Paddleboarding, photography and nature walks and talks have been lined up as part of a dedicated programme of events just for women.

Cotswold Canals Connected has partnered with Love Her Wild, to bring women in the Stroud district safe and fun canal-based events.

Love Her Wild is a not-for-profit women's adventure organisation that puts on outdoor events across the UK to boost wellbeing, increase confidence and create better connections with nature.

Together, this partnership will hold a variety of seasonal events for women throughout 2024 which will kick start with a history walk on 19 February. This walk will be led by Cotswold Canals Connected partners, Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity and involves walking along the towpath in Wallbridge with an expert talking through the historical features along the way.

Some of the other planned events include paddleboarding, photography 'walk-shops' and birdsong, butterfly, and wildfowl walks. These events will be free or heavily subsidised by National Lottery Heritage funding.

Most events will operate on a first-come-first-served basis and must be booked in advance. The events will be advertised in the Gloucestershire Love Her Wild Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/GlosLoveHerWild 

Sarah Burgess, community engagement manager at Cotswold Canals Connected, said: "We are so pleased to be working with an organisation dedicated to putting on events that create positive experiences for women.

"At Cotswold Canals Connected we are always looking to work with organisations that share our passion for connecting people, places, and nature, so working with Love Her Wild seemed like an obvious partnership! We hope these events can provide a safe space for women to build their confidence in visiting and taking part in activities on the canal."

Chloe Cox, a local 'Wilder' organising events for Love Her Wild, said: "Love Her Wild has supported thousands of women across the UK in getting outdoors and connecting with nature. We have never worked with a canal-focused organisation before, so we are excited to offer something different to our followers and encourage more people to visit these beautiful waterways."

Cotswold Canals Connected is a partnership of organisations led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust which are restoring the canal network, enhancing and creating new wildlife habitats, and helping local communities to connect with heritage and nature.

Find out more about the project by following Cotswold Canals Connected on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.