Heritage Open Week has been a fixture on the local calendar for over twenty years and this year a record twenty three organisations are taking part - using the theme of ‘Storytelling’ to coincide with the National Year of Reading.

There are a wide range of activities available for people of all ages this year. Residents can enjoy discovering the secret stories of Bath by visiting No 1 Royal Crescent or the Herschel Museum of Astronomy; try to win a trip to New York by entering the Barefoot Books young storyteller competition and find out how the Romans used to talk to each other. There will also be a walk around Combe Down village where you can discover the source of Bath Stone, then follow the spooky Halloween trail at the American Museum.

Full details of the week’s events are available in the Heritage Open Week brochure at all council sites, the library and all participating venues. Or go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/openweek to see all the listings and view the brochure online.

Especially for children this year, Bath & North East Somerset Heritage Services are running two competitions to mark the theme of Heritage Open Week. 4-7 yr olds can design a book cover, whilst 8-11yr olds are invited to submit a short story (up to 1000 words) – both taking a visit to a museum as their inspiration. Entries will be judged by staff from Mr B’s bookshop and Toppings Booksellers, winners will receive books as prizes.

For details and an entry form go to www.bathnes.gov/openweek - closing date for entries is 5pm Monday November 3rd.