Boating enthusiasts celebrate festival (From Gazette Series)

Boating enthusiasts celebrate festival

THOUSANDS of boating enthusiasts turned out for the Saul Canal Festival at the weekend.

Despite the showery weather and a fire aboard one of the boats, around 11,000 people attended the festival, which is now in its eight year.

The aim of the event, which takes place at Saul Junction, is to attract people and funds to facilitate the re-establishment of the link between the Thames and Severn rivers.

One of the highlights of the festival was the commissioning of the Severn barge, Sabrina 5, as a floating theatre. The barge was restored at R W Davis and Son's yard at Saul and in 1998 became an exhibit at the National Waterways' Museum, in Gloucester.

Francis Done, chairman of the Waterways Trust, commissioned Sabrina 5 with a bottle of champagne, after which she officially became a venue for lectures, music and theatrical performances. The boat will return to the museum to be used by schools and other community groups.

The festival also incorporated the Folk on the Water music festival, with more than 30 performances from national and local bands.

Other attractions at the event, organised by the Cotswold Canal Trust and British Waterways, included Morris dancers, a real ale tent, Frampton Silver Band and trade stands.