There's plenty going on in and around the Cotswolds

Thursday, August 18
Cirencester

  • THE RIVERSIDE Players present As You Like It by William Shakespeare at Rendcomb College’s open air theatre, GL7 7HA. The story follows Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love. Performances begin at 7.45pm and run until Saturday, August 20, with an additional matinee at 3pm on Saturday. Tickets, available at river sideplayers.org.uk, cost £12 for adults, (£10 in advance), children £5, concessions £10. Picnics and blankets encouraged, seating will be provided. Refreshments available, doors open from 6.30pm. Indoor venue available in case of inclement weather.

Chedworth

  • SUMMER holiday family events continue at the Roman Villa in Chedworth including 'The Big Dig'. Watch as archaeologists excavate more of the North Range, clean the finds and chat to the experts and be the first to see what discoveries are made this year. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa

Moreton-in-Marsh

  • EXHIBITION of Henri Matisse works at the John Davies Gallery, GL56 9NQ. Open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-5pm, runs until August 27.

Friday, August 19
Malmesbury

  • MALMESBURY Carnival continues with a Blondie and Ska Tribute. As well as Blondie, the evening will include hits from Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners and Bob Marley among others. Whether the 70s recalls your youth, or is before your time, this is great music to dance to. Come dressed in your best 70s style. Begins at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Hall, St Mary’s Street. Tickets, £8, are available from Malmesbury Town Hall or malmesburycarni val.co.uk.

Saturday, August 20
Cirencester

  • TOUGH Mudder returns to Cirencester Park over the weekend with a brand new course. Test yourself by tackling obstacles and mud over 10-12 miles. For more information visit toughmudder.co.uk

Stratton

  • BINGO at the village hall. Eyes down at 7pm. For further details contact Chris Gorton on 01285 654404.

Malmesbury

  • MORE Carnival fun with an interactive story telling for 8-12 year olds. Award winning author Elen Caldicot will be revealing some simple tricks of how to write a good story in this highly interactive workshop. Elen loves to write about ordinary children doing extraordinary things and is known for her warm-hearted stories of family and friends.  She will also read from her latest title in the exciting Marsh Road Mystery series. The one-hour talk begins at 2pm in St Mary’s Hall, St Mary’s Street. Free, but booking is necessary by contacting Malmesbury Library on 01666 823611.
  • THE Carnival Comedy Night returns. Those who came to last year’s comedy night will remember the skilled Lewis Bryan, who returns this year with three different stand-up comedians. Steve N Allen mixes topical and observational material with an array of neat one-liners. Mathew Osborn has been in professional stand up for over 10 years, as well as critically acclaimed Fringe theatre. Jim Grant has been described by Alan Davies as having ’a lovely stage manner.’ Begins at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Hall, St Mary’s Street. Tickets, costing £9 are available from Malmesbury Town Hall or online at malmesburycarnival.co.uk.

Swindon

  • THE Railway Children by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company will be on at the STEAM Museum in Swindon. The lives of three children are changed forever by the mysterious disappearance of their father. Finding a new home in a beautiful but isolated village the children make new friends and discover the wonders of the Yorkshire hills and the railway lines scattered throughout them. Show starts at 6.30pm and tickets, £14/children £10, include free all day entry to the museum. For more information visit swin dontheatres.co.uk

Dursley

  • NORMAN Hill car boot takes place every Saturday in Norman Hill Field next to the police station, GL11 5QN. Open from 12-4pm, sellers from 11am, cars £6. For more information contact Frank Tunbridge on 07711 476715.

Sunday, August 21
Cirencester

  • CIRENCESTER Fire Station is holding its open day from 1-5pm. Local fire crews will be on hand and there will be a host of other activities, including a road traffic collision demonstration. The Specialist Incident Support Unit from Gloucester North will be on site as will the aerial ladder platform from Cheltenham, and the road safety partnership. Watch a road rescue demonstration. Cirencester Fire Station is on School Lane. Free entry, no need to book just turn up on the day.
  • TOWN walk around historic Cirencester every Sunday and Bank Holiday until September. Meet at the church porch in the Market Place at 3pm. Lasts 70 minutes, £2 adults/concessions free. Suitable for children and disabled.

Quenington

  • Quenington CAR boot sale will be held on The Green from 11am. No need to book just turn up, sellers £5. Follow on Facebook at ‘Quenington boot sale’ for more information.

Monday, August 22
Malmesbury

  • A POETRY evening takes place as part of the continuing Carnival featuring the local Brokenborough Poets reading from their new anthology. Begins at 7.30pm, St Mary’s Hall, St Mary’s Street. Tickets cost £3 and are available from the Town Hall or at malmesburycarnival.co.uk.

Tuesday, August 23
Malmesbury

  • MALMESBURY in 1916 is the subject of an illustrated talk by well-known local historian Charles Vernon about the town 100 years ago. Begins at 7pm in the Town Hall. Tickets, £5, are available from the Town Hall or malmesburycarnival.co.uk.