A record number of historic narrow boats will be on show at The IWA Waterways Festival, being hosted by Burton upon Trent from 29th to 31st July 2011.
At least 28 historic boats, the largest number ever to have attended the festival, will offer waterways enthusiasts and history lovers a chance to see how people lived and worked on the waterways in years gone by.
The boats and their crews will travel from all over the canal system, just as they did in their previous “lives” as working boats, carrying goods all over the United Kingdom – from London to Birmingham, from Bristol to Manchester and from Liverpool to Leeds and the East Coast.
Making a special guest appearance will be the only restored ex-Fellows Morton and Clayton steam powered narrow boat, The President. Owned by The Black Country Living Museum, the boat was built over a century ago as a steamer, converted to diesel power in 1925, and, following restoration in 1974, returned to steam power.
David Pullen, Waterspace Director for IWA Festivals said: “All of the boats have been beautifully restored to their former glory and their owners will explain how the boats were worked, in a very tough industrial environment. We hope the festival goers enjoy looking at the boats and learning about the importance of them to our social and industrial history.”
Pictures courtesy Waterways Images