Gloucestershire in pictures: Autumn colours and ale

A view of autumnal trees at Westonbirt Arboretum, with a bright red tree in the foreground.Image source, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum - Forestry England
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The trees at Westonbirt Arboretum are ablaze with colour

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Gloucestershire burst into colour this week, with rainbows overhead, golden leaves underfoot, and a celebration of creativity in full swing.

As October draws to a close, the trees at Westonbirt Arboretum are ablaze with deep reds and vibrant yellows, forming spectacular autumnal canopies.

On Saturday 18 October, the Newent community came together for Newent artsFest - a joyful celebration of local talent featuring a lively parade, hands-on workshops, and captivating performances.

Meanwhile, golden foliage and crisp autumn air set the scene at Wolds End Orchard and Campden Home Nursing for Chipping Campden's annual Apple Day.

Various people dressed in colourful outfits holding drumsImage source, Helen Franks
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Newent arts festival featured a variety of colourful drummers

Vibrantly dressed Djabot drummers paraded through the street for Newent artsFEST.

The festival attracted large numbers of visitors to celebrate Newent's rich rural heritage.

Three people dressed in medieval attire. One is holding a stool, another one a ringing bell. The fourth man on the left is holding a certificate that reads "Assize of Ale".Image source, Paul James
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The Assize of Ale test goes back centuries in Gloucestershire

The Sherriff's Assize of Ale returned to Gloucester this week. The centuries-old tradition tests the qualities of ale sold in the city.

It involves an "Ale Conner", whose job is to sit on a wooden stool, on which a small amount of ale has been poured, wearing a pair of leather breeches.

After three minutes, if the trousers stick to the stool, the ale fails the test.

The event was reintroduced in 2003 and has taken place every year since, raising money for charity.

A scarecrow model of Friar Tuck from the Robin Hood stories.Image source, Everyman Theatre
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Friar Tuck featured in the Painswick Rococo Scarecrow Trail

Friar Tuck was one of the scarecrows on display at the annual hunt at Painswick Rococo Garden.

The event is held for families to follow a trail to find handmade scarecrows.

The scarecrows are created by local schools, community groups, and businesses and are often themed.

A photo of a rainbow in Berkeley.Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/SantaSusie
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SantaSusie captured this rainbow in Berkeley

The weather has been quite changeable this week, but the rainy weather on Monday was followed by some lovely rainbows, like this one captured by BBC Weather Watcher SantaSusie, in Berkeley.

Five women standing in front of a variety of homemade cakes and brownies. They are all smiling.Image source, Campden Home Nursing
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Volunteers baked cakes for Chipping Campden Apple Day

Golden autumn leaves and crisp air set the scene at Wolds End Orchard and Campden Home Nursing for this year's Chipping Campden Apple Day, which proved to be the busiest yet.

More than 200 visitors joined the celebrations to sample homemade cakes, cheese scones and warm quiche, baked by volunteers.

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