2010 IWA National Trailboat Festival @ the Welsh Waterways Festival near Newport
Welsh Waterways Festival 2010
incorporating the 2010 IWA National Trailboat Festival
The Welsh Waterways Festival 2010 will be hosted by the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust (MBACT) and will take place on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Kimberley Park, Newport over the Spring Holiday weekend 29th to 31st May 2010. The event is financially supported by Newport and South East Wales Business Tourism, the Inland Waterways Association and MBACT.
The organisers are supported by Newport City Council and Newport Unlimited through financial assistance for volunteers to restore the waterway, rebuild the slipway below Malpas Lock and remove obstructions to the passage of boats.
In preparation for the festival sections of the Mon and Brec are undergoing a transformation in order to offer over two miles of open water canal and five working locks. The programme of works, which commenced in 2008, is almost complete. It will re-open the canal to navigation from Pentre Lane, on the main line in Torfaen, down to Barrack Hill in Newport and up to Waen Lock at Allt-yr-yn on the Crumlin arm. This will allow boats to travel along the restored stretch of water for the first time in 75 years.
The restoration work was undertaken by volunteers from the local community through employment provider A4e, members of MBACT and by the Waterway Recovery Group during their work camps.
Entrance to the festival site is free to members of the public and visitors will be able to enjoy live entertainment by folk groups and jazz bands throughout the weekend. Two trip boats will operate on the canal offering visitors a chance to see the locks in action. Other attractions will include side stalls, food court, real ale, trade stands, family fun activities, fairground organ, arts and crafts exhibitions and the rare site of so many boats on the canal.
The previous trailboat festival in 2004 attracted 12000 visitors and over forty boats.
Boat, Campsite and Exhibitors’ entry forms are downloadable from the MBACT web site at www.mon-brec-canal-trust.org.uk
Boat and Campsite entry forms are also available from the Entries Officer, Alan Birchall, 23 Earl’s Court Road, Cardiff CF23 9DE Tel: 02920 494622.
Further information can be obtained from Chris Morgan, Festival Committee Chairman, on 02920 888681 or [email protected]
