South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 13/09/2013

The Yate International Festival takes place between 10.30am and 4.30pm on Saturday 21 September at Yate & District Heritage Centre and St Mary’s Green on Church Road. The festival will be a celebration of the many cultures that make up our local area with performances throughout the day from English, South Asian, Chinese, Irish, Polish and Hispanic groups. Visitors can also sample Chinese, South Asian and Polish culture through workshops, games, demonstrations and food.

Other events taking place over the next few days of the festival include a chance to come face to face with a wild owl at a talk from Ian McGuire of Wild Owl in Chipping Sodbury on Thursday 18 September, and a new dementia action group launches in Patchway on Friday 20 September. There is also a conservation work morning taking place at Filnore Wood in Thornbury on Wednesday 25 September, where visitors can help out with practical work in the woodland.

The Discover Festival offers a unique opportunity for residents to find out what makes South Gloucestershire a great place to live and work. Bringing together many successful celebrations in the district, the programme caters for all ages and tastes – including events, talks, walks and workshops celebrating local heritage, food, nature, arts and also special events for the over 50s.

Other events include:

Gardening galore – discover your community garden

Cadbury Heath Library, School Road, Cadbury Heath

Thursday 19 September, 10am to 12pm

Coffee and cakes in the Cadbury Heath Library community garden that was created in 2010 as part of the BBC’s ‘Dig In’ campaign. Find out how you can get involved and help out with the garden.

Get your digital camera out of its box

Emersons Green Library, Emersons Way, Emersons Green

An informal workshop for nervous beginners covering digital cameras and their use.

Introduction to British owls talk

Old Grammar School, Chipping Sodbury

Thursday 19 September, 7.30pm to 9pm

Come face to face with a wild owl and learn more about them in this inspiring talk from Ian McGuire of Wild Owl.

Patchway Dementia Action Alliance launch event

Coniston Community Centre, The Parade, Coniston Road, Patchway

Friday 20 September, 10.30am to 1.30pm

Celebrate the launch of Patchway Dementia Action Alliance, find out more or get involved. Individuals, community groups, services and businesses are joining together to raise awareness about dementia and take small steps to make Patchway more dementia friendly.

To book go to http://patchwaydementiaactionalliance.eventbrite.co.uk

A stroll through Leap Valley

Leap Valley, Downend

Friday 20 September, 11am to 1pm

Meet at the public car park on Beaufort Road in Downend for a two and a half mile walk taking in parts of the delightful Leap Valley, a hidden area of woodland, wetland and open space. Lunch and refreshments will be on sale after the walk from the café in Badminton Gardens, adjacent to the car park. Unsuitable for buggies and wheelchairs.

Yate International Festival

Yate & District Heritage Centre and St Mary’s Green, Church Road, Yate

Saturday 21 September, 10.30am to 4.30pm

A celebration of local cultures in South Gloucestershire with performances throughout the day from English, South Asian, Chinese, Irish, Polish and Hispanic groups. Visitors can also sample Chinese, South Asian and Polish culture through workshops, games, demonstrations and food.

Chinese Tai Chi

Bradley Stoke Jubilee Centre (Oka Hall), Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke

Sunday 22 September, 3pm to 4pm

South Gloucestershire Chinese Association welcomes you to a free Tai Chi class for everyone. Tai Chi is a popular exercise originated from ancient China to keep you fit and release stress. Open classes run on Sundays from 3pm to 4pm every fortnight.

Hearing and sight loss advice and support

Thornbury Library, St Mary Street, Thornbury

Monday 23 September, 2pm to 4pm

Specialist advisors from Action on Hearing Loss, Hearing Impaired Support Scheme, Action for Blind People, Sense (for deafblind people) and a lip reading tutor offer practical and local guidance, rights information and sources of support.

Best days of our lives

Yate & District Heritage Centre, Church Road, Yate

Tuesday 24 September, 7.30pm to 9pm

A fascinating talk on the history of the school children, teachers and buildings in the Yate and Sodbury areas from the late Medieval period up until the present day.

To book call 01454 862200 or email yate.heritage@southglos.gov.uk

Conservation work morning

Filnore Wood Community Woodland, Thornbury

Wednesday 25 September, 10am to 12.30pm

Help out with practical conservation work in the woodland. No experience is necessary, tools and instruction will be provided, but visitors are advised to wear old clothes and boots. Meet by the field gate on the far side of the Thornbury Leisure Centre car park.

Most events are free, but some require pre-booking. To find out more or to book a place for an event, pick up a brochure from your local library or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/discover