Biggest Ever Street Party to Celebrate Canal Anniversary

The 200th anniversary of the Kennet & Avon Canal will be celebrated at Bath’s biggest street party this year.  To commemorate the event, and to ensure the importance of the waterway is not forgotten, this year’s ‘Widcombe Rising’ on Sunday 13^th June has been given a watery theme.     

A magical goddess who has risen from the waters will be paraded through Widcombe’s streets in a satirical take on Bath’s Sulis Minerva legend, and local people will be encouraged to dress in nautical costumes.

Festivities will also include a history trail funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and street theatre project consisting of young people devising canal-themed scenes under the direction of professional actors from the Widcombe-based Natural Theatre Company. An exhibition in St Matthew’s Church documenting the canal’s history is being put together by Widcombe Association archivist, John Brushfield.  In addition, organisers are hoping to encourage a canal boat rally to coincide with the celebrations. 

The Kennet & Avon Canal crosses the South of England and links the River Thames at Reading with the River Avon in Bristol. Events celebrating the anniversary are being planned along the entire length of the canal throughout 2010.