Russell Carpenter reports on the 2008 Festival

Boaters and residents joined together on 17th and 18th May for the Rickmansworth Festival, the town's annual celebration of all things canals and environment. More than 20 bands were heard and nearly 100 narrowboats and other cruisers admired by 20,000 visitors.

Amongst the highlights was a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Douglas Dakota parachute aircraft on Sunday afternoon – she flew across the Festival site three times just to make sure no one missed the opportunity for a good photo!

It was a party atmosphere despite some rain on Saturday afternoon, but overall a great success for organisers from charity Rickmansworth Waterways Trust.

Proceeds raised from the Festival support the Trust's canal education work. "Learning at Lock" teaches young people about life on the canals in the days when they carried coal and cargo.

Festival Director David Montague said: "I'm exhausted, but amazed at what the Festival Team has achieved. People come and enjoy the event and think a professional event company runs it."

"However it is all down to a group of local volunteers passionate about the Rickmansworth community, supported by Three Rivers District Council, who are dedicated to providing a great event for the town."

"Thanks to these many volunteers we've succeeded and without whom it just wouldn't be possible. Give it a week and we'll start the planning cycle for next year and we are already looking for more people to help!"

A wonderful display of boats was admired by visitors on the towpath and also on trips between locks, the boats "Pride of Batchworth" from Batchworth Lock and "Lovely Job" from Denham Deep Lock doing the honours.

Boat owners kept the usual traditions alive and well – polishing the brass, tidying the ropes and running the engines. Added to that was the Festival's Environment Fair, animal farm and – new this year – a medieval cooking and living history display.

The organisers own restored former working motorboat Roger had the star treatment, reunited after nearly 40 years with former buddy boat Raymond. Volunteers on hand from the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust and Friends of Raymond didn't stop answering questions all weekend!

Renowned canal author and also Friend of Raymond Geoffrey Lewis signed copies of his latest book "A Girl at the Tiller" at Chess Lock next to Batchworth Lock, while Latin jazz, folk and a harpist kept the music flowing at Batchworth Lock.

Appearing for the first time at the festival this year was veteran little ship from the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation "Quisisana", making her way up the canal from her mooring at Harefield Marina. Owner Martin Low was answering questions from visitors as they came by on the towpath. He said: "I've been most moved by the experience and overwhelmed by the interest people have shown in the history of the boat"

Meanwhile the legendary boaters Tug of War was as competitive as always, won on Saturday afternoon by Caldy steered by Ben and Rachel Jacobs who moor at Rickmansworth. On Sunday the honours went to Dick's Folly steered by South West Herts Narrowboat Trust.

"I've never seen so many people packed onto the towpath to watch the war," said MC and canal boat fanatic Adrian Bull.

Harbourmaster Chris Bennett, owner of narrowboat Baldock moored at Uxbridge Marina, announced other competition winners on Sunday afternoon. The best-dressed pleasure boat award went to narrowboat Cherie owned by Eric and Sally Naylor. The best-dressed working boat went to SMC Josher Clover owned Michael Pinnock, although highly commended was SMC Josher tug boat Colonel owned by Peter Thompson from Harefield.

Then there was the longest direct journey to the Festival by a canal boat, this year won by narrowboat Quidditch owned by Will Chapman. He started out at Wychnor on the Trent and Mersey and came via Coventry, Braunston and then on the Grand Union Canal to Rickmansworth. He travelled 133 miles and through 106 locks in seven days.

But another boater and owner of narrowboat Corona – Trevor Maggs – came highly commended, mainly because he's in his 70s and made his way single handed along 85 miles and through 85 locks in three days.

And it all ended with the usual lock jam late on Sunday, seventeen boats crammed together to get through Batchworth Lock. "Wow, that's the biggest I've ever seen!" was all to be said by Clive Fennell, owner of Barleycorn at Harefield Marina and organiser of the event's two main live music stages and other festival attractions.

Other boaters at the festival this year had plenty to say:

"An excellent weekend. We've had people visit us non-stop, so much so I've not been able to see the rest of it!" Andy Belton from The Narrowboat Trust on board Nuneaton and Brighton

"Fantastic and above the average. The Tug of War was fantastic, but that's because we were in it. Bring back the fancy dress next year please!" Dave Wright from Lupin

"Wish it hadn't rained on Saturday, but otherwise brilliant. It was a joy to see the Dunkirk little ship Quisisana too" Janet Jones from Prydwyn, Hillingdon Canal Club

"This is my fifth year and it gets better each time. We had a fantastic time meeting old and new friends" Keith Flower from Amberley III, moored Harefield

"We love it, that's why we come. Of all the festivals we've done, we come back to Ricky because it's the most family oriented" The Robinsons, Bristol and Argo

"My two year old has really enjoyed dressing up and going on the Roger. Well worth it!" Vicky Adamson, Croxley Green

"It was buzzing and cool. Fantastic music too" Suzanne Whitmore, Harrow

"We've had a great time – children, dog, the lot. We had a great walk down from Croxley too, although going back might be a bit harder!" Candy Sands, Croxley Green

"Well organised and a great crowd" Tony and Jean Faulkner from Edgware

"First time we've been and it was brilliant. A great atmosphere and good music, food and beer! We should have got here earlier!" Susan Thomasson from Croxley Green

"I really enjoyed it, especially the goats on the animal farm and the beer tent too! I will definitely come again next year" Rhianna Wright, Rickmansworth

So it won't be long before planning for 2009 begins!