10th and 11th August 2013
Another festival, Yay! Weather forecast; Sunshine. Time to plan our car journey. Where is this place called Blisworth? What is this place called Blisworth?
Not having done very much boating in this part of the canal network, I had heard of Blisworth and knew it is on the Grand Union Canal, but could not have stuck a pin in a map to tell you where it is. For those that do not know, Blisworth is a village in Northamptonshire, around 5 miles south of Northampton and 4 miles north of Towcester. Having had the opportunity to crew Python for the festival, I feel know Blisworth a little better. I like Blisworth a lot!
It is a village that is very proud of its canal and is welcoming to canal visitors. The entire community works together to create what, in my view, is one of the best festivals I have ever attended. There are so many attractions, not just on the canal and the show field, but every space has something. Every community building, from the church to the pub, opens its doors or offers its open space and has something to attract people to come and look. Private households open their gardens. Tea and home made cakes on the patio, have a rummage through the boxes of bric-a–brac on the grass verge or nip into someone’s back garden and peruse the antique and collectibles. Every piece of open space has a gazebo or three; a private driveway is a good place to stick a steam powered traction engine when space is tight! Signs and maps everywhere to ensure none of the visitors miss out on any of the attractions. Except some of us did miss out. Some of us were so busy talking to the estimated 20,000 people who attended about our own Chesterfield Canal, that there was little chance to look around. It felt great to be part of it though.
I did have a look around, but very early in the morning before the hordes of people arrived for the second day of the festival. I was extremely impressed that the village did not look as if it had a hangover from day one. There was no litter to be seen anywhere and everything looked just as pretty that morning as it had done the morning before. The photos give a taste of how pretty this village is. The success of the event gives an indication of how wonderfully welcoming the people of Blisworth are and what a fantastic team of organisers they have for their festival.
Jan Warsop.
Python with banner and A-frame.