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Shropshire Union Canal Society
- 2007 Ellesmere Rally

During weekend of 8th/9th September the Shropshire Union Canal Society held what has been described by them as the best ever Ellesmere rally

The weather was good and in fact at times very good for September. 50 boats booked in with another 50 in the vicinity.

Friday:

Friday was the usual high standard from the Porthywaen Band who played until the fireworks at 9.30 which gave us the impression that Ellesmere had won the F A cup by the size of the crowds we had to watch them. Once again according to the locals the biggest and best Fireworks show in the area.

Saturday:

Saturday dawned and 7.30 a.m. saw Paul Mills, the organiser, standing alone in the middle of the field trying to get a signal on the mobile for a live interview with Jim Hawkins on his show on Radio Shropshire. Soon after stall holders started to arrive and put up their stalls and the sun came out.

Shropshire Union Canal Society - 2007 Ellesmere Rally Boats were being decorated in the theme of nursery rhymes and engines began though throb in the hope of attracting attention.The public started to arrive and do business with the stall holders.

After lunch a Brass Quintet played on the towpath near the footbridge while our team of volunteer caterers prepared the very large marquee for a sit down meal for 200 at 6 pm prompt.
The afternoon continued in good weather and at about 5pm things started to ease off as people started to make their way to the marquee situated in the field opposite the marina and bordering on to the towpath. While waiting for the arrival of the Hog to be roast they were entertained by the musical skills of local harpist Jennifer Saunders who is a senior pupil at Lakeland's School. 200 people served and all cleared away by 7.45pm (Including second helpings) whilst our entertainers for the evening were taking their places. Yes! we had a 27piece Swing band called WHYCHCRAFT who lifted the roof with the music of Tommy Dorsey and Glen Miller, while our champion raffle ticket sellers mingled with the audience to gain extra cash for our funds. It was just after 11pm when the audience finally let them go to the sound of “In The Mood”, and the promise to return by demand.

Sunday:

Sunday was a little slower to warm up but the sun did shine for our guests’ cruise and the judging of the various competitions.
This culminated with the usual informal presentation of the prizes at 12.30 p.m. in the marquee. During the Shropshire Union Canal Society - 2007 Ellesmere Rally BW water taxis plied the Ellesmere arm conveying the public to the BW Heritage yard where there were exhibits of the recently commissioned artwork, which we hope will shortly be installed on the canalside at Ellesmere, together with displays by the Society and BW.

In addition to the boat rally there were also attractions at various locations in the town as part of the Ellesmere Festival.

The town remained busy over the whole period of the rally weekend and town’s traders said how well the boat rally holds people in town during the Festival.

How to book for Shropshire Union Canal Society Ellesmere Rally 2008

Bookings for the 2008 Shropshire Union Canal Society Ellesmere Rally already number 34 boats and 7 stalls so it wont be long before we are fully booked. Places can be reserved by contacting Paul Mills on 01513 361049.

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