Blisworth Canal Festival

BLISWORTH CANAL FESTIVAL 2010

What on earth is going on in Blisworth, or words to that effect, were overheard spoken by a police officer after he had tried to negotiate our gridlocked village High Street during the festival weekend. With a reported 10,000 visitors, it is no wonder he had problems. A slick publicity regime had ensured countywide coverage, and conversations with several people revealed that they had indeed travelled from all over Northamptonshire and beyond.

Lots were attracted by the magic word – FREE! Given today’s current economic climate, as organisers we ensured that there was plenty on offer to keep a family amused without costing a fortune. Time and time again visitors praised the free parking/mooring, free kid’s activities, great non-stop free live music, free demonstrations and talks, with a forty minute trip on the St John Ambulance boat for a small donation. The ‘have-a-go’ dog agility arena attracted crowds as did the brilliant dance display by Blisworth’s own Dance Class Group. Variety and Fun were the words that came to people’s lips.

As expected visitors then had money in their pockets to donate to the several major charities that either attended or were supported through our 12 Open Gardens. R.N.L.I, Help for Heroes, Northants & Warwickshire Air Ambulance, JJ’s memorial fund and animal and children’s causes were some of those that shared a collective total of approximately £1500 at the time of writing.

Lots of visitors joined a very happy Richard Hyde on his trip boat ‘Elizabeth of Glamis’ and sailed off towards Gayton Junction on hourly round trips from Candle Bridge. His evening trip to Bugbrooke was a great success and arriving back in darkness added to the experience. All on board now want to go again! A wish that may come true.

The trade boats were kept busy over the festival weekend, the Cheeseboat sold out and had to await another consignment from Wales before setting off to Foxton. Geraldine and Michael, owners of the Cheeseboat, have demanded that we repeat the festival next year, and have bagged the same spot. One trade boater declared that it was ‘the best canal festival so far this year, and will take a lot of beating’. What an accolade for our first attempt!

The most important thing about the whole festival was that it was a true community event. Blisworth villagers supported it throughout. Many opened their gardens, local organisations and societies put on displays or refreshments and were there to give a helping hand. Our local Parish Church and Baptist Chapel supported the event wholeheartedly in a variety of ways. Our local pub, The Royal Oak couldn’t have done more to ensure the success of the event, their whole pig roast sold out in little over an hour! Our local shop sold brochures, publicised the event and has already got great plans for next year – as have many villagers.

Blisworth Canal Partnership, who hosted the event, also raised money on behalf of their next major project, up to £3000 at the time of writing. ‘A Walk in the Woods’ Pocket Park is planned for the towpath-side canal embankment adjacent to the north portal of the Blisworth Tunnel. This will involve a major clearing and re-planting scheme, setting down a hard path, seating and habitat enhancement. A display about the project at the festival grabbed a lot of interest and the number of village volunteers willing to join in the work has shown just how much Blisworth loves its canal.

The 2010 Blisworth Canal Festival exceeded all of our expectations!!