Organising a boat rally on your local waterway can be a useful means of gaining media and public attention for your cause, whether it’s to promote a nearby restoration, or just to show the benefits that boaters bring to a community.  It can be great fun too – and it can be a fundraiser.

Things to remember

1. Contact the relevant navigation authority and get their permission.
2. Decide how big or small you want your event; just a simple gathering of boats is easy to arrange – but you might want to be more ambitious and have a series of exhibitors, craft stalls and refreshments alongside the waterway.  For larger events, you may need local authority approval.
3. Agree a method statement for any preparatory works and a risk assessment with the relevant landowners; this is simply setting out what you plan to do, and thinking about what could go wrong and what could be done to avoid that.
4. Check with Paula Smith for any financial implications, particularly in respect of VAT, and whether the event is a ‘fundraising event’, for which a separate VAT regime applies.
5. Check with Neil Edwards for any insurance implications, especially if you are hiring in equipment or having any play attractions. Specimen entry forms for boat-owners, campsites and exhibitors are available.  There are a minimum number of clauses included on these forms that insurers consider as mandatory.
6. Work out what equipment you might need.  IWA has a store of market stalls, banners and all sorts of equipment at Leaden Roding (near Harlow in Essex) and may be able to help.  There is also an Events Trailer, packed with useful equipment and which is available for all parts of the Association and other waterway groups to use – full details on this Restoration Hub page.
7. Publicise your event well – tell the local media beforehand.
8. Turn up, have fun!  Celebrate the success afterwards.
9. Tell everyone about it; broadcast your photos – plan the next one!