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The (old Braunston) Boat Show has moved to Crick - for at least the next five years. Details
Events in Braunston in 2001
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3 & 4 February - OwnerShips weekend. A chance to find out about all the advantages of owning a share, with many of their boats on view. To find out more about share ownership visit the OwnerShips website. |
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21 & 22 July - Working Boat Gathering. Organised by the Commercial Boat Operators Association, this rally has on show some of the old working boats as well as those which continue to trade on the canals today. Find out more about the CBOA on their website. |
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The following Press Release was issued by BW on 15th August 2000 -
British Waterways' eagerly awaited decision on the future of the country's premier narrowboat show is announced today (15th August). For the next five years, the late May Bank Holiday inland waterways show will return to Crick Marina, in Northamptonshire. The decision follows a comprehensive review of Boat Show 2000 that took into account hundreds of comments and suggestions from everyone involved in the three-day event this year.
The review shows that the overwhelming majority of opinion favoured Crick, on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, as the most suitable site to transport this long-running event into the 21st Century. It highlighted the primary advantages of the site being: the large area of land available for the show; the open plan layout; the ease of access from main-line traffic routes, and the marina amphitheatre serving as an impressive focal point.
Securing a five-year agreement between British Waterways, Crick Marina and local landowners enables the organisers to build on the success of this unique event that continues to provide financial support to local and waterway-related good causes. Welcomed by all involved with this popular National show, the long-term security provided by this contract not only allows investment in more permanent infrastructure improvements, but also brings with it the promise of significant gains to the local economy.
Taking into account the comments and suggestions received from
exhibitors, boaters, visitors and volunteers, alterations to the
site's infrastructure include: improved visitor moorings, improved
parking facilities, and the relocation and expansion of the trade
area to a more central position. Additional berths in the marina
for historic boats, a visitor campsite, as well as a designated
disabled parking area, also feature in draft plans.
Appalling weather conditions affected attendance at this year's
show which, unlike previous years, did not make a financial surplus.
It still however, managed to distribute over £8,000 amongst
waterway-related and local good causes.
British Waterways' local waterway manager Simon Ainley, said: "Following the move, and despite the appalling weather conditions that clearly affected this year's show, we received many unsolicited letters of praise and support for the new venue." He concluded: "The five-year agreement not only allows British Waterways to provide the sort of show site that everyone wants, but also to dispel the uncertainty that has been associated with this wonderful show for the past few years."
