Pelsall Canal Festival

A TOTAL of 135 boats moored at Pelsall Junction on the Wyrley and Essington Canal for the weekend 11th and 12th June to enjoy the delights of the northern section of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

The Festival was opened by the Mayor of Walsall accompanied by the Town Crier in brilliant sunshine on Saturday morning that benefited a variety of interesting charity and trade stands. Crowds of people visited the Festival and made the effort of the organising committee worthwhile, writes Brian Holmes.

Torrential rain

The stands came again on Sunday morning; many set up stalls but due to the torrential rain that lasted for most of the daylight hours, most had packed up and gone home by lunchtime.

Photograph shows sunshine once more on Monday morning when boats were departing the site to wend their way back to moorings or on to other destinations such as the Droitwich Canal opening or to the meeting of Russell Newbury engined boats at Stourbridge.

Personally, I'm heading South to the River Nene and Wisbech to take part in a crossing of the Wash to Boston in July—I'll keep you posted.