About the event

Every year, the Inland Waterways Association runs a major event during the summer. In 2011, it's at Shobnall Fields, Burton on Trent, on the Trent and Mersey Canal. For the first time for a long while, it will be from the Friday to the Sunday of the last weekend in July, rather than the Late Summer Bank Holiday.

Like a lot of other volunteers, we'll be there for three weeks, starting on Saturday 16th July. Our main contribution will be editing and producing the daily newsletter which is circulated to the boaters, campers and exhibitors at the Festival, starting on the Thursday before.

Disclaimer

Note: this is an entirely personal account of our time helping to set up and run the Festival. It's not an official IWA site; please use the link above for that.

Saturday 28 August 2010

Second Friday

It's getting quite hard to keep going with this blog, as the fatigue builds, and a load of other stuff clamours for attention. The weather has improved, and we managed to get Sanity Again looking good in time for the judge's visit for the Marion Monk Award.

The wrgies worked amazingly hard yesterday, rising to the challenge as they always do. Mitch’s leadership has been very sure footed,but they still had to slog on until very late, eating lunch and dinner in shifts, and not finishing until after dark.

Elanor worked through until 10 last night, booking in late arrivals, and trying to sort out who should get the red WRG T-shirts.

Meanwhile, people continue to be kind about our efforts with the Newsletter, but we are beginning to get complaints from those who left it too late to seek an entry about their meeting or event.

Unfortunately, one of the groups who has had to be turned down will be judging us for the Cressy Award at 11 today, so we just have to hope they won’t let their irritation affect their judgement...

Bungle came round at 9.45 last night, the first time he could get away, and after playing with it a bit here, took the MiFi away to flash a firmware upgrade to it and to reset the password. What a star that man is, a Red Giant in fact.

Food Traders started

The Lavender Boat on its way out
(it provides refuse and Elsan disposal to the moored boats)

Helping to offload clothing at the Regatta stand

Inside Hall A

A weary wrgie
Don't know what it's for, but it looks fun

3 comments:

Halfie said...

Hello Bruce,

We're booked in to mooring S10, but we're late owing to adventures with a lost prop. Should be there Sunday midday. Am searching IWA website for correct person to e-mail!

Halfie, aboard NB Willow.

Bruce in Sanity said...

Hi Halfie

I've passed this on to Mike Moorse, the Waterspace Manager.

ATB

Bruce

Halfie said...

Bruce, many thanks, and apologies for not being in touch earlier. The message got through, and we got an immediate and warm welcome from the harbourmaster when we arrived at our mooring at 1000 on Sunday.