Braunston celebrates history

摘要

Despite poor weather, 67 historic narrowboats and some 7,000 visitors attended the recent 14th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, which celebrated the 80th birthday of the Inland Waterways Association. The Rally was opened by Les Etheridge, IWA Chairman, who donned traditional working boatman's costume to helm the Nutfield, also 80 years old this year, towing its butty Raymond, from the Grand Union Canal into the marina. The Raymond was steered by Richard Parry, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, who opened last year's rally. Organiser 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. Each year I hear the same gratifying story, which makes organising the Rally so worthwhile." All profits from the event, which exceeded £6,000, were donated, as usual, to canal causes.