Massive Historic Boats Gathering

Over thirty historic narrow boats are expected in Audlem for next Sunday's Gathering.

With the Audlem Transport Festival that day – with around 300 vehicles on show on the playing field just above the canal, and a convenient path between the two venues – Audlem is likely to be packed for the free events.

The canal certainly will be with the historic boats providing a colouful sight as they stretch along three 'pounds' from near the main road bridge to the bottom of the flight of locks.

Some of the boats have already arrived and the canal is likely to be increasingly busy, and courful, as the week goes by.

There's a splendid leaflet produced by Audlem Mill, who have pulled together the Gathering, with detailed descriptions of the narrow boats involved.

The Gathering includes Saturn, a regular visitor, and the last of the Shroppie Fly boats which regularly worked from Audlem, carrying cheeses and other goods.

Fly boats operated 24 hours a day with horses regularly changed along the route, and crews less regularly. 

At the bottom lock, No. 15, Audlem Lass could also be in for a busy day carrying passengers who want to see the canal at closer quarters and travel to and from Overwater Marina to the north of the village.

Audlem Lass runs a scheduled service every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter to the end of October between Lock 15 and the marina with passengers' donations going to the lifeboat charity, the RNLI.

More on the Audlem Transport Festival and the Gathering of Narrow Boats during the build-up to the coming weekend's event.

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