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After the incredible three days across the August bank holiday weekend, camping and weekend tickets for Big Feastival 2025 are now available. This year, the festival welcomed a record-breaking sell-out crowd on the farm, with spectacular headlining performances from Becky Hill, Ministry of Sound Classical, and Snow Patrol. The lineup also featured the awesome Scouting For Girls, Natasha Bedingfield, Ash, Johnny Marr, Cat Burns, Kate Nash, and more. Culinary stars like Andi & Miquita Oliver and Simon Rogan led a fantastic array of chefs whilst the nation’s best street food vendors offered a diverse selection of delicious dishes throughout the weekend. Weekend and camping tickets for Big Feastival 2025 are now available, as well as the highly coveted campervan pitches. Stay tuned for day passes and the 2025 line-up. The August bank holiday wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the farm! You can find all the info here - thebigfeastival.com/tickets 
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Tickets for the Cheltenham Literature Festival go on sale this week with an incredible line-up coming to town from the 4th - 13th October, 2024. The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024 celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and boasts a jam-packed programme of 400+ events over the 10 days. The Festival returns with the best new voices in fiction and poetry alongside literary greats, political debates fresh from the party conference season, a vibrant family and schools programme, and performances and literary happenings scattered across the town. The line-up includes Dame Judi Dench, Michael Palin, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Osman, Richard Ayoade, Fearne Cotton, Sir Trevor McDonald and many, many more! As well as the usual venues around the town, there are some new locations this year, including The Snug and The Hush, where visitors can join book clubs, be immersed in crafts, join in with lively post-event debates or rest and contemplate new thoughts or ideas. There is also a series of events and unique dining experiences hosted at The Nook on Five, Cheltenham’s spectacular rooftop restaurant; and Dunkertons Taproom will host street food vendors, vibrant discussion, lively quizzes and captivating cabaret. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday 5th September. You can find the full programme at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature   August Bank Holiday is a little over a week away which means that The Big Feastival is just around the corner. We all know how good the music is all weekend with the likes of Snow Patrol, Becky Hill, CMAT, Scouting For Girls and Natasha Bedingfield all performing, but the Street Food on show is just as big. From incredible fried chicken, burgers, steak, noodles, wings and everything else you can think of, the food on offer is arguably the best at any festival in the UK. So, with that said, here are the 10 we think you should try over the Feastival weekend. Baba Side Fried When it comes to collaborations, this is one of the biggest. Baba G and Other Side Fried are teaming up for the first time to bring some epic food to The Big Feastival. Think fried chicken, keema lamb and lots more wrapped in naan bread, covered in sauce!  Black Bear Burgers This London crew are finally making their Feastival debut in 2024 and will be bringing their incredible burgers, sides and sauces for three days in the Cotswolds.  Sen Noods If you love a bowl of noodle soup, you will absolutely love these guys who are bringing the flavours of East Asian to Feastival once again in 2024.  Poor Boys As firm Feastival favourites, Poor Boys are a staple of the weekend. Their food pays homage to the Famous New Orleans Po Boy sandwich and the Shrimp and Buttermilk Chicken is a must if you're going this year.  Sireli If you've never tasted Armenian inspired food, then make sure you head to Sireli over the weekend for their incredible flatbreads.  Temper Renowned for their open fire pits, Temper is the place to go for your smoked meat and BBQ fix at the Big Feastval this year. They will be located in The Smokery.  Wholesome Junkies If meat isn't your thing, then Wholesome Junkies will definitely satisfy your cravings. This vegan street food haven is bringing mouthwatering, 100% plant-based junk food that’s big on flavour to Feastival '24  Ginger Wings Founded by Jack Blumenthal and Leigh Jones in 2022, Ginger Wings has quickly risen to become one of the talk of their hometown of Marlow and will be bring their multi award-winning wings, strips, burgers and sides to Alex James' Farm this year.  We Are Melt A cheese toastie might not be your first choice of festival food, but then you probably haven't tried We Are Melt. With their artisan bread, tasty dips and fillings like fried chicken, bbq brisket and nduja these toasties are truly incredible and a great way to start the day if you're camping for the weekend.  Bab Haus Last, but by no means least, the brilliant Bab Haus will be serving up their signature Birria Quesa Tacos, alongside Chipotle and maple BBQ pork belly, peanut salsa macha tacos on the BBQ, smoked sweet potato tostadas on the grill and their incredible loaded "Haus" nachos.  The Big Feastival takes place on Alex James' Farm in Kingham from Friday 23 - Sunday 25 August 2024. There are literally just a few tickets remaining for Friday and Saturday! thebigfeastival.com  The fixtures have been released for the 2024/25 season at Cheltenham Racecourse. It all begins with The Showcase on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, before The November Meeting (Friday 15th - Sunday 17th November) takes centre stage. The Christmas Meeting (Friday 13th and Saturday 14th December) will be the last meeting of 2014 with New Year's Day being the best way to see in 2025. Festival Trials takes place on Saturday 25th January and is the las meeting before the massive four days in March. The Cheltenham Festival (Tuesday 11th - Friday 14th March) will showcase four breath taking days. 28 races, including 14 Grade 1 races, unrelenting prestige, competition and, of course, unmissable action. You can find all the fixtures, info and best priced tickets HERE.  The end of the summer looks set to be a winner as tickets go on-sale for the 2024 Cornbury House Horse Trials, which will take place from 11 –15 September in the heart of the Cotswolds at one of the most prestigious estates, Cornbury House, located in Charlbury, Oxfordshire. The five-day international event, which is now in its fifth year is the ideal setting to watch some of the finest young horses and riders in the country competing in dressage, cross-country and showjumping. Away from the world-class competition, this unique event is not just for any horse enthusiast but food lovers and families of all ages, with the five days also offering local produce and brilliant entertainment. A celebration of local food and drink with a new ‘From the Farm’ offering, as the estate brings together the best of the locals with Cornbury Farm, Bruern Farm, Honeydale Farm all featuring the best of their produce to offer our visitors.  David Howden, Cornbury House Horse Trials Founder and President said: “There is so much planned for Cornbury House Horse Trials this year, which my wife, Fiona and I are very excited to announce. I’ve no secret of the fact that I am passionate about supporting the best British-based talent, and that we are utterly committed to helping the stars of our sport – present and future – to reach their goals. We are delighted to be once again hosting the prestigious British Eventing Young Horse Championships. “This year we are really hoping to put Cornbury House Horse Trial on the map with lots planned to attract more visitors. Alongside the superb competition a big focus will be on offering exceptional and local food and drink for everyone. “We are particularly excited about our ongoing partnership with The Bull in local Charlbury who will be delivering the food offering in our VIP hospitality marquee across the week. Last year the team from The Bull produced pure food theatre which also featured our own Cornbury Longhorn Beef. “I can promise our visitors that this year not only will they be immersed in the very best of British Eventing - all the British Olympic riders and many of the international riders will be there - but also a fabulous day out in a beautiful Cotswold setting.” Laura Collett, winner of the Leading Rider prize at Cornbury in 2023 and an Olympic team gold medal winner for Britain, said: “Cornbury has raised the bar each year as far as what is on offer for spectators, riders and owners! It’s a fantastic event that provides spectacular hospitality for owners and spectators alongside hosting a brilliant competition.” Cornbury House are proud to be partnering with Pol Roger who celebrate their 175th anniversary this year along with Pragnell, Volare Aviation and Fortnum & Mason to help execute this wonderful event. Tickets are on sale now via www.cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk  Following a sell-out run of STUPIDUS MAXIMUS' last season, the brilliant Fools Delight returns with SIDESHOW from 19th-28th April in Bampton. Created in 2022 by Lil Rice, Sam Goodburn and Head Chef Dave Cross, Fools Delight is the perfect mix of circus and dining. This year's show transports you the turn of the century and the eerie and weird world of Sideshow, with flower fairies and fairground folk, a mystic and a magician. With dirty Americana blues, as well as delicious seasonal food at their 3-course dinner shows. For all the info and tickets, visit www.foolsdelight.co.uk 
With most of us only just getting over the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival, racing returns to Prestbury Park for the two-day April Meeting on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th April. With the spring sunshine (hopefully) shining down on the hallowed Cheltenham turf, the meeting combines competitive racing, with entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere make it a fabulous April afternoon out. It’s the perfect race meeting to bring along a friend who has never experienced the buzz of a Cheltenham Raceday. Last year, the sun shone down upon the fantastic racing action which included the Grade 2 feature race being landed by Caribean Boy for Lambourn maestro Nicky Henderson and the double green ownership team of Simon Munir and Issac Souede, under their retained jockey Daryl Jacob. The trip across the Irish sea for Gordon Elliott’s charge The Friday Man proved successful when he won the Citipost Novices’ Hurdle, with jockey Sean Bowen in the plate. Thursday is unique with an all-mare race card and hosts the British EBF Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, Walk In Clover landed the spoils last year for multiple Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Dan Skelton. It proved a good two-day meeting for Nicky Henderson as Ahorsewithnoname came home in front in the Listed contest of the afternoon, with stable jockey Nico De Boinville doing the steering. Under Control completed a double on the day for Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville later on the card. Tickets start at just £15 and under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter. BUY TICKETS   As well as some incredibly racing, there is lots of live music and entertainment to enjoy across the four days at the Cheltenham Festival. The Wickermen, Vogue Williams (DJ Set), Lampa and The Chip Shop Boys will be live in the Centaur after racing with lots of other live music dotted around the racecourse during each day. Full list of entertainment: CHAMPION DAY TUESDAY Guinness Village LAMPA: 11:00 – 18:30 The Feed Room & The Courtyard Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20 Quevega's Stage Tommy Lewis: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45 Centaur Balcony Joe Wheldon: 10:00 – 13:15 Hall of Fame Entrance Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15 The Orchard Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20 The Plaza Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30 Best Mate Pavilion The Wickermen: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00 Parade Ring Escala: 12:55 The Centaur The Wickermen: 17:45 – 18:45 STYLE WEDNESDAY Guinness Village LAMPA: 11:00 – 18:30 The Feed Room & The Courtyard Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20 Quevega's Stage Esther Turner: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45 Centaur Balcony Ryan Corbett: 10:00 – 13:15 Hall of Fame Entrance Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15 The Orchard Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20 The Plaza Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30 Best Mate Pavilion Tommy & the Fuse: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00 Parade Ring Laura Wright: 12:55 The Centaur Vogue Williams: 17:45 – 18:45 ST PARTRICK'S THURSDAY Guinness Village The Lucky 15's: 11:00 – 18:30 The Feed Room & The Courtyard Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20 Quevega's Stage Esther Turner: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45 Centaur Balcony Joe Wheldon: 10:00 – 13:15 Hall of Fame Entrance Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15 The Orchard Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20 The Plaza Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30 Celtic Feet, Irish Dancers: 11:00 & 12:00 Best Mate Pavilion Tommy & the Fuse: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00 Parade Ring Celtic Feet, Irish Dancers: 12:55 The Centaur LAMPA: 17:40 – 18:30 GOLD CUP DAY FRIDAY Guinness Village The Lucky 15's: 11:00 – 18:30 The Feed Room & The Courtyard Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20 Quevega's Stage Tommy Lewis: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45 Centaur Balcony Ryan Corbett: 10:00 – 13:15 Hall of Fame Entrance Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15 The Orchard Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20 The Plaza Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30 Best Mate Pavilion Chip Shop Boys: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00 Parade Ring Symphonic Ibiza: 12:30 The Centaur Chip Shop Boys: 17:40 – 18:30 Visit HERE or a full list of entertainment. BUY CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL TICKETS
The Big Feastival have added more music and a host of chefs to their line-up for 2024. Smith's guitarist Johnny Marr, Jax Jones, 86TVs, Ministry of Sound Classical and Circa Waves will all appear on the main stage, while Raymond Blanc, Jack Stein, Andi & Miquita Oliver and Cherish Finden will be cooking in The Big Kitchen. On top of that, there will also be, as always, lots of incredible street food, heaps for families and comedy, including James and Clair Buckley recording a special live episode of their podcast. Snow Patrol, Becky Hill, Scouting For Girls, Natasha Bedingfield and Kate Nash will all be playing over the Bank Holiday weekend. The festival will take place on Alex James' Farm just outside Kingham from 23rd - 25th August. Full the full line-ups and tickets, visit thebigfeastival.com   Cheltenham Jazz Festival will return this spring featuring some of the biggest names from the worlds of jazz, soul, blues, pop and beyond. One of Europe’s biggest jazz festivals with over 55,000 music fans in attendance across the week, 2024’s event will take place from Wednesday May 1 to Monday May 6 incorporating a carefully curated mix of international jazz icons, up-and-coming new artists, unique one-off performances, world premieres, masterclasses, family-friendly shows, industry talks, free events and lots more. With a cross-generational theme that brings together jazz legends with the very latest new artists, the Festival will play host to a string of world-class artists including the legendary 100 million-selling US vocalist Dionne Warwick; Grammy-winning singer Gregory Porter – who will perform twice at the Festival, in a very special solo show and a collaboration with Blues House of Fame inductee Bettye LaVette and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra; English dance-pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose 2001 hit song Murder On The Dancefloor recently made a return to the Top 10 following its inclusion in cult film Saltburn; multi-platinum-selling reggae royalty UB40, who’ll perform a career spanning set; powerhouse South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo; the distinctive, soulful singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti; electronica/trip hop pioneers Morcheeba; Fun Lovin' Criminals frontman and BBC 6 Music presenter Huey Morgan; and acid jazz and funk group the Brand New Heavies who’ll be joined onstage by players from the London Concert Orchestra. In a major tribute to British blues, a luminary of the scene, Robert Plant, will also perform a set with Saving Grace feat. Suzi Dian that mixes his latest music with old favourites. The Festival will once again host the most exciting and revered artists from across the contemporary jazz scene including New York collective Snarky Puppy, US piano giant Brad Mehldau, one of the most celebrated British jazz musicians of all time Courtney Pine - who’ll be marking his 60th birthday with a special edition of his Caribbean themed, dance-inducing House of Legends project - Grammy-nominated American trumpeter Theo Croker, genre-defying Scottish multi-instrumentalist and producer corto.alto, the hotly tipped saxophonist and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin, New Zealand-Australian singer-songwriter Jordan Rakei, and a double bill featuring 10-piece afro-jazz outfit Nubiyan Twist and West Africa’s iconic dance band Orchestra Baobab. Dedicated to making a positive contribution to the ongoing music festival gender divide, Cheltenham Jazz Festival is signed up to the Keychange programme and aims for an equal gender balance across the breadth of its line-up. This year’s programme is notable for its a huge array of boundary-pushing female vocalists including Malian singer and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara, MOBO award-winning Zara McFarlane, the bold Newcastle-born singer songwriter Nadine Shah, much-loved UK singer and broadcaster Clare Teal, multi-Grammy Award-winning Dee Dee Bridgewater, distinguished singer and actress Elaine Delmar, rising jazz/soul star CHERISE, Brit jazz mainstay Liane Carroll, one of America’s finest vocal talents Bettye Lavette, the multi-talented Allysha Joy, and one of the all-time great jazz singers Norma Winstone. The Festival’s commitment to talent development is at the centre of the programme, with this year’s annual Showcase event featuring rising stars Amahla and Ruta Di. 2024 will also see the return of the Parabola Arts Centre programme, which is dedicated to new, innovative music from around the world. Gracing the stage this year will be British saxophonist Trish Clowes performing alongside US trumpeter Dave Douglas, rising Brit jazz pianist Sultan Stevenson, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and Nikki Yeoh together present “Speechmik Ex-Ploration”, free jazz virtuoso Charlotte Keeffe, and Mercury Music Prize nominee Kit Downes who will perform a special set with Norma Winstone. The Festival also features a significant “… around Town” element that sees unsigned and local talent play in venues across Cheltenham, including The Wilson, John Gordons and grassroots venues the Frog and Fiddle and the Bottle of Sauce. Part of the Festival’s wider commitment to talent development and local arts scenes, performers will include Plymouth’s Joanna Cooke, Gloucestershire natives GS Collective, and sets from acts from the UK’s pioneering jazz music education and artist development organisations, Tomorrow’s Warriors Youth Ensemble and Jazz North’s Ni Maxine. Some shows are already on sale. Tickets for the newly announced acts go on general sale on Wednesday March 6. All tickets available from cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz.  Big Feastival has revealed the first names in the line-up for 2024 which will take place on 23-25 August on Alex James' Farm in Kingham. Snow Patrol will bring the festival to an anthemic close on Sunday night, with Becky Hill headlining on Friday night. Triple Brit Award nominee and singer songwriter Cat Burns whose single Go went viral on TikTok and climbed to number two on the UK singles chart joins the line-up. Irish singer songwriter Cian Ducrot will also grace the main stage. Coming to prominence in 2022 his single All For You was a huge TikTok sensation and his debut album Victory topped the UK Album Charts in 2023. Vocal powerhouse Ella Henderson is set to have the Feastival crowd singing along to hits including Ghost, Let’s Go Home Together and React whilst dance superstar Joel Corry whose huge tracks include Sorry, Lonely, Head & Heart, Bed and Out Out will also play. Natasha Bedingfield is sure to create a mass singalong with Unwritten and These Words whilst singer songwriter Kate Nash will thrill the crowd with Foundations amongst other iconic hits. Irish singer songwriter CMAT, modern soul and R&B performer Jalen Ngonda and Irish rockers Ash are confirmed to play alongside Indie heroes Scouting For Girls and upcoming Irish four piece The Florentinas. Big Feastival will be announcing more music acts soon, including Saturday’s headliner. thebigfeastival.com   The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle event of the jump-racing calendar, and this year will be bigger than ever as we celebrate 100 years of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In March 2023, Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend became legends and wrote themselves into the history books with a scintillating performance in the Gold Cup. Can they do the same again? As like most festivals in recent year, many of the favourites will be coming over from Ireland. Constitution Hill will be flying the flag for Britain as he looks to retain his Champion Hurdle crown. DAY-BY- DAY GUIDE CHAMPION DAY: TUESDAY 12TH MARCH the Grade 1 Skybet Supreme raises the curtain to the Cheltenham Festival with the famous "Cheltenham Roar". Last year we saw Marine National land the spoils for trainer Barry Connell, who enjoyed his first Cheltenham Festival winner as a trainer, having had previous success as an owner. It was also jockey Michael O’Sullivan’s first Cheltenham Festival winner. History was made in the Unibet Champion Hurdle as Jump Racing’s hero Constitution Hill came home in emphatic style under Nico de Boinville for Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley. Constitution Hill’s performance was breath-taking, he jumped with speed, precision and accuracy and awarded Nicky Henderson his 9th Champion Hurdle winner spanning from 1985 to 2023. The legendary Honeysuckle provided for some the most memorable moment of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, when she recorded her fourth Festival win on her final visit to Presbury Park. Her triumph provided emotion, elation and pride for horse racing fans across the land. She captured our hearts and to see her finish her prolific career with a Cheltenham Festival win, was exceptionally special. STYLE WEDNESDAY: WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH Irish raider Energumene has won the last two renewals of the Queen Mother Champion chase and he has earned his place next to greats like Altior and Sprinter Sacre. Can he make it three in a row at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival? The Real Whacker made a dream come true for trainer Patrick Neville, when landing the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ chase by a short head against the Irish powerhouse Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe. The Real Whacker provided trainer Patrick Neville, previously an electrical engineer, with his biggest victory to date, will he be able to achieve an even bigger prize this season and when he goes for gold in The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup? The day concludes with the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, where stars of the future are often making their first visit to the Cotswolds. We saw A Dream To Share come home in front last year, providing 82 year-old trainer John Kiely and young jockey John Gleeson with their first Cheltenham Festival winner. The JP McManus owned a Dream To Share gave the Gleeson family memories to last a lifetime, Claire Gleeson, wife of ITV Racing’s Brian bred both horse and jockey! There looks to be bigger days to come and surely, he will be visiting Presbury Park in the not-too-distant future. Style Wednesday is a celebration of thrilling and exhilarating sporting action, make sure you’re there to celebrate in style as racing’s glitterati put on a show like no other. ST PATRICK'S THURSDAY: THURSDAY 14TH MARCH Envoi Allen gave Henry de Bromhead his second victory of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase. No one thought anything could come close to Honeysuckle’s win earlier in the week for the de Bromhead family, but seeing Envoi Allen back in the sacred Cheltenham Winners’ Enclosure provided another emotional and exceptional moment at the Cheltenham Festival for racing fans. The Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle went to the ever tough and ever consistent Sire Du Berlais for the Cheltenham Festival’s most successful of owner all time JP McManus. Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Mark Walsh, Sire Du Berlais, who comes to life in the Spring, put up a gutsy performance to win by 3/4 ‘s of a length to the Jeremy Scott trained Dashel Drasher. Make sure you are there to see if the Irish dominate will dominate the feature races again on St Patrick’s Thursday? GOLD CUP DAY: FRIDAY 15TH MARCH Featuring The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the blue riband race. The pre-race tension, the exhilaration of the race and jubilations of the aftermath. You will never see or experience anything quite like it, as whatever the result, every year it is different. Stay Away Fay gave British Champion trainer Paul Nicholls his second winner of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, with Harry Cobden doing the steering in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett on the final day of the Festival. Galopin Des Champs was a spectacular winner of Jump Racing’s blue ribband race for the winning most Cheltenham Festival trainer Willie Mullins. The Cheltenham Gold Cup eluded Willie Mullins for many years, but since Al Boum Photo won his first Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2019, and he has now won three of the last five renewals of the race, with fellow Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead winning the other two. Can the exuberant and exceptional Galopin Des Champs repeat the feat of former stable mate Al Boum Photo and win back-to-back Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cups in the Gold Cup centenary year or will someone else take the most prestigious crown in Jump Racing? Don’t miss out on the Cheltenham Festival, records will be broken, history will be made and dreams will come true and you could be part of it. HOSPITALITY AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL Award-winning restaurants and intimate private boxes are the most exclusive way to enjoy your time at The Cheltenham Festival. Located the most stunning settings, from the heart of Cheltenham Racecourse to overlooking the winning line, an unforgettable experience awaits. Working with the best local suppliers, Cheltenham's team of chefs are passionate about bringing their breadth of skills and culinary knowledge to our extensive and carefully crafted menus.  Excitement, anticipation and expectation is building towards the Cheltenham Festival, and Festival Trials Day on Saturday 27th January is the last chance to see racing at the Home of Jump Racing before the magical four days in March. With a seven-race card, where every race is a trial for a race at the Cheltenham Festival, it doesn’t get much more exciting, unless it is the Festival itself. The fun isn’t restricted purely to the track, with fantastic entertainment during the day and The Wickermen performing live music after racing, it is a seamless prelude to the Cheltenham Festival. Last year’s renewal included the highly anticipated match between 2022 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene and the 2022 Sporting Life Arkle winner Edwardstone didn’t disappoint, however it was the Gary Moore trained Editeur Du Gite that returned first past the post. But when he returned in March, Energumene reversed the form when winning back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chases. The Dahlbury Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle, the highly recognised trial for the Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, a race the Emma Lavelle trained Paisley Park has made his own in recent years. However, last year’s race was won by French raider Gold Tweet. Ahoy Senior was a hugely popular winner of the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase for dual Grand National winning trainer Lucinda Russell. Come along this year, to mark your card ahead of the Cheltenham Festival. Tickets start at just £25 and under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter.  Regardless of how you celebrated New Year’s Eve, there is no better way to jump into 2024 than racing on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham. Thrilling and high-quality racing action, that is sure to provide Cheltenham Festival insight, fresh air, and amazing free family entertainment. There are seven highly-competitive races on the day with Graded and Listed contests, the racing action will blow away those New Year’s Eve cobwebs. Featuring live music from LAMPA in The Village and the ever-popular Family Fun zone and live music in The Centaur after racing from Tommy & the Fuse, there is top-class entertainment for children and adults alike. The biggest Cheltenham Festival clue we got last year, came in the shape of The Real Whacker landing the Grade 2 Paddy Power Dipper Chase beating the Paul Nicholls trained favourite by 3 and ¾ lengths. The Real Whacker went on to be triumphant in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Marie’s Rock made her seasonal reappearance by winning the Grade 2 [email protected] Relkeel Hurdle, for Nicky Henderson and Middleham Park Racing. She went on to run in the highly anticipated Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares Hurdle, on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, it wasn’t her day, but that race provided one of the most memorable moments of the Festival, when Honeysuckle returned victorious to a rip roaring reception, branding her the Queen of the Cheltenham. Under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter. Please note: The Family Fun zone is only available to club/tattersalls ticket holders.  For many, the January blues hit very hard. However, we have found some great ways to shake them off with our pick of the best events taking place around the Cotswolds throughout the month. NEW YEAR'S DAY RACING AT CHELTENHAM MONDAY 1ST JANUARY 2024 • CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE Regardless of how you celebrated New Year’s Eve, there is no better way to jump into 2024 than racing on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham. Thrilling and high-quality racing action, that is sure to provide Cheltenham Festival insight, fresh air, and amazing free family entertainment. There are seven highly-competitive races on the day with Graded and Listed contests, the racing action will blow away those New Year’s Eve cobwebs. www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/new-years-day TOM RAVENSCROFT & DJ FOOD FRIDAY 5TH JANUARY 2024 • DEYA BREWERY, CHELTENHAM For their reopening night of 2024, Deya are bringing in mainstays from two British institutions you can really be proud of - BBC 6 Music and Ninja Tune! Tom Ravenscroft is host (along with deb Grant) of 6 Music's daily New Music Fix, and one of the UK's most respected broadcasters and DJs. DJ Food is a name that needs no introduction for Ninja Heads. With nearly 25 years of DJing experience and more than a decade serving up Food for DJs, for both Ninja and Coldcut's weekly radio show 'Solid Steel', Kev is now in the Food hot seat. deyabrewing.com/event/tom-ravenscroft-dj-food-deya-re-opening-night-2024-2024-01-05/ BATH v GLOUCESTER SUNDAY 7TH JANIARY 2024 • THE REC, BATH A West Country derby is the perfect way to start the new year. These games are usually fierce battles with Gloucester seeking revenge from a 27-45 defeat at Kingsholm back in November. www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk SHAPARAK KHORSANDI & FRIENDS SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 2024 • SUNDIAL THEARTRE, CIRENCESTER Join superstar comic Shaparak Khorsandi (Live At The Apollo, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!) and two hilarious guests for an evening of hilarity! A rare chance to see Shaparak perform in an intimate venue. www.sundial-theatre.co.uk/event-listing THE SOUND OF SPRINSTEEN SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 2024 • EVERYMAN THEARTRE, CHELTENHAM The Sound of Springsteen brings to the stage some of the greatest hits and deep cuts from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and continues their ever-popular tour around the UK. www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-sound-of-springsteen/ THE ROCKET MAN: A TRIBUTE TO SIR ELTON JOHN MONDAY 15TH JANUARY 2024 • EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM This is the world’s favourite celebration to a musical icon. Join us as Jimmy and our amazing live band take you down the Yellow Brick Road with two hours of glorious Elton hits, including, Saturday Nights Alright, Crocodile Rock, I’m Still Standing, Philadelphia Freedom, and many, many more. www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-rocket-man/ JESCA HOOP SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2024 • THE SUB ROOMS, STROUD California-born but now based in Manchester, UK, Jesca Hoop is what you’d call a musician’s musician. Discovered by Tom Waits and brought on tour by Peter Gabriel to sing in his band, it was a phone call from Elbow’s Guy Garvey that saw her move to the UK. Hoop's 6 studio albums including her most recent album “Order of Romance”, produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding, This is the Kit), all received huge acclaim from critics and fans alike, and it’s easy to see why: Jesca Hoop is one of our most captivating singers. Her beautiful songs, rooted in the folk tradition are intricately detailed, acoustic-led pieces that teem with ideas, expertly crafted lyrics and melodies that spring from a deeply curious imagination. thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on/jesca-hoop COCKLEBARROW RACES SUNDAY 21ST JANUARY 2024 • COCKLEBARROW FARM, ALDSWORTH Cocklebarrow Races is the only Heythrop Point to Point of the year and attracts people from all over the UK (and world). However, in the main, the majority of our 4,000+ visitors hail from surrounding Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Warwickshire. www.cocklebarrowraces.com THE WORLD ACCORDING TO KALEB THURSDAY 25TH - SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY 2024 • EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM Kaleb Cooper, Chipping Norton’s finest celebrity farmer and Sunday Times bestselling author, who shot to fame starring in Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm, has decided to conquer his fear of the unknown and embark on his first ever theatre tour with The World According to Kaleb. www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-world-according-to-kaleb-kaleb-goes-on-tour/ ROMESH RANGANATHAN: HUSTLE FRIDAY 26TH JANUARY 2024 • CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL After a sell-out tour in 2022, Romesh is back with his new show which examines the human condition… are people inherently good? Is charity always a positive thing? Is hustling the key to success? Or is all this a load of rubbish we’ve made up to keep people working hard for no reason. cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/romesh-ranganathan-hustle/ FESTIVAL TRIALS DAY SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY 2024 • CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE Excitement, anticipation and expectation is building. It is the final opportunity to see the sports protagonists go out to battle on Cheltenham Racecourse’s hallowed turf before the Cheltenham Festival. What horses will catch the eye before those four days of extraordinary in March, will we see returning champions defending their crown? Whilst anything can happen in March, Festival Trials day maybe able to give us a clearer picture. www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/festival-trials-day TOM DAVIS: UNDERDOG SUNDAY 28TH JANUARY 2024 • CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL Tom Davis is best known for hit shows King Gary, The Curse, Live at the Apollo and Murder in Successville, as well as his hugely popular podcast Wolf and Owl with Romesh Ranganathan, which has received critical acclaim and sold out live shows. Tom is also known for multiple appearances on A League of Their Own, Ranganation, Judge Romesh, and Action Team. cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/tom-davis-underdog/ The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle event of the jump-racing calendar, and this year will be bigger than ever as we celebrate 100 years of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In March 2023, Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend became legends and wrote themselves into the history books with a scintillating performance in the Gold Cup - racing's most esteemed race. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the one they all long to win, many times over, above all others. Greats become legends and legends rewrite history. With four breath-taking days and 28 races, including 14 Grade 1 races, nowhere beats Cheltenham for the unrelenting prestige, competition, and pure excitement. BUY TICKETS Start your Christmas celebrations off in style with a weekend of top-quality racing on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 December. With the big day just days away, The Christmas Meeting brings joy and excitement for all. This two-day meeting is one of the highlights of the Christmas racing calendar and kick starts the festive sporting season. Across the two days there is top quality racing on offer, with a total of 14 races to enjoy, from the adrenaline rush of the Glenfarclas Cross-Country race to the The Virgin Bet December Gold Cup. With Grade 2 and 3 racing action, including some highly competitive Cheltenham Festival trials, including the JCB Triumph Hurdle trial and the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle trial, it is a key race meeting for Cheltenham Festival clues. Off the track, they is a heap of entertainment for all ages across the weekend. Friday will be filled with Christmas cheer across the racecourse with entertainment from The Hipcats performing Christmas hits on the Quevega Stage to Got2Sing Choir entertaining racegoers with Christmas Carols throughout the day. Saturday is their Christmas Extravaganza themed family fun, including meeting Santa and his elves in Santa’s Grotto. Santa’s elves will also be there to help with your Christmas crafts including - letters to Santa, making a magical Christmas wish to leave on the special night and designing snowflakes. Pampered Pony rides will also be available from Santa's Grotto on Saturday at 10:00 till 15:30 for children of all ages to enjoy around the tented village. The Hipcats and Got2Sing will also return on Saturday for festive music and entertainment throughout the day. The Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales are back on the Friday of The Christmas Meeting, the racing sales will offer a select group of winning and placed point-to-pointers and form horses after racing in the sales ring. Under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter. For all the information and tickets, please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham  Returning to Cheltenham Racecourse on March 23 2024, the gala dinner offers a night of fine dining and entertainment, with plenty of opportunities to raise money for the 4Ed campaign, established in July 2022 by Gloucester Rugby as a way of generating awareness and funds following Ed Slater’s diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The 2023 event saw over £250,000 raised for the campaign through ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and a raffle. The money generated contributed significantly towards adaptations to Ed’s home as well as creating precious memories for him, his wife, Jo, and their three young children. With 4Ed now adopted by the Gloucester Rugby Charitable Foundation as a restricted fund, all money raised from next year’s dinner will be used to provide bursaries for families affected by MND in Gloucestershire to access support, including funding vital equipment, changes to the home, family days out, or psychological provision.
For all information, visit www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk  Cheltenham Jazz Festival is offering audiences a sneak-peak of their exciting 2024 programme, releasing tickets for six of the acts that will grace its storied stages in the spring.
Set to headline the Festival’s iconic Big Top in 2024 are singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti and pop reggae royalty UB40. Electronica pioneers Morcheeba will also take the stage. Superstar saxophonist and former Jazz Warrior Courtney Pine and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Dee Dee Bridgewater will also make the trip to Cheltenham. And West African dance legends Orchestra Baobab will perform in a double-headline show with Afro Jazz innovators Nubiyan Twist. “This first release of tickets for our exciting 2024 programme reflects the Festival’s long-standing commitment to celebrating the influences of jazz across all musical genres,” says Ian George, Head of Programming for the Jazz Festival and co-CEO of parent charity Cheltenham Festivals. “We celebrate all the genres that have jazz in their DNA by bringing the best of contemporary UK, US and European jazz to our Festival Village and across the town of Cheltenham,” he explains “The breadth of jazz’s influence is unique. From pop to soul, blues to world music, we are always so spoiled for fantastic musicians at Cheltenham. From orchestras and big bands to club sessions and late-night jams, the Festival runs the gamut of the music – as this line-up proves!” Jack Savoretti has appeared at Cheltenham once before, and is excited to return to a Festival he believes has a unique character. “Cheltenham Jazz Festival is one of those Festivals you always want to play, our first show there was incredible and I look forward to returning next year.” The Festival also always looks forward to the future of the music, playing host to fresh new names and pushing the boundaries of the genre’s definition. Morcheeba’s Skye Edwards thinks this commitment to fostering the next generation is more important than ever. “We're looking forward to performing at Cheltenham. It has such a great reputation for having an eclectic mix of bands and genres. There’s a place for new talent alongside the established names which makes this a very vibrant festival for everyone!” Tickets for the early announcement shows will be available to the public from 27 November via cheltenhamfestivals/jazz/. The full programme for Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2024 will be revealed in February. The much-loved, multi-million-selling Australian pop group Crowded House, nine-time Grammy-winning US singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, and Mercury and Brit-nominated duo Turin Brakes, are the first acts to be announced for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series, which returns to the 10,000-capacity UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from June 12th – 16th 2024. The three acts will bring the five-night series to a close on Sunday June 16th. Crowded House and Sheryl Crow were two of the biggest artists of the ‘90s and have collectively sold over 60 million albums over the course of their careers to date. Fronted by singer and guitarist Neil Finn, Crowded House became one of Australia’s most successful exports thanks to huge international hits including Don’t Dream It’s Over, Weather With You, Fall At Your Feet, Four Seasons In One Day and many more, and Sheryl Crow, who was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, recently celebrated 30 years since the release of her hit-filled, multi-Grammy-winning debut album Tuesday Night Music Club. Tickets and further info can be found here - www.nocturnelive.com  The Christmas Cotswold Fair, held in support of the incredible children’s charity WellChild, returns from the 6th to 9th November in its new home at Evenlode Grounds near Stow on the Wold. This year is set to break all records, with over 220 stallholders in attendance, selling everything from homeware, to pet accessories and more. In addition to the new venue, The Christmas Cotswold Fair will be full to bursting with an extensive schedule of workshops and demonstrations, book signings, author ‘meet and greets’ and, of course, the luxurious Cotswold Grey VIP Lounge with delectable dishes from The Potted Goose Pub Co. “We are so excited to be setting down roots at Evenlode Grounds”, says Fair organiser Lucy Greaves. “The Christmas Cotswold Fair officially marks the beginning of the festive period, and we cannot wait to be able to expand and grow into our new home, offering so much more than we have ever before. “This year’s Fair will be the best it has ever been. Alongside our incredible array of stalls and daily events, we will be celebrating delicious, local food, prepared to perfection on site, in our Festive Feasting area. We can’t wait to welcome stallholders and visitors in November for the ultimate festive shopping experience – the Cotswold way.” WellChild is very excited to be working with The Christmas Cotswold Fair again in 2023. “We are delighted to see the Christmas Cotswold Fair continue to grow and develop as one of the most anticipated annual events in the pre-Christmas calendar”, said Matt James, Chief Executive of the charity. “With the number of children and young people living with complex medical needs growing year-on-year, the Fair has become critical in raising the funds needed for WellChild to give these children and families the best chance to thrive at home instead of hospital. This is never more pertinent than at Christmas time. We look forward to an even brighter and festive Christmas Cotswold Fair at Evenlode Grounds this year.” For over 30 years, The Cotswold Fair has supported WellChild and in 2022, they raised £120,000 to help support their valuable work. What’s New for 2023
Tickets are on sale now!
For all the info, visit cotswoldfair.com  The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2023 has announced this year’s must-see line-up, consisting of 500+ events encompassing art and design, classic literature, current affairs, faith and philosophy, fiction, poetry and spoken word, history, memoir, food and drink and more. From Friday 6th to Sunday 15th October, the Festival will offer visitors the opportunity to take the pulse of contemporary culture, hosting thought-provoking discussions and exploration of emerging trends across politics, culture and lifestyle. World-class novelists, incisive global thinkers, bright new voices, bold explorers and conversation-starting creators all await them this October. Here's the line-up: Adele Parks • Adrian Edmonson • Alastair Campbell • Andi Oliver • Andi Osho • Andrey Kurkov • Arthur Parkinson • Audrey Magee Bernard Cornwell • Bernie Taupin • Brian Cox Caroline O’Donoghue • C Pam Zhang • Chris van Tulleken • Chris Packham • Claire Kilroy • Charlie Mackesy • Cleo Watson • Clive Myrie • Colin Grant Danny Cipriani • David Baddiel • David Petraeus • David Runciman • Dawn Butler Eleanor Catton • Elizabeth Acevedo • Elizabeth Day • Emma Dabiri • Ed Gamble • Eva Baltasar Gaby Roslin • Ghaith Abdul-Ahad Guadalupe Nettel Hamza Yassin • Hashi Mohamed • Henry Marsh • Holly Jackson Ian McEwan • Inua Ellams John Whaite • Jojo Moyes • Judy Murray • Justin Webb Kate Mosse • Katherine Rundell • Karl Ove Knausgaard • Kelechi Okafor • Keyu Jin Lauren Elkin • Lemn Sissay Mary Beard • Michael Palin • Michael Rosen • Michel Roux • Mick Herron • Miquita Oliver • Musa Okwonga Nadiya Hussain • Nandini Das • Nicola Sturgeon • Nick Frost • Nikesh Shukla • Noel Fitzpatrick Paula Akpan • Peace Adzo Medie • Polly Toynbee Rachel Parris • Ragnar Jónasson • Raynor Winn • Richard Curtis • Richard E Grant • Ruby Wax Sadiq Khan • Santanu Bhattacharya • Sarah Raven • Sebastian Faulks • Shirley Ballas • Steve Backshall Tété-Michel Kpomassie • Theresa May • Tim Peake • Timothy West • Tomiwa Owolade • Toshikazu Kawaguchi Will Gompertz • William Hague Yomi Adegoke • Yu Jie Zadie Smith Family programme: Adam Rutherford • Alex Willmore • Amara Sage Beatrice Blue • Benji Davies • Bob and Roberta Smith David Walliams • Derek Landy • Dr Ranj Elle McNicoll • Esme Higgs Helen Rutter • Holly Bourne • Holly Jackson • Holly Smale Lucy Bannerman Jacqueline Wilson • Jasbinder Balan • Jennifer Killick • Joseph Coelho Liz Pichon Maddie Moate • Martin Brown • Matt Lucas • Maz Evans • Michelle Elman Nadine Aisha Jassat Dapo Adeola P.J. Holden • Paul Westmoreland • Philip Reeve Robert Muchamore S.F. Said • Sathnam Sanghera • Sharna Jackson • Smriti Halls Yeva Skalietska For tickets and all the information, visit www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature  |
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