ORGANISERS of this year’s Melksham Food & River Festival suffered an August Bank Holiday scare when a group of travellers parked their vehicles on the King George V Playing Field.

The travellers turned up after 5pm on Friday and stayed the whole weekend. Police finally persuaded them to leave on Tuesday.

Town mayor, Cllr Adrienne Westbrook, said there was never any plan to cancel the free-to-enter festival because of the incident.

She said: “Wiltshire Police pulled out all the stops and the travellers have moved on. They were issued with a section 61 notice at about 4pm asking them to leave.

“We have spent the whole year organising this festival and the last few days have been quite stressful.

“We were determined that the festival would still go ahead. It was never going to be cancelled.”

The fourth annual festival on Saturday and Sunday is likely to attract thousands of visitors to King George V Playing Field and the River Avon.

For the first time, more than 70 stallholders have been able to book stands for both days.

Cllr Westbrook, said: “The Melksham Food & River Festival is an eclectic mix of sounds, smells and atmosphere.

“We’d like to invite people to come along and sample the wonderful food and artisan beers while listening to music in our beautiful park.”

The festival is a not-for-profit collaboration between Melksham Food & Drink Festival and the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (Melksham, Calne & Chippenham Branch).

It provides a platform for local food and drink producers, community groups, local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.

Visitors will be able to relax and enjoy al fresco locally produced food and drink, whilst listening to the live music and watching the boats on the river.

Festival co-sponsors Box Steam Brewery will supply liquid refreshment through an on-site bar.

Activities include the Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team 7.3-metre high climbing wall, the Cooper Tires Wire Challenge and face painting by Barry Moger.

There will also be Danny Toogood’s fairground, cooking demonstrations in Leekes’ Country Kitchen marquee, and canoeing with Wiltshire Canoe Club.

The Canal Trust will provide boat trips on the Mary Archard and Dameselfly from Melksham to Beanacre and back.

The Military Wives Choir, the Decibelles and the Sweet Swing Trio will provide the music, and the Foxhangers raft race will also take place.

The event’s main sponsors are Leekes, Waitrose, McCarthy & Stone, Box Steam Brewery, Melksham Town Council, Cooper Tires and Sign Marketing.

Entry is free. Families will be urged to come along and enjoy a fun-filled day out.

For more information, visit: https://www.melkshamfoodandriverfestival.co.uk/