MANY of the historic boats that are still in existence were built by the famous Yarwood's Yard at Northwich, and there is a chance to see some of them back on the Weaver at the Northwich River Weaver Festival.
Taking place over the weekend of 23rd to 24th June, 128 craft are already booked in, including many built at the yard on the river, and it is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of boats seen on the Weaver for many years.
Pageants
There will be pageants of the historic boats taking place during the weekend, including vintage narrowboats and butties, Dukers and ex working boats from Yarwood's.
W. J. Yarwood & Sons were shipbuilders, engineers and iron founders, established in 1840 at The Dock in Northwich. The company was regularly commissioned to build narrowboats for various fleets, and those taking part in the rally will be Swallow, (pictured) Skylark and Stork built by Yarwood's for W. H. Cowburn & Cowpar Ltd of Manchester.
Fleet of eight
There were eight in the fleet, all named after birds. They were 70' 6" in length and wooden cabins with a beam of 7' 1" and a draught of 4' 2". They all carried cargoes of industrial chemicals, oils, lime and salt from Manchester to Wolverhampton and Coventry.
Other Yarwoods built craft attending the festival include Dove, Thea, Shad, Cactus (pictured), North, Python, Warbler and Lindsay. Shad was actually abandoned in Northwich where she filled up with rainwater and sank in 1976. Fortunately she was rescued and moved to Ellesmere Port in 1979.
Saturn
Also attending will be the 100 years old only remaining horse-drawn Shropshire Union Flyboat Saturn. (Picture by Waterways Images) She was originally built to travel non-stop, day and night, carrying perishable goods.
Another unique boat at the event is Worcester. Built in 1912, she is an iron tunnel tug, that worked on the Tardebigge and Shortwood canal tunnels, towing horse-drawn boats, whilst their crews often walked the horse over the top.
The 'old days'
With many other vintage craft to look at, the boats will give a real feel as to how Northwich might have looked in the 'old days' when the river Weaver was full of bustling craft carrying every cargo imaginable to places near and far.
There will also be an opportunity to buy a unique ‘Diamond Jubilee Mug'. This limited edition of only 600 has been specially made in Stoke-on-Trent by a local pottery and 200 will be transported to the festival on Lindsay, one of the Yarwood's working boats and carried down the Anderton Lift.
Of course there will be many other activities to keep visitors entertained during the weekend, as well as river trips.