Canal Festival is cancelled
Published Monday 26th July 10
Pendle Council has taken the decision to cancel this year’s Canal Festival on Saturday, 11th September, due to the closure of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
British Waterways announced on Tuesday 13th July, that, due to a period of dry weather, the supply of water to the canal would not be able to be sustained as of Monday, 2nd August.
It will be the first time in 15 years that the canal will be closed, thanks to some of the worst drought conditions for a hundred years.
The planned closure will involve almost half of Britain's longest man-made waterway, which covers 127 miles, including its stretch through Pendle from Reedley to Barnoldswick.
Vaughan Jones, Pendle Council's Tourism Manager, said: "The Canal Festival at Reedley Marina is one of the most popular days out on Pendle Council's events calendar, so it is a great shame we have to cancel it this year.
"However, as a responsible Local Authority, we are happy to show our support to British Waterways in order to protect the integrity of the canal and reservoirs and safeguard our aquatic habitat."
Despite the canal closure, the council will continue to help promote the Heritage Open Days programme over the weekend of Saturday 11th September and Sunday 12th September, of which the Canal Festival would have been the "finale".
The programme involves Heritage Trust for the North West, Earby Youth Hostel, The Lead Mining Museum in Earby, and Bancroft Mill in Barnoldswick, where there will be free entry all weekend.
It is not yet known when the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will reopen, although an update will be given on Monday, 9th August.
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