Against the idyllic backdrop of Cheltenham College and the Cotswold hills, at Cheltenham Cricket Festival you get the chance to see top cricketers in action. The festival is one of the biggest events in the English cricketing calendar and is not to be missed.

The Tubby Blues Show takes place at Newlands Park Club in Bishop's Cleeve. Bands booked to play include The Larry Miller Band and Doctor's Orders. Gloucestershire blues performer Otis Mack will compere the show. Tickets cost £10 each. Tables can be reserved by calling 01242 691998 or 07796 034206. Doors open at 7pm and the show will run from 8.25pm to midnight.

On 1 August there is a Karaoke Evening hosted by Andy James at the United Services Club, 7 North Place. It starts at 8.30pm so please come along for some fun! Admission £1.

How can you make a rocket, slime and much more out of ingredients you might find in your kitchen cupboard? Fun for all the family in this exciting science workshop, run by ‘Creative Kids’ company. A family event (Children must be accompanied by an adult) Tickets available on the day £3 per child, adults and under 5’s free. (Numbers limited). 10.30am -12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3.30pm

National Playday is held from 11am to 4pm in Pittville Park. Entertainment will include inflatables, art & crafts, face painting, circus skills, martial arts, sports games and other fun activities.

A 3K fun-run for children and their families to raise money for The Children's Trust, a charity that helps children with multiple disabilities due to brain damage. Complimentary fruit and bottled water for every runner (walker, skipper, toddler) and everybody wins a medal. Swifty the Hare will be giving out hugs and stickers and cheering you on! Come and join in! Register at www.runforthechiildren.co.uk. The event starts at 10.30am. Adults £6, Children £4, family and super group savers available online. Under 4's free.

Bloom Festival is an independent family friendly boutique festival, boasting six musical arenas and an outstanding, diverse line up. Now in its third year, 2008 brought Bloom Festival to Seven Springs, just outside Cheltenham. Set in the heart of the Gloucestershire countryside at the exact location where the River Thames originates, the new site is ideally located overlooking Cheltenham with panoramic views of the Malvern Hills off in the distance.

From 6pm, Thursday, 7 August you will be permitted into the campsite to pitch your tent, meet your neighbours and get ready for the festival action that commences the following day. Ticket price includes free camping for the whole weekend. The campsite is situated right next to the Festival site. Weekend tickets cost £85.00 + £2.50 Booking Fee, (£30.00 + £2.50 for children under 16, under 5s free), day tickets are £35.00 + £2.50 Booking Fee + £2.50 P&P. Tickets can be brought from http://bloomfestival.com/tickets/ or Cheltenham Tourist Information.

Cheltenham Rock School is a week long summer school dedicated to inspiring and raising the aspirations of 11-19 year olds from all over the county, courtesy of Beyond Eternity Promotions and The Virtual Arts Centre at The Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. The week will consist of workshops, seminars and lectures for all young, serious musicians interested in rock, pop, funk and jazz under the guidance of local musician Peter Gill. Application forms for the Rock School are available by contacting Peter either by telephone: 01242 587776 or email: info@beyondeternitypromotions.com .The cost of the whole week is £100 per student although there are also a limited number of bursary places available due to the generous support of the Virtual Arts Centre, Beyond Eternity Promotions and other local businesses.

Paul Newman's Jam Band will be performing at The Bayshill Inn, 85 St. Georges Place, Cheltenham. All musicians welcome. Free Entry.

To coincide with Cheltenham Art Gallery exhibition Pedals to Petrol we are showing the cult-classic film Electra Glide in Blue (18). Why not make an evening of it with a film, a bite to eat in the café, and a look at the exhibition.

Greenbelt Festival is UK's largest Christian festival, featuring music, seminars, theatre, literature, and many other activities.

 MONIDAY, 25 AUGUST 2008

Badgeworth Village Fete is being held on August Bank Holiday Monday. All the fun of the fair including Dog Agility display, lots of games and stalls. Teas, bar, BBQ and jazz band. Come along and enjoy the fun from 2pm. Admission: Adults £1, Children Free

Join professional tutors for a fun-packed week learning various skills encompassing acting, singing, drama, movement, dance and stage fighting culminating in a performance on the Saturday. There are five courses open to students from 5 – 18, plus a Technical Course for students from 10 - 18 with a flare for design, lighting and set construction. This is the only course offered in Gloucestershire whereby students can professionally learn the complex and exciting life that goes on ‘behind the scenes’. For more information please contact Suzanna Segura on 07977 227707 or email info@theatrestudio.co.uk

Anyone feeling bored during the long school holidays who fancies trying a new hobby, may enjoy having a go at bell ringing. Taster sessions will take place at St Christopher's Church, Warden Hill on Wednesdays, August 13, 20 and 27 from 10am to noon. Minimum age is 10 and minimum height 4 ft 6in. Under-18s should take an adult to the first session. For more information call 01242 243099.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to take part in the geophysical survey being carried at the Iron Age hillfort at Leckhampton Hill in Cheltenham on Friday 29 August. Throughout the day there will be an opportunity to learn more about archaeological geophysics and the hillfort, take an active part in the survey, ask archaeologists questions and have a guided tour of the ancient and industrial archaeology of Leckhampton Hill. Those taking part in the geophysical survey will be carrying out a resistivity survey using a TR Sytems Resistivity Meter. Five sessions, to include a walk and talk about the site, will be available throughout the day. To book a place, please ring 01452 425688.

Jumble sale in aid of the Cats Protection is held in St. Michael's Church Hall, School Road, Bishop's Cleeve. The event starts at 11am and finishes at 1pm.

Annual flower show and fete is held at the Reddings Community Centre. See prize winning vegetables, flowers and crafts. Also side stalls, games, bbq, cake stall, skittles, plus much more. Entertainment from St. Andrews Pipe Band. Also an under 10's fancy dress competition. The event starts at 2pm and finishes at 4.30pm. Admission: Adults 50p Children Free

The Community Fun Day on Saturday, August 30, is from 11am to 4pm at the Brizen field, to raise money for the new Brizen Young People's Centre. This will be a fun-filled day for all ages with many activities and a variety of stalls. The church at Warden Hill will be running a large raffle and a tombola stall. Inquiries for stalls should be made to Ms P Hall on 01242 575695, at a cost of £6 per stall, other inquiries to Coun Anne Regan on 01242 255556.

After last year's cancelled event, Paws in the Park is back. This year the visitors will be entertained by The Essex Dog Display Team. Competitions for dogs of any size or breed include such entertaining categories as Waggiest Tail, Best Six Legs, Best Trick, Dressed to Impress, Best Condition, Best Rescue Dog, Golden Oldie and Most Appealing Eyes. Children can enjoy puppetry tales from Poppets Peculiar Petshop Show, facepainting, fun & games, raffles, and much more. Dog Scurry will be available. .£1 to register your dog. The event starts at 12noon (dog registration 10.30am).

Companion Dog Show will be taking place in Uckington to raise funds for GSD2000. GSD2000 are a charity that rescues German shepherd dogs, but this is an event for all dogs. There will be lots of fun competitions for you and your canine friends to enter from how beautiful your dog is to how waggy its tail is. Wherever your dog’s talents lay there will be a class for you. The event starts at 12noon and finishes at 4pm.