Calne Music and Arts Festival will celebrate its 40th year when it opens next week with an eclectic mix of shows, exhibitions and events.

Judith Weir, recently appointed Master of the Queen’s Music – the first time a woman has been appointed to the post – will officially open this year’s festival on October 2 at Marden House.

From Saturday to Sunday, October 4-12, Marden House will host a free open exhibition of around 350 pieces by local artists, while Calne library will display art by primary school children.

Art director Gordon Burns said: “I have repeatedly been told that each year the standard of work gets better and better.

“It really is an art exhibition for the local community.”

Local artists will also participate in an Open Studios programme during weekends where visitors can meet six local artists and experience their work in a more intimate environment.

Festival committee member Adrian Wright said: “We try to cater for everybody, it’s a real mixture. Forty years is quite an achievement – long may it continue.”

The music scene will begin with performances of Our Town, a John Bentley School production telling the story of Calne over past the 100 years, in the Town Hall tonight and tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow night will also see the first of two Woodstock Festival evenings, with songs from the 1969 Woodstock festival, in Marden Hall while BJ Big Band return to the Town Hall on Saturday, October 4.

The curtain will fall on the festival on Sunday, October 12, at Marden House with jazz music from James Harpham and Medicine Creek’s Dorian Sutton.

BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? programme will broadcast from John Bentley School on Friday, October 10. For full details of events, visit www.cmaf.org.uk