August is packed with opportunities to get out and enjoy everything our district has to offer, with lots of free and low-cost events taking place throughout the summer. If you're looking for inspiration, take a look at the news page on our website, where you'll find activities for all ages across the district.

There is also exciting news for swimmers, with the Stratford Park lido reopening on Saturday 15 August. The much-loved outdoor pool is ready to welcome visitors back, and sessions can be booked online through the Active Lifestyles website. Families can also enjoy free activities at Stratford Park every Friday throughout August from 10am to 4pm. The Big Summer Picnics and Play in the Park events include sports, games, crafts, museum activities, live entertainment and plenty of family-friendly fun. Overflow parking will be available at the college next to the park and at Stratford Road Tesco when the main car parks are full.

While making the most of the outdoors, please take extra care during the current dry weather. We have received continued reports of fires in public places, including at Selsley Common and Standish Wood. Even a small fire can quickly spread and cause significant damage to wildlife and habitats. Please leave barbecues and campfires at home and bring a picnic instead.

There are also a couple of important recycling updates. Household Waste and Recycling Centres are currently unable to accept fridges, freezers and other cooling appliances due to a national processing issue. At present, our bulky waste service can still collect these items, and we will keep residents updated if the situation changes.

Finally, Hempsted Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Gloucester will close from 13 August for essential repairs and is expected to reopen in mid-November. This may increase demand at other sites, so please remember to book your visit in plenty of time.

If you'd like to keep up to date with council news, events, service updates and other local information, why not sign up for our weekly email bulletin? It lands in subscribers' inboxes every Friday and is a simple way to stay informed about what's happening across the district. Sign up here. 

Families are invited to make the most of summer in Stratford Park as Stroud District Council launches a packed programme of Big Summer Picnics and Play in the Park events throughout August.

Taking place on Fridays 7, 14, 21 and 28 August from 10am to 4pm, the free community events will transform Stratford Park into a hub of activity, with sports, games, crafts, museum activities and family-friendly fun for all ages. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, meet friends, try something new and enjoy one of the district's most popular parks.

Each event will feature a wide range of free activities, including arts and crafts, multi-sports sessions, tennis, family yoga, garden games, badminton, table tennis, pickleball, explorer trails and activities from Museum in the Park. Families can also enjoy World Jungle activities, football taster sessions with Little Kickers and a variety of interactive stalls run by local businesses and charities.

Special attractions across the month include live music from Sadie Sings, fire engine visits, mini train rides, roller skating, a Silly Science workshop, soft play, a bouncy castle and free skateboard taster sessions with Friends of Stroud Skate Park. Water-based fun including slip and slides and paddling pools will also feature on selected dates.

Alongside the free programme, a range of low-cost activities will be available, including mini golf, surf simulators, bubble football, climbing walls, face painting, inflatable attractions and pool fun sessions at Active Lifestyles Stroud. A variety of food vendors, cafés and ice cream stalls will be on site throughout the month.

Angela Gillingham, Stroud District Council’s Head of Community Services said

"Stratford Park is one of the district's most loved green spaces and these events are a fantastic opportunity for families and communities to come together during the summer holidays. Whether you're looking to get active, enjoy live entertainment, explore local heritage or simply relax with a picnic, there will be something for everyone."

The Big Summer Picnics and Play in the Park events are just part of a packed summer programme in Stratford Park.

Visitors can also enjoy free multi-sports sessions every Monday from 2pm to 4pm for young people aged 9 to 16, weekly Music in the Park concerts every Sunday, and the wide-ranging summer programme at the Museum in the Park.

The museum is hosting family explorer trails, drop-in activities, workshops, outdoor theatre performances of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and a new exhibition, Park Life, created by members of the Stroud Artists Cooperative and inspired by the district's parks and open spaces.

Active Lifestyles Stroud is also running a programme of family activities throughout the summer, including roller skating, trampolining, dance workshops, bubble football and pool fun sessions. Its Summer Passport offers unlimited swimming, inflatable fun, gym access and fitness classes for eligible ages, alongside discounted activities.

With 56 acres to explore, Stratford Park offers plenty to enjoy beyond the organised events, including woodland walks, an arboretum, a lake, sensory gardens, children's play areas, tennis courts and large open spaces.

Visitors can download the free Discover Stroud District walking app and follow a trail and nature treasure hunt in Stratford Park.

The Stratford Park Lido is due to reopen on 15 August, while the weekly parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am. The popular miniature railway also runs on the last Sunday of every month.

A large free car park is available, although visitors are encouraged to consider travelling by bus where possible. Children can travel free on participating local bus services throughout August, with routes serving Stroud taking part in the scheme.