Fireworks redraw tomorrow, plus 14 weekend picks

Hello Cotswolders,

I’m away this weekend, but there’s plenty happening across the Cotswolds. You’ll find 60 event listings for Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the website, and I’ve picked out fourteen below that caught my eye. I’ve also included a few bigger dates coming up later this month.

Here's my plan for the rest of October. I'll be putting my detective skills to the test at the Murder Mystery Evening in Bisley, followed by Seann Walsh: This Is Torture at Cirencester's Sundial Theatre. Then it's Witney Dramatic Society's The Hound of the Baskervilles at Witney's Corn Exchange, before I round off October at the South Cerney Fireworks Spooktacular.

I’ll be fitting in some local walks and food stops along the way, too. If you’re heading to any of the same events, come and say hello.

First, though, one more inbox check.

Fireworks tickets: another redraw tomorrow

We still haven't heard from the replacement winner of our South Cerney Fireworks tickets. Please check your inbox and spam folder for the winner's email, and reply by 9am tomorrow, Friday 16 October.

If we haven't had a reply by then, I'll redraw and email the new winner. With the display coming up on 31 October, I'd like to get the tickets into someone's hands so they can make their plans.

This weekend: 16 to 18 October

Running across the weekend

Conker the cat and other tales, Corinium Museum, Cirencester

Lesley Davies' free exhibition takes its inspiration from the imagined adventures of her former stray cat, Conker. There are watercolours and pen-and-ink works, with some maritime and Japanese influences along the way. It runs until 15 November, and could make a useful stop alongside a wander around the market.

Ghosts of Roman Britain, Chedworth Roman Villa

Find out what the Romans believed about restless spirits and the afterlife, with activities around the villa. Runs from 10am to 4pm until 1 November, with normal admission applying. The separate Roman Ghost Investigator half-term challenge doesn't begin until 24 October, so don't arrive expecting that part this weekend.

Friday

Lighting the Fire, Lansdown Hall, Stroud

Alison Brackenbury, Kate Potts, Zoe Brooks and Jason Conway read as part of Dobunni Poetry Festival, with the first Dobunni Bard also being crowned. Friday's session runs from 12:30pm to 2pm. Tickets are £15.

The Upbeat Beatles, The Theatre, Chipping Norton

A live Beatles tribute tracing the band's music through Beatlemania, Sgt. Pepper and the later studio years, with period instruments and costume changes. Friday's show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are £26, and the theatre is showing low availability, so book ahead if this is your Friday-night choice.

Word Lab, Trinity Rooms, Stroud

Spoken word from Georgia Griffiths and Nick Degg, hosted by Jonny Fluffypunk and Uta Baldauf, with an open mic as part of Dobunni Poetry Festival. Runs from 7:30pm to 10pm on Friday, with tickets at £6. If you'd like to perform, contact the organisers beforehand to secure an open-mic slot.

Saturday and Sunday

Cirencester Autumn Market, Market Place

Food stalls, crafts and live music fill the Market Place this weekend. The music line-up includes Moonlighting Band on Saturday and Mojosonic on Sunday, with street food and a real ale and cider bar too. Saturday runs from 9am to 6pm; Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Autumn Tractor Rides, The Old Kennels, Cirencester Park

A 30-minute tractor-and-trailer ride around the park, accessed through the pumpkin patch at The Old Kennels. Rides run on both Saturday and Sunday. Adult tickets are £5 and children aged 2 to 12 are £3, with under-twos riding free on an adult's lap. Book ahead for your preferred slot; dogs aren't allowed on the ride or in the pumpkin patch.

Saturday

Bampton Autumn Food and Gift Fair, Village Hall and The Market Tavern

Independent food producers and makers spread across two village venues, with food and drink at The Market Tavern and gifts and homeware in the hall. Free entry, from 9:30am to 2pm. A morning option if you fancy a browse without committing the whole day.

South Cerney Lakes Free Group Walk

Roam & Wonder's four-mile walk starts promptly at 1pm from Gateway Cafe, following the lakes, canal and rivers before returning for anyone who fancies coffee and cake. The route is gentle, though it may be soggy underfoot. Register in advance so you receive the final meeting and parking details.

Poetry Films, Chapels of Rest, Stroud Cemetery

A free afternoon of poetry films, running from 1pm to 5pm as part of Dobunni. The chapels also host the festival's free Living Matter sound installation that day.

Black Is the Color of My Voice, The Theatre, Chipping Norton

Apphia Campbell's play is inspired by Nina Simone's life, with her songs performed live. Saturday performances are at 4pm and 7:30pm, and both were showing tickets available when checked. For ages 12 and over; running time is 75 minutes.

John Kirkpatrick and Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Tetbury Goods Shed

Traditional songs and tunes from two generations of English folk musicians, starting at 7:30pm. If you play, you can bring an instrument for the informal session from 6:45pm. Advance tickets are £18.

Sunday

Cotswolds: Field & Folk, Barn Theatre, Cirencester

A documentary following a year in the Cotswolds and the people who care for its landscape, made by Leaping Fox Films with Cotswolds National Landscape. Sunday's 11am screening is followed by a Q&A. Adult tickets are £10 and children £8.

Hansel and Gretel: A Playground Opera, The Theatre, Chipping Norton

This retelling takes Hansel and Gretel into a video-game world, with Sunday's performance starting at 2:30pm. There's also a free workshop for primary-school children with an adult-and-child ticket purchase. That needs its own reservation and starts at noon, so allow for an earlier arrival if your child wants to join in.

This is a selection, rather than everything happening this weekend. Browse the full events calendar for more ideas and booking details.

Still to come in October

Cirencester History Festival, 23 October to 1 November

Talks, walks, family activities and exhibitions take over venues around Cirencester from next Friday. Several sessions have already sold out, so this is one to look through now if there's a particular speaker or activity you're hoping to catch. You'll find festival events among our October listings.

Westport Sound, Malmesbury, 23 to 25 October

Three days of experimental live music, with Stick in the Wheel, Voka Gentle and Alexander Hawkins among the line-up. There are day, weekend and selected double-bill ticket options, so you don't have to commit to the whole festival. Tickets are on sale now. Browse the events calendar for the individual listings.

South Cerney Fireworks Spooktacular, Saturday 31 October

The Halloween display at South Cerney Airfield is now just over two weeks away. Gates open at 3pm, with the main fireworks at 7:40pm. The organiser strongly recommends advance booking, and says there won't be gate sales if online tickets sell out.

Christmas at Westonbirt: still time to enter

Our Christmas at Westonbirt competition is open until 11:59pm on Saturday 31 October.

The winner can choose whichever suits them: a family ticket for two adults and two children aged 3 to 16, or two adult tickets if you fancy a date night. A pre-booked parking space is included either way.

Already subscribed? Then you're in the draw. If you've got a friend who would enjoy an evening at the illuminated trail, send them the competition page so they can sign up for their chance too.

The trail runs on selected evenings from 27 November to 31 December. The prize covers an available standard or off-peak date and timed entry slot, and we'll announce the winner on Thursday 5 November.

Enter, share the competition and read the full terms.

The giveaway is funded by Cotswold Digest and isn't sponsored or endorsed by Forestry England or Westonbirt.

Have a lovely weekend,

Alex and the Cotswold Digest Team

Details listed for information only. Dates and times may change, and ticketed events may sell out. Please check directly with the organiser or venue before travelling.