Birmingham & Black Country Events 2008

April

5th and 6th - The Annual BCN Cleanup.
This year it’s the Bradley Arm. Overnight accommodation is available nearby and can be booked through IWA (WRG) Head Office. Anyone can turn up on either day (or both days if you really love getting dirty) Both sexes are welcome and we often get Waterways staff come along in their spare time and do their bit. “Booking In” will be at BW's Bradley Workshops and WRG transport will move people round the site, lunch can be booked on the day. This event is ideal for people who would like to sample working with the Waterways Recovery Group and help make a significant contribution the maintenance of the BCN. For more information contact Aileen Butler on 07808 621833 or email aileen.butler@btopenworld.com

May

3rd, 4th and 5th May - A Tug Boat Gathering.
The Black Country Living Museum hosts this event. For information contact Steve Bingham by email ste.bingham@btinternet.com

17th and 18th May - Coombeswood Canal Trust Open Weekend.
Hawne Basin opens its gates for another fun weekend. For details contact the trust on 0121 550 1355.

June

7th and 8th - How Nine Became Eight.
This is the first event of the 3 month long DCI150 celebrations. Explore both the old and new locks of the Delph flight with guided walking trips and information about the history of canals in the area. Learn how locks work and see how the boaters of 19th century lived and worked. With Historic and Horse Drawn boats on display this weekend is suitable for young and old alike. Admission Free. For more information see www.dci150.co.uk or call 0844 800 5076

21st and 22nd - A Two Locks Short Cut.
Boat and walking trips leaving from Blowers Green Pumphouse, Peartree Lane, Dudley to discover the long lost Two Locks Line. Morning and afternoon boat trips leave from the Pumphouse to find both ends of the canal. These narrated trips discover how the 1858 improvements to the canal network in the area helped reduce lengthy delays to the movement of goods through the Black Country. There will also be displays and working boats moored at Parkhead Junction.
To book tickets for these trips (Prices from £3) or for more information please contact DCI150 on 0844 800 5076 or see www.dci150.co.uk. Admission is free to the displays and Pumphouse at Parkhead Junction.

29th - Brownhills Canal Festival.
A fun day out at the Silver Street Basin, Brownhills Waterfront. For details please contact Georgina Fereday on 01543 452119.

July

2nd and 3rd - Our Canal Heritage.
Part of the DCI150 celebrations. Local schools discover over 150 years of Victorian engineering at The Bumble Hole Conservation Centre. The Bumblehole Nature Reserve was not always as peaceful as it is today. Find out how and why the Black Country Canal network developed and some of the activities that were carried out on this site in the past. With a working boat display, craft demonstrations and interactive presentations this event is suitable for all ages. For more information please contact DCI150 on 0844 800 5076 or see www.dci150.co.uk  Admission Free.

4th, 5th and 6th - The annual Allen Register Gathering.
A weekend gathering hosted by Coombeswood Canal Trust Hawne Basin, Halesowen. This is a must for all Allen boat owners. Contact Bryan Brock on 07850 000927 for information.

11th, 12th and 13th – BCNS 40th Birthday.
Celebrate 40 years of the BCN Society at Titford Pumphouse, Oldbury. For more information and entry forms contact Barrie Johnson on 07747 074371

August

2nd - Under and Over.
Meeting at the Bumblehole Conservation Centre, Windmill End, Netherton these combined walking and boat trips explore the 1858 Netherton Tunnel. This was one of the last and biggest to be built during the canal era. Discover how and why the tunnel was built and follow its course both under and over the Rowley Hills. Part of the DCI150 celebrations. For more information on times and costs please call 0844 800 5076 or see www.dci150.co.uk

13th to 19th - BCN Explorer Cruise - Birmingham to Windmill End.
Organised by the BCNS and local IWA branch this cruise is designed to encourage boaters to explore the Birmingham Canal Navigations. The cruise will commence from Birmingham on the morning of Wednesday 13th August finishing at Windmill End ready for the DCI 150 celebrations on the morning of 20th. For details contact Brenda Ward by email boundarypost@gmail.com

16th to 20th - New Locks and a New Tunnel.
The DCI150 celebrations culminate with a gathering and cavalcade of boats old and new. The event explores improvements made to the Dudley Canals during the 1850’s starting at the Delph Locks on Saturday 16th and moving via Blowers Green and Parkhead to the Bumblehole for Tuesday evening.
Wednesday 20th sees a gala re-enactment of the 1858 official opening of the 3027 yard Netherton Tunnel exactly 150 years on! Ribbon cutting, plaques, brass bands and traditional costumes (optional) will be the order of the day. For full details call 0844 800 5076 or see www.dci150.co.uk

23rd to 25th - The IWA National Festival - Autherley Junction.
Contact Sandy Jones by email festival2008@waterways.org.uk  or see http://www.waterways.org.uk/Events  for more details.

September

6th and 7th - Withymoor Island Open Weekend.
Enjoy another fun weekend at “The Island” with entertainment all weekend and, of course, the famous Withymoor Breakfast. Details and entry forms available from Dave Wheeler or Jackie Finlan at Withymoor Island Trust, Halesowen Road, Netherton, DY2 9PU

12th, 13th and 14th - The Black Country Boating Festival
Now in its 23rd year this boat gathering and community festival is set to entertain once again. With over 200 boat, trade and charity stalls to browse, a funfair, real ale bar and canal side entertainment there is always something for everyone. Public admission to the site is free and there is ample car parking available on site. For more information and entry forms call 0844 800 5076 or see www.bcbf.com

26th, 27th and 28th - Parkhead Boating Festival
This bi-annual event is organised by the Dudley Canal Trust, Birmingham Canal Navigations Society and Worcester Birmingham Canal Society. The event is centred around the Parkhead Locks, Peartree Lane, Dudley. For details email Steve Bingham at ste.bingham@btinternet.com

October and November

4th and 5th October - Dudley Festival of Water and Light
The Waterfront Merry Hill plays host again for this autumn celebration with illuminated boats, music and fireworks. For more information contact Dudley Plus on 01384 812345

18th and 19th - Stourbridge Navigation Trust 25th Anniversary
The SNT Open Weekend at the Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge sees a large rally of narrowboats on the town arm, a display of vehicles, steam engines and vintage organs in Canal Street and a craft fair in the warehouse. For more information contact Chris Dyche on 01384 395216

25th and 26th - Halloween at Withymoor.
For more details contact Dave Wheeler or Jackie Finlan at Withymoor Island Trust, Halesowen Road, Netherton, Dudley, DY2 9PU

31st October and 1st November - BCNS Bonfire Rally 2008
There will be fireworks again the year at the Engine Arm, Galton Valley as BCNS stage another bonfire rally. Boats start to gather during the day on Friday ready for the bonfire and fireworks display on Saturday evening. For details contact Barrie Johnson on 07747 074371