Mendip was built in 1947 and spent much of her working life carrying chocolate crumb between the Cadbury factories at Knighton and Bournville. She was restored at the National Waterways Museum's Heritage Boatyard two years ago.
Her journey to Crick will take eight days and will include 146 locks and nine tunnels. Visitors to Crick Boat Show will be able to climb on board the boat and talk to Waterways Museum volunteers about what life was like for the working boatmen and their families. Waterways museum staff will also be in the Canal & River Trust marquee, bringing the history of our waterways and the people who built and worked on them alive, with displays, historic canal costumes, photos, archive film and story-telling.
Fascinating insight
Mike Turpin, volunteer at the Waterways Museum Heritage Boatyard and Mendip's skipper for the journey to Crick, explains: “Mendip offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the working boat people. The famous ‘Chocolate Charlie' lived and worked with her for many years, carrying chocolate crumb between the North West and Birmingham. She will be moored in the marina throughout the three show days where we are looking forward to showing her to visitors and telling them more about her history.”
Crick Boat Show is organised by Waterways World in partnership with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina and is expected to attract 25,000 visitors.
Over 200 exhibitors
At the event, over 200 exhibitors will showcase thousands of inland waterways products and services, from boats, engines and chandlery to holidays, brokerage and insurance. There's also an exciting programme of family entertainment, including free boat trips, free traditional children's fun fair, live music, children's activities, arts and crafts stands, a large variety of food and drink stalls, competitions and talks on boat owning, boat buying and living afloat.
The Crick Boat Show & Waterways Festival, which is organised by Waterways World in partnership with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina, takes place over 25-27 May at Crick Marina near Rugby in Northamptonshire. The Show will open from 10am till 6pm every day except Monday 27 May, when it closes at 5pm.
For more information, including full details of the show's seminar programme, visit www.crickboatshow.com or call 01283 742962.
