The Celebrating Age Festival offers a wide-ranging spread of activities during the week. Activities on offer include:

Monday (September 29) – Armchair Exercise: 10am-10.45am at Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, Knowle West. This is, basically, exactly what it says – participants sit down and are given various exercises aimed at gaining more flexibility and improved breathing. For more information call, 0117 377 2255 or log on to www.knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk

Tuesday (September 30) – 50-Plus Swim: various sessions at various times at Jubilee Swimming Pool, Knowle, Horfield Leisure Centre, Bishopsworth Swimming Pool and the Easton and Henbury leisure centres. For details, go to www.everyoneactive.com

Wednesday (October 1) – St Paul's Health and Wellbeing Project Elements Gardening: 9.30am-11.20am at St Paul's Community Garden, Grosvenor Road/Burnell Drive. This free session has advice on growing fruit and vegetables. There is no need to book. For more information, call Janine McCretton on 0117 922 2716 or 07875 541327.

Thursday (October 2) – Golden Oldies' Golden Voices Choir: 10.30am at Withywood Centre, Withywood. Hits of the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies sung to backing tracks. Singing's good for the health and this free class places emphasis on having fun and finding friendship, too. For more information, call 01761 470006.

Friday (October 3) – Forever Fit: 9.30am-10.30am at Kingsdown Sports Centre, Portland Street, Kingsdown. No charge for this "fun low-intensity session" for the over-50s. There are various sessions on offer at different centres and some may include a game of badminton. For more details, go to www.everyoneactive.com

The big celebration comes on Saturday, October 4, at the Council House on College Green, where a whole host of entertainment has been arranged.

The line-up looks like this:

10am – Lord Mayor's welcome.

10.15am – Ministry of Entertainment, Doodlebugs and Bogeymen. This is described as "a light-hearted performance about evacuees during World War II set to music."

1pm – Question Time, asking "in a world that seems to be for the young, what is the role of older people?" Councillor Rosalie Walker, cabinet member for culture and healthy communities, Jan Ormondroyd, chief executive of Bristol City Council, and other special guests join the debate.

1.15pm – Salsa dance with Alain Hernandez Cuni from Cuba.

2pm – Golden Oldies' sing-along.

2.15pm – Grand finale with Cas Caswell Big Band.

Helping things along during the event are the Tea Ladies delivering their own special brew of humour, information and advice. In addition, there are stalls and demonstrations, an art competition, massage, cookery and health checks. Lunch is available from 12.15pm and refreshments all day. Admission is free. Call 0117 903 6684.