Rickmansworth Festival 2011 sees record crowds and record numbers of boats

The nineteenth Rickmansworth Festival was blessed by near perfect weather over the weekend of May 21st and 22nd which contributed to a massive attendance from people from all over the country. The Festival is organised by volunteers from the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust in partnership with Three Rivers District Council to raise funds to support the Trust’s award winning education programme, Learning at the Lock. It takes place every year on the third weekend in May between Batchworth and Stockers Locks on the Grand Union Canal and in the Aquadrome in Rickmansworth incorporating the traditional Canal Festival with an Environment fair, music and community Festival.

A record number of 104 narrow boats attended, including over 30 traditional boats making this the biggest attendance since the Festival began. Boats were moored up to 4 deep along the tow path, many decorated for the weekend, creating a fantastic spectacle for the visiting public. A regular trip boat service carried visitors past all the boats allowing them to see all the visiting narrow boats from an alternative perspective.

Live music was a key feature as usual with 4 performance areas including the main stage in the Aquadrome, lock side at Batchworth, and also the beer tent and the Owlsworld marquees. The objective of Clive Fennel, the team’s entertainment manager, is to provide something for everyone and that was certainly achieved this year. Music ranged from folk, rock, the massed voices of Rock Choir and the sensational sounds of Watford Boys Grammar School’s Big Band who closed the main stage on Sunday afternoon. The audience filling the main entertainment area in the Aquadrome did not want them to finish! The only disappointment this year was that the strong winds on the Sunday prevented a fly past from the Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – hopefully better luck next year.

When combined with over 70 trade and craft stalls, Funfair, Children’s farm, Shire horses, marquees hosting the Environment Fair and businesses from Rickmansworth Chamber of Commerce the weekend had something for everyone. So if you missed all the fun this year book the date for 2012 in you diary now.

The 20th Rickmansworth Festival will be held on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May 2012. Booking information for attendees will be available on the Festival 2012 webpage from mid January 2012.

Clive and Sue Fennel, who have done such a fantastic job organising all the entertainment for the Festival since 2006, have decided to take a more back seat role in the entertainment team next year. We thank them for all their support and know they will continue to be involved in the Festival. If you want to be part of the Entertainment Team or get involved in any other aspect of the Ricky Festival follow the contact links on the Festival 2012 page and we will hopefully see you in the team next year.