Canal News – Some Events August 16 – 17, 2014

Pirate Weekend at Stoke Bruerne

Pirate

16 – 17 Aug 2014
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Address
The Canal Museum
Stoke Bruerne
nr Towcester
Northamptonshire
Nn12 7SE

Shiver me timbers – pirates are set to invade the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne.
Join in a weekend of piratey fun at the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne. Artistic mini-pirates can get involved in arts and crafts activities, pirate face painting, tombola and pirate boat trips. Why not dress up as a pirate and join in the fun!

Be a Junior Lock Keeper at Foxton Locks

Foxton Locks
Grand Union Canal

17 Aug 2014
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Address
Foxton Locks
Foxton
Leicestershire

Children aged between 7-14 can become a lock keeper for an hour – free event.
Become a junior lock keeper at the famous flight of Foxton Locks.
Booking is essential as spaces are limited.
Parent/Guardian consent is required and they must also be present throughout the activity.
To book your child’s place please contact Sarah.Cook@canalrivertrust.org.uk or text your interest to 07715 377788
This activity is run by the Canal & River Trust in partnership with the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust for the BiCentenary of the Grand Union Canal.

Canal News – Experts sought to help steer future of canals and rivers in the Midlands

Canal News

Experts sought to help steer future of canals and rivers in the Midlands
People living in the Midlands are being called on to help guide the future development of the waterways at the very heart of the nation’s historic canal and river network.

Lock 6, Atherstone, Coventry Canal

This is a tremendous opportunity for people with ideas and energy to play a leading role in bringing others together to embrace their local canal or river”
Charlotte Atkins, chair of the
We are calling for people in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and north Warwickshire to come forward and help shape the future of their local waterways.
The Trust is recruiting three new members for its Central Shires Waterway Partnership, which plays a key role in getting more people involved in these vital green spaces and ensuring they boost tourism and employment.
Nine people currently sit on the Partnership, drawn from different interests such as boating, canoeing and angling, as well as wider regeneration, media and community engagement backgrounds. The three new members being sought will ideally have experience and expertise in the areas of health and well-being, local authority, social enterprise, volunteering and the natural environment.
Charlotte Atkins, chair of the Central Shires Waterways Partnership, said: “Our waterways are at the very heart of the nation’s historic canal network and as a result they’ve been instrumental in shaping our towns and cities and they remain an enduring reminder of our thriving industrial past.
“As a partnership we believe that it’s now time to put the waterways back at the heart of our communities and use them as a means of tackling some of the great challenges that our region faces. Our waterways have huge potential to boost the Midlands’ economy and to help people lead healthier lifestyles, to gain new skills and simply just to feel a sense of pride in where they live.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for people with ideas and energy to play a leading role in bringing others together to embrace their local canal or river and help create better waterways and closer, healthier, communities.”
The roles are voluntary with agreed expenses reimbursed, and will involve approximately two days a month. Appointments are for three years. For more information please contact waterway manager Darren Green on 0303 040 4040 or darren.green@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Find out more about these partnership vacancies

We want your views on our towpaths
We’re currently consulting on how towpaths are shared to make visiting waterways more enjoyable for everyone.

Apsley, Grand Union Canal

Our aim is to improve people’s experience of using towpaths in England and Wales by gaining a more detailed understanding of the ways towpaths are used – whether by boaters, walkers, joggers, cyclists or anglers – and to attract more visitors to regularly use and enjoy the waterways.
We’re inviting people to share their views through an online survey, on anything from signage and behaviour to suggestions for access and surface improvements.
Sharing
The National Towpath Use Policy will set out our approach to managing safer sharing of towpaths including what we will do and what visitors can do. For example, it will balance the needs of people with the need to conserve and protect heritage and the environment; also how to encourage visitors to better understand the range of towpath activities, be considerate of others and make a difference to these shared spaces.
To find out more about our proposals and give your feedback please visit http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/consultations/current-consultations

 

Canal News – Over 80 Volunteers at IWA Warwickshire Branch Work Party

PRESS RELEASE: Over 80 Volunteers at IWA Warwickshire Branch Work Party

On Sunday 9th March IWA Warwickshire Branch held a work party on the Grand Union Canal. The day was the warmest of the year to date and over 80 volunteers joined the branch to clean-up up the stretch of canal between Clements Street, Leamington Spa, and the Aqueduct over the River Avon in Warwick.

The day had not started well as the tug and hopper had been cast adrift from its moorings by thieves who had stolen the securing ropes. This did not deter the volunteers as once the craft had been retrieved everyone got to work with grappling hooks and litter pickers and collected enough rubbish from the canal and towpath to fill a hopper and car trailer. This was the biggest haul of rubbish IWA Warwickshire Branch has secured from a large clean-up event, which was largely due to the hard work of IWA members, Leamington Spa Army Cadets, students from The University of Warwick, a Warwick youth group and local residents.

The predominant items dragged from the canal were shopping trolleys, around fifty were recovered, and a selection of over twenty bicycles. Other more unusual items collected included, a ladder, a Heras fencing panel, traffic cones, a supermarket advertising banner, a gas bottle and mattresses. The litter pickers produced over thirty bags of rubbish.

The hopper hold was quickly filled to its full capacity with the debris collected. As the hopper was taken back to Hatton, walkers on the towpath stopped to photograph the unusual sight and struggled to believe all the rubbish had come from the canal in one morning.

Overall, the clean-up was a great success due in no small part to the incredible response from the local community and the support from Canal & River Trust, in particular Steve Lambert who operated the tug and hopper.

Canal News – A ‘dad’s army’ relic causes a stir and ‘Folk in the Museum’, Foxton

Canal News

A ‘dad’s army’ relic causes a stir

A volunteer at the bottom of Lock 66 Grand Union Canal holding the WW2 helmet

 A watched phone never rings.

I’m waiting for a colleague to ring me back because I want to take a picture of him with a hat. Not very exciting, you may think. But it’s not just any old hat. It’s a World War 2 steel helmet of the type worn by all branches of HM forces as well as the police and emergency services, including civil defence personnel (the Home Guard – unfairly dubbed ‘Dad’s Army’) and air raid patrol wardens.

The helmet was found at the bottom of Apsley Lock 66, Grand Union Canal, when it was drained in preparation for replacing the gates. While the lock was empty, we held one of our weekend open days and more than 1,200 members of the public came and had a look at some of the things we do to keep 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in working order.

Throughout the day groups of visitors were shown around the chamber of lock 66 by staff and volunteers. As well as free lock tours there were children’s activities run by education volunteer co-ordinator Elaine Stanley and her Explorers team, an opportunity to try fishing under the watchful eye of match booking organiser Dick Pilkinton and national angling development manager Becca Dent, boat trips, and guided tours of Frogmore Mill. National volunteering manager Ed Moss and volunteer leader South East Miriam Tedder had made sure there was a heavy volunteer involvement on the day. Despite the cold January weather, there was a real festival atmosphere.

Anyway, back to the hat. Down in the lock, the helmet – which was thought at first to be a theatrical or fancy dress prop – was shown to interested visitors. Because of the queues of customers waiting to go down into the lock, I was using the ‘family hold back’ philosophy, so I didn’t get the chance to take a close up of the chap who found the helmet – which has now been verified as the genuine article by the ‘Curator Uniforms, Personal Equipment and Flags’ no less, – that’s a great job title isn’t it? – at the Imperial War Museum! I hope my colleague rings back soon…

Folk in the Museum at Foxton Locks Canal Museum

02 Feb 2014  7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Address:

Middle Lock  Gumley Road  Foxton  Market Harborough

Leicestershire  LE16 7RT

Free event

Folk in the Museum on Sunday 2nd February

Free event, please take part or sit back and enjoy

For more information please call Tel: 0116 2792 657

Canal News – 13-12-2012

 Foxton Locks, Grand Union Canal

Foxton Lock 17, Grand Union Canal, 15-16 December 2012

Join us for our winter stoppage open day at Foxton Locks on the Grand Union Canal and find out what it takes to keep the country’s busiest staircase lock flight operating.

This historic lock flight will be drained while we reline the lock gates to prevent leaks and preserve water. While they’re empty we’re offering you the chance to descend into the lock chambers and see this famous British canal feature from an entirely new perspective.

We’re putting up scaffolding so that you can climb right down to the bottom of these locks. If the popularity of previous open days is repeated you’ll be joined by thousands of visitors who all want to say they’ve been to the bottom of the lock chamber. Make sure you don’t miss out on this scarce opportunity.

You’ll also be able to take advantage of the free access into the Foxton Canal Museum, which will tell you all about history of the locks, the inclined plane boat lift, the lives of canal workers and the Grand Union Canal.

No pre-booking necessary.

Time: 10am-4pm (last entry strictly 3:15pm; site closes 3:45pm)

Location: Foxton Lock Country Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7RA

Parking: Available in the Country Park’s car park

Christmas evenings at the Black Country Living Museum

14 – 22 Dec 2012

18:30 pm – 22:00 pm

All the family can enjoy a traditional festive evening at the Black Country Living Museum.

The Black Country Living Museum will be aglow with festive spirit as cottages are illuminated by gas and candlelight, and the cobbled streets bustle with performers, brass bands and carol singers.

Horse chestnuts and mulled wine and a festive slant to the range of refreshments on offer.

And the festivities wouldn’t be complete without the chance to meet Santa.

Tickets are now on sale.

This is a pre purchase only event. Book your tickets online http://www.bclm.com/bookings or call 0121 520 8054

Canal News – Advice re Hedgecutting, and Cycling along the Canal

Canal News

Grand Union Canal approaching Catherine de Barnes near Solihull

Catherine de Barnes Bridge, No 78 is ahead. Visitor moorings here are good. The pub is more of a restaurant with bar, but does still serve real ale.  © Copyright Roger Kidd and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Advice: Grand Union Canal

GUN Hedgecutting South East Waterway

Monday 8 October 2012 – Friday 1 March 2013

We have commenced the annual hedge cutting round, starting on the 1st October running until 1st March. Please be aware this work will result in thorns on towpaths. The specification includes the clearing of cut thorns from the tow path following a cut of the previous year’s growth, our contractors will blow/sweep/rake/clear the thorns off the path, however there will be areas where some thorns remain on the towpath or blow from the hedge onto the towpath following windy conditions. If you are planning a cycling trip please follow link http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/hints-and-tips for helpful tips. If you have a pet be mindful of tender paws picking up thorns on the path and under the hedgerows following this work.

Enquiries: 03030404040

Cycling along the Grand Union Canal

  Cycling

Cycling is a great way of seeing our network of canals and rivers and getting some exercise at the same time. If you’re planning a day out on your bike why not incorporate our canals into it? Our towpaths offer traffic free routes next to some of the country’s most stunning waterside scenery.

Our canals and rivers attract over 21 million visits from cyclists each year and with thousands of miles of towpaths, which by their nature tend to be fairly level, it’s easy to see why. Where else can you take in such a diverse range of wildlife and the country’s finest heritage structures while you’re out on your bike?

Providing green corridors through our cities and linking our towns and villages together, canal towpaths are used by a range of cyclists from boaters running errands on their bike to experienced cyclists on week-long tours and families taking an afternoon ride together.

Cycling by the Trent & Mersey Canal

The Canal & River Trust welcomes considerate cyclists to its towpaths and you don’t need a permit to use your bike on any of our towpaths. However, we would ask that you take a look at our Greenways Code for Towpaths before you take to the towpaths. Lots of people visit the waterways, for many different reasons, and everyone is entitled to feel happy and safe whilst they’re visiting.

Pontcysyllte aqueduct

The undated plaque nearby says: “Built by Thomas Telford 1795-1805 there are 18 piers made of local stone, the central ones over the Dee being 126′ high up to the ironwork.

The canal runs through an iron trough, 1007′ long, 11’10” wide and 5’3″ deep, the largest in Britain. The iron was supplied by William Hazeldine from his foundries at Shrewsbury and nearby Cefn Mawr.  Total cost £47,000.  Water is fed from the Dee at the Horseshoe falls at Llantysilio near Llangollen.”  © Copyright Peter Craine and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

  Llangollen Canal to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

A flat canal, tow path cycle route which takes you from the beautiful Welsh tourist town of Llangollen to the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

This route is not recommended for road bikes, as the tow path is mainly a crushed gravel surface with some tarmac stretches along the way. Make sure you take care when cycling near water and give way to pedestrians.

Llangollen is a beautiful welsh tourist town standing on The River Dee with Castell Dinas Bran standing high above the town. The bridge in the centre of the town which crosses the River Dee was built in 1345. Llangollen also has a fantastic steam railway which runs daily in the holiday season up and down the banks of The River Dee.

1. Start – Llangollen

Start from Heoll y Castell (the main high street in the town).

2. Llangollen to the Wharf Hill

Cycle across the Llangollen Bridge, over the River Dee, away from the main town centre. At the end of the bridge, turn right on to Mill Street and, after 50 yards, turn left up Wharf Hill, which is a very short steep hill. You might like to walk this short section.

At the top of the hill, you will see the Llangollen Canal. When you reach the canal, turn right along the towpath, away from the canal cruise shop, and cycle along the towpath under the bridge and along the right-hand bank of the canal.

3. Wharf Hill to Pontyscyllte

After 100 yards, you will be cycling along the towpath past a wooded area and then you will be cycling out in the open countryside along the canal and under several bridges. The canal roughly follows the route of The River Dee as it meanders along its way, which is over on your right hand side.

After about four miles you will reach Pontyscyllte and will come out at the canal basin by the aqueduct.

Cross over the bridge to the other side of the canal and cycle across the world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is now a world heritage site. It was built in 1805 by Thomas Telford, is 1,007 ft long, and 126 ft high and you can enjoy some fantastic views of the surrounding area from the aqueduct.

Distance

3.98 miles / 6.41 Kilometers

Route Type

Cycling

oakparkrunners day

Also available when the sun shines!!

Canal News – Events Sunday September 16th

Anglesey Branch,  Wyrley & Essington  Canal

Community bike ride along the Grand Union Canal

16 Sep 2012
10:00 am – 11:45 am

Join a Sky Ride local ride along the Chocolate Trail.

Covers the Grand Union Canal starting and finishing at Rowheath Pavillion, Bournville.

Sky Ride Local rides are fun, friendly and free community bike rides that help you get out and explore your local area. They’re led by a British Cycling trained ride leader who can provide support and give you a few tips, whatever your age or ability. To find a ride and book a place go to www.goskyride.com

Saul Junction cream tea cruise – Gloucester

Queen Boadicea

16 Sep 2012
14:00 pm – 17:30 pm

Relax and enjoy scones and cake on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal

This longer afternoon cruise to Saul Junction on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal provides an opportunity for you to enjoy scones and cake onboard while you look out for the abundance of wildlife on the canalside and spot beautiful narrowboats moored along the way. There will also be a short stop at Saul Junction for you to stretch your legs and explore on foot, all for £16 per person. To reserve a place on the cruise telephone 01452 318200.

Gloucester and Sharpness Canal at Saul Junction, Gloucestershire

Saul Junction Bridge has been swung aside and the light is green, allowing Uncle Albert passage towards Gloucester. This telephoto assisted image foreshortens the boat considerably compared to the other image which reveals the boat to be about 60 feet or more long. The Stroudwater Canal, not navigable at present, is off to the right by the house.  © Copyright Roger Kidd and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Canal News – Canal & River Trust 22-8-2012

 

Boat gathering and charity summer fair

24 – 27 Aug 2012
10:00 am – 05:00 pm

Head to the Boat gathering at Alvecote Marina on the Coventry Canal, with stalls and entertainment galore.

Alvecote Marina

A busy day along the canal at Alvecote Marina. Photographed from Samuel Barlow the public house.  © Copyright John Carver and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

 Attractions will include historic working boats from the Narrowboat Trust, live music, a beer festival, vintage motorcycles, tricycles and barbeques, with craft and fundraising stalls, facepainting and traders including Draco Crafts.

Entry is free, and there will be unlimited moorings along the canal, and hook up available within the marina for a small nightly charge (advance booking required).

Organised by the Samuel Barlow pub. Stallholder bookings and marina requests to caz@samuelbarlow.co.uk or 07966 135184.

Alrewas Arts Festival

25 Aug – 01 Sep 2012
10:00 am – 11:00 pm

If you’re planning a trip to the Midlands towards the end of August, meander down the Trent & MerseyCanal as far as the picturesque village of Alrewas, near Lichfield.

From August 25, to September 1, the village will be staging a week-long arts festival, kicking off with an arts and crafts street market on the opening Saturday followed by a ceilidh at the village hall in the evening.

Bank Holiday Monday, August 27, will be Music Monday with a variety of bands and musicians playing at pubs and clubs throughout the village from noon until midnight. Art and photographic exhibitions will be open to the public throughout the week and it will be a good opportunity for canal boats, displaying and selling crafts, to moor up in the village.

Every day, morning, afternoon and evening, a whole range of art and craft workshops will be run at various venues around the village, ranging from roses and castles canal art and photography to water colours and wood turning. New this year is a graffiti art project involving local youngsters under one of the canal bridges, so watch out for it as you pass. All the classes are totally free and visitors are welcome, though numbers are limited.

There will also be a variety of entertainment on offer, including a folk breakfast, lunchtime concerts, drama, dance, comedy, storytelling, poetry performances and daily morning movies for youngsters. There will be big art events and some woolly surprises.

The festival will end with a twilight lantern parade, firework display and a grand finale open-air concert on the village playing field, featuring some great bands, ranging from jazz to hard rock.

Again there is no charge and all are welcome. Bring chairs, blankets, wine and nibbles and enjoy. To find out more, and to view pictures and video clips from previous festivals, go to the festival website

Paralympic Flame Festival

26 Aug 2012
02:30 pm – 05:30 pm

Get up close to the Paralympic Flame at the NationalWaterwaysMuseum on Sunday August 26

Join us to see the Paralympic Flame up close when it visits the Museum.

The flame wil be arriving on Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust’s magnificent new boat Over The Rainbow – a state of the art accessible narrowboat – at 1.30.

You’ll be able to see the flame up close, find out about Paralympic events and even have your photo taken with it. Plus all the usual museum attractions and trails, before the flame leaves at 4.30.

The Cheese Boat moors up

26 – 27 Aug 2012
10:00 am – 10:00 pm

The Cheese Boat travels the country’s canals and rivers, selling delicious cheeses, pickles and chutneys.

Trent and MerseyCanal at Fradley Junction, Staffordshire

The Swan public house is in the row of buildings at the junction. The red narrowboat “Marquis” in the foreground has been rebuilt onto an 1898 hull. Originally steam powered, it was converted to diesel in 1925. It was shortened to 55 feet in the 1960s, presumably when it was converted to a leisure cruiser.   © Copyright Roger Kidd and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

It’ll be mooring up at Fradley Junction to tempt you with delicious cheeses, including Snowdonia Little Black Bomber extra mature chedder, Perl Las blue veined cheese, and Cennin Cenarth cheese with leeks & white wine.

Community bike ride along the GrandUnionCanal

26 Aug 2012
11:00 am – 12:45 pm

Join a Sky Ride local ride along the Chocolate Trail.

Covers the Grand Union Canal starting and finishing at Rowheath Pavillion, Bournville.

Sky Ride Local rides are fun, friendly and free community bike rides that help you get out and explore your local area. They’re led by a British Cycling trained ride leader who can provide support and give you a few tips, whatever your age or ability. To find a ride and book a place go to www.goskyride.com

Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union is a 137 mile (220km), 166 lock, 2 tunnel canal running between Brentford in London and Birmingham. It is the longest canal in Britain, and has 11 main arms and junctions. It takes over a week to navigate.  © Copyright Nigel Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Canal News – July 12th 2012 – Canal & River Trust Launched

Canal News – July 12th 2012

12 July 2012  Canal & River Trust launches today

Today is an historic day; the day in which the Government places 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in trust for the nation and the new charity, the Canal & River Trust, is launched.

Marsworth, Grand Union Canal

From today, the 10 million people who visit and love the waterways will have the chance to play a greater role in making them more beautiful than ever. Here at the Trust we’re very excited about this new approach to caring for our canals and rivers, and of course we’re delighted to have the Prince of Wales as our Patron.

The move, part of the Public Bodies Reform programme, is the largest single transfer of a public body into the charitable sector and will give communities the opportunity to get involved with the running of their local canal or river.

To mark our launch, we have unveiled our first appeal, 50 projects across the nation that will breathe new life into towpaths and riverbanks. By pledging money or time, people can get involved in projects such as creating new habitats for rare water voles, planting linear orchards for people and wildlife, and restoring neglected towpaths. Take a look at our appeal projects, learn how to become a Friend of the Canal & River Trust and find out how you can get involved with our work.

 Archimedes – One of the few working boats on the Regents Canal.

The Regent’s Canal is a nine-mile man-made stretch of water connecting the Grand Union Canal at Little Venice to the River Thames. The first section of the canal from Little Venice was opened in 1816 and the final section at Limehouse Basin in 1820. The canal has 13 sets of locks.  © Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Actor and comedian, Hugh Dennis, who is supporting the Canal & River Trust’s appeal, comments: “For me, as a Londoner, the Regent’s Canal provided a small slice of rural tranquillity right in the middle of a chaotic and bustling city, and its towpath a route to work, my running track, or just a place to watch the world go by. The Canal & River Trust needs your help to make your towpaths even more special. Volunteering or making a small donation will make a huge difference to the people and nature along your local waterway.”

We’re very grateful to the many committed people and organisations who’ve helped us get where we are today, and have invited a number of the organisations who’ve supported us to say a few words about their hopes for the years ahead. Find out what our supporters are saying

Corporate partners

We’re pleased to have already won the support of three major corporate partners. £1m of funding is being pledged to support our conservation work thanks to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Google is working with us to encourage people to discover and enjoy the wildlife along their local waterway by literally putting towpaths on the map – Google Maps. And The Co-operative Bank will offer those who enjoy or live on the waterways the option of supporting our conservation work through everyday banking products.

Defra is also helping us get off to a great start by committing to a landmark, 15-year grant funding agreement as the bedrock to us maintain our waterways. In addition to this, we are funded through commercial income including money from waterside property dowry, boat licences and moorings. Every penny donated by the public to the Trust will be spent directly on conserving, restoring, and enhancing the waterways.

Prince of Wales

We’re proud to have the Prince of Wales as our Patron.

Wyrley & Essington Canal, Brownhills

Canal News – waterscape.com

Canal News – Events coming soon

Rickmansworth Canal Festival

19 May 2012 – 20 May 2012 Rickmansworth Aquadrome

Frogmoor Lane,  Off Harefield Road,  Rickmansworth,  Hertfordshire.                 WD3 1NB

The trunk route of Britain’s canal network, the picturesque Grand Union links London through the Chilterns with Birmingham via the longest single canal in Britain.

Boating and community festival on the Grand Union Canal at Rickmansworth. With boat gathering, music, entertainment, beer tent, boaters’ tug of war and farm animals.

Volunteers wanted to help organise the festival – for details contact david.montague@btinternet.com. For boat and trader booking forms, visit the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust website.

Crick Boat Show and Waterways Festival

02 June 2012 – 05 June 2012

Crick Marina,  West Haddon Road,  Crick,  Northamptonshire,  NN6 7SQ

The Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal is a quiet canal through rolling hills and beautiful countryside, including the waterway landmark of Foxton Locks and the highest point on the Grand Union.

 Waterways festival with boat trips, live music, children’s entertainment, food and drink stalls, competitions, food demonstrations, evening ghost tours and seminars.

Waterways businesses exhibiting will include boat builders, waterway accessories and services to arts, crafts, holidays and gourmet food specialists.

Moorings and campsite available. For tickets, call 01283 742972 or visit http://www.crickboatshow.com.

For exhibitor queries, contact Ian Sharpe on 01283 742977 or ian.sharpe@wwonline.co.uk. For other queries, contact Rachael Maher on 01283 742962 or r.maher@wwonline.co.uk.

 

Etruria Jubilee Canals Festival

02 June 2012 – 03 June 2012

Etruria,  Staffordshire,  ST1 4RB

Trent & Mersey Canal –  This cross-country canal through the North Midlands offers excellent views over the Cheshire Plain and impressive engineering feats – including Harecastle Tunnel, the first of its kind.

 The Etruria Jubilee Canals Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the junction of the Trent & Mersey and Caldon Canals on the first weekend of June each year.

This year’s festival will celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee around the waterways at the heart of the Potteries. A Jubilee Flotilla and a giant Jubilee Tea party are among the exciting events planned.

Music and dance will compliment colourful narrowboats moored along the towpaths in Etruria. There will be lots of activities for children and a fantastic day out for all the family is promised.

‘Princess’, the historic beam engine in the Jesse Shirley Bone and Flint Mill will be ‘in steam’. There will be traditional crafts, vintage vehicles, boats galore, entertainments and much more!

Caldon Canal – Could this beautiful canal through Staffordshire be England’s most scenic waterway?