Sun brings crowds to Newbury Waterways Festival

An hour after the festival opened at 10am to the public, mayor, Arthur Johnson, officially opened the festival at 11am, joined by Adrian Edwards, chairman of West Berkshire Council, David Bruce, president of (organisers) the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and Mike Rodd, chairman of the trust, along with Rob Dean, of the trust’s Newbury branch.
Mr Johnson also presented the award for Best Dressed Boat to John Ross, (pictured) aged 73, of Ash, near Basingstoke, for his 11ft six inch sailing dinghy - decorated and transformed on the theme of the festival - diamonds and gold, reflecting both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the trust’s Golden Jubilee.
A display of some 20 colourful and decorated narrowboats included historic working boats, Brighton and Nuneaton, with a cargo of coal, which visitors could climb aboard for a look around.
Other attractions included a funfair and land train, food and refreshments and games, while local jazz duo, Idle Words, entertained with mellow summer sounds throughout.
The duck race at 4pm proved a highlight before the festival drew to a close at 5pm.