A NEW 2018 calendar for the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is being launched at two key Towpath Trail events in West Wiltshire in September.

The calendar will be on display and for sale at the Melksham Food and River Festival taking place on Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3.

And it will be for sale at the Wiltshire Donkey Show at Dauntsey on September 3.

The two shows were chosen because donkeys helped to move the narrow boats and their freight on the Wilts and Berks Canal when it was a working canal in the 19th century.

The calendar has been designed by InTouch Design & Print and features paintings by the Stratton St Margaret Community Art Group.

Co-founders, Ruth Wintle and Marilyn Trew, both Swindon artists, launched the group in January this year at the request of Stratton Parish Council to encourage a creative sense of community.

The group now has more than 27 members and meets at the Grange Leisure Centre in Stratton, Swindon.

Marilyn said: “The group has been inspired by the dedicated work of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust and has enjoyed the creative experience of creating its 2018 Calendar.”

Marilyn and Ruth will be attending both shows to help promote the Calendar and the Trust, as well as their own art and craft work.

The Melksham Food and River Festival is being held at King George V Park and the River Avon in Melksham and features river-related and other activities on Saturday and a food and drink festival on Sunday.

The Wiltshire Donkey Show takes place just a few fields away from the Wilts and Berks Canal at Scots Smithy Farmyard in Sodom Lane, Dauntsey, close to the WBCT’s head office.

Show attractions include Donkey Breed Society-affiliated driving and in hand showing classes, dressage and fun classes as well as donkey rides.

The driving donkeys go up to the canal to celebrate that connection and receive their reward of apples and carrots for doing so.

There will be various stalls in support of village organisations and refreshments will be on sale.

Spectators will be very welcome and there is plenty of parking. Admission is £3.

For more information, please contact Sheila Wade on 07976 281586 or email: sheila.wade@wbct.org.uk