Express & Star

Wednesfield Canal Festival "brilliant" despite stormy weather

HIGH winds and heavy rain didn't hold back eager visitors to Wednesfield Canal Festival – which organisers boldly claim was "even better than last year".

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Wednesfield Canal Festival - pictured left Phil Bateman, James Clarke, Simon Hamilton and Jeremy Cartwright with his boat 'Angelica'

The fifth annual festival was held at Wyrley and Essington Canal, just by Bentley Bridge Leisure Park, at the weekend – and boasted its usual colourful canal boats as well as stalls, entertainment, music and a funfair.

Organised by volunteer group Hands On Wednesfield, the two day event raises money for a host of local charities, including the Canal and River Trust.

Wolverhampton councillor Phil Bateman, who is involved in the organisation of the festival and also has his own canal boat, said it was an "exceptional" weekend.

He said: "It was absolutely brilliant. After a very hairy start and some rearranging and re-organising, we sorted everything out and it was just fabulous.

"The community really came through – I really think it was even bigger than last year. We weren't downhearted about the weather, we were ecstatic.

"It really has been exceptional."

Visitors flocked to the festival to view a wide range of canal boats, browse local stalls, and enjoy various refreshments. There were also activities for children.