Stroud International Textiles is bringing world class international speakers to the Symposium on May 5th. This exciting Symposium is attracting wide interest with bookings from France and Canada as well as nationally. This in turn supports Stroud’s economy and raises its profile for excellence. Stroud in May is the place to be with people who are shaping the future of textiles and the applied arts.

Helen Storey, Professor of Fashion and Science at London College of Fashion has collaborated with chemist Professor Tony Ryan from the University of Sheffield and Trish Belford, textile designer, to bring us Catalytic Clothing – clothing and textiles that seek to purify the air we breathe. People from different worlds whose minds have come together in highly successful art and science collaborations are sharing their innovative and inspiring thinking on May 5th as part of the Pairings symposium organized by Stroud International Textiles.
Other speakers include Jessica Hemmings (writer); David Gates (bespoke furniture designer, winner Jerwood Award, Wesley – Barrell prize); Alice Kettle (lead artist); Claire Curneen (leading ceramicist); Shelly Goldsmith (textile artist) are among the line up for an exciting day of discussion and discovery. These are People who Shape our World through exchange and dialogue.
Details: http://www.stroudinternationaltextiles.org.uk/
Tickets online £60 Conc £40 includes lunch.
Free brochure available

Erin O'Connor in the world's first air purifying dress

The Cornbury Festival is one-of-a-kind: an eclectic and eccentric musical carnival – a dynamic summer festival disguised as a country fayre – a lovingly crafted, top notch, very English open air party, tailor-made for the whole family.

Like the best of England, Cornbury is eccentric, charming and irresistible – a homespun melting pot where music-lovers share pies and a glass of champagne with superstars, toffs, rockers, crooners, Morris dancers, farmers, urbanites, fashionistas, gourmet chefs and the little old ladies who make exceptional cakes.

This year’s Cornbury Festival has all this and more and is gearing up to be one of the hottest tickets of the summer, especially as the Saturday night headliner is the newly reunited Faces, featuring original members Ronnie Wood, Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan with vocalist Mick Hucknall. This is their only festival appearance in the UK this summer. More legends will be appearing, in the shape of national treasure Ray Davies, 1980s pop legend Cyndi Lauper, the one and only Status Quo and Buffy Sainte Marie.

The new guard is equally strongly represented with: international troubadour James Blunt; the real star of the 2009 X Factor, Olly Murs; Irish superstar Imelda May; and pop princess Eliza Doolittle. Also appearing are folk heroes Bellowhead, disco diva Sophie Ellis Bextor, and perfect Californian popsters The Like.

In short, The Cornbury Festival represents classic summer entertainment for a friendly crowd from all walks of life. A country fair with a rock ‘n’ roll twist; a farmers’ market with a dancefloor; a magical local carnival with a classic contemporary soundtrack.

Acts announced so far:

Friday July 1st                    Saturday July 2nd             Sunday July 3rd

James Blunt                        The Faces                            Status Quo

Cyndi Lauper                      Ray Davies                          Olly Murs

Eliza Doolittle                    Imelda May                          ‘secret slot’

Bellowhead                         Sophie Ellis Bextor           The Saw Doctors

Buffy Sainte Marie               The Like                               Jon Allen

Further artists will be announced over the coming months – check the Cornbury Music Festival website for details.

July sees Open Air Theatre, Gloucester Carnival & the World Together Festival, whilst August includes Volleyball, Witches & Wizards, Seaside Fun and a celebration of Jamaican Independence Day.

Find out more at www.thecityofgloucester.co.uk/site/whats-on/summer-in-gloucester

Broadway Arts Festival

Broadway is a gem of a Cotswold village, very well known to US visitors and this Festival will do more to strengthen the link.  The American painter John Singer Sargent created his masterpiece ’Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose’ whilst staying in Broadway - having fled Paris where his painting of ’Madame X’, had scandalised the art world.

2010′s Festival will be between the 11-20th of June and the organisers have already secured loan from the Tate of important studies for the picture.

The launch of Stroud’s very own VegeBurger, the first Stroud Sausage Festival, a beer trail with a difference, and the much-requested return of one restaurant’s Pudding Evening.

These are just some of the highlights unveiled by organisers of Stroud’s second Food and Drink Festival. With 40 events and promotions spread across two weeks in September, the Festival aims to promote the diverse array of food and drink, grown, served and sold in the town.

Visitors will be spoilt for choice, as the Stroud Walking Festival, the annual Stroud Fringe Festival and the Open Eco Homes event will also be held at the same time. Dubbed Stroud Festival Fortnight, more than a hundred events will be spread across 17 days between 4^th and 20^th September.

The Food and Drink Festival was only intended as a one-off event last year. However traders overwhelmingly voted it a success, with two restaurants enjoying their busiest-ever evenings. Thanks to funding from Stroud Town and Stroud District Councils, organisers were persuaded to do it all again.

Most of the events have limited places and so early booking is advised. A 36-page Festival brochure is available from tourist offices and all participants and full details are available online at www.stroudfestivalfortnight.com