THE annual rally of the Federation of Bridgewater Cruising Clubs was this year hosted by Sale Cruising Club, held at its moorings on the Bridgewater Canal.

The rally site had to be a last minute decision made by the club after their arranged venue was suddenly not available giving little time to find a new site on which to hold the rally.

The only option was for it to be transferred to the grounds of the club.

This involved moving several tons of earth and uprooting many mature tree stumps and levelling off the ground.

This in turn caused problems as the clubhouse is not attached to any roadway having to transport everything by a small chain ferry to the other side of the canal.

One of the members said it was like having a role in the film of the ‘Great Escape’ as everyone had to find ways of depositing all the tons of earth which had to be moved.

Up sprung raised flower beds, plant containers and beautiful flower beds, the rest had to be taken home by the members to add to their own gardens.

The weather was not on the side of the rally as nearly 150 boats arrived in one of the wettest Bank Holidays known to the rally.

Boats still came from all along the Bridgewater Canal bringing their crews all in party mood and sure of a good weekend. The bar was a welcome meeting point for boaters who regularly meet on this weekend every year to chat and catch up on the canal gossip between Worsley and Runcorn. The entertainment occupied most of the weekend as well as games, quizzes and things to buy or try your luck on. Boats were entered for various trophies, best decorated, trimmest craft and crew and best illuminated boat. The trophies are taken back to their clubs were they hold them for 12 months until the next federation Rally. The theme for this year’s rally was Brazilian Carnival.