Rochdale Boat Rally and Festival

Sunday 15 July 2018 - Saturday 21 July 2018

Starting in the centre of Manchester, see description

Details:

The Rochdale canal is one of the most challenging climbs on the inland waterways, and although one of the most beautiful, is also one of the most underused of the northern canals.

We want to celebrate the diversity and drama of this fantastic canal by providing a fun, memorable climb with lots of opportunities to explore and learn more about it’s history and nature.

The Rally will set off from Manchester Piccadilly, with boats rising in pairs through the 48 locks to the Summit, ably assisted by CRT volunteer lock-keepers. The journey will take four days, with evening entertainment organised at each stopping  point. Once there we invite you to explore local arts and crafts at the fair being organised at the end, and to join us in feasting, dancing and drinking as we prepare the rush cart for the Littleborough Rush-Bearing festival that weekend.

Those who wish to are also welcome to join us the following day as we head back down the canal, accompanied by more music and dancing, to join in with the revelry at the Littleborough Festival.

Participation costs £25 per boat, which includes food and all organised entertainment (although we think the lock-keepers alone are worth it!).

Schedule is as follows:

The rally will stop at the following places – more detailed info to follow:

• Sun 15 Piccadilly Basin (Lock 85)
• Mon 16 Rose of Lancaster (Lock 63):
• Tue 17 Hopwood Arms (Lock 54):
• Wed 18 Littleborough (Lock 47):
• Thu 19 Summit Pound (Lock 37): Craft Fair; Folk Music & Dancing; food provided
• Fri 20 Littleborough  (Lock 47); Procession with music; Ceilidh; food provided

End of organised rally

• Sat 21 Littleborough: Rushbearing Festival
• Sun 22 Littleborough: Rushbearing Festival

Entry fee: Participation costs £25 per boat, which includes food and all organised entertainment

https://summitsup.org/