As autumn swept across Gloucestershire in the first full week of October 2025, the county found itself wrapped in both celebration and sorrow. The woodlands transformed into a tapestry of crisp browns, vibrant oranges, and warm yellows, signaling not only the season’s change but also a week marked by creativity, tradition, and heartfelt tributes to literary icons.
In the Forest of Dean village of Longhope, residents channeled the spirit of the season through their annual scarecrow festival. This year, the displays reached new heights of whimsy and artistry, with one household crafting a striking likeness of Carl, the beloved character from the Disney film Up. Balloons and posters adorned their front gate, and a multicolored dollhouse completed the scene, drawing smiles from passersby and reinforcing the village’s close-knit, creative charm. According to BBC, the festival brought the community together in a celebration of both autumn and imagination.
Yet, amid the festivities, Gloucestershire was struck by the loss of one of its most cherished residents. On Sunday, October 5, 2025, literary legend Dame Jilly Cooper died at the age of 88 following a fall. The news, announced on Monday, October 6, sent ripples of grief through the county and far beyond. Neighbors in Bisley, where Cooper had lived, paid their respects throughout the week. Reverend Sue Murray, lighting a candle in her memory, captured the sentiment of many, saying that she and other villagers "loved having her here." The outpouring of affection reflected Cooper’s lasting impact not just as an author but as a beloved member of her community.
The tributes to Cooper extended far beyond Gloucestershire. At the opening of the Cliveden Literary Festival on Saturday, October 11, Queen Camilla delivered a poignant and humorous homage to her late friend. Speaking at Cliveden House in Berkshire, the Queen recalled an iconic quip from Cooper at a party years earlier: "I'm going to get absolutely plastered tonight, darling. I love you so much, I want to see two of you." The audience erupted in laughter, and Queen Camilla added, "Dear Jilly…how we'd love to have seen just one of you here with us today." As reported by the festival’s organizers, the Queen’s words captured both the wit and warmth that made Cooper a literary and social fixture.
Queen Camilla’s tribute was just one highlight of a festival that drew literary stars and eager readers alike. The historic event, now in its eighth year, featured speakers such as Sir Salman Rushdie, Richard E. Grant, and Ian Rankin. The Queen praised the festival’s founders and the "galaxy of literary stars" in attendance, describing Cliveden as "a perfection of a Festival." Her commitment to literature is well known—she is a patron of The Queen's Reading Room and the National Literacy Trust, continually championing the written word and its power to connect people.
Elsewhere in the world of arts and letters, another loss was deeply felt. Diane Keaton, the acclaimed actress, died at age 79, with her passing announced on October 11, 2025. Goldie Hawn, her friend and co-star from the 1996 film First Wives Club, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram the same day. "Diane, we aren't ready to lose you. You've left us with a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination," Hawn wrote, reflecting on their friendship and the indelible mark Keaton left on audiences. Hawn’s post resonated with fans and celebrities alike, with her daughter Kate Hudson responding with a trio of heart emojis and others expressing gratitude for Keaton’s legacy.
Keaton’s family, as confirmed by People magazine via a spokesperson, requested privacy, offering no further details. She is survived by her two children, Dexter, 29, and Duke, 25, both adopted when Keaton was in her fifties. In a 2008 interview with Ladies Home Journal, Keaton reflected on motherhood: "I didn't think that I was ever going to be prepared to be a mother. Motherhood was not an urge I couldn't resist, it was more like a thought I'd been thinking for a very long time. So I plunged in." Her devotion to her children and her candidness about her journey as a mother endeared her to fans as much as her memorable roles on screen.
Back in Gloucestershire, the week was also one of vibrant tradition and community spirit. The Tewkesbury Mop Fair, considered the largest street fair in the West of England, returned with its dazzling neon lights and raucous rides. Dating back to the 12th century, the fair’s origins lie in workers seeking employment, each carrying a symbol of their trade or, in the absence of one, a mop head to signal their readiness for work. In 2025, the fair remains a cherished link to the county’s past, drawing crowds eager for fun and a sense of continuity.
Education in Gloucestershire saw a significant milestone as more than 40,000 books were moved from Gloucester Library to the University of Gloucestershire's City Campus. The final book was ceremoniously transported through the city on Thursday, October 9, by a human chain, symbolizing the community’s investment in learning and culture. The new library opened its doors on Monday, October 13, welcoming students and residents alike to a new chapter in the city’s literary life.
Sports fans experienced both disappointment and pride as Cheltenham Town lost 1-0 to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, October 7, in the Vertu Trophy group stage. Despite the defeat, manager Steve Cotterill expressed his satisfaction, telling BBC he was "chuffed to bits with the lads," underscoring the team’s effort and spirit.
Nature, too, provided moments of awe. In Hillesley, a village in the Stroud District, an ethereal lunar halo—sometimes called a "moon dog"—was spotted. The phenomenon, caused by the refraction of moonlight through ice crystals, added a touch of magic to the autumn nights. Meanwhile, volunteers completed the Fromebridge towpath, part of the Thames & Severn Way, connecting it to Fromebridge Lane off the A38. The Cotswold Canals Trust announced the achievement, a testament to community dedication and the enduring appeal of Gloucestershire’s countryside.
Photographers captured the beauty of autumn in Miserden and Bibury, with scenes of lakes reflecting rainbow-colored trees and sunrises painting the sky in watercolor hues. A newly released photograph of King Charles III at Highgrove House, his Gloucestershire residence, further highlighted the county’s connection to both nature and history. Speaking about the importance of environmental stewardship for the Amazon documentary Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, the King remarked, "Never has it been more important for the world to make a concerted effort to protect and prioritise our planet, and to restore our relationship with it."
This week in Gloucestershire was one of contrasts—joy and loss, tradition and progress, community and individuality. Through it all, the county’s people, places, and stories offered a vivid reminder of how life’s cycles, much like the changing leaves, bring both endings and new beginnings.
