June would not be the same without ‘The Braunston Historic Narrow Boat Rally and Canal Festival’, sponsored by Braunston Marina Ltd and Canals and Rivers magazine. It is probably the largest such rally held anywhere.
For two days people with an interest in narrow boats, the waterways, & the just plain curious gather at the historic Marina on the Grand Union Canal. As memories turn into history, they come to watch scenes that were, until 40 years ago, commonplace on our Canal network. Tim Coghlan the Managing Director of Braunston Marina Ltd. introduces this one hour long programme which features many of the narrow boats that took part in the parades in June 2006, the fourth year of this event. Both the Saturday & Sunday parades were filmed, so most of the boats that took part are included - some when leaving the Marina, when some navigating round the Braunston Turn & some on the canal length between - and in some cases, the same narrow boats are seen at all three places!
The narrow boats are shown in close-up & at a distance, with their vintage engines and distinctive exhaust notes having to be heard to be believed! The rich colour of the event, the motors, the water and the ambient sounds of the waterway are caught on camera to record the event, which has a lasting appeal which is both historic and nostalgic.
The folk band ‘Dutch Courage’ from Enkhuizen performed on both of the days of the festival & their close-harmony & instrumentals proved very popular with those who watched & listened to their sea-shanties & folk songs from the Netherlands & other parts of the world. They & seven of their songs are included on this DVD. Hopefully, this first visit will not be their last.
