Olympic Torch to be carried through Cheltenham

The Olympic Flame for the 2012 Games will be lit in Greece and start its 8000 mile journey through the UK at Lands End in England on 18th May 2012. The cross-country race will take 70 days and 8000 inspirational people will be selected to carry it.

It arrives in Cheltenham for an overnight stop on Wednesday 23rd May on route between Bristol and Worcester and the town will host a celebration to honour the auspicious occasion.

For more information check out SoGlos.com.

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Gypsy Horse Fair, Stow-on-the-Wold - 12th May 2011

In 1476, King Edward IV chartered the fair at Stow-on-the-Wold. Today, the fair is held in the fields between Stow and Maugersbury twice a year, on the Thursdays nearest to the 12th May and 14th October.

Gypsies and travellers from all over the UK meet there, travelling in traditional caravans but more often in motor homes and four-by-fours - and their horses in boxes. The stalls sell everything the modern traveller could desire, from horses and vans to furniture, crockery, shoes, hair decoration and even wedding cakes.

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Escape to the Country

Escape to the country

and join us for a walking weekend

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The countryside is a mellow yellow

What a contrast! The bright yellow of the flowering rape

and the deep blue of the cloudless sky.

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Doubts over the location of the Battle of Stow

The Battle of Stow is one of our most popular walks, but the exact site of the battle has been questioned by experts from as far back as 2002.

The monument, on the ridge near Donnington about two miles north of Stow, was placed in it's current position in line with local hearsay and following discovery of lead shot by a local landowner. The farmer has since died and the shot is lost so its now impossible to verify its authenticity.

Historians consider the site to be too far off the Royalist route from Evesham to Oxford and too far from the town of Stow. It's in a poor defensive position as Royalist foot soldiers would have been overtaken by Parliamentary cavalry in any retreat.

The Stow Civic Society, English Heritage and the Battlefields Trust are applying for a grant of £50,000 to survey the area with metal detectors and are calling for volunteers to help with the various activities associated with the project.

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The Oxfordshire Way in reverse! Day 4

Join us along the 68 miles of the Oxfordshire Way from Saturday 15th to Friday 21st October.

Or self-guide

and let us arrange your holiday allowing you time to relax, rewind and enjoy.

Day 4: Charlbury to Bourton-on-the-Water

The Evenlode valley with oilseed rape starting to flower

New born lambs

17th century barn with dovecote in gable and granary standing on straddle stones,

Ascott-under-Wychwood

St Lawrence, Wick Rissington,

where Gustav Holst was the resident organist at age 17.

Bourton-on-the-Water, the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' and the end of the journey

Regards

The Oxfordshire Way in reverse! Day 3

Join us along the 68 miles of the Oxfordshire Way from Saturday 15th to Friday 21st October.

Or self-guide

and let us arrange your holiday allowing you time to relax, rewind and enjoy.

Day 3: Islip to Charlbury

Cowslips (Primula veris)

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) the first blossom in the hedgerows

Traversing the rape field

Agricultural operations

Crossing the Oxford Canal

Very best regards