No 'National' next year

THE long running national waterways festival organised by the Inland Waterways Association will not be held next year.

There is no intimation as to its future, but the downturn in the industry has greatly affected the income from the event, as fewer and fewer businesses attend, particularly boat builders and fitters, and with falling attendances, the one at Red Hill on the Soar and the one at Autherley on the Staffs & Worcs being disappointing.

Brought forward

This year the festival at Burton (the picture is of the former one) has been brought forward away from its traditional Bank Holiday dates in an attempt to increase it popularity away from the many other events held on the same particular week-end.

The reason given for no 'National' next year is that it would clash with the Olympics.