Starting the festivities

THE Friends of the Boat Museum at Stoke Bruerne are starting the festive season with a special day next Saturday, 6th December, with boat trips, carols, live music and a procession of illuminated boats on the canal.

There'll even be a light show on the face of the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum, that is all happening between 4.45pm and 7.30pm on the canalside next to the museum.

Floating traders

There'll be hot food and beverages available to keep out the chill, the museum shop and other canalside gift shops will be open for a choice of last minute Christmas presents and there will be a Christmas market at The Navigation pub nearby, which will be open all weekend long with floating traders on the canal.

The first boat trip on Charlie, which joins up with the illuminated boat procession at Blisworth Tunnel, leaves from outside the museum at 4.45pm. The boats will be arriving about 5.15 to 5.30pm to meet up with the children's lantern procession ready for the children's and adult carol singing.

Best illuminated boat

Afterwards there will be a judging and the awarding of a prize for the best illuminated boat and an opportunity to take part in filling the top lock with the light from hundreds of floating candles and guess the name of the Christmas Bear competition.