StroudTimes

13/09/2026

Local dance organization Dazzle Ladies Dance hosted a special Sponsors Evening on 10 September to celebrate a massive fundraising milestone, officially handing over cheques totalling more than £7,400 to three vital local causes.
The funds, which were divided equally between The Nelson Trust, Acorn Children’s Hospice, and Wiggly T, were raised during the Dazzle Showgirls’ annual fundraising cabaret weekend held this June at The Chantry Centre in Dursley. The high-energy, vibrant weekend of cabaret acts and live music completely sold out, drawing immense support from the community and generous local business sponsors.
The Sponsors this year included Personal Best, Grace & Glow, Heartfelt Care, Framing by Lesley, Dursley Lions, BioWave, Family Tree Funerals, Abbey Meadow Flowers, Nailsworth Mills & our headline sponsor, the Tetbury Lions. Their generosity turned our show into a showstopper as we were able to invest in 50 wigs, costumes for chorus numbers, scenery, props and hire a professional lighting & sound technician.
Founded in 2023, the Dazzle Showgirls troupe is designed to break the traditional dance mould. It brings together predominantly amateur female performers of all ages and sizes to build their confidence, represent real women, and give back to Gloucestershire—a community where Dazzle has proudly operated for the last 20 years. Sarah Davis-Berry, Director of the Dazzle Showgirls, shared her pride in the project:
"Creating this show is a personal dream come true. The vision is a relaxed ‘Kit Kat Club’ style experience for our audience with table lamps, fun and glamorous themed acts. Each showgirl was personally invited to be part of this unique troupe and it is a joy to see their confidence develop throughout the rehearsals and watch their dreams come true performing on stage."
In addition to their annual flagship production, the Dazzle Showgirls Dance Troupe now offers free dance entertainment for local fundraising and charity events.
About Dazzle Ladies Dance
Dazzle Ladies Dance provides inclusive, creative dance classes, events, and workshops across Gloucestershire. Aimed at fostering confidence, community, and joy through movement, Dazzle has been a staple of the local community for two decades, empowering women of all backgrounds to keep moving and find their moment to shine.

13/09/2026

Robbie Savage on why Kyle McAllister is the best player in the league, Gateshead demolition and delight at landing West Ham’s England Under-20 star

Ecstatic Forest Green boss Robbie Savage lavished praise on captain Kyle McAllister as his side made it back-to-back wins with a thumping victory over toothless Gateshead.

13/09/2026

Teenager arrested after Stroud park stabbing

A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in a Stroud park on Saturday evening, with police appealing for witnesses.

12/09/2026

Robbie Savage reveals Forest Green are closing in on ‘another Harry Whitwell’ loan signing

Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage has revealed the club are on the verge of bringing in a young loan player he believes could have a similar impact to Harry Whitwell.

12/09/2026

Ex-Forest Green, Newport, Bristol Rovers and Port Vale star Sean Rigg opens new tattoo studio in former Stroud pub

A former professional footballer has taken the plunge and opened his own tattoo studio in Stroud – turning a passion he discovered during his playing days.

11/09/2026

Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher condemns ‘painful blow’ after assisted dying Bill voted down

Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher has described the defeat of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as a “painful blow” to the campaign for a dignified death.

11/09/2026

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Rob Biddulph and Ben Miller among huge names heading to Stroud Book Festival

Stroud Book Festival has unveiled a star-studded line-up for its 11th annual celebration of books, authors and ideas – with Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Rob Biddulph, Ben Miller and a host of bestselling writers heading to the Five Valleys.

Taking place from 4-8 November 2026, this year’s festival coincides with the National Year of Reading and promises five days packed with events for children, families and adults.

The 2026 children’s programme will be headlined by award-winning author and illustrator Rob Biddulph, the creative force behind the hugely popular viral phenomenon.

He will be joined by renowned children’s author and actor Ben Miller, while Gloucestershire legend Tweedy will present his first book, Tweedy: The Clown Who Lost His Nose.

And there is a major treat for young readers, with legendary children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson appearing at a special family event.

The festival’s Schools’ Days will also feature an impressive line-up, with Joseph Coelho and Emma Carroll both returning to Stroud, alongside Nicola Davies, Children’s Laureate for Wales.

For adults, the programme brings together an equally impressive collection of writers, broadcasters and cultural figures.

Among the non-fiction highlights are Paul Mason, former economics editor at BBC Newsnight and Channel 4 News; broadcaster and marathon runner Sophie Raworth; actor and writer Greg Wise; Orwell Prize-winning journalist Sally Hayden; author and Times columnist Sathnam Sanghera; and potter and The Great Pottery Throwdown star Keith Brymer-Jones.

Fiction fans can look forward to appearances from acclaimed novelists AK Blakemore, Claire Fuller and Matt Haig.

Bestselling Stroud authors Kate Riordan and Sam Steele will present their latest crime novels, while Stroud's own queen of romantic fiction, Katie Fforde, will give festival-goers an exclusive preview of her new Stroud-inspired novel.

The festival will conclude with a special performance of Jane Austen’s Piano, featuring writer Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason and her daughter, recording artist and pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, in an evening combining words and music.

The programme will also include the announcement of the winners of the Laurie Lee Prize for Writing 2026, the latest event from Stroud Short Stories, and a host of Five Valleys writing talent at the festival’s Saturday Salon.

Stroud Book Festival Programme Director Caroline Sanderson said:

“In this National Year of Reading we’re delighted to be welcoming another fabulous array of authors to Stroud for our annual community celebration of books and thanks. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who is helping to make our 2026 Festival possible.”

Tickets are now on sale.

For the full programme and ticket information, visit stroudbookfestival.org.uk.

11/09/2026

BOOK TALK: Inside the fascinating world of rare books with Quire Auctions' Caitlin Riley
Quire Auctions

From rare first editions and literary treasures to books with fascinating stories of their own, Caitlin Riley has a front-row seat to the world of rare books.

11/09/2026

Stroud Farm Services to Host DEADSLOW Road Safety Awareness Evening

Horse riders , cyclists and motorists are being invited to a special road safety awareness evening at Stroud Farm Services on Wednesday 30th September, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

The free event will feature a presentation from Alan Hiscox, Director of Safety at the British Horse Society, who will explain the nationally recognised DEADSLOW campaign and share practical advice on how drivers and riders can work together to make our rural roads safer.

The DEADSLOW campaign encourages motorists to slow down, pass horses wide and at a safe speed, be patient, avoid sounding horns or revving engines, and always follow a rider’s hand signals.

As part of the evening, Stroud Farm Services will also be promoting its “Be Seen” campaign, with exclusive discounts available on high-visibility clothing and equipment for both horse and rider as the darker months approach.

The event has been organised with the support of Mark Sweeting, a keen horse rider who has helped introduce horse warning signage across the local area to improve road safety. He is pictured alongside Fiona from Stroud Farm Services, who has first-hand experience of the dangers riders face after being involved in a road traffic accident. Together, they hope the evening will raise awareness, encourage safer driving and help prevent future incidents.

Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you’re a horse rider , cyclist, or motorist. It promises to be an informative and practical evening focused on making our countryside roads safer for all.

Event Details

What: DEADSLOW Road Safety Awareness Evening
Where: Stroud Farm Services
When: Wednesday 30th September
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
By working together and following the DEADSLOW message, we can all play our part in protecting horses, riders and everyone who uses our rural roads.

*I've added a link to their campaign.

https://www.bhs.org.uk/support-us/our-campaigns/dead-slow/

11/09/2026

Important update on Stratford Park outdoor pool

Stratford Park Lido has introduced a new timetable and will remain open until 30 September, weather permitting, giving residents and visitors more opportunities to enjoy the facility this season.