The final stage of the Stroudwater canal restoration is kicking off with heritage trails, boat trips, activities and pop up performances by Stroud creatives. Cotswold Canals Connected are launching a month-long ‘slow canal trail’ on Monday, May 10 to celebrate commencing work to connect the canal to the national inland waterways network. The family-friendly event will take place during national Mental Health Awareness Week, which ends on May 16, focusing on the benefits spending time in nature has on people’s wellbeing. Anna Bonallack, manager at Cotswold Canals Connected, said: “The slow canal trail marks the start of a brilliant three years ahead for our canal communities and has been adapted for this year to safely bring us together outdoors by exploring our canal.