2014 Rally
This July the BBCC hosted the
Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs 50th Anniversary Rally.
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A general view of the rally site looking north from bridge 69.
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Rally Photo Albums
Canon Image Gateway by Andrew Laycock
Flickr by Keith Yeomans for Clive Jones
Flickr by Geoff Ford
Rally Videos
You Tube by Neil Mitchell
Over 110 boats attended. The glorious weather and the floating market attracted a
large number of public visitors.
The rally bar featured local real ales from
Church Farm Brewery and from
Slaughterhouse Brewery.
A highlight was Kiwi Wheat Beer and IPA from Church Farm in real cask form for the first time.
The clubhouse cafe and the griddle kept the visitors well fed.
Entertainment included:
Black Country comedy duo Dandy
Original Canal Songwriter Dave Pepper
Appalachian Dancers
Up the Cut, an amusing and informative history of the Canals of England & Wales
performed by Half Cut Theatre
Music by Kevin O'Regan
The rally was officially opened by Richard Parry,
CEO of Canal& River Trust.
Richard, together with Vince Morgan, Nigel Crowe and Simon Salem, gave presentations on the
future plans of CRT and the challenges of maintaining a large portfolio of heritage properties and structures.
Until 2006 the BBCC held a boat rally every other year.
2006 Rally
The 2006 BBCC rally took
place in glorious weather over the weekend of Friday 30th June,
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July 2006. Due to a clash with
a World Cup football match and other boating events, the
number of visitors was less than usual. Those who were there
enjoyed themselves, especially the excellent catering
(and homemade cakes) from the clubhouse and the real ale and
cider in the marquee bar. Entertainment highlights included
Irish dancing display on Saturday afternoon and a lively
music session from the ‘Off Road Band’.
2004 Rally
The 2004 BBCC rally incorporated the AWCC National rally
celebrating 40 years of the AWCC. It took place from
Friday 9th to Sunday 11th July 2004. Nearly 200 boats attended.
BEER BY BOAT
Canal boats carrying draught beer were once a common sight on the canals of the Midlands. On Wednesday 30th June this part of history was recreated when a small consignment of beer from Walsh's Bakehouse Brewery in Warwick was transported by canal boat. The beer was destined for the bar at the Black Buoy Cruising Club's boat rally and the Cape of Good Hope pub.
Walsh's Bakehouse Brewery was located in the Margaret Hall Bakery building, which adjoins the Grand Union Canal in Warwick. Managing director of the brewery, Jonathan Walsh, said "The Cape of Good Hope is the nearest pub to our brewery, in fact it is closer by canal than by road."
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Preparing to load the casks of beer at Walsh's Bakehouse Brewery
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Steve Jury, then landlord at The Cape of Good Hope, added "Fittingly the beer delivered to us is some casks of 'Two LLocks', our house beer. It's unusual name was suggested by a regular customer. Appropriately these casks have actually ascended the two canal locks which were the inspiration for the name".
Andrew Laycock, owner of the Antares, the narrowboat used, commented "Unfortunately this is just a one off trip rather than a revival of local canal carrying."
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Outside the Cape of Good Hope, ready to offload two casks of Two LLocks
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2002 Rally
See our pictures page for a selection of
picutres from our 2002 rally.
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