If 2015 is Gloucester’s BiG Year – and it shows every sign of living up to this billing – then September must be its BiG Month.

After three years of work, the Rugby World Cup comes to the city, with three out of the four games we are hosting falling in September, leaving the clash between the USA and Japan to round off our participation on 11th October. Already banners are up on key routes around the city and the final preparations are busily taking place.

Celebrating everything that is good about the city
Saturday 5th September is Gloucester Day, when we celebrate the lifting of the Siege of Gloucester in the English Civil War. In modern times this has become about celebrating everything that is good about the city and the centrepiece is a huge community-based parade led by Town Crier Alan Myatt as well as the inauguration of the Mock Mayor of Barton. This year we go one better with the ceremonial passing of a rugby ball from the Docks, through the city centre to Kingsholm, ahead of a friendly match between Japan and Georgia – two of our World Cup nations.

5th September also sees the final ghost walk led by Lyn Cinderey of Gloucester Ghost Walks before she finally hangs up her black cape and hat. Lyn has been a real character of the city in recent years and I suspect we won’t have heard the last of her.

Gloucester History Festival also takes place with a series of talks and events between 6th and 20th September. Tickets can be booked via the Tourist Information Centre and more information is available at www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk.

Heritage Open Days take place on the second week of September, when historic buildings which aren’t normally open to the public throw open their doors.

During the World Cup period, there will be themed weeks based on each of the six nations we are hosting and a cultural programme running alongside it – from the Haka, to Japanese drumming and Scotland’s “Red Hot Chilli Pipers”!

It all looks as though September 2015 will be a month to remember. Enjoy!