Making Waves is a series of lively events being held this summer which aim to help bring the Montgomery Canal alive.
Michael Limbrey, Chairman of Making Waves, said: “The Montgomery Canal is coming alive this year with our Making Waves events celebrating the canal in Wales showing what the canal brings to the borders of Montgomeryshire and Shropshire and what it promises for the future.
“One day boats will again be able to reach Welshpool from across the canal system, bringing a lively canal scene to the centre of the town. Making Waves shows what that will be like. Restoration of the Montgomery Canal started in Welshpool and continued with the restoration of the Prince of Wales section north of the town. One day it will be connected again to the national canal system, but today it is isolated and though the towpath is well used, the canal has not seen enough use by boats.
“This story is told in the current display in the Powysland Museum. Put together with expertise by Tony Lewery and Andrew Jenkinson the exhibits include a fascinating selection of boating items, from a horse’s harness, to painted ware, tools and documents. I cannot remember seeing such a good display of the canal story in this area, and it is in a building which is one of the finest on the canal system, with boats passing right outside the Museum.
“Making Waves will bring the canal alive. The popular Montgomery Canal Triathlon on 9 May will see two hundred people cycling and walking the towpath from Newtown, finishing by canoeing the final 7½ miles to the Weston Arm, just below the northern end of the canal at Frankton Junction. The Triathlon is again bringing entrants from as far as Lancashire, London, Kent and Cornwall, and though places are still available now, we expect that it will be fully booked.
“Bookings are coming in too for Making Waves in Welshpool. There will be a selection of motor, steam and electric boats bringing life to the canal in Welshpool, and there will be public trips on the boats of the Heulwen Trust. This will be the Welsh Waterways Festival and, based in the centre of Welshpool, will be busy with entertainers, exhibitors, demonstrations, and children’s activities. “Making Waves in Welshpool is a special opportunity for boaters to visit this attractive section of canal and we still have places at the moment. For me, the highlight will be Saturday evening’s twilight procession of decorated boats, something Welshpool has not seen for some years.
More information on the Making Waves website.
