Elsewhere in Stroud

Stroud Theatre Festival: 29th September-1st October

Over 25 theatre companies will descend on Stroud for a weekend of spoken performance. Ticketed performances take place at various venues around Stroud, but there will also be the chance to see live street theatre in the Shambles, outside the Sub Rooms, on the High Street and in the courtyard at Star Anise café. Stroudtheatrefestival.org

Five Valleys Fireworks: 23rd October, 6-9.30pm

After being held for over half a century, this firework display is one of the area’s biggest and best. The display takes place at Marling School and includes a fun fair, a covered area for under 12s and refreshments, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at 8pm. The event has raised over £250,000 for local charities to date. Fivevalleysfireworks.org.uk

Stroud Book Festival: 2nd-5th November

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Stroud Book Festival, this year’s festival has a host of exciting events in the offing. Local author, Rachel Joyce, will be back and joined by Guardian Food critic Matthew Fort and BIG READ author William Fiennes. Children’s events, writers’ workshops and the annual Stroud Short Stories competition are all on the billing. Stroudbookfestival.org.uk