What's On
This is a list of some of the upcoming events that may be of interest to our members and to other photographers visiting this site. These events are not organised by Thornbury Camera Club. For events organised by the club visit the club programme.
If members hear of interesting events not listed here they can post details in the club forum's That Looks Interesting category and if appropriate they will be copied here in due course.
July 2024
1st-31st - International Garden Photographer of the Year 17 - Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP The International Garden Photographer of the Year is one of the world's most respected and crowd-pleasing photographic exhibitions.
11th-14th - Goodwood Festival of Speed - Goodwood House, Chichester PO18 0PX "The world's greatest celebration of motorsport and car culture!"
11th-31st - I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un - Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3AR Photographer Elaine Constantine presents her dynamic and full-colour images that capture the northern soul scene of the 1990s, depicting the extreme aerobics and the unstoppable energy of twenty and thirty somethings. Large exhibition prints will be on display in the MPF gallery alongside ephemera from the era.
13th - Bristol's Brilliant Archaeology 2024 - Blaise Museum, Henbury Road, BS10 7QS Join museum archaeologists and a whole host of local societies, re-enactors, field archaeologists and heritage organisations to celebrate Bristol’s Brilliant Archaeology. Throughout the day, there’ll be tours, demonstrations and displays in the museum and on the lawns outside. Henbury Church, Blaise Castle and Blaise Community Gardens will also be open for the occasion.
19th-21st - Bristol Harbour Festival "Bringing the best of Bristol’s emerging artists as well as established and international performers across all genres, expect three days of back-to-back entertainment alongside some proper maritime magic with our on-the-water programme."
21st - Severnside 2024 Classic Car Show - Severn Beach Park, BS35 4PP Cars arriving from 10:00 at Promenade Gardens, BS35 4PQ; Cavalcade through the village at 12:00; Cars on display at Severn Beach Park, BS35 4PP, to 14:00. We understand there will be one hundred cars on show.
22nd-25th - Royal Welsh Show - Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY Along with an exciting four-days of livestock and equine competitions, with entries travelling from far and wide to compete, the Royal Welsh Show has something to interest everyone through its wide range of activities including forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink and a 12-hour programme each day of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays.
23rd-31st - British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA The winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 will be displayed at Nature in Art from 23rd July – 1st September. More than 14,000 images were submitted into this year’s competition, with amateur and professional photographers competing for the £5,000 grand prize. An image of a football covered in invasive goose barnacles, having travelled thousands of miles to reach the UK shores, has taken the top prize in this prestigious award. Photographers competed in 10 different categories in the adult competition: Animal Behaviours, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, British Seasons, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife and Wild Woods. There were 3 age groups in the young competition: 11 and under, 12-14 years and 15-17 years.
26th-28th - Welland Steam & Country Rally - Woodside Farm, Welland Nr Upton upon Severn, WR13 6NG
August 2024
1st-19th - International Garden Photographer of the Year 17 - Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP The International Garden Photographer of the Year is one of the world's most respected and crowd-pleasing photographic exhibitions.
1st-31st - I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un - Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3AR Photographer Elaine Constantine presents her dynamic and full-colour images that capture the northern soul scene of the 1990s, depicting the extreme aerobics and the unstoppable energy of twenty and thirty somethings. Large exhibition prints will be on display in the MPF gallery alongside ephemera from the era.
1st-31st - British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA The winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 will be displayed at Nature in Art from 23rd July – 1st September. More than 14,000 images were submitted into this year’s competition, with amateur and professional photographers competing for the £5,000 grand prize. An image of a football covered in invasive goose barnacles, having travelled thousands of miles to reach the UK shores, has taken the top prize in this prestigious award. Photographers competed in 10 different categories in the adult competition: Animal Behaviours, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, British Seasons, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife and Wild Woods. There were 3 age groups in the young competition: 11 and under, 12-14 years and 15-17 years.
4th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
8th-11th - Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - Ashton Court, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN The fiesta is a charity, run by a committee and remains free of charge to the public, in line with the ethos of how it was founded.
10th - Thornbury and District Produce and Craft Summer Show 2024 - Turnberrie's, Thornbury from 2pm in the afternoon to view the show entries and talk to like-minded people, including the Orchid Society, and enjoy lovely refreshments. Schedules containing all the information you need are available from Thornbury Library, T&J
Owen Florist and Jolie Fleur Florist Thornbury. This year includes classes for photography.
24th-25th - Bristol Anime & Gaming Con - Mercure Grand Hotel, Bristol, BS1 2EL See attendees arriving in costume or buy your own entrance and go inside.
26th - Football in the river - Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2BS unique football game takes place in the River Windrush at Bourton on the Water. Play is between teams from local side Bourton Rovers and it’s not just the players who get wet! The game takes about half-an-hour and has been played annually for over a century, though match times have varied a little between 10-11 am and 2pm and 4 pm over the years.
September 2024
1st - British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA The winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 will be displayed at Nature in Art from 23rd July – 1st September. More than 14,000 images were submitted into this year’s competition, with amateur and professional photographers competing for the £5,000 grand prize. An image of a football covered in invasive goose barnacles, having travelled thousands of miles to reach the UK shores, has taken the top prize in this prestigious award. Photographers competed in 10 different categories in the adult competition: Animal Behaviours, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, British Seasons, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife and Wild Woods. There were 3 age groups in the young competition: 11 and under, 12-14 years and 15-17 years.
1st-22nd - I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un - Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3AR Photographer Elaine Constantine presents her dynamic and full-colour images that capture the northern soul scene of the 1990s, depicting the extreme aerobics and the unstoppable energy of twenty and thirty somethings. Large exhibition prints will be on display in the MPF gallery alongside ephemera from the era.
1st - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
6th-8th - Goodwood Revival - Goodwood House, Chichester PO18 0PX The greatest historic motor race meeting, and the only sporting event of its kind to be staged entirely in a period theme.
6th-15th - Heritage Open Days Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.
10th - Widecombe Fair - Widecombe in the Moor, Newton Abbott TQ13 An annual event in the picturesque Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Whilst celebrating traditional rural life and providing a wonderful day out for young and old alike. The Fair is open from 9.00am until late. There are livestock classes, local handicrafts, a beer tent, food and much more.
14th-30th - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
22nd - The Clypping - St Mary's Church, Painswick, GL6 6XH Clypping is an old English word which means embracing and during the special service, everyone is encouraged to form a circle round the Church, hold hands and so clyppe or embrace the Church by dancing in time to and while singing the clypping hymn.
October 2024
1st-31st - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
Also look out for (provisionally):
November 2024
1st-30th - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
26th-30th - 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA One of the first showings of the winning and commended images from the very latest awards. Spectacular images from across the globe.
Also look out for (provisionally):
December 2024
1st-31st - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
1st-22nd - 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA One of the first showings of the winning and commended images from the very latest awards. Spectacular images from across the globe.
Also look out for (provisionally):
January 2025
1st-5th - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
Also look out for (provisionally):
February 2025
Also look out for (provisionally):
March 2025
2nd - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Also look out for (provisionally):
April 2025
4th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
5th-27th - Photo | Frome Festival (provisional) - Frome, Somerset Photo | Frome again brings an inclusive and thought-provoking perspective on photography to Frome & the Southwest. The festival approaches contemporary documentary with a broad lens, and the artist line-up will reflect that vision, featuring world-class national and international names, photography to explore the history of the Southwest region, and showcasing the talents of local and student photographers. As an ‘indie’ festival, our concept is inspired by the long-standing Les Rencontres d’Arles, aiming to fill the Frome community with curated photography and events.
29th - Hungerford Hocktide - Town Hall, Hungerford, RG17 0NF The tradition of Hocktide or Tutti Day. The Tutti Men carry Tutti Poles: wooden staffs topped with bunches of flowers and a cloved orange. The Tutti Men are accompanied by the Orange Man (or Orange Scrambler) - who wears a hat decorated with feathers and carries a white sack filled with oranges - and Tutti Wenches who give out oranges and sweets to the crowds in return for pennies or kisses. The proceedings start at 8 am with the sounding of the horn from the Town Hall steps. This summons all the commoners to the attend the Court at 9 am, after which the Tutti Men visit each of the 102 houses in turn. They no longer collect rents, but demand a penny or a kiss from the lady of the house when they visit. In return the Orange Man gives the owner an orange. After the parade of the Tutti Men through the streets the Hocktide Lunch takes place for the Hocktide Council, commoners and guests, at which the traditional "Plantagenet Punch" is served. After the meal, an initiation ceremony, known as Shoeing the Colts is held, in which all first-time attendees are shod by the blacksmith. Their legs are held and a nail is driven into their shoe. They are not released until they shout "Punch". Oranges and heated coins are then thrown from the Town Hall steps to the children gathered outside.
Also look out for (provisionally):
May 2025
1st-3rd - Minehead Hobby Horse - Minehead TA24 The custom takes place during the evenings of the first three days of May, and involves the hobby horse perambulating the port of Minehead. The hobby horse measures eight feet in length and three feet in breadth, and consists of a frame covered in a cloth that has been painted with brightly coloured roundels and decorated with ribbons affixed along the top. The wording "Sailors Horse" is written in large capital letters across the side of the cloth. The head of the man carrying the horse protrudes from the middle of the frame; he wears a painted mask with a crested conical hood affixed with coloured ribbons. A tail made from rope is also affixed to the horse.
4th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
4th - Randwick Cheese Rolling - St John The Baptist Randwick, GL6 6JQ Ceremonial Cheese-rolling 11.00am
10th - Randwick Wap - The Green, Randwick, GL11 5SN Traditional costumed procession meet at War Memorial 12:30pm; Fayre on the Green from 1pm
10th - Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival - Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1DE A vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore from 9.30am to 5.30pm. And the best part is, it’s free! 9.30am Waking Jack & Jill at the Tithe Barn. 5pm Closing parade in Riverside Park and Tithe Barn. followed by Stripping Jack.
26th - Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling - Coopers Hill, Little Shurdington GL3 4SB 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Thousands of spectators and brave competitors will descend on Cooper's Hill when Gloucestershire's wonderfully wacky Cheese Rolling event takes place. Access is difficult and will require a long walk.
29th - Bisley Well Dressing - Bisley, GL6 7AF The tradition was started in the village in 1863 by Rev Thomas Keble, Bisley’s vicar for almost 50 years, to give thanks for the village’s clean water.
30th - Cotswold Olimpick Games 2024 - Dover’s Hill, Weston Subedge, Chipping Campden GL55 6UW These historic games were first held more than twelve centuries after the last ancient Greek Olympics and almost three centuries before the modern Olympic Games, which began in 1896.
Also look out for (provisionally):
June 2025
1st - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
8th - Rush Sunday procession and service - St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6RA It's the most colourful Bristol procession with the City Swordbearer carrying the Pearl Sword wearing his Elizabethan Cap of Maintenance. The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, and City Councillors wear their scarlet robes and carry posies of spring flowers, which originally were nosegays of herbs for protection against infection. The eight City Maces are carried by an escort of Police Macebearers under command of a Sergeant at Mace. Held at 11am on Whitsunday, the procession can be viewed in the area of the church entrance from Redcliffe Way.
8th - Bread and Cheese Throwing - St Briavels, GL15 6RG The church service and giving of the Whittington purse is at 6 30 with the throwing at 7 30 pm
14th - Scuttlebrook Wake - The Square, Chipping Campden, GL55 6AL There is a procession of the Scuttlebrook May Queen from Littleworth to the square, pulled on her cart by the Campden Morris Dancers, accompanied by her four attendants and a page boy. She is followed by decorated floats and a fancy dress parade and all shops and houses along the route are encouraged to enter a window competition. The Queen is crowned in the square and then she presents prizes to the followers with the best fancy dress. After this the square is filled with entertainment from Maypole Dancing, Country Dancing and Morris Dancing. For the rest of the day it is the fun of the fair with Leysbourne full of traditional fair rides and stalls.
Also look out for (provisionally):
July 2025
6th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Also look out for (provisionally):
If members hear of interesting events not listed here they can post details in the club forum's That Looks Interesting category and if appropriate they will be copied here in due course.
July 2024
1st-31st - International Garden Photographer of the Year 17 - Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP The International Garden Photographer of the Year is one of the world's most respected and crowd-pleasing photographic exhibitions.
11th-14th - Goodwood Festival of Speed - Goodwood House, Chichester PO18 0PX "The world's greatest celebration of motorsport and car culture!"
11th-31st - I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un - Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3AR Photographer Elaine Constantine presents her dynamic and full-colour images that capture the northern soul scene of the 1990s, depicting the extreme aerobics and the unstoppable energy of twenty and thirty somethings. Large exhibition prints will be on display in the MPF gallery alongside ephemera from the era.
13th - Bristol's Brilliant Archaeology 2024 - Blaise Museum, Henbury Road, BS10 7QS Join museum archaeologists and a whole host of local societies, re-enactors, field archaeologists and heritage organisations to celebrate Bristol’s Brilliant Archaeology. Throughout the day, there’ll be tours, demonstrations and displays in the museum and on the lawns outside. Henbury Church, Blaise Castle and Blaise Community Gardens will also be open for the occasion.
19th-21st - Bristol Harbour Festival "Bringing the best of Bristol’s emerging artists as well as established and international performers across all genres, expect three days of back-to-back entertainment alongside some proper maritime magic with our on-the-water programme."
21st - Severnside 2024 Classic Car Show - Severn Beach Park, BS35 4PP Cars arriving from 10:00 at Promenade Gardens, BS35 4PQ; Cavalcade through the village at 12:00; Cars on display at Severn Beach Park, BS35 4PP, to 14:00. We understand there will be one hundred cars on show.
22nd-25th - Royal Welsh Show - Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY Along with an exciting four-days of livestock and equine competitions, with entries travelling from far and wide to compete, the Royal Welsh Show has something to interest everyone through its wide range of activities including forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink and a 12-hour programme each day of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays.
23rd-31st - British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA The winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 will be displayed at Nature in Art from 23rd July – 1st September. More than 14,000 images were submitted into this year’s competition, with amateur and professional photographers competing for the £5,000 grand prize. An image of a football covered in invasive goose barnacles, having travelled thousands of miles to reach the UK shores, has taken the top prize in this prestigious award. Photographers competed in 10 different categories in the adult competition: Animal Behaviours, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, British Seasons, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife and Wild Woods. There were 3 age groups in the young competition: 11 and under, 12-14 years and 15-17 years.
26th-28th - Welland Steam & Country Rally - Woodside Farm, Welland Nr Upton upon Severn, WR13 6NG
August 2024
1st-19th - International Garden Photographer of the Year 17 - Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP The International Garden Photographer of the Year is one of the world's most respected and crowd-pleasing photographic exhibitions.
1st-31st - I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un - Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3AR Photographer Elaine Constantine presents her dynamic and full-colour images that capture the northern soul scene of the 1990s, depicting the extreme aerobics and the unstoppable energy of twenty and thirty somethings. Large exhibition prints will be on display in the MPF gallery alongside ephemera from the era.
1st-31st - British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA The winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 will be displayed at Nature in Art from 23rd July – 1st September. More than 14,000 images were submitted into this year’s competition, with amateur and professional photographers competing for the £5,000 grand prize. An image of a football covered in invasive goose barnacles, having travelled thousands of miles to reach the UK shores, has taken the top prize in this prestigious award. Photographers competed in 10 different categories in the adult competition: Animal Behaviours, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, British Seasons, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife and Wild Woods. There were 3 age groups in the young competition: 11 and under, 12-14 years and 15-17 years.
4th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
8th-11th - Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - Ashton Court, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN The fiesta is a charity, run by a committee and remains free of charge to the public, in line with the ethos of how it was founded.
10th - Thornbury and District Produce and Craft Summer Show 2024 - Turnberrie's, Thornbury from 2pm in the afternoon to view the show entries and talk to like-minded people, including the Orchid Society, and enjoy lovely refreshments. Schedules containing all the information you need are available from Thornbury Library, T&J
Owen Florist and Jolie Fleur Florist Thornbury. This year includes classes for photography.
24th-25th - Bristol Anime & Gaming Con - Mercure Grand Hotel, Bristol, BS1 2EL See attendees arriving in costume or buy your own entrance and go inside.
26th - Football in the river - Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2BS unique football game takes place in the River Windrush at Bourton on the Water. Play is between teams from local side Bourton Rovers and it’s not just the players who get wet! The game takes about half-an-hour and has been played annually for over a century, though match times have varied a little between 10-11 am and 2pm and 4 pm over the years.
September 2024
1st - British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA The winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 will be displayed at Nature in Art from 23rd July – 1st September. More than 14,000 images were submitted into this year’s competition, with amateur and professional photographers competing for the £5,000 grand prize. An image of a football covered in invasive goose barnacles, having travelled thousands of miles to reach the UK shores, has taken the top prize in this prestigious award. Photographers competed in 10 different categories in the adult competition: Animal Behaviours, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, British Seasons, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife and Wild Woods. There were 3 age groups in the young competition: 11 and under, 12-14 years and 15-17 years.
1st-22nd - I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un - Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks, Bristol, BS4 3AR Photographer Elaine Constantine presents her dynamic and full-colour images that capture the northern soul scene of the 1990s, depicting the extreme aerobics and the unstoppable energy of twenty and thirty somethings. Large exhibition prints will be on display in the MPF gallery alongside ephemera from the era.
1st - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
6th-8th - Goodwood Revival - Goodwood House, Chichester PO18 0PX The greatest historic motor race meeting, and the only sporting event of its kind to be staged entirely in a period theme.
6th-15th - Heritage Open Days Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.
10th - Widecombe Fair - Widecombe in the Moor, Newton Abbott TQ13 An annual event in the picturesque Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Whilst celebrating traditional rural life and providing a wonderful day out for young and old alike. The Fair is open from 9.00am until late. There are livestock classes, local handicrafts, a beer tent, food and much more.
14th-30th - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
22nd - The Clypping - St Mary's Church, Painswick, GL6 6XH Clypping is an old English word which means embracing and during the special service, everyone is encouraged to form a circle round the Church, hold hands and so clyppe or embrace the Church by dancing in time to and while singing the clypping hymn.
October 2024
1st-31st - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
Also look out for (provisionally):
- 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year
November 2024
1st-30th - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
26th-30th - 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA One of the first showings of the winning and commended images from the very latest awards. Spectacular images from across the globe.
Also look out for (provisionally):
- 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year
December 2024
1st-31st - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
1st-22nd - 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year - Nature in Art, Twigworth, GL2 9PA One of the first showings of the winning and commended images from the very latest awards. Spectacular images from across the globe.
Also look out for (provisionally):
- 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year
January 2025
1st-5th - RWA 171st Annual Open Exhibition - Royal West of England Academy, Clifton, BS8 1PX Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide
Also look out for (provisionally):
- 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year
February 2025
Also look out for (provisionally):
- 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year
- Bristol Light Festival
- The Tractor World Show
March 2025
2nd - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Also look out for (provisionally):
- Frome Window Wanderland
- 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year
- Bristol Anime & Gaming Con
April 2025
4th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
5th-27th - Photo | Frome Festival (provisional) - Frome, Somerset Photo | Frome again brings an inclusive and thought-provoking perspective on photography to Frome & the Southwest. The festival approaches contemporary documentary with a broad lens, and the artist line-up will reflect that vision, featuring world-class national and international names, photography to explore the history of the Southwest region, and showcasing the talents of local and student photographers. As an ‘indie’ festival, our concept is inspired by the long-standing Les Rencontres d’Arles, aiming to fill the Frome community with curated photography and events.
29th - Hungerford Hocktide - Town Hall, Hungerford, RG17 0NF The tradition of Hocktide or Tutti Day. The Tutti Men carry Tutti Poles: wooden staffs topped with bunches of flowers and a cloved orange. The Tutti Men are accompanied by the Orange Man (or Orange Scrambler) - who wears a hat decorated with feathers and carries a white sack filled with oranges - and Tutti Wenches who give out oranges and sweets to the crowds in return for pennies or kisses. The proceedings start at 8 am with the sounding of the horn from the Town Hall steps. This summons all the commoners to the attend the Court at 9 am, after which the Tutti Men visit each of the 102 houses in turn. They no longer collect rents, but demand a penny or a kiss from the lady of the house when they visit. In return the Orange Man gives the owner an orange. After the parade of the Tutti Men through the streets the Hocktide Lunch takes place for the Hocktide Council, commoners and guests, at which the traditional "Plantagenet Punch" is served. After the meal, an initiation ceremony, known as Shoeing the Colts is held, in which all first-time attendees are shod by the blacksmith. Their legs are held and a nail is driven into their shoe. They are not released until they shout "Punch". Oranges and heated coins are then thrown from the Town Hall steps to the children gathered outside.
Also look out for (provisionally):
- 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year
- Bath Photographic Society Annual Exhibition
- 114th Annual Paintings Exhibition and Annual Photographic Exhibition - Bristol 1904 Arts
May 2025
1st-3rd - Minehead Hobby Horse - Minehead TA24 The custom takes place during the evenings of the first three days of May, and involves the hobby horse perambulating the port of Minehead. The hobby horse measures eight feet in length and three feet in breadth, and consists of a frame covered in a cloth that has been painted with brightly coloured roundels and decorated with ribbons affixed along the top. The wording "Sailors Horse" is written in large capital letters across the side of the cloth. The head of the man carrying the horse protrudes from the middle of the frame; he wears a painted mask with a crested conical hood affixed with coloured ribbons. A tail made from rope is also affixed to the horse.
4th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
4th - Randwick Cheese Rolling - St John The Baptist Randwick, GL6 6JQ Ceremonial Cheese-rolling 11.00am
10th - Randwick Wap - The Green, Randwick, GL11 5SN Traditional costumed procession meet at War Memorial 12:30pm; Fayre on the Green from 1pm
10th - Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival - Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1DE A vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore from 9.30am to 5.30pm. And the best part is, it’s free! 9.30am Waking Jack & Jill at the Tithe Barn. 5pm Closing parade in Riverside Park and Tithe Barn. followed by Stripping Jack.
26th - Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling - Coopers Hill, Little Shurdington GL3 4SB 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Thousands of spectators and brave competitors will descend on Cooper's Hill when Gloucestershire's wonderfully wacky Cheese Rolling event takes place. Access is difficult and will require a long walk.
29th - Bisley Well Dressing - Bisley, GL6 7AF The tradition was started in the village in 1863 by Rev Thomas Keble, Bisley’s vicar for almost 50 years, to give thanks for the village’s clean water.
30th - Cotswold Olimpick Games 2024 - Dover’s Hill, Weston Subedge, Chipping Campden GL55 6UW These historic games were first held more than twelve centuries after the last ancient Greek Olympics and almost three centuries before the modern Olympic Games, which began in 1896.
Also look out for (provisionally):
- 114th Annual Paintings Exhibition and 3rd Annual Photographic Exhibition - Bristol 1904 Arts
- Severn Vale Art Trail
- Abbey Hill Steam Rally
- North Somerset Show
- Bisley Well Dressing
- Steam on the Levels - Westonzoyland Pumping Station
- Gloucester Tall Ships Festival
June 2025
1st - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
8th - Rush Sunday procession and service - St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6RA It's the most colourful Bristol procession with the City Swordbearer carrying the Pearl Sword wearing his Elizabethan Cap of Maintenance. The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, and City Councillors wear their scarlet robes and carry posies of spring flowers, which originally were nosegays of herbs for protection against infection. The eight City Maces are carried by an escort of Police Macebearers under command of a Sergeant at Mace. Held at 11am on Whitsunday, the procession can be viewed in the area of the church entrance from Redcliffe Way.
8th - Bread and Cheese Throwing - St Briavels, GL15 6RG The church service and giving of the Whittington purse is at 6 30 with the throwing at 7 30 pm
14th - Scuttlebrook Wake - The Square, Chipping Campden, GL55 6AL There is a procession of the Scuttlebrook May Queen from Littleworth to the square, pulled on her cart by the Campden Morris Dancers, accompanied by her four attendants and a page boy. She is followed by decorated floats and a fancy dress parade and all shops and houses along the route are encouraged to enter a window competition. The Queen is crowned in the square and then she presents prizes to the followers with the best fancy dress. After this the square is filled with entertainment from Maypole Dancing, Country Dancing and Morris Dancing. For the rest of the day it is the fun of the fair with Leysbourne full of traditional fair rides and stalls.
Also look out for (provisionally):
- Upfest
- Appleby Horse Fair
- Wessex Midsummer Vintage Show
- Wales & West Photography Show
- Rotary Classic Vehicle Run at Chipping Sodbury
July 2025
6th - Tortworth Lake open day - Tortworth Lake, Tortworth, Wotton under Edge, GL12 8HF Tortworth Lake is private with no rights of access. The estate however welcomes the public to enjoy this special place on the first Sunday of each month from March to October only. Opening times are: March, September & October: 10:00am - 5:00pm; April, May, June, July & August: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Also look out for (provisionally):
- Thornbury Carnival
- Goodwood Festival of Speed
- Royal Welsh Show
- Welland Steam & Country Rally