Over 2,000 people visited the three-day event and had the opportunity to indulge trying and buying a whole host of canal-related arts, crafts and jewellery, as well as the more unusual art of palmistry and poetry.
Tony Hales, chairman of the Canal & River Trust, said: “This weekend was a huge success and I would like to thank all the boaters who came along and showed the local people of Birmingham just how diverse the canals can be and how much they have to offer.”
John Sloan, who came up with the idea of the floating market, said: “We had a fantastic turnout and great support from both the boating and local community. I hope we can continue the success of the market around the country and encourage more people to visit their local waterway.”
Wonderful donation
During the event the Roving Canal Traders Association, the organisation that represents boaters who work and live on the waterways and who organised the event, presented a cheque for £200 towards our work.
Tony said: “I would like to thank the Roving Canal Traders Association for their wonderful donation to the Trust. Boats have been trading along the nation's canal since the waterways were first built over 200 years ago. What they sell nowadays may have changed but there still is something really special about being able to pop out and see something a little different along your local canal.”
Michael Wooding, from the Roving Canal Traders Association, adds: “The Canal & River Trust has been brilliant in supporting this wonderful event and the donation is just our way of recognising the work it does to look after the canals in Birmingham and beyond.”
