A brand-new festival will be coming to Stroud this month as local group, the Stroudwater Textile Trust, celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The Trust was established in 1999 by local people wanting to promote awareness of the woollen industry in the Stroud valleys and celebrate contemporary textiles.

David Elford, chair of the Stroudwater Textile Trust, explains why they wanted to hold the festival.

He said: “The Wool and Water Festival is an attempt to coalesce art and heritage.

“It asks artists to respond in their own way to Stroud's rich textile heritage.”

The festival is set to feature workshops, concerts, exhibitions and much more, all based on the theme of Stroud’s history of textile production.

“There are seven visual arts exhibitions,” said David, “two commissioned music concerts, two commissioned poetry anthologies which will be the subject of public readings, and a series of events and community happenings.

“The purpose is to promote the Stroud valley's rich textile heritage and to celebrate past and present textile practice, craft, and art.”

Events will be held in various venues in Stroud and the surrounding areas, including Museum at the Park, Hawkwood College and Dunkirk Mill Museum.

“The Trust operates two small museums in Nailsworth,” continued David.

“Dunkirk Mill Museum has a vast waterwheel which is used to turn historic textile machinery, and Gigg Weaving Shed where the public can see historic looms and indeed try their hand at weaving.”

David, who lives in Randwick, is excited for the festival to get underway, and reserves special praise for those who have helped him make it happen.

He added: “As Festival Director I chair a Festival Board of seven other volunteers. The Festival is entirely volunteer run and so typical of Stroud in that many organisations are participating with their usual creative enthusiasm.

“In particular, the festival is a collaboration between the Stroudwater Textile Trust, the Cotswold Canals Trust, and the Museum in the Park.”

The Wool and Water Festival runs from Saturday 31st August to Sunday 29th September.

For more information and the full programme of events, visit www.woolandwater.org