Tickets on sale for Melksham’s ‘Winter Ales, Cider & Sausage Festival’

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is hosting its fourth annual ‘Winter Ales, Cider & Sausage Festival’ at Melksham Assembly Hall on Saturday 10th November from 12noon-4pm.

The fun event features 10 real ales, three ciders and several varieties of sizzling sausages. Tickets, just £5 each including a commemorative glass, are available from Melksham Tourist Information Centre in Canon Square or The Bell Inn at Lacock.

The event supports the ongoing restoration of the former waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Semington to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon.

In the last year alone, the Trust has reopened a navigable stretch from Double Bridge near Reybridge to Pewsham Locks near Chippenham, allowing local volunteers to run trip-boats for members of the public for the first time.

The Trust has also purchased several acres of land near Queenfield Farm on the northern edge of Melksham to enable clearing of the former towpath.

The festival has been organised by the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the charity. Branch chairman Dave Maloney said, “This is one of our most popular fundraising events of the year and is open to everyone, regardless of whether or not they’re members of the charity.

“We’ll have lots of displays featuring the history of the canal and our exciting plans for a new ‘Melksham Link’ to bring boats through the town centre using the River Avon, but there’s no pressure for people to join our campaign.

“They can simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon with their friends, gathering around a table and savouring all of the delicious food and drink.

“Last year’s event saw people drinking more than 340 pints and eating 240 sausages – so it’s clearly a very popular way to raise funds for a worthy cause!”

For further information on joining the local branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, visit www.wbct.org.uk