Engage 50+ Festival returns

Stratford's Engage 50+ Festival is back for 2018 from 29 September to 7 October - bigger and better and with a new venue to match its aspirations.  

The nine-day Festival is a one-stop shop for everything people in the second half of life (from 50 to 100+) need to make new friends, take up new hobbies and generally live life to the full. It is never too late!  

Such was the success of the 2017 inaugural festival - the opening Information Day alone attracting over 70 exhibitors and 600 visitors - that this year's launch event has moved to the new, more spacious venue of Stratford College and already over 80 organisations have booked stands.  

The launch day takes place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 29 September, is free of charge, and will feature talks, workshops and demonstrations in addition to the many stands - and free tea/coffee and biscuits (plus two cafés for the peckish).  

There will be a chance to try your hand at Zumba, discover the joys of bee-keeping, meet the Men in Sheds, get creative with Escape Arts, make friends with the U3A or WI, strum on a ukulele, stretch your body and minds with Tai Chi or Mindfulness and much more - including an all-new health and wellbeing zone.  

There will also be plenty of practical advice on hand from how to set up a Power of Attorney to Care Entitlement and everything in between.  

Parking is free for those who want to come by car and for those who do not, there are free shuttle buses running from the town centre and surrounding areas direct to the College. Bus stops and collection points will be announced and advertised ahead of the festival.  

The Information Day is, however, just the start of nine days of fantastic events across the district which include: a Ukulele Workshop, Archery for Beginners, Computing for Late Bloomers, a Barn Dance at Great Alne Memorial Hall, a Make and Take Crafting Day and a Grand Tea Party at Stratford Town Hall.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is one of the main partners and is involved in organising the Information Day.

Cllr Jacqui Harris, Health, Wellbeing and Housing Portfolio, said "The Engage 50+ Information Day is a great way for older people in the district to get information about fun activities they can get involved in as well as support available for more serious issues.  It's a free day out with lots of opportunities to try new things."  

The celebration of everything on offer for those in the second half of life at the Engage 50+ Festival has received support from Stratford Town Trust, the Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All and Tesco's Bags of Help scheme among others.  

Full details of the festival, dates, locations, booking (if relevant) and much more can be found on its website: www.engagefestival.org.uk and in the local press over the coming weeks.

• Download a promotional poster for the Engage 50+ Festival
• Download a schedule of talks and workshops for the Engage 50+ Festival