Pushing the boats out at historic show

Despite poor weather, a total of 67 historic narrowboats and 7,000 visitors attended the Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally last weekend.

David Daines, owner of the 1935 Yarwoods Cyprus said: “Braunston remains the premier event, and it is the first we put in our diary every year.”

The rally has come a long way since the first one in 2003, when 29 boats attended – which seemed a lot at the time.

It was opened by Les Etheridge, chairman of the Inland Waterways Association, in recognition of this being the 70th anniversary of the founding of the association in 1946.

Shore-side attractions included a trade marquee, and also a number of outside exhibitors including a number of canal societies.

There was also the now well established canal artists’ marquee, with a special exhibition of the life and works of the legendary Braunston canal boat painter Ron Hough, who died last year.

Tim Coghlan, of Braunston Marina said: “For me what was most pleasing was the number of boats that came which had never been before, and the comments from so many owners that it is events like the Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, which inspires them to restore and maintain their boats which are such an important living and moving part of our canal heritage.”

All profits, which exceeded £6,000, were donated as usual, to canal causes.

*Pictures by Tim Coghlan.