Entertainment in the Cotswolds

You might think that the main reason that people come to the Cotswolds of England every year is to see some of the finest theatre in the English speaking world performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.  But did you know that another form of entertainment, that dates back to Shakespeare’s heyday also draws thousands of visitors each and every year?

The Cotswold Olimpicks, organized by Robert Dover in 1612 approved by King James himself ” for delighting the people with public spectacles of all honest games, and exercise of arms” continue to this day on Dover’s Hill, a natural amphitheatre outside of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire.  It’s a community event of epic proportion, with some of the zaniest games that have been around for centuries.  Sledge hammer throwing, wheel barrow races and shin-kicking contests . . . now that’s entertainment!!

Since I was a little to early to observe the games (they typically take place in the May-June timeframe), I took in a different kind of entertainment entirely – a piano concert by Andrew Henderson of Charles Hubert Hastings Parry music at Holy Trinity (the church where Shakespeare was baptized and buried).  Hearing the music played in such an ancient church was truly inspiring.  Since I can’t share the concert with you, I hope you will enjoy this view of the church from the bank of the Avon River.