FOLLOWING last year’s very successful Food & River Festival, organisers have continued to increase the fun, activities and challenge aspects for this year’s event, to be held on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September.
New for 2017, the Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team will be bringing the Cooper Tires Wire Challenge – a traverse wire spanning the river and running along the bank – perfect for budding abseilers and climbers. Another challenge will be a 7.3 metre high climbing wall, which can be tackled by four people at a time, and, as with the traverse wire, this will be supervised by qualified instructors from the Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team. These activities will be available for both days of the weekend, with tickets available to purchase at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust gazebo.
As another new (free) activity for this year, the Festival is offering both a walk with a guide, and a series of three self-guided walks of varying distances. All walks will explore parts of the lost waterway of Melksham. The guided walks will leave from the Canal Trust gazebo at 10.30am and 3.15pm, meaning that you won’t miss any of the action in the park. Leaflets with maps and information for the self-guided walks will be available from the trust gazebo, and the guided walks will be led by Peter Williams, a knowledgeable and entertaining enthusiast. All the walks (available on both days) will be perfect for those who are interested in their town’s heritage, and wish to explore some of the hidden corners and history of Melksham.
The exciting Foxhangers Raft Race is to be repeated on Saturday 2nd September, with cash prizes of £100, as well as medals, for both the senior and junior winners; the challenge is to build a raft and then race it along a course on the River Avon, trying to keep afloat and all crew on board! If any pubs, clubs, businesses, colleges or other community groups would like to be involved in this exciting and entertaining competition, please email Brian DeAth at b.death226@ btinternet.com or visit the festival website www.melkshamfoodand riverfestival.co.uk.
On both the Saturday and Sunday, there will be public boat trips, offering a wonderful view of the landscape and wildlife along Melksham’s river. This year the canal trust will be using ‘Damselfly’ as well as ‘The Mary Archard’, their new Wheelyboat, which has very easy boarding and the ability to take children’s buggies and wheelchairs on board, making it accessible for all.
For those who like to get even closer to the water, the Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club will be offering ‘Try Canoeing experiences for a small fee all weekend. This is always a very popular activity, just enthusiasm and suitable clothing needed! Please see the website for details: www.melkshamfoodand riverfestival.co.uk
Another new attraction for 2017, will be on the Saturday evening at dusk, when the visiting boats will take part in an illuminated boat display (weather permitting). To provide entertainment until then, the weekend resident bar, Box Steam Bar will remain open, and organisers are hoping to add another music act to follow on from the Decibelles and the Warminster Military Wives Choir.
Both the Saturday and Sunday will see creative culinary demonstrations in the Leekes Country Kitchen marquee; A Taste of Morocco, the World of Fish, Nutrition, and how to Stir, Shake and Twist your way to exciting cocktails are sure to be the ingredients for entertaining and informative sessions throughout the two days.
On the Sunday, the main challenge is a gastronomic one – courageous competitors with a passion for fiery fare, will be invited to test the strength of their taste buds by eating chillies of increasing intensity, watched by an encouraging and enthusiastic (but rather less brave) audience. The heroic winners will receive prizes of vouchers worth £100, £50 and £25.
Adrienne Westbrook, chair of the organising committee said, “The chilli eating competition is one of the highlights of the festival and always attracts a big crowd. Anyone who is up for this (and other challenges), should visit the website www.melksham foodandriverfestival.co.uk as soon as possible, as last year the event was over-subscribed.”
Sunday 3rd September will be the main food and drinks day, showcasing local producers, as well as providing free entertainment with local bands, stalls and attractions, including fairground rides, face painting, local organisations and a huge number food or drinks stalls, where visitors can sample and buy a wide range of products. Over 70 stalls have already been booked, so there will be plenty to see, do and sample.
Adrienne added, “We would like to thank Leekes and all of our sponsors for their support for this very exciting event in the Melksham calendar. We have put in an order for another fine sunny weekend, and we are looking forward to a fantastic, fun-filled family event!”
For more information, visit the website: www.melkshamfoodand riverfestival.co.uk
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