The full programme for the 2023 festival appears here in date order.
You can also home in on events that are particularly suited to children and families, Exhibitions, Workshops and Activities or Sporting/walking events or use our Calendar to see what’s on on a particular day.
Susie Hetherington Exhibition in the Setting Gallery at Three Storeys
At Three Storeys, GL6 0JE (entrance in Town Hall car park),
Free
Weekdays 8:30am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm
Printmaker and pattern designer Susie Hetherington will be exhibiting recent work. The gallery will be filled with patterns, all inspired by the natural world around us here in Gloucestershire, displayed in the form of textiles and lino prints. The works will also include pieces inspired by local history and architecture, and sketchbooks will be on display to demonstrate Susie’s process towards her intricate patterns.
“Nailsworth — an oral history: photographs and memories”
At Three Storeys, GL6 0JE (entrance in Town Hall car park),
www.threestoreys.co.uk/whats-on
Free
Tues-Fri 8.30am-4pm; Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 10am-3pm.
An exhibition of photographs and memories of older Nailsworth residents showing how life used to be in the town. From shops to institutions; from war-time recollections to school years; step back in time to discover a different life in a very familiar location.
Festival Saturday
Free entertainment supported by a grant from Nailsworth Town Council
Taking place from 10.15 until mid-afternoon, centred on Mortimer Gardens, the programme includes entertainment for all the family. New for this year, will be an Eco Fancy Dress Competition, at 12 noon in Market Square. As ever, there will be a market and many other activities across the town, including the ever-popular duck races.
Entertainment in Mortimer Gardens 
10.15 Blues Triad — Country blues from the deep south of Gloucestershire
10.45 Punch and Judy — much loved puppet show with a modern approach to traditional entertainment
11.15 Circus Frantix — fun circus tricks with help from the children in the audience
11.50 Nailsworth Community Choir — local singers performing
songs from around the world
12.30 Boogie Bop Boys entertaining us with good old rock and roll
13.15 Nailsworth Primary School Choir — always a hit with their enthusiasm and lovely singing.
13.45 More laughs with Punch and Judy
14.15 Fun circus tricks to entertain all the family
14.45 Boogie Bop Boys play more rock ‘n’ roll to finish the programme
Buskers in Market Street
11.15 – 11.45 Blues Triad
12.00 – 14.00 Folk music from the Fruit Bowlers
14.00 - Ukulele Band
Eco Fancy Dress competition
Open to individuals or groups, ages 0-7 and 8-100.
12 noon
At Market Square (shop end)
Costumes: Eco-friendly/ hand-made/ recycled or upcycled.
Prizes: Overall Best aged 8-100: A family day for four at adventure park ‘Cattle country’.
Overall Best aged 0-7: A family day for four at Slimbridge, including Welly Boot land.
Also prizes for 1st and 2nd in each category: Amazon Gift Tokens and Coco Gift Tokens.
Rosettes for all entrants. Special prizes for Judges’ choices.
Prizes will be awarded by the Judges and the Mayor of Nailsworth.
Categories:
1. Events, people, and famous characters
2. Robots, machines, items and things
3. Conservation, the natural world and climate action
Entry Forms at the Town Information Desk at Nailsworth Library or by email: fancydress@nailsworthfestival.org.uk give your name, chosen category, and age.
Visit Gigg and Dunkirk Mills
Gigg Mill opens on Saturday 20th and 27th, 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.
Dunkirk Mill opens on Saturday 20th and 27th and Sunday 21st and 28th 2pm to 4pm.
As part of your Festival Experience visit Gigg and Dunkirk Mills and learn about the history of the cloth industry in the Stroud Valleys. Try your hand at weaving at Gigg and see the mighty Water Wheel turning at Dunkirk. These events are presented in collaboration with the Stroudwater Textile Trust.
Meet the Artist at Three Storeys
10am until 4pm
At Three Storeys, GL6 0JE (entrance in Town Hall car park),
Free
Susie Hetherington will be on hand with demonstrations of her linocut intricate patterns. Visitors may get a chance to ink up a lino block especially inspired by Nailsworth. More information at www.threestoreys.co.uk
Also on 27th May.
“Images of the Invisible” — Art Exhibition
10am until 4pm
At Christ Church and Christ Church Rooms, GL6 0DQ
Free
Christ Church is exhibiting ‘Images of the Invisible’ — a collective of gospel art to include paintings, photography, calligraphy and textiles. Also, in Christ Church Rooms, an art and craft exhibition by groups ‘Renew’ and ‘Bee Creative’.
The Exhibition continues on 22nd May until Saturday 27th May. There is an afternoon art/craft activity for children on Sat 27th (time to be confirmed).
Admission and activities free. Refreshments are available.
Sports Fest
2.00pm until 4.00pm
At King George V Playing Field GL6 0HT
Free
If you and your family enjoy being active, 
come along to King George V playing fields for an afternoon of fun and fitness with Nailsworth Youth Club. Skipping, table tennis, badminton, tennis, hoops and balls are just some of the activities available. Entrance is free and refreshments will be provided. Boys and girls, mums, dads, grandparents and carers all welcome.
Playcircle presents : The Singing Forest
Three separate sessions starting at 9.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm
At Town Hall GL6 0JF
£5 per person for adults and children. Under 6 months old free.
The Singing Forest is an original story about a group of children who can hear the trees singing when they are about to be felled. They decide the only way to save the forest is to change the way they live to be in harmony with it. Story by Melanie Golding, music devised in collaboration with Playcircle. Family musical storytelling, suitable for all ages.
Piatti Quartet
Sponsored in memory of the late Robert Stiling, Brownshill, Stroud
7.30pm
At Christ Church, GL6 0DQ
£14
The distinguished Piatti Quartet are widely renowned for their ‘acute sensitivity’ and their ‘lyrical warmth.’ Since their prizewinning performances at the 2015 Wigmore Hall String Quartet Competition, they have performed all over the world and made international broadcasts from many countries. The Piattis are famed for their diverse programming and for passionate interpretations across the spectrum of string quartet writing. We are delighted that their programme for us includes an arrangement of three preludes on Welsh folk tunes by Vaughan Williams, as well as quartets by Rachmaninov and Smetana. An evening not to
be missed.
Refreshments available
“Images of the Invisible” — Art Exhibition
At Christ Church and Christ Church Rooms, GL6 0DQ
Free
Mon 22nd - Fri 26th 10am – 12pm; Fri 26th 2pm – 4pm; Sat 27th 12pm – 4pm
Christ Church is exhibiting ‘Images of the Invisible’ — a collective of gospel art to include paintings, photography, calligraphy and textiles. Also, in Christ Church Rooms, an art and craft exhibition by groups ‘Renew’ and ‘Bee Creative’.
The Exhibition is also open on 20th May. There is an afternoon art/craft activity for children on Sat 27th (time to be confirmed).
Admission and activities free. Refreshments are available.
Angela Findlay: In My Grandfather’s Shadow
7.30pm
At Egypt Mill, GL6 0AE
£10
Angela Findlay grew up with unaccountable feelings of guilt colouring many aspects of her life. When her career as an artist and art therapist took her into prisons, she was amazed to feel instantly at home. How did that fit with the knowledge that her late grandfather had been a decorated Wehrmacht general who fought for Nazi Germany? In this talk — and her book of the same title — Angela details her quest for truth, alongside her in-depth exploration of inherited trauma and — ultimately — healing.
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Make Your Own Tacos
6.00pm and 7.00pm sessions
At Natural Cookery School, Days Mill, GL6 0DU
£10 per person including a light meal.
We love tacos and we want to show you how easy, quick and nutritious they can be. Join Erin and the team at the Natural Cookery School for mini hands-on cookery lesson. They will show you how to make soft corn tortillas from scratch, a seasonal filling and salsa. After you make your tacos, you can have a seat in the dining room to enjoy or take them away with you. Everything is provided including recipes to take home.
Booking essential on www.naturalcookeryschool.com/classes/category/taster-class/ or email erin@naturalcookeryschool.com 014543 832444.
Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell
The Nailsworth Festival Richard Valentine Memorial Folk Concert
7.30pm
At Ruskin Mill GL6 0LA
£10 / £5 concessions under 25.
Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell met as part of the first cohort of the National Youth Folk Ensemble. Forming their duo in 2018, their shared musical ‘true north’ and lasting friendship enable them to make two instruments seemingly sound as one, creating subtle and emotive textures that recalibrate the fiddle and guitar duo idiom. Their live performances present an extraordinary sense of musical intimacy, covering the full dynamic spectrum. For technically advanced young musicians they hold an unusual allegiance to the beauty of simple melodies, putting their musical point across with honesty and clarity. “Beautiful, swirling, modern English folk music.” Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2.
To book please contact Ruskin Mill 01453 837537
The Nailsworth Area in Roman Times: A talk with slides by Neil Holbrook, Head of Cotswold Archaeology
7.30pm
At Three Storeys, GL6 0JE (entrance in Town Hall car park),
£8
For 25 years Neil has been the head of Cotswold Archaeology and has overseen and taken part in many notable excavations and discoveries. He is also Chairman of the Roman Research Trust, a past President of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, and his work had been widely published. Neil’s special interest is the Roman period. This talk includes Neil’s highlights and insights into the ancient history and archaeology of our landscape. (See also Archaeology Walk later in this programme).
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In view of the popularity of this event, it will now take place at the larger TOWN HALL venue. This is just across the car park from the entrance to Three Storeys. The festival team will be around to make sure everyone finds their way.
Dementia-friendly Walk: Nailsworth Dementia Action Alliance
10.20am
At main car park at the Matara Centre, Kingscote GL8 8YA (meeting place)
Free
A gentle guided walk — with coffee and cake - for those living with dementia and their carers - among woodlands, wetlands, and flower meadows. Led by head gardener Liam, with Dr Ros Mulhall and volunteers. Dogs welcome. (Lifts from Nailsworth available).
Book a free place via 07967176630
Personal Connections with Nature with Ajay Tegala
7.30pm
At Town Hall GL6 0JF
£15
Wildlife presenter, ranger and author, Ajay Tegala, has worked in nature conservation for over a decade. From volunteering as a teenager to managing rare seabird colonies, England’s largest seal rookery plus an ambitious rewilding and habitat-restoration project. Along the way, Ajay has worked on and off-screen for the BBC, ranging from Springwatch to CBeebies, and has recently written his first book,“The Unique Life of a Ranger”. He will share some of his wild experiences and offer an insight into how he has followed his dreams, doing his best to safeguard nature throughout changing and uncertain times, by engaging people with their local wildlife.
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This event will now take place at THREE STOEYS which is just across the car park from the Town Hall.
Accidental Brass Collective
7.30pm
At St George’s Church, GL6 0BP
£12
Accidental Brass Collective is a modern brass dectet formed from some of the finest and most versatile players in the Midlands, Cotswolds and Bristol areas. The group has a breadth of experience and individual talents that allows them to tackle material through centuries of composition from Mozart to Mercury! They always aim to give their audiences a great night out, starting their gigs with more conventional brass repertoire before getting jazzier and razzier as the night goes on!
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Tell Tales: Of Cabbages and Kings and Things
8.00pm
At Arkell Centre, GL6 0BG,
£5
Another opportunity to hear exciting short fiction from Nailsworth’s renowned Tell Tales creative writing group. Come along and be moved by their imaginative skills.
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Nailsworth Film Club presents ‘Brassed Off ’. Directed by Mark Herman
Doors open at 7pm, Film starts 7.30 pm
At Nailsworth School, GL6 0BJ
£7.50
A romantic drama. Gloria is sent by her power company to assess the condition of a coal mine in her home town. Her arrival injects a new lease of life into the local band which prepares to enter a national competition.
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Nailsworth Festival Poetry Slam
7.30pm
At Three Storeys, GL6 0JE (entrance in Town Hall car park),
£10
Join heavenly hosts Elvis McGonagall and Sara-Jane Arbury for an energetic evening of good verbal vibrations as worldly wordsmiths take the page onto the stage to compete for points that lead to prizes! In this popular contest, brave bards air their own poems in a bid to reach the hearts and hearing parts of the public. Selected judges award points for style, content and warmth of the applaudience. So who will fire on all syllables into the final and become Nailsworth Festival’s Slam Star? Come and lend your support for those taking a stanza on stage! To enter the Slam as a competitor, please contact Sara-Jane on 07814 830031 or email sjarbury@gmail.com
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PLEASE NOTE: This event may contain adult language and subject matter.
Visit Gigg and Dunkirk Mills
Gigg Mill opens on Saturday 20th and 27th, 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.
Dunkirk Mill opens on Saturday 20th and 27th and Sunday 21st and 28th 2pm to 4pm.
As part of your Festival Experience visit Gigg and Dunkirk Mills and learn about the history of the cloth industry in the Stroud Valleys. Try your hand at weaving at Gigg and see the mighty Water Wheel turning at Dunkirk. These events are presented in collaboration with the Stroudwater Textile Trust.
A quilt show with musical interlude
10.00am until 4.30pm
At The Arkell Centre, GL6 0ET
£3 at the door
Also on 28th May
Five Valleys Quilters are holding an exhibition of quilts, group raffle quilt “Lockdown Love Hearts”, bag raffle, sales table, refreshments, activity table. Choral performances by: Severnside Singers 27th May and Nailsworth Voices 28th May.
The show is supporting The Grace Network and the Independence Trust charities. 5VQ@gmail.com / fivevalleysquilters.weebly.com
Meet the Artist at Three Storeys
10am until 4pm
At Three Storeys, GL6 0JE (entrance in Town Hall car park),
Free
Susie Hetherington will be on hand with demonstrations of her linocut intricate patterns. Visitors may get a chance to ink up a lino block especially inspired by Nailsworth. More information at www.threestoreys.co.uk
Also on 20th May.
Archaeological walk with Professor Tim Darvill
2.00pm
At Minchinhampton Common
Tickets and further details through Stroud Valleys Project: https://www.stroudvalleysproject.org/events. An archaeological walk and talk by Professor Tim Darvill.
The Magnificent AKs
8.00pm
At Town Hall GL6 0JF
£10
The Magnificent AKs are the singing blokes of Ashton Keynes, a tranquil corner of North Wiltshire, nestled between the nascent River Thames and the Cotswold Water Park. Maybe it’s the soggy conditions, or something to do with gravel, but in 2008 the men of the village started to sing. They sang about sheds. And duct tape. And beer. In fact, they sang about everything that was important to them. From such humble beginnings, the troupe have ascended the greasy pole to perform in the Colston Hall and the Roundhouse, among other places. They’ve appeared live on Radio 3’s ‘The Choir’ and sung on Windmills, White Horses and at Stonehenge, giving them the title for their first CD ‘Monumental’. Two tours to Ireland later (both times picking up awards at prestigious choral festivals), a visit to the Giant’s Causeway gave them the inspiration for their second recording ‘Gigantic’.
“They reinvigorate the male voice choir mode and the notion of maleness itself — quite some feat for a group of beer-bellied blokes from Wiltshire.” Tom Spooner - Bristol 24/
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A quilt show with musical interlude
10.00am until 4.30pm
At The Arkell Centre, GL6 0ET
£3 at the door
Also on 27th May
Five Valleys Quilters are holding an exhibition of quilts, group raffle quilt “Lockdown Love Hearts”, bag raffle, sales table, refreshments, activity table. Choral performances by: Severnside Singers 27th May and Nailsworth Voices 28th May.
The show is supporting The Grace Network and the Independence Trust charities. 5VQ@gmail.com / fivevalleysquilters.weebly.com
Old pubs of Nailsworth walk
The Forgotten Watering Holes of Nailsworth
2.00pm
At Nailsworth Library GL6 0DU (meeting place)
£4
Approximately 2.5 miles, mainly on tarmac but strong gripping shoes advised. A joint walk with Nailsworth Health Partnership around the town, finding the sites of 24 pubs which are no longer there. Led by Brian Middleditch, who has a wealth of knowledge about our town and its history.
Nailsworth Festival bookings for this event will be online only.
Sorry - sold out!