Past, present and future

IT WILL be a past, present and future theme this weekend (26th and 27th June) at the Tom Rolt Centenary Rally at Tower Wharf, Chester.

There is the Tom Rolt steam locomotive and vintage cars representing the past,  modern craft on the water and representing the future, the Ross Barlow concept narrowboat powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

Bow-hauled

The Ross Barlow boat is being bow-hauled down to Chester on Friday 25th June by members of staff from Tattenhall Marina—one dressed as a pantomime horse—to raise money for the Starlight Children's Charity.

Over 100 visiting boats have been booked in, with activities including country music by Hartford West, the young Waterways Action Squad volunteers playing all sorts of traditional instruments, the angling taster sessions with Get Hooked on Fishing and many childrens' activities.

Sonia Rolt

Sonia Rolt is also joining the event  for the weekend, and will have a selection of Tom's books (many old print editions) available for sale. She will be happy to sign them for anyone who would like the personal touch as well.

The Rally is organised by the Inland Waterways Association to celebrate the birth of one of its founders Tom Rolt. Tom was an author, engineer and vintage transport enthusiast, who was born in Chester.

A flotilla of narrowboats has also made the Mersey crossing from Liverpool to join the event, travelling down the Leeds & Liverpool Canal using the new Liverpool Link.