PLANS and preparations are well under way for the 15th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival, held as always in the last weekend in June, this year the 24 and 25 June.
By popular demand, famous actors and canal celebrities Timothy West and Prunella Scales will be back to open the rally, having last done so in 2013. Since then, their canal TV series Great Canal Journeys has gone from strength to strength, now with a worldwide audience of waterways enthusiasts. They are also known for their many great roles on stage and screen, including Timothy West as Stan Carter in EastEnders and his wife Prunella Scales as Sybil in Fawlty Towers.
For the opening of the Braunston Historic Rally, they will wear traditional boatmen costume. Timothy West joked: “We are thrilled to be coming again. We usually charge to dress up. But to support this unique and wonderful canal event, we will again waive our fee in this case!”
In the now well-established tradition for the opening of the rally, at 11am on Saturday 24 June, Timothy West will steer President – the last surviving steam narrowboat – into the marina, towing its butty boat Kildare, steered by Prunella Scales. Both steerers will receive a little help from the Friends of President. Their entry will be accompanied by a fine peal of bells from the steeple of Braunston’s church – known as the’Cathedral of the Canals, and, from the quayside, the stirring sound of the Daventry Brass band. The traditional theatrically spectacular opening should make for a splendid start to what will undoubtedly THE canal rally of 2017!
The rally’s location is at the heart of the canal network, in the beautiful setting of the historic Braunston Marina and the canal and village at Braunston. But what is special for boaters and visitors alike, is the ability for the historic narrowboats to parade in a sort of figure of eight.
It provides a challenge for the steerers, especially those towing a butty boat, and a spectacular site for the visitors to see and photograph from so many vantage points, including the famous beer tent – the Wet Dock!
Besides the historic narrowboats and the Wet Dock, attractions include fast food and fun. Music will be provided by Braunston Pickle, and folk and R&B groups. On the quayside will be an array of various Morris Dancer groups. There will be a performance at 5pm on the Saturday in the Artists’ Marquee of Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways by Alarum Theatre, and on the Thursday evening before the rally a performance by DayStar Theatre in aid of the restoration of Braunston Church.
The rally has now become something on an international event. Over six thousand visitors came in 2016, some travelling from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, Canada, the USA and South Africa.
Since its small beginnings in 2003, the Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally has become the premier rally and festival on the English canals. Its success formula is now much copied, with similar events springing up all over the canal network. This is good for the canals – but the Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally remains the best, with by far and away the most historic narrowboats and visitors in attendance. Here’s hoping we see you here.
The rally is sponsored by Braunston Marina and Towpath Talk, with support from the Canal and River Trust.
By Tim Coghlan
Braunston Marina