Saturn for Maesbury

THE last horse-drawn Shropshire Union Canal Fly-boat in the world, Saturn has arrived on the Montgomery Canal to be one of the main exhibits at the Maesbury Canal Festival.

This is taking place this coming weekend 4th and 5th September, and during  the festival, Saturn will be on display with volunteers from the Saturn Project on-hand to talk to visitors about the boat  and her history, Martin Richards tells us.  The picture shows Saturn dropping down Frankton Locks on to the Montgomery.

Barrow of boulders

On the Sunday morning at 11am, Saturn will be horse drawn by Bilbo along the new section of the Montgomery Canal between Gronwen and Redwith Bridge, starting at Crofts Mill Lift Bridge. Saturn will deliver a 'Barrow of Boulders' to the restoration volunteers working on the next section to help publicise the appeal.

This will be a milestone for this section which is normally shut-off to navigation to enable the new plant life to establish, and due to there being no winding hole at the end by Redwith Bridge. Saturn will then be reversed back to Gronwen and moored as an exhibit at the festival. During the afternoon, Sue Day will be at the festival site with Bilbo (pictured) giving harnessing demonstrations.

The organisers point out that this will be a unique sight and a great photo opportunity so make sure that you are at the festival on the Sunday morning.