PREPARATIONS for Calne Music and Arts Festival are well underway, with talented clubs from across the town rehearsing hard for the start of the annual event.

Calne Music and Arts Festival, one of the longest running festivals in Wiltshire will take place from October 5-15 and will feature a range events, including performances from bands, choirs and poetry reading, as well as the showcasing of art and photography, workshops for children, and art and poetry competitions.

The festival will celebrate the work of artists and groups from Calne and surrounding villages over 10 days of diverse events.

It will be opened on Thursday, October 5 with an art exhibition preview by North Wiltshire based artist Charles Rodwell.

On Thursday, October 12, primary schools from Calne and surrounding villages will come together and perform as a huge choir of over 150 children, to sing popular Elton John songs.

The event is well attended every year, and with new performances taking place each year, there is always something new to watch and enjoy.

Master of the Queen’s Music, and Calne Music and Arts Festival Patron, Judith Weir, who attended the first Festival in 1975, will be travelling from London, especially for The John Bentley School’s production of This Woman’s Work at on Monday, October 9 at 7:30pm.

Marden House, which is the main concert venue, will also be home to art exhibitions which will be open to the public. Lunches will be served there each day after the lunchtime concert, and in the evening there will be a festival bar, coffee and cake.

The Heritage Centre will host exhibitions of the Calne Camera Club’s work.

For a full listing of events, and for details for the art and poetry competitions for children and adults, please visit www.cmaf.org.

Brochures are also available from Calne Information Centre, and tickets are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/cmaf.