Historic boats back in town at NWM

MORE than 2300 visitors and 40 historic working boats attended the Easter Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port.

Attendance increased by 7% on 2019, the last festival before the pandemic lockdowns.

Canal & River Trust staff and volunteers were in period costume, the weather was fine and sunny and there was some great positive feedback from boaters and visitors who came to enjoy the spectacle.

Chris Done, visitor services manager said: “The whole site was buzzing across the four days, it felt like we made it our very own ‘canal town’ for the Easter weekend.

“It was great to see all of the historic boats moored up, giving visitors a taste of what the site would have been like back in its heyday.”

Attractions and destinations manager Ani Sutton and engagement manager Rebecca Mason on the ice cream bike.

PHOTOS: CRT A cheery wave from boaters at the Easter gathering.

Historic boats gathered in the lower basin.

Visitor services manager Chris Done.

Volunteer Diana Skilbeck in costume on board Gifford.