'Breaking the Chains', a ground breaking exhibition about Britain and the slave trade, opens Monday 23 April 2007 in Bristol's Empire and Commonwealth Museum. Planned to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, the £1 million Heritage Lottery funded exhibition will act as the centrepiece of the former major slave trading port's commemoration programme. Breaking the Chains will be a major exhibition at the museum and has been developed in partnership with Bristol City Council's Museums, Galleries and Archives service. It will pay tribute to the resilience and courage of those who were enslaved and the tireless abolition campaigners. The exhibition will run for two years. For more information visit www.empiremuseum.co.uk or call 0117 925 4980.

This exhibition in the Central Library tells the fascinating story of how Bristolians lived in 1807 ranging through trade, education, holidays, entertainment and crime. Designed to complement and build on the Abolition 200 year, it uses historical sources to capture a snapshot of Bristol as experienced by local people.

As our Bristol-in-1807 project continues, we are delighted to announce a short story competition. Budding writers everywhere are invited to create a 500-word piece for a chance to win one of these prizes: 1st Prize - £75 book token; 2nd Prize - £50 book token; 3rd Prize - £25 book token. The theme is 'The Time-Traveller's Life' - what would Bristol have been like if you lived here in 1807?

Pricing Notes: The competition is free to enter.

Booking: View full competition rules at the Event Web Site. Pick up an Entry Form at any library or download from the Event Web Site (below). The judges decision is final.

Further details: Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 5 December 2008. Word length: 500 maximum.

Underwater Landscapes is a display produced by children working with an artist at the 'Natural England' stall at the Bristol Harbour Festival. Visit the Children's Activity area. The display is installed until further notice and is free to view.

German Style Christmas Market & Big Wheel Consisting of a number of chalet huts selling a range of products from foodstuff to gifts, with a traditional Bavarian 'Beer House'. The Christmas Market at Castle Park is ideally placed for shoppers and visitors to Bristol City, complemented perfectly with Big Wheel situated alongside St. Peter's Church.

Pricing Notes: The entry cost is free. Big Wheel: Adults £3.50 Children £2.50

Parking: No Parking available on site but numerous car parks within immediate walking distance.

Getting there: Public transport, cycling and ferry drop off point at Castle Park.

An audiovisual exhibition presenting the life experiences of women who have been a part of Silai for Skills, a women's textiles school in Easton. Silai Kahani project has documented the diverse stories of women who have all attended this place of friendship, opportunity and learning. The exhibition will include audio from the interviews, photographic portraits of the interviewees, an original textile timeline, made by students and artists depicting the history of Silai. A special edition book will also be available of the stories. Silai Kahani is a celebration of the achievements of all women who have been a part of Silai for skills.

Parking: N/A

Getting there: N/A

Booking: N/A

Further details: N/A

Write the future: writing, e-mailing, texting, blogging, and the future ... Visit your local and central library to find out about initiatives relating to this month's theme. This forms part of the National Year of Reading.

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Pricing Notes: £27.50, £25, £22.50

Friday 5th December 4-9pm and Saturday 6th December 11am - 4pm Bristol's one-stop eco-shop returns with dozens of stalls selling Christmas gifts and goodies that won't cost the Earth. The ever popular event offers shoppers the chance to escape the high street frenzy and enjoy some mellow live music, seasonal food and liquid refreshment while they shop. Don't miss out on the organic food and cosmetics, hand-crafted jewellery, glass-ware, pottery and ceramics and fairly traded toys and clothes on sale this year.

Pricing Notes: Free entry

Parking: Limited free parking

Getting there: Go to www.bristol.gov.uk/create for detailed information and a map of how to reach CREATE