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Photo by John Slee
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Photo by Mike Hale
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Photo from Elaine Kirby
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Photo from Elaine Kirby
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Elaine Kirby writes:-
The Kennet & Avon Canal was blocked for 24 hours at
Devizes wharf from 12 noon Saturday 25th November until 12 noon
Sunday 26th November by over 50 narrowboat's, widebeams,
liveaboards, continuous cruisers, marina based and linear moorers of various
shapes sizes.
The event was visited by at least 200 people including
cyclists and paddlers.
The petition protesting about the cuts just grew & grew,
it was even signed by the local traffic warden.
The Mayor of Devizes stayed for some considerable time,
enjoying a pint of real ale, and the chairman of 'The Kennet & Avon Canal
Trust' was in attendance with his air horn and placard.
The event was organised by the Devizes Boat Club (chairman
Adrian Softley) who's members attended in numbers with & without boats, and
ran the hot dog and burger stall and the bar, also the evening do in the Wharf
rooms where 70 people had supper and where entertained by Tinkers Bag.
The Wharf Theatre opened for teas & coffees all day Saturday & the
morning on Sunday. The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust loaned us their building
facilities for the day & evening, and paid for two of our banners.
Members of the public plus boaters produced many clever
placards of their own and those supplied by the IWA were used. Also in
attendance where members of The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, The Wilts &
Berks Canal Society, The Taverners Boat Club, The Pewsey Wharf Boat Club,
representatives of AWCC and IWA and members of the public including dogs of a
variety of breeds many with their own placards.
We were extremely pleased with the support we achieved.
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