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This week we're celebrating community spirit, supporting local causes and sharing some of the work taking place across the district.

Congratulations to everyone who walked or ran in Sunday's Five Valleys Walk for Meningitis Now. The event is a fantastic way to enjoy our beautiful district while raising funds for a vital cause. With World Meningitis Day taking place on 5 October, now is a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of meningitis. Find out more on the Meningitis Now website.

Wednesday 30 September marks the final day of the extended Stratford Park Lido season. When it closes, our focus will turn to a programme of detailed surveys and investigations to better understand the condition of this historic facility. The information gathered over the winter will help inform future planning, maintenance and community discussions, while preparing for a full season of operation when the lido is scheduled to reopen in May 2027.

Close by in Stratford Park, students from SGS College have given the skatepark a fresh new look as part of a project supported by our communities team. It's one of many ways we work with the college to support young people, celebrate local talent and strengthen community connections.

Thank you to everyone who attended our grant clinic last week. The session helped community groups understand council funding opportunities available and offered advice on preparing strong applications. Don't forget that local good causes can also raise money through our community lottery, receiving 50p from every £1 ticket sold by their supporters. Find out more on the Lucky Severn Lotter website.  

Finally, don't forget to sign up for SDC email updates. You can choose the topics that interest you and receive the latest council news, events and service information direct to your inbox at www.stroud.gov.uk/emailalerts.

Visitors are invited to explore the creative possibilities of deconstruction, transformation and rediscovery in a major new textile exhibition at the Museum in the Park this autumn.

UNmaking, an exhibition by the Textile Study Group (TSG), runs until Sunday 8 November 2026 and marks the group's first collective exhibition in Stroud since 2017.

The exhibition explores the idea of "unmaking" as a creative process. Rather than simply taking something apart, the artists use unravelling, cutting, undoing and reworking as a way of discovering new possibilities. Through a diverse range of contemporary textile works, visitors are invited to consider whether something in the process of change can be viewed as complete, and how ideas of making and unmaking shape our understanding of art.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors can enjoy a varied programme of workshops by internationally renowned tutors and free-of-charge Meet the Maker sessions, offering opportunities to learn new skills, gain insights into contemporary textile practice and meet some of the artists behind the work.

Kevin Ward, Museum in the Park Development Manager said:

"UNmaking offers visitors a fascinating opportunity to experience contemporary textile art in a fresh and thought-provoking way. The exhibition challenges us to look differently at creativity, while the accompanying programme of workshops and Meet the Maker events gives people the chance to learn new skills and engage directly with leading textile artists. We're delighted to welcome the Textile Study Group back to Stroud for their first collective exhibition here in almost a decade."

The exhibition is free to enter and runs until Sunday 8 November 2026.

For more information, workshop booking details and opening times, visit the Museum in the Park website: UNmaking - Textile Study Group Exhibition & Workshops — Museum in the Park

The Museum in the Park is managed by Stroud District Council in collaboration with the Stroud District (Cowle) Museum Trust. It is home to a rich local history collection, a magical walled garden, and a dedicated contemporary exhibition space.

The Museum also offers a free-to-join membership, giving members updates on exhibitions and events, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Find out more at www.museuminthepark.org.uk/membership

This week we have news of new grant funding support, events at Stratford Park Lido and the Museum in the Park, and a chance to support our Charity of the Year.

If you're thinking about applying for council funding, why not book a place at one of our grants clinics? Stroud District Council is hosting two free sessions on Wednesday and Thursday this week where community groups, charities, schools, local organisations and residents can learn more about SDC grants and receive tailored advice on developing project ideas and preparing funding applications. Whether you're applying for the first time or looking to strengthen a previous application, our grant teams will be on hand to help. Find out more and book your place on our website https://www.stroud.gov.uk/news .

There's still time to enjoy a swim at Stratford Park Lido, which remains open until 30 September. To mark the end of the season, the Save Stroud Lido Outdoor Pool group is hosting a special `Splash Up’ event on Sunday 27 September, featuring a poetry workshop, live music and a synchronised swimming display. All activities are included in the standard admission price. Details of how to book are here on the Active Lifestyles website: Stratford Park Lido - Active Lifestyles Stroud District

The Museum in the Park's latest exhibition, UNmaking, is now open until 8 November. Created by talented members of the Textile Study Group, the contemporary textile exhibition explores themes of deconstruction, creativity and discovery. It’s accompanied by a programme of Meet the Maker sessions and workshops led by expert textile tutors. Find out more on the Museum in the Park website Museum in the Park

Good luck to everyone taking part in the Five Valleys Walk on Sunday 27 September. The event is a major fundraiser for Meningitis Now, our Charity of the Year, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. This year offers more ways to get involved than ever, with routes ranging from 1.5 miles to the full 21-mile challenge, plus a new accessible 5k walk along the canal towpath. The 5k route must be booked in advance, while participants on the other routes can turn up and register on the day. Find out more at The Five Valleys Walk 2026 .

Finally, don't forget to sign up for our email alerts to receive council news, events and service updates direct to your inbox: www.stroud.gov.uk/emailalerts.