MALMESBURY’S thriving art scene was celebrated last week, with one budding painter receiving a Blue Peter badge for her work.

The annual Malmesbury in Bloom painting competition awards evening was held at the town hall on Friday, while the Flying Monk Arts and Crafts trail took place in and around Malmesbury over the weekend.

The painting competition, which is sponsored every year by the Standard, encouraged young artists in the town to get in touch with their creative side.

The standard was, as ever, very high, leaving the judge, Mary Hill, with a tough decision on her hands to pick winners in the different age groups.

Speaking after the competition, Malmesbury Town Council member and chair of the community and town promotions committee, Fran Vandelli, said: “It’s really important to support young people to make the most of their talents and skills.

“There will be more opportunities for young people to get creative in Malmesbury.”

The competition brought particular joy to one of the entrants, eight-year-old Tabitha Hope, who sent a copy of her painting to Blue Peter.

She received a letter on her birthday in response to her work, with a Blue Peter badge inside.

Tabitha, who is a big fan of Blue Peter, said she was “really excited” when she opened the letter.

Her mother, Nicola, who is an artist herself, said she was proud of her daughter.

Having taken part in the Flying Monk trail last week, Nicola said Malmesbury was a great place to inspire the next generation of artists.

“It’s such a creative environment,” she said.

“There are so many artists and craftspeople, you can’t fail to be inspired.”

Malmesbury mayor, Cllr Wayne Jones, said the artists in the town have “never failed to come up trumps over the last couple of years with their creative approach”.

Speaking about the children’s painting competition, he said: “This competition is a really good showcase for the youngsters in our town to show how creative they are and how much they enjoy the environment that they are being brought up in.

“It’s always an absolute delight to share these happy moments with the residents of our town.

“Malmesbury is going from strength to strength and I’m honoured to be mayor at this time.”

The arts and crafts trail was organised by Kim Langley, who said the open studio event, which took place in villages surrounding Malmesbury and in the town itself, had been a resounding success.

Speaking after the event, she said: “I have received lots of emails and verbal responses from the public showing great enthusiasm for the trail.

“There is so much talent here in Malmesbury that this event reflects the depth and diversity of arts within the area and a much needed avenue for the local arts community.”

Kim is now setting up an online gallery for the artists that featured in the trail, so their work can be accessed all year by the public.