Residents are being invited to celebrate and support one of Calne’s most important natural features at the upcoming River Marden Festival Day 2026.
The event will take place on Saturday 21st March at Beach Terrace, outside Fay's Bistro, bringing together local environmental groups and volunteers for activities focused on the health of the river.
The morning will begin at 10am with river dipping activities led by Tamzyn Long from the River Warriors, giving children and families the chance to discover the invertebrates and wildlife that live in the water.
At 11am, a river ceremony will take place led by Kate Dineen, an animist from Stroud, alongside Rev Caspar Bush.
The day has been organised by Robert MacNaughton, who hopes the event will encourage people to reconnect with the river and reflect on the pressures facing waterways across the country.
He said rivers have supported communities for generations but are now facing growing environmental challenges.
“Our rivers have looked after us for millennia but desperately need our help right now,” he said.
“For the River Marden catchment area, the number of sewage spills has gone up by around 30% which is a surprise given that last year was so dry, I wonder how that can be explained."
Robert added that more people are beginning to rethink how they relate to the natural world. “A lot of people are evolving a different attitude to nature,” he said.
“They want to conserve, cherish and look after our rivers, trees and fields rather than see nature as something to be exploited.”
Despite the concerns, organisers say the festival day is intended to bring people together to appreciate the River Marden and encourage positive action in the community.
Robert added: “Please come along and give your love to our very own River Marden.”
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