Oxford Canal Festival raising money to restore of a 112-year-old narrowboat for community
It will be used as a venue for storytelling, music and boat trips
Last updated 21st Sep 2024
Oxford Canal Festival is getting underway today which will see market stalls, entertainment, live music, poetry and a dog show.
Organisers are hoping to raise enough money to provide a boat for the community as part of ‘The Kilsby Boat Project’.
The project is rescuing and restoring a 1912 canal boat, reinventing it as a community venue for storytelling, music and boat trips.
Kilsby is moored at Tooley’s historic boatyard awaiting restoration works that will enable her to make the trip back home to Oxford.
Councillor James Fry is one of the organisers of the event, he said: “The aim is to have a viable boat to be used for education and taking people up and down the canal.
“Once the restoration of the boat is completed, our hope is that once the Jericho boat charge development is finally developed, we are hoping to moor it there.
“It would be ideal as a base for taking children, adults, and performances up and down the canal”.
“So, it’s really to be used as a community boat.”
What’s going on at the Canal Festival?
The Canal Festival takes place every two years and organisers say they have spent around £20,000 to put on the event, which is sustained through funds raised and money made on the day.
Organisers say the dog show is the most popular attraction at the festival, with winners of the competition being able to take home canine prizes for their furry friends.
There is also craft beers and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a selection of food vendors offering international cuisines.