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Whitchurch Boat Rally - Annual Boating Festival

Boaters and Boating enthusiasts will be given a special welcome when they descend on Whitchurch for the annual boat rally.

A new display board at the side of the Llangollen Canal will give them information on town attractions including where they mix with landlubbers and enjoy a night out during the Whitcurch Boat Rally.

The board is being refurbished by Curshaws at the Park owner Richard Shaw as part of his drive to raise the profile of Whitchurch and draw more trade into the town.

Whitchurch is a market town in North Shropshire, England. It is the oldest continually inhabited town in Shropshire. According to a recent Census, the population of the town is around 9,000.The town is located in the Whitchurch Urban civil parish, and is twinned with the French town of Neufchâtel-en-Bray.

Bob Summer, of the Whitchurch Waterway Trust which looks after that stretch of water, said: “The board has stood by the canalside for about 10 years and was looking rather worse for wear.

“As we are limited for funds, we were delighted when Curshaws came forward and offered to cover the cost of revamping it and helping us make a good impression to the passing canal users.”
Scores of enthusiasts will take part in the boat rally on September 20 and 21.

Curshaws, alongside Jubilee Park and a closed part of the canal, will be offering discounted meals to boaters with vouchers going in goody bags to be handed out over the weekend.

Mr Shaw said: “We decided to bring the board pack to our headquarters in Nantwich to give it a complete overhaul.
“The canal is a big attraction in Whitchurch and we don’t want people to pass through without realising what is on offer in the town.

“The Boat Rally sounds like a great weekend and if we can draw some people away from the canal and in to town during that weekend, it can only be a boost for all town traders.”

The Whitchurch arm of the Llangollen canal will be filled with colourful boats competing for prizes including best dressed boat with this year’s theme Alison in Wonderland sure to produce many colourful entrants.

Visitors can see the boats, talk to owners and browse round various stalls including competitions, bric-a-brac, boat equipment and souvenirs.

Visitors can also get into the spirit by taking part in a Victorian fancy dress competition.

A floating cheese shop will also be an attraction, selling specialty cheeses from across the country.

Mr Shaw added: "Curshaws at the Park has been open for just over a year now and is keen to get involved in local events, anything that helps bring people into Whitchurch and the boat rally sounds a fabulous weekend."

More than 20 boats will moor along the Whitchurch arm of the canal, to be judged and viewed. Funds raised will go to the trust's work to maintain the waterway.

For more information on Curshaws at the Park in Whitchurch please call 01948 663955.