.

“We quickly recognised a problem that we needed to purchase 100’s of re-usable bags and were daunted by the initial cost until Ecover came to the rescue with a gift of 300 Jute bags which is a wonderful start.” Explained Mike Knowles… “Both our shops stock Ecover products so we are delighted such a successful brand have supported this initiative in our community. It seems fitting to launch the scheme to our regular customers on 22nd April which is Earth Day 2008” .

May Half Term Family Friendly Walks in the Cotswolds

Million year old fossils, strange fungi and the secrets of a Cotswold farm are all waiting to be discovered during the May half term break.
The Cotswolds Conservation Board is providing a programme of ten short family strolls across the AONB, which are designed to provide families with the opportunity to get out and about over the school holidays.
“The walks will provide an ideal opportunity for families to find out more about the countryside around them and to enjoy the summer colours in the Cotswolds” said Dave Scott, one of the Cotswolds Conservation Board’s 340 Voluntary Wardens.
The strolls are ideal for younger members of the family and will cover short distances at an easy pace. Each walk focuses on a particular theme, such as wildlife or woodlands, which walks leaders will discuss with the public along the route.
It is all part of a wider walks programme that can be found in the Cotswold Conservation Board’s newspaper, The Cotswold Lion.

The GWR's Cotswold Festival of Steam

Saturday 24th May - Sunday 1st June - Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway “The Friendly Line in the Cotswolds” at Toddington, Winchcombe and Cheltenham Racecourse Stations.

The 2008 Cotswold Festival of Steam marks four important milestones - 40 years since the end of steam on British Railways - 40 years since David Shepherd took delivery of “Black Prince” - 60 years since the nationalisation of Britain’s Railways - 100 years since the first through expresses ran over the Stratford-Cheltenham line between the Midlands and the West Country.

The Festival takes place over two weekends - Saturday, Sunday and Monday 24th - 26th May and Saturday and Sunday 31st May - 1st June. Between the two weekends a normal timetable will operate using visiting locomotives. While the main focus is on steam locomotives, on Sunday 1st June at approx 15.00, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will make a flypast at Toddington Station with the Lancaster bomber and Hurricane and Spitfire fighters.

April Winners from the Farncombe Referral Scheme

Congratulations to J Oliver, Surrey, G Kelland, Great Missenden and M Callon, Shropshire, who each won vouchers in our April prize draw.

If you would like to recommend a friend to Farncombe, please click here to visit our website ....