IWA Festival 2021

Branch events tend to follow a standard format, but we would welcome new ideas. We always ask at meetings and in Ouse News what members would like to do, but we hardly ever get any response. So please, even if you do not want to be on the committee, let us have your suggestions.

If you feel that you would like to join the branch committee, please contact the chairman or other committee member.

Peter Webb

THE IWA FESTIVAL OF WATER 2021 At Perdiswell Park, Worcester, August 28/29/30th

Having been cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, lock-downs and suchlike, IWA succeeded in bringing our annual festival back to life in Worcester at the end of August. We had hoped to go by boat but time defeated us – and IWA obligingly swapped our mooring booking for a camp-site spot.

The festival itself kicked off on the Friday evening with a quiz for boaters and campers. We teamed up with a few other intrepid visitors. We didn’t win but had lots of laughs.

Entry to the festival when it opened on Saturday was free of charge for the public and things quickly got busy. The weather was ‘sunny intervals’ as the Met Office says - even when the sun wasn’t out it wasn’t too cold. There was the usual array of stalls, displays, entertainments (especially for the youngsters!) and a generous variety of food outlets all on site for the three days.

Sadly there were very few boating and chandlery stalls though. A walk up and down the towpath to see all the boats was delightful – though it was a bit disconcerting to see a few of them leaning at rather alarming angles on their moorings where the water level had dropped and they were firmly aground!

Sunday was equally busy and we enjoyed the bonus of a visit from kids and grandkids - who all had a super time and spent too much of their parents’ money (and mine too, come to think of it!). Lovely entertainments in the main marquee both during the day and in the evenings made it extra-special. Shame the bar didn’t sell lager – organisers please note – some of usdon’t like ‘real ale’.

Bank Holiday Monday was very quiet. The weather was cold and gloomy and clearly the Worcester public had decided not to go out. By mid-afternoon our fellow campers and caravanners were packing up and leaving and by the evening the site had the usual forlorn ‘after the show’ look. And it was all over. In my view the organisers of this festival and all who contributed to it took a huge gamble – and it paid off. No-one could have known what government restrictions might be imposed due to COVID; not organisers, exhibitors, entertainers or visitors. In such circumstances the odd glitch can be forgiven – and there were one or two! And there was a serious shortage of both organisers and volunteers this year.

Keep an eye on the IWA website for the location and details of IWA Festival of Water in 2022. Heartfelt thanks to everyone; organisers, volunteers, boaters, campers,entertainers, stall-holders and visitors alike for a lovely event - and here’s to the next one!

Stephen Foote