South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 10/09/2015

The Discover Festival launches today (Thursday 10 September) with over 15 events to choose from taking place on the first Saturday alone.

South Gloucestershire residents can look forward to an exciting autumn thanks to Discover’s packed programme of over 230 events. The festival brings together events from local community groups, businesses and council services, offering everyone a chance to discover something new this autumn, whatever your age or interest.

The festival’s opening event is a Memory Café with Alzheimer’s Society at Emersons Green Library (2.30pm to 4.30pm) offering help, support and information, plus Alive Activities will be running one of their engaging variety and reminiscence sessions. Other activities on launch day include a judo taster session at Patchway Youth Centre (6.15pm to 8.45pm) and a bat walk taking place at Page Park in Staple Hill (7.15pm to 9pm), plus music lovers can enjoy open rehearsal evenings with the Bristol Male Voice Choir at SGS College in Filton (7.15pm to 9.30pm) or with the Longwell Green Orchestra at Longwell Green Community Centre (7.30pm to 9pm).

There are also three exhibitions launching on the first day. Photos from the Downend Local History Society Archives will be on display at Staple Hill Library, whilst at Yate Library there’s an exhibition from local artist J Bevan and an exhibition called Re:mapping – new ways of thinking about ourselves, which is based on a series of creative workshops for people wanting to improve their mental wellbeing and people with experience of dementia (exhibitions are available during normal library opening times).

A series of Heritage Open Days take place across the district this weekend as part of Discover and coinciding with the national Heritage Open Days initiative (10 to 13 September). Heritage Open Days provide a chance to see inside many interesting and historic venues across the UK. Events in South Gloucestershire this year include Winterbourne Medieval Barn and Winterbourne Parish Church opening their doors on both 12 and 13 September (2pm to 5pm). The church is located next door to the Medieval Barn, so offers a great opportunity to view both buildings in one visit. There’s also a chance to explore Thornbury Town Hall on 12 September (10am to 4pm) and the opportunity to visit Kingswood Heritage Museum and enjoy a rare glimpse of Warmley Grottoes on 13 September (11am to 4.30pm).

Cllr Heather Goddard, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council’s Communities Committee, said: “Following months of preparation across South Gloucestershire, we are really looking forward to this year’s Discover Festival getting under way. Discover draws together a wide range of existing and new events throughout the district, and is a great way for residents to find out about what is happening in their local community. From Heritage Open Days and family history workshops to food taster sessions and outdoor activities, there is something for everyone to discover.”

These are just a small selection of hundreds of opportunities to discover something new in South Gloucestershire during the festival which runs from 10 September to 30 October. Residents will get the chance to explore the great outdoors through wild walks, fossil forays, bat walks and conservation days; get active with line dancing, kung fu and pilates; and discover great local produce at a local food and drink festival, open days and seasonal apple day events. You can also discover your creative side at an art workshop or knitting session.

Now in its fourth year, the Discover Festival offers a unique opportunity for residents to find out what makes South Gloucestershire a great place to live and work. Over 180 events are free, for others there is a small fee. Booking is essential for some of our most popular events such as bat walks and fossil forays.

For last minute events and up to date festival news visit www.southglos.gov.uk/discover or like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/discoversouthglos

Chipping Sodbury food and drink festival takes place on 11 & 12 September