The stage is set for a month of art and music in Malmesbury

Live music and art are taking centre stage in Malmesbury in September as the town prepares to host a folk festival and two arts trails.

On September 21, the second Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival will be held in the Cloister Gardens, next to the iconic Malmesbury Abbey. Once again supported by Malmesbury Town Council, organisers are predicting another success, with last year’s inaugural event selling out.

Also in and around Malmesbury, not one but two art trails will be staged.

Over the weekend of September 21 and 22, the Flying Monk Art Trail will take place around the town and surrounding villages.

And the town centre will once again be turned into an art gallery showcasing the talents of local artists, with shops and businesses displaying local artwork as part of the High Street+ Art Gallery, which launches on August 17 and runs until September 22.

The town’s Mayor Phil Exton said Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival, the Flying Monk Trail and High Street+ Art Gallery presented a chance for residents and visitors to enjoy a great cultural experience in the town.

“We have some truly fantastic artists living and working in the Malmesbury area, so the High Street+ Art Gallery and the Flying Monk Trail are a great opportunity to showcase these local talents,” he said.

“I am also looking forward to the Folk & Roots festival. We ran this for the first time last year and it was an amazing success, with all the tickets selling out. Once again, we have some great bands performing, along with local food and drink available, and Morris dancing sides performing in the town.”

Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival is being led by town resident Catherine Burke, a folk music lover who runs the annual Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.

Catherine said: “I'm absolutely delighted that we’re running the festival again this year. It was such a lovely day last year and I can't wait to do it all again.”

Malmesbury town councillor Kim Power, who is involved in organising the High Street+ Art Gallery, said: “The High Street+ Art Gallery is really different! Our unique local shops are already a great attraction, and showcasing local artwork in their windows just adds an extra dimension. The artwork is for sale at a variety of prices, created by a wide range of artists from talented beginners to those who are very well established. A visit to the Malmesbury 'gallery' is a free, fun summer activity, which all ages will enjoy."

Over the weekend of September 21 and 22, the annual Flying Monk Art Trail will be staged, by Malmesbury arts development agency Caerbladon.

This two-day event celebrates the quality of artists and makers living and working in the Malmesbury area. It is a chance to meet the artists in their studios, homes and pop-up spaces, with an opportunity to buy original pieces.

Karen and David Drake run Caerbladon, which has a shop and gallery in Malmesbury High Street.

Karen said: “Buying artwork direct from the artists and makers is an enjoyable experience and is a chance to support local creativity while acquiring something special and unique to cherish for years to come.”

Named the Flying Monk Trail, in honour of the Eilmer, the 11th Century monk who attempted gliding from Malmesbury Abbey, the trail takes in several locations in the town as well as surrounding villages including Lea, the Somerfords, Charlton and Sherston.

For more details of the trail, visit www.flyingmonk.co.uk.

Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival on September 21 runs from 2pm to 9.30pm. Tickets cost £30 for adults; £15 for 13 to 17-year-olds; under 13s get in for free. They are available from the Town Hall, Tourist Information Centre, Caerbladon or via https://www.malmesburyfolkroots.org/.