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End of towpath for canal festival
by Eve Dugdale19/ 3/2008
TAMESIDE canals festival which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year will be sailing into the sunset.
The annual festival will not take place this year as the voluntary committee responsible for organising it has disbanded due to a lack of numbers.
Retiring vice chair, Hazel Maskell said: "Last year was the 30th festival and some members of the committee have been involved since the first! Several members had already decided to step down after last July’s event and so, unfortunately, the remaining members have called it a day."
The event was held at Portland Basin and has attracted tens of thousands of families and many boaters over the years
Celebrity presidents have included Barbara Castle MEP and Dukinfield actress Cathy Staff.
The festival was set up by members from the Huddersfield Canal Society to raise awareness of their desire to restore the canal. Once this goal was achieved, management of the event changed to another voluntary committee, to raise funds for Willow Wood Hospice.
Hazel added: "Unfortunately, the weather was particularly poor for the festival weekend last year. Willow Wood decided to withdraw from any involvement in future festivals and without their charitable status, it made it difficult for us to continue.
"The committee would like to thank all those companies, businesses and individuals that have sponsored the festival over the years and especially Tameside Council who, through their Wardens’ service, have provided and assisted with preparation and maintenance of the site over the years.
"We’d also especially like to thank Ashton District Assembly who have supported the recent festivals financially and loaned equipment.
"Most of all we would like to thank all the residents who have visited."
John Fellowes, head of fund-raising said: "Willow Wood is delighted to have been involved with the festival and the committee over the last five years and the decision to back down from an active role was not an easy one to take.
"The retirement of several committee members, combined with an almost inaccessible site, more stringent health and safety, not to mention several years of atrocious weather, left us with little choice.
Any group interested in taking over the organisation of future festivals can contact Hazel on 01457 837826.
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22/03/2008 at 02:30
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