Skip the primary navigation if you do not want to read it as the next section.
Skip the main content if you do not want to read it as the next section.
Dates
Start date: 30 Aug 2008
Time: 10:00
End date: 07 Sep 2008
Overview
The Inland Waterways Association National Campaign Rally 2008
This multi-centred festival is being organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch of the IWA, and Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS). It is supported by Powys County Council Tourism Services, Welshpool Town Council, local parish councillors, local WI groups, The Saturn Project, the Packet-boat ‘Duchess Countess’ Trust, Llanymynech Heritage and British Waterways.
The objectives are to:
Raise and maintain the profile of the Montgomery Canal, publicly and politically.
Keep the Montgomery Canal on the National Agenda.
Ensure that boats continue to use the Welshpool section of the canal.
Highlight the restoration work at Crickheath and keep the impetus going until the whole canal is open to navigation.
Apart from the two main events the other activities, including a sponsored walk along the entire length of the canal, will be announced in the festival programme nearer the time.
Welshpool Rally
30th and 31st August 2008
The rally will open with a flourish as trail boaters launch from the Welshpool Town Wharf slipway and the show, adjacent to the canal on the Maesydre Recreation Ground, goes into full swing.
There will be something for everyone including horse drawn boat trips, craft stalls, demonstrations, hands-on activities, WOW activities for children, music, exhibitions and displays for the more serious minded visitor, model boats, canoeing and fishing. The weekend will also provide an ideal opportunity to explore the navigable stretch of waterway through Welshpool.
The rally is supported by the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain, the Electric Boat Association and the Wilderness Boat Owners’ Club. So please add your support, join us for the weekend and sample the local food and beer.
Maesbury Rally
5th to 7th September 2008
The Maesbury Rally aims to celebrate the continuing restoration of the Montgomery Canal especially the work achieved by SUCS and the Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) at Crickheath, and the extended Nature Reserve at Aston. Activities will be held in the orchard adjacent to Maesbury Post Office.
Friday – School activity day. Boater’s evening meal at the Navigation Inn.
Saturday – A day for the whole family with a Farmer’s Market, art and craft stalls, displays on newly restored fly-boat Saturn, WOW activities for children, boat trips, guided walks, Morris Dancers, and to complete the fun an evening Hog Roast with entertainment by the BOAT BAND.
Sunday – Guided walks to Crickheath and round the Aston Nature Reserve. Other attractions include a ceremony to inaugurate one of the restored Mile Posts, fishing, paddle sports demonstration and taster sessions.
There will be space for approximately 40 boats at Maesbury (with overflow moorings at Queen’s Head) and booking will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
Reservation and booking information
General information or offers of help
Alan Platt 01352 720649 (m) 07860 250152 alanjplatt@tiscali.co.uk
Boat bookings at Welshpool
Peter Brown 01630 652567 iwa@peter-quita.demon.co.uk
Stalls and other activities at Welshpool
Maggie Ellis 01938 590543 paradm@aol.com
Boat bookings at Maesbury
David Aylwin 01691 830403 david.aylwin@talktalk.net
Stalls at Maesbury
Judy Richards 01691 831455 peter_richards42@amserve.com
