To celebrate the 900th anniversary of Cirencester's Abbey of St Mary, join us for an entertaining insight into the role the Abbey played in everyday city. How did the monks live? What did they eat? How did they help the townsfolk? Oxford historian Janina Ramirez, presenter of BBC Four's Saints and Sinners: Britain's Millennium of Monasteries and with Alistair Sooke An Art Lover's Guide, lifts the lid on monastic life to show a reality rather different from what we often think. Tickets £5 each.

Tickets can be booked via the Gloucester History Festival's booking system at Gloucester's Tourist Information Centre. Call 01452 396 572 or buy online at ww.gloucesterticketshop.co.uk Tickets can also be booked in person at Cirencester Visitor Information Centre at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester or call 01285 654180