Waterway events flow into action
9 April 2010
Families are being urged by British Waterways to get up close and personal with their local canals this year as a whole host of events prepare to transform the waterways this spring and summer all around the North of England.
Last year the number of adults visiting an inland waterway reached a record 13 million – illustrating a turnaround in fortunes which has seen canal restorations grow the network by 10% and the number of canal boats increase by over 40% since the turn of the century.
Now, the waterways host a range of activities for all the family to enjoy including major waterside festivals and dragon boat races. Over recent years events like Leeds Waterfront Festival, Dragon Boat Racing at Clarence Dock, On the Waterfront Festival in Sheffield and the Liverpool Waterfront Festival have become key dates in their regional events calendars, with families attracted from all around the country.
Cassie Weaver, Volunteer Coordinator for British Waterways said: “What all the events showcase is the vast amount of opportunities there are for the public to get involved in their local waterway, whether it’s visiting a waterside festival or joining in with a volunteer event such as Towpath Tidy. The waterways are a vital heritage asset and we want local communities to feel a sense of ownership in their local canal or river, creating an improved environment for all the family to enjoy, whether it’s to have a go at canoeing at a waterside festival, joining in with some volunteer wildlife improvements or just simply soaking up the atmosphere that the waterside environment provides.”
Tourism and leisure have been crucial ingredients in the renaissance of Britain’s canals and rivers and will be likely to play a growing role if the network is moved into a proposed new ‘national trust for the waterways’.
Every year, tens of thousands of people volunteer to help with schemes along the inland waterways. Some last a day, some a week, some demand more long-term commitment – all appeal to a wide variety of abilities, interests and age groups. Anyone interested in volunteering with British Waterways should email volunteer@britishwaterways.co.uk.
Key events confirmed for 2010 include:
- Skipton Waterway Festival – Saturday 1 to Monday 3 May
- Dragon Boat Race – Clarence Dock, Saturday 26 June
- On the Waterfront Festival – Victoria Quays, Sheffield, Sunday 11 July
- Dragon Boat Race – York, Sunday 11 July
- Leeds Waterfront Festival – Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 July
- On the Waterfront Festival – Liverpool South Docks, 17 & 18 July organised by Liverpool Council
- Rochdale Canal Festival – Saturday 24 July – 1st August
- Dewsbury Canal Festival – Sunday 25 July
- Manchester Pride – 20-30 August
- Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre – Full programme of events available from www.standedge.co.uk/events
- Tees Barrage – Full programme of events at the including jet skiing and rowing regattas
ENDS
For media information contact
Simon Henry, Marketing & Communications Executive North, British Waterways
0113 281 6822 / 07789 178506 or email simon.henry@britishwaterways.co.uk.
Notes to Editors
British Waterways cares for a 2,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers across the country and works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to improve the social, economic and environmental benefits of the inland waterways. For more information visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk.
Waterscape.com provides information on ALL of Britain’s waterways, and guides visitors through the complete waterside experience in an easy to use, fully comprehensive online resource. The site includes a full range of services including:
- How to hire a canal boat or waterside holiday cottage
- Recommendations on walking, cycling, jogging and angling beside the water
- Best waterside bars, pubs and restaurants
- Waterway guides with information on visitor attractions, local history and wildlife
- News and events guides and listings
- http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/volunteering