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The charity making life better by water

Hayes Canal Festival is back

Hayes Canal Festival is back on the Grand Union Canal on Sunday 29 May, for the first time in nearly three years.

Young children learning to fish buy the canal

Whats on?

From free boat trips and canoe sessions to fishing and a climbing wall, there will be activities and live entertainment throughout the day, on water and land, from noon until 5pm.

In partnership with Hillingdon Council and Retail Revival, we are currently working on a regeneration project to revitalise Hillingdon High Street through a ‘Canal Retail Trail'. At the event, people will be encouraged to follow the trail, visiting the high street and the independent businesses there, completing the trail at Retail Revival's stall where they can then collect a free goodie bag.

Going from strength to strength

Ros Daniels, our director for London & the South East, said: “Hayes Festival is one of our favourite events that we run during the summer months. We're especially excited to be bringing it back, celebrating the contribution that volunteers and partners are making across London's waterways, ten years after the Canal & River Trust was established as a charity to protect and promote them. We hope this event right by the Grand Union Canal will encourage the local community to use this special green space on their doorstep, as well as appealing to visitors from further afield. Come along to enjoy the activities and hear more about the projects we're working on this year to make your local area blue, green, and better.”

David Brough, Chair of Hillingdon Canals Partnership, added: “We started Hayes Canal Festival eight years ago to raise awareness of the local community about the fantastic asset that the Grand Union Canal provides for local people. Since it has been run by the Canal & River Trust it has gone from strength to strength and become a highlight of the year for Hayes families. After the break caused by the pandemic it is a joy to see it happening again.”

Last Edited: 24 May 2022

photo of a location on the canals
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