Boats trail as town bids to bounce back from canal breach

A free family trail featuring miniature narrowboats is being put on in Whitchurch, celebrating the town's canal heritage.

It comes seven months after a nearby canal breach saw water flood into a field in the middle of the night, leaving boaters high and dry.

Works to repair that breach are ongoing, but the problem has affected tourism in the area.

The trail, or Miniature Canal Regatta, has been created by the Whitchurch Waterway Trust, which said it about a "community coming together to support its local canal" and encourage people into the town.

The trust manages the Whitchurch Arm of the Llangollen Canal, and it said this year had been particularly challenging.

Local shop windows and community venues are hosting the miniature boats and people are being encouraged to tour the town and find all 15 of them, with a trail map on the waterway trust's Facebook page.

It comes ahead of the Whitchurch Canal Festival on 5 and 6 September.

The free festival will feature live music, historical narrowboats, children's entertainment and community stalls.

Doug Sealy, vice chair of Whitchurch Waterway Trust and festival organiser, said that the canal festival had always been about bringing the community together.

"Whilst this year has brought some unexpected challenges, our volunteers have worked incredibly hard to create a fantastic weekend for everyone to enjoy," he said.

"The Miniature Canal Regatta is a wonderful way to build excitement ahead of the festival, encourage people to explore our town and support local businesses.

"Every person who visits the festival, takes part in the trail or volunteers their time, helps us continue caring for this wonderful local waterway and we would love to welcome even more people to get involved."

The trust said the response from the town had been fantastic "at a time when the canal breach continues to have an impact".

It said local businesses, charities and community groups had "created and hosted boats, helped promote the trail and really got behind the initiative".

As the festival approaches, the trust is also looking for additional volunteers to help over the weekend.

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