We are deeply saddened at news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts are with the Royal family at this time. On behalf of the Board, the members and staff of Stratforward BID.
Photo courtesy of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Taken when Prince Philip attended celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1964 to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth
Enjoy meeting up with friends and family in the great outdoors.
Hope you love this photo as much as us!
#LoveStratfordUponAvon
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Bright and early in sunny Stratford. A wonderful day for making the most of the new freedoms.
We can meet outside as 6 people or 2 households, but still need to stay local. 👍
The theatre will be opening it’s fabulous riverside terrace cafe soon for takeaway!
Six people or two households can now meet outside, in England! Yes! 🙌
Have you done anything differently today with our greater freedom?
What a beautiful blustery day. Spring is everywhere!
Stratford-upon-Avon has been chosen as one of the best places to live in 2021 by The Times newspaper!
'From sports clubs to swan wardens, this half-timbered riverside town has far more to recommend it than simply being the Bard’s home'
'Here’s the rub, as Hamlet almost said. Tourism has defined Stratford-upon-Avon since the theatre impresario David Garrick organised the Shakespeare Jubilee in 1769 and brought (stage)coachloads of the public from London to pay homage to the Bard. Strip away the tourists and this turns out to be a pretty riverside town that is well connected (it has direct trains to Birmingham and London Marylebone) and has been hiding its impeccable family credentials beneath a tacky layer of Shakespeare souvenir tat.
As well as modern executive mansions on Tiddington Road, tree-lined suburbia around Bridgetown Road — with roads named after Shelley, Keats, Bryon and Kipling — and period terraces in Old Town offering a range of family homes, it is the schools here that take top...'
To see the new accessibility guide to Stratford for those needing extra access please click on the website link below.
The guide was produced by local disability advisor, Elizabeth Dixon, with support from Stratford Town Trust.
There are headings for many different businesses and organisations with their facilities listed on thewebsite.
As Covid-19 changes take place the website will be updated.
Currently the Visitor Centre, Shopmobility and many other central venues are closed but things are improving all the time.
Please contact Elizabeth if you, or anyone you know, would like to receive a copy of the printed 'My' Accessible Stratford-upon-Avon guide
Elizabeth Dixon Accessible Stratford 07850-715782 www.accessiblestratforduponavon.co.uk
Shakespeare Week starts today! An annual celebration of William Shakespeare aimed at primary school children but watched by many others. Now online. Do you have a favourite Shakespeare saying?
See the upbeat introduction broadcast now at www.shakespeareweek.org.uk
Hosted by the wonderful Ben Cajee of CBeeBies
Take a peak around Shakespeare's birthplace and find some interesting facts.
There's a wellbeing work out with a Shakespearean Twist!
Daily events online at 10am and 2pm. Free resources.
All thanks to @shakespearebtrust
#stratforduponavon #shakespeareweek
Two of Stratford's favourite festivals are the latest victims of Covid. The Festival of Motoring and the River Festival have both had to be pulled for the second year running because of the pandemic. The news comes just 24 hours after one of the most famous festivals in the world fell on its sword too – Glastonbury, will not happen in 2021 either.
The Festival of Motoring traditionally takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend and is seen by many as the official start of the season in Stratford; attracting car fans from all over the UK. In early July, tens of thousands descend on the town for the award winning River Festival which is regarded as one of the highlights of the town's summer calendar and start of the Summer.
Speaking on behalf of Stratforward BID, organisers of both events, Joseph Baconnet said:
"This has been an incredibly difficult decision which we have not taken lightly. Both events are massively popular with locals and visitors alike and provide a huge economic boost for the town.
"However, none of us know how long the current lockdown restrictions will be in place or what restrictions there will have to be in the coming months as lockdown eases. However, it seems irresponsible to plan for events like this that encourage huge numbers of people to gather together against a backdrop of what is currently going on. "
He added: "Events of this scale take many months to organise and are costly in both monetary and resource terms. A huge number of our members that fund our activities are currently not allowed to operate, so have no income and as a result our income has been drastically affected as well. We cannot afford to risk ploughing money and time into projects that might not be permitted to go ahead.
"Festival and event organisers have been campaigning nationally for the Government to step in with some sort of insurance safety net to allow planning for events like this to carry on, but this is looking unlikely. We are now at the point of determination for these events so have had no choice but to make this decision."
Although these two events have been cancelled it is hoped that the third major BID event of the year – Stratford Town Centre Food Festival - might still be viable in September. Stratforward also plans to plough some resources normally used for these cancelled events into activities and campaigns to help Stratford and its businesses get back on their feet as restrictions ease.
"This is the one silver lining, said Mr Baconnet. "By pulling these two events we can be more flexible with our resources and can create a greater emphasis on marketing and directly supporting Stratford’s town centre businesses. As things change over the coming months we will work with our members and other stakeholders to ensure town is in the best shape possible to welcome people back. For our locals, please continue to support local businesses – it is a crucial key to help their survival. For a list of businesses with their opening details and websites go to our website. www.stratforward.co.uk/shop and www.stratforward.co.uk/eat-drink "
