The Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign celebrated its third anniversary on June 27.
LOOKING back, it’s encouraging to see how the campaign has grown in size and scope, and we have gained the support of national and local politicians as well as boaters and other waterway users.
Our banners have been seen all over the country, and noise has been made – including on the River Thames outside the Palace of Westminster, as reported – but so much remains to be done before we reach our main aim, which is a comprehensive government review of waterways funding.
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FBW chair Hazel Owen said: “Three years ago, FBW set sail with a big idea, a shared purpose, and just enough determination to make waves. Today, we celebrate the journey so far – the people, passion, and perseverance that brought us here – as we keep working together to protect our waterways for future generations.”
Several FBW boats attended Midsummer Middlewich, a lively community festival with a character all of its own. The weather was glorious, bringing out the crowds and adding to the cheerful midsummer atmosphere. Unlike Etruria, where the stalls and entertainment were gathered in one central area, Middlewich encouraged visitors to explore. Music and entertainment could be found in pubs around the town and along the canal, while stalls also lining the main street, while working boats and traders brought colour and activity to the canalside.
This gave the event a relaxed, wandering feel. Instead of staying in one place, visitors followed the sounds of live music, the bustle of the market stalls, and the movement of people between the town centre and the waterside. Around every corner there seemed to be something different to see, from traditional canal craft and trading boats to busy pub gardens and friendly conversations on the towpath.
The festival also provided a valuable chance to promote the FBW campaign. With so many people out enjoying the sunshine, the boats, and the canalside activity, there were plenty of opportunities to talk with visitors, raise awareness, and explain why the campaign matters to the future of the waterways.
For FBW, it was an enjoyable opportunity to be part of a festival that celebrated both the waterways and the town itself. The spread-out layout made the visit feel less like a single event and more like a weekend of discovery, with boats, music, local businesses, and visitors all helping to create a warm midsummer atmosphere.
The Braunston Historic Boat Festival, sponsored by Towpath Talk, is one of the major events of the inland waterways calendar (see page 4). The FBW stall received plenty of visitors including Richard Parry, the former CRT chief executive, whose enthusiasm for the waterways continues despite his change of role.
Meanwhile, the major FBW campaign cruise of the year to the North West waterways has been affected by closures (see page 2). An alternative route via the Manchester Ship Canal was arranged, and about 10 boats were due to make the transit, FBW banners flying, on July 9. Boats were already assembling at the National Waterways Boat Museum in Ellesmere Port as this issue was being prepared for publication.
Don’t forget to check out the FBW website, https://fundbritainswaterways.org.uk/. New content is being added all the time, and there are stories and pictures going back to the first FBW campaign cruises.
