As the seasons change our focus changes

MOVING away from all that the outdoors has to offer during the heat of summer to indoors as the colder and shorter nights draw in.

However, autumn can also be an opportunity to find a new focus and to learn, and enjoy, something new, for all the family. The Cheltenham Trust venues host events and activities for all the community to enjoy, including a host of free activities and events.

This Friday, September 23, its dance night at Pittville Pump Room with DJ Rob Mcelvanney playing swing music with a hint of soul featuring tracks from the 1950s and early 60s. Tickets are £10 and are available on the door and all dancers are welcome.

This Saturday, September 24, artist Mina Stefanovic is running a relaxed, informal drawing session, for all ages and abilities at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum. All materials are provided, the session from 3pm to 4pm is free but places are on a first come, first served basis.

There’s also a one-off opportunity to pick up some hints and tips on style and elegance from burlesque performer Kitty Ribbons in a workshop this Saturday morning , at The Wilson, inspired by the body positive exhibition Body Beautiful: Diversity on the Catwalk. Book here: cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

This Sunday, September 25, puppet maker Bee Daw returns with her puppet workshop focusing on storytelling, craft, puppetry and performance. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from cheltenhammuseum.org.uk.

For little music makers Bang the Drums is a music making, rhythm and song session at The Wilson, with the next session on Wednesday, September 28. Tickets are £5 for children aged four and under, to sing songs, play games and enjoy hands-on learning and creativity through music and sound. For more information visit cheltenhammuseum.org.uk

Who doesn’t enjoy a Halloween thrill? The museum is dimming the lights in the Foyle Learning Gallery for Into the Night, a taxidermy display with a difference. Some of the stuffed nocturnal animals and birds will be coming out of the museum’s collection, families will be able to get up close and draw what they see. The sessions are free and drawing materials will be provided.

Into the Night sessions run between 10am and 4pm, on October 15, 16, 22, 23 and October 29, 30.

There will also be sessions during the October half term from Tuesday October 25 to Friday October 28.

Dare you experience night-time in the museum? Looking ahead to Halloween, children are being given the opportunity to dress up in costume for the Night at the Museum Halloween Party on Saturday October 29, from 4pm. Places are £10 a head, booking is essential.

The artist led Halloween Creative Explorers holiday craft club is on Wednesday October 26, 10am to 3pm, at The Wilson, for five to 10 year olds. Places are £25, to include lunch, and booking is essential.

On the outside-in nature trail visitors, of all ages, can go on a hunt around The Wilson to find objects and images from the collection normally found in nature. Pick up a free activity sheet from the visitor desk and see if you can tick off all the items. There’s a sticker to collect when you have completed the hunt.

It’s widely recognised that music is good for our spirits and feeling of wellbeing, there’s free live music to enjoy on Saturday October 1 from 1pm with harpist Mark Hamer, as part of Cheltenham BID’S food and drink week. Mark will be playing an arrangement of folk tunes throughout the afternoon.

Acoustic pop singer Felicity Mitchel will be performing free live music at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum on Saturday October 1 from 1pm. Felicity will be performing both original songs and pop covers throughout the afternoon.

The half term school holiday is an ideal time for children to boost their activity levels. Leisure at Cheltenham is running a multi-sports holiday camp week when Active Adventures returns.

Places, which must be booked, are for children aged eight to 12, cost £35 for a single day and £30 a day for two days or more. Sessions begin from 8.30pm, with last pick-up at 5.30pm.

Visit our events programme at cheltenhamtrust. org.uk