MyWeddingVoucher.co.uk aims to bring business in for wedding suppliers in turn for a discount for its users.

The site will have hundreds of suppliers from the UK all promoting their services to a user base who are planning their wedding and want the best possible services for less. The site launches in September and aims to go live with a variety of companies offering discounts from 30%-90% off their products and services.

Why not visit the site here and subscribe to ensure you don't miss out.

Felix Dennis poetry reading tour at The Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon on Sunday 17th October 2010

An evening of fine French wine and poetry from one of Britain's best-loved poets. Felix Dennis is setting out on a 21-date poetry reading tour to launch his sixth book of verse, Tales From The Woods. The Did I Mention The Free Wine? 2010 Tour will see the poet return by popular demand to major cities such as London, Cardiff, Dublin, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as new stops in Newcastle, Ludlow, Milton Keynes and Cork.

Felix Dennis will be reading a selection of poems from his hugely popular collections, Homeless in My Heart, A Glass Half Full, Lone Wolf, When Jack Sued Jill and Island of Dreams, all of which were sell-out books of original poetry. He will also be introducing his new collection of poems in an exclusive preview ahead of the book's launch on 28th October.

He will be performing at The Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon on Sunday 17th October 2010. Don't miss out on the poetry event of the year and book your ticket now! Tickets prices: £10 pre-booked online or £12 on the door, £5 concessions. To book tickets go to: www.felixdennis.com

Global Gathering is an annual dance music festival by Angel Music Group, the company behind Godskitchen. The festival has been running since 2001 and the concept came about following an unprecedented interest in the opening of Angel Music Group's new club Code (now renamed Air) the home of Godskitchen.

Global gathering has been getting bigger and bigger and this year is the festivals tenth anniversary. Hosted at the Long Marston Airfield just outside Stratford-upon-Avon Global Gathering is one of Europes largest dance festivals.

This years star studded line up includes, Dizzy Rascal, Carl Cox, Armin Van Buuren, Eric Prydz and Paul Oakenfold to name but a few of the numerous acts confirmed to be there this weekend.

It seems crazy that such a large event is held in the normally sleepy surrounds of Stratford but the event has been a superb success and looking foward to another successful 10 years.

Cant make this years Gathering? Nevermind you can check out the live web cam here. Should be interesting!

2010 Stratford-upon-Avon River Festival  - 3rd & 4th July.

On the 3rd & 4th July the banks of the river Avon will play host to the Stratford River Festival. The event will bring together boaters, tourists and the local community to enjoy a feast of entertainment, Based on and around Stratford's Recreation Ground, both days feature a full programme of events and activities.

The bandstand and pontoon stage will feature a variety of live music to enjoy and there will be a variety of stalls, market traders and a selection of food and drink stalls.

If the weather stays anything like it has been over the past week this should provide a great way to enjoy the sunshine whilst taking in a host of entertaining events.

More information is available here.

Wellesbourne 2010 Wings and Wheels Show

Wellesbourne Airfield plays host to the Wings and Wheels Show and gives you the rare chance to see a Vulcan Bomber in action along with a host of other military vehicles and classic cars.

The action starts at 10am with the Vulcan scheduled to make its first appearance at 11.30am.

The event is taking place on fathers day and should provide the perfect occasion to spend a family day out.

The Stratford Fringe is a brand new, week-long celebration of performance and modern culture, offering an eclectic mix of entertainment and art forms.

Taking place in various venues across the town, the Stratford Fringe will blend mainstream entertainment with alternative performances to create a unique and exciting event, the likes of which Stratford has never seen before!

Whether you’re a classical music lover, a Shakespeare aficionado, a stand-up comedy devotee or an alternative theatre enthusiast, we guarantee that the Stratford Fringe is perfect for you!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to broaden your own horizons! Whatever your favourite form of entertainment, and whatever piques your interest at the Stratford Fringe, we challenge you to see something different as well. Enjoy the opera, but pop to see an avant garde dance show too.

Watch a cutting edge band, but take in some traditional theatre as well. Join us in celebrating diversity of performance, entertainment and art – it’s what the Stratford Fringe is all about.

Tudor Festival at Mary Arden's Farm 29 - 31 May 2010

Mary Arden's Farm, Wilmcote, plays host to Warwickshire's biggest ever Tudor Festival since 1603. Spend a day in the 16th century and immerse yourself in all the merry-making and traditions of Tudor life. Join us during this 3-day event as the farm is transformed into a bustling hive of activity and fun.

Discover how families lived 400 years ago and the skills they needed to survive. See farmhands and servants (all costumed re-enactors) at work and watch as they prepare for the Handfasting feast. Witness a traditional Handfasting Ceremony (the equivalent of a modern-day engagement party).

Enjoy the music, dancing, the royal sport of Falconry and the expert marksmanship in the Archery Contest. Wander around a jumble of stalls, including soap makers, market gardeners, wood whittlers, foodstuffs and decorative crafts. Or have a go at throwing sponges at rogues and villains as they sit in the stocks.

Children's activities are on offer with face painting, dressing up in Tudor costume and a Shakespeare themed Children's Trail.

If you are hungry for more, why not sample traditional "vittles" from the Tudor Menu at the farm kitchen or try one of the local ales from Purity Brewery...or if you really want to get into the spirit of the festival a delicious hog roast will be available on each day.

Mary Arden's Farm is situated on Station Road, Wilmcote, near Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9UN. Mary Arden's opens at 10.00am and closes at 5.00pm during the summer hours.

Traditional Tudor 'Handfasting' ceremony:

Similar to an engagement party, the Tudors celebrated the betrothal of two people with a handfasting ceremony. But unlike engagement parties of today, the Tudor handfasting ceremony was legally binding, no backing out!

To book tickets phone Mary Arden's Farm on 01789 293 455

Kate Morris from the Forget-Me-Not Guest House in Stratford-upon-Avon has become one of 20 Land Ladies who have made the final of the AA's Friendliest Landlady of the Year Awards 2010.

The Forget-Me-Not Guest House in Evesham Place Stratford-upon-Avon has made the final shortlist for the award from over 3,000 bed and breakfasts inspected by the AA. The winning landlady will be awarded the respected title at the AA's Bed and Breakfast Awards lunch , held in London  on May 25th.

For more information you can visit their web site here.

Forget-Me-Not Guest House

18 Evesham Place, Stratford-upon-Avon. CV37 6HT.

Tel: 01789 204907

The new tourist information centre on Henley Street is being operated in a partnership between the district council and Stratford College and will provide attraction ticket sales and provide information for visitors.

The location on Henley Street is ideal being just a stones throw from the site of Shakespeare's Birthplace. The site is a temporary measure as the council refurbish the old Tourist information centre at Bridgefoot which it says it is now putting its efforts into getting re-opened as soon as possible.

Welcome to Stratford-upon-Avon Tourist Information Centre, 62 Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Council reject planning application to build a neighbourhood centre on a site off the Shipston Road Stratford-upon-Avon.

The plans which inluded a new pharmacy, community hall, medical centre, mini supermarket and park and ride on the site looked likely to be given the go ahead after being recommend by planning officers. The site would have been located south of the river serving residents of the Trinity Mead estate.

The developers claim the development would have brought significant benefits to the area as well as creating an additional 300 jobs.

Objections from conservation groups, local residents and the town council raised concerns around the impact to the area and to the impact of increased traffic on already conjested routes.

Managing director, Tony Bird, said the company was looking into the possibility of an appeal.

The RSC has been transforming the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon

The refurbishment, which is due to be finished later this year, is costing the RSC over £112 million. The money has been raised through the Transforming our Theatres Appeal which now only has £5 million left to raise to achieve the goal of £112.8 million.

Over 10,000 members of the public have contributed to the tune of £1 million through the Take Your Seat Appeal and the sponsor a brick scheme.  The National Lottery has been a major contributor with £53 million being contributed by the Arts Council and Advantage West Midlands contributing an additional £20 million.

The appeal has seen some high profile support with such luminaries as Sir Ben Kingsley, Oscar winning actor and Honorary Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Following his site visit, he commented: "If I cannot be amongst the audience when this theatre opens for the very first time, I shall envy them for a very, very long time!"

To find out more about the progress of the development or to make a contribution you can visit the official site here.

Menzies Welcombe Hotel Stratford-upon-Avon

The Menzies Welcome Hotel Stratford-upon-Avon have maintained their prestigious 4 star AA rating recognising its high quality accommodation with a high merit score.

The AA inspector spoke highly of the team who run the hotel saying they worked in harmony to offer very high levels of service and hospitality.

To view more detail and book a stay at this or other quality hotels in Stratford-upon-Avon click here.

Curtain Call Bed and Breakfast offer Easy Guide users a 10% discount

Curtain Call is located on the Alcester road in Stratford-upon-Avon a short walk from Stratford train station making it the ideal base to explore Stratford from.

Curtain Call are now offering Easy Guide users a 10% discount on stays of 3 nights or more if you mention the Easy Guide when booking. This adds to the growing list of discounts and special offer vouchers that are featured in our Special Offer section.

For a wide range of accomodation including Hotels and Guest houses to suit every budget check out our accomodation section.

Curtain Call Bed & Breakfast 142 Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon. CV37 9DR Tel: 01789 267734

The Statford Guide teamed up with Bella Italia Stratford to give away 3 x £50 vouchers. The monthly prize draws started in Febraury and will end this month when a winner is drawn for April.

Michaela Pitt of Stratford-upon-Avon was the lucky winner in March and will be receiving her £50 Bella Italia vouchers shortly.

That just leaves April to be drawn. All you have to do to be entered is register on the site in April and you could win.

The archaelogical dig on the site of Shakespeare's house in Stratford-upon-Avon is aiming to answer questions about how Shakespeare spent his last years. The site owned and maintained by the Shakespeares Birthplace Trust is being excavated to see what insights can be found into the late bards life.

The activity is being branded the Dig for Shakespeare although the finds so far have been some clay pipes, some food remains including Boar bones and Oyster shells and some ink bottles that are thought to be remains from the last team to excavate the sight. The find of the week is being cited as an 18th century minature dolls head!

Whether the dig will discover items useful in building a more detailed picture of Shakespeare's life remains to be seen but you have to admire the enthusiasm that is evident in this project.

The dig is taking place at New Place Stratford-upon-Avon. For more information on the Dig for Shakespeare you can visit their website which contains regular updates of their progress and some interesting interviews with the people behind the dig.

Crowds come out to cheer on the runners

The Stratford Marathon and Half Marathon organised by the Rotary Club of Stratford-upon-Avon saw another great turnout this year as the crowds gathered to enjoy the sunshine and cheer on the runners.

This years race that forms part of the annual Shakespeare's birthday celebrations was forecast to be one of the hottest in recent times but in true british weather style it started with a light shower.

Things hotted up towards the end though to ensure that the runners had their stamina tested to the full. Well done to all the runners this year in both the Full and Half Marathon,s many of which took the opportunity to raise money for charity and worthwhile causes.

Congratulations go to Paul Davies of Centurion RC who won the full marathon with an impressive time of 2:48:02 and to James Griggs of Coventry Godiva Harr with a winning time of 1:13:43.

The official web site of the Stratford Marathon can be found here and full official results here.

When approached to take part in this years race, your trusty correspondant made his excuses and left.

The Stratford-upon-Avon Beer and Cider Festival will bring 50 Real Ales from locally sourced breweries to this years event.

This year's festival  theme is "East meets West" (Midlands of course!) and us supporting The Shakespeare Hospice. Never has there been a better argument for spending a summers day drinking and being merry in the safe knowledge you are supporting a worthwhile cause.

So let your beards grow and dig out your pewter tankard and head to the race course with a burning thirst. Ensure your there early to safeguard against supplies running short as they have in previous years.

This years festival will be held on the 18th & 19th June and will be hosted at the Stratford racecouse.

The full details for this years event is below.

Travel information

The Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse is well signposted from Stratford-on-Avon town centre, about 25 minutes walk or a five minute taxi ride from the Railway Station.
There will be ample parking on site for those driving (see map) and camping available on site for those who wish to stay.
A mini-bus shuttle service will be available at a small cost all day Saturday. This will run from the Railway Station, via the town centre to the Racecourse and back at regular intervals throughout the day.

Entrance Charges

£2 before 6.00pm
£3 after 6.00pm

Entry is free to all sessions for CAMRA members showing a valid membership card
or anyone joining CAMRA at the Festival

A £10 Entrance Package includes:
 

• Entrance Fee
• £2 Festival Glass (refundable)
• Festival Programme including beer and cider list with tasting notes
• £6 of drink Tokens (before 6.00pm)
  or
  £5 of drink Tokens (after 6.00pm)
  or
  £8 of drink Tokens (for CAMRA members)

Once inside the Festival the Real Ale and Cider bars only accept Tokens, sold in £5 denominations at the entrance.
Any unused Tokens can be refunded or donated to the Beer Festival charity: The Shakespeare Hospice.
 

The Easy Guide Business Directory

The Easy Guide is dedicated to bringing you the best local information on Stratford-upon-Avon. We have recently launched our new business directory to help you find the right local business.

We are currently organising a party in Stratford so it seemed obvious that we should feature some of the companies that we are using to make the perfect event. So far we have listed a mobile bar specialist and Balloonacy who as the name suggests are the perfect company to give your event some colour through some of their amazing creations.

We will also be featuring a host of other business categories so check back often to see the latest business to be added to the directory,

It is our mission to make sure the best local businesses are featured on the guide so if you have used a business that gave you a great service please let us know by clicking here.

Also if you have used one of our featured businesses please let us know by posting a review to let us and others know what you thought of the service you received.

Civic Hall plays Host to some big names

Now in its third year the Stratford Literary Festival will be offering a wide array of events to attract visitors from all age ranges as well as attracting some famous names to help provide a broad appeal.

The event will consist of numerous author events for adults and children, an Archers themed pub quiz and creative writing workshops as well and celebrating 800 years of the Holy Trinity Church.

The festival will run for nine days starting on April 25 and some of the highlights include:

• An Evening with Jack Dee. Britain’s most miserable comedian in conversation with James Rampton
• Comedian, award-winner and Radio 4 panelist, Jeremy Hardy, on his hilarious new book My family and Other Strangers
• BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson CBE talks about Unreliable Sources, How the 20th Century was Reported
• Holy Trinity 800th Anniversary 'I know thee not old man...' A panel including Jonathan Miller CBE, Salley Vickers (author of Miss Garnet's Angel) and Kate Mcluskie, Director of the Shakespeare Institute, discuss how old age is portrayed in literature from King Lear onwards...Hosted by Paul Allen with readings by Charles Dance OBE
• Felix Dennis Millionaire publisher back by popular demand Cabaret style
• Writing the opposite sex? Booker shortlisted writer Mick Jackson. chick-lit supremo Mike Gayle and novelist and ex-Eastenders producer Louise Berridge join a panel who’ll be finding out how easy it is to write for and as the opposite sex. Hosted by Fiona Lindsay

For full details of everything that is going on and tickets visit the official website or call the Civic Hall box office on 01789 207100.

Stratford-upon-Avon set to bloom this summer

The Stratford in Bloom committee is made up of 15 volunteers who aim to enhance the floral features within Stratford-upon-Avon and they want your entry for one of the host of categories they judge.

Stratford upon Avon is a tourist hotspot and one of the many things the town is appreciated for is its colourful flower beds and hanging baskets. This large market town has a population of approximately 27,000. The residents, schools and many businesses within its boundaries, participate in two annual competitions.

• The first is the Heart of England in Bloom competition in which Stratford has been awarded a “Gold” for 2004,2005,2006, 2007 and 'Silver Guilt' for 2008.  
• The second is the Stratford in Bloom’s own competition, comprising of 15 different categories.  

The In Bloom committee, made up of 15 volunteers, mainly all residents, was formed in the 1970’s. Its aim, together with the local authorities, is to enhance the floral features within the town.

There are 4 competitions for local residents
 a. Best Front Garden.
 b. Best Rear Garden.
 c. Best Hanging Basket.
 d. Best Patio Garden.
 

Entries are free and full details and entry forms can be found on the official Stratford in Bloom website.

Stratford ferry service lives on

One of Stratford's many traditions has been the historic chain ferry that has served the public for the last 72 years. The original ferry was not surprisingly feeling a little tired and so the council took the decision to commission a replacement. Avon Boating who built the original ferry stepped in to once again to do the job.

The ferry, named Malvolio after a character from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, is a popular tourist site and ferry and has cost around £25,000 to painstakingly rebuild to the original specification.

An official launch was held on Monday March 29th with a re-enactment of the original ferry launch. Simon Reynolds, the grandson of Coun AM Reynolds who originally sponsored the ferry in 1936, cut the ribbon for a second time after doing so as a child in 1937.

Digging for Shakespeare at New Place Stratford-upon-Avon

New Place was Shakespeare’s primary residence in the final 19 years of his life, and it is thought that several of his later works were written there. The complex of buildings at New Place was demolished in the 1750s, but the site has remained popular with fans of the world’s most famous writer. Indeed, Victorian antiquarians excavated the site in 1862 to confirm the layout of the property but the techniques were a far cry from those used by 21st century archaeologists as they record everything in detail, from the soil deposits to all structural elements, the entire range of both artefacts and ecofacts all with the intention of revealing the site’s former occupants.

Much of what we know about Shakespeare comes from contemporary reports or accounts, in public records for financial and legal transactions such as the legal document of ownership for New Place, which we have in our archives but we hope this dig will give us the opportunity to find out so much more about his day-to-day life once he returned to Stratford from London, says Professor Stanley Wells, Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. 

As archaeologists discover artefacts from Shakespeare’s lifetime from the ground, an expert panel of archaeologists, historians and scholars, will help interpret what has been found, relating new discoveries to what is already known about Shakespeare’s life, and adding extra detail to academic understanding of his later years.

The research is not merely an academic exercise. Unusually for a dig on this scale, the public will be able to walk around the excavations on specially-built scaffolding platforms, watching the archaeologists and volunteers who are hand excavating three trenches on the site, and interacting with the archaeological staff, who will be able to explain to visitors what work is taking place at any given moment.

In total, three areas of the site will be excavated:

• The foundations at the front of the property, examining the rear range of New Place, its courtyard and remains of a large cellar from a mansion built over part of the site in 1702.
• One quarter of the 19th century knot garden, which, it is hoped, might have been used in Shakespeare’s day as backyards and contain wells, cess pits or rubbish pits
• The brick-bordered flower beds, which it is believed closely follow the layout of the foundations of Shakespeare’s domestic buildings.
• This is an amazing opportunity to use the latest techniques to find out so much more about Shakespeare’s life,â€Â adds Professor Wells. Although we are currently planning the dig to run from March until September 2010, if the dig uncovers any particularly exciting finds, we do have the option of continuing the excavation next year and maybe even further into the future. The New Place excavation could very well shed more light on many aspects of Shakespeare’s life that had not been fully explored before.

The dig launched on Friday 26 March 2010 and the archaeology continues until early September, although visitors will be able to view the excavation right up until the end of October 2010. 

A campaign to save a Mediaeval turret in Stratford-upon-Avon gains momentum after plans by the local council to demolish it were leaked.

Locals are outraged at the potential loss to this Stratford land mark. The turret which has a checkered history to say the least is being earmarked for demolition as part of plans to bring Stratford up to date. The turret is believed to have been used as a small prison to house town drunks and before this to hold women accused of Witchcraft.

The unfortunate prisoners would then be dunked in the Avon around the site that Cox's Yard stands today. It is rumoured that over 50 women were put through "Witch Trials" in Stratford after being held captive in the turret. The turret continued to be used as a prison long after trial for witchcraft was removed from the statute books.

The local support is torn between two proposals for the turret. One would see the turret turned into a museum with exhibits to bring its past too life including a novelty "Witch Ducking Ride" which would allow visitor to experience a modern day take on the old rituals. The second proposal would see the turret being turned into a mobile phone mast, this would provide funds to renovate the building whilst at the same time boosting mobile signals in Stratford across all networks.

A council spokesperson told the guide "Stratford council has not made any decision in regards to the turrets future we are merely discussing possible improvements to Stratford some of which include the Clopton bridge turret.". When asked whether the council supported the Witch theme park idea the councils spokesperson declined to comment but did add, "I am not sure that a Witch Dunking attraction is the right image for Stratford."

The council have been criticised some of the improvements to Stratford which have included the Bancroft Gardens update, during which several mature tree's have been cut down.

If you would like to join the campaign to save Stratford's turret you can visit the local community web site at www.savestratfordsturret.co.uk/gullable

 It is worth noting that this article was added on the 1st April - An April Fool

February Prize Draw Result

Shelagh Hamer from Stratford-upon-Avon is our first prize draw winner. Shelagh registered on the Easy Guide in February and completed her profile information to become eligible for the February prize draw.

Anyone registering on the Easy Guide in February with full profile information was enetered into our prize draw to win a £50 meal voucher for Bella Italia in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Our congratulations go to Shelagh and we wish all our new members the best of luck in Marchs prize draw for another £50 meal voucher.

Bella Italia offer all our users a 25% discount off their food bill by simply printing our exclusive discount voucher found under the Eating Out section.

View all of our current special offers for Stratford-upon-Avon here.

Save 15% off your bill with the Pen & Parchment in Stratford-upon-Avon

The Pen and Parchment have become the latest venue to offer our users an exclusive discount. There are currently over 15 special offer discount vouchers live on the site for use in Stratford-upon-Avon.

As with the other discount vouchers all you need to do is register on the site and then print off your chosen voucher. Registration is free, easy and takes a matter of seconds.

We now have a superb range of discount vouchers for Stratford that we think offers the greatest number of discount vouchers available free and without restriction on the web.

Please let us know how you rate any of the venues on our site by placing you own user reviews to share with other Easy Guide users.

Enjoy!

Discount Vouchers for Restaurants in Stratford-upon-Avon

We have now added our 12th discount voucher onto the guide with increasing support from local restaurants wanting to take advantage of our audience.

We can now offer up to 25% discount on dining out in Stratford.

The latest Restaurants to offer a discount voucher for use by Easy Guide visitors are

• Strada who are offering a 25% discount
• The Windmill offering 20% off food
• The Garrick Inn who are offering 15% off the total bill
• Othello's who are offering 10% off the total bill

The restaurants join our existing supporters who are looking to attract your custom by offering these fantastic vouchers. Don't forget we also had the likes of Cafe Pasta, Edward Moons, Bella Italia, The Greek Med and il Moro offering discounts exclusive to the guide.

Simply put if you are eating out in Stratford and don't visit the Easy Guide you are not getting the best deal. Simply register for free and start saving. It's easy!

If all the fantastic saving weren't enough reason to keep visiting we also have Bella Italia giving a lucky Easy Guide user £50 worth of food vouchers absolutely free once a month. All you need to do is register to be entered into the monthly prize draw.

Simply register on the site and visit the special offers section to print out the voucher and start saving.

Register and win £50 food voucher for Bella Italia

We have teamed up with Bella Italia to reward people who want to join the Easy Guide. All you need to do is register and fill out your user profile and we will enter you into our prize draw to win a £50 food voucher to enjoy at Bella Italia Stratford-upon-Avon.

To enter simply register and complete your user profile fully. You will needed to be opted in to let us contact you. That's it, it's that Easy!

Once a month we will draw one lucky winner from our new registered users for the month and they will win £50 worth of food vouchers.

Good Luck!

Save Money with The Easy Guide

You can benefit from a number of free discount vouchers by simplying registering with the Easy Guide and printing off any of our exclusive discount offers.

We have a number of local businesses who want to attract you by offering you a fantastic deal on their products and services.

All you need to do is to create a free account and start saving. Simply print out any of the offers you would like to redeem and start saving. It's Easy!