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Historic “Cressy” Cruise Re-Enactment Sets Off From Banbury

2010 marks the centenary of the birth of one of the Inland Waterways Association’s (IWA’s) co- founders - Tom Rolt.

As part of the ongoing events and celebrations organised around the country this year in commemoration of Tom’s achievements, Ron and Mary Heritage, members of IWA’s Oxfordshire branch set off from Tooley’s boatyard in Banbury on 24 April 2010 in their narrow boat “Heron” to re-enact Tom & Angela Rolt’s, historic cruise from Banbury in 1939 on the inland waterways with their narrow boat Cressy.

2010 marks the centenary of the birth of one of the Inland Waterways Association’s (IWA’s) co- founders - Tom Rolt - Historic “Cressy” cruise re-enactment sets off from Banbury Tom’s subsequent book “Narrow Boat”, which chronicled their experiences on Cressy during that cruise, received so much popular acclaim when it was published, that it led to the formation of The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) in 1946.

A series of specially minted medallions has been produced by IWA to commemorate Heron’s cruise through each IWA branch area and will be collected by Heron’s crew at each staged stop on the cruise route.

Pupils from the North Oxford Academy will also track the cruise route, produce displays and carry out interviews and design publicity for the event as part of their International Baccalaureate studies.

“Cressy” Cruise Re-Enactment Cruise Itinerary

Banbury - Historic “Cressy” cruise re-enactment sets off from Banbury

From Banbury, the cruise heads north towards Braunston – the heart of the inland waterways system. Then on to the Leicester arm of the Grand Union Canal and descending through Foxton Locks to Market Harborough, site of IWA’s first National Rally in 1950.

From Market Harborough she travels north through Loughborough and the River Soar, and joins the Trent & Mersey Canal near Trent Bridge. Following the line northwards, ‘Heron’ will reach Middlewich in time for the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 18 – 20 June 2010. From there she will cruise to Chester to join in the celebrations that IWA Chester Branch is planning for the weekend of 25 - 27 June 2010. Tom was actually born in Chester in 1910 so it is fitting that a Centenary Celebration Dinner is also planned for that weekend in the historic Chester Guildhall.

“Heron” will then rejoin the original “Cressy” route and cruise down the Shropshire Union Canal, up the Staffordshire & Worcester before rejoining the Trent & Mersey. From there the route will take her along the Coventry Canal, down the Oxford Canal passing again through Banbury and on towards the Thames. “Heron”s cruise will finish at the IWA’s National Festival & Boat Show (The Tom Rolt Centenary Event) at Beale Park on the River Thames over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

“Heron” will be decorated appropriately during her travels, promoting the Rolt story and the IWA. Any boaters or other enthusiasts who may wish to join Ron & Mary for all, or part of the journey would be most welcome.