10th September 2011

A day of mixed weather this year but that certainly didn't stop people from coming along and seeing what Arnos Vale has to offer - and a lot was happening on the day!

The Anglican Chapel was open and visitors were enthralled and delighted to be able to see the Roughhouse Theatre Group rehearsing for Shakespeare.  The doors were open and people were keen to get inside this rarely seen, beautifully restored building.  Visitors got to see an alternative use for the space and to had an opportunity to watch the Roughhouse Theatre Group rehearsing for their performance in October.

  Shakespeare's Measure for Measure and Two Gentlemen of Verona will be performed at Arnos Vale from 4th - 15th October.  Both performances are a little unique as they will be starting (weather permitting) outside the Spielman Centre, working their way around Ceremonial Way and then moving into the Anglican Chapel.  The licensed bar will be open from 6:30pm so come along early and enjoy a lovely glass of wine or some unusual beers and ciders before the performance starts. Tickets are available now.

Marvellous Medicine Guided Tours - over 80 people enjoyed the guided tours that were on-going throughout the day.  Arnos Vale holds many tours and talks throughout the year.  This one was themed around William Budd's Marvellous Medicine, celebrating the life and work of this famous doctor.  He witnessed Bristol's second major cholera outbreak in 1849 and concluded it was largely due to the infectious and dirty water that caused the illness.  He worked tirelessly to clean up the city and it was largely thanks to Budd that Bristol's third cholera outbreak in 1866 saw few deaths.  If you want to find out more about our many themed tours - which feature many fascinating life stories of the famous and the anonymous- then please visit our events page to see what's on next.

Christmas Trees - Arnos Vale needs to spread the word about the events and activities happening.  We need your help with this.  We send out one email per month to our distribution list outlining any special events and offers that we have. On Doors Open Day we held a free prize draw - WIN A CHRISTMAS TREE - and everyone who gave us their details was entered into the draw.  Arnos Vale will be selling trees from December - they will be high quality, non-drop needles, and of various sizes.  The winner of the draw on Doors Open Day was Stephanie Sweet! Congratulations Stephanie - you get to come along in December and choose your Christmas Tree!

Visitors also took advantage of the refreshments in our cafe that runs from the Spielman Centre.  We also now have a licence to sell alcohol and a beer tent was set up to offer Marvellous Medicine of a different sort!  Lots of dog-walkers taking a leisurely stroll through the cemetery on this date certainly took advantage of the beer tent! They also may have been out for a slightly longer walk time than planned, having stumbled across the beer tent inadvertantly...... packets of mints sold fairly well in the Gift Shop as a result!  If you want to hold an event at Arnos Vale then we can provide a licensed bar - not thought of Arnos Vale as a venue before?  We are central to Bristol, have parking on site, have two fabulous buildings available for hire, can provide food, licensed bar and are a quirky and unusual venue for any event!