Canal News – September 13th &14th – Looking Busy!

Canal News – September 13th &14th

Looking Busy!

Black Country Boating Festival
13 – 14 Sep 2014
10:00 am – 11:30 pm
Address
Bumble-Hole Nature Reserve, Windmill End, Netherton, DY2

Windmill End, Dudley

An annual boating festival held in the picturesque Bumble-Hole Nature Reserve.
An annual boating festival held at Bumble Hole Nature Reserve, Windmill End, Netherton. The event has been running for almost 30 years, and is run entirely by volunteers. It has raised over £100,000 for charity over its history.
There are more than 200 boat, trade and charity stalls, boaters’ competitions, a real ale bar, a funfair and regular boat trips.
The festival is open from 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, admission to the site is free and there is plenty of onsite car parking.
There are moorings for visitors attending by boat, and caravans and campers are welcome, but if you may need to book a spot.
For more information visit: http://www.bcbf.com/index.html

Heritage Open Days – Explore the West Midlands
13 – 14 Sep 2014
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

 

Birmingham Canal Main Line

Address
Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre
Brasshouse Lane
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 1BA
England

This September budding heritage buffs and canal enthusiasts will be able to get up close to the nation’s waterway heritage and find out more about the history of the canals in the West Midlands and Black Country.
As part of the events for Heritage Open Days 2014 the charity, Canal & River Trust, working in partnership with Sandwell Council and the Dudley Canal Trust, is offering free entry to two of the region’s best loved canal side destinations.
Starting at 10am on Saturday 13 September visitors to Galton Valley in Smethwick will be able to see the old Smethwick Pumping Station and the old steam engines which were used to pump water around the Birmingham Mail Line Canal. Meeting near Brasshouse Lane (B66 1DU) eager explorers will have the chance to take part in a nature walk and see how working boat people used to live and work at the height of the Industrial Revolution.
On Sunday 14 September from 10:30am visitors can explore the famous Dudley Tunnel & Limestone Mines, travel by boat through the tunnels and discover the wonder of the limestone caverns. They’ll also get the opportunity to enjoy a music and light show in the famous Singing Cavern and see the fossilised remains of creatures and plants which were once in the sea bed.
Price
Free entry
More information
Booking for the Dudley Tunnel boat trip is essential. For more information please email
http://www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk or call 0121 557 6265.

The Floating Market visits Ellesmere
12 – 14 Sep 2014
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Floating Market

Enjoy a day out at the floating market when it visits Ellesmere on its national tour.
The floating market brings together a colourful collection of trading boats selling everything from herbal medicines to arts and crafts and narrowboat accessories.
While you’re there make a day out of it and explore the picturesque Shropshire Union Canal.
Trading boats
The RCTA is still taking bookings from trading boats. For more information and to book your place at one of these events visit http://www.canaltraders.org.uk/markets.html.
If you’ve got any questions about the upcoming markets please contact michael@canaltraders.org.uk.

Warwick Canal Fun Weekend
13 – 14 Sep 2014
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Address
The Saltisford Canal Trust
Birmingham Road
Warwick
CV34 5RJ

Canal Festivities

A series of fun events organised by the Saltisford Canal Trust as part of the Heritage Open Weekend 2014.
A series of fun packed canal heritage events for the Heritage Open Weekend, at the canal-side gardens of the Saltisford Canal Trust in the centre of Warwick.
Attractions include music, refreshments, boat trips, tombola, craft stalls, model boats and a sensory garden. There will also be the chance to meet some alpacas and dwarf goats!
Admission is free, see http://tinyurl.com/mdnpnu2 for further details.

Salt Fest at Droitwich Spa
13 – 14 Sep 2014
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Address
Near WR9 9PA

Droitwich Canals, Vines Park, Droitwich

Stay for the weekend on Droitwich Canal in Vines Park for the town’s Salt Fest event which celebrates Droitwich Spa past and present.
Find out more about the town’s salt heritage; visit the Roman camp and the many stalls and activities; enjoy the real ale bar and packed programme of entertainment.
For further information please call Tel: 01386 565355