A Great
Opportunity to Promote the Canal and the
New Junction
at Culham, near Abingdon, on the River Thames.
Our
Publicity Group would appreciate any help you can offer over the three day
event.
If you can help then please ring Jan Flanagan 01 793 523 048
IWA ANNOUNCES SITE FOR THE DIAMOND JUBILEE
NATIONAL WATERWAYS FESTIVAL 2006
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) today announced that next year’s IWA National Festival, in the Association’s diamond jubilee year, will be held over the August Bank Holiday weekend at Beale Park on the River Thames.
Ian West, chairman of IWA Festivals committee, said, “Following a successful National Festival at Beale Park in 2003, we are delighted to announce that we will be returning to this site near Pangbourne, not only to celebrate the diamond jubilee of IWA but also to celebrate the golden anniversary of Beale Park itself. Beale Park provides an extremely attractive site by the River Thames, with easy access for all, by road, water and public transport. Moreover, this superb venue offers first-rate facilities for a family day out and a picnic in the stunning parkland surroundings with views over the lake.”
John Fletcher, IWA’s national chairman, commented, “The campaigning opportunity offered at this site was also a deciding factor. IWA hopes to raise awareness, amongst boaters and the general public, of the leisure opportunities offered by this river. There has been a marked decrease in the use of the Thames as a waterway in recent years, which the navigation authority, the Environment Agency, estimates has resulted in £111 million being lost to the local economy since 1990.”
John Fletcher continued, “Decreasing revenue to the navigation authority has resulted in less investment in the river infrastructure (locks, moorings etc). IWA is keen to work with the navigation authority to improve leisure facilities and access points to the river. The Environment Agency has secured increased investment over the last two years and is keen for this to continue”
Ian West added, “It is planned that, in the 12 months between the 2005 and 2006 national festivals, IWA’s boat Jubilee undertakes a jubilee journey, visiting as much of the waterway system as possible. The 2006 festival promises to be the highlight of the inland waterways calendar in 2006 and a fitting climax to our diamond jubilee year.”
