Vikings at Stoke Bruerne

THE Vikings, in rampaging mood, arrived at  Stoke Bruerne on the Grand Union Canal over last week-end, together with other activities making up a Family Festival.

In addition there were model boats, clog and morris dancing, displays of traditional canal crafts, music, theatre and a bustling market, all organised by the Friends of the Canal Museum. Photo by Lynda Payton.

A celebration

Designed as a celebration of our waterways heritage, there was even more reason to party when the festivities kicked off with the announcement that Chairman of the Friends, David Blagrove, had been awarded a much deserved MBE for services to restoration of the Waterways, with Kathryn Dodington's photograph showing Richard congratulating David on the award.

This year's Festival was more family orientated than usual featuring a circus workshop with tuition in juggling, clowning and walking a low wire trapeze as well as popular games like hook-a-duck and a colouring competition and there was huge community involvement with village gardens open to the public as well as all the usual activities on the water.

From then on the atmosphere was charged and the weekend became one long party with Richard Parry, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, dropping by to congratulate David on his award.