Tom Rolt Centenary Legacy

17 February 2010

To mark the centenary of the birth of Tom Rolt, co-founder of the IWA and author of the hugely influential book Narrow Boat, BW is teaming up with the IWA and The Waterways Trust to deliver a programme of youth engagement in Summer 2010. The music-led celebrations will culminate in Tom Rolt inspired musical workshops and performances at the IWA’s Tom Rolt Centenary Rally in Chester on 26 and 27 June.

The Rolt festival and workshops will be led by Waterways Action Squad youth volunteers – building upon the successful launch of Waterways Action Squad in October 2009.

Robin Evans, BW chief executive, comments: “The publication of Tom Rolt’s book Narrow Boat together with his formation of the IWA was unquestionably the turning point for the salvation of the nation’s canals and rivers. Engaging the next generation in our waterways has to be a fitting legacy for such an influential man.

“Importantly, the idea of waterway inspired music isn’t my idea or that of anyone else who has traditionally been involved in the waterways. It is what young people say is the way they want to engage with their local waterway.”

Waterways Action Squad will organise a series of themed workshops in the run up to the Rolt Centenary Rally – working with various groups of young people and professional musicians to write pieces of music inspired by Tom Rolt and the waterways. The groups will visit the National Waterways Museum and other key sites to gain inspiration and meet with IWA members who will share their experience, skills and enthusiasm for the waterways. In addition, Waterways Action Squad will work with the IWA in the North West on engaging with and supporting young waterway volunteers.

Gillian Bolt, secretary of the IWA Chester & District Branch and IWA member of the WOW education team, comments: “The Rolt Festival will be a great addition to the celebrations already being planned for that weekend with pieces of music performed at the event both in the marquee and on boats. There will also be music workshop sessions delivered by the musicians and young volunteers on the day for attendees of all ages to join in. Getting young people involved has to be a fitting way to mark the contribution of such an important figure in the history of Britain’s waterways.”

Lucie Unsworth, project manager for Waterways Action Squad, comments: “The project will deliver varying levels of youth engagement with the waterways. There will be those who take part in the pre-event workshops, those that volunteer to organise the musical celebrations at the end of June, plus the many more young people who will attend the actual performances at the Rolt Centenary Rally. However the ultimate objective has to be to try and create a spark of enthusiasm and association with the waterways that was so plainly evident in the life of Tom Rolt.”

In addition to the celebrations in Chester on 26 and 27 June, a whole host of events are taking place throughout 2010 marking Tom Rolt’s contribution to the nation’s industrial heritage. A number are listed on Waterscape.com. If you have a Tom Rolt event that you’d like listed, please email all details to feedback@waterscape.com.

Learn more about the life of Tom Rolt at www.ltcrolt.org.uk. For more information about the Tom Rolt Centenary Rally, visit www.waterways.org.uk/Events.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Jonathan Ludford, British Waterways
T. 020 7985 7275
Jonathan.ludford@britishwaterways.co.uk

Notes:
1. Between 2009 and March 2011, the Waterways Action Squad is offering over 570 volunteering opportunities giving young people the chance to develop a range of practical and life skills. The Waterways Action Squad is run by The Waterways Trust and British Waterways and is funded by v, (the national charity for youth volunteering www.vinspired.com) and the Bank of America. The project aims to encourage young people aged 16-25 to get involved in the care and promotion of canals and rivers in the North West. For more information, visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk and click on ‘projects’ or call 0151 373 4375 email lucie.unsworth@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

2. The Waterways Trust is a national charity which works in partnership with individuals, communities and organisations to conserve, restore, improve and interpret all aspects of the UK’s inland waterways. www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

3. British Waterways is the public corporation responsible for the care and enhancement of the nation’s 2,200-mile, two centuries-old network of canals and rivers. It works in partnership with public, private and voluntary sector organisations to realise the full social, environmental and economic potential of the waterways for the benefit of all. www.britishwaterways.co.uk

4. v, The National Young Volunteers Service aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers (aged 16-25) across England. It does this by creating a diverse range of volunteering opportunities to help young people take action to improve lives, communities and the planet. Please visit www.vinspired.com