IWA Festival of Water Programme 2018

IWA Festival of Water 25th - 27th August 2018 | Regatta Meadow, St Neots

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www.waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater

Share your festival photos with #FestivalofWater

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Welcome

Chris Howes, IWA Eastern Region Chairman

St Neots Mayor, Cllr Barry Chapman

Welcome to IWA’s Festival of Water in St Neots. The River Great Ouse plays an important role in our local community, providing leisure, economic and environmental benefits for our town.

We look forward to seeing 100 colourful boats moored by the park – some of which have travelled for hundreds of miles to get to the event, as well as boat trips, canoe and paddleboard taster sessions and the illuminated boat parade on Sunday evening. All of these activities highlight the wonderful riverside setting of St Neots and why our town is known as the “Jewel of the Great Ouse”.

I’m delighted to offer twin welcomes to the 2018 IWA Festival of Water. To our visiting boaters, welcome to the beautiful town of St Neots, nestled on the banks of the River Great Ouse. At the same time I’d like to welcome the residents of and visitors to St Neots, to the glorious world of boating. A world immortalized in the children’s classic, Wind in the Willows;- “there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”.

Bringing this waterways message to the very widest audience, at different locations around the country is the very cornerstone of IWA’s special role in the nation’s rivers and canals. The Festival promotes our raison d’être - to protect and restore inland waterways, as well as building connections between our members and the local community.

The Town Council is proud to support this event by sponsoring the Entertainment throughout the Festival as well as the Firework Display on Sunday evening. On behalf of St Neots Town Council we wish residents and visitors a wonderful time at this unique Festival.

Thanks to the many hardworking volunteers who have made this Festival of Water happen. Long may it continue!

Mayor of St Neots Cllr Barry Chapman

Chris Howes IWA Eastern Region Chairman 1 © Cover photo - IWA Festival of Water 2017 Ilkeston by Bridge Media

IWA Festival of Water

Helping business communicate through print Geerings Print Ltd. Cobbs Wood House Chart Road Ashford Kent TN23 1EP Telephone: 01233 633366 Fax: 01233 665713 Email: info@geeringsprint.co.uk

Contents Highlights of the Great Ouse................................5 Waterways to St Neots...........................................6 Propelling Life into your Local Waterways.......8 Lucky Prize Draw - Win £50 today......................9 Festival Highlights.............................................10-11 IWA’s Show-only Membership Offer.............12-13 © Photo by Nick Bishop

Entertainment Timetable.....................................14 Site Plan...................................................................15

Find out more:

Environment Agency Navigation Funding..16-17 Bedford & Milton Keynes Water Park...............18

Tel: 01635 414567 Email: event.enquiries@waterways.org.uk

Linking Boston to Peterborough...................19-20 Exhibitors’ Listings.........................................22-23 Food & Drink..........................................................23

f Search for IWA Festival of Water

Children’s River Trail...........................................24

t @IWA_UK Use #FestivalofWater

Share your Photos................................................26 Boats to look out for.............................................28

www.waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater

Thank You..............................................................28

© St Neots Festival site, photo courtesy of St Neots Council Published by: The Inland Waterways Association. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783453.

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342

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IWA Festival of Water

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INITIALS ..............................................................................................................

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ADDRESS............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................. ................................................... POST CODE ................................ IWA 2017

To advertise in next years Inland Waterways Association Festival of Water Please Contact Jim Skwarek Tel: 01233 658611 Email jim.skwarek@geeringsprint.co.uk

Highlights of the great ouse the wash

denver sluice

lost priory of st neots

Originally built in 1651, Denver Sluice is part of a complex that play a major role in the drainage of the fens.

Housed in what was the Old Court and police station, St Neots Museum contains collections exploring the life of St Neot himself, the medieval priory that once thrived here, and the Civil War battle of St Neots.

kings lynn

Middle Level

River Great Ouse downham

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market

huntingdon

st ives

Old West River

River Great Ouse st neots

Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway Park Bedford

Higgin’s bedford Art gallery and museum in Bedford.

IWA festival of water site

ely

River Cam cambridge

Stretham Old Engine Visit an open day to see the last surving steam-powered engine in the southern Fenlands that was used to pump flood water from The Fens back into the River Great Ouse.

Key

River Wissey

River Little Ouse River Lark

Ely Cathedral Also known as the ‘Ship of the Fens’, the cathedral is visible for miles around. An absolute must visit attraction.

Photo credits clockwise from top-left: Logomachy, Helen Dobbie (x2), William M. Connolley.

Navigable Waterway Unnavigable Waterway Proposed Waterway Adjoining Waterway

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IWA Festival of Water

waterways to st neots Waterways in the Anglian Region are a focal point for a number of IWA’s current campaigns. Our Festival in St Neots is one way that we can showcase this vital work. Waterways such as the River Great Ouse bring life and opportunity to towns and villages. We want to make sure that as many people can enjoy and benefit from these beautiful waterways as possible.

New waterway link from Bedford to Milton Keynes The proposed Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Park would provide a new 16 mile link from the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes to the River Great Ouse in Bedford, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits to areas along the route. See page 18 for more information.

Funding for Anglian Waterways

Linking Boston to Peterborough

One of our biggest ongoing campaigns, is to make sure that there is enough money to look after waterways across the country. The River Great Ouse is one of a number of rivers managed by the Environment Agency, for which IWA has been campaigning about the funding from Government for a number of years. See pages 16 and 17 for more information.

Another brand new waterway linking the River Witham in Boston to the River Nene in Peterborough is an exciting opportunity and a real possibility. See page 19 - 20 for more information.

Welches Dam Lock and the overgrown Horseway Channel beyond

#FestivalofWater

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Welches Dam Lock

Middle Level Legislation

Welches Dam Lock which connects the Middle Level Navigations to the Old Bedford River has been closed since 2006, and the channel beyond has become overgrown and unusable.

Access to the Old Bedford by boat is currently only possible from the other end of the waterway, via the tidal Ouse, which is not for the faint hearted. A number of campaign cruises have taken place along the stretch to highlight demand for reopening the lock, which is also a location on our Silver Propeller Challenge. See page 8 for more details.

The Middle Level Bill has been through both Houses of Parliament and is expected to receive Royal Assent by Christmas. A boat registration fee is likely to be introduced by 2020 and the Navigation Authority will use the funds generated to provide more facilities and moorings for boaters.

The Wash

Boston Black Sluice Navigation River Glen

River Welland River Great Ouse

Spalding

The Fens

Peterborough

Be

huntingdon

Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway Park

Bedford

IWA festival of water site

River Ivel

ely

River Wissey

River Little Ouse River Lark

st ives

River Great Ouse

st neots

market

20 Foot

40 Foot

New Dyke

Northampton

Grand Union Canal

downham

Old Nene

River Nene

Northampton Arm

River Nene

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Š Old Bedford River Campaign Cruise, July 2018 - Olive Emily entering the Old Bedford River entrance channel photo by Mike Daines

Boston to Peterborough Link

Middle Level Main Drain

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kings lynn

Old West River

River Cam cambridge

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Navigable Waterway Unnavigable Waterway

milton keynes

Proposed New Waterway

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IWA Festival of Water

Propelling life into your local waterways Our Silver Propeller Challenge aims to bring boats to underused local waterways by encouraging those with water craft to visit at least 20 places on our list. The places to visit fall into three categories:

Horseway Lock | Vermunden’s Drain or Forty Foot River

Cruise it or lose it - places which see very few boats.

This lock on the Forty Foot River is currently only accessible from the Middle Level Navigations due to the closure of Welches Dam Lock. The Horseway Channel between the two locks is overgrown with vegetation.

Knocking on the door - where navigable waterways meet restoration works, proposed links and unnavigable sections.

Moor please - restored sections of waterways.

Stanton Downham Bridge (Or Brandon) | Little Ouse or Brandon Creek

Places near St Neots

The entrance to Brandon Lock on the Little Ouse and the areas below the lock and weir are extremely shallow. It won’t be long before boats are unable to navigate to the town of Brandon.

Stanton Downham Bridge is only accessible by canoe.

Holme | Middle Level (New Dyke)

Holme is the head of navigation for the underused 3 mile long New Dyke. The route takes boaters in to the heart of the Great Fen Project, a long-term plan involving the linking and enlarging of two existing, vitally important, national nature reserves.

Kempston Mill | River Great Ouse

Kempston Mill is at the current head of navigation for the River Great Ouse and is also the start of the proposed Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Park, which aims to see a new link from the River to the Grand Union Canal. This link is currently under threat (see page 18).

Welches Dam Lock | Old Bedford River

IWA has campaigned to reopen Welches Dam Lock since it was closed in 2006. Access to the Old Bedford River is currently only possible via the tidal Ouse, making the Lock one of the most challenging locations on the list and requires liaison with the Environment Agency, and a willingness to contend with mud, weed and bumps (see page 7).

#FestivalofWater

More visits to these locations now will support our campaign to make sure these waterways can be used by generations to come. Find out more at www.waterways.org.uk/silverpropeller 8

© Photo above: Marie II stuck in floating weed on the Old Bedford River by John Revell

Win £50 today!

Lucky Prize Draw

Fill in the form and put your completed entry in the Lucky Draw postbox at the main IWA stand and be in with a chance of winning £50.

First Name Last Name Postcode

Home/Mobile tel. no.

Email Address

Please say Yes Tell us the ways you would like to hear from us about the vital work we do, to be kept up to date with local and national waterways news, events and offers via IWA’s regular email newsletters. We will never sell your data.

See www.waterways.org.uk/privacypolicy I would like to hear from IWA. Please tick “Yes” or “No” Email Yes

Text

Phone No

Yes

No

Yes

No

Date

How did you hear about the IWA Festival of Water? Please tick all relevant boxes Website Social Media

Thank you.

Press

Please post your form in to the postbox in IWA’s marquee.

Radio/TV Posters Word of Mouth Other (please tell us)

Rules of the Lucky Prize Draw Entry to the lucky prize draw is restricted to one entry per person per day please. Multiple entries will be disqualified. The daily prize of £50 is provided in GB sterling only as cash or cheque. Cheques can only be sent to a valid UK address. One winner will be chosen each day 30 minutes before the close of the Festival at random from all valid entries. Winners will be contacted via the details provided. The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. The lucky draw will run each day from 25th August 2018 to 27th August 2018. The Inland Waterways Association is compliant with the Data Protection Act. We will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent. Promoter: Jane Elwell, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Registered Charity No. 212342. Registered with Chiltern District council No. 09/1439/GASLOT © Photo of the River Ouse, Riverside Park, St Neots by Bear 1975 Wikipedia

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IWA Festival of Water

© Margaret Beardsmore

festival highlights IWA’s annual celebration of our navigable waterways is here in St Neots, bringing over 100 boats to the River Great Ouse. Highlights of the event include a fun dog show on Sunday, and an illuminated boat parade on the Sunday evening followed by a fireworks display organised by St Neots Town Council.

Get on the Water

100 Boats

There’s plenty to keep the children entertained with birds of prey, fairground rides and water zorbing.

Complete the River Trail passport to claim a reward (see page 24).

Anyone who wishes to get afloat can book a trip on the John Bunyan, provided by Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust (Sunday and Monday only) or they can have a go at canoeing or paddleboarding with Action4Youth.

Fun for Children

Take a walk along the river and view the cruisers and narrowboats decked out with bunting and flags. so keep an eye out for that.

Learn to Drive a Digger

There are a number of interesting boats to spot including two historic narrowboats and the Environment Agency’s patrol boats (see page 28).

#FestivalofWater

Children of all ages can learn to drive a digger. Visit the WRG stand where Waterway Recovery Group volunteers will be running FREE sessions. Try out some fun digger games or just sit in the cab to have a photo taken.

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© Margaret Beardsmore

Live Music & dance

Your Chance to Win £50

The festival will host a range of jazz, folk, popular and rock music acts plus dance performances. International street entertainer Chucklefoot will be roaming the site – a colourful one man band playing banjo, harmonica, tambourine, cymbals, ukulele and so much more. Look out for the Air Cadet marching band on Saturday. See the full entertainments programme on page 14.

Turn to page 9 of this programme, fill in your details in the pull-out prize draw form and take your completed entry to the IWA Marquee where you will find a postbox. Pop your form in the box and be in with a chance of winning a cool £50. See the entry form for details and terms.

Classic Cars

From ice creams and snacks to beef brisket or Thai cuisine, there is something for everyone. Time for a beer from the Real Ale Bar? See you there.

See page 23 for food and drink options.

Meet our Charity Come and visit the IWA marquee to find out more about the campaigns we have affecting waterways in and around St Neots. There’ll be volunteers to answer all your questions and a stall offering waterways books, maps, guides and exclusive greetings cards. Also, check out the special Festival offer for you to join and support the waterways’ leading membership charity. See the next page 11 for more details.

© Margaret Beardsmore

Admire the display of classic cars and vintage buses.

Treat Yourself

IWA Festival of Water

Special Show Offer

IWA Membership - 33% off when you join Visit IWA’s stand to become a

© River Great Ouse at Ely photo by Ronald Fisher

Free when you join IWA: > Our unique quarterly members’ magazine You will also receive:

> Updates on waterways activities in your area > Exclusive member discounts > Volunteering opportunities

12 to get 33% off.* Visit IWA’s stand and Join IWA today

Sign up for map of Gre including I Directory.

to find out

Love Your Waterways Over 6,500 miles inland waterways need your help.

As well as being wonderful places to relax and unwind, the rivers and canals all around us can make a massive difference to the health, wellbeing and economies of the communities that they touch.

We also help to bring forgotten waterways back to life. Our Waterway Recovery Group boosts the work of local restoration groups by rebuilding whole sections of canal, derelict bridges and crumbling locks.

IWA today* member

join iwa today and get 33% off If you enjoy and love your local waterways, please make a difference by joining IWA and supporting our work. Save £12 on your first year if you join today (normally £36). Visit IWA’s stand to find out more about how you can sign up for the special show-only offer.

r 12 months and get a eat Britain’s waterways IWA’s new Waterways * Terms apply

13 IWA of Water more visit www.waterways.org.uk/join or call usFestival on 01494 783453

Opening Times

entertainments & Site Plan

Saturday 25th August: 10:00 - 18:00 Sunday 26th August: 10:00 - 18:00 Monday 27th August: 10:00 - 17:00

All performances will be in the Entertainments Marquee except the illuminated boat procession and fireworks display.

See pages 10-11 for festival highlights.

Saturday 25th August

11.00am - 12.00am Braunston Pickle 12.45pm - 1.30pm

Pennyless Folk

1.45pm - 2.30pm

Ouse Valley Jazz Band with Angela

2.45pm - 3.30pm

Pennyless Folk

3.45pm - 4.30pm

Ouse Valley Jazz Band with Angela

5.00pm - 5.15pm

RAF Air Cadets 2500 (St Neots) Squadron Band

5.30pm - 6.00pm

Braunston Pickle

7.30pm - 8.15pm

Roger Butler *

RAF Marching Band

8.30pm - 11.00pm Spirit of the 60s * 11.00am - 11.45am Braunston Pickle

Monday 29th August

Sunday 26th August

12.00pm - 12.15pm Children’s Dance 12.30pm - 1.15pm

Panic Steel Band

1.30pm - 2.15pm

Harvesters

2.30pm - 2.45pm

Children’s Dance

3.00pm - 3.45pm

Panic Steel Band

4.15pm - 5.00pm

Harvesters

5.30pm - 6.00pm

Braunston Pickle

7.30pm - 8.30pm

Open Mic

8.30pm - 9.30pm

Illuminated Boat Procession

9.30pm

Fireworks Display

Panic Steel Band

10.45am - 11.45pm Braunston Pickle

Ouse Valley Jazz Band with Angela

12.00pm - 12.45am Sunnyside Jazz 12.45pm - 1.15pm

Awards Ceremony

1.15pm - 2.00pm

Phil Underwood

2.15pm - 3.15pm

Sunnyside Jazz

3.30pm - 4.15pm

Phil Underwood

4.30pm - 5.00pm

Pickle and Friends

#FestivalofWater

* Saturday evening entertainment for wrist band holders only 14

Site Entrance & Car park

come and say hello Our friendly volunteers will be on hand at the IWA Marquee to chat to you about the campaigns we have going on near St Neots.

IWA Marquee

WOW Marquee

boats

Entertainments Marquee

Water Activites

Trading Area

Rides and Displays

Food & Drink

Drive a digger

Campsite

Dog Show (Sunday Only)

volunteer camp

vintage cars

Pedestrian access

Environment Agency Navigation Funding The River Great Ouse, flowing through St Neots, where IWA’s Festival of Water is taking place, is one of a number of rivers managed by the Environment Agency (EA). IWA has been campaigning about the funding from Government for this river, and the others run by EA, for a number of years.

away it also manages the River Thames and River Medway as well as Lydney Harbour and Rye Harbour, its two remaining ports.

The funding that EA receives from Government through the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is regularly subjected to cuts, and with the navigation function forming such a small part of EA’s overall remit, it’s no surprise that the maintenance of these rivers has suffered as a result, with a number of sections of waterway closed to navigation, and a lack of dredging and vegetation management impacting on boaters.

Along with its many environmental responsibilities, EA manages the navigation of about 630 miles of waterways. In addition to the Great Ouse, the waterways in EA’s Anglian Region include the rivers Nene, Ancholme, Stour, Welland, Glen, and the Black Sluice Navigation, whilst further

© EA doesn’t receive sufficient funding from Government to deal with all navigation related maintenance issues, and often has to leave shallows areas marked with buoys rather than being able to carry out dredging straight away. Photo by Nick Grundy.

#FestivalofWater

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In 2012 the other network of waterways which had been funded by central Government was moved into the third sector, through the creation of Canal & River Trust (CRT) from what was British Waterways. CRT looks after 2000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales and was set up with guaranteed funding for 15 years. The Environment Agency waterways were originally proposed to be part of this new waterway charity but this was put on hold and has been postponed by three successive governments.

IWA still believes that in the longer term the transfer of the Environment Agency waterways to Canal & River Trust is the right solution as it would allow these waterways to benefit from improved maintenance, third party funding opportunities and the economies of scale to be gained from being part of a larger navigation authority. In the meantime, IWA will continue to lobby Government for increased funding for navigation from EA’s grant-in-aid from Government.

IWA believes that the transfer of the Environment Agency waterways to Canal & River Trust provides the long term solution to create a more sustainable, innovative and efficient inland waterway system for more than half of the navigable waterways of England and Wales. The transfer would also reduce pressure on the public purse, as the combined organisation would be freed from the constraints of government controls and able to better focus on customer requirements and effective asset management.

Government has always maintained its intention that this transfer should happen one day, and in 2016 asked CRT and EA to set up a working group to assess how the transfer could work. A formal submission to Defra for the transfer of the Environment Agency’s navigation responsibilities was submitted by CRT in late 2017, but earlier this year it was announced that the transfer was yet again being put on hold. Since this announcement EA has launched a new strategy, “Navigating Forward”, which will see EA focus on delivering good service to river users as well as looking at different ways of raising income to support navigation.

IWA welcomes this new approach and has offered help and support.

© River Great Ouse - Trying to negotiate islands above Bedford, photo by Nick Grundy

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IWA Festival of Water

BEDFORD & MILTON KEYNES WATERWAY PARK The proposed new Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Park would provide a new 16 mile link from the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes to the River Great Ouse in Bedford.

So how do we get it?

The route of the proposed new waterway, for which plans are well advanced, appeared to be protected in all the relevant Local Plans and the first funded structure - an underpass under the upgraded A421 near Stewartby - was completed in autumn 2009.

Why do we need this waterway?

The waterway could be the core of a linear water park says a partnership led by Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust (B&MKWT), their local councils, IWA, Canal & River Trust, Great Ouse Boating Association and the Environment Agency amongst others.

This year IWA has been supporting the B&MKWT in its campaign to secure a culvert under another section of the upgraded A421, between Milton Keynes and Junction 13 of the M1. Despite the fact that planning permission is already in place for this culvert, the road scheme, as announced by the Secretary of State for Transport, makes no provision for the culvert to be built.

Studies have shown that the new waterway could provide great social, economic and environmental benefits across the area and region, attracting up to 790,000 visitors a year and an additional £7.1m to the local economy annually. Access to the River Great Ouse, the Middle Level Navigations and the River Nene would be opened up to wide beam boats which currently can’t access these rivers from the Grand Union Canal.

Although there is wide-ranging and ongoing support for the culvert to be built, the Department of Transport and the two local councils involved in the road scheme have made it clear that there is no funding available. B&MKWT has taken up the challenge to find sources of funding but this will take time.

IWA continues to support B&MKWT in looking for opportunities to resolve this problem. For more information visit b-mkwaterway.org.uk

Other benefits include job creation, health and wellbeing impacts for the local population, improved flood management and many tourism and regeneration possibilities.

The towpath of the waterway will provide a walking, cycling and leisure route for communities in Milton Keynes, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire.

© An artist’s impression of the proposed culvert.

Photo courtesy of B&MKWT.

#FestivalofWater

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Linking Boston to Peterborough Creating a Wetland Corridor A brand new waterway linking the River Witham in Boston to the River Nene in Peterborough is an exciting opportunity and a real possibility. Using a network of existing waterways a new route has already been created reaching south from Boston. This wetland corridor could be further extended through existing watercourses to a point only 10 to 12 miles away from Peterborough.

Creating a brand new waterway beyond there would link the cities of Boston and Peterborough.

In the early 2000s the Fens Waterways Link was conceived to promote connectivity throughout the Eastern Region, but this project stalled, perhaps due to it having been over ambitious and costly. However, the very Northernmost part of this has continued to be developed through a partnership lead by the Environment Agency and Lincolnshire County Council.

Š New Black Sluice Lock on the Black Sluice Navigation built as part of the first phase of the Fens Waterways Link. Photo courtesy Environment Agency.

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IWA Festival of Water

© River Nene near Peterborough. Photo by Brian Mansbridge.

The Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor would connect the River Welland to the River Nene, opening up a brand new route. IWA is liaising with EA and Lincolnshire County Council to define the project and drive it forward.

The benefits of the proposed new corridor far exceed the ability to boat more easily between the two cities.

It would provide a new route for cyclists and walkers and be welcomed by fishermen and other waterway enthusiasts - including canoeists and paddle boarders. It would benefit both flora and fauna, creating a wetland corridor. Welcome economic regeneration would flow into the market towns of Spalding and Market Deeping.

The message ‘waterways add value’ is well recognised within the sector, and the very latest economic projections from a report by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust suggest that project will bring a raft of benefits to that local economy including an extra £7 million p.a. of additional income.

In contrast to the difficulties faced by the inspirational and hugely ambitious Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway Park, the Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor would route through mainly flat agricultural land, and would not require major engineering projects on the scale facing Bedford to Milton Keynes.

Boston to Peterborough are geographically only 30 miles apart, but at present navigating between them by boat requires either a challenging Wash crossing (for which boats designed for inlands waterways are not best suited) or a torturous 250 mile, 135 lock, 15 day trip along the River Witham, Fossdyke Canal, River Trent, Grand Union Canal and River Nene; a route that is not navigable for widebeam boats.

#FestivalofWater

Visit the IWA Peterborough Branch stand and chat to one of our volunteers to find out more.

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Find out what’s on and explore things to see and do in and around St Neots

www.visitstneots.co.uk

Join us in celebrating our town and tell us why you #LoveStNeots @visitstneots /visitstneots

Supported by

© Margaret Beardsmore

Exhibitors' listings Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Handmade items and games.

Boaters Christian Fellowship Information about BCF and children’s games.

Boatshed Cambridgeshire Boat brokerage.

Buckingham Canal Society Retro, bric-a-brac and children’s games to raise funds for canal restoration.

Environment Agency Information, registrations, moorings and any queries.

Flamingo Paperie Gorgeous greeting cards and stationery.

The Giggly Pig Company Prepacked sausages, bacon and faggots.

Guide Dogs for the Blind Crafts, toys and a tombola.

Canal & River Trust Navigation authority and mooring provider.

Huntingdon District Council Local information including sports opportunities.

Candle Powered Boats Candle powered miniature steam boats.

In Balance Family Chiropractic Chiropractic Posture Screening and initial Health Assessment Voucher.

Charms & Nails Handmade crafts and accessories. (Saturday only) Cleopatra Cosmetic Boutique Handmade soaps and bath treats.

East Anglian Waterways Association Promoting Project Hereward.

Electric Boat Association Promoting electric propulsion of boats.

#FestivalofWater

The Inland Waterways Association IWA is the charity campaigning to restore and protect 6,500 miles of inland waterway and is the organiser of this festival. Visit our stand to find out about what we do and peruse our books and maps.

Our local IWA Great Ouse and IWA Peterborough branches will also be at the Festival with information about Project Hereward.

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Kelly’s Fudge Delicious fudge.

Kidz Bracelet Bar Kids bands and charms, author book signing.

Little Paxton Parish Council Information stand. (Saturday only) Locutus Natural Aloe Vera based products, lotion, shampoo and shower gel.

Maureen’s Jewellery Costume jewellery, lucky dips, hair garlands.

Melton & Oakham Waterways Association Teatowels and canal books.

Mr Smith’s Sweets Sweets and confectionary.

Northern Fabrications Ltd – Stoves and accessories Boatman stove, cast iron stoves and stove accessories.

Pansy Power Craft Handmade and crocheted goods for adults, children, babies and dogs.

Thames and Medway Canal Association Information about the Canal Association.

River Canal Rescue Marine breakdown and recovery.

Rotary Club of St Neots Table top sale of donated items.

Royal Naval Association Fund raising for good causes.

RSPB Visit RSPB and find out how you can help give nature a home.

Sew Singular Aprons, bags, mini books and busy bags.

St Neots Town Council Craft displays.

Sugarfoot Roses and castles crafts.

Sundari Silver Jewellery.

Utility Warehouse Residential and business utilities.

Velvet Art Studio Velvet Art colouring boards and children’s inflatables.

Vimart Signwriting Original signwriting done with skill and care.

Wessex Waterway Restoration Trust Supporting canal restoration along the Wilts and Berks Canal and the North Wilts Canal.

Whotz Hot Ltd Folding wooden bowls, Aussie hats and wrenches.

Willow Boats Ltd Beautifully handpainted narrowboats.

Wood Green Animal Shelter Charity sponsorship awareness and regular giving promotion.

Woodland Creations Decorative vases, bottles, cake stands, jewellery boxes and slate coasters.

Woofs Treats Dogs find Woofs Treats irresistible as they are homemade with real succulent chicken, pork, beef, fish and cheese. Plus gifts for dog lovers and toys for dogs.

WRG NW Selling books and bric-a-brac to raise money to support local canal restoration projects.

food & drink Ang’s Ices Traditional flavoured ice cream, ice lollies and soft drinks.

Bees Knees Doughnuts.

Belle’s Vintage Tea Room Tea and cake.

Boxed Drinks Vintage horse box drinks bar.

Hot Sausage Company Mobi Pizza Ovens Artisan wood fired pizzeria.

Smokey Jones Catering Hot smoked British beef brisket in a baked bread roll.

Real Ale Bar It wouldn’t be an IWA Festival without a good mix of local real ale on sale. See you there?

Tango Ice blast Tango Ice Blast and Slushpuppies.

R & T Snacks Burger Stall.

A Taste of Thailand Authentic Thai Cuisine.

Café 2U Offering invigorating hot drinks and pastries.

© Margaret Beardsmore

The Gin Trailer Gin and prosecco.

The Green Kitchen Homemade steak and ale stew topped with duck fat roast potatoes, BBQ chicken sandwiches, duck fat roast potatoes and homemade lemonade.

23

IWA Festival of Water

pr Fr iz ee es en fo tr r y al l*

Follow the River trail Tell us what our ragdoll friends saw on their adventures.

Pick up your River Trail Passport from the WOW Marquee, then visit 20 shops in St Neots plus six stalls at the festival to claim prizes.

Thank you to the following retailers for taking part in the challenge.

St Neots Town Council Priory Centre Library Waitrose id Image Development Button Knit Museum Allen Philips Shoes

Goldstraw Goldsmiths Molby’s Premier Travel Poppy’s Vintage Tea Room Kodak Express Platters Beautiful Swagger Brittain’s Cineworld M&Co Cra‫ הּ‬Monkey

Sa‫שׂ‬on Finch Be‫ ﬛‬Bumbles Sugar Daddy’s Dancewear and More** Jacqueline Kay alterations St Neots Emporium Saints Hair & Beauty Bohemia Sweet Paradise

** Dancewear and More is now closed. Visit the WOW Marquee or visit waterways.org.uk/passport to get this clue. * T&Cs: All participants who complete the trail will receive a prize. Participants must complete at least 20 clues in St Neots Town centre and 6 on the Festival site.

One reward for each completed trail received to include a lucky dip, balloon and more. Subject to availability.

24

ADVERTISERS INDEX Channel Glaze

25

Geeringsprint 2 Lee Sanitation

IFC

Norton Caves Boatbuilders

Inside Back Cover

St Neots Town Council

21

The Compleat Salmon & Trout Recipe Book Tingdene Marinas Wendy Fair Markets

4

Outside Back Cover IFC & 25

To advertise in next years Inland Waterways Association Festival of Water Please Contact Jim Skwarek Tel: 01233 658611 Email jim.skwarek@geeringsprint.co.uk

MARKET SQUARE ST NEOTS EVERY THURSDAY

ST NEOTS MARKET

Open 9am-4pm Make your money go further

01895 632221

www.wendyfairmarkets.com

share your photos Go to IWA’s UK Waterways group on Flickr and upload your photos from today’s Festival of Water or from another day you’ve spent by the waterways. Share your photos and your image could be chosen to win our monthly desktop wallpaper competition and feature in our downloadable background for desktops and tablets.

Working boats at

Buckby © Ryan

Dimmock

For more information go to waterways.org.uk/monthlycalendar

Heron on the Paddington Arm, Grand Union Canal © Colin Harris

IWA Christmas Cards&Gifts

Buy from the IWA Marquee and help to support our campaigns.

Christmas Cards - £3.60 Per Pack

Printed on high quali‫ ﬚‬card. Supplied in packs of ten of one design. Message inside Christmas cards: “With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year”.

Shropshire Union Canal, Christleton Chester Code X121 From an original painting by Ann Farrell

Code X122 Kings Bromley Marina From an original painting by Dave Gardham

New Design

New Design

Uppermill Huddersfield Narrow Canal From an original painting by Alan Firth

Code X123

Out of the Mists From an original painting by Alan Firth

New Design

Braunston Boat Yard From an original painting by Alan Firth

New Design

Code X125

New Design

NEW IWA branded burgee Code FLA01 £18.99 IWA burgee for your boat.

White logo on a blue, green or red background, with toggle and tie line. The dimensions are 48cm (w) x 24cm (h).

Decotex polyester material.

Code X124

NEW IWA bunting – Code X040 £19.99 10m length double sided bunting showing 4 designs. Bunting is suitable for outdoor use. 610gsm PVC. 24 pennants 20cm(w) x 30cm(h).

NEW IWA Branded Cap - £9.99 Navy - Code IWA45 Red - Code IWA46 Royal Blue - Code IWA47 Green - Code IWA48 100% cotton drill. Rip-Strip™ size adjuster. Colours available as above.

Available from the iwa marquee Buy at www.iwashop.com or call 01494 783453

boats to look out for Look out for the unique and interesting boats on the water at the Festival.

How many can you spot?

EA patrol boats The Environment Agency will have a number of patrol boats on site.

Look out for ‘Ouse About’ and ‘Ouse II Know’.

Historic Boats ‘Fulbourne’ was built in 1937 for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company, Fulbourne is a Town class motor boat.

EA Patrol boats

Fulbourne (1937) GUCCCo. motor boat

trip boat

‘Sandbach’ is a 35ft steel tug originally built in 1946 for the London Midland and Scottish Railway for towing on the Shropshire Union Canal.

Book a trip aboard the ‘John Bunyan’, run by Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust (Sunday and Monday only). As well as narrow boats and cruisers, you will also see canoes and paddle boards with the opportunity to have a go on them. Visit Action4Youth at the water front.

Sandbach (1946) 35ft steel tug

thank you to our supporters The Inland Waterways Association is a registered charity and we rely on legacies, fundraising and membership subscriptions to fund our work.

We are also grateful to other organisations for their help and sponsorship. Thank you to the St Neots Town Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Environment Agency, St Neots Timebank, Jancraft, Hire and Buy group Ltd, St Neots and PRS for Music for making the 2018 IWA Festival of Water possible.

Our events, such as IWA Festival of Water, are organised and staged with substantial help from IWA members, a small team of professionals and many other volunteers and supporters and we are thankful for all that they do.

#FestivalofWater

28

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