Braunston Marina Rally and Canal Festival.
A small party of members made the trip to Braunston on Saturday the 29th June and were rewarded by a day of bright sunlight and almost continuous activity on the water.
The festival is essentially a gathering of historic working boats at the Braunston Marina and this the 11th year saw over 80 of these boats taking part in the parades. We arrived at about eleven o’clock in the morning and the activity on the water had already started and lasted all day so there was plenty to watch including some boat handling of 60’ canal boats that, as one member said makes some of our attempts at the steering course look a bit silly. Granted that may have well been a valid comment but I didn’t see any buoys in the water for these boats to go between and hitting the bank and other boats seems to be a way of life if all else fails, all in good humor though, but still a feat of watercraft and a credit to all concerned.
The festival is essentially a gathering of historic working boats at the Braunston Marina and this the 11th year saw over 80 of these boats taking part in the parades. We arrived at about eleven o’clock in the morning and the activity on the water had already started and lasted all day so there was plenty to watch including some boat handling of 60’ canal boats that, as one member said makes some of our attempts at the steering course look a bit silly. Granted that may have well been a valid comment but I didn’t see any buoys in the water for these boats to go between and hitting the bank and other boats seems to be a way of life if all else fails, all in good humor though, but still a feat of watercraft and a credit to all concerned.
There were a good number of associated traders and exhibitors present as well as a well-stocked beer tent with live entertainment both inside and out.
I would mention that the day was very hard on the legs and feet, this is after all in general a working environment, narrow paths and deep water with all the usual things to trip over if you don’t keep your wits about you, mooring rings, ropes and bollards, narrow walkways where you have to queue up to cross so good comfortable shoes are a must if you decide to go next year as well as spatial awareness when it comes to considering whether you can really walk along the remaining free 18” of quayside with spectators on one side and a 4’ drop to the canal on the other! The beer tent was on the other side so “no contest”.
Would I go again, well yes but aim to get there about 9.30 to 10am and make straight for the bridge to get a vantage point for the start of the parade.
Paul Millers.
Paul Millers.