The 2009 Historic Boat Rally will take place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June at Braunston Marina (near the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals in Northamptonshire, UK).
There will also be preliminary events on the evenings of Thursday 25th and Friday 26th.
This annual event is mainly about the boats, but there is (as usual)
plenty of good music, centred mainly in the Beer Tent and other parts pf the Marina, but also on the boats, in the parish church and in the Old Plough pub in Braunston village.
Performers involved are:-

Braunston Pickle (excellent local folk trio)
John Dunmore Boogie Band (fine local New Orleans R&B/jazz band   - playing on Saturday night only, in the Beer Tent)
DPN (old-style swing jazz trio, also playing blues, canal songs and other stuff)
Johnny Collins and Shanty Jack
Nick & Cath
Capstan Full Strength
Trim Rig and a Doxy
Hans Weehuizen

The opening music programme in the Beer Tent (serving good local real ales) is on Friday night (7.30pm through to midnight).   The "shanty" contingent will be singing in the parish church on Friday evening.
Saturday and Sunday beer tent musical programme will start at mid-day.
On Saturday night Braunston Pickle will host a singaround/playaround
in the Old Plough pub in the village. Members of DPN will also be there plus various other regulars.
There will be Morris Dance groups at the Marina during the daytime
(details not to hand).
Non-music events include the Day Star Theatre Company performing
"An Unpleasant Business" in the Beer Tent on Thursday evening
(tickets £10). Entry to the Marina and all other events is free, although there is a £10 car-parking charge (all profits to canal and local causes). The site opens at 10am on Saturday and Sunday.
Loads of interesting narrowboats, of course, including the last remaining steam-powered narrowboat "President" (now in its 100th year), and trade, craft and canal society stalls. Fast food available.

Braunston Marina is on the A45, near Daventry, Northants NN11 7JH.

www.braunstonmarina.co.uk   


                        Dave Illingworth

(I have no official connection with the Rally, except that our band DPN will be there for our fourth year and we always have a great time, rain or shine)