Things to Do at the Festival

There will be plenty to see and do at the festival.  Come and see old and modern narrowboats that will be moored along the towpath at the festival site and enjoy a boat trip along the canal.  At the festival site there are many crafts being demonstrated with the chance to have a go at some of them.  There will also be stalls, things for children to do, wine tasting and refreshments.  While you are at the festival, take the opportunity to walk along the tow path and see why canals are so popular with walkers, cyclists, naturalists and anglers, as well as boaters.

Crafts and Demonstrations

with the ability to have a go at some of them

• Traditional Roses & Castles - Jes Inglis
• Peg Looming - Lin Inglis
• Rag Rug making - Deborah Hastings
  Deborah will be demonstrating how to make a rag rug from scraps of material. The craft of Rag Rugging is an old one. It developed out of the need to make cottagers’ homes more comfortable as the floors were frequently beaten earth and warm insulation was needed. Today it is a good way to recycle material and is a simple and popular way to earn a few green points.  Here are two examples of her work.
  
• Weaving Alpaca Wool - Maureen Preen
  In the 1970s Maureen Preen owned and bred Samoyeds and taught herself how to spin their combings. By the 80’s her naturally dyed handspun Samoyed doghair knitwear was selling in the top USA stores. It was while she was in America that Maureen discovered ‘Weaving Sticks’. At the Maesbury Canal Festival Maureen will be helping you to create objects like a canal boat, dragon fly or reed mace etc using oddments of yarn and plastic, woven on weaving sticks and corkwork bobbins.

• Blacksmithing Display and Activity
• Stokes of England
• Felting - Pam Gott
  Pam Gott will be demonstrating and helping you to experience felting carded wool to make four or five beads to make a bracelet. From experience at other Festivals and fairs, Pam says that this activity is popular with boys and girls. There may also be the opportunity to hand card washed wool to felt if there are quiet times in the day. Pam is a supply teacher by profession and has many years of experience working with children. Felting with wool is a traditional craft and the activity is both worthwhile and very enjoyable. A great opportunity for you to try a new activity.
• Jewellery Demonstration - Lisa Chan
  Lisa Chan makes embellished textile brooches using various methods including, hand stitching, beading, needle felting and fabric manipulation. She will be demonstrating various techniques during the festival and a selection of her work will be available for you to buy.
  
• Wool Dying - Pippa Geddes

Exhibits

• Minature Steam Train
• Land Rovers

Stalls including:

• Waterways Craft Guild
• Mulberry Alpaca Goods
• Flock of Ages - Shropshire wool gifts
  Flock of Ages is a joint venture between sisters Lyn Sellwood and Pippa Geddes. With complimentary skills but a shared enthusiasm for the countryside, they have created a range of products inspired by rare-breed Shropshire sheep. Lyn brings to the partnership a life long interest in knitting and handmade textiles, coupled with a growing expertise in developing and using natural dyestuffs. Flock of Ages has developed a unique range of handmade gifts using wool from local Shropshire sheep and incorporate hand dyed yarns produced in subtle colours reflecting the seasons of the British countryside.
  
• Wroxeter Roman Vineyard
  The vineyard will be bringing their award winning wine and cider to the event with the opportunity to have a taste.
  
• Kenya Krafts
  Prof Bob Scott has worked in Kenya for over 25 years and still visits the country several times a year. He now distributes handicrafts that are made in the country, purchased from the people who make them. Some of these handicrafts have been made especially for the UK market.  Items for sale include bookmarks, jewellery, beadwork, drums and bags.
  
• Commonwood Vineyard
  The Wem vineyard will be attending with their red and white wines with the opportunity to have a taste.
  

Food and Drink

• Canal Central Tea Room
• French Connection
• Baked Potatoes
• Real Ale
• Rainbow Slush

Exciting Children’s activities:

• Make a foghorn
• Design a lace plate
• Make a felt bracelet
• Experience blacksmithing
• Step aboard an old working boat
• Rob Chapman - Magician, Hypnotist, Entertainer and Wizard

Boats including:

• Saturn (A restored horse drawn fly boat)
• The Cheese Boat
• Old working boats
• Trip Boat - Take a trip on the Montgomery Canal